Investment Return System, Start by taking Demon Empress as a Disciple - Chapter 171: Shenruo's Decision

As Chen Daoxuan arrived in front of the Tower of Enlightenment, he didn’t pause, entering the tower directly and proceeding to the second-floor trial of the state of mind.

Currently, the first floor had been transformed by him into a training area with a time flow rate 365 times different from the outside world. There were no more combat puppets.

“I pay homage to Pavilion Master!”

Ascending to the second floor, the Tower Spirit, a female figure sitting in a chair, who was previously reading ancient texts, quickly stood up to greet him. Yet, her heart was filled with a slight sense of fear and worry.

Previously, she had helped Li Yourong indulge in various delicacies through illusions, causing her to miss cultivation. She wasn’t sure if the Pavilion Master’s visit now was to reprimand her for her actions!

Regarding the Pavilion Master, the Tower Spirit held deep respect and awe. The method he had used to casually reshape and refine the Tower of Enlightenment into a Top-grade Immortal Artifact, and even the time acceleration array he carved, had left her in admiration.

“No need for formalities.”

Chen Daoxuan waved his hand slightly, allowing her to stand up. Then, without explaining much to the others, he started to inscribe an Illusion Array on the second floor.

“Well… this should be sufficient.”

After a moment, Chen Daoxuan examined the Illusion Array he had drawn, nodding in satisfaction. This array would allow disciples to spar with him in an illusion, and they could freely adjust the appropriate level of intensity.

“Within this Illusion Array, you can practice against me at the same cultivation level, and you can also adjust the intensity as you wish. Even if you fall in the illusion, it won’t harm you in the slightest. I’ve set up a protection to prevent any harm. Which one of you will try first?”

Chen Daoxuan looked at Leng Yanran and the others waiting behind him, and asked casually.

“Allow me to go first, Master.”

Hearing the Master’s words, Leng Yanran volunteered and took a couple of steps forward. She glanced at the Tower Spirit on the second floor, signaling that they could begin.

The Tower Spirit looked at the Pavilion Master, and since he didn’t say much, she directly activated the illusion formation. In an instant, Leng Yanran, without any resistance, found herself immersed in the illusion.

However, before she could make out anything, she had already regained consciousness.

“…”

Leng Yanran was a bit dazed, even doubting whether the illusion had started. But just now, it seemed like she had lost herself for a moment.

“Um, well, it seems I didn’t think this through. This time, challenge my Qi Sea Realm. It’s truly too difficult for you to face me at the same realm,” Chen Daoxuan keenly sensed that just now Yanran had fallen into the illusion and had been killed in less than a blink of an eye.

“Understood!”

Leng Yanran nodded quickly, not doubting Chen Daoxuan’s words in the least. Thus, this time, she chose to challenge master’s Qi Sea Realm, First Stage, in the illusion.

“Let’s begin.”

Leng Yanran’s voice fell, and the Tower Spirit quickly activated the formation. In the blink of an eye, Leng Yanran opened her eyes again, fully awake.

“…Master, disciple still hasn’t figured out how she lost,”

Leng Yanran looked at her Master, a trace of helplessness on her face. Despite having reached the Peak of Annihilation Realm, Sixth Stage, and even being capable of suppressing a Fusion Realm cultivator, she couldn’t even grasp how she had been defeated by her master’s Qi Sea Realm, First Stage, in the illusion.

“Well… Perhaps try facing the Qi Condensation Realm for now; there might be a chance.”

Chen Daoxuan rubbed his chin in silence for a moment. He hadn’t anticipated his own Qi Sea Realm being this formidable.

Finally, after setting Leng Yanran to spar against his Qi Condensation Realm, First Stage, Leng Yanran managed to persist for three breaths this time, at least witnessing how she had been defeated.

“Alright, continue training here on your own. I’m going to get some rest,” Chen Daoxuan nodded slightly, seeing that there was finally progress. With that, he left with his hands behind his back.

After he left, the second floor was left with Leng Yanran, Li Yourong, and Li Shenruo.

Leng Yanran ignored the other two and started practicing against the Qi Condensation Realm, First Stage, illusion again and again, striving to hold out longer.

Li Yourong pondered for a moment and also challenged the Qi Condensation Realm, First Stage, in the illusion. With her defensive power, she could only hold on for two or three breaths.

“Um…”

Li Shenruo considered herself far inferior to Fairy Leng in terms of strength, so she chose to challenge Senior Chen’s Body Refinement Realm, Fifth Stage. However, even though it was Chen Daoxuan’s Body Refinement Realm, Fifth Stage, without relying on any spiritual power, Li Shenruo could only hold on for a moment before being pushed out of the illusion.

…

As the days passed, Chen Daoxuan’s routine remained unchanged—sleep, drink tea, undergo tribulation.

After a full eight days, his realm broke through to the Boundless Realm, and that day’s Heavenly Tribulation was even more terrifying. It shrouded tens of thousands of miles, causing the entire Illusory Void Mountain and many surrounding forces to close up in fear, afraid to venture out.

In the span of eight days, the three within the Tower of Enlightenment experienced a full eight years of training. Even Li Yourong hadn’t slacked off during this period. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but this time, with Chen Daoxuan personally overseeing things, the Tower Spirit didn’t dare let Li Yourong mess around. She was allowed occasional rest, though.

Finally, after eight years of sparring, even though their realms hadn’t advanced, their combat strength had grown exponentially. Leng Yanran now believed that she could easily suppress even a Great Accomplishment Realm expert above the Fusion Realm. After all, she could now hold out against the master’s Qi Condensation Realm, Ninth Stage, for a considerable amount of time.

“Master!”

“Senior!”

The three of them approached Chen Daoxuan, each paying their respects. Chen Daoxuan waved his hand slightly, gesturing for them to rise.

“Senior, Shenruo has already left the Holy Mountain for quite some time. Today, I should also take my leave,” Li Shenruo looked at Senior Chen, bowing respectfully before her words were tinged with hesitation. It was evident she had something more to say, yet she seemed hesitant.

“If you have something to say, go ahead,” Chen Daoxuan understood her thoughts and nonchalantly sipped his Dao Enlightenment Tea, then inquired.

“Senior, Shenruo acknowledges missing out on a true great opportunity. Now, Shenruo doesn’t dare to hope for the chance to become a disciple under Senior, but if Senior permits, Shenruo wishes to join the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, even if it’s just as a maid…”

Li Shenruo hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking up, revealing her thoughts. She understood that in the future, she would face troubles that even the Holy Mountain couldn’t resolve. Even the influence that the Holy Mountain relied on in the Central Region might not be able to help her.

The only solution she could think of was to join the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, which might offer her opportunities in the future!

“Oh? Maid is unnecessary. Since you have this intention, this Pavilion Master is willing to give you a chance.

“After returning to the Eastern Domain this time, unify the entire region under the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, then, I can grant you a position similar to Chi Yun’s, making you a Deacon of our Heavenly Dao Pavilion,” Chen Daoxuan considered Li Shenruo’s words, then said in a plain tone.