Chapter Thirty-One: The Upgrade of the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion

Liu Junhuai felt immensely grateful for the arrival of this epiphany; it was not something that could be attained through cultivation alone. Compared to ordinary cultivators, his conditions were exceptionally favorable, but even the greatest opportunities and luck required arduous effort to yield true rewards.

The road to immortality was fraught with hardship; caution did not mean cowardice. In this matter, seeking self-preservation might have avoided much trouble, yet to progress further, one's mindset must not tolerate the slightest flaw. If one wishes to act, then act, at least to maintain the wholeness of the heart.

As he pondered, a message arrived in his sea of consciousness: he could now enter the Tower of Myriad Phenomena. Junhuai was overjoyed. He mounted his flying sword and left the jurisdiction of Golden Maple Valley, entering the tower from a secluded location.

No sooner had he stepped inside than an old man with white beard and brows approached the astonished Junhuai.

Three steps away, the elder bowed and said, "Steward Zhiqiu greets the master of the Tower of Myriad Phenomena. If you have any questions, please speak freely. I can answer in detail according to your privileges."

Junhuai, utterly amazed, his lips trembling, asked, "How did you appear here? Why was I unaware that my tower had your presence?"

"To answer the master's question," Zhiqiu replied pleasantly, "You are the third master of the Tower of Myriad Phenomena and the only one to reach the Foundation Establishment stage alive. I appear only when the master's cultivation reaches Foundation Establishment. The reason, however, is something you are not yet privileged to know."

"Who created this tower, then?" Junhuai, still feeling as if in a dream, asked cautiously.

"Apologies, that question is also beyond your current privileges," Zhiqiu replied respectfully.

"Then what questions am I allowed to ask?" Junhuai asked, feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

"All matters related to cultivation and certain new functions of the tower fall within your privileges," Zhiqiu answered.

"Then tell me about the changes in the Tower of Myriad Phenomena," said Junhuai, beginning to adapt to the situation.

"Certainly, master. The main changes are: the second floor now includes a guest room, allowing you to bring one person inside; the third floor has a puppet chamber; the artifact refining room now has a furnace for smelting obsolete magical artifacts; the fourth floor adds a teleportation array foundation. Additionally, the tower has activated a reward mechanism requiring you to complete tasks and accumulate contribution points for redemption," Zhiqiu recited as if reading an account ledger, every detail at his fingertips.

Junhuai felt a little dizzy, but his curiosity and excitement prevailed. "Please explain these changes further."

Zhiqiu nodded. "The guest room is for the convenience of your visitors, whose access to each space I will control. The puppet chamber offers a complete set of manipulation techniques for you to study. The teleportation array foundation can be further set up once you craft a teleportation array. Tasks are generated randomly; I will inform you when they appear. The reward conditions will be recorded in detail on a points jade token."

"Can you tell me why you appear here?"

"My existence was designed by the creator to help the master fully understand and utilize all cultivation resources. I serve only as a guide and assistant. My main task is to serve the master well."

"May I know your cultivation level? Can you help me if I encounter danger outside the tower?"

"To answer the master: my cultivation has been sealed. Unlocking the seal will require your help in the future, and my activity is restricted to within the Tower of Myriad Phenomena."

---

By now, Junhuai generally understood the functions of the new features. The appearance of the old steward was of immense help to him, and once again, he was astounded by the wisdom and thoughtfulness of the tower’s creator.

He hailed from the modern world, where technology had reached a high level, but all advanced devices were controlled by mechanisms and electronics. The Tower of Myriad Phenomena was far beyond the cold machines of his previous life.

Through his exchanges with Zhiqiu, Junhuai could henceforth cultivate systematically according to the steward's plans. This ensured the rational use of resources and minimized accidents during cultivation.

Regarding the missing manuals and techniques, the steward explained that they would be addressed through the reward mechanism.

Junhuai also asked about how to subdue the Crimson Fire Nine Infant. The steward promised to search for relevant information before giving a definite answer.

Figuring there would be ample opportunities to resolve other uncertainties later, Junhuai decided to proceed with cultivation.

He returned to the Scarlet Flame Valley. Descending the stairs was still arduous; he had already gone much farther down than in previous attempts, yet his spiritual sense could not detect how many steps remained to the valley floor.

The unexpected gains from absorbing the Extreme Cold Crystal in the cave last time were his main reason for returning here. Though he knew another breakthrough was impossible, he hoped that integrating more Extreme Cold Crystals might further strengthen his true essence.

While setting up the time array and the spirit-gathering formation, Junhuai considered that he should refine more formation talismans now that he was advancing as a formation master, making their use much more convenient.

Holding the Extreme Cold Crystal, he circulated his true essence through a small cycle. His spiritual sense began to separate the first thread from the crystal.

The freezing sensation arrived as expected, chilling him to the bone. Compared to the first time, there was less resistance, more mutual probing.

After the initial contact, his dantian began gradually absorbing the cold energy, increasing in volume, and the fusion proceeded in tandem. The pain, like being cut by a blade, persisted but lessened as the absorption accelerated.

The gray, mist-like true essence formed in his dantian was condensing into droplets. As smaller droplets merged into a large one, with a soft “plop,” Junhuai distinctly heard the sound of the droplet falling onto the bottom of his dantian.

One droplet, two, three—when droplets filled the bottom of his dantian, all the gray mist-like true essence had transformed into vapor. As fusion increased, countless small droplets surged up the walls of his dantian, converging at its apex, condensing into larger droplets before falling again.

Meanwhile, another portion of vapor-like true essence entered his sea of consciousness via his meridians and acupoints, merging with the golden rays inside the golden sphere, then recirculating through his meridians back to his dantian.

The two dantian circulation routes became fully connected. Junhuai immediately sensed the harmony between his true essence and soul; with a single intent, he could command his entire true essence, and with his spiritual sense as guide, he could even manifest simple forms.

Another Extreme Cold Crystal turned to white powder—the fourth one he'd absorbed. Combined with the gold and fire attribute spiritual energy from the cave, after several major cycles, his true essence was saturated. Junhuai decided to pause and train his spiritual sense on the steps leading to the valley floor.

Exiting the cave, he was met by scorching heat, as if the very air might ignite.

The winding stone path stretched along the cliff toward the bottom, its end still out of sight.

Under the valley’s restrictions, his spiritual sense could reach thirty yards, but vision remained blurry, and he could only faintly perceive the curvature of the steps below.

---

After descending just over ten steps, Junhuai had to envelop himself fully in true essence, his breathing growing labored, resistance suddenly increasing, forcing him to rely on the chains for support to continue.

As he struggled down, he fiercely pushed against the limits of his spiritual sense, causing waves of intense pain in his sea of consciousness. This cycle of depletion and replenishment was immense.

The golden sphere in his Niwan Palace spun rapidly, golden rays surging forth to barely maintain his reserves. The tearing sensation in his sea of consciousness grew ever stronger, and after another ten steps, he felt a tremendous pressure invade his mind, convulsing his whole body. His mind went blank, and he fell into a brief faint.

Moments later, a warm current flowed into his sea of consciousness, clearing his mind. His spiritual sense limit reached fifty yards, and his vision grew much clearer.

Descending another dozen steps, his true essence could no longer keep up, forcing Junhuai to return to the cave.

This harvest was immense; his spiritual sense nearly doubled, though the pain paid was intense. Once more, Junhuai experienced the hardship of cultivation.

His sea of consciousness sensed Azhi's restlessness. Released, Azhi danced like a joyful butterfly on Junhuai's fingertips.

Watching Azhi, the faint reddish-brown halo at the third layer of its violet flame core, Junhuai knew it was still far from reaching the third stage of Heavenly Fire. He took out a gold essence stone for absorption. Azhi, noticing, hopped aside and mimicked a cross-legged posture, making Junhuai laugh heartily.

Junhuai knew Azhi's advancement was difficult. The gold-fire attribute in the gold essence stone was not directly absorbable; Azhi’s best method was to devour earth fire. Clearly, he would need to collect more sources to satisfy Azhi's evolution.

Ignoring Azhi's playful antics, Junhuai began cultivating with the Mixed Gold Chalice.

The "Primordial Shield Cauldron" body-protection technique had become increasingly beneficial. Whenever he sensed gold attribute energy, it automatically entered cultivation mode without affecting other techniques, greatly easing his mind.

The cauldron lever’s unique attack method had repeatedly proven effective, and Junhuai sensed that the Mixed Gold Chalice still held more functions waiting to be unearthed. During its refining, he had endured pain beyond human limits, nearly giving up. Now, it seemed the suffering had been rewarded.

At this moment, the vortex generated within the cauldron’s belly had formed; the cauldron lever fused with the golden rays of the sphere. As the golden true essence in the cauldron’s belly thickened, its purity and strength increased.

In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed within the time array. Junhuai’s true essence filled every cell, his whole body feeling utterly unobstructed.

His true essence was more condensed; the second transformation of the Ninefold Heart Method seemed within reach.

The only regret was that the trace of temporal pattern he had once glimpsed among the ancient runes in the cauldron’s belly had not appeared again. He could sense its existence, but could not draw it forth.