With the conclusion of the academy's internal ranking battle, Veil, Roy, Alice, Sfenro, and Oyi successfully secured the top five spots, earning them the right to participate in the upcoming Academy Ranking Tournament.
As a reward, each of them received three bottles of Heaven Ascension Pills.
Alice excitedly patted Veil's shoulder, grinning.
"Hehe, we're definitely going to get even stronger after this!"
However, before they could fully enjoy their victory, a senior elder approached them.
"The Headmaster wants to see you."
Roy frowned slightly. "The Headmaster? Why?"
The elder gave no further explanation, simply gesturing for them to follow.
Exchanging glances, the five of them, though puzzled, chose not to question further and followed the elder to the Grand Hall.
---
Pushing open the grand doors, they saw the Headmaster seated at the center of the hall, a kind smile on his face.
"You're here."
He raised his hand and motioned toward them. "Come forward."
Veil took a step forward and respectfully asked,
"Headmaster, may I ask why you have summoned us?"
The Headmaster chuckled, his eyes filled with warmth.
"Yes, of course! I have gifts for you all. The Academy Ranking Tournament in three months will be in your hands!"
Alice's eyes lit up as she grinned mischievously.
"Ooooh! What kind of gifts? Hehe, don't tell me it's some super powerful treasure?"
The Headmaster smiled faintly. With a flick of his palm, a pill brimming with spiritual energy appeared, glowing faintly as mystical runes swirled on its surface.
"Alice, this is my treasured Soul Star Pill. It will enhance your control over your spiritual intent, strengthen your mental energy, and significantly accelerate your cultivation speed."
Alice's eyes sparkled as if she had just been presented with the world's most delicious dessert. She eagerly reached out to accept the pill, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Headmaster, you're the best! Hehe, thank you so much!"
The Headmaster nodded in amusement before turning to Veil.
In his palm, a pill with a deep crimson hue, radiating a faint blood-like aura, slowly emerged.
"Veil, this is the Bloodflame Pill. While it has no level restrictions, its effects are incredibly potent. It will help you push past your limits and awaken the true potential of your Giant's Bloodline."
Veil could feel the unique energy emanating from the pill, and a deep sense of reverence settled in his heart. He carefully took the pill and said solemnly,
"Thank you, Headmaster."
Finally, the Headmaster's gaze fell on Roy. His expression carried a hint of deeper meaning as he spoke.
"As for you, Roy… I won't be giving you a pill. Instead, I will send you to the Sword Tower for training."
Roy's eyes flickered with surprise. "The Sword Tower?"
The Headmaster nodded.
"What you need most is deeper comprehension of the sword and a breakthrough in your own power. The Sword Tower is one of the Academy's most mysterious cultivation grounds—it will allow you to grasp the true essence of sword intent and elevate your strength. If you can pass the tower's trials, your swordsmanship will undergo a complete transformation."
Hearing this, excitement surged through Roy's heart. He clenched his fists slightly, his anticipation growing.
"Thank you, Headmaster!"
---
Eyes Set on the Academy Ranking Tournament
With their unique gifts and opportunities, the five of them left the Grand Hall, their hearts filled with expectation and determination.
They knew that the true test lay ahead—the Academy Ranking Tournament in three months would be their chance to prove themselves and break past their limits!
Alice turned to Veil and Roy, grinning as she stretched her arms.
"Looks like we're all about to level up big time! Three months later, in the Academy Ranking Tournament, we're gonna dominate!"
Veil smirked slightly, battle intent flickering in his eyes.
"Let's see just how strong we can become this time."
Roy clenched his fist, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
"The Sword Tower… sounds interesting."
Time Passes in Cultivation,as time slipped away in their intense training, Veil and Alice remained in seclusion, fully focused on absorbing their pills to enhance their strength. Meanwhile, Roy chose to first consolidate his foundation before heading to the Sword Tower.
Over the past half a month, he consumed two bottles of Heaven Ascension Pills, pushing his cultivation to the peak of Level 35, just a step away from Level 36. However, despite his progress in cultivation, he was still unable to break through the bottleneck in his two key sword techniques:
"Hidden Thunder"
"Thunder Annihilation Sword Art"
This lingering stagnation left him feeling a slight sense of regret.
"It seems that mere cultivation isn't enough. I need real battles and intense tempering to truly push my limits."
He slowly opened his eyes. With a flick of his fingers, his sword intent trembled, and a faint trace of lightning flickered at his fingertips.
At that moment, he suddenly felt something. His eyes sharpened as he lifted his head.
A shadowy figure, clad in black robes, moved like a streak of lightning, his cloak billowing in the wind as he descended upon Roy's courtyard, exuding a sharp and formidable aura.
"Roy."
The black-robed figure gazed down at him, a faint smile on his lips. His voice was deep and powerful.
"Congratulations. You have been granted a place in the Sword Tower."
---
The Legacy of the Sword Tower: Opportunity and Fate
"A spot in the Sword Tower?"
Roy was momentarily stunned before recalling what the Headmaster had mentioned. Understanding dawned in his eyes.
The black-clad steward nodded slightly, his gaze carrying a hint of admiration as he slowly spoke:
"You haven't been in the Inner Court for long, so it's understandable that you don't know about the Sword Tower."
"But let me tell you this—being able to enter the Sword Tower is a rare and priceless opportunity. It is something that every sword cultivator dreams of. Any disciple in the academy who wields a sword would envy you."
Hearing this, Roy's eyes flickered, and a surge of anticipation arose within him.
As a sword cultivator, he knew that any opportunity related to swordsmanship could be the key to his breakthrough.
However, the black-robed steward did not elaborate further. Instead, he said indifferently,
"As for what the Sword Tower truly is… you'll have to discover it for yourself. We don't have much time. Follow me."
With that, he waved his sleeve.
A soft yet irresistible force enveloped Roy. The next moment, the ground beneath his feet blurred, and in an instant, he was lifted into the air.
The black-robed steward soared through the sky, carrying Roy at high speed toward the depths of the academy.
Roy did not resist.
He understood that, with his mastery of mid-tier sword intent, he already held some weight within the Inner Court. There was no reason for the black-robed steward to deceive him.
And more importantly—
The Sword Tower…
That was the true test that awaited him.
"What kind of place… is the Sword Tower?"
Roy followed the black-robed steward as they sped through the air, weaving through a complex path of twists and turns. He had no idea how many loops they had taken, until at last, they passed through a mystical illusion array and arrived at a secluded valley.
In the heart of the valley stood a colossal sword-shaped tower, piercing straight into the clouds. It had nine levels, and on each layer, a giant sword was engraved into the tower's surface. Though merely a carving, the swords shimmered with a radiant glow, exuding a terrifyingly sharp aura—so powerful that it felt as though they could slice through the soul itself.
At the very top of the tower, two grand characters were inscribed in a majestic, calligraphic style:
"Sword Tower"
Roy's gaze locked onto the inscription, and his expression shifted slightly.
"Such overwhelming sword intent!"
Even just looking at those two words, he could feel an immense and boundless sword aura radiating from them. Compared to this, his own mid-tier sword intent felt as weak and fragile as a newborn child.
The black-robed steward turned to Roy and spoke, his tone carrying a trace of reverence.
"Well, Roy, this is as far as I take you. From here on, you're on your own."
After speaking, the steward disappeared in a few swift movements, vanishing into the distance.
---
Just as the steward left, an unpleasant voice suddenly echoed through the valley.
"Hah, so you're Roy?"
A figure emerged, his tone dripping with disdain.
"Tch, since when did a mere Level 45 brat get to enter the Sword Tower? Has Celestara Academy fallen so low?"
However, after a brief pause, the speaker's voice softened ever so slightly, though still carrying arrogance.
"Well… at least your sword intent has reached mid-tier. I suppose that's… passable."
A thought flashed through Roy's mind, and he quickly turned to the elder, asking,
"By the way, Elder, there's a lot I still don't understand. What exactly is the Sword Tower?"
The elder was momentarily stunned.
"Hmm?"
His gaze sharpened slightly as he looked at Roy.
"You've obtained a spot in the Sword Tower, yet you don't even know what it is?"
Shaking his head with a sigh, the elder said helplessly,
"Very well, Roy, I'll explain it to you."
---
Nine Layers, Nine Worlds
"The Sword Tower consists of nine levels, each representing a different world. Within these worlds, countless Sword Immortal Puppets reside.
These puppets range from Level 45 to Level 60, but their true danger lies in their sword intent.
"Floors 1 to 3 contain puppets with basic sword intent."
"Floors 3 to 4 feature puppets that wield mid-tier sword intent."
"Floors 5 to 6 hold puppets possessing advanced sword intent."
And so on, until the 9th floor, where the puppets command peak-level sword intent!
These Sword Immortal Puppets are immensely powerful, but if you manage to defeat them, you will receive a mysterious infusion of power.
This energy will directly strengthen your sword intent and spiritual energy, helping you break through your limits!
Additionally, scattered throughout the Sword Tower, you may find Sword Intent Grass.
Each Sword Intent Grass consumed will significantly enhance your sword intent!"
"What?!"
Roy's eyes widened, his heart pounding.
Hearing this, he finally realized just how extraordinary this opportunity was.