I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

A knowing glint flashed in Tu Ba's eyes, and he didn't ask any more questions. After all, everyone has their own secrets. He instructed, "The Secret Realm Tower is extremely dangerous. You must be careful. If you encounter a danger that you cannot handle, retreat immediately. Don't be reckless."

"I know."

Jiang Wang nodded, but he had already made up his mind. The more dangerous the Secret Realm Tower was, the more precious the treasures inside would be, and he would never give up easily.

The three flew for a while and soon arrived at the Yixin Sect.

The One Heart Sect was not a top-tier sect; it was merely a mid-tier sect on the edge of the Journey to the West world. Its mountain gate stood atop a mountain range, with the words "One Heart Sect" inscribed above it.

The three large characters were written in a vigorous and powerful style, with a faint flow of spiritual energy. On each side of the mountain gate stood two disciples dressed in gray robes, both of whom were at the Golden Immortal realm. Upon seeing Tu Dachang, they bowed and greeted him, saying, "Greetings, Fifth Elder."

Tu Dachang nodded slightly, his tone indifferent: "Take him to the teleportation array in the back mountain, and prepare to head to the Secret Realm Tower."

He pointed at Jiang Wang and gave instructions to his two disciples.

The two disciples looked at Jiang Wang with a hint of curiosity in their eyes, but dared not ask any questions. They quickly bowed and said, "Yes, Fifth Elder."

He then gestured to Jiang Wang, "Fellow Daoist, please follow us."

Jiang Wang nodded to Tu Ba, then followed the two disciples toward the back mountain.

Tu Ba watched Jiang Wang's retreating figure, his eyes filled with worry, but he could only turn and leave. He still had many things to deal with, especially the damage that the battle had caused to Qilin Village, which needed to be repaired as soon as possible.

The back mountain of Yixin Sect is extremely quiet, with lush vegetation and a much richer spiritual energy than the front mountain. Along the way, you can see many disciples cultivating, most of whom are at the Golden Immortal realm, and occasionally you can see a few disciples at the early stage of Taiyi Golden Immortal.

Two disciples led Jiang Wang through a bamboo forest to a valley. In the center of the valley stood a huge teleportation array, ten zhang in diameter, with complex array patterns. It was inlaid with countless spirit stones, which emitted a rich spiritual energy to maintain the operation of the teleportation array.

Beside the teleportation array stood an elderly man with white hair, his aura steady, indicating he had reached the mid-stage of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm. He was clearly the elder in charge of overseeing the teleportation array.

Upon seeing the two disciples bring Jiang Wang over, the white-haired old man asked, "What is it?"

One of the disciples bowed and said, "Reporting to Elder Li, it was the Fifth Elder who instructed us to take this fellow Daoist to the Secret Realm Tower and activate the teleportation array."

Elder Li looked at Jiang Wang, a scrutinizing glint in his eyes, and said calmly, "Going to the Secret Realm Tower? Do you know the rules of the Secret Realm Tower?"

Jiang Wang shook his head: "I don't know."

Elder Li slowly said, "The Secret Realm Tower is divided into nine levels, each with its own trials. Only by passing the trials of one level can one enter the next. If one dies in the tower, one's soul will be destroyed and no one can save one."

In addition, each time you enter the Secret Realm Tower, you can only stay for a maximum of 100 years. After 100 years, you will be forcibly teleported out regardless of whether you pass the test.

Furthermore, infighting among fellow disciples is strictly forbidden within the tower. Violators will be obliterated by the tower's restrictions. This is an ironclad rule of the Secret Realm Tower; do you understand?

"remember."

Jiang Wang nodded in agreement.

Elder Li continued, "Activating the teleportation array requires a large amount of spirit stones, which you will have to bear yourself. Ten top-grade spirit stones or one thousand high-grade spirit stones, which do you choose?"

Jiang Wang raised an eyebrow, not expecting to have to pay for the spirit stones himself, but he didn't mind. He took out ten top-grade spirit stones from his storage ring and handed them to Elder Li: "This is enough."

Top-grade spirit stones were not scarce for him. Before he attained enlightenment, he had traveled to many ancient ruins and collected a large number of spirit stones and treasures.

Elder Li accepted the top-grade spirit stones, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He clearly hadn't expected Jiang Wang to be so generous. Top-grade spirit stones were a rare commodity in the Yixin Sect, and even he might not be able to easily produce ten.

He nodded and placed the top-grade spirit stone into the groove of the teleportation array. The spirit stone instantly melted, turning into rich spiritual energy that surged into the teleportation array. The array patterns lit up instantly, emitting a dazzling light.

"The teleportation array is about to be activated. Get ready."

Elder Li reminded him, continuously forming hand seals to activate the power of the teleportation array.

Jiang Wang moved and stood in the center of the teleportation array, feeling the spatial power transmitted by the teleportation array, his heart calm and undisturbed.

Just then, a figure suddenly flew over from a distance. It was Tu Dachang. He had recovered some of his injuries at some point. Although his aura was still weak, his eyes were still cold. He looked at Jiang Wang and said in a deep voice, "Little Tu, I advise you not to enter the Secret Realm Tower. There are unimaginable dangers inside. If you give up now, I can spare you this time."

Jiang Wang scoffed, "Fifth Elder, your words are interesting. You already allowed me to enter the Secret Realm Tower, but now you're stopping me. Are you afraid that I'll obtain some opportunities in the Secret Realm Tower and surpass you in strength?"

Tu Dachang's face darkened, a hint of annoyance and embarrassment flashing in his eyes: "Nonsense! I just don't want you to die in vain!"

"I am in charge of my own destiny, so there is no need for the Fifth Elder to worry about it."

Jiang Wang said coldly, "Elder Li, activate the teleportation array."

Elder Li glanced at Tu Dachang, then at Jiang Wang, hesitated for a moment, and finally activated the teleportation array.

The light from the teleportation array grew brighter and brighter, and the spatial power became stronger and stronger, causing Jiang Wang's figure to gradually become blurred.

Tu Dachang stared at Jiang Wang's blurry figure, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes. He muttered in a low voice, "Little Tu, you'd better die in the Secret Realm Tower, or I will make you pay the price!"

He had already made up his mind that once Jiang Wang came out of the Secret Realm Tower, regardless of whether he obtained any opportunities, he would find a chance to eliminate him. He would remember the humiliation he had suffered today.

With a strong spatial distortion, Jiang Wang's figure completely disappeared from the teleportation array.

Elder Li withdrew the teleportation array's power and bowed to Tu Dachang, saying, "Fifth Elder, the teleportation is complete."

Tu Dachang snorted coldly, turned and left, leaving behind only a cold silhouette.

On the other side, Jiang Wang felt a sudden dizziness as he was enveloped by a powerful spatial force, and the scene before him kept changing, like a revolving lantern.

After an unknown amount of time, the dizziness subsided, and he slowly opened his eyes to find himself in front of a massive tower.

The tower is entirely black, made of an unknown material, and covered with countless strange patterns, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura. The tower soars into the clouds, its top invisible, giving people a sense of oppression.

In front of the tower gate stood several cultivators dressed in different clothes, who were obviously here to challenge the Secret Realm Tower. Their cultivation levels varied, with the lowest being the peak of Golden Immortal and the highest being the mid-stage of Taiyi Golden Immortal.

A cultivator dressed in white robes noticed Jiang Wang, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. He stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying, "Fellow Daoist, are you new to the challenge of the Secret Realm Tower?"

Jiang Wang nodded and said, "That's right."

The white-robed cultivator smiled and said, "I am Bai Yunfei, from the Qingyun Sect."

"What is your esteemed name, fellow Daoist?"

"Little Tu," Jiang Wang said calmly. He didn't want to reveal his true identity, so he continued to use the name Little Tu.

A strange look flashed in Bai Yunfei's eyes, clearly finding the name odd, but he didn't ask further and smiled, "Fellow Daoist Tu, this Secret Realm Tower is extremely dangerous. Why don't we travel together and look after each other?"

He could sense that Jiang Wang's aura was not strong, only at the early stage of the Dao Proving Realm. He thought that having more people meant more strength, and even if Jiang Wang wasn't strong, he could still help out.

Jiang Wang glanced at Bai Yunfei and could sense that he meant no harm and was just trying to use him, but he didn't care and said indifferently, "No need, I'm used to being alone."

He didn't want to travel with others to avoid exposing his secret, and with his abilities, he didn't need anyone's help.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Bai Yunfei's face, then he smiled and said, "Alright, then Fellow Daoist Tu, please feel free to do as you please."

However, I must remind you, fellow Daoist, that there are many powerful demonic beasts on the first level of the Secret Realm Tower. Your cultivation is still shallow, so please be extremely careful.”

After saying that, he turned around and went back to his companions.

Ignoring the gazes of others, Jiang Wang walked straight toward the tower gate.

The tower gate was tightly closed, and a huge "1" was carved on it.

The character is clearly the entrance to the first level.

He raised his hand and placed it on the tower door, his spiritual energy surging into it. The patterns on the tower door instantly lit up, emitting a faint glow. Then, the tower door slowly opened, and a strong smell of blood and the roars of demonic beasts came from inside.

Jiang Wang took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Upon entering the tower, one is greeted by a vast space, resembling a huge valley. The valley is filled with rubble and dead trees, and a dozen enormous demonic beasts are roaming about. These beasts are entirely black, resembling tigers, but with three eyes that gleam with a ferocious light. They are the three-eyed black tigers, a common demonic beast on the first level of the Secret Realm Tower.

The three-eyed black tigers were all at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm. Although they were not too strong for Jiang Wang, their large numbers made up for it.

Upon seeing Jiang Wang enter, the dozen or so three-eyed black tigers instantly stopped, turned around, stared intently at him, and let out low growls, radiating a fierce aura.

"Roar!" A three-eyed black tiger launched the first attack, its body pouncing towards Jiang Wang like an arrow released from a bow. Its sharp claws, carrying black murderous aura, reached for Jiang Wang's head.

Jiang Wang's eyes turned cold. Without flinching or dodging, he suddenly reached out with his right hand, surrounded by azure-gold spiritual light, and grabbed the three-eyed black tiger's claw.

The three-eyed black tiger felt as if its claws were being clamped by iron pincers, unable to move. It roared angrily, trying to break free, but found that Jiang Wang's hand was like a thousand-pound boulder, completely immovable.

"Crack!"

Jiang Wang exerted a little force, and a crisp sound rang out as the three-eyed black tiger's claw was broken, black blood gushing out.

The three-eyed black tiger let out a shrill scream, its body involuntarily retreating backward.

Seeing this, the other three-eyed black tigers roared and pounced on Jiang Wang. In an instant, countless claws and teeth attacked Jiang Wang, and the murderous aura filled the air, sealing off all of Jiang Wang's space to dodge.

Jiang Wang sneered, and a burst of azure-gold spiritual light erupted from his body, transforming into a massive aura that sent all the three-eyed black tigers that were pouncing flying.

Then, he moved swiftly, weaving among the three-eyed black tigers like a ghost. His right hand swung continuously, each swing carrying a cyan-gold spiritual light. Each strike would instantly knock a three-eyed black tiger to the ground, its life force extinguished.

"That's too fast!"

In the distance, Bai Yunfei and his companions, who had just entered the tower, exclaimed in surprise upon seeing this scene.

They originally thought that Jiang Wang's cultivation was weak and that he was no match for the Three-Eyed Black Tiger. They did not expect that Jiang Wang's strength was so powerful. He was quick, accurate and ruthless. In just a few breaths, he killed several Three-Eyed Black Tigers.

Bai Yunfei's face was full of shock. He was glad that he hadn't offended Jiang Wang earlier, but he also regretted it a little. If he could have teamed up with Jiang Wang, the challenge of the Secret Realm Tower would have been much easier.

Ignoring Bai Yunfei and the others' surprise, Jiang Wang continued to swiftly kill the three-eyed black tiger.

To him, these three-eyed black tigers at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm were like ants, utterly vulnerable.

Before long, all of the dozen or so three-eyed black tigers fell to the ground, turning into corpses, their black blood staining the ground red.

Just then, a light suddenly shone on the ground in the center of the valley, and a teleportation array slowly appeared, clearly the teleportation array through the first level.

At the same time, a black token flew out from one of the corpses of the three-eyed black tiger and landed in front of Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang reached out and caught the token. It was icy cold to the touch, and engraved with the number "1".

The characters seem to possess a subtle, flowing spiritual energy.

This is the credential for entering the first level; only by possessing this token can one enter the second level.

"Fellow Daoist Tu is powerful!"

Bai Yunfei strode forward, cupped his hands to Jiang Wang, and said with admiration in his eyes, "I was blind to your greatness just now, please forgive me, Fellow Daoist Tu."

"Would Fellow Daoist Tu be willing to join us? With our combined efforts, we should be able to clear the subsequent floors much faster."

Jiang Wang glanced at Bai Yunfei, then at the cultivators behind him, and said indifferently, "No need."

After saying that, he walked straight toward the teleportation array.

He didn't want to waste time; he just wanted to get to a higher floor as quickly as possible to find what he needed.

A hint of disappointment flashed across Bai Yunfei's face, but he dared not stop him and could only watch helplessly as Jiang Wang walked into the teleportation array.

With a flash of light, Jiang Wang's figure disappeared from the teleportation array, and when he reappeared, he had arrived at the second level of the Secret Realm Tower.

The second level is smaller than the first, resembling a huge cave with walls covered in luminous crystals that illuminate the entire space.

Inside the cave, there were no monsters, only huge stone walls, covered with countless complex runes, clearly forming a series of restrictions.

Jiang Wang walked to the stone wall and carefully observed the runes on it, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes.

These runes are ancient restrictions, containing the power of space and formations. To pass through the second level, these restrictions must be broken and the entrance to the third level must be found.

Just then, several figures emerged from the teleportation array; it was Bai Yunfei and his companions. (End of Chapter)