Chapter 2 The Second Level
In the second level of the Zhenyu, Li Xuan ultimately chose to enter.
Although the Heavenly Dao Pen and the Cang Ling Pagoda were at odds, Li Xuan felt that what the Heavenly Dao Pen said made sense. Even if he reached the Saint Realm or even the Shi Yuan Realm, he would still not be a match for the five individuals in the first layer. It was better to go in and take a look. Perhaps there were good things in the second layer as well?
With this mindset, Li Xuan took a deep breath and stepped onto the stairs.
"Breaking Pagoda, do you dare to follow?" the Heavenly Dao Pen floated in mid-air and said.
"Breaking Pen, if you dare to go in, I dare!" the Cang Ling Pagoda responded without showing any weakness.
"The world is vast, there is nothing I dare not do!" the Heavenly Dao Pen declared and immediately flew towards Li Xuan. Seeing this, the Cang Ling Pagoda quickly shrunk and followed.
Li Xuan stepped through the portal, and his figure instantly vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already in the second level. The Heavenly Dao Pen and the Cang Ling Pagoda were now flanking Li Xuan.
"Holy crap, little master, quickly sense the time flow inside!" before Li Xuan could even react, the Heavenly Dao Pen spoke urgently.
Li Xuan was startled. He instinctively closed his eyes and began to sense. After a few breaths, Li Xuan's eyes snapped open, and his expression became somewhat excited.
The time flow in this second level was completely opposite to the first level!
In the first level, ten years outside was only one year inside. But in this second level, ten years inside was only one year outside!
"My heavens, who forged this Zhenyu? This ability is simply defying the heavens!" the Heavenly Dao Pen exclaimed.
"Breaking Pen, are you not boasting anymore? The level of this Zhenyu is probably something even your true form would find hard to match," the Cang Ling Pagoda was also immensely shocked, but then it taunted the Heavenly Dao Pen.
For the first time, the Heavenly Dao Pen did not retort. The level of the Zhenyu might indeed be no less than its true form. Although the Heavenly Dao Pen knew its own capabilities, the Zhenyu's abilities were also considerable. Moreover, this was only the second level; who knew what else awaited them.
"Master, besides the time flow, the spiritual energy in this second level is also five times that of the first level," the Cang Ling Pagoda said to Li Xuan, seeing that the Heavenly Dao Pen remained silent.
Li Xuan nodded. The self-contained space of the first level of the Zhenyu also had its own exclusive spiritual energy. With the Cang Ling Pagoda around, the spiritual energy had improved considerably during this time. The spiritual energy in the second level was five times more potent than the first.
"Let's go see those stone coffins," Li Xuan sensed slightly, then took a deep breath and said. The Heavenly Dao Pen and the Cang Ling Pagoda immediately fell silent. Those suppressed in this second level were all beings stronger than those in the first level.
Li Xuan walked slowly. Based on his recent sensing, Li Xuan had confirmed that there were four stone coffins in this second level. This meant that four powerful individuals were suppressed here.
A minute later, Li Xuan's footsteps halted. Before him appeared a stone coffin identical to those in the first level. A golden sword was also inserted into the coffin. Li Xuan glanced at it; the level of this golden sword had clearly reached the King Sword. Judging by its luster, it had already been largely depleted.
Time was running short, Li Xuan frowned inwardly. If the power of these golden swords dissipated, the suppression would likely fail. The thought of five peerless powerhouses, whose strength surpassed Yi Qin's, appearing made Li Xuan's scalp tingle.
"I never expected that after tens of thousands of years, I, Gui Jianchou, would see a living person again. Little fellow, you are very good," at this moment, a hoarse voice echoed from within the stone coffin.
Li Xuan was somewhat surprised, but then he understood. When he entered the first level, Yi Qin could sense him. It went without saying that these beings in the second level could too.
"Junior Li Xuan, greetings, senior Gui," Li Xuan clasped his fists and said.
"The gate of all wonders, profound and mysterious. Your name is well chosen," Gui Jianchou said.
Li Xuan smiled and then tentatively asked, "May I ask how senior was suppressed in this second level?"
"Second level?" Gui Jianchou seemed to be taken aback, then replied, "Little fellow, does this place really have multiple levels?"
Li Xuan nodded slightly and said, "This place is divided into nine levels."
"Nine levels? Holy crap, with my strength, I was only suppressed in the second level!" Gui Jianchou was clearly displeased. His tone suggested that being suppressed in the second level was an insult to his status. Li Xuan was speechless; it seemed these powerful individuals were quite arrogant.
"Alas, the second level is the second level. Since that person suppressed me here, it must mean my strength was still insufficient. I thought I was already very strong, but I couldn't even block one of their swords. To think this is only the second level, how detestable," Gui Jianchou lamented.
Li Xuan smiled helplessly. Gui Jianchou was still unhappy about being suppressed in the second level.
However, Li Xuan had gleaned some information: the powerful individual in the second level had failed to block his master's sword. Li Xuan's respect for his master's strength increased once more in his heart.
"Little fellow, you are the new master of this place, aren't you?" While Li Xuan was in a daze, Gui Jianchou took the initiative to ask.
Li Xuan nodded and replied, "Yes."
Gui Jianchou then eagerly asked, "Little fellow, can you release me? Rest assured, I swear I will not harm you."
Hearing this, the Heavenly Dao Pen spoke, "Little master, it's best to be cautious."
The Cang Ling Pagoda, for the first time, agreed with the Heavenly Dao Pen, "Master, it's better to wait."
Li Xuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have my own plans."
"Little fellow, you are the master here. These two things should also be your spiritual artifacts, right? As a master, how can you be swayed by your spiritual artifacts? Little fellow, if you release me, I can give you a divine artifact!" Gui Jianchou said.
Hearing this, the Heavenly Dao Pen floated above the stone coffin and said, "Who are you calling 'things'?"
Gui Jianchou seemed stunned and asked, "Aren't you a 'thing'?"
"Holy crap, you're the one who's not a 'thing'! Little Pagoda, he's saying you're not a 'thing', can you tolerate that?" the Heavenly Dao Pen shouted angrily at the Cang Ling Pagoda.
The Cang Ling Pagoda also floated above the stone coffin and said, "Breaking Pen, didn't you say you could handle this? Come on, you handle this person."
The Heavenly Dao Pen then said, "Breaking Pagoda, this isn't about handling or not handling, it's about him saying you're not a 'thing'."
"It seems he said that to you," the Cang Ling Pagoda hesitated and said.
Hearing this, the Heavenly Dao Pen spoke, "What the hell are you, Gui Jianchou? Did you say the Breaking Pagoda is not a 'thing'?"
Gui Jianchou: "..."
Li Xuan: "..."
Li Xuan turned and left. He had not agreed to Gui Jianchou's request. After all, this was his first interaction with Gui Jianchou, and it was wise to maintain caution.
More importantly, Li Xuan lacked confidence. What if Gui Jianchou attacked him immediately after being released? How would Li Xuan resist?
Rely on the Heavenly Dao Pen?
Rely on the Cang Ling Pagoda?
Unreliable.