Chapter 1148: The Tower of Life Is Complete |
Fueled by the constant influx of energy generated by the Heart of Nature, the lesser immortal aura nourished not only Tang San and Mei Gongzi, but also the Tower of Life itself. Under this nourishment, the bluegold wood thrived as though it was still alive, producing life energy of incredible purity.
The greatest beneficiaries were naturally Tang San and Mei Gongzi—but the aura also tugged at the hearts of the Emperors lurking outside. Such pure and potent life force would undeniably prolong their lifespans. Tang San wanted them to imagine just how vast the life energy he could provide would be once he became an Emperor.
From the outside, the Tower of Life appeared as a tall structure glowing faintly with a blue-golden radiance, a grand yet simple wooden building. Inside, however, it was another world entirely. Each floor was inlaid with countless gemstones arranged into intricate, interlinked arrays, forming one great whole. Outwardly, it exhaled the breath of life; inwardly, it was suffused with divine aura.
As the tower rose higher, the lesser immortal energy inside grew ever more concentrated. Though still far from the true immortal energy of a divine realm, its richness was such that, were an Emperor to stand within it, they would feel elevated from the very core of their being.
Even so, Tang San dared not draw too much from the Heart of Nature. If he actually caused it to lose power, the planar ruler would sense it immediately, triggering their Emperor tribulation far ahead of schedule and in a much harsher manner.
Two full months after the wedding, the construction was finally complete.
When Tang San set the last gemstone in place, the entire Tower of Life erupted with dazzling brilliance.
A torrent of blue-golden light speared into the heavens, tearing open a vast hole in the clouds of life energy that blanketed the Ancestral Court. A blazing column of life energy soared skyward, and the Blue Gold Palace shone with breathtaking radiance.
The Emperors flashed into the air, hovering to watch the Blue Gold Sacred Mountain.
"This might rival the life force of the Ancestral Tree itself," murmured the Sunborne Nymph Emperor.
Beside her, the Earthshadow Nymph Emperor replied, "I've never felt the Ancestral Tree's aura directly, but this is certainly the strongest life energy I've ever sensed. This Jin Miaolin is remarkable indeed. With this Tower of Life complete, and once he becomes Emperor, his power really may rival the Ancestral Tree's. For the Blue Gold Tree clan, that is a blessing, and for the Ancestral Court, a gift from the heavens."
Even at this distance, they could feel the life force subtly enhancing their own vitality, like a gentle yet unstoppable tide. If merely standing outside brought such benefits, what would it be like to bathe in it directly? Who could say it wouldn't extend their lifespan by decades, or even more?
Just then, a faint hum shivered through the world. Ordinary folk felt nothing, but the gathered Emperors stiffened up instantly.
They were beings who had touched the Laws themselves, and they sensed it clearly: a surge of Law energy, a powerful rejection, as though the plane itself were angered.
The Earthshadow Nymph Emperor drew in a sharp breath. "Good heavens… has the life force reached the threshold of the plane's Law of Life?"
But in the next moment, the energy radiating from the Tower of Life contracted and subsided. The hum faded. It had lasted only an instant, but the Emperors had all felt it, and they all understood.
The Law of Life! This is the Law Jin Miaolin will be dealing with!
The fact that he could touch upon it even before his tribulation meant he had already found his own path. It was exactly what the other Emperors most hoped to see.
"Celestial Fox!" the Sunborne Nymph Emperor called to the nearby Celestial Fox Demon Emperor.
The latter turned to meet her gaze.
"This tower is complete," the Sunborne Nymph Emperor said gravely. "I propose that from this day, we all take turns guarding it, to prevent anyone from interfering. We must ensure Jin Miaolin's tribulation proceeds without incident. What do you say?"
The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor gave a short nod. "I agree."
One by one, the other Emperors nodded as well. Even in those few moments, the burst of life energy had given them each the sense that they would live a few years longer—a priceless gift to beings who had already tried every imaginable method to extend their lives.
The Sunborne Nymph Emperor concluded, "Then let's rotate monthly. Demon and Nymph Emperors will take turns."
No one voiced objection.
As the tower's glow returned to normal, the lesser immortal energy inside had become even richer.
In the thirteenth floor's center, Tang San exhaled slowly, calming the tension within him.
What had truly drawn the plane's attention was not the Law of Life, but the fact that, at the moment of completion, all the arrays within the tower had activated at once, drawing too heavily on the Heart of Nature's energy. The lesser immortal energy floating around had thickened instantly, and the disturbance had been sensed by the planar ruler.
Tang San had immediately reversed the arrays, forcibly suppressing their draw on the Heart of Nature, calming both the energy outside and the plane's ire.
It had been risky, but he had anticipated it and acted in time.
Mei Gongzi stirred from her cultivation and sent a voice transmission. "My love, are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Tang San replied. "It's done. The Tower of Life is complete."
"I can feel the immortal energy is denser now. Will any of it leak out?"
Tang San shook his head. "No. My Spacetime Ring will remain as the final barrier. It draws on the Spacetime Lighthouse, and it has absolutely perfect control over space and time. Now that it's done, we have to prepare for the real seclusion."
"Mhm." Mei Gongzi nodded, her heart surging not just at the thought of ascending to the peak of this world, but also for another matter even more important to her.