Fantasy: The Great Emperor Comes Back

C4 – Azure Dragon Pagoda

In Mo Changyou’s recollection, the Mo family boasted an invincible ancestor who erected a towering structure known as the Azure Dragon Pagoda. This edifice was designed to inspire the Mo family members. By reaching the second floor, one could claim a hundred spirit stones, with the potential for even greater rewards on the higher levels.

Yet, ascending beyond the fifth floor proved to be a formidable challenge. Over the years, scarcely anyone had managed to penetrate the sixth floor of the Azure Dragon Pagoda.

Mo Changyou’s father was a notable exception, having ventured up to the seventh level—a feat unmatched by anyone else in the Mo family’s storied history.

Should Mo Changyou reach the sixth level, he would not only secure a substantial bounty of spirit stones but also acquire the Heavenly Frost Grass associated with the Energy Condensation Stage. Advancing to the seventh level would grant him access to the Heavenly Flame Grass, a prized medicinal herb even within the Fusion Spirit Stage.

The mysteries of the eighth and ninth floors remained unsolved, as no one had set foot on them for countless years, leaving their treasures unknown.

Individuals below Energy Condensation Level 5 were granted a singular opportunity to enter the Azure Dragon Pagoda.

Upon Mo Changyou’s approach to the Azure Dragon Pagoda, he found it surrounded by a throng of disciples—a rare sight based on his past experiences.

“Have you heard? This time, the Mo family’s two most formidable prodigies, Mo Yunyun and Mo Yangning, are set to take on the Azure Dragon Pagoda. They’ve both reached Energy Condensation Level 5 and are on the cusp of Level 6. Rumor has it that Mo Yunyun is specifically targeting the sixth level and beyond,” a disciple chimed in, including Mo Fei, who had earlier ridiculed Mo Changyou.

The mention of Mo Yunyun sparked a wave of awe and reverence among the disciples. She was the Mo family’s most exceptional young woman, the sole possessor of a top-tier Grade Three talent.

“It looks like Mo Yunyun and Mo Yangning are the stars of this challenge,” many disciples agreed, nodding in unison.

“Tower Guardian Elder, my name is Mo Yunyun, and I’ve come to conquer the tower,” announced a gentle female voice, breaking the anticipatory silence.

A young girl in a pale yellow dress approached and curtsied before the Tower Guardian Elder.

Her raven hair cascaded down like a waterfall, her eyes sparkled, her teeth gleamed, and her skin was as fair as snow. Even Mo Changyou couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty.

“Very well,” the Tower Guardian Elder responded, nodding with a smile.

Subsequently, Mo Changyou went to register, following Mo Yangning, who had already ascended.

“I am Mo family member Mo Changyou, here to challenge the tower,” Mo Changyou announced as he stood before the Tower Guardian Elder.

“Mo Changyou? Are you the Second Master’s son?” The elder in white robes furrowed his brow. The Second Master he referred to was none other than Mo Feng. Mo Feng, the Patriarch’s younger brother, was known for his formidable cultivation, earning him the title Second Master.

To the Tower Guardian Elder, the Second Master’s son was notoriously inept. What business did he have challenging the tower?

“Your current level is merely Body Refining Level 10. You’re not fit for the tower challenge. Please, return home,” the Tower Guardian Elder advised, shaking his head.

He would not have even spoken if not for the respect he held for Mo Feng.

“Thank you for your concern, Elder. However, I am in need of spirit stones and would appreciate your permission to proceed,” Mo Changyou replied, bowing slightly with a tone of respectful determination.

“If you are set on this course, then enter,” the elder said with a furrowed brow. The young man was oblivious to his own limits, but he would let him proceed. With a cultivation at merely Body Refining Level 10, the elder doubted his success.

It seemed a waste of time. For a martial artist at Body Refining Level 10, surviving even the first floor would be an achievement.

“Thank you, Elder,” Mo Changyou said, smiling as he strode confidently into the pagoda.

With just a glance, Mo Changyou understood the intricacies of the Azure Dragon Pagoda. It reminded him of a similar treasure tower once possessed by the Imperial Weapon Family he had led.

“Isn’t that the failure from the Second Master’s family? What’s he doing trying to challenge the tower?” someone exclaimed in surprise upon spotting Mo Changyou.

“That’s definitely him. Maybe he’s looking for a thrashing from the pagoda’s Puppets,” another disciple jeered with a laugh.

“I think so too,” another disciple sneered. To them, this individual with Grade Nine Talent was less valuable than a servant.

Mo Yunyun, positioned at the front, glanced back at Mo Changyou, her eyes betraying a touch of scorn. Then, she confidently moved forward.

She was well aware of who he was. Mo Changyou, the Second Master’s disappointing son, was the Mo family’s sole possessor of Grade Nine Talent.

“If you had just a fraction of the Second Master’s talent, how did you end up like this?”

Mo Yunyun shook her head, the legendary tales her mother had shared about the Second Master still vivid in her memory.

As the disciples entered, a vast picture scroll materialized outside, depicting the nine levels of the Azure Dragon Pagoda. The scroll showed the locations of the disciples within the pagoda, marked by numerous red dots. However, the identities linked to those dots remained a mystery to those observing from the outside.

​Upon entering the Azure Dragon Pagoda, they were immediately enveloped by an intense aura of malice. The first level was crowded with steel puppets, arrayed like an army before them. The area spanned roughly three hundred meters in both length and width, with numerous disciples engaged in combat, each vying for access to the second level.

The puppets, towering like steel titans, all possessed the strength of Body Refining Level 10. In theory, only those who had reached the Energy Condensation Stage could bypass them with ease.

Mo Yunyun extended her hand, and a powerful gust of Spirit Energy formed before her, fending off the surrounding puppets. She advanced with large strides and, within a mere twenty seconds, had reached the gateway to the second level.

“Mo Yunyun is truly formidable,” remarked a disciple, watching her receding figure with respect.

Meanwhile, Mo Changyou couldn’t afford to waste time in idle shock. Inside him, the Undying Scripture was in motion, a technique he had devised in a past life.

This Imperial Art was far superior to other techniques. Those who mastered it to its ultimate level could attain immortality.