I bear witness to immortality in the human world.

Chapter 206 Sun-Eating Tiger Demon
The ninth floor of the Hidden Dragon Tower.

Wu Ming climbed the steps and ascended to the highest floor.

The entire ninth floor was still empty. The array patterns engraved on the tower were even more intricate and profound, reaching a level that Wu Ming could not decipher. This floor also connected with the outside world. Wu Ming could feel the surging power of heaven and earth pouring in from outside the sky and flowing through the tower.

As a dazzling array of light emerged, secret runes lit up, and a figure shimmering with golden and red light rapidly coalesced and appeared in the center of the tower.

It was a tiger demon, a huge tiger demon, two zhang tall, with wings on its back and its body covered with dense patterns, exuding an astonishing aura. In particular, the 'king' character pattern on its forehead was not the usual tiger's 'king' character pattern, but a round bead that emitted a dazzling halo, like a blazing sun.

Sun-devouring Tiger!
This is one of the top bloodlines among the tiger demons in the demon race, belonging to the Ten Ancient Ferocious Beasts.

The Sun-Devouring Tiger before us, which was transformed by the power of the array, could not be considered a true one of the Ten Ancient Ferocious Beasts. At most, it had only awakened a trace of bloodline deep within its body. However, its aura and pressure had indeed reached the level of the sixth transformation!
Just as Wu Ming had predicted, the ninth floor of the Hidden Dragon Tower was indeed occupied by a great demon king who had reached the sixth transformation realm!

but,

If it were a truly top-tier demon king, no one could pass through this level. Although the Devouring Tiger Demon in front of him exuded a powerful aura and was incredibly imposing, in Wu Ming's perception, the pressure it brought was not as great as that of the demon king he had encountered in the Jingye City territory.

Based on his assessment, the strength of this Sun-Devouring Tiger Demon should be at the threshold of the sixth transformation level.

For the group of geniuses at the Five Refinements and Five Bloods of the Hidden Dragon Academy, being able to defeat a Great Demon King at the threshold of the Six Transformations was a feat unprecedented since the founding of the Yong Kingdom. Perhaps such geniuses were not uncommon in the cultivation holy lands of the Great Jin Dynasty, but in the Yong Kingdom, it was truly a once-in-a-millennium event.

If this step can be achieved, then entering the Great Jin's sacred cultivation ground through the Battle of the Prodigies is practically a certainty.

"Roar!!!"

Before the demonic form of the Sun-Devouring Tiger had fully materialized, it unleashed a deafening roar at Wu Ming.

This was a powerful tiger's roar that struck Wu Ming directly, shaking his soul. If an ordinary cultivator at the fifth level of cultivation were to withstand this tiger's roar, their primordial spirit would likely be shaken, making it difficult for them to unleash any Dao techniques for a short period of time.

However, Wu Ming's primordial spirit was so powerful that the intimidation of this tiger's roar was far from enough to damage his soul.

"Humph."

Wu Ming merely hummed softly, and with a thought, his primordial spirit power instantly surged forth, a surging bolt of lightning burst forth from his body, transforming into a gigantic thunder elemental dharma image.

Immediately afterwards, Wu Ming raised his hand, and a Divine Firmament Thunder Technique was unleashed. Nine layers of thunder runes intertwined and converged to form a blazing and surging thunder dragon. As the thunder dragon pounced out, it circled the Thunder Essence Dharma Image once, absorbing terrifying thunder power that almost broke through the limit of the fifth refinement.

"Ugh."

The Sun-Devouring Tiger Demon let out a howling roar. Facing the charging Thunder Dragon, it showed no fear whatsoever. It actually opened its mouth and bit down, seizing the Thunder Dragon's head and then slashing its claws fiercely.

The thunder dragon that Wu Ming condensed with the Divine Firmament Thunder Technique should have been just an illusory thunder power without a substantial form. However, under the tearing and ripping of the Sun-Eating Tiger Demon, it seemed to have become a substantial dragon body. It was torn to pieces in an instant, and then a gust of wind burst out from its mouth, directly swallowing the torn thunder power into its belly!
"..."

Seeing this, Wu Ming's eyes flickered slightly.

His lightning technique was almost at the level of the sixth level of refinement, but he didn't expect that the Sun-Devouring Tiger Demon could devour his lightning technique. It was indeed worthy of the bloodline of one of the Ten Ancient Fiends.

The next moment, an even more astonishing scene unfolded: the Sun-Devouring Tiger Demon opened its massive jaws once more and let out another roar.

"Roar!"

This roar was no small matter; it unleashed the power of thunder from its mouth, and a blazing bolt of lightning surged forth, pouring directly down on Wu Ming, clearly returning the lightning magic that Wu Ming had previously released intact.

The bolt of lightning suddenly struck the Thunder Essence Dharma Image, instantly exploding into a dazzling display of lightning, with endless arcs of lightning spreading out and enveloping the entire ninth floor of the Hidden Dragon Tower.

"Use my lightning magic against me?"

Wu Ming remained calm amidst the lightning, his expression serene. Although the power of this bolt of lightning was indeed extraordinary, since he himself had released its power, how could it possibly harm him?

However, this ability to return the body to its original location after being devoured should indeed be the Sun-Devouring Tiger's innate supernatural power.

Swish!
Immediately after unleashing the lightning, the massive body of the Sun-Devouring Tiger flashed with incredible speed, arriving before Wu Ming's Thunderous Avatar in an instant. Then, it swung its sharp claws and ripped it apart.

"drink!"

With a shout from Wu Ming, Lei Yuan's Dharma Image extended a large hand filled with lightning and pressed down directly.

The two claws collided in mid-air, unleashing a deafening roar. Immediately, Wu Ming's Thunder Yuan Dharma Image's lightning hand was torn apart by the Sun-Devouring Tiger's two claws.

Clearly, relying solely on his Thunder Element Dharma Form, he would still be no match for this Sun-Devouring Tiger Demon in a head-on collision.

Sensing the strength of the Sun-Devouring Tiger Demon, Wu Ming remained unfazed. Instead, a hint of excitement appeared in his eyes. He hadn't had enough of the battle on the eighth floor, and this Sun-Devouring Tiger Demon would be perfect for practice. "Go."

With a thought, Wu Ming sent two streaks of blood-red light flying through the air.

As his soul power further increased, the power of his sword control technique also rose. The two flying swords working together were enough to make someone like Gu Liufeng flustered.

While wielding the two flying swords, Wu Ming unleashed his full primordial spirit power, pushing the Divine Firmament Thunder Technique to its limit. Combined with the Thunder Origin Dharma Image, endless lightning filled the entire Thunder Origin Dharma Image, forming a sea of ​​lightning that enveloped the Sun-Devouring Tiger. Then, he mobilized waves of lightning power to suppress and descend upon the Sun-Devouring Tiger.

boom! boom! boom! ! !
The combined power of the Heavenly Gang Thunder Essence Dharma Form and the Divine Firmament Thunder Law, unleashed to their fullest potential, clashed head-on with the Sun-Devouring Tiger. Coupled with the constant back-and-forth attacks of the two killing weapons, the battle quickly entered its most intense phase.

Within the sea of ​​lightning, tiger shadows entangled, and gods and demons danced wildly, with heart-stopping tiger roars emanating from time to time. However, both the lightning that permeated the battle and these tiger roars were perfectly blocked by the formation of the Hidden Dragon Tower, with not a trace leaking to the outside world, so that the outside world was completely unaware of the situation inside the tower.

"Why hasn't Senior Brother Wu come out yet?"

"They're probably trying to get to the ninth floor."

"The ninth level? I heard from Senior Brother Gu that the difficulty of the ninth level is probably that of a great demon king at the sixth level."

Someone shook their head and spoke.

He felt that the ninth level of the Hidden Dragon Tower was just there for people to see, and it was impossible to pass through it. In any case, since the founding of the Yong Kingdom over a thousand years ago, no one had ever passed through the ninth level.

"Since we can get past the eighth floor, we should at least give it a try and see the difference."

Bai Qiulan's eyes gleamed with golden light as she spoke softly. She looked up at the tower, hoping to see inside through the array of the Hidden Dragon Tower, but unfortunately, even with her Eye of Truth activated to its fullest extent, she still could not see through the tower's structure.

She turned to look at Gu Liufeng and asked, "Senior Brother Gu, how were your experiences on the ninth level?"

"Can't beat it."

Gu Liufeng said succinctly, "The gap is quite large. If my strength were to double, I might be able to pass."

After hearing Gu Liufeng's words, Bai Qiulan couldn't help but shake her head.

For ordinary disciples, doubling their strength might only require learning one more Taoist technique or martial art. But for a top genius like her, increasing her strength by even a fraction of a percent is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Not to mention Gu Liufeng, who has already perfected his martial body cultivation and mastered the rudiments of martial intent, reaching the limit of his limits. Even if he were to cultivate dozens or hundreds more sword techniques and movement methods, it would be difficult to increase his strength by even 10%, let alone double it.

To achieve further improvement, one must break through to a higher level.

Either break through to the sixth level of blood coagulation, or completely master the martial arts intent and enter the 'ultimate intent' level.

Bai Qiulan looked up at the tall tower. After a while, her brows furrowed, and she suddenly spoke:
"too long."

"Ok?"

Yan Luo stood behind Bai Qiulan, also looking up at the tower. Upon hearing Bai Qiulan's words, she immediately turned to look at her.

A strange glint flashed in Bai Qiulan's eyes as she said, "Even if he was testing the gap at the ninth level, this has taken far too long. Half a cup of tea has already passed. How can he hold out at the ninth level for so long?"

Upon hearing this, Yanluo immediately realized what was happening and couldn't help but be moved.

Yes,

The ninth level is a six-transformation demon king. Even if it is only at the threshold of the sixth transformation, it is unimaginable that one could withstand the fierce attack of a six-transformation demon king in such a confined space for half a cup of tea.

As time went by, many people realized this, and their expressions changed. Even Gu Liufeng's eyes showed a hint of solemnity. He had passed the eighth level and went up to the ninth level, but he was injured after only three moves and had to withdraw from the ninth level.

How did Wu Ming manage to hold on for so long?
……

Inside the ninth floor of the tower.

Amidst the pervasive sea of ​​lightning, Wu Ming wielded his Thunder Essence Dharma Form, resembling a god or demon, constantly clashing with the Sun-Devouring Tiger. He appeared to be able to hold on, but the actual situation was clearly unfavorable to him.

The flying sword's attack was completely ineffective against the Sun-Devouring Tiger, and it was even difficult to break through its defenses. Only by attacking some weak points could the Sun-Devouring Tiger be forced to distract itself from defending. The Thunder Element Dharma Form combined with the Divine Firmament Thunder Technique could only barely hold on. In a direct confrontation, it was still at a disadvantage, and the consumption of soul power was also considerable.

If this entanglement continues, there's basically no chance of winning.

(End of this chapter)