Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Tower Of Primodials
That night, something miraculous occurred.
Vahn was searing cross-legged in silence, the borrowed Earth-grade manual open before him. Though he had no intention of committing his life to it, he still wished to understand how cultivation manuals functioned. Knowledge, after all, was never wasted.
He followed the manual’s initial instructions, sinking into meditation. This was the fundamental step: attuning oneself to the world, breathing in rhythm, and opening the senses to the unseen flow of spirit energy.
At first, everything was normal. He was breathing slowly. His eyes were closed, mind calm as his awareness stretched outward.
Then, without warning, the air around him began to glow.
He opened his eyes in disbelief.
Spirit energy gathered in waves, condensing so thickly it resembled a glittering mist. Threads of light drifted through the air, curling and dancing as though the night itself had awakened.
His heart pounded seeing this phenomena.
This... this isn’t normal.
He knew enough to be certain. Spirit energy was the invisible force that sustained the world, nourishing heaven, earth, and life itself. To mortals, it was imperceptible. Even cultivators who had not yet developed spirit sense could only feel its faint touch, never see it.
Yet here it was, manifested before his very eyes, flocking to him as if he were its natural center.
It was a phenomena that should be impossible for a beginner in Qi Refining like him.
There could only be two explanations for what he experienced. Either his flawless tempering had elevated his innate talent to an extraordinary level, or it was the mysterious effect of his Void Refining Physique.
Whichever it was, the result thrilled him beyond words. He truly possessed top notch qualifications to walk the path of Qi Refining.
But excitement alone was not enough.
He knew the dangers of acting rashly. If he attempted to refine spirit energy without the guidance of a proper cultivation manual, the consequences would be disastrous. Spirit energy was both nourishment and blade. Any misguided circulation could rupture his meridians, shatter his foundation, even cripple his dantian forever.
No matter how much his body yearned for that first breath of Qi, he could not risk it.
He had to wait.
---
Next day at dawn, he climbed the path toward Saintess Peak once more. The morning sun painted the skies gold, but the disciples he passed only saw red. Their jealous stares followed him like daggers, grinding their teeth at the sight of the man who dared approach their goddess so freely.
Vahn ignored them all, his steps calm and unshaken.
At the summit, Zephya once again moved to block his way. Her cold eyes flashed with warning, but this time he did not even spare her a glance. Without pause, he walked past her into the cave.
Inside, he wasted no time with pleasantries. He told Seraphina everything. His completion of body tempering, his problem, and his need.
Seraphina listened quietly, her serene blue eyes steady, no longer surprised by his rapid growth.
When he finished, she tilted her head slightly and asked in soft tone,
"So, you want a high-grade cultivation manual?"
"Yes," Vahn answered without hesitation. "But not just any high-grade manual. At the very least, it should be Heaven grade. If you don’t have it, I won’t press you. Just tell me how I can obtain one, and that will be enough."
The words left his mouth firmly, without shame. Once, he would have never dared to make such a request, fearing it rude or outrageous. But now, things had changed.
They had grown close. He had seen her warmth, and she had seen his resolve.
She was his wife. His life companion
And in his heart, there was nothing wrong with asking for help from someone he had already accepted as his own.
Besides, he wasn’t demanding one from her. He only sought a path, a clue that could guide him forward.
That was all he needed.
Seraphina noticed the change in Vahn’s attitude. He was no longer hesitant, no longer meek in his requests. And strangely, that made her happy.
"I do have a Heaven Grade cultivation manual, Vahn," she admitted softly. "But it is a healer’s art. My path will not suit you. Still, if you wish, I can request the Patriarch to get another one on your behalf."
Vahn’s eyes narrowed and then shook his head firmly.
"No. I don’t want you to plead for me. Just tell me another way I can get one."
His refusal was sharp, yet his resolve clear.
Seraphina was not surprised. She was intelligent enough to realize there was something unsaid between Vahn and the upper authorities, a silent struggle he wasn’t ready to explain. Still, her eyes showed only support, no judgment.
"Alright," she said after a pause, her tone turning serious. "Since you insist, I will tell you about one place where you may find what you seek."
Vahn leaned forward slightly, unable to hide the impatience in his voice.
"Where?"
Her gaze deepened as she revealed,
"The Tower of Primordials."
Vahn frowned.
"Tower of Primordials?" he repeated in confusion.
The name alone sounded ancient and heavy, yet he had never heard of such a place. Although, that was to be expected from a person who never left his village.
"Yes," Seraphina explained. "It is a tower of unforgiving trials. There are exactly 100 floors in total, each filled with challenges and rewards. Practitioners enter it to temper their battle skills, but many risk their lives chasing its tempting treasures. Countless people dies in the doung.
But do not be alarmed. You will not need to climb just yet. On Floor Zero lies the Entrance Trial. It judges participant’s potential and talent. If the tower acknowledges you, it will grant extraordinary rewards. That could be your chance to obtain the manual you seek."
Her expression suddenly turned grave.
"But the tower is under the jurisdiction of the Dark Sun Empire. That land belongs to the Darkness Creed, home of Saintess Lilith Moonveil. If they discover who you are and decide to harm you, even I would be powerless to protect you. Think carefully, Vahn. There are safer paths."
Vahn contemplated in silence.
She was right. There were easier ways. Such as waiting for his system to grant a suitable reward.
Yet as he listened, something stirred within him. An instinct, a whisper from deep within his bones, told him that the Tower awaited him. That his destiny had a thread tied to that place.
And in that moment, his mind was set.
He would go to the Dark Sun Empire.