"If this demon tower is truly a magical artifact, then it's quite something," Zhang Tian murmured, observing his surroundings.
He recalled the illusory space of Queen Jingjue. Before he had inhabited it, it was also a chaotic void. Afterward, like this place, it had transformed into vast grasslands, complete with mountains and lakes.
"Is this really a seal? It feels more like a vacation," Zhang Tian found himself bewildered, gazing at the boundless grasslands and feeling the gentle breeze.
However, Zhang Tian quickly regained his composure. He was currently inside the Nine-Story Demon Tower and needed to be fully alert. If he became too relaxed, he might very well be eliminated by the tower.
"Right, where's Qilin?" Zhang Tian scanned the surroundings. He had clearly seen Zhang Qilin charge in after him. Yet, here he stood in the center of the grassland, and Zhang Qilin had vanished.
"Could it be that each level entered is not fixed?" he wondered, gripping his horsetail whisk tightly, his gaze fixed on the surroundings. The wind swept by, making the rolling grasslands seem even softer under its caress. As the breeze passed, a coolness touched Zhang Tian's back.
"If there's wind here, it suggests there's likely a spring source in the direction it's blowing," Zhang Tian analyzed. Without further hesitation, he turned and walked towards the direction from which the wind originated. His hair fluttered, and Zhang Tian noticed that the ground beneath his feet was incredibly soft. It felt as if he were treading on cotton.
After walking for an unknown duration, Zhang Tian realized that no matter how he moved, he seemed to be perpetually stuck in place.
"This isn't right. If this is a level within the Demon Tower, there should be a way up or a way out."
"Unless there's a confinement on each level, preventing escape." Zhang Tian's mind raced. He had detected something amiss shortly after he began walking.
"If it's confinement, it's likely a true seal, and the array formations are preventing access to the next level."
"I just need to find the array formation and break it, but..." Zhang Tian devised a plan but also pondered a problem. If each level of the Demon Tower contained a sealed monster, then this level should have one too. If that were the case, why hadn't he been attacked upon entering? Why could he wander around the grassland at leisure?
"Hey, I know you're watching me. Come out, no need to hide any longer," Zhang Tian called out to the surroundings. Since his arrival, the entity hadn't immediately tried to kill him, which suggested it harbored no immediate hostility. Given this, Zhang Tian naturally wanted to try and engage it, perhaps leading to some breakthrough. Moreover, Zhang Tian was certain that the entity wouldn't allow him to pass easily; they would have to face each other sooner or later.
As Zhang Tian's voice echoed, the entire grassland began to tremble. The boundless expanse of green swayed, and then, two heads, each as large as a small mountain, slowly emerged. The colossal heads, with eyes as large as the sun, sent a shiver down Zhang Tian's spine.
"Good heavens, this thing is enormous." The two heads, serpentine in appearance, could easily be mistaken for two small mountains if not observed closely.
"Wait, this grassland, could it be this creature's back?" The thought struck Zhang Tian, and he inhaled sharply. Could it really be that large? Viewed from this perspective, its body must span thousands of meters. Such a creature could not possibly exist in reality. Even if it did, it would undoubtedly be recorded in history.
"No, it's probably not that this creature has grown larger, but rather that I might have shrunk." Zhang Tian's mind suddenly cleared. He looked upwards; there was nothing but the sky.
"I didn't expect you to call me out so soon. I haven't had enough fun yet," one of the two heads emitted a series of sharp sounds.
"Human, now that you have entered this place, do not think of leaving. Passing the time with me would not be a bad option," the other head responded.
Zhang Tian stamped his foot lightly. The ground he was standing on, which he had previously thought was soft, now seemed to be the creature's skin.
"The fragrance of the grass, it must be the scent of its fur," Zhang Tian mused, meeting the gaze of the two colossal heads without any trace of subservience.
"I apologize, but I do not have time to keep you company. I must leave the tower."
"I presume I am on your person. Might I ask if you two great kings could permit me to descend? To remain on you indefinitely, I, a junior, am hardly worthy." Zhang Tian spoke with a respectful tone and elegant phrasing.
The two massive heads exchanged glances. "You are quite eloquent. Do not call us 'kings,' call us 'Divine Turtle Lords.'"
"Very well, my lords, no, Divine Turtle Lords," Zhang Tian quickly replied, his mind simultaneously engaged in constant deduction. According to historical texts, there were several types of mythical turtles. Green turtles, furry turtles, malevolent turtles, and even zombie turtles, though collectively they were all referred to as Xuanwu.
"Judging by the appearance, it's likely a mutated green furry turtle. Its head is truly as vast as the Hulunbuir Grasslands, seemingly endless," Zhang Tian thought, a twitch at the corner of his mouth. Why was he getting distracted? However, he strongly suspected this creature was a green turtle. Legend had it that in ancient times, there was a marine creature covered in aquatic plants, renowned for its resemblance to seaweed. They possessed a trace of Xuanwu's bloodline, thus holding a place in the ocean. Through eons of cultivation, such creatures could evolve into Xuanwu using this faint bloodline, though this remained but a legend.
Observing Zhang Tian's demeanor, the two immense heads exchanged another look. Suddenly, Zhang Tian felt a jolt, and his body was no longer beneath the green fur. He found himself standing within a vast space. In this space, a double-headed turtle, suspended in mid-air, appeared before him. Just as Zhang Tian had surmised, the green furry turtle wasn't truly enormous; rather, he had been miniaturized. The shell of this green furry turtle must possess some ability to shrink individuals and also to manifest an entire world. This was what was meant by "a single expanse." However, as he saw the turtle floating, Zhang Tian's brow furrowed slightly. From its appearance, the creature seemed to be dead.
"Divine Turtle Lord, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Do not dismiss me as merely a human; I can be of considerable assistance." Zhang Tian spoke respectfully, refraining from asking directly why it appeared deceased.
The green furry turtle's two heads conferred. "This king possesses immense strength, and my body can blot out the sun and moon. How could I possibly require assistance? You should simply remain here and keep me company." As the turtle spoke, its entire form, suspended in the air, began to rotate. This reminded Zhang Tian of a childhood anime. *Could this thing be about to super-evolve?* He shook his head and tentatively asked, "Divine Turtle Lord, I have Soul Pills."
The moment Zhang Tian spoke, the previously placid Divine Turtle became instantly attentive.