When Mu Chen passed through the halo that led to the fourth level of the Body Refining Pagoda, the light before him suddenly dimmed. However, the dimness did not last for long before it disappeared. When the dimness disappeared, the space before him had changed once again.
But what exceeded Mu Chen's expectations was that the scenery that appeared wasn't a cruel environment, but an ancient plaza that was roughly a thousand feet in size. At this moment, he was standing in a corner of the plaza with Mo Feng's group of four not far from him.
"This is the fourth level of the Body Refining Pagoda?"
Mu Chen was a little startled as he looked at the surroundings. This plaza was extremely ancient. The ground that was paved with ancient rocks was filled with traces left behind by time. A boundless feeling spread out in this entire space.
Compared to the brutality of the first three levels of the Body Refining Pagoda, this ancient plaza was quiet and peaceful. Looking at it, there didn't seem to be anything unusual about it. Therefore, Mu Chen couldn't help having doubts in his heart when he saw this scene before him.
"This is indeed the fourth level of the Body Refining Pagoda." A voice resounded from the side as Mo Feng walked over and faintly said.
Mu Chen was briefly stunned before he knitted his brows. "Is there any mystery here?"
Since this was the fourth level of the Body Refining Pagoda, then it definitely wasn't as simple as it looked on the surface.
Mo Feng nodded his head and pointed at the centre of the plaza. "Look over there."
Mu Chen immediately directed his gaze over and squinted his eyes. Only then did he realise that there was a black stone tablet that was only a few feet tall at the centre of the plaza.
The black stone tablet wasn't tall, but it was hard to ignore it in this massive plaza. So even Mu Chen couldn't discover it.
But … could it be that the fourth level of the Body Refining Pagoda's test?
Was it this black stone tablet?
Mu Chen was baffled.
"This is the Strength Tablet." Mo Feng said.
"Strength Tablet?" Mu Chen felt his head aching, since he knew too little about the Divine Beast Origin.
"The rules of the fourth level are actually very simple. You just have to rely on your physical strength to throw a punch at the Strength Tablet."
"Do you see the bronze lamp on the Power Stele?" Mo Feng asked calmly.
Mu Chen nodded.
When he first saw this black stone tablet, he had already noticed it.
At the very front of the stone stele were nine bronze lamps. However, the lamps were pitch-black without any flames.
"That's the symbol of a fist's physical strength. The limit is nine lamps being lit at the same time. However, that's basically impossible, because not even a Ninth Grade Sovereign can achieve that."
A smear of shock flashed through Mu Chen's eyes. Not even the all-out punch of a Ninth Grade Sovereign could ignite the Nine Lamps?
This ordinary-looking Strength Stele …
How could it withstand such a terrifying impact?
"According to the rules, as long as one can light six bronze lamps, one will be able to pass the fourth level."
"Lighting six lamps?"
Mu Chen clenched his fists with eagerness in his eyes. If it was a competition of physical strength, then he wouldn't be inferior to anyone here. Furthermore, he also wanted to give it a try if he could use his Dragon-Phoenix Physique at full power.
He wanted to know what level his physical strength could reach.
When Mo Feng saw Mu Chen's expression, he couldn't help reminding, "Don't be careless.
According to the information that I know, ten out of ten geniuses that have entered in the past have failed here. "
Mu Chen lightly nodded his head. He would naturally not underestimate Mo Feng, but Mo Feng's words had left him a little shocked. It looked like the difficulty of lighting up six bronze lamps wasn't small.
"Then, what are the benefits of passing through the fourth level?"
Mu Chen suddenly thought of the most crucial question.
The first three levels of the Body Refining Pagoda had the effect of refining the physical body, but the fourth level …
Even if he managed to light up six bronze lamps and pass through, what could he obtain?
According to the rules of the Body Refining Pagoda.
It shouldn't leave him empty-handed, right?
"The benefits are still on that stone tablet."
Mo Feng smiled as he stared at the black stone tablet. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but Mu Chen could clearly see the blazing gaze in Mo Feng's eyes.
This stone tablet didn't seem to be as simple as it looked on the surface.
"Do you know what this stone tablet is made of?"
Mo Feng asked.
Mu Chen naturally shook his head. He was unfamiliar with everything here.
"It's made of the flesh and blood of the Heaven Devouring Divine Beast."
“
"Heaven Devouring Divine Beast?"
Mu Chen was stunned at first, before his expression changed. It was said that the so-called Sky-Devouring Divine Beast was a Super Divine Beast that was born from the heavens and earth. It wasn't born from any bloodline. The rarity of it far exceeded any other Super Divine Beast. Furthermore, it seemed to have only appeared in the ancient times and there weren't many people who had heard of it.
The Heaven Devouring Divine Beast could devour the heavens and earth, and even a Heavenly Sovereign would be fearful of it.
Mu Chen had only occasionally seen some information in some ancient books, but he never expected that this unremarkable stone tablet would actually be made of the flesh and blood of the Heaven Devouring Divine Beast.
"It's unimaginable."
Mu Chen sighed from the bottom of his heart. The Heaven Devouring Divine Beast was a terrifying existence that even the True Dragon and Phoenix had to be wary of.
"Once this Strength Tablet is struck by a powerful force, a trace of essence energy from the Heaven Swallowing Divine Beast will seep out from it. This essence energy is determined by the strength of the attack … Simply put, the more bronze lamps one ignites, the stronger the blood Qi that seeps out will be. This is the benefit of passing the fourth level. Do you understand?
Mo Feng's gaze grew even more blazing as he slowly said.
Mu Chen's heart trembled, before he heavily nodded his head. If he could absorb the essence of the Heaven Devouring Divine Beast … then it would be extremely shocking for him to refine himself.
This was something even more powerful than the Lightning Essence, so it was no wonder why Mo Feng would be so moved by it.
Every single level of the Body Refining Pagoda was truly a great achievement …
As Mo Feng and Mu Chen spoke, Han Shan, Zong Teng, and Xu Kun had also looked at the black stone tablet with greed and grave expressions before they gradually approached it.
As they approached, only then did Mu Chen realise that the black stone tablet was covered in densely packed fist and palm prints. Evidently, they were left behind by those that had come here in the past.
This stone tablet was extremely sturdy, and it couldn't be seen that it was made of flesh and blood. However, the black lustre vaguely emanated a heart-palpitating pressure that made one's blood tremble.
Mu Chen knew that it should be the aura left behind by the Heaven Devouring Divine Beast. But even if it was just a little bit, it still made it hard for them to breathe.
Furthermore, what shocked Mu Chen the most was that as he approached the stone tablet, he discovered that the Spiritual Energy within his body was gradually freezing. It was simply hard to circulate, as if it was being suppressed by a frightening force field to the point that it was unable to move.
"My Spiritual Energy has been completely suppressed … Indeed, I can only use pure physical strength here." Mu Chen clenched his fist. It was extremely tough for him to circulate the Spiritual Energy in his body and it was on the verge of losing its effect.
Looking at Mo Feng and the rest, he realised that the Spiritual Energy that was surging around them had also disappeared. However, their expressions were calm, since they had clearly expected this.
Although the black stone tablet was before them, the five of them had a tacit understanding and did not recklessly make a move. On the contrary, they had immediately sat down on the ground and adjusted their state.
That's because, according to the rules, everyone should only have a single chance to make a move. If they're unqualified, then they would be eliminated and sent out of the Body Refining Pagoda.
Thus, the fist that they made would definitely be the pinnacle of their physical strength.
Before that, he had to gather his strength. Any sort of battle would be unwise.
Therefore, the people present were surprisingly harmonious at this time. No one showed any hostility. They all sat cross-legged, hoping to quickly adjust their state to the peak.
Hence, the ancient square became unusually quiet in an instant. Only the soft breathing of the five of them softly reverberated across the square...
…
While Mu Chen's group of five was adjusting their breathing, it was extremely bustling outside the Body Refining Pagoda. Many gazes were curiously looking at the screen on the fourth level, which had also projected the scene within. Therefore, everyone outside the pagoda could see the five of them adjusting their breathing without interfering with each other.
"That should be the legendary Strength Tablet, right?
“
"It is said that only those who have lit six bronze lamps are qualified to pass the fourth level of the Strength Monument …"
"In the past, most of the geniuses were stopped here. Those six bronze lamps aren't easy to light up. Even a Seventh Grade Sovereign might be defeated here.
“
"That's right. I wonder how many of the five of them will be left.
“
"There's a high chance that Han Shan will be able to do it. As for the rest, it will depend on their own means. Although they can only use their physical strength, it doesn't mean that there aren't any loopholes. After all, it's only a single attack. There are some secret arts that can instantly strengthen the physical strength.
“
"..."
Some whispers began to spread outside the tower. However, the people present were after all knowledgeable. Therefore, their words were indeed reasonable and logical.
Jiu You and Mo Ling exchanged a glance, before looking at the two silhouettes on the fourth floor. This floor was purely a competition of physical strength. Judging from the surface, it seemed to be disadvantageous for Mu Chen, who had a human body. But after the previous incident, no one here felt that his physical body would be weaker than a Divine Beast.
Therefore, no one could guess what would happen next.
As everyone was guessing, they suddenly saw the five silhouettes on the fourth floor opening their eyes at the same time.
(If it's possible, they will also last for two hours tomorrow.)
(To be continued)