C4 Ninelevel Demon Tower

"I can't take much more of this. What in the world is this thing? Are you just trying to get back at me?"

Ye Feng had been enduring for quite some time. As the Spiritual Energy within him was depleted, a barrage of stones pelted him, scorching him with pain.

"Kid, don't play innocent after snagging a bargain. This Nine Stage Demon Tower is one of the sect's ten great Magic Arrays. It offers tremendous benefits to cultivators at the Body Tempering and Spirit Astral Stage. Others would kill for a chance to train here; they'd have to curry favor with me. So count your blessings!"

"Ah... enough talk. I'm feeling sleepy. Time for a little nap."

The old man offered a brief explanation, yawned, and drifted off to sleep.

Witnessing this, Ye Feng's gears started turning. Once the old man was asleep, he could sneak away from the Magic Array, and all his problems would be solved, right?

After enduring another round of stone pelting within the array, Ye Feng noticed the old man was so sound asleep that he was drooling. Seizing the opportunity, he attempted to leave the Magic Array, but as he neared its edge, a massive force repelled him.

"Boom!"

With a loud crash, Ye Feng was catapulted through the air and landed hard on the ground, groaning as he clutched his sore backside. Now he understood why the old man could sleep so soundly; the Magic Array had a confining effect!

"Ouch..."

As Ye Feng pondered the workings of the Magic Array, several stones struck his head, eliciting sharp pain.

"To hell with it, I'm not dodging anymore. Let's see what this lousy Magic Array can do to me!"

With a defiant statement, Ye Feng pulled out the large iron pot and golden shovel provided by the system and began his counteroffensive.

He deflected an incoming stone with a swift shovel strike. When overwhelmed, he used the pot as a shield to fend off the attacks.

After what seemed like an eternity, Ye Feng discovered two more perks of the Magic Array!

Once he stopped using Spiritual Force for defense, he realized his Spiritual Force was gradually replenishing. Moreover, he didn't feel hunger within the Magic Array and had an inexhaustible supply of energy.

Supported by these two advantages, Ye Feng noticed over time that he was deflecting more stones and fewer were hitting him. His reflexes for dodging and his attack speed had significantly improved.

Realizing these benefits, Ye Feng couldn't help but marvel at the brilliance of the Magic Array!

"It's no wonder this is one of the top ten Magic Arrays of the sect. It's truly impressive!"

While Ye Feng was reflecting, a sudden thought crossed his mind.

The old man told me to hide?

Could it be that he was deliberately toying with me?

With this realization, Ye Feng gave the old man a look of mild irritation.

"There's no need for that look. I'm teaching you life lessons. Don't just parrot what others say; have your own convictions. You're doing quite well in that regard, so you ought to be thanking me!"

Despite apparently sleeping with his back to Ye Feng, the old man seemed to catch every one of Ye Feng's movements, prompting him to speak up.

"Old man, have you grown eyes in the back of your head? I barely glanced at you, and you noticed?"

Ye Feng was dumbfounded, his face a picture of disbelief.

"Kid, I noticed you're a whiz in the kitchen and you've got talent. That's why I've given you some guidance. Don't fail to recognize a blessing when you see one!"

"Get on with your training. When I take you out in the future, you'll be able to do more than cook; you'll be able to fight, and that will reflect well on me too!"

"Now that you've nearly mastered the first level, let's ramp up the difficulty. Time to start the second level!"

After a few more words, the old man clapped his hands and the Magic Array began to morph.

"Old man, you never mentioned a second level to this Magic Array. The first level was tough enough; is the second level going to skin me alive?"

"I'm done with this. Let me out!"

Ye Feng's face was a patchwork of bruises, and his body ached from the earlier barrage. If it weren't for his counterattacks, he might have been completely incapacitated.

"If you're not up for it, you can always kneel and bow three times to me, admit your mistake, and I'll let you out. What do you say?"

Seeing the old man rise with a beaming smile, a surge of anger welled up inside Ye Feng.

"Nonsense!"

"I, Ye Feng, kneel only to the heavens, my parents, and my teachers. Why should I kneel to you without reason? I refuse to kneel. Use whatever tricks you have. If I, Ye Feng, show fear, then I might as well take your surname!"

Ye Feng's words were filled with conviction, prompting a faint smile from the old man. "Ah, you've got spine. I admire those who aren't afraid to die. Keep silent if you dare. If you withstand the third level, I'll not only let you go, but I'll also promote you to an Inner Sect Disciple!"

The old man's smile deepened with significance as he continued, "Of course, once this Magic Array starts, it won't stop unless I intervene from the outside. So, when you reach the third level, be sure to wake me up. Otherwise, I fear your death might be quite unsightly."

Ye Feng felt a twinge of apprehension at the old man's taunting, but a voice within him refused to back down.

"Just the third level? Bring it on. I want to see what's so impressive about the sect's Ten Great Magic Arrays!"

With that declaration, Ye Feng's gaze hardened. Holding a pot in one hand and a spatula in the other, he braced himself for the Magic Array to advance to the second level.

Slowly, a dense fog enveloped the Magic Array, revealing a completely new world before Ye Feng.

The previous platform vanished, replaced by eight stone doors, each engraved with ancient symbols and arranged in the pattern of the Eight Trigrams, encircling Ye Feng.

One of the stone doors creaked open, and out stepped a Black Puppet clad in black armor.

Standing about two meters tall, the Black Puppet was imposing, brandishing a stone sword that suggested it was no easy foe.

"Great... This big fellow isn't here to pick a fight, is he?"

Ye Feng gave the Black Puppet a once-over, his mouth twitching involuntarily as a sense of trepidation crept over him.

At that moment, the eyes beneath the Black Puppet's mask ignited with a crimson glow. A mechanical voice then announced, "First hexagram, the Zhen hexagram, the Gate of Pain Trial has commenced!"

No sooner had the Black Puppet spoken than it began to lift its massive stone sword, and in an instant, it struck at Ye Feng with the speed of lightning.

"Damn it... This puppet is playing dirty. I didn't even say we were starting yet!"

Ye Feng dodged frantically, cursing as he went, his face the picture of distress.

"Bang!"

With a mighty swing, the Black Puppet's sword carved a large crater into the ground, its power so immense it was terrifying.

But before Ye Feng could even catch his breath, the Black Puppet pivoted and launched another ferocious slash in his direction.