248. The Ninth Level

248. The Ninth Level

"Voom!"

With a single step, Lin Fei entered, his figure slightly trembling. Before he knew it, he was already in the first layer of the Gravity Tower.

"Shhh!"

This first layer was bustling with martial artists, most of whom were acquired martial artists. A strong physique for an acquired martial artist has its advantages when it comes to inner power cultivation.

Upon Lin Fei's appearance, all eyes turned to him. As a prominent figure in the Ancient Origin Sect, Lin Fei was accustomed to such attention wherever he went. Nevertheless, his expression remained calm. For acquired martial artists, the first layer was bearable. From the second layer onwards, only innate martial artists could proceed.

Lin Fei closed his eyes, sensing the gravity of the first layer. To him, it felt like a gentle breeze, entirely ineffectual. Realizing this, he moved on without hesitation. Upon entering the second layer, he saw many martial artists, all of whom were innate martial artists, the inner disciples of the Ancient Origin Sect. They looked at Lin Fei with wide eyes, but quickly returned to their training; for them, cultivation was their top priority.

Lin Fei felt the increased gravity here, much more potent than the first layer, but still, he didn't feel any strain. Thus, he proceeded to the third layer.

The third layer was meant for peak innate martial artists. Only those who have consumed the flesh and blood of exotic beasts and undergone a profound transformation can bear the pressure here. Yet, even this level was too easy for Lin Fei. So, he ascended to the fourth layer.

"Boom!"

Stepping into the fourth layer, Lin Fei immediately felt a difference. Pressure! It was only slight, but it was undeniable. Compared to the third layer, the pressure here had increased at least tenfold, if not more. As a result, only martial saints could step into this layer. Few were present, and they merely glanced at Lin Fei before returning to their meditation.

Feeling the pressure of the fourth layer, Lin Fei realized it was still not enough. He needed more, much more.

And so, Lin Fei passed through the fifth and the sixth levels. Where the force of gravity had indeed intensified considerably. Yet, it still wasn't sufficient.

Useless!

The pressure of the Gravity Tower's eighth floor still couldn't provide the level of challenge Lin Fei sought. He wished to utilize external pressures to suppress his blood essence, push his physical limits further, and reach a pinnacle of perfection. This meant he still needed to amass even more blood essence. And though Lin Fei was withstanding the tremendous pressure of the eighth level, it still couldn't suppress the vast amounts of blood essence within him.

"It's not enough. The pressure is far from sufficient," Lin Fei murmured. "It seems only the ninth level of the Gravity Tower might achieve what I seek..."

Lifting his gaze, he looked toward the ninth floor - the highest level of the Gravity Tower. It was said that only those martial saints who had formed the Energy Flower could withstand its gravity. Any martial saint without an Energy Flower dared not venture there, lest their physical form collapse.

Yet, taking a deep breath, Lin Fei, step by step, began to ascend resolutely toward the ninth floor.

Outside the Gravity Tower, all onlookers witnessed Lin Fei's actions, astonishment evident on their faces.

"Elder Lin is actually heading to the ninth level? He hasn't formed the Energy Flower, has he?"

"Without the Energy Flower, stepping into the ninth level of the Gravity Tower would lead to physical disintegration. We must stop Elder Lin!"

In that instant, the martial saints guarding the tower displayed a hint of urgency. But they couldn't enter the ninth floor. Only those who had formed the Energy Flower could. Among the guardians of the Gravity Tower, only one elder had achieved such a feat.

"Elder Ouyang, you must stop Elder Lin! He is determined to step onto the ninth level, and only you can prevent him."

"Yes, only you can enter the ninth level."

All eyes turned to a still figure sitting outside the Gravity Tower with closed eyes. Then, in a swift motion, Elder Ouyang opened his eyes.