Their faces were pale, as white as paper, as if a gust of wind could make them collapse. Their vital Qi had been completely drained. After these people returned, it was clear that their lives were already lost here. How could ordinary people withstand an entire night of exploitation? Even if they could preserve their lives, they would definitely suffer a serious illness and their Lifespan would be greatly reduced. It was truly more than a decade of reduced Lifespan. “Alas: to die beneath the peony is to be a romantic ghost. One night of marriage, ten years of Lifespan.”
Zhuang Buzhou had opened his eyes at some unknown point, watching those who descended from the upper floors.
Lust is a bone-scraping blade, turning heroes into dogs.
However, those Spirit Masters were clearly much better off. Although their faces were also pale, from their appearance, it seemed their lives wouldn't be claimed; it was merely a depletion of some vital Qi. Yet, as they descended the stairs, their steps were also unsteady and light.
Their faces held both lingering enjoyment and lingering fear.
“The night has passed. Those who came to my Wind and Moon Tower shall receive a return gift.”
From the pavilion, the alluring and charming Wind and Moon Tower manager said softly.
Her gaze swept downwards, and as it landed on the men who had exhausted their vital Qi within the Wind and Moon Tower, they couldn't help but feel a tremor in their hearts, a surge of internal heat. Even their Divine Souls wavered.
They averted their gazes one after another.
They couldn't afford to provoke her; this manager was a true temptress.
The kind that could take your life.
Her gaze finally settled on Zhuang Buzhou, lingering on him the longest. Clearly, his performance throughout the night had been witnessed by her. To be able to endure in the Wind and Moon Tower, Zhuang Buzhou might not be the first, but he was certainly outstanding enough. If he didn't die, he would undoubtedly become a powerful Cultivator in the future.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!!
Within the Wind and Moon Tower, streaks of light descended, each of a different color.
Those were Fate Tablets.
Among them, most of what ordinary people received were black Fate Tablets. Spirit Masters received white Fate Tablets. Only before Zhuang Buzhou did a red Fate Tablet fall. Clearly, this was the Opportunity they gained within the Wind and Moon Tower.
“A Fate Tablet exchanged with life, it’s truly expensive,” a young man next to Zhuang Buzhou said with a bitter smile.
Wasn't this Fate Tablet exchanged for Lifespan?
“Entering the Red Tower and surviving is already a great fortune. Now, to also receive a Fate Tablet and be qualified to enter the Exquisite Skill Tower to choose a Legacy, the price paid might not be unworthy,” Zhuang Buzhou said with a smile. With a flip of his hand, he put away the red Fate Tablet.
“Brother Zhuang truly has great composure, Li Yue admires you.”
The young man cupped his hands to Zhuang Buzhou with an expression of admiration.
“Not at all, Zhuang was merely lucky,” Zhuang Buzhou said, shaking his head.
He looked at Li Yue, and a string of numbers could be seen on his body.
Fifty-eight years, nine months, twenty-one days, seven hours, sixteen minutes, fifteen seconds.
“This night truly takes a toll.”
Looking at Li Yue's age, he was only in his twenties. As a Spirit Master, whether he awakened a Spiritual Root himself or contracted a cursed relic through Acquired means, he possessed a hundred years of Lifespan upon becoming a Cultivator. As he advanced further, differences would arise within the same Realm. Some curses on cursed relics could affect Lifespan, often preventing one from living to a hundred. Clearly, this time, a considerable amount of Lifespan was consumed in the Wind and Moon Tower.
Whether it was a loss or not depended on each person's understanding.
“Where does so much luck come from? If there’s an Opportunity, we should get to know each other better. Recently, things have been a bit unstable over there. At that time, we might even be comrades and partners,” Li Yue said with a smile. His words seemed to hint at something.
“Brother Li, did you come to the Red Tower also for the Legacy within it?” Zhuang Buzhou asked.
“The Exquisite Skill Tower within the Red Tower contains numerous professional Legacies. If one can pass the test and obtain a Legacy, they can acquire a complete profession, making their cultivation path much smoother, and their combat power will greatly increase as a result. Worldly Legacies are the most precious. Either join the major forces or enter the official government forces. In short, Legacies are hard to come by, and the Red Tower is the easiest place for Loose Cultivators to obtain Legacies. Even if it’s dangerous, people still flock to it.”
Li Yue said with emotion.
How could ordinary people know the hardships of a Spirit Master?
If a Spirit Master awakened a Spiritual Root himself, it would be fine. But if they became one by contracting a cursed relic, they would also need to bear the curse. To obtain a better profession, one that is compatible with oneself, and even compatible with one's Spiritual Root and cursed relic, is necessary to maximize one's combat power.
The Spiritual Root is the inner, the profession is the outer.
Only when the two cooperate can one go further.
Many Spirit Masters in the folk now only become Cultivators, using only the power of their Spiritual Root or the cursed relic itself. To better develop their power requires professional Legacy to develop.
“I only know that to get a Legacy, one must go to the Exquisite Skill Tower. I wonder if Brother Li understands the specific process,” Zhuang Buzhou asked again.
“Within the Red Tower, the Exquisite Skill Tower is very special. It contains various Legacies and requires a Fate Tablet to enter. However, even after entering, it’s not guaranteed that one will obtain a Legacy. It merely means one has the qualification to obtain a Legacy. One can undergo an assessment, and if they pass the test, they can obtain a Legacy. The difficulty seems to be determined by the Rank of the Fate Tablet and the preciousness of the chosen profession. Furthermore, other Treasure Towers can also be entered and exited.”
Li Yue clearly knew about these things and explained: “In the Drunken Immortal Tower, if you can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, you can naturally pass the test and obtain a Fate Tablet. In the Gambling Den Tower, if you are skilled at gambling, you can also win a Fate Tablet from it. Within the Treasure Tower, it is said there are countless rare treasures, and also a large number of cursed relics. If one enters and passes the test, they can choose a cursed relic for Fusion. Ordinary people can become Spirit Masters. And there’s the Hundred Flower Tower, which is the most special. It is said that the Hundred Flower Tower is not open to the public; it is the residence of the Red Tower’s master. Only those who receive an invitation can step onto the Hundred Flower Tower, and only Prodigies may enter.”
There are three Treasure Towers from which one can obtain a Fate Tablet: Wind and Moon Tower, Drunken Immortal Tower, and Gambling Den Tower. And there are two Treasure Towers where one can use a Fate Tablet: Treasure Tower and Exquisite Skill Tower.
“Can the Treasure Tower guarantee 100% Fusion with a cursed relic?” Zhuang Buzhou asked curiously.
“No, the Treasure Tower only provides cursed relics. Whether the Fusion is successful is not guaranteed. Some succeed, and some don’t. These have been mentioned in some records,” Li Yue said, shaking his head.
How could such a thing be guaranteed? Choosing to contract means a fifty-fifty chance of life or death.
“Can the treasures in the Treasure Tower be taken away?” Zhuang Buzhou's eyes lit up as he asked.
“They can be taken away. You can choose treasures of the corresponding level according to the Rank of the Fate Tablet,” Li Yue nodded and said.
At this moment, the gate of the Wind and Moon Tower had opened, and a group of people walked out one after another.
Those ordinary people held Fate Tablets in their hands, but their faces revealed a look of bewilderment.
Clearly, they had realized their fate. Once they left the Red Tower and returned home, it would likely be death, the same end as the mummified corpses that had appeared in the city before.
They were happy in the Wind and Moon Tower, but after coming out, they would feel fear.
Before life and death, there is great terror.
“If you want to save your lives, go to the Treasure Tower. With your Fate Tablets, contract a cursed relic. If you succeed, you can use the cursed relic to regain a chance to live. Although your Lifespan won't be long, you can at least live on. Your future is in your own hands,” Zhuang Buzhou’s eyes flashed with a hint of unbearable pity, but he ultimately spoke out to remind them.
“Treasure Tower.”
“We still have a chance to live.”
“That’s great! Let’s give it a shot. Even if we die, at least we tried. If we just leave like this, we can only go home and wait for death.”
Those ordinary people all showed a glimmer of hope.
They were in despair, but now there was a glimmer of hope. Even a fool would know how to choose.
Go to the Treasure Tower.
Take a gamble, and there's always a slim chance of survival.
“Thank you, Mr. Zhuang.”
After thanking him, a group of people hurried towards the Treasure Tower.
Watching their retreating figures, Li Yue shook his head and said, “Given their current state, even if they go to the Treasure Tower, they might not survive.”
“It’s still a chance to live,” Zhuang Buzhou sighed.
“Brother Zhuang, where are you planning to go next?” Li Yue asked.
“I heard that the wine at the Drunken Immortal Tower is like divine nectar, so I plan to go and taste it,” Zhuang Buzhou said with a smile.
The Gambling Den Tower was a casino. He had always disliked gambling and usually avoided it. As for gambling skills, he was completely clueless. If he went in, he might not be able to come out in one piece.
“I’m not confident I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. This time, I plan to go directly to the Exquisite Skill Tower and see if I can obtain a professional Legacy that suits me.”
Li Yue clearly didn't intend to challenge the other Treasure Towers anymore.
To be honest, the Wind and Moon Tower was, to some extent, the easiest to pass. One paid a certain amount of Lifespan but also gained enjoyment, practically passing while lying down. The other Treasure Towers were not that simple; they required either luck or ability.
Even a Spirit Master, once inside the Drunken Immortal Tower, couldn't walk out sober.
The wine there was not ordinary wine.
“Alright, then we shall part ways for now. Zhuang will now go and taste the wine of the Drunken Immortal Tower, to see if it can intoxicate Zhuang Buzhou,” Zhuang Buzhou said with a faint smile.
“Good luck!”
“Good luck!!”
The two cupped their hands and bid farewell. Looking around, large groups of Spirit Masters were heading towards various Treasure Towers. Some chose to go directly to the Exquisite Skill Tower, some chose to go to the Treasure Tower, some who were very confident in their gambling skills and luck entered the Gambling Den Tower, and some who were very confident in their drinking capacity stepped into the Drunken Immortal Tower.
Zhuang Buzhou also didn't hesitate. After surveying his surroundings, he turned and walked towards the Drunken Immortal Tower.
The Drunken Immortal Tower looked like a luxurious wine house, with three floors. Two lanterns hung in front of the door, and large characters for “wine” hung high. Each character for “wine” was written in a different style and font. At a glance, one could feel a strong sense of wine culture emanating from it.
At the entrance, there were also two drunkards.
Yes, they were truly drunkards. Their appearance was unique: their bodies were large wine jars, and a face with a strong drunken expression grew out of the wine jar, looking adorably intoxicated and exuding a rich aroma of wine.