C64 What Is There in the Flying Cloud Tower?

What secrets lie within the Flying Cloud Tower? Why do those who emerge from it appear so profoundly changed? And why did Wu Baishun seem so frail after his departure from the Tower?

Yu Kun was brimming with curiosity, yet no one could provide him with answers.

Luckily, it was now Yu Kun's turn to ascend the Tower.

He leaned into the massive door of the Flying Cloud Tower, feeling its considerable weight resist his push.

"The Flying Cloud Tower must be a relic of ancient times," Yu Kun mused as he heaved the door open and crossed the threshold. The door then closed behind him, sealing him inside the Tower's enigmatic depths.

Outside, the Elders burst into eager speculation.

"Yu Kun has clinched first place twice; his prowess is undeniable. What achievements will he unlock within the Tower?"

"It's difficult to predict. But with the likes of Bai Qingfeng setting the precedent, Yu Kun's performance is bound to be impressive!"

"Which Elder will Yu Kun choose as his master, I wonder?"

Zhou Xingtian couldn't hide his smug grin. "I've long been acquainted with Yu Kun. It was I who gave him his cultivation imprint. Once he joins the Inner Sect, he's sure to become my disciple."

His words stirred a wave of envy among the onlookers.

Yet, another voice cut through, tinged with reproach. "Zhou Xingtian, how can you be so brazen? I believe he'd be better suited as my disciple."

Zhou Xingtian turned, taken aback by the challenger. It was Kong Qingxuan, a female Elder renowned for her discerning judgment.

"Kong Qingxuan!" he retorted with a slight smile. "You're not Yu Kun. What makes you so certain he won't choose me?"

Kong Qingxuan's smile was cool, her confidence unshaken.

"He certainly won't be your disciple. Your lot are all romance-deaf men, while my disciples are each a vision of grace. He's a young man in the prime of his Blood Energy. Do you really think he'd prefer the company of men over that of young women?"

At her words, Zhou Xingtian's face clouded over with a dark scowl.

Zhou Xingtian couldn't deny that Kong Qingxuan was spot on. It's only natural for a typical man to be attracted to women!

Unless Yu Kun was psychologically unusual, he would certainly opt for the female Elder!

Just then, the grand entrance of the Flying Cloud Tower began to open slowly.

The gazes of several Elders quickly darted toward the movement.

Their expressions shifted dramatically in response.

Outside, the debate over Yu Kun had been relentless. Inside, however, Yu Kun looked puzzled.

The Flying Cloud Tower was empty.

More accurately, it contained nothing but a serpentine staircase that twisted its way to the roof, spiraling along the tower's inner curve.

"This doesn't seem dangerous. Could there be traps on the stairs? Will I trigger an attack if I step on them?"

Yu Kun was taken aback but then shook his head.

"No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions. The Flying Cloud Tower must have its unique features; otherwise, why would Wu Baishun have never managed to reach the top? I'll start by going up."

With that thought, he stepped forward and ascended the staircase.

As he did, his mind conjured up a myriad of scenarios.

Winds howling, the ground giving way, a barrage of arrows and bolts flying, monsters emerging within the tower.

But contrary to expectations, the Flying Cloud Tower remained unchanged.

It was as if the tower was an inanimate object, completely unresponsive.

Yu Kun was astounded.

"Could it really be this easy to climb the Flying Cloud Tower? Or is it because this is merely the first step, and therefore, it's straightforward?"

Yu Kun shook his head, dismissing the distractions. He continued his ascent.

Before long, Yu Kun reached the ninth floor, yet he still found nothing. The Flying Cloud Tower was barren except for the staircase.

The ninth floor featured a mezzanine with a smaller staircase leading to the tower's apex. Clearly, the top four floors of the Flying Cloud Tower were distinct from the lower nine.

Having come this far, Yu Kun had no intention of turning back. He pressed on, climbing to the upper four floors of the tower.

Yet, what baffled Yu Kun was that even upon reaching the thirteenth floor, he still saw nothing.

The thirteenth floor was barren, nothing but an expanse of empty ground.

"It's just too odd. Could the Flying Cloud Tower truly be empty?"

Yu Kun was baffled.

Ultimately, Yu Kun had to accept that ascending the Flying Cloud Tower was as straightforward as it seemed.

After several more circuits and even deploying his Astral Energy to scan the area, Yu Kun finally confirmed the fifth floor of the Flying Cloud Tower was indeed devoid of anything. It was just that vacant.

With a resigned shake of his head, Yu Kun turned and descended from the Flying Cloud Tower.

The moment he pushed open the grand doors, a sense of liberation washed over Yu Kun.

"At last, I'm out..."

But as Yu Kun quietly reflected, an eerie silence caught his attention.

Looking up, he saw the Elders staring at him with peculiar expressions.

Yu Kun offered an awkward chuckle and said, "I'm at a loss myself. I went up the Flying Cloud Tower and found nothing. I made it to the thirteenth floor in one attempt, and still, nothing. So I returned. Did I ascend too quickly? Would you like me to go back and try again?"

"No..." Zhou Xingtian's voice shook as he asked slowly, "Yu Kun, please be truthful. What did you see on the first nine floors of the Flying Cloud Tower?"

"I wouldn't dare deceive an Elder," Yu Kun replied, shaking his head. "There was nothing on the first nine floors."

"And the last four floors?" Zhou Xingtian pressed on.

Again, Yu Kun shook his head. "The last four floors were also empty."

Zhou Xingtian's face twisted with distress, his voice rising in a cry of regret.

Seeing this, Yu Kun sensed trouble.

"Has there been some mishap? Was there supposed to be something in the Flying Cloud Tower that vanished before my turn, leaving it completely empty?"

While Yu Kun pondered, Yaen Changge burst into maniacal laughter.

"You're no genius!"

Yaen Changge continued to laugh. "The first nine floors of the Flying Cloud Tower represent the nine most common Martial Souls, including the Soldier Martial Spirit. If you had seen anything on those floors, it would indicate a strong likelihood of you being able to condense such a Martial Soul. Seeing nothing means you're incapable of condensing any Martial Soul!"

"The top four levels of the Flying Cloud Tower symbolize the four elements that a Martial Disciple can master: Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. If you've seen nothing, it signifies your inability to become a Martial Disciple!"

"It's rare, but not unheard of, for a Martial Disciple to lack a Martial Soul. However, not only can you not achieve the status of Martial Disciple, you don't even possess a Martial Soul! Your fate is sealed as someone who will only reach the High Rank in the Qi Refining Stage in your lifetime!"

In that moment, Yaen Changge felt an unparalleled sense of liberation.

He had initially plotted to deal with Yu Kun, but now there was no need for any machinations.

Because Yu Kun was far from a prodigy; he was nothing more than a failure incapable of even forming his Martial Soul!