In the end, Ryu had still underestimated the kind of impact Ailsa had on people. He had forgotten to consider the fact that not only was she beautiful beyond most comparisons, but the people of this world were also unused to seeing women of this caliber. Even when he ventured out into the public with Elena, it was usually within echelons of society where Path Extinction Realm experts were ubiquitous. But in this place, they were practically gods.
If one considered this, it wasn't much of a surprise when the whole world seemed to stop around their walk back to the receptionist's desk. Gazes of furious jealousy could hardly be hidden as several piercing eyes seemed to want to tear the both of them apart. That was right, even Ailsa who happily clung to Ryu like a little kitten was subject to this scrutiny. Whether it was because these women were jealous of her beauty, or because they preferred to be by Ryu's side instead, it was unknown.
"I would like to take the Martial Tower's trial." Ryu said plainly.
In any other context, his words would have gotten drowned out in the fanfare of the Martial Tower's lounge. However, there were simply too many people paying attention to his movements and the atmosphere had become much too quiet.
Something like taking the Tower Trial was far too common. The number of people who took part in it were too numerous, there were countless every day. However, there was one exception to this usual nonchalance… and that was when those of high standing took on the challenge.
Their Clans would usually make big spectacles of the event. After all, it was an excellent way to gather up Faith.
Those listening on couldn't help but wonder if Ryu was among this number.
The receptionist audibly gulped, summoning will power he didn't know he had in order to focus on his task. He had already offended Ryu once, he couldn't afford to do it again.
"… Okay I will –."
"Give me the Immortal Ring trial." Ryu interrupted.
The already fairly quiet lounge area grew even more so.
There was only one level of difficulty for the Tower Trial. At least, it was designed to have the same level of difficulty no matter who you were or how often you took the trial. It was essentially impossible to use experience to outperform others.
However, there was one exception to this rule… and that was reserved for those who challenged above their station. These challenges were extremely rare and were known as Path Blazing Challenges.
That said, even those rare instances usually had individuals only attacking a single level above their Qi Realm Cultivation… attacking two Realms above like Ryu was suggesting now was completely unheard of!
Genius Necromancers could control Connecting Heaven Realm experts at the Divine Vessel Realm. But controlling an Immortal was impossible.
It was very obvious to them all that Ryu was a Divine Vessel Realm expert, while they had no ability to see through Ailsa. His ask now was bordering on the ridiculous.
It wasn't that they couldn't feel how powerful Ryu's body was, Ryu made no attempt to hide any of himself. It was just that the stage his body was at shouldn't have been powerful enough either!
Normally, one would only challenge the tower when they were on the verge of breaking through into the next stage. This was because the trial was specifically tailored to the pinnacle of said cultivation realm. However, Ryu's body was nowhere near the limits of the Immortal realm yet.
In truth, if the tower was in the original condition Ryu had expected of it, he would never make such a reckless decision. However, after seeing the state the cultivation rooms had fallen to… what reason did he have to believe that they had managed to maintain the Trials to the same standard?
Knowing this, the decision to take this chance was a no brainer for him. Plus, there was no better way to test his new Talent than this.
In one corner of the lounge, a familiar figure watched on with narrowed eyes, his junior brother uncharacteristically silent by his side. The latter was beginning to believe that it just might be true that Guiot was right.
Niel was having a hard time taking his eyes off of Ailsa much like many of them. But, unlike most of the others, he could feel a strong pressure that came from this gorgeous woman, a pressure that reeled in much of his innate desire.
In another corner, the masked young man of Nightingale Mansion also watched on. Unlike Niel, he didn't have to guess, he knew that Ailsa was every bit as powerful as her aura would suggest. His question lied in just how powerful Ryu was.
After a moment, the receptionist finally recollected his emotions enough to begin fulfilling Ryu's request. Soon, under an uncomfortable amount of silence, Ryu was finally led to the entrance of the trial.
The second floor of the Martial Tower could be considered where it truly began. There were no more bars, no more dancers, no more questionable pills… there was nothing but long hallways painted in deep blacks and flickering blue lights.
The long somber hallways might have been eerily quiet, but that didn't mean that they lacked people. There were actually many here, it was just that they were all very much aware of just how dangerous the trials they were about to undergo were.
At the end of the line, there was a line of massive doors, standing at over 50 meters each. Before each one, there stood a podium where silent, stoic and black garbed individuals could be found.
Unlike the receptionist on the ground floor, these individuals could not be taken lightly. The air seemed to tremble around them all. At any moment, they could explode out with an unimaginable power.
For these trials to be trusted enough to act as possible entry into the most prestigious sects of this world, it no doubt had strict requirements. And, in this case, the reason these Trials were so trusted was because the Sect that created them was the most powerful of this world… the Three Pupil Eclipse Sect.
The Three Pupil Clan were an enigmatic existence. It was because of them that despite knowing of the existence of a stronger power to join, Ryu decided against it. He wasn't sure if Ailsa could help him keep his secrets in that Clan. It was very likely that if he entered that place… his Heavenly Pupils would be exposed.
The young woman standing behind the podium of the door Ryu was meant to enter frowned when she saw Ryu. Or, more accurately, she frowned when she saw Ailsa hanging from his arm with a bright smile on her face.
It was obvious what kind of assumptions she made. Yet another young master come to treat this trial as though it was a joke. To make matters worse, he was a Divine Vessel Realm weakling who had come to the doors of her Immortal Ring Realm Trial.
Her expression became piercingly cold. No matter how low her status in the Sect, she was still a member of the Three Pupil Eclipse Sect. Dealing with something so far beneath her dignity was something she would never do.
"Leave now or I'll kill you where you stand."
The voice was far too conspicuous. The biting cold in combination with the already deathly silence created the perfect recipe.
However, what the young lady already felt was a done deal didn't turn out the way she expected.
Ryu's already cold gaze became a level even colder, it was to the point where it completely swallowed the aura of the young lady before him.
For the first time, she met Ryu's gaze only to feel as though she had met the eyes of a Beast Emperor, a King that ruled over countless subjects.
Seeing that she had gone stiff, Ryu didn't bother to say anything at all. He never had much patience for such nonsense.
"I'll be back soon." He told Ailsa faintly.
"Be careful." She said with a light smile, finally letting go of his arm.
She watched his back disappear into the tall doors, oddly much more nervous than she ever had been in the past. It was such an odd feeling, she hadn't thought that it was possible for her to care any more for Ryu.
For the first time, she felt something deeper than just their connection as Life Partners.
