After submitting their application, Wang Lan, Jiang Xinyu, and the senior Yue Jifeng met with Bai Ji in the library's reading room.

"This is everyone's first time entering the Nine-layer Pagoda, so it's necessary to understand it. The pagoda has nine levels. The Exotic Beasts on the first level are equivalent in strength to those in the beginner's proving ground, and the second level is equivalent to the intermediate proving ground.

With each level ascended, the strength of the Exotic Beasts increases by one tier. So far, the Nine-layer Pagoda has only been explored up to the fourth level. Our main battlefield will be on the fourth level.

Although the fourth level is perilous, the rewards are the greatest.

The Exotic Beasts on the fourth level generally range from the early to late Star Cloud Stage, far surpassing those in the high-level proving ground. However, this level also contains a large number of lord-level Exotic Beasts, allowing us to collect mid-level or higher Soul Beads to the greatest extent.

However, it's crucial to note that the mutation rate of the Exotic Beasts inside is very high. Consequently, many Exotic Beasts, though only at the Star Cloud Stage in terms of Star Power, possess the combat strength of the Galaxy Stage due to these mutations.

Therefore, once we enter, we must not take it lightly. Does anyone have any other opinions?"

"Um… why are we choosing such a high difficulty level? It feels very dangerous… Wouldn't it be safer on the first level? Although the Soul Beads might be of a lower level, we'd surely kill Exotic Beasts many times faster," Wang Lan hurriedly asked.

For Wang Lan, his purpose in hunting Exotic Beasts was to gain skill points. Since one Soul Bead equaled one skill point, he preferred clearing out weaker enemies. From his perspective, challenging higher difficulty levels was definitely a bad trade-off.

"You're right, but I omitted something that you might not understand. Just now, I said that the academy has broken through to the fourth level. Think of the Nine-layer Pagoda as a container divided into nine levels, which we clear from bottom to top.

If each container were filled with water at different temperatures, what do you think would be the consequence of us clearing one level?"

"Would the water from higher levels flow down to the lower ones?"

"Correct. Each time we clear a level, Exotic Beasts from the level above can move down to the lower one. The competition between each level is intense. Some Exotic Beasts that fail in the struggle are expelled to the level below.

In the beginning, the Nine-layer Pagoda existed as the academy's proving ground. Not just seniors, but freshmen through seniors could enter for cultivation. Initially, the first three levels were already cleared.

However, several years later, the academy noticed the Exotic Beasts on the lower levels were becoming increasingly stronger, and student casualties were also rising. That's when they realized that while lower-level Exotic Beasts could not go up, higher-level ones could come down.

When higher-level Exotic Beasts descended to the lower levels, they wreaked havoc on the local ecology. Only the powerful ones survived, leading to the Exotic Beasts within the Nine-layer Pagoda becoming progressively stronger.

Now, having cleared up to the fourth level, the Exotic Beasts there are such that not even senior students can guarantee a safe return. To contain the overall increase in the strength of Exotic Beasts, the academy assigns tasks every year.

From the first to the third levels, some powerful Exotic Beasts are cleared first to curb the rate at which their overall strength increases. As for the fourth level, it becomes a primary target for culling each time the Nine-layer Pagoda is opened.

So it's not us choosing the fourth level, but the fourth level being the default. Of course, it's not impossible to stay on the first, second, or third levels. In the past, many students stayed on the third level.

But Wang Lan… our strength should be fully capable of dealing with the fourth level's Exotic Beasts. You're not... scared, are you?"

"Scared… that's impossible. In that case, let's go with the fourth level."

"Don't worry, Junior. Your big sis here will protect you," Bai Ji said, patting Wang Lan on the shoulder with the air of a protective older sister.

"Wang Lan, what type is your Medical Attribute Star Martial Technique, and what are its capabilities?" Yue Jifeng suddenly asked. "I need to evaluate our team's endurance."

"My Medical Star Martial Technique is called Song of Life. It connects healing rays from my body, and I can currently sustain two such rays.

"Unless interrupted or affected, the healing rays will continue as long as I don't voluntarily disconnect them. Regarding the healing scope, any physical injury can be rapidly regenerated—even a shattered heart, severed limbs, or spilled intestines."

"Oh?" Yue Jifeng's eyes flashed with surprise. "That powerful? Your healing ability is S-rank or higher, and highly specialized. Are there any limitations?"

"There are. I can't heal through spatial barriers, and the healing distance cannot exceed twenty meters. Other than that, there are no restrictions."

"Twenty meters… that's roughly the attack range of a Star Martial Skill."

"Junior, I'm even more convinced by what I said now. I'll definitely protect you."

"With Wang Lan here, we basically don't need to worry about injuries. And we don't need to worry about Star Power depletion when hunting Exotic Beasts. Unless we run out of physical strength, we can keep fighting indefinitely. That's why I absolutely had to invite Wang Lan."

"In that case, Yu Ruoyun and I will be responsible for damage output and securing kills. Bai Ji will assist us by creating openings, and Wang Lan will stay with Bai Ji. Bai Ji, you must prioritize Wang Lan's safety."

"Understood!"

"Wait, I'm also very capable of fighting," Wang Lan protested.

"Your primary duty is medical assistance; your secondary role is providing support from the flanks."

After the main discussion was completed, the conversation started to become more relaxed and enjoyable.

"By the way, Yu Ruoyun, what exactly is the Nine-layer Pagoda? From what you're saying, it sounds different from the proving grounds or Pioneer Spaces?"

"Of course, it's different!"

"That's right," Jiang Xinyu chimed in. "When I first entered the academy, I heard seniors mentioning the Nine-layer Pagoda, but even after all these years, I have no idea what it looks like. During my sophomore year, a senior in my dorm was a fourth-year. I remember she was so excited to enter the Nine-layer Pagoda with her class. But later… she didn't come out. The school announcement said… she died in battle."

"The origins of the Nine-layer Pagoda are impossible to trace now. Legend says it's a treasure left behind by immortals," Yu Ruoyun explained.

"What?" Wang Lan lifted his head, looking utterly confused. "Immortals? That's not sci-fi."

"If the Demon Clan can appear, why can't immortals appear?"

"Hold on, we can understand the Demon Clan as another kind of life form or civilization in the universe. But this thing about immortals, I really can't comprehend. Is it like in mythological novels?"

"If you prefer that explanation, then consider this: immortals were simply powerful humans from the Ancient Era. The Nine-layer Pagoda is a Star Palace Artifact they forged. Can you accept that?"

"Alright, no problem."

"The Nine-layer Pagoda is a fifty-meter-high conical pagoda hidden within the back mountains of the academy. Yet the space inside it seems infinitely large, each layer boundless."

"Moreover, it seems the Pagoda contains treasures left by these immortals. At least within the first three layers, students undergoing trials have found Star Palace Artifacts."

"So you're saying the Nine-layer Pagoda was meant for disciples or descendants of immortals to undergo trials?"

"Very likely! It was discovered in a Different Dimensional Space that opened from Kunlun Valley two hundred years ago. After Modu Star Martial Academy was established, the Pagoda was placed within the academy grounds.

"And I've also heard that the Azure Dragon Skill was obtained alongside the Nine-layer Pagoda."

"The Qing Emperor's Azure Dragon Skill? The signature treasure of Modu Star Martial Academy?" Bai Ji exclaimed, her eyes suddenly sparkling.

"Yes! For everyone, the Nine-layer Pagoda represents an opportunity."

Elsewhere, in the vice dean's office, Professor Zheng Gong slammed his palm on the desk in front of Nangong Meng.

"Dean Nangong, who authorized Wang Lan to enter the Nine-layer Pagoda? This is ridiculous!"

Nangong Meng was initially bewildered by Professor Zheng Gong's lion-like fury, but his expression quickly turned grim.

So, Professor Zheng Gong, you're playing the seniority card now? True, you're an old hand at the academy, a first-class Spiritual Engraving Master, and a tenured professor. But I am the vice dean! In terms of seniority, reputation, and contributions to the academy, you should know your place. Where do you get the audacity to slam my desk? Are you trying to start a rebellion?

"Professor Zheng Gong, please watch your tone."

"Dean Nangong, I just want to know who permitted Wang Lan to enter the Nine-layer Pagoda?"

"I did!" Nangong Meng shot up from his seat, a cold gleam in his eyes as he retorted.

The other teachers in the office, seeing that the situation was turning sour, quickly slipped out to inform the Dean.

"Why?"

"Although Wang Lan is only in the late Star Cloud Stage, his combat strength is at the peak of the Galaxy Stage. Furthermore, the average strength of his team has already reached the early Galaxy Stage. I had no reason to refuse his application."

"You are not unaware of the dangers within the Nine-layer Pagoda. Every year, dozens of students die. What if Wang Lan has an accident inside?"

"What about it? Wang Lan is a student, but he's also a warrior. Other students can go, so why can't he? Even Yu Ruoyun is going. Why should he be an exception?

"Besides, I didn't tell him to go; he applied himself. I simply approved his application according to regulations."

"His value isn't merely as a warrior! He invented the Soul Bead grenade and the Star Martial Toxins Vaccine! He's only eighteen! If he's lost in the Nine-layer Pagoda, it would be a catastrophe for all of humanity.

"No, his pass must be revoked. Otherwise, I'll take this matter directly to the Dean."

"Heh…" Nangong Meng chuckled coldly. "If you want to revoke his pass, you do it. I see no grounds for me to do so. As for taking this to the Dean… you're too slow. Director Sun Li already raised the issue."

"What? And the result?"

"The result? We follow procedure. Besides, aren't you underestimating Wang Lan?" Nangong Meng said calmly, slowly sitting down and tidying the documents on his desk.

"Wang Lan's strength is top-tier, even among seniors. And look at his team: Yu Ruoyun, Yue Jifeng, Bai Ji. That's an exceptional lineup. Even if dozens of students perish each year, it won't be him."

"Wait, who is this Bai Ji? What level is she?"

After they split up from the library, everyone began preparing to enter the Nine-layer Pagoda. Wang Lan was about to look for Jiang Xinyu when, unexpectedly, she messaged him first.

It was the weekend. Wang Lan, riding the high-tech electric motorcycle recently assigned to him by the Tianjian Bureau, took Jiang Xinyu to Phoenix Plaza.

After getting off the motorcycle, Jiang Xinyu flirtatiously smoothed her long hair. "You know, in all my life, this is the first time I've ever ridden an electric motorcycle."

"Then next time, I'll let you experience what it's like to ride a bicycle," Wang Lan replied.

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