Chapter 49: Eternal Source
Timothy disdainfully dropped the battered body of Vexator.
Now, he still owed the system one skill point.
But with ten days left to repay it, there was no rush.
After Vexator's death, the leaderless horde of beasts and beastmen suddenly froze.
"Perfect timing! Let's drive them out now!" The disciples of the Doomed Soul Sect finally mustered their courage, charging forward with their assortment of weapons.
Without their leader, the beasts scattered in fear.
The beastmen, transformed by Vexator from the Beastmaster Sect disciples, just stood there, stiff and motionless.
Tough as they were, they couldn't fight back at all.
In the disciples' fury, they were quickly slaughtered.
This time, the Doomed Soul Sect had won a complete victory!
Cheers rose like waves, one higher than the last.
But everyone knew that if it weren't for Timothy, the Doomed Soul Sect might have faced total annihilation today.
"Brother Timothy... no, truly worthy of our vice sect leader!"
"Thanks to Vice Sect Leader Timothy, I owe him my life!"
Those who had previously opposed Timothy's appointment as vice sect leader had completely changed their tune, a true reflection of the Demonic Sect's survival of the fittest creed.
Away from the crowd, Timothy and Morvran moved to a secluded area near the Inferno Tower.
Finally alone, Morvran looked Timothy up and down, his face showing shock: "You've reached Mystic Core!"
Remember, Timothy was once considered a discard, sent to deliver messages to Goddess Sylvia because he couldn't even practice normally.
And look at him now.
Aura Initiation, Energy Foundation, Mystic Core—he'd breezed right through them!
At this rate, Morvran might soon lose his position as sect leader!
"Heh, lucky for us you came back in time, Vice Sect Leader. Otherwise, the Doomed Soul Sect would've been history."
"Brother Timothy, you're a brother for life!"
"Even though you're now with Sky Sanctuary, the Doomed Soul Sect will always be your home, and I'll always be here for you, Brother Timothy!" Morvran said, edging closer with a sycophantic smile, rubbing his shoulder against Timothy's.
Timothy felt a chill and pushed him away: "I'm not interested in fencing with an old man."
...
After a moment, Timothy's gaze sharpened, staring at Morvran: "But what exactly is hidden within the Doomed Soul Sect that so many covet?"
"Well..." Morvran hesitated, then sighed, "Since you're like a brother to me, I'll tell you."
"It might be related to the 'Eternal Source' left by the old sect leader."
"Eternal Source?"
"Yes, the Eternal Source is an ancient artifact of immense mystery and value. There are several, each with unique properties and values. Whether what the old sect leader left is truly an 'Eternal Source,' I can't say. After all, no one has yet reached the top floor of the Inferno Tower."
"Sounds like something worth checking out." Timothy nodded and turned towards the Inferno Tower.
"What are you planning to do, Timothy?" Morvran asked, startled.
Timothy replied calmly, "Climb the Inferno Tower and claim the old sect leader's treasure."
"Brother Timothy, stay calm! Each level of the Inferno Tower is increasingly dangerous. Even I've only made it to the sixth floor. Forcing your way up could be deadly!" Morvran tried to persuade him, but Timothy was undeterred and stepped into the Inferno Tower.
Instantly, countless eyes turned towards him.
"Brother Timothy is entering the Inferno Tower again?"
"Last time he surpassed the sect leader by reaching the seventh floor. Now that he's even stronger, how far will he go?"
"He couldn't possibly break through the tenth floor, could he?... But it's said that countless generations of sect leaders haven't managed that. That would be insane!"
Amidst the murmurs of astonishment, Timothy ascended level by level.
The seventh floor, which had once been a challenge, now posed no threat to him, feeling no different from normal room temperature.
Then, Timothy moved on to the eighth floor.
Turns out, old cunning Morvran actually told the truth for once.
The gap between each level of the Inferno Tower was terrifying, especially the higher levels, which were unimaginably more difficult.
The scorching heat of the eighth floor was many times more intense than the seventh.
But as Timothy activated the first meridian of his Ancient Saintly Body, a golden light enveloped him, and the rolling heat waves couldn't harm him at all.
Next was the ninth floor.
The blazing flames transformed into ferocious beasts, continuously rushing towards Timothy.
But these seemingly overwhelming flames couldn't break through the serene, icy aura that surrounded him.
Finally, Timothy stepped onto the tenth floor.
The moment the light on the tenth floor shone, the entire Doomed Soul Sect erupted in excitement.
"Brother Timothy actually made it to the tenth floor!"
"Are you kidding me? It's said that since the old ancestor passed, no one has been able to reach the tenth floor!"
Even Morvran stared in shock at the light emanating from the tenth floor, feeling incredulous.
But although Timothy had stepped onto the tenth floor, could he withstand the trials within?
Everyone secretly held their breath.
Atop the Inferno Tower now.
Looking at the myriad of monsters that filled the tenth floor, Timothy couldn't help but marvel.
The Inferno Tower, passed down through generations of Doomed Soul Sect leaders, was indeed no easy challenge.
These monsters were not only extremely powerful.
Most importantly, based around a central leader, they were divided into three teams, each with a specific role.
One team attacked from the front, another struck from a distance at the rear, and the third protected the leader.
The three teams were well-organized, both offensive and defensive, seemingly impregnable.
However...
With a burst of golden light, Timothy suddenly pulled out the Sacred Tri-Emperor Crest.
In an instant, endless golden light enveloped the entire tenth floor.
The figures of three legendary Holy Emperors appeared, stirring up a massive wave that shattered all the flame monsters in a single strike!
The tenth floor was left in ruins from the massive impact, and amidst the lingering dust, a small green light slowly floated down.
Though tiny, the light seemed to contain an endless, mysterious aura.
"Is this the Eternal Source?"
Timothy reached out and gently grasped it.