For over sixty years, the Heavenly Tower has stood firm on Yu Mountain.
The rules set by Lin Tianyi cannot be changed by mortal emperors, nor can they be defied by peak strong persons!
In over sixty years, the only peak strong person who dared to ascend the Heavenly Ascending Tower was Ning Qingman.
No other peak strong persons have ever come, because if they did, they would have to reach the Ninth Floor, or else be mocked by the world.
And once they reach the Ninth Floor, these peak strong persons aren't confident they can surpass Lin Tianyi in skill, fearing they might remain there forever.
No peak strong person in the world believes they can defy the rules set by Lin Tianyi, yet at this moment, Li Fei actually publicly demands a change to these rules!
The cool moonlight, like a thin veil, quietly seeps in from outside the window, silently imprinting Li Fei's silhouette on the cold floor.
All was silent.
The noisy chirping of insects outside suddenly fell silent at a moment that was hard to notice, plunging the entire Heaven Tower into a death-like stillness, even the air seemed to freeze, so heavy it was disconcerting!
Only at the dark stairway ahead, a faint, indescribable, almost tangible glow hovered.
Though there was nothing visible to the eye, an invisible pressure spread like a deep sea, heavily weighing on the shoulders and hearts of the two people inside the tower!
Ning Qingman glanced sideways at Li Fei, a hint of worry flickering in her eyes.
The world's number one does not necessarily have the demeanor of the world's number one.
Instead, because the other party is the world's number one, they have the privilege to act as they please, making them sometimes seem more dangerous!
Background, rationale, larger situation... None can bind the other party.
After an uncertain amount of time, the suffocating silence was finally broken by a voice from above. Though not loud, it seemed to contain an undeniable universal principle, cold and still, piercing through the stagnant air instantly:
"Ascend the tower."
Li Fei's expression became solemn, with not a hint of hesitation, he stepped forward.
Ning Qingman took a deep breath, standing beside him, together they stepped onto the stairs leading to the Ninth Floor.
At the top of the Heaven Tower, the Ninth Floor.
Unlike the enclosed lower eight floors, this floor was open on all sides, vast and luminous with the silver sheen rushing in from all corners, turning the entire space into a flowing silver sea.
The night wind swept through, bringing a slight chill.
In the middle of the floor, a person stood alone.
As soon as he reached the top, Li Fei's gaze was entrapped and couldn't be moved away.
The person appeared around thirty years old, of exceptionally ordinary appearance, and their presence was as restrained as an abyss, seeming to blend seamlessly with the earthly world, without a trace of peculiarity.
Yet, standing there so casually, they seemed to be the absolute core of this realm—
The bright moonlight pouring in from all directions seemed to be drawn by an invisible mighty force, willingly flowing and gathering around them, enveloping them in a halo.
From Li Fei's perspective, right beyond the window ahead, a large bright moon was perfectly settled behind this person.
In a mere glance, that figure seemed to transcend the broad cold palace, merging into one with the eternal bright moon!
However, this stunning sight lasted only a moment.
The bright moon abruptly vanished.
Ning Qingman's aura beside him disappeared as well.
The solid Heaven Tower beneath his feet, the cold air around, the howling wind at his ears... Everything, tangible and intangible, dissolved in his perception, annihilated, returning to nothingness!
In Li Fei's vision, across the entire universe, only that solitary figure stood clear and unwavering.
The world lost its colors, all things returned to void, only this one person remained—
The world's number one, Lin Tianyi!
On this journey, Li Fei had almost encountered everyone of 'One Supreme Peak, Three Demons, Five True Monarchs, Seven Martial Saints', and even exchanged blows with many of them.
Some peak strong persons left a very deep impression on him—
Qing Xu is the grand Tao like the clear sky, once moved, it strikes with thunderous might, known across the world.
Yun Shu has a heart as clear as a bright mirror, perceiving all things, unfathomably high and distant.
Wenren Zheng treats martial arts like a military struggle, aggressive like fire, unmoved like a mountain.
River Guardian Heavenly King is as vast as a long river, endlessly flowing, boundless in Buddhist law.
Ning Qingman regards the mind as the sword heart, one sword breaks ten thousand techniques, unifying all techniques into one sword.
But none of these people imparted the profound sensation that Lin Tianyi gave to Li Fei at this moment!
This world's number one made people feel that he was the Tao itself!
Several years ago, due to the Heavenly Water Soul Bone, Li Fei's path was cut off, unable to achieve a breakthrough.
To seek a solution, he once sent a letter wanting to consult Lin Tianyi.
At that time, Lin Tianyi only replied with one sentence—
"Ascend the tower to meet me."
From that day onward, Li Fei secretly vowed in his heart:
One day, he would ascend to the Ninth Floor of the tower and meet this world's number one.
Now, not only has he met him, but he also intends to challenge the rules set by the other!
"Greetings, Master Lin."
Li Fei bowed in salute to Lin Tianyi.
Earlier, he addressed 'Senior' to express his humility.
Now, he calls him 'Master', because he is now the challenger!
Lin Tianyi and Li Fei met gaze, with a clear delight in his eyes, as though, after decades of solitude at the height of the tower, someone had finally come to see him:
"Very well!"
His tone carried an appreciative sentiment.
Then he raised one finger at Li Fei:
"One move."
"If you withstand it, this title of the world's number one is yours."
Li Fei was first astonished, then turned serious, with a hint of excitement emerging!
Lin Tianyi's words meant that he acknowledged he was not Li Fei's match if they contended at the same level.
Thus Lin Tianyi agreed to Li Fei's request, not to contest at the same level, but to—
Use full power!
"Please instruct!"
Li Fei activated his Mixed Element Sword Body, ready to unleash his full force.