Xiao Man's expression turned to shock. If this surging power were allowed to flood her body unchecked, she would surely explode.
"Girl, quickly, circulate the Hun Yuan Heart Method," Elder Qin's voice echoed. "This power can help you cleanse your meridians and strengthen your bones, but you must calm your mind and use the Hun Yuan Heart Method to protect your heart's脉. Otherwise, you will surely die!"
Xiao Man quickly followed his instructions. As the surging power poured into her body and wreaked havoc, blood gushed from her seven orifices. Yet, the power continued to flood her body, and she felt her meridians were on the verge of collapse!
Gritting her teeth, Xiao Man inwardly cursed. Discharging her cultivation had already cost her half her life, and now this. If she couldn't endure it, it was a dead end!
Late into the night, Xiao Man's screams echoed through the Purgatory Tower. Yet, no sound could be heard from the outside. The disciples who had been attempting to challenge the Purgatory Tower were instantly expelled. Inside the Purgatory Tower, only Xiao Man remained.
"What's going on? Why were we thrown out?" the expelled disciples asked, their faces filled with confusion. "I was so close to passing, why was I thrown out?"
"Strange, we were thrown out too."
"Is anyone still inside?" they looked around and saw many others had been ejected, but Xiao Man was nowhere to be seen.
"Xiao Qin is still inside."
"Could Xiao Qin be attempting to clear all eighteen levels?" the expelled disciples gathered, whispering amongst themselves.
"I'm going to try the tower again. I can't lose to a junior brother who just arrived," one person declared and walked towards the Purgatory Tower. However, as soon as he approached, he was repelled by the tower's barrier. "Strange, I can't get in."
The others, not believing him, tried one after another. They discovered that the Purgatory Tower was indeed impenetrable.
"It really is impossible to enter."
Elder Bai was also greatly shocked. This was the first time the Purgatory Tower had expelled all its attempting disciples. And more importantly, Xiao Man was still inside!
"Elder Bai, we can't get in. What should we do?"
"No need to rush. It's likely Xiao Qin is attempting the eighteenth level. Once she passes, you will be able to enter. Since you can't get in now, go back and rest."
"Elder Bai, is Xiao Qin going to pass the entire tower?"
"Is passing the tower something you can just say? It's not that easy," Elder Bai boomed. "All of you, go back. Whether she passes or not depends on her ability."
After dispersing the disciples, Elder Bai remained to guard the Purgatory Tower. When Yue Tianxia descended, Elder Bai was leaning against the Purgatory Tablet, staring blankly at the Purgatory Tower. It wasn't until Yue Tianxia spoke that he snapped back to attention.
"Greetings, Sect Master."
"Indeed, a newborn calf fears no tiger," Yue Tianxia said slowly. "Youth is a wonderful thing. No worries about the consequences, just charge forward."
"Sect Master, what kind of assessment is on the eighteenth level?" Elder Bai asked, confused, as Yue Tianxia had been up there before.
"The eighteenth level is the dissolution of all prior cultivation, and starting anew."
"What do you mean?"
"Dispelling cultivation and re-cultivating," Yue Tianxia said slowly. When he had ascended in the past, he was deterred by the prospect of dispelling his cultivation and starting over. As the Sect Master, he was not qualified to do so. Once he lost all his power, the Heavenly Sword Sect would crumble. He dared not take the risk, nor could he. Thus, he could only stop at the seventeenth level, unable to advance further.
"Dispelling cultivation and re-cultivating!" Elder Bai exclaimed. It wasn't just Yue Tianxia who couldn't do it; even he couldn't. He had cultivated for many years to reach his current level. If he were to dispel his cultivation, his lifespan would first reach its limit, and he would not live long. Even if he had the chance to re-cultivate, he wouldn't have the lifespan to do so.
"Yes, dispelling cultivation and re-cultivating," Yue Tianxia said slowly. "The younger one is, the more capital they have to start over. This young man is intelligent. No wonder Ran'er is friends with him. He is a remarkable individual."
"The Young Sect Master's judgment of people has always been excellent."
Yue Tianxia nodded in agreement. "When Xiao Qin emerges, grant her the position of an honored guest. Since she is talented, we cannot be too stingy. She must be given the appropriate stipends and status."
"Yes, Sect Master."
"By the way, Sect Master, the Madam also pays close attention to Xiao Qin. She even came to the Purgatory Tower to observe today."
Sect Master Yue was somewhat puzzled. He knew his wife well; she rarely paid attention to anything beyond Yue Ran. He then thought that since Yue Ran was close to Xiao Man, it was natural for his wife to pay more attention.
"Xiao Qin is close to Ran'er, so it's natural for her to pay more attention. There are many outsiders in the sect now, so let's not publicize Xiao Qin's matters widely, lest someone exploit the situation."
"This subordinate understands and will handle it properly."
The day before Yue Ran's birthday banquet, Madam Yue released him. However, Yue Ran showed no intention of backing down. Fortunately, Xiao Man remained in the Purgatory Tower, which somewhat eased Madam Yue's anxiety.
Since Xiao Man ascended to the eighteenth level, there had been no activity. Yue Ran had tried to enter the Purgatory Tower several times but was blocked by the barrier, causing him to pace anxiously around the tower.
"Stop pacing. No one can enter now. Only when Xiao Qin emerges can others go in," Yue Xia said lazily.
Yue Ran squatted on the Purgatory Tablet, staring intently at the Purgatory Tower. "Tomorrow is my birthday. I wonder if my second brother can come out in time to celebrate with me."
"Likely not."
"Shut up!" Yue Ran said irritably. "My second brother is a man of his word. He has never broken a promise to me. She said she would celebrate my birthday with me, and she will certainly do so."
Yue Xia pouted. "She is not in control of herself right now. Whether she can come out is even a question."
"She can! She definitely can!"
"Aren't you going to wear your Fire Fox Brocade anymore?" Yue Xia looked at the clothes Yue Ran was wearing. He had worn the same outfit on Sorrow Cliff last time, and now that he was out, he was still wearing it. Although the color wasn't eye-catching, it made Yue Ran appear even more composed.
"I'm not wearing it. This was personally made by my second brother for me. From now on, I will only wear clothes made by her." Yue Ran jumped off the Purgatory Tablet and twirled in front of Yue Xia. "Doesn't it look good!"
Yue Xia thought to himself, retracting his earlier assessment. Where was the composure? This person was still like a child!
"It looks good. How does it compare to the Fire Fox Brocade?" Su Dan Novel Network
"Of course, the clothes personally made by my second brother are better. They are impervious to water and fire, and blades and spears," Yue Ran said proudly. "This is the only one in the world, a birthday gift from my second brother."
"Tsk tsk," Yue Xia felt his teeth ache with envy. "Before, when Madam made you new clothes, you also liked to show them off to me."
"This time is different. From now on, I will only wear clothes made for me by my second brother."
"She is your second brother, not your wife. How can she make clothes for you every day? You're dreaming!" Yue Xia couldn't help but mock him. "I think your brain was frozen on Sorrow Cliff this time!"