The students filed back into the classroom, their faces still pale with shock and awe after witnessing the birth of a universe. Even for the battle-hardened irregulars, what they had just experienced was beyond anything they could have imagined. The sheer scale and power involved in the creation of a universe left them with a deep sense of both wonder and fear. They had seen Wújìn Mèng, with a mere gesture, create and manipulate the primal forces of chaos to birth entire worlds, stars, and galaxies in seconds. It was nothing short of god-like.
As they took their seats, the classroom was filled with an uneasy silence. Each student was lost in their own thoughts, trying to process what they had just witnessed. Kai Ren sat near the front, his usual confidence replaced by a pensive expression. Mei Li sat beside him, her hands resting on her lap, still trembling slightly from the overwhelming display of power.
Across the room, the others whispered to each other in hushed tones, still stunned by the raw might Zui Tian and Wújìn Mèng had demonstrated.
Kai was the first to break the silence. “That… that was beyond anything I’ve ever seen,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Mei glanced at him, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity. “How is it possible for someone to have that kind of power? She made an entire universe, Kai. In just a few seconds.”
The rest of the class slowly began to chime in, their voices filled with uncertainty.
“It’s not just the creation part that’s terrifying,” Jian Feng said quietly from the back of the room, his voice always calm but now tinged with awe. “It’s the fact that she controlled it so effortlessly. The forces she was manipulating… they were chaotic, uncontrollable by normal standards. But to her, it was like breathing.”
Another student, Yue Lin, a fiery young woman with red hair, leaned forward in her chair, her voice filled with excitement. “I mean, it makes sense, right? They’re not like us. Zui Tian and Wújìn Mèng—what even are they? I thought they were just powerful immortals, but this… this is something else. They’re on a completely different level.”
Kai, still grappling with the enormity of what he had seen, shook his head. “I thought I knew what power was. I’ve fought my way through wars, killed more people than I can count, ascended through sheer force of will. But this? What Wújìn did… that’s beyond anything we’ve ever been taught. It’s not just about raw power—it’s like she understands the fabric of the universe itself.”
Mei nodded, her eyes thoughtful. “Exactly. It’s not just strength or cultivation. It’s like they can bend the very laws of existence. To us, chaos is uncontrollable, but to them… it’s like they’re shaping clay.”
The room fell silent again, each student lost in their thoughts. The reality of how far they still had to go, how insignificant their own struggles seemed in comparison, weighed heavily on their minds. For most of them, the idea of creating a universe was so far beyond reach that it didn’t even seem possible. Yet, here were Zui Tian and Wújìn Mèng, toying with such concepts as if it were a simple task.
Jian Feng, who rarely spoke unless he had something important to say, broke the silence once more. “It makes me wonder just how powerful they really are. If Wújìn can create a universe like that in seconds, what are their true limits?”
The question hung in the air, a heavy realization sinking in. Just how powerful were Zui Tian and Wújìn Mèng? The students had always known that the two were far beyond normal immortals, but now, after seeing Wújìn wield the power of creation and chaos, the depths of their abilities seemed impossible to fathom.
Kai shook his head in disbelief. “If Wújìn is that powerful, what about Zui Tian? He acts like a drunkard, but there’s no way someone that casual could be weak. What’s his real power?”
Mei nodded slowly. “He must be even more powerful. I mean, we’ve seen hints of it. The way he stopped the battlefield earlier, how he can summon portals like it’s nothing. But if he’s capable of what Wújìn just did, or something even greater… it’s terrifying to think about.”
Yue Lin grinned, though her expression was tinged with nervousness. “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Zui Tian could destroy a universe just as easily as Wújìn creates one.”
Kai leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he processed the idea. “It makes sense, doesn’t it? If Wújìn’s power lies in creation, Zui’s could lie in destruction. They’re two sides of the same coin—one builds, the other tears down. That’s the balance they keep talking about.”
The thought sent a shiver down the spine of every student in the room. The idea that their teacher, the seemingly careless Immortal Drunkard, could wield the power of destruction on a cosmic scale was unsettling.
Mei bit her lip, her voice quiet as she spoke. “But why? Why do they act the way they do? Wújìn is so playful, and Zui… he’s just so indifferent to everything. They’re both so powerful, yet they don’t act like it. It’s like they’re bored.”
Jian Feng nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe they are. When you have that much power, when you can create and destroy entire universes with a thought, what’s left to challenge you? They’ve probably done everything, seen everything. What else is there to strive for?”
Yue Lin sighed, resting her chin on her hands. “It’s hard to even comprehend. We’ve spent our whole lives fighting just to survive, but for them… it’s like survival isn’t even a concern. They’re on another plane of existence entirely.”
Kai, feeling the weight of the conversation settle over him, glanced at Mei, who was deep in thought. “You think we’ll ever get there?” he asked quietly. “To that level?”
Mei gave him a small, uncertain smile. “I don’t know. But if we keep learning from them… maybe. We’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible.”
Jian Feng leaned forward, his voice steady. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that Zui Tian and Wújìn Mèng are showing us these things for a reason. They’re not just giving us a glimpse of power to impress us. They want us to understand it. Maybe… maybe one day, they expect us to wield it ourselves.”
The thought sent another wave of silence through the classroom. The idea that they, the irregulars—students who had fought their way to ascension—might one day possess the power to shape and destroy entire universes seemed far-fetched. But at the same time, they knew that nothing was impossible in the immortal realms.
Kai finally spoke, his voice firm. “I think you’re right, Jian. We may not be there yet, but that’s why we’re here—to learn, to grow. Zui Tian and Wújìn didn’t bring us here to rest forever. They’re preparing us for something. We just have to be ready for when that day comes.”
The class nodded in agreement, a sense of purpose settling over them. They had been shown a glimpse of power beyond their comprehension, but now they understood that their journey was just beginning. The path ahead would be long and filled with challenges, but they had seen what was possible.
And as they sat in the quiet classroom, the words of their teachers echoing in their minds, they knew that one day, they too might hold the power to shape worlds, to create and destroy, just as Zui Tian and Wújìn Mèng did so effortlessly.
Zui Tian stood at the front of the class, his usual carefree demeanor gone, replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness. The students, still rattled by their recent lessons on the birth of a universe and the mind-boggling power of their teacher, noticed the shift immediately. Gone were the lazy grins and half-hearted gestures; Zui’s eyes were sharp, his movements precise. Something important was about to happen.
“You’ve all come far,” Zui began, his voice steady, “but there’s something we need to address. Many of you fought your way up from the mortal realms, relying on your own strength and instincts. But because of that, most of you are lacking in proper cultivation techniques and divine arts. Your foundations are flawed.”
The students exchanged worried glances. Zui had never spoken to them this bluntly before.
“You might not realize it yet,” he continued, “but those flaws are holding you back. Your bodies and souls are out of balance. You need techniques and arts that are tailored to your unique forms—techniques that will bring out the best in you.“
Zui raised his hand, and in his palm, a shimmering ivory tower appeared. It radiated a soft, ethereal glow, like something pulled from the deepest recesses of an ancient and forgotten world. The air around it shimmered with raw, chaotic energy.
“This,” Zui said, his voice filled with a strange reverence, “is my personal version of the Chaos Tower. I call it the Ethereal Tower. It’s similar to the one Wújìn Meng created, but it’s designed specifically to test not just your physical strength, but your soul force and mental energy as well.”
Without another word, Zui tossed the tower into the square of the academy. As it landed, the tower grew, expanding rapidly until it towered over the academy, casting a long shadow across the grounds. Students passing by stopped in their tracks, staring in shock as the Ethereal Tower shimmered into full form, its presence both majestic and imposing.
Zui turned to his class, his eyes scanning each of their faces. “This tower will push you to your limits. Inside, you’ll face trials—battles, mental challenges, soul tests, and even alchemy if you have the talent for it. The tower’s spirit will guide you, and at every five levels, you’ll be given treasures. But the higher you go, the harder the trials become. And each five levels, you’ll be asked if you want to rest, in exchange for one treasure, or keep going and double the rewards at the next checkpoint.”
The students were silent, their minds racing. The promise of treasures, alchemy tomes, rare medicines, cultivation techniques, and even star cores that could light up stars within their inner worlds was tantalizing. But they also knew that the challenges inside the tower would be immense.
Zui gestured toward the tower. “This is your chance to fix those flaws in your foundation. To find the celestial and divine arts that are meant for you. And to hone your abilities in ways you’ve never imagined. But the choice is yours. No one is forcing you to enter.”
The students looked at the towering structure before them. The ivory walls seemed to pulse with energy, calling to them, promising power but also danger. They could sense the trials awaiting inside—physical, mental, and spiritual challenges that would test every aspect of who they were.
One by one, the students stepped forward, determined looks on their faces.
Kai Ren was the first to approach, his eyes filled with determination. “I’m going in. I’ve come too far to stop now.”
Mei Li nodded, stepping up beside him. “We’ve faced worse. This tower is just another challenge.”
As the rest of the students lined up, Zui smiled, his usual laziness creeping back into his features. “Good. You’re going to need that spirit. Inside, you’ll fight shadowy figures that reflect your abilities, and as you defeat them, they’ll merge with your cultivation, strengthening you while healing any injuries you might have.”
He paused, taking a final swig from his flask. “Just remember, the spirit of the tower is always watching. It’s there to guide you, but it’s also going to test you in ways you can’t predict.”
With a wave of his hand, the doors to the tower creaked open, revealing a glowing interior that pulsed with chaotic energy.
Inside the Ethereal Tower
As the students stepped into the tower, they were greeted by an ethereal voice—calm, ancient, and powerful.
“Why have you awakened me?” the voice asked, though it wasn’t directed at the students. It was speaking to Zui Tian, who stood just outside the entrance.
“I’m here to test my students,” Zui said, his voice reverberating inside the tower. “They need what you can offer.”
The voice was silent for a moment before it responded. “Very well. The trials will begin. But be warned—this is no ordinary test. These students must face their inner demons, their flaws, and their weaknesses. Only then will they be worthy of the rewards within.”
With that, the spirit of the tower returned to its duties, and the first trial began.
The first level was deceptively simple—an empty room with faint traces of energy lingering in the air. But as the students moved deeper into the room, shadowy figures began to emerge from the walls, each one an ethereal replica of the student it targeted. The shadows mirrored the students’ movements, forcing them to battle versions of themselves—an intense test of battle ability.
Kai Ren fought fiercely against his shadow, their blows colliding in a flurry of sparks and energy. Every strike made him feel the weight of his flaws—weaknesses he hadn’t noticed in himself until they were reflected back at him by his opponent. As he fought, he could feel his body adjusting, his cultivation base strengthening with each victory.
Mei Li found herself in a mental trial—an elaborate puzzle that forced her to solve intricate formations while defending against an onslaught of energy attacks. Her mind was pushed to its limits, but as she solved each puzzle, she could feel her mental energy growing sharper, more focused.
As they progressed through the tower, the trials became more intense. By the fifth level, they were met with a choice: rest in exchange for one treasure, or continue and double their rewards after five more levels.
Kai, always eager for a challenge, chose to continue. “We’ve made it this far. Why stop now?”
Mei, though tired, agreed. “Let’s keep going.”
At each checkpoint, the students were rewarded with treasures beyond their wildest dreams—alchemy tomes, rare medicines to increase their cultivation, weapons forged from the stars themselves, and even medicines to repair their foundational injuries.
For those with a knack for alchemy, like Jian Feng, the trials were especially challenging. He found himself in front of cauldrons filled with mysterious ingredients, forced to concoct potions under immense pressure. But each successful brew brought with it immense rewards—tomes filled with ancient recipes and rare herbs that could change the course of a cultivator’s life.
As they continued to climb the tower, the students grew stronger, their bodies and souls being molded by the challenges they faced. Injuries healed, cultivation bases strengthened, and their minds sharpened as they faced test after test.
At the final checkpoint, standing before the 100th level, the spirit of the tower spoke once more.
“Few have reached this point,” it said, its voice filled with a sense of ancient pride. “The final trials will push you beyond your limits. But should you succeed, you will leave here not only with treasures but with the power to change the very course of your destiny.”
The students, exhausted but filled with newfound strength, looked at each other, determination burning in their eyes.
Kai Ren stepped forward, his voice strong. “We’re ready.”
The final door opened, revealing the ultimate challenge that would determine not only their future but their place in the Infinite Immortal Realms.
And so, the irregulars entered the final stage of their greatest trial yet—armed with the knowledge that whatever awaited them at the top of the Ethereal Tower would change them forever.