Chapter 35: Threatening the Tower of Flame

Zhao Fenxing was indeed correct. Such a heaven-defying secret technique is incredibly difficult to obtain. Even if one is fortunate enough to acquire it, it must be done in complete secrecy; otherwise, it would inevitably attract powerful enemies.

At present, Wu Shu is quite weak. Without the assistance of formations, he would have absolutely no power to resist against an expert at the Qi-Jie Realm.

The night had grown deep, and Wu Shu wanted some quiet. "It is late," he said. "Everyone, go back and get some rest."

Upon returning to his room, Wu Shu sat cross-legged on his bed and began to circulate the Profound Technique within his body. Recalling Zhao Fenxing’s words about the thin spiritual energy in the Kun Kingdom, Wu Shu focused all his attention on sensing how much spiritual energy he could absorb with each cycle.

Half an hour passed, and Wu Shu felt the results were quite good. At this rate of day-and-night cultivation, he would be able to produce a second drop of profound liquid in his dantian within half a month. Compared to the Forgotten Continent, where he had spent a hundred thousand years without producing even a single drop, this was quite an improvement.

As he was cultivating, he suddenly sensed someone standing outside his door. Wu Shu was startled; he had been so focused on his training that he failed to notice someone approaching immediately.

Just as he prepared to defend himself, a voice sounded in his ear: "Wu Shu, come with me. Your Uncle has something to tell you."

Was that person outside his Uncle, Wu Xiang? Moreover, Wu Xiang’s cultivation seemed remarkable, as he was able to transmit his voice through the wall. Upon opening the door, seeing that the middle-aged man was indeed his uncle, Wu Shu said nothing and followed him.

They walked for a while before arriving at the Wu family's center for smithing: the Smithing Hall.

Entering the hall, Wu Xiang did not stop. He led Wu Shu directly to a sixteen-story Fire Tower. Looking at the tower with a profound expression, he said, "It has been over thirty years. The Fire Tower has lit up once more. Could this be a sign of our family’s resurgence?"

When Wu Wen and Wu Jing had sought out Wu Shu earlier, it was primarily because the Fire Tower had ignited. Now, Wu Xiang had brought him here for the exact same reason.

Wu Shu was truly curious. Even if the tower lighting up was meant to alert the family to a potential forging genius, why would his uncle bring him here alone?

After a sigh, Wu Xiang scrutinized Wu Shu and said calmly, "Shu'er, you have been in a dormant state for many years. Now that you have returned, you are naturally unaware of many things in the clan. You must be curious why I brought you here alone."

Wu Xiang continued, "The Fire Tower you see before you is our family's ancestral treasure. Although our family has been in decline for many years, we have managed to maintain our livelihood by relying on this tower for forging."

*Can the Fire Tower actually be used for forging?* Wu Shu became deeply interested. If it could be used for forging, combined with the insights he had gained from Lie Yan, he would have a constant stream of spirit stones in the future.

"Does our family really possess such a treasure?" Wu Shu asked, feigning disbelief.

Wu Xiang shook his head and added, "If not for the restrictions placed by our ancestors—which ensure that only those with our bloodline can enter—it is doubtful that we could have kept the tower, given our family's current strength."

The tower had the ability to sense bloodlines; Wu Shu finally realized. As he drew closer, he could feel a scorching flame calling out to him.

However, pretending to be ignorant, Wu Shu asked, "Uncle, you brought me here—is there something you want me to do?"

The Fire Tower possessed a certain level of sensitivity, especially in identifying forging geniuses within the Wu family. Hearing Wu Shu’s question, Wu Xiang felt puzzled. Could it be that Wu Shu was not the genius the tower had selected?

If Wu Shu wasn't the cause of the ignition, Wu Xiang truly didn't know how else to find the genius who had triggered it.

After the tower lit up, Wu Xiang had already ordered the young members of the clan to drip blood before it to test their connection. To his surprise, every talented youngster in the family, except for Wu Shu, had already tried, and none had received a response.

However, thinking of how Wu Shu had been asleep for so many years and now possessed such a calm temperament, Wu Xiang dismissed his doubts. "Shu'er, I won't go into the benefits of the tower for our clan. Suffice it to say, if you gain its recognition, it doesn't just mean the family might flourish—at the very least, a forging genius will emerge among us. I brought you here tonight to confirm if you are that genius."

Wu Xiang demonstrated by opening his left hand. "All our clansmen are of strong character. You only need to drip a drop of blood around the tower, and it will react. Once it recognizes you, you can enter, and the countless treasures inside may all become yours."

As he spoke, a drop of blood fell from his fingertip onto the ground with a soft *plop*.

To Wu Shu’s surprise, the moment the blood hit the ground, a ball of fire suddenly erupted, took the shape of a human, and made a gesture of disgust, as if vomiting.

It was quite awkward; the Fire Tower seemed to find Wu Xiang’s blood repulsive.

Wu Xiang was inwardly confused. *If Wu Shu doesn't work either, I’ll have to have everyone in the clan try. It seems the genius recognized by the tower must be sixteen or younger. Sigh... I even secretly took a drop of Wu Zhen’s blood to test it. If Wu Shu isn't recognized, we will be in real trouble.*

Wu Shu did not follow the instructions. Instead, he walked around the tower and asked suspiciously, "The tower was left by our ancestors, but why does the restriction on it contain the bloodline of a Fire Phoenix?"

Hearing this, Wu Xiang was puzzled. "A Fire Phoenix bloodline?"

Although Wu Xiang was a first-grade, ninth-rank smith and knew a fair bit about forging formations, he could not see the array Wu Shu was referring to, nor did he understand it.

Wu Shu looked at him again. "Uncle, are you certain this tower was left by our ancestors?"

Faced with this question, Wu Xiang found it hard to answer, as his knowledge came entirely from oral traditions passed down through generations.

Distracted by this, Wu Xiang forgot his main purpose. Not understanding why Wu Shu would question this, he urged, "Shu'er, we can delve into your concerns later. For now, just do as I said and drip your blood."

At this moment, the Stele Spirit within Wu Shu’s divine sense became interested. "Wu Shu, now that you mention it, I find this tower quite fascinating. It is not only reinforced by a Fire Phoenix bloodline, but it also seems to be on the verge of forming a spirit. Let me help you take this tower for yourself."

Wu Shu was naturally pleased that Little Spirit wanted to help.

However, to his surprise, once the Stele Spirit appeared in his palm, it spoke in an aged, authoritative tone: "A broken tower that hasn't even reached its potential is worth my young master dripping blood for?"

The sudden appearance of a brick that could talk truly shocked Wu Xiang, who stood nearby.

The Fire Tower was indeed sentient, and upon hearing the Stele Spirit, its tower spirit was terrified. In a panic, it spat out a massive fireball directly at Wu Shu. The Stele Spirit instantly expanded, blocking the path.

"I say a word or two, and you get an attitude?" the Stele Spirit growled. "Believe it or not, I will suppress you right now."

As it spoke, the Stele Spirit released its mental pressure. However, the tower was protected by the Fire Phoenix restriction, making it difficult for the pressure to penetrate.

Even though the Stele Spirit didn't gain the upper hand in that exchange, the Fire Tower clearly realized the spirit's power. The flames on the tower suddenly dimmed.

Clearly, the Fire Tower was yielding to the Stele Spirit!

*A stone with such immense power?* Wu Xiang was stunned once again, never expecting that the family’s sacred artifact would bow to an unremarkable rock.

Contrarily, Wu Shu felt a headache coming on.

He had been calculating that if the tower truly held many treasures, he would find a way to break the restrictions even if it cost him spirit stones or effort. It was a treasure fallen from the sky—why not take it? But now, before he had even dripped his blood, the Stele Spirit had already offended the tower.

Regardless, the deed was done. Wu Shu didn't want to blame the Stele Spirit for its fierce loyalty.

"Little Spirit, stand down," Wu Shu said, feigning calm. "As a member of the Wu family, even if I wish to enter, I should not force my way in until I have earned the tower's recognition."

His words sounded harmless, but if Wu Xiang knew that Wu Shu was already planning to break in and rob the place regardless of bloodline recognition, he would have been floored.

The Stele Spirit knew Wu Shu well. As Wu Shu prepared to drip his blood, it said coldly, "Little broken tower, I tell you this: if my young master drips his blood and you do not respond, from today on, there will be no place for your spirit to exist on the Thick Earth Continent."

As it threatened, the Stele Spirit grew even larger, appearing to rival the height of the tower itself. Even someone as experienced as Wu Xiang felt a sense of overwhelming distance when facing such a massive presence.

Threatened once more, the frightened Fire Tower dared not refuse. Wu Shu vanished from where he stood, and the next moment, he found himself inside the Fire Tower.