"Sect Leader, the young Sect Leader not only trespassed the forbidden land but also unilaterally opened the Sword Tomb's seal, causing an upheaval of the Violet and Azure swords, resulting in the death and injury of dozens of Shu Mountain disciples.
"According to Shu Mountain's rules, he should be stripped of his status as a young sect leader and banished to the Locking Demon Tower, never to rise again.”
"We plead with the Sect Leader to demote him and banish him to the Locking Demon Tower, never to rise again.”
"We plead with the Sect Leader to demote him and banish him to the Locking Demon Tower, never to rise again!"
Inside the grand hall of Shu Mountain, the elders and high-level officials all hold grave expressions, strongly demanding to demote the young Sect Leader, Zhao Fan!
Sharp and shrill reprimands resounded in Zhao Fan's ears, slowly brining his confused consciousness to clarity.
"Did I actually cross over?"
"Two days ago, because of the confusion of others, the original trespasser broke into the forbidden land of Shu Mountain, unveiling the seal of the Sword Tomb, leading to the violence of the Violet and Azure Swords, causing dozens of Shu Mountain disciples to be injured or killed.”
"Shu Mountain is filled with unprecedented rage. Today I was brought into the large hall for judgment, but I crossed over at this moment."
Zhao Fan couldn't help but bitterly smile; he had just crossed over to become the young Sect Leader of Shu Mountain, and he hasn't had a chance to make his mark before being banished to the Locking Demon Tower.
Such a dramatic event happening to him was absolutely ridiculous.
"Sect Leader, I object."
"My older brother was under the trickery of others, that's why he accidentally entered the forbidden land and opened the seal of the Sword Tomb. I implore the Sect Leader to be lenient."
At this moment, the only one who stepped forward to plead for mercy was Zhao Fan's younger brother, Zhao Cheng.
Those who were usually close to young Sect Leader Zhao Fan, either remained silent, or emphatically supported the proposal of the elders and high officials.
"Zhao Cheng, step back." The sect leader of Shu Mountain, Zhao Sihai, wore a grim face as if his heart was being twisted into a knot, signaling his younger son to stand aside.
"Father..."
"Big brother, but he's your biological son!"
"Did you not hear me clearly? I said, step back!"
Zhao Sihai furrowed his brows, his tone hardened.
Detecting the change in his father's tone, Zhao Cheng clenched his fists, his face showing reluctance, but he silently stepped aside.
Zhao Sihai turned his gaze to his son Zhao Fan, who had been stripped of his cultivation abilities. There was a trace of reluctance in his eyes, but after mulling over it, he still said in a cold tone, "Issue my order, strip Zhao Fan of his status as the junior sect leader and exile him to the Demon Locking Tower."
"Without my decree, Zhao Fan shall not step out of the Demon Locking Tower."
...
In this world of cultivators where strength reigns supreme, being deprived of all cultivation and exiled to the Demon Locking Tower meant virtually no chance of turning over a new leaf.
Led by the law enforcement elders and disciples from the Ethics Hall, Zhao Fan was quickly escorted to the forbidden grounds of Shu Mountain. The place was desolate and remote with withered vegetation and piles of rubble.
Not far away, an ancient bronze tower stood tall and majestic.
The ancient bronze tower was incredibly huge, with patches of verdigris on its body, resembling a towering mountain, reaching into the clouds.
"Creak!"
With the thick and rust-mottled tower door opening, a wave of decay and deathly aura hit them!
This was the renowned Hidden Demon Pagoda of Shushan!
Tens of thousands of years ago, the Hidden Demon Pagoda lived up to its name, suppressing exceptional demons. Eventually, as the Shushan Sword Techniques declined, most of the demons within the tower passed away, transforming this place into a jail for Shushan criminals.
Any disciple of Shushan who committed a serious crime would be stripped of their cultivation base and detained here.
In front of the Hidden Demon Pagoda, Zhao Fan stood in disheveled hair, looking desolate and forlorn against the backdrop of two giant, rugged statues.
"What a pity."
"The Young Sect Leader was originally full of promise, possibly becoming the new Sect Leader of Shushan in hundreds of years, leading thousands to tens of thousands of cultivators."
"Who would have thought that he would trespass the forbidden place due to a moment of recklessness, causing the Ziqing twin swords to go berserk, resulting in the deaths and injuries of so many disciples."
"Once locked in the Hidden Demon Pagoda, I'm afraid it wouldn't take long before he dies a miserable death inside."
Watching the desolate figure of Zhao Fan, a disciple of the Rules Hall shook his head and sighed.
"Isn't it?"
"The environment in this Hidden Demon Pagoda is damp and cold, and there are still horrifying deathly auras left by the demons who passed away. Even for cultivated people like you and me, we won't be able to survive inside for long."
Another disciple of the Rules Hall replied sympathetically.
Five hundred years ago, an elder member of Shushan lost his way into the netherworld and slaughtered many disciples of Shushan. He was suppressed by the Sect Leader of the time and sent to the Hidden Demon Pagoda, where he died a violent death in less than a few years.
Two hundred years ago, a prestigious demon infiltrated Shushan and was suppressed by the three elders, who then locked him in the Hidden Demon Pagoda. Within two years, the fame-infamous demon had died within the tower.
Eighty years ago, Sun Zhi, known as one of the top ten strongest masters in Shushan and a master of the Liuyun Sword, was caught practicing the forbidden techniques of the sect. He was imprisoned in the Hidden Demon Pagoda by the current Sect Leader and passed away within three months.
The Demon-Sealing Tower, had nearly witnessed all the tumultuous years of the Shu Mountain in recent history.
Few of those who were imprisoned in the tower could live long.
"He deserved this punishment. Let it be a warning to all of you."
"As disciples of the Commandments Hall, you must not only abide by the Shu Mountain's commandments but must also strictly supervise other disciples. This will prevent them from breaking the rules and end up facing such a tragic end."
The Enforcement Elder had a severe look on his face as he admonished his disciples. He used Zhao Fan as an example of what not to do.
Upon hearing the exchange between the Enforcement Elder and the disciples, Zhao Fan had a look of reluctance and murmured to himself, "Is this how it ends for me? Will I meet a tragic end soon?"
"Ding, the check-in system is activated. Do you wish to check-in in front of the Demon-Sealing Tower?"
Just as Zhao Fan was in despair, a voice suddenly sounded in his mind.
Even though the Golden Finger may arrive late, it is not too late in the end.
Zhao Fan was a bit surprised but also felt a bit nervous. He did not know what purpose this system serves and could it help him to get out of this predicament.
"Check-in." Zhao Fan said hesitantly.
"Ding, you have successfully checked-in in front of the Demon-Sealing Tower. Reward: Innate Sword Physique!"
In a blink of an eye, a strong, warm current appeared out of nowhere and rushed into Zhao Fan's body. His body, which had become weak after losing his cultivation base, at this moment, filled with powerful energy once again.
"Excellent."
"The system's ability is so against the heavens."
Zhao Fan was incredibly shocked, he could profoundly sense that his own body had become immensely powerful!
"System, can I sign in repeatedly?"
Zhao Fan asked urgently, if he could sign in repeatedly, wouldn't that mean he could receive more rewards?
"You can only sign in once a day. As long as it is in an area where the air of Tian Dao is rich, the reward from the system will not decrease despite repeated sign-ins."
"Detecting that the Host's current location is indeed an area where the air of Tian Dao is rich. Would you like to set it as the permanent sign-in point?"
Upon hearing the system's prompt, Zhao Fan was taken aback, quickly pondering to himself, could the Demon Tower be the special area that the system was referring to?
"Agree," Zhao Fan promptly replied.
"The system has successfully set the Demon Tower as the permanent sign-in point. The Host can repeatedly sign in for different rewards until the air of Tian Dao disappears."
Having obtained confirmation from the system, Zhao Fan felt secretly delighted.
"With this in mind, wouldn't I be able to safely hole up in the Demon Tower, gaining rewards from the system sign-in, and continuously enhancing my capabilities?"
"This is a world of cultivators where power speaks volumes. Even without mentioning the tumultuous outside world, even Mount Shu is full of undercurrents."
"Once I become strong enough with the help of the system, wouldn't it be safer to leave the Demon Tower then?"
Mulling over these points, Zhao Fan felt relieved, even being confined in the Demon Tower seemed acceptable now.
For most people, the Demon Tower is a deadly trap, but for the current Zhao Fan, it could actually be an inexhaustible treasure trove.
Not waiting for the Disciplinary Hall disciples to urge him, a smile appeared on Zhao Fan's face, and he decisively walked into the Demon Tower.
This sight left the disciples of the Discipline Hall in dumbfounded silence, even the law enforcement elder not far off exhibited an expression of surprise.
"Young Sect Leader, what's going on?"
"He actually laughed foolishly and walked into the Monster Locking Tower willingly. Did he crack under pressure and go nuts?"
"Hey, to think that the formerly mighty Young Sect Leader would end up in this state."
Upon noticing Zhao Fan's behavior, the disciples of the Discipline Hall looked at each other in disbelief. Anyone else, when brought to the entrance of the Monster Locking Tower, would adamantly refuse to enter.
That's because everyone knows, once you step into the Monster Locking Tower, your life is effectively over.
Before, regarding some obstinate Shu Mountain sinners, they even had to knock them unconscious to throw them in.
And yet, Zhao Fan went in with a smile on his face, as if rather pleased, willingly entering the Monster Locking Tower. If this wasn't madness, then what was it?
The disciples of the Discipline Hall, almost in unison let out sighs of their own.
"What a pity."
"One wrong step, and it's an irrevocable downfall."
The law enforcement elder also shook his head, thereupon turning towards a young female disciple and saying, "Zhang Qian, you are the youngest disciple of our Discipline Hall. From here on out, you will be in charge of delivering meals to the Young Sect Leader."
"He is now a waste who cannot cultivate, but he is nevertheless the Sect Leader's own son. Don't neglect your duties, or you'll be held accountable!"
"Elder Yan, don’t worry, I'll take good care of the Young Sect Leader."
This girl named Zhang Qian, innocent and cute, nodded obediently. Blinking her big eyes, she watched Zhao Fan walking into the Monster Locking Tower, a trace of sympathy showing through her gaze.
