With a deafening roar, the two walking-machine-like Underworld God creatures were pierced through their abdomens by chains and dissipated into specks of light.
However, these two Underworld God creatures were merely conjured by Ming Huang using his true essence. After being killed by Xin Ci, their true essence remained.
It automatically converged onto Xin Ci, which was equivalent to the full true essence of two four-star Kings.
In an instant, Xin Ci's realm was elevated to Three-star King.
He clenched his fists, feeling the sudden surge of power, and muttered, "Is this the reward for the first level?"
Following that, the passage to the second level also opened.
Xin Ci stepped into the passage without hesitation.
Just clearing the first level allowed him to advance by one star realm. The Saint Dragon Tower, a Saint artifact, was indeed extraordinary.
Outside the Saint Dragon Tower
Xin Ci's performance surprised the ten Great Saint Emperors present.
Although Xin Ci was not the fastest to clear the first level, he was definitely the most astonishing.
Especially his ability to instantly kill two four-star King realm Underworld God creatures with only a Two-star King realm cultivation was remarkable.
Those who had previously doubted Xin Ci all fell silent.
How could a disciple of the Dao Sovereign Elder be simple?
Upon reaching the second level, the realms of these Underworld God creatures suddenly increased to Five-star King.
Their numbers also doubled compared to before.
Facing the encirclement of four Underworld God creatures, Xin Ci remained calm.
The sixteen star-moon chains, under his control, were both offensive and defensive. After a period of maneuvering, Xin Ci found an opportune moment to repeat his previous tactic, once again knocking these Underworld God creatures to the ground.
Although it took considerable effort, knowing their weak point in the abdomen made dealing with them much easier.
After successively defeating these four Underworld God creatures, Xin Ci successfully passed the second level, and his realm advanced to Four-star King.
The Saint Dragon Tower began to change from the third level onwards.
On this level, the Underworld God creatures no longer appeared, and the other nine individuals who had entered the Saint Dragon Tower earlier were all gathered here.
Nie Li and Shi Kai's strength had also improved significantly compared to before entering the Saint Dragon Tower, both being just one step away from the Heavenly Venerable realm.
Xin Ci's appearance caused a slight surprise among the others on this level.
It was somewhat unexpected that this fellow, who was only a Two-star King, could reach this level.
However, they did not pay him much attention, continuing to focus on the murals on this level.
Every mural here represented a true meaning. Judging by how intently Nie Li and the others were observing, they seemed to be comprehending these true meanings.
Xin Ci also guessed some of it; it seemed the third level tested the comprehension of true meanings.
The true meanings on these murals varied in grade. The disciples of the Saint Emperors, like Nie Li, were not lacking in true meanings. To reach the fourth level faster, they all chose the simplest elementary true meanings.
Xin Ci, unlike them, was not in a hurry to move to the next chamber. Instead, he chose to comprehend murals inscribed with advanced true meanings.
Jin Huan, a disciple of Jin Xuan Emperor, noticed Xin Ci's choice and let out a cold laugh inwardly.
He felt that Xin Ci was too arrogant. Advanced true meanings were only for cultivators above the Heavenly Venerable realm.
The King realm was not expected to succeed. Even if there were exceptionally talented individuals who succeeded in comprehending advanced true meanings at the King realm, the amount of true essence within their bodies would not be enough to sustain the consumption.
Therefore, in his opinion, Xin Ci's choice was exceedingly foolish.
"Well, this way, there will be one less competitor..." Jin Huan rejoiced inwardly.
Outside the Saint Dragon Tower
Ming Huang couldn't help but narrow his eyes, as he saw that the true meaning mural Xin Ci had chosen was the Lingxu Step.
This true meaning was ranked among the most difficult even among advanced true meanings.
This disciple of Dao Yuan Ming is quite interesting.
Advanced true meanings might not be comprehensible for ordinary King realm cultivators, but Xin Ci was different.
His soul power was of the same origin as Mu Qingqing's, reaching the level of Seven-star Soul Realm.
Coupled with the Enlightened Golden Eyes he gained upon breaking through to the fifth level of the Eternal Dao Scripture.
Although he couldn't achieve the same level of mastery as Mu Qingqing's Star Wheel Eyes, which allowed her to grasp it with a single glance.
It was enough for Xin Ci to comprehend the Lingxu Step.
Soon, the first person to pass the third level emerged.
This person was Nie Li, Ming Huang's eldest disciple. He chose an intermediate true meaning and successfully mastered it in less than half an incense stick's time.
The people outside the Saint Dragon Tower were not surprised by this result.
After all, he was Ming Huang's eldest disciple with extraordinary talent, so it was normal for him to master an intermediate true meaning.
Seeing that Nie Li had already left the third level, Shi Kai and the others, unwilling to be outdone, continued to practice the true meanings in the murals.
Meanwhile, Jin Huan's elementary true meaning, Flying Feather Blade, was close to being mastered. Seeing that Shi Kai and the others, who had chosen intermediate true meanings, were slightly slower than him.
He couldn't help but laugh triumphantly: "I will be the second person to pass the third level, hahahaha..."
Indeed, the passage to the fourth level appeared the next second, but it was not directed towards him.
Jin Huan: "?"
Completely bewildered, he quickly turned his head to look. The second person to successfully master a true meaning was actually Xin Ci!
How is this possible?!
That kid chose an advanced true meaning, didn't he?
He couldn't possibly have mastered it so quickly!
Because of this sudden surprise and distraction, Jin Huan suffered a backlash from the true meaning. The true essence within his body lost control and surged unstably.
This forced him to stop comprehending and regulate the true essence within his body.
At the same time, he glared fiercely at Xin Ci: "You damn brat, you almost made me look foolish."
Xin Ci did not notice Jin Huan's commotion. Instead, he tried to circulate his true essence and perform the Lingxu Step.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
With one step of the Lingxu Step, Xin Ci's body seemed to merge into the void, his speed so fast that Shi Kai and the others could hardly perceive it.
"This guy's comprehension is simply terrifying," Shi Kai exclaimed in amazement.
The Lingxu Step was indeed an advanced true meaning. When performed by Xin Ci, a Four-star King, his speed was directly comparable to that of a Heavenly Venerable.
Outside the Saint Dragon Tower
Dao Yuan Ming smugly said to Shen Wei: "Shen Wei, what do you think? Xin Ci is quite good, isn't he? I remember you only mastered the Lingxu Step when you were in the Heavenly Venerable realm, and my disciple learned it as a King realm cultivator."
"Give him some time, and you might have to hand over your title of strongest Saint Emperor to him, heh heh."
Shen Wei snorted coldly.
But he had to admit that Dao Yuan Ming's disciple had indeed given him quite a shock.
To master the Lingxu Step at such an age and cultivation level was truly impressive.
Looking again at the beaming Dao Yuan Ming, Shen Wei felt a pang of annoyance.
Where on earth did this old gambler find such a prodigy?
Saint Dragon Tower Fourth Level.
This level, like the third level, was also for comprehending true meanings. However, the lowest grade of true meaning here was intermediate.
Nie Li had only been on the fourth level for a short while when he saw Xin Ci arrive as well, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
However, his expression quickly returned to normal, and he politely greeted Xin Ci.
"Junior Brother Xin is indeed a disciple from Central Continent personally brought by Senior Dao Sovereign. I was short-sighted earlier and underestimated Junior Brother Xin's abilities. I apologize for that."
"Senior Brother Nie, you jest."
Xin Ci humbly cupped his fists in return.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they both returned to comprehending the true meanings on the murals.