Chapter 228 - Battle of the Engraving Tower

A day later, a verdant valley appeared below.

“We’ve arrived,” Elder Gu’s voice carried a hint of solemnity.

Many disciples on the Green Striped Bird opened their eyes and looked down at the valley.

Lin Xuan also looked down, seeing green trees surrounding the area, with blue mountains and clear waters resembling a Human World Fairyland.

“Is the Engraving Tower here?” many disciples asked excitedly.

Elder Song’s eyes twinkled, “It is said that this Engraving Tower was left by a First-Generation Rune Master, you all must seize this opportunity!”

“Rune Master!” Lin Xuan was astonished in his heart, knowing that someone who could be called a master must be an extraordinary person!

The three Green Striped Birds slowly descended, landing in the valley.

The people jumped off the bird’s back and looked around.

In the center of the valley, there was a huge Array Platform emitting an ancient aura.

On the other three sides of the Array Platform, there were some stone stands for people to rest and watch.

“This battle of the Engraving Tower has a history of over a hundred years, so the facilities here are quite comprehensive,” Elder Gu explained.

“It happens once every ten years, this should be the tenth time.”

“Let’s go, rest first.”

The group headed towards the viewing stand on the east side.

Half a day later, people from Rain Country arrived.

The two groups greeted each other and then took their seats.

“Rain Country is said to have a rune prodigy, be careful when the time comes,” Elder Gu said.

“Rune prodigy.” Everyone was slightly stunned, knowing that someone held in such regard by the elder must be no ordinary person.

Somehow, many people looked towards Lin Xuan.

In their eyes, Lin Xuan was also a rune prodigy, being such a young Second Grade Rune Master was not common.

While they were discussing, another group of people arrived.

“It’s Ying Country!” Elder Gu’s voice was heavy.

Rain Country’s strength was about the same as theirs, but Ying Country far surpassed them.

And the champion of the competition was always from Ying Country!

A delegation from a giant flying ship slowly descended, and Lin Xuan looked on with interest.

The people of Ying Country all carried an arrogant demeanor, not putting Xia Country and Rain Country in their eyes at all.

But they indeed had the capital to be arrogant.

Lin Xuan sensed that their Soul Power was incredibly strong, and the aura of two people in particular was alarming.

One person wore purple garments, even his hair was purple.

His aura had reached the Spirit Sea Seventh Layer Heaven, his eyes stirring a terror in Lin Xuan’s heart.

Purple Light flickered as if there was an invisible suction force, attempting to draw away everyone’s minds.

“Purple Extreme Demon Palace!” Lin Xuan’s heart sank slightly.

Another person was dressed in a black robe, concealed entirely in darkness.

Though his aura seemed ordinary, the intermittent fluctuations that leaked out made Lin Xuan frown.

“Hehe, the two countries arrived quite early,” the leader of Ying Country was a Purple-robed Elder.

“Since everyone is here, let’s begin!”

Disciples of Ying Country headed towards the northern viewing stand while the Purple-robed Elder swept onto the central Array Platform.

“Hehe, let me start by explaining the rules.”

“The competition will be divided into three groups for elimination rounds, with the top three of each group advancing to the finals.”

The Purple-robed Elder spoke slowly, “And the top three finalists will gain entry to the Engraving Tower, and the first place will also receive a Gathering Spirit Pill.”

“This Gathering Spirit Pill is refined by the Engraving Alliance.

It can condense a Martial Artist’s soul, enhance its condensation, and increase the chances of breaking through the Three Seals in Soul Power.”

Elder Song took a deep breath, “There’s a Gathering Spirit Pill—this competition will be intense.”

The Engraving Alliance is a colossal entity throughout the entire Tian Nan Domain, and Xia Country, along with two other countries, are just part of this domain.

To a certain extent, they all belong to the Engraving Alliance.

Upon hearing about the Gathering Spirit Pill, the young Rune Masters gasped in surprise.

Everyone looked excited, wishing the competition could start immediately.

“Little Xuanzi, this is something great!” Lord of Wine communicated telepathically.

Lin Xuan’s eyes sparkled.

Initially, he just wanted to enter the Engraving Tower, but now it seemed he must take first place.

He desperately needed to enhance his strength now, as the temptation of the Gathering Spirit Pill was too great.

With the Gathering Spirit Pill, his Soul Power would be elevated again, greatly increasing his chances of defeating Lin Feng.

On Xia Country’s side, Ouyang Changming wore a confident smile, though his hands hidden in his sleeves were tightly clenched.

In the distance, a purple-haired youth from the Purple Extreme Demon Palace had a wicked smile, as if the Gathering Spirit Pill was already his own.

On Rain Country’s side, an ethereally beautiful girl sat smiling, a spark of light in her beautiful eyes.

The central Array Platform glowed, forming three separate arenas.

Each arena was a hundred meters wide, spacious enough for Spirit Sea Realm Martial Artists to compete.

Lin Xuan and Weiwei were allocated to the first group.

Both moved to the vicinity of Arena One to wait for their match.

Around Arena One, dozens gathered, each with powerful auras and robust souls, their strengths comparable to the top thirty on the Hidden Dragon List.

Among them, the person Lin Xuan was most wary of was the Black Robed Martial Artist from Ying Country.

From his inquiries, he knew that the Black Robe was from Shadow Hall, an exceedingly mysterious sect.

Apart from the Black Robe, there were also few Second Grade Rune Masters near Arena One, all with a cultivation above the Spirit Sea Sixth Layer Heaven.

The other two arenas were also crowded, with the most eye-catching in Arena Two being the purple-haired youth from the Purple Extreme Demon Palace and in Arena Three, the ethereally beautiful girl.

The central Array Platform glowed intensely with a surge of lights reaching the sky, signaling that the competition was about to start.

Lin Xuan withdrew his gaze and focused again on Arena One.

Two youths called by the referee stepped onto the platform.

The black arena emitted two beams of light, falling on both individuals.

Lin Xuan understood this was to check whether they were Engravers; if not, they would be repelled by the black Array Platform.

And the corresponding result would be elimination!

However, the nine forces from three countries obviously knew this rule, and thus all the participants in this competition were Engravers.

One of those entering the stage turned out to be the Black Robe from Shadow Hall, and his opponent was a youth from Rain Country.

As soon as the competition started, the Black Robed youth drew out a black Rune, like a black scythe flying across, striking his opponent and sending him flying.

The surrounding Martial Artists gasped in unison—they hadn’t even clearly seen what the black Rune was before the match was over.

Several Second Grade Rune Masters looked at the Black Robed Martial Artist with stern expressions; they hadn’t taken him seriously before.

Lin Xuan’s eyes flickered, surprised.

From the black Rune, he sensed a dangerous soul fluctuation.

The competition proceeded swiftly, filled with spectacular moves, which greatly broadened Lin Xuan’s horizons.

At this moment, the referee called Lin Xuan’s name.

“Go Lin Xuan!” Weiwei waved her little fists from the sidelines.

With a serene smile, Lin Xuan flashed his body and appeared in the arena.

Across from him, a proud young man in white stood tall, two gold patterns embroidered on his chest.

“Second Grade Rune Master!” A solemn look appeared in Lin Xuan’s eyes.