With a mere flick of his finger, Xiao Jietian's long halberd, exuding an overwhelming aura, shot down like a meteor toward the stone monster.
The monster swung its colossal hand at the same time, and a pillar of molten energy erupted, scorching the air with searing heat.
The halberd and the scorching pillar collided violently, and in an instant, a blinding explosion of light burst from the point of impact.
Xiao Jietian hastily used his Dou Qi to shield himself.
Bit by bit, the light pillar shattered under the force of the halberd, cracking and splintering until, in less than three breaths, it was completely obliterated. The halberd's head had vanished in the clash, leaving only the shaft.
Still carrying the residual energy, it pierced ruthlessly through the stone monster's head and torso.
The stone creature's lustre dimmed, and its body shattered into dull fragments.
Above the wreckage floated a rhombic crystal.
"Who said you can't kill someone without a spearhead?" Xiao Jietian murmured, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. He stepped toward the crystal, feeling the surging world energy within it.
"High-grade energy stone, then? Quite a hefty reserve." He smiled, holding it like a beggar who had just stumbled upon treasure.
"Congratulations, trial participant. You have successfully completed the trial."
The mechanical voice faded, and Xiao Jietian's body transformed into points of light before dissipating.
"Hmm? The battle just now wasn't fought by my main body?"
He opened his eyes, noting that his clothes were completely intact, yet the lingering pain in his body suggested the experience had been real.
"So the Boundless Heaven Tower doesn't require one's actual body—it's more of an illusion, though the sensations and pain are genuine."
"Even if one were killed, the despair would feel real… unstable minds might even break."
Xiao Jietian chuckled softly as he observed the golden crystal hovering before him. Beginner-level stones were white, intermediate red, and advanced golden—his prize today clearly golden.
With a shift of his figure, he exited the tower.
Outside, the other challengers lingered, most still trembling with lingering fear.
"Father, how are you feeling?" Xiao Jietian asked Xiao Zhan with concern.
"Tian'er, I'm fine. I took the intermediate trial, and I'm doing great," his father replied. Seeing him steady, Xiao Jietian finally relaxed.
He turned to Yun Yun, Ya Fei, and the others. Observing their lingering fear, he embraced them all, even Medusa.
"How was your trial?" he asked gently.
The women had all chosen the advanced difficulty, fighting monsters often beyond their level. Only Qing Lin seemed almost to cheat—her two battle pets suppressed monsters two stars higher than her, yet under a coordinated three-on-one siege, she excelled far beyond the rest.
"I thought I'd never see you again… I didn't expect it to be an illusion, yet the sense of death felt real," Ya Fei whispered, her face pale as she clung to Xiao Jietian.
Medusa, however, snorted. "Hmph. Always fussing. This King has remained calm the whole time, not even a flinch." Yet a peculiar glint in her eyes betrayed that she had felt something.
If your body hadn't trembled slightly, I'd believe you, Tsundere-sa… Xiao Jietian thought inwardly.
"Yes, yes, Your Majesty the Queen, the calmest," he teased.
Medusa straightened, her back no longer sore, legs no longer aching. "I'm only allowing this hug because you look scared. Don't read too much into it."
Yun Yun and the others struggled not to laugh, clearly enjoying the subtle dynamic between the two.
Meanwhile, Xiao Li frowned. "Little Tianzi, prioritising women over friends! Didn't you see your second brother almost despairing?"
The women blushed, quickly leaving Xiao Jietian's embrace while lowering their heads, careful not to offend his father.
Xiao Jietian grinned, teasing Xiao Li, "Your mental state is fine, Second Brother. You could handle a few more bowls of rice tonight."
"Don't envy me. I don't need you neat like Tian'er. If you were like your eldest brother and brought one back, I'd lose all my hair, sigh~"
Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Li on the shoulder, whispering a few words before leaving.
Confused, Xiao Li asked Xiao Jietian and Xiao Ding, "No, what does Father mean?"
"Figure it out yourself," Xiao Jietian replied with a grin.
"Big Brother, the rest is up to you," he added, leaving with Yun Yun and the others.
Xiao Li's mind was in overdrive. Miteer Tengshan stepped in, explaining: "Among the three brothers present, only you don't have a partner."
Xiao Li's face darkened. So being single is a sin now?
Meanwhile, Xiao Ding and Xue Lan had already been paired under Xue Lan's initiative. The couple had met the families, and Xiao Zhan approved wholeheartedly.
Tengshan teased Xiao Li further. "Elder Xiao Li, want a wife? Just say the word, and I'll arrange one from the Mitel family."
After whispers and chuckles, the pair left together, arm in arm.