Chapter 56: The Fifth Floor
"Open the Symbol Master Tower!"
A wave of powerful spiritual energy surged from both Lin Mo and Huangpu Nuo, lifting them a few feet off the ground. Their combined spiritual power then directed itself toward the tightly closed stone doors of the Symbol Master Tower, forming a radiant seal that embedded itself in a recessed slot on the door.
"Boom!"
The slot activated, making the entire tower tremble as the massive stone door slowly parted. Instantly, an intense wave of spiritual pressure erupted from behind the door, forcing those standing closest to it to stagger back unsteadily.
"What intense spiritual pressure!"
Lin Langtian felt this unique force spreading from the tower, making his body feel much heavier. More striking was the strong suppression on his own internal energy—this tower would only allow the use of spiritual power in the coming competition.
"The Symbol Master Tower is open. The Tower Battle begins now!" Lin Mo announced with a heated gaze fixed on the tower. Turning to Lin Langtian and Jin Xing, he gave a commanding nod.
As soon as Lin Mo finished speaking, a wave of excitement rippled through the crowd of Symbol Masters, who fixed their eager gazes on the open doors of the tower. With a sudden cry from someone in the crowd, the first person charged inside, and many others from both cities soon followed.
The tower offered profound opportunities to hone spiritual strength. Even for those who wouldn't advance far in the competition, simply entering would be beneficial.
"Ling Quan, Huangpu Yun, go ahead as well," Huangpu Nuo said with a subtle smile. His gaze briefly swept over Lin Langtian and Jin Xing, though his attention lingered mainly on Jin Xing.
"From Lin City, only Jin Xing seems worth noting. With Ling Quan's assistance, we'll secure the tower this time."
"Teacher, should we keep an eye on Lin Langtian too?" Huangpu Yun asked cautiously.
"Lin Langtian? No need. His reputation might be big, but once inside, his power will be suppressed. Any capable third- or fourth-seal Symbol Master could handle him," Huangpu Nuo replied calmly.
"Yes!" Huangpu Yun nodded with a trace of excitement, already anticipating the thrill of showing up Lin City's most celebrated prodigy.
"Let's go."
Finally speaking, Ling Quan moved, gliding into the tower's entrance with a light step, and Huangpu Yun and the other Symbol Masters from Huangpu City quickly followed. Before stepping fully inside, Ling Quan turned back briefly, casting an amused glance at Lin Langtian.
"Let's head in too," said Jin Xing, who then darted inside, her figure disappearing into the depths of the tower.
Lin Langtian's gaze lingered on the towering structure with keen interest. He was eager to find out how far he could advance within its walls.
Without wasting time, he followed Jin Xing, striding toward the open doorway of the Symbol Master Tower.
"Whew…" Lin Mo exhaled as he watched Lin Langtian and the others vanish into the tower. All that remained was to wait for the final outcome.
The instant Lin Langtian stepped across the threshold, he felt a dense pressure surround him. A spiritual weight pressed against him, and he felt his body instinctively sink slightly.
His feet met solid ground on the first floor of the tower. The space was about the size of half a plaza, though now it was crowded with Symbol Masters. In the air, intense spiritual energy seemed to ripple and solidify, making it feel as though he was submerged in a sea of pure spiritual power, filling him with awe.
Although the floor was packed with people, many of them had already succumbed to the spiritual pressure, sitting cross-legged on the ground, visibly straining.
As he stood there, Lin Langtian sensed the tower's unique spiritual pulse as it swept over him, touching even the four natal spirit symbols within his mind.
"Buzz!"
The moment the pulse brushed past his spirit symbols, they vibrated slightly, their colors brightening and becoming more condensed.
"So this is the Symbol Master Tower's baptismal force," Lin Langtian murmured with a slight raise of his brows. However, he could already tell that the strength on this floor wasn't nearly enough to bring him substantial improvement.
The Symbol Master Tower had nine floors. The first three were primarily for first- and second-seal Symbol Masters; the middle three for third- and fourth-seal levels, while only true Spirit Symbol Masters could ascend the last three.
With this realization, Lin Langtian's gaze shifted to the passageway leading up to the second floor. Without hesitation, he leaped forward, his light steps drawing looks of astonishment from others struggling to even move.
Some wondered if Lin Langtian, known as the top talent of the Lin Clan, was perhaps a formidable Symbol Master as well.
The interior layout wasn't vast, so within about half a minute, Lin Langtian reached the staircase to the next level. A thin, invisible wall of spiritual energy guarded the way forward. Drawing on his spiritual power, he wrapped it around himself and stepped through effortlessly, catching the envious eyes of many Symbol Masters below as he ascended to the second floor.
The second floor was less crowded, though still somewhat lively. Giving the room only a quick scan, Lin Langtian continued to the third floor.
Thanks to his level of spiritual power, the initial floors offered him no real challenge. Within roughly ten minutes, he advanced floor by floor until he reached the fifth level.
The fifth floor was noticeably emptier; only a few Symbol Masters had made it this far. Scanning the area, Lin Langtian's eyes took on a playful gleam.
He noticed that Lin City and Huangpu City's Symbol Masters were seated on opposite sides of the room, a clear divide between them. Tension hung heavy in the air, with an atmosphere of mutual hostility.
Lin Langtian's sudden arrival drew attention from both sides, startling them. When they realized who he was, they reacted in distinctly different ways…