There is only a month left until the second assessment at the Heavenly Dao Institute. The second assessment is a practical combat test.
Lin Xuan needed to master the Ninefold Swordsmanship within this month. This sword technique contained nine layers of power, each stronger than the last. The nine layers could be stacked, ultimately unleashing nine times the normal might. It truly lived up to its reputation as a Xuan-grade Martial Arts; its power was indeed formidable.
However, it was also very difficult to practice. Lin Xuan trained for several days without success, instead breaking several longswords in the process.
At that moment, the big black dog's voice rang out. "The swords you're using are too ordinary. They can't withstand the power of the Ninefold Swordsmanship."
"The Treasure Swords the Great Emperor left for you are Earth-grade at a minimum. You can't wield them yet, so you'd better buy a new one. I have a Supreme VIP Token from the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower right here. You can take it there to buy what you need."
With that, the big black dog produced a black token. An ancient, lifelike tower was engraved upon its surface.
Lin Xuan had naturally heard of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower. It was a place filled with countless treasures, said to contain everything under the sun. The Ten Thousand Treasures Tower was incredibly powerful. It was rumored that its branches weren't just in Cloud Sea City, but spread throughout the entire Great Xia Dynasty and even across the world. It was an extraordinary force.
Lin Xuan took the black token and asked, "What privileges does this Supreme VIP Token grant?"
"With this Supreme VIP Token," the big black dog said, "you will receive a grand reception from the Tower Master at any Ten Thousand Treasures Tower you visit. Furthermore, anything you purchase will be half-price."
"It's that amazing?" Lin Xuan was utterly astonished.
The big black dog chuckled. "Of course! What do you think the Great Emperor's status was back then? He was the supreme ruler. He received the grandest treatment wherever he went." With that settled, Lin Xuan headed for the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.
The Ten Thousand Treasures Tower stood in the center of Cloud Sea City, looking like a spire that reached the heavens. As Lin Xuan walked inside, he was met with a cacophony of voices. The place was bustling with activity, filled with Martial Artists coming and going.
Lin Xuan had barely stepped inside when a cold voice rang out. "It's you. What are you doing here?"
Lin Xuan looked up to see a young man in a green robe glaring at him viciously. This person was Liu Ruhu, Liu Ruyan's brother.
In the past, Liu Ruhu had urged his sister to break up with Lin Xuan countless times. He believed Lin Xuan was a good-for-nothing, completely unworthy of his sister. His sister was so beautiful; she deserved to be with an unparalleled genius. Now, his sister had finally left Lin Xuan.
But I heard his cultivation has recovered and even surpassed my sister's... How infuriating! He must be here at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower to buy treasures or weapons. I can't let him get any stronger!
At this thought, Liu Ruhu decided to have Lin Xuan thrown out. He waved his hand, calling to a portly, middle-aged man in the distance, "You, come here."
"Ah, Young Master Liu! What can I do for you?" the portly, middle-aged man asked, running over with an ingratiating smile. He was Captain Liu, responsible for order and security within the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.
Although the Liu Family was minor, Liu Ruyan had successfully attached herself to Sun Tian. The Sun Family was a behemoth in Cloud Sea City, a power no one dared to offend. Since Liu Ruhu was now Sun Tian's de facto brother-in-law, Captain Liu certainly wouldn't risk offending him.
Liu Ruhu pointed at Lin Xuan and ordered, "Break his legs and throw him out."
"Understood," Captain Liu said with a wave of his hand. "Men, break this kid's legs and throw him out!"
Immediately, a few guards moved toward Lin Xuan, ready to strike.
Lin Xuan scoffed. "Do you have any idea who I am?"
Captain Liu was startled. Could this person have some kind of powerful background? If so, this could be troublesome. He began to feel a twinge of worry and regret.
Seeing his hesitation, Liu Ruhu said, "Captain Liu, don't worry. His name is Lin Xuan, a young master from the Lin Family. But the Lin Family is no match for the Sun Family. You know what to do, don't you?"
So it's him, Captain Liu thought with a nod. Though Lin Xuan was a young master, he was nothing compared to Sun Tian. With that realization, his worries vanished. He ordered the surrounding guards, "Carry on."
Liu Ruhu sneered relentlessly. Let's see you get out of this one, kid.
Lin Xuan was merely a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist, while these guards were all Ninth-Grade Martial Artists. He was simply no match for them. Liu Ruhu wanted to watch with his own eyes as Lin Xuan's legs were broken before he was thrown out like a dog.
"I am a VIP of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower. Do you dare to touch me?" Lin Xuan snorted coldly.
Hearing this, Captain Liu quickly shouted, "Wait!" He stopped the guards and fixed his gaze on Lin Xuan. "You claim to be a VIP? Do you have a VIP Token?"
If the man truly was a VIP, he wouldn't dare to lay a hand on him.
"Of course I do." Lin Xuan produced the black token.
Captain Liu stared at it, and then he froze.
Liu Ruhu, on the other hand, burst out laughing. "Hah! You're killing me! Lin Xuan, you really know how to boast. You, a VIP of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower? Are you worthy? Even your Lin Family's Clan Leader isn't a VIP, so how could you be one? What is that thing you took out? You dare to pass that off as a VIP Token? How utterly foolish. I bet you've never even seen a real VIP Token. Let me show you what a VIP Token from the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower looks like."
With that, he produced a golden token. It shone as if forged from pure gold, brilliant and dazzling, and it also bore the engraving of a lifelike ancient tower. "See this? This is a real VIP Token for the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower."
Captain Liu's expression also turned cold. He said sternly, "Our VIP Tokens at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower are all golden. There has never been a black one. That thing you're holding is not a VIP Token at all."
Lin Xuan replied, "This is a VIP Token. It's a Supreme VIP Token. Your rank is too low for you to have ever seen one. Go get your Tower Master. He will certainly recognize it."
Captain Liu flew into a rage. "Who do you think you are, demanding to see our Tower Master? Even your Lin Family's Clan Leader isn't qualified to meet him! And what's this about a 'Supreme VIP Token'? The Ten Thousand Treasures Tower has no such thing!"
Captain Liu simply didn't believe him, as he had never heard of such an item. "You dare to impersonate a VIP of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower? That just doubles your crime! Men, break all four of his limbs and throw him out!"
「Meanwhile, on the top floor of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.」
An exceptionally beautiful woman opened her eyes. Her name was Bai Qianqian, the Tower Master of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.
She gasped in surprise. The Supreme VIP Token... it has actually appeared! I must go and greet our guest personally.
With that thought, her figure flickered and vanished.
「On the first floor of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower.」
Captain Liu, leading several guards, advanced on Lin Xuan with a cold sneer, about to make his move. But at that very moment, a cold shout echoed through the hall.
"Stop!"
Instantly, a flash of light heralded the appearance of a figure nearby.
Captain Liu's expression darkened. Who dares interfere with my business? He whirled around angrily, but when he saw who had arrived, his face paled, and he immediately bowed.
"Greetings, Tower Master!" he stammered. "Tower Master, why have you come down? This is just a trivial matter I can handle myself. Don't you worry, I'll have this brat thrown out immediately."