The protagonist stole my spiritual root? Hey, heroine, give birth to me!

On the tenth floor, Chen Xuan was suddenly confronted by a beautiful woman.

"Oh? This is a bit novel. Is this going to challenge my weakness? But if I really fall for it, won't I be bounced out of the tower?" Chen Xuan was both happy and conflicted.

"What weakness? What do you mean by that?" the beautiful woman suddenly asked.

"Hmm? Is its intelligence level this high? I'll give it a try!"

Chen Xuan was startled and walked straight up to the beautiful woman, reaching out to pinch her cheek.

"You... lecherous scoundrel! What are you trying to do?!" The beautiful woman took a step back, somewhat regretting coming out to talk to this... young man.

Chen Xuan withdrew his hand, a mischievous grin on his face: "Haha, don't be nervous. I just want to see if you're like those phantoms in the stories, the kind that dissipate at the slightest touch."

And can't you guys come up with any creative level designs for these towers? It's either fighting monsters or these emotional traps; I'm getting tired of it. Can't you add some puzzles or treasure hunts, like in a game?

"Storybooks?? No creativity???"

The beautiful woman's eyebrows shot up, and she glared angrily: "Insolence! What do you take this place for, daring to spout such nonsense! This trial ground is meant to test your mind and strength, how dare you treat it with such contempt?"

Chen Xuan shrugged nonchalantly: "Testing your mindset? I think it's testing your patience. You always use these old tricks, I can predict what will happen next."

"Don't you find it boring to play this role? Can't you tell me about the tower's origins or reveal some tips for clearing it? Just following the script is so dull."

The beautiful woman trembled with rage: "You...you are utterly unreasonable! This is a trial left by our ancestors, how dare you presume to understand it? If you continue to be so rude, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Chen Xuan's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward: "Oh, you're not being polite? How so? Are you going to suddenly conjure up a bunch of monsters to attack me?"

"Let me tell you, I've seen this trick eight times already. Can't you come up with something new, like a cooking competition... No way, I'm from Earth. Your food is like horse piss; it's no match for me. Forget it!"

"Bah! If I had known this would happen, I should have gone to find those lucky ones earlier!" the beautiful woman exclaimed angrily.

"A person blessed with good fortune??" Chen Xuan was stunned for a moment.

"You're not the tenth level? You're a real person? That doesn't make sense, or... you're a spirit of the artifact!"

"How...how did you know?" The beautiful woman looked shocked when she heard Chen Xuan mention the spirit of the artifact.

"Isn't this obvious? It's a solo trial; apart from the artifact spirit, no one else can interfere! What surprises me, though, is that you're not an NPC!"

"Huh?? You're talking nonsense again!"

"Don't worry about that. Tell me, why did you come to see me? Why did you stop me from climbing?"

"I...I spit on you! I only came out because I heard you keep saying that our family's pagoda is bad!"

"family??"

Chen Xuan blinked, then shook his head helplessly:

"Alright, is that all? You're such a short-tempered spirit. I was just venting, I didn't actually do anything to your pagoda."

But then again, as the spirit of the artifact, wouldn't you like to make this pagoda more interesting? How many powerful figures can be attracted to try and conquer it if the trials are always the same old thing?

Upon hearing this, the beautiful woman retorted angrily, "This pagoda has been passed down for many years, and the trial method has always been the same. How can you change it at will! The rules left by our ancestors have their own reasons, and it is not up to you, a mere brat, to point fingers!"

Chen Xuan, the little bear, shrugged: "Reason? I think it's just being stuck in the past. Look, so many years have passed, the outside world is changing rapidly, and all sorts of new and exciting things are emerging one after another, but you guys in this tower are still sticking to the old ways."

If I succeed in passing the trial and tell others how boring this pagoda trial is, who would want to come?

The beautiful woman's expression froze, as if she was choked by Chen Xuan's words. After a moment, she gritted her teeth and said, "You...you mustn't try to bewitch me! I am the spirit of this pagoda, and it is my duty to protect its heritage."

"Besides... I have a priceless treasure, so I'm not afraid of no one coming!"

"Why do you talk like a little girl... huh?"

Chen Xuan's eyes lit up, and an idea came to him: "Protecting the heritage is not wrong, but the heritage must also keep pace with the times."

"Look, if you told me about the origins of this pagoda, maybe I could give you some ideas to make the trial more attractive. Then, with more talented people coming to challenge it, wouldn't the pagoda's reputation become even greater?"

Chen Xuan didn't dare say that this place had become a ruin, and no one knew when it would be the next time someone came to visit.

Upon hearing this, the beautiful woman hesitated for a moment, then looked at Chen Xuan warily: "You...you really have a way? Why should I believe you?"

"If you don't believe me, what can I do? Fine, I'll just wait until I reach the 108th floor and get the treasure, then I'll tell everyone that your tower is no good, especially the spirit inside..."

As Chen Xuan spoke, he was about to approach and begin the trial on the tenth floor.

Although this woman is the spirit of the artifact, she is also the core code of this pagoda... cough cough, its power!

The most crucial ability is still the one that tests those who come to cultivate, so she has no right to interfere.

"Hmph, you? You think you can even get into the 108th level of the trial? I'm not even sure if you'll make it up to those two lucky ones?"

"Think what you want, and even if I can't get up there, I can still talk to others about it once I get out!"

"You...stop!" After hearing Chen Xuan's words, the beautiful woman finally relented.

After all, there was nothing she could do during the trial.

"Oh? You're willing to talk now?"

The beautiful woman gritted her teeth and finally spoke: "Fine, I'll tell you. This tower is called the Mysterious Jade Tower, and it was forged by my Ling family ancestors with supreme divine power."

The Ling family is a renowned clan in the Immortal Realm, possessing numerous immortal techniques and secret scriptures, and boasting countless powerful figures. Their ancestors built this Xuan Yu Tower so that their descendants could hone themselves through trials and obtain the inherited power within the tower.

"The power of inheritance?"

Chen Xuan's eyes lit up, and he pressed on, "And what about you? What is your status in the Ling family?"