The young disciple blushed even more, fumbling with one of the talismans before presenting it to him. “This one is a protective talisman for Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators! It can block a single attack above your level, though the standard of that attack is the same as ours so it can block the attack of an Origin Core Creation Realm cultivator from the outside world. It’s quite rare in the outside world.”
Shen Yuan briefly glanced at the talisman, noticing the craftsmanship as he had a thought. He smiled, “I will buy it, it seems quite nice to gift someone.”
The young disciple’s eyes lit up as she packed the talisman and took the payment from him.
“Thank you for your patronage, Senior Brother!” She smiled and bowed a little towards him.
Shen Yuan smiled kindly in reply. He turned around to leave, but another figure approached him.
A disciple wearing inner sect disciple’s robes walked towards him with a smirk on her face. She had sharp eyes and carried a confident air with herself.
“Senior Brother Shen Yuan,” she greeted him playfully, “You’re becoming quite the sensation around the outer sect.”
Shen Yuan turned his head slightly, recognizing her immediately as she was quite famous in the inner sect. She had recently been promoted to the Inner sect and was one of the top disciples in the outer sect before that.
She was famous for her competitive nature and sharp mind, and there were constant chats about her vying for a higher rank in the Inner Sect ranking board.
He gave her a small nod in greeting, and replied with a smile, “Ah Junior Sister Ling Mei, I suppose I have been quite busy lately.”
Ling Mei’s brow twitched as Shen Yuan casually responded to her teasing and called her ‘Junior Sister’. But instead, she eyed him with interest, “I heard about your recent achievements with the towers. Quite impressive for someone who has just joined the sect. But what brings you to the Outer Sect’s market today? Surely the goods here are far below your standards.”
Shen Yuan smirked, “I was bored while cultivating all night and decided to head out to have some fun, who knew I would encounter you here.”
Ling Mei chuckled softly, “True enough. But I suspect you’re not one to waste time, Shen Yuan. I imagine you are here for more than just a stroll?”
Shen Yuan shrugged lightly and replied with a teasing smile, “You suspected wrong then. I’m quite an easygoing person. But I suppose you are right, maybe I can head to the training grounds later and finish the rest of the towers.”
Lin Mei’s eyes glinted with interest, “The tower again, huh? You have already broken the record of one of them, are you trying to break another record today? I wouldn’t mind seeing how far you can go.”
Shen Yuan glanced at her. “You want to watch?”
Ling Mei smiled slyly. “I wouldn’t mind. Watching someone of your level in action is always inspirational and it will be quite good for my cultivation as well.”
Shen Yuan chuckled, “If you’re free, feel free to join me to see who clears it faster.”
“I will wait for that until you join the Inner Sect, otherwise if I win then people will call it unfair.” She spoke with a hint of pride in her tone, not wanting to take advantage of Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan shook his head with a smile and made his way towards the training grounds, leaving Ling Mei behind.
The sun hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the sect.
As he walked, he heard disciples whispering about his upcoming challenge at the training grounds.
Having already conquered the Pagoda of Crushing Steps, which tested physical endurance and strength, Shen Yuan set his sights on the next challenge: The Maze Pagoda. This pagoda was not only an imitation of the Ancestral Pagoda’s second level but the ancestors of the sect had also improved it greatly, making it a great ever-changing labyrinth.
As he approached the Maze Pagoda, he noticed a small crowd gathered at its entrance. Among them, he spotted Wan Ling, her eyes lighting up as she saw him.
“Senior Brother Shen Yuan!” she called out, traveling through the crowd to reach him. “Are you planning to challenge the Maze Pagoda today?”
Shen Yuan nodded, a confident smile on his face. “Indeed. It’s about time I tie up the loose ends and conquer all the pagodas.”
Wan Ling glanced at the towering structure, her expression a mix of awe and apprehension. “I’ve heard that many disciples get lost inside for hours, some even days. The maze tests not just one’s sense of direction but also their willpower.”
“All the more reason to give it a try,” Shen Yuan replied calmly with a confident smile. “Care to join me? It could be a good experience.”
She hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. “I would just be a distraction. I think I’ll watch this time. But I’ll be here cheering you on when you return.”
“You won’t be a distraction for me but I can see you are not ready for this trial just yet. Very well,” he said, his eyes meeting hers briefly before turning toward the pagoda’s entrance. “Wish the disciples luck that I won’t crush their spirits too hard,” he whispered in her ear, making her blush.
As he stepped forward, Ling Mei appeared beside Wan Ling, arms crossed and a curious look on her face. “So he’s attempting the Maze Pagoda now? This should be interesting.”
Wan Ling looked at her and asked hesitantly, “Senior Sister Ling Mei, do you think he’ll succeed?”
Ling Mei smirked lightly. “He has an unbelievable amount of talent, no doubt about that. But the Maze Pagoda test is more than just your physical might or your cultivation foundation. It required a strong will and sharp mind. We’ll see if he is actually smart or just another muscle head.”
Inside the Maze Pagoda, Shen Yuan found himself standing at the entrance of an intricate labyrinth.
The walls were made of smooth stone, and ethereal light cast an otherworldly glow throughout the corridors.
“Interesting, the insides are better looking than the Ancestral Pagoda,” he mused, taking a moment to close his eyes and extend his senses.
His Primal Harmony Physique allowed him to attune to the energies around him, effectively giving him an edge in environments like this. ‘So, this is one of the upgrades that I got after utilizing my physiques with other physiques?’
As he opened his eyes, the path ahead seemed to shift slightly. Without hesitation, he began walking forward, looking around curiously.
The first turn led him to a fork with three possible paths. Instead of relying solely on his sight, Shen Yuan focused on the flow of Qi within the maze.
He could sense subtle variations in the Qi emanating from each path.
“The left path has a chaotic flow, likely leading to lots of traps. The right feels too stagnant. The center path it is,” he decided.
As he progressed deeper, the maze began to play tricks on the mind. Illusions manifested—walls that appeared solid but weren’t, corridors that looped back on themselves, and whispers that seemed to come from all directions.
