Chapter Eighty-Nine: Leaving the Tower

The dark stone pillar at this moment shimmered with a faint golden glow. Luo Ling slowly extended her fair hand and gently pressed it against the black stone pillar, which radiated a hazy golden light. The instant her delicate fingers touched the pillar, the golden glow suddenly brightened, and a dazzling stream of gold poured down from the top of the pillar, instantly enveloping Luo Ling in its radiance.

Boom!

As soon as the golden light wrapped around Luo Ling, a brilliant column of gold, as thick as a thumb, shot into her forehead. An immense rush of information flooded deep into her mind.

Ancient and mysterious patterns flashed rapidly through her consciousness. Though Luo Ling could not yet comprehend them, the knowledge imprinted itself indelibly in the depths of her memory.

After a long while, Luo Ling’s long lashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes, a trace of delight gleaming deep within them.

"Ice Armor... To craft such a complex and profound secret technique, what heights must the creator have reached?"

The golden light around her faded away, leaving Luo Ling standing in silence. She drew a quiet breath, her rosy lips parting in a dazed whisper.

"How do you feel?"

Ke Bei, as the master of the Tower of Heaven, had sensed the moment Luo Ling received the inheritance of the Ice Armor. Wearing a faint smile, he gazed at the astonished Luo Ling and spoke gently.

"Very well."

Hearing Ke Bei’s voice, Luo Ling emerged from her shock and smiled warmly at him, stepping forward to affectionately wrap her arm around his once again.

Ke Bei felt a bit awkward at her gesture. He could understand why she had clung to his arm before—she had been startled—but now? He could find no reason. Though embarrassment made him want to withdraw his arm, the touch of Luo Ling’s cool, delicate hand was so pleasant that he hesitated, and she only held him tighter.

"Ah, let her hold on. If Luo Ling, a young woman, doesn’t mind, why should I, a grown man, be so shy?"

Ke Bei sighed inwardly, letting Luo Ling cling tightly to his arm. Together, they walked toward the five members of the Jiujiang Base.

Bai Yong and the others watched the pair, both clad in black battle attire and walking closely together. Looking at Ke Bei, they flashed him peculiar smiles and secretly gave him a thumbs-up. The other four followed suit, each discreetly gesturing their approval.

"Uh?"

Ke Bei’s cheeks turned crimson under their gaze. His eyes darted around, avoiding theirs. Glancing at Luo Ling, who clung to his arm as if she longed to nestle into his embrace, he tried to cover his embarrassment with a few forced coughs.

"Ahem, well, let’s head down. The brothers below are probably growing impatient."

"Mm."

Luo Ling lifted her head, gazing at Ke Bei’s sharp profile. A gentle smile graced her cheeks as she nodded softly.

"Hahaha, it’s time to go. Our team has created two legends today. I can’t wait to share the news with everyone!"

Bai Yong looked from Ke Bei to the blissful Luo Ling, then laughed heartily and nodded.

"Tsk, tsk! One has set foot on the untrodden third level, another has gained a mysterious martial art from the black pillar. Our Jiujiang Base has truly stolen the spotlight!"

"Now, among the seven black pillars' martial arts, only people from our Jiujiang Base have received them, and more than one at that!"

Bai Yong felt a pang of regret for missing the inheritance, but recalling Ke Bei’s display of might—beating the arrogant members of the ancient Tang Base—his disappointment vanished.

Humans are strange creatures. Within Jiujiang Base, these geniuses of the Azure Dragon List may compete fiercely, but when faced with outsiders, they unite in remarkable solidarity. Even to protect Luo Ling from harm, they would rather suffer themselves than retreat. Such oddities compel one to marvel at the peculiar nature of humanity.

"Let’s go."

The seven approached the golden stairs leading downward. Bai Yong took the first step, the others followed closely behind, while Ke Bei and Luo Ling brought up the rear.

Inside the golden pillar of the first floor, seven figures appeared, emerging into the light.

The other members of Jiujiang Base, standing on the first level, gazed at them with envy as they stepped out of the golden glow.

"Bai Yong, what did you gain?"

Among the Azure Dragon List members of Jiujiang Base, those close to Bai Yong gathered around him.

"Haha, gains? Today, my greatest reward was witnessing two miracles unfold before my eyes—and, of course, one thoroughly satisfying event."

Bai Yong smiled, his gaze sweeping across the vast space of the tower’s first floor.

"Miracles?"

His brief words stirred everyone’s curiosity. All eyes turned to Bai Yong, eager for him to reveal these miracles and the so-called satisfying event.

"Ahem, Bai Yong, let's talk about this later," Ke Bei interjected awkwardly, bowing his head and coughing. Already feeling self-conscious with Luo Ling holding his arm, he dreaded Bai Yong’s embellishments drawing even more attention. Ke Bei disliked being the center of scrutiny.

"Alright, alright, later then," Bai Yong smacked his lips, swallowing his words.

If someone is just a little stronger than you, you may feel jealous. But if they are vastly superior, that jealousy fades, replaced by admiration.

Bai Yong had witnessed Ke Bei’s prowess; now, he felt only quiet respect toward him. So when Ke Bei spoke, Bai Yong obediently fell silent.

The geniuses of Jiujiang Base’s training camp, the Azure Dragon List elites, were no fools. Astute and observant, they could already guess the miracles and satisfying event Bai Yong referred to were connected to that youth in black battle attire.

"Let’s head back."

Ke Bei had hoped to avoid the spotlight by stopping Bai Yong, but the crowd’s attention still focused on him. Feeling overwhelmed, he rubbed his nose, glanced at Luo Ling still clinging to his arm, and strode toward the main gate of the Tower of Heaven.

"That young man just now—you must never provoke him. Tsk, tsk. Jiujiang Base will soon have another super genius."

Only after Ke Bei and Luo Ling’s figures vanished within the tower did Bai Yong lower his voice, his expression solemn, quietly warning those close to him.