Inside the Thunder Cloud Tower, everyone waited patiently.
Feng Ninghe seemed to sense something unusual and turned her gaze to her surroundings.
Besides the bustling cultivators, there was nothing out of the ordinary.
She then withdrew her gaze and said softly, "According to what these cultivators are saying, the first trial is a formation. If one can pass the formation, they will receive a fifth-grade pill and proceed to the next trial."
A fifth-grade pill would cause a frenzy of competition on the Xuanzhou Continent.
Even in the Dragon Domain, fifth-grade pills were precious but not to the point of driving everyone mad.
The cultivators heading to the Thunder Cloud Tower were not just after the rewards; they also sought this opportunity to perform well and be noticed by the various academies.
Feng Linyuan looked up at the layered stairs, "For countless years, no one has been able to step onto the seventh level, and even those who have reached the sixth level are few and far between."
Feng Ninghe smiled dismissively, a hint of fearlessness on her face, "It's about participation. Since we're here in the Dragon Domain, let's have a good look around."
Bai Niannian clicked her tongue, "As expected of the Dragon Domain, their generosity is indeed impressive. The reward for the first trial is already a fifth-grade pill. The higher up one goes, the richer the rewards. I'm curious to see what other rewards await."
Ding!
A dull drumbeat sounded slowly.
A slightly aged male voice reminded everyone that the trial was about to begin, "The first trial will commence shortly. If you can pass the first trial, you will randomly receive a fifth-grade pill. I wish you all good luck."
A blinding light fiercely struck towards everyone.
The light was so intense that Feng Ninghe involuntarily closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, she found herself in a room.
In the spacious room, only she and Xiao Zhao remained.
As a contracted divine beast, Xiao Zhao was spiritually bound to her, so it was natural for them to be assigned together.
"Master, look quickly!"
Xiao Zhao's azure eyes were fixed ahead, as if he had discovered something rare. He hurriedly exclaimed, "There's a pill bottle on that table. It seems we can get the bottle if we pass the formation!"
At the center of the formation was a table, upon which sat an exquisite porcelain bottle.
Feng Ninghe carefully examined the formation, her clear female voice slowly falling, "This formation is rather peculiar. Let me study it."
The aged male voice also chimed in at this moment, "Everyone, you have only one day to break the formation. If you cannot break it within a day, you will be ejected from the room."
Feng Ninghe did not delay, projecting a wisp of her divine sense to scan the formation.
Xiao Zhao dared not disturb her and instead sat cross-legged, meditating to absorb spiritual energy.
The spiritual energy within the Thunder Cloud Tower was evidently much richer than in the outside world, making cultivation slightly faster.
Outside the Thunder Cloud Tower.
In a refined courtyard.
Mirrors floated in the air, and countless cultivators stared at them.
The mirrors displayed scenes from within the Thunder Cloud Tower, allowing cultivators to observe the events inside.
"The Thunder Cloud Tower opens once every hundred years. I wonder if anyone will be able to pass the seventh level this time."
"No one has ever managed to step onto the seventh level of the Thunder Cloud Tower. I still don't know what this so-called seventh level trial entails."
"Speaking of which, the last person to pass the sixth level a thousand years ago was Pu Yin from the strongest academy. Since then, no one has passed the sixth level..."
The cultivators chattered amongst themselves.
They were sent by the various academies to recruit new disciples.
As long as one performed well in the Thunder Cloud Tower, there was a chance of being taken under an academy's wing.
Pu Yin gazed silently at the mirror, a hint of regret flashing in her eyes, "It's a pity that one can only enter the Thunder Cloud Tower once. Otherwise, I would love to enter again."
"Senior Sister Pu Yin, you are the first person in a thousand years to pass the sixth level. If you were to enter the Thunder Cloud Tower again after a thousand years, perhaps you could even pass the seventh level."
"Anyone who can pass the third level is worthy of being recruited by an academy. Those who can reach the fourth level are outstanding individuals, the cream of the crop."
The disciples spoke eagerly.
A tall and straight figure also arrived beside Pu Yin at this moment.
Si Yi placed his hands behind his back and quietly observed the scene in the mirror. His clear male voice slowly fell, "Pu Yin, your achievement of breaking through the sixth level has already made countless people envious. If you were to pass the seventh level, the entire Dragon Domain would surely know your name."
Pu Yin smiled dismissively, a hint of fearlessness on her beautiful face, "Even if I entered the Thunder Cloud Tower again, I might not have the ability to pass the seventh level. I just want to try again."
Si Yi's gaze calmly fell upon her, "Pu Yin, you were the only one among that batch who could pass the sixth level. Even I only managed to pass the fifth level."
A hint of admiration unconsciously appeared in his eyes.
To possess such ability as a young woman was truly admirable.
Pu Yin did not notice the change in Si Yi's expression. Her upright figure stood still, "I was merely lucky. Perhaps this time, someone will be able to pass the seventh level."
Luck is also a form of strength.
Being able to pass the sixth level of the Thunder Cloud Tower already demonstrated her strength.
Si Yi withdrew his gaze dismissively.
Time passed bit by bit.
More than half a day had passed inside the Thunder Cloud Tower.
Feng Ninghe's gaze was fixed on the formation before her. She repeatedly sketched the formation in her mind.
Clearly, she was studying formations.
She raised her hand and, with a wave, conjured a complete formation.
"Done!"
Feng Ninghe's eyes curved, and a smile appeared in them.
Knowing how the formation was drawn, breaking it would be effortless.
She strode towards the formation and reached out to pick up the pill bottle from the table, opening it casually.
Within the bottle lay a fifth-grade Snow Condensing Dew, made from the most refined morning dew of heaven and earth.
Such a pill could promote plant growth and was thus more suitable for the ginseng seedling.
"Little Seedling, come out and see what good thing I've prepared for you."
Feng Ninghe transmitted her thoughts to the ginseng seedling in her丹田.
The ginseng seedling quickly shot out, its vines wrapping around Feng Ninghe's arm, "Wuwu, Master, you finally remembered me."
The ginseng seedling was now taller than Feng Ninghe by a head.
Hearing the commotion, Xiao Zhao opened his eyes.
Upon seeing that the ginseng seedling was taller than him, he hurried over, his voice laced with surprise, "Ginseng Seedling, we haven't seen each other for a while, how did you grow so tall!"
The ginseng seedling cast a dismissive glance at him and, with its mouth wide open, explained, "I am a plant, naturally different."
Feng Ninghe did not hesitate and casually handed the pill over, "Little Seedling, take a look at this first."
Upon seeing the fifth-grade Snow Condensing Dew in Feng Ninghe's palm, the ginseng seedling's eyes clearly lit up. It hurriedly took the pill, "Master, is this pill for me?"
In response to the question, she nodded calmly, "This pill isn't of much use to me. It's more suitable for you."
A bright smile immediately appeared on the ginseng seedling's face. It opened its mouth wide and hastily popped the small pill into its mouth.