As Zhang Chen and Zhou Qiucheng, along with the other scholars, walked towards the center of the world, they saw from afar the center of the Crystal World, where a stone platform was built. Suspended on the stone platform was a small, grayish, seemingly old and broken stick.
"What is this thing?" Shen Qiu showed a curious expression: "A rotten stick? It doesn’t seem to have any Mysterious Power, how can it be considered a treasure?"
Zhou Qiucheng stroked his chin and beard upon hearing this and said with a smile: "This is not a mere rotten stick, but a measuring rod."
"A rod?" Everyone looked at each other, filled with interest, and gathered forward to take a closer look.
Zhang Chen carefully observed the rod and found that it was covered with pits and hollows, oil stains, and dust as if transcending time and space, remaining untouched after thousands of years. It seemed as if it was covered in filth, and the scale on the rod was blurred as well.
But ultimately, one could discern its shape and make out that it was wooden.
"Can this thing connect with the Spiritual World? It’s hard to see that," Zhang Chen pondered secretly in his heart.
"Is this the treasure that can enter the Spiritual World? I think if it were thrown on the street, no one would pick it up. Even if someone did, it wouldn’t be enough for firewood, let alone qualify as decent firewood," Tushan Qing curiously examined the grayish rod.
Zhou Qiucheng chuckled at this: "You mustn’t underestimate this rod. Although it appears ordinary now, every year on the last day of the three hundred and sixty-five days, it mysteriously revives, and then it possesses Divine Power, bridging the Material Realm and the Spiritual World, manifesting the Spiritual World within the Material Realm. However, the manifestation time is too brief, lasting only one day, leaving us with too little we can accomplish in the Spiritual World."
Upon hearing this, a trace of Golden Light flickered in Zhang Chen’s eyes, yet no matter how he observed it, the rod looked like a mere rotten stick, showing no signs of any mystical flow.
"Old man, can you see anything?" Zhang Chen asked.
He was inquiring of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon.
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon shook its head: "I can’t see anything! It is clearly just a rotten stick, there is nothing so mystical about it."
Zhang Chen fell silent upon hearing this, his eyes flickering with the Power of Six Paths of Reincarnation, scrutinizing the piece of wood in front with a puzzled gaze.
Yet, the Power of Six Paths of Reincarnation revealed no unusual signs.
"Even the Power of Six Paths of Reincarnation doesn’t reveal anything, that’s quite interesting." Zhang Chen pondered briefly, then directly activated the Eye of Devouring; his Devouring Power could engulf all things, and the Eye of Devouring had never failed him once.
Sure enough, with the flow of Devouring Power, the Eye of Devouring opened, revealing within the rod an intricate weave of countless silver-white runic threads, interlaced and flickering.
Yet at this time, the countless silver-white threads were dim, and the runes forming those threads were also at the extreme point of dimness, like the embers of a dying fire.
"Hiss~"
Seeing those countless threads, Zhang Chen couldn’t help but gasp, a chilling sensation in his eyes.
The myriad threads were not simple; once activated, they would unleash unimaginable power. Pity that in the current environment, where all Innate Items feed the Heaven and Earth, this treasure is on the verge of being completely drained of its Origin by Heaven and Earth.
"No wonder this rod conceals all Divine Power, sealing itself to the extreme to evade the power of the Law of Heaven and Earth," Zhang Chen realized, gaining some understanding.
However, among the myriad threads, there seemed to be thirty-six missing nodes, causing the threads not to circulate smoothly, like roads interrupted, each acting independently and unable to form a complete entity.
"What are those thirty-six blocked nodes?" Zhang Chen wondered in his heart.
Meanwhile, the crowd circled the rod, and Zhou Qiucheng said: "Each scholar here can take hold of this treasure for enlightenment; if you discover its mystery, the court will richly reward you."
Saying this, Zhou Qiucheng continued: "This rod is the main task and objective of the court. Also, inside this tower are numerous sealed mysteries; if you are fortunate enough to encounter and study or subdue them, regardless of whom among you makes an accomplishment, I shall report it to the court for a generous reward."
After speaking, Zhou Qiucheng turned to leave the tower, heading out, but at this moment, Zhang Xiaohua stepped forward, her eyes on Zhou Qiucheng: "Dean, please wait, I have something to say, and it’s not too late to hear it before you leave."
Zhou Qiucheng halted his steps upon hearing the words, turning to look at Zhang Xiaohua: "What does the Crown Prince intend to do?"
"Jinling City is about to undergo a massive change. I boldly propose to have the dean stay within this pavilion until the external chaos subsides. What do you think?" Zhang Xiaohua stated unhurriedly.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s pupils contracted. He understood Zhang Xiaohua’s intent. Zhang Xiaohua feared Zhou Qiucheng’s involvement in the battlefield might alter the situation in Jinling City. Hence, he wanted to imprison Zhou Qiucheng here.
While speaking, Zhang Xiaohua took out three golden talismans from his hand, which instantly transformed into flowing light, positioning themselves in a triad arrangement in the first-layer small world. They turned into three golden pillars that projected a light screen connecting together, forming a dome that enveloped the entire first-layer space.
"Do you intend to engage me in combat? You do realize this is the space of a treasure, my home ground. Even a Tier Twelve Divine Being would have a fifty-fifty chance with me here," Zhou Qiucheng’s face immediately turned sullen.
Upon hearing Zhou Qiucheng’s words, Zhang Xiaohua gently smiled: "This disciple knows his own weight. How dare I engage you? This light screen was personally crafted by the Great Virtuous Master to confine you within the first layer for six months. After six months, when the Rune Divine Power is exhausted, you will naturally be able to leave."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen glanced at Zhang Xiaohua, secretly marveling in his heart: "So this is why! Zhang Xiaohua joined Chongzheng Academy not to seek the mysterious but to await an opportunity. Only by luring Zhou Qiucheng into the Exquisite Tower and confining him could they temporarily suppress the connection between Zhou Qiucheng and the Exquisite Tower. If Zhou Qiucheng was sealed outside, he could break the seal with just a thought. But now inside the Exquisite Tower, the tower’s power cannot fully manifest."
It’s like a person can treat external ailments but has no means against internal ones.
"The talisman array crafted by the Great Virtuous Master alone cannot confine me," Zhou Qiucheng said icily.
"Of course, I know the Great Virtuous Master’s talisman array alone won’t confine you, but with me leading this array, confining you for six months is more than enough," Zhang Xiaohua replied.
"Without your presence outside, how will those guys succeed?" Zhou Qiucheng remarked.
"The Yellow Heaven Dao has its methods," Zhang Xiaohua said with a mischievous smile.
At this moment, all the disciples were in a panic, standing in place, not knowing what to do. Seeing this, Zhou Qiucheng reassured the disciples: "Everyone, please remain calm. In six months, you will naturally be able to leave this treasure tower."
"Sir, even with your protection, if we go without food or drink for six months, we’ll starve to death," Zhang Gaoqiu, in a bit of a panic now, said to Zhou Qiucheng and then turned to Zhang Xiaohua: "Crown Prince, what game are you playing? Do you intend to confine us until we die?"
"Brother, stay calm. I merely ask the dean to stay peacefully within the pavilion for six months. You all can freely enter and exit the treasure tower. This barrier is not aimed at you," Zhang Xiaohua said with a smile: "You can come and go, bringing food for the dean. The Yellow Heaven Dao considered everything for you before taking action."
Upon hearing Zhang Xiaohua’s words, some disciples hurried toward the distant exit. Seeing the light screen posed no resistance, allowing everyone to pass through, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohua, with murderous intent, turned his gaze toward Zhang Chen: "Zhang Chen, do you remember me? You have repeatedly thwarted major plans of Prince Pingbian’s Mansion. Today, it’s time for us to settle our scores, repay grudges, and seek vengeance."
"You want to kill me?" Zhang Chen frowned, though confined within the light screen, he remained unflustered.
"This place is like a copper wall and iron wall, a heaven-sent opportunity. No matter how capable you are, you’re not escaping today. You’re as good as dead, and I say that even if King Yan shows up, it’s of no use!" Zhang Xiaohua spoke with a grim expression, harboring deep hatred for Zhang Chen. Seeing traces of Zhang Chen in recent days had made his murderous intent surge, though he suppressed and concealed it until now. With his plan complete, he no longer hid his intent, showing his claws at Zhang Chen.
"Unfortunately, even with your plan, you won’t kill me," Zhang Chen sighed softly. He had the Ice Domain, and even if Zhang Xiaohua had reached the Eleventh Tier, he couldn’t kill him.
"Try and find out if you can kill me," Zhang Xiaohua grinned sinisterly.
"Zhang Xiaohua, Zhang Chen is a disciple of Chongzheng Academy. If you wish to kill him, you’ll have to go through me!" Zhou Qiucheng stood up, blocking Zhang Chen and said, "Do not fear, I won’t let anyone bully you on our turf."
He then reassured the disciples: "Continue exploring the mysterious, unaffected by this. As for our Prince Pingbian, leave his advanced techniques to me."
As Zhou Qiucheng spoke, divine light radiated around him, and countless chains flew out from the Exquisite Tower, wrapping towards Zhang Xiaohua.
"Though this may be your turf, it cannot stop me," Zhang Xiaohua sneered. Facing the countless chains, a water blue light screen rose around him, holding firm. As the chains approached Zhang Xiaohua, they were all blocked by the water blue light screen.
"I said you couldn’t stop me!" Zhang Xiaohua stepped forward, approaching Zhang Chen.