A god-level alchemist, starting by manually crafting forbidden pills.

A chilling killing intent locked onto the few disciples of the Pill Hall, whose faces turned deathly pale, and they dared not utter another word.

"That's enough!"

Xie Nantian frowned. "With a formidable enemy at hand, surrounded by demonic cultivators, you still want to fight amongst yourselves?"

He looked at the disciples of the Pill Hall, "Junior Brother Qin's death was the work of a demonic cultivator, and has nothing to do with Junior Brother Luo."

"If you continue to spout nonsense, don't blame me for disregarding our camaraderie!"

The disciples of the Pill Hall lowered their heads, not daring to refute, but the resentment in their eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

Xie Nantian sighed inwardly. How could he not know that Luo Fan had done this on purpose?

But so what?

Qin Shou brought this upon himself; who else can he blame?

If he hadn't provoked Luo Fan earlier, Luo Fan might have saved him one more time.

But in this world, there are no "what ifs".

At least in his view, Luo Fan saving him once was already an act of kindness and righteousness, considering their camaraderie as fellow disciples.

Even if it were him, he couldn't have done any better.

People often say to repay evil with good, but have they ever explained how to repay good?

Discontent in the heart breeds inner demons, which, if prolonged, are detrimental to spiritual practice.

"Thank you, Senior Brother..."

Someone tried to say something, but was silenced by Xie Nantian's cold glare.

As the man shrank back and stopped looking up, he heard a creak.

The tower gate quietly opened, revealing a pitch-black interior, seemingly leading to another world.

"First, acquire the inheritance and improve your strength."

Xie Nantian said in a deep voice, "As for the rest, the sect leader will decide after we leave."

Everyone remained silent, but they all understood.

The most important thing now is to survive. Only by surviving can we have the right to talk about right and wrong.

"Walk."

Xie Nantian was the first to walk towards the tower gate.

Bai Jie, Lu Qingdai, Xiong Chumo, and others followed closely behind.

Luo Fan walked at the back, passing Qin Shou's corpse without stopping, and stepped directly into the tower gate.

The interior is a world unto itself, a vast space that stretches as far as the eye can see.

The ground was paved with blue jade, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the twinkling stars above.

"Is this the space inside the tower?"

Xiong Chumo looked shocked and pursed her lips, "A spatial magic treasure, forming its own world, that's quite a feat."

I wonder if she will ever be able to forge such a magical treasure in her lifetime.

If she could, she would give up her master Qian Butong's five hundred years of lifespan as a price.

Although he may not live that long, he will definitely be happy for her!

whee…

I wonder if Qian Butong would beat her to death if he found out what she was thinking.

"The patriarch's methods are indeed extraordinary."

Lu Qingdai also sighed.

Everyone looked up and saw a blue stone tablet standing in the center of the space.

The stele is ten zhang high and three zhang wide, and its surface is covered with ancient patterns; it is called the Sword Stele.

Around the sword monument are twelve spiral staircases that ascend upwards, each leading to a different height.

"That's the Inheritance Sword Stele?"

Everyone was thrilled. If they could glean something from it, even if they couldn't make it into the top ten of the assessment, it wouldn't be a complete waste.

At this moment, the sword monument trembled, and a voice resounded in everyone's mind.

"I am the spirit of the Sword Stele Tower!"

This pagoda has twelve stories in total. Above the second story, each story has a stele, and each stele represents a person who passed on their legacy.

"The sword monument will choose its own master; the one destined to possess it will obtain it."

"The first layer of the sword monument is open to everyone, and anyone can freely comprehend its legacy."

As the sound faded, the sword monument shone brightly.

The twelve steps lit up simultaneously, emanating sword intent of varying intensities.

"I'll go first!"

One of the disciples couldn't wait and rushed towards the stairs leading to the second floor.

But as soon as he stepped on it, his expression changed.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, his legs trembled, and he gritted his teeth and took three steps uphill before he could no longer move his feet.

The oppressive force bounced him back, causing him to fall near the sword monument on the first floor.

He gave a bitter smile. "Fellow senior brothers, my talent is limited. It seems I can only remain on the first level to continue my cultivation. I hope you all have a smooth path on your journey!"

He cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, then sat cross-legged on the first-floor sword monument, closing his eyes as if comprehending something.

After all, the sword tablet can be studied by everyone, and is not limited to aptitude or other tests.

As he finished speaking.

A beam of light shot out from the second level and enveloped Yan Wujiu.

Yan Wujiu looked completely bewildered. "Senior Brother Xie, what's going on?"

He felt that he had established some kind of connection with the sword tablet on the second level.

Xie Nantian was silent for a moment, then said, "Congratulations, Junior Brother Yan, you have gained the recognition of the second level of the sword monument."

Yan Wujiu shook his head with a wry smile.

What's there to congratulate?

The higher one goes, the greater the inheritance one receives; after all, he was a core elite disciple of the sect.

Unexpectedly, after entering the Sword Stele Tower, I was only qualified to enter the second level.

However, Yan Wujiu was not in a hurry to go; he wanted to see who could gain the approval of the third level.

Not long after.

A beam of light shot out from the third-level staircase and landed on Zhao Jingzhou.

Zhao Jingzhou's expression changed. Although he was somewhat unwilling, he accepted the result.

Next was Shen Fufeng, who was enveloped by the stream of light emanating from the fourth step.

After Shen Fufeng came Chu Wuyai, who gained recognition from the fifth level of the ladder.

Yan Wujiu was truly envious of Kun'er. He had thought he would at least reach the fifth level, but unexpectedly, he stopped at the second level.

Fortunately, he gained recognition. If he were like others and could only stay on the first floor, he, as a disciple of the sect leader's lineage, would have no face to go back.

Finally, it was Xie Nantian's turn. He gained the approval of the sixth-level sword monument, and the atmosphere in the arena suddenly became subtle.

This highly anticipated senior disciple also stopped at the sixth level.

The disciples of the Pill Hall exchanged glances, and one of them suddenly chuckled.

"Senior Brother Xie is only at the sixth level?"

"Then what about those who got into the first level of Qi Refining by luck? They won't even be able to get their foot in the door?"

"That's right. If we can't even sense the sword tablet on the first floor, that would be incredibly embarrassing."

"If you ask me, some people should have some self-awareness and get out of here instead of getting in the way."

The target of their mockery was Luo Fan.

Xiong Chumo's face turned red, and she was about to retort when Lu Qingdai gently pulled her back.

Bai Jie's eyes were slightly cold, as if frost had formed.

"Shut up, my path is not here."

Luo Fan didn't even glance at the disciples of the Pill Hall, yet his imposing aura silenced them instantly.

He glanced up at the stairs leading to the top and finally landed on the twelfth floor.

Xiong Chumo blinked, her heart fluttering at Luo Fan's handsomeness.

The light descended on the seventh floor, this time enveloping Xiong Chumo.

She stood there stunned for a long time.

It wasn't until they established a connection with the sword monument on the seventh floor that they realized they had truly been chosen.

"Junior brother, I...I've been chosen!"

She couldn't hide her joy.

Luo Fan smiled and said, "Senior Sister, you have a great opportunity. It must be an extraordinary inheritance."

Chu Wuyai and the others also offered their congratulations.

They offered their congratulations, but each had their own thoughts.

Xiong Chumo is a genius in weapon crafting, but his talent in swordsmanship is only average.

It's amazing that it was recognized by the seventh level. It seems that the sword monument chooses its master not only based on talent, but also on compatibility.

"Senior Sister Lu, why aren't you nervous?"

Xiong Chumo tilted her head, unable to discern any change in Lu Qingdai's expression from beginning to end.

Lu Qingdai smiled and said, "Passing on the torch depends on fate; whether you're nervous or not won't change anything."

hum!

The light leading to the eighth floor shone, and this time the stream of light enveloped Lu Qingdai.

Everyone gasped.

The eighth level can be considered a truly supreme inheritance, and no one expected that Lu Qingdai would be chosen.

Lu Qingdai herself was also bewildered for a long time.

She cultivated the art of formations, while this Sword Stele Tower focused on the art of swordsmanship, so she didn't have high hopes for it.

Getting to the fifth or sixth floor would be considered good, but the result was unexpected.

The room was very quiet, except for Xie Nantian who sincerely offered his congratulations.

Lu Qingdai's talent in formations is unmatched among the younger generation in the sect.

To receive the eighth level of inheritance is truly well-deserved.

Then, most people's attention fell on Luo Fan and Bai Jie.

Especially Bai Jie, a genius in ice-type swordsmanship with a water-elemental root; it's unknown which level she will be selected from.

The next few layers, whichever one is chosen from, will be a great inheritance.

Bai Jie simply stood quietly beside Luo Fan, seemingly indifferent to what was about to happen.

Until the ninth floor erupted with a blinding blue light, enveloping her graceful figure.

This result was both expected and unexpected.

The ninth level is already considered the highest level of inheritance; it's unclear what conditions must be met to enter the tenth level.

Luo Fan touched his nose and asked, "Why don't you go over there?"

"Wait for you."

Bai Jie's response was only two words.

Luo Fan smiled, "Alright, let's go up together then."

As Luo Fan spoke, several disciples of the Pill Hall sneered.

"Ha, you talk like it's something you can just walk into! Here, recognition is earned through merit!"

"Exactly! A piece of trash at the first level of Qi Refining, yet he dares to indulge in wishful thinking!"

"Even Senior Brother Yan is only at the second level. How can you be on the same level as him?!"

Yan Wujiu's face darkened upon hearing this.

What does it mean to be the same as Senior Brother Yan?

What happened to the second floor?

The second layer is also a legacy!

It's better than you guys who can't even get up there!

However, he also wanted to see whether Luo Fan could obtain a higher level of inheritance, or...

Like these disciples, they can only remain on the first level to comprehend the teachings.