This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

The Tai Chi diagram, like an ancient and mysterious vortex, slowly rotated, the yin and yang fish resembling ferocious beasts, mercilessly devouring the lives of the cultivators.

Xiao Xingchen walked cautiously within the black-and-red dividing line, as if treading on thin ice, as if crossing the edge of life and death.

His gaze was sharp; he could clearly see a faint path beneath his feet, leading to the gate of life.

He firmly believed that this was the entrance to the Demon Tower, and that the Demon-Suppressing Prison was like a giant maze, full of illusions.

Perhaps this is the true reason why the Demon Lord summoned him here; countless unknown truths are hidden here.

The black mist, like a thick veil, shrouded everything, and beneath it, a bottomless abyss lay open, like a ravenous beast, waiting for them to walk into its trap.

"I'm really curious about what this thing is, and why it gives off such an indescribable sense of mystery, as if it comes from another world that we've never seen before,"

Behind him, Xiao Xingxue chattered incessantly, like a noisy little bird, her curiosity about Tai Chi and Bagua overflowing.

Everyone's gazes, like burning flames, were unmistakably focused on Xiao Xingchen.

After Xiao Xingchen's reminder, both the Shen family and the Tianling camp were drawn to him as if by a magnet.

The chaotic situation finally got a chance to catch its breath, the killing was temporarily relieved, and more people began to examine this mysterious and ever-changing Tai Chi diagram.

"This is called Tai Chi Bagua. There are eight gates on the outside. As long as you find the gate of life, you can enter the Demon Tower. This is my guess, but I think it's pretty close to the truth."

Unable to withstand the crowd's persistent questioning, he had no choice but to respond. In his view, gossip was too profound for people of this world to understand. However, at the same time, the appearance of Tai Chi and Bagua here made his eyes thoughtful, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. Things were starting to get interesting; something from his past life was beginning to surface, which meant he was beginning to be qualified to access the truth.

"Could you really be from the mountain?" Xiao Xingxue nodded secretly to the elder, the two exchanging glances as they silently observed what they saw.

"Let's hurry, the two factions are catching up. If we can't get ahead of them, we'll be completely outmatched." Ling Xue stepped in at the right moment, stopping their conversation and relieving Xiao Xingchen's predicament.

"Found it, come with me,"

Suddenly, Xiao Xingchen quickened his pace. The scenery before him changed abruptly; the red and black mist vanished, replaced by a small lake.

The lake's surface shimmered and was crystal clear, creating a stark contrast with the world shrouded in black mist.

"It's unbelievable that there's such a lake here. We didn't notice anything unusual when we passed through. It's amazing!"

"That's the magic of gossip. If you can't see through it, it's like living in two different worlds; even if you're right next to someone, you won't realize it."

Xiao Xingchen explained, and then began to observe the surface of the lake.

He reached out to touch the lake water, but didn't feel any moisture, which made him frown again.

"fake?"

The others also noticed this; the lake was right in front of them, but they couldn't touch it.

"What's going on?" Ling Xue frowned.

Xiao Xingchen circled the lake a few times, then looked up at the sky, and finally asked Xiao Xingxue a question.

"You said the Xiao family has done extensive research on this place. I'd like to hear your honest opinion: what exactly is here?"

"Why do you ask that? I've always been telling the truth," Xiao Xingxue said, displeased.

"is it?"

Xiao Xingchen looked left and right. The defensive measures outside the demon tower were a bit too much. One or two might be a diversion, but he had already reached the life gate, and they were still playing tricks on him. This was a bit redundant.

Unless the secrets of the Nine-Story Demon Tower are not just what they currently know, and there is something more important being concealed, which is why, even if it seems redundant, so many checkpoints have been set up—all of this is to prevent people from entering.

"What do you mean? We're all in the same boat, I have no reason to lie to you at this time."

"It seems you don't know enough about this place, Nine-Story Demon Tower. We seem to have underestimated it."

Based on various pieces of information, it seems the Nine-Story Demon Tower is merely the surface layer, used to conceal a second, or even a third, layer. However, it now appears these rumors are somewhat exaggerated. Xiao Xingchen vaguely feels that if there's one true Demon-Suppressing Tower, he's more inclined to believe it's the Silent Temple he first encountered; that's the real place where the great demon is suppressed.

But if this conjecture is true, then what exactly is this nine-story demon tower? He kept comparing his first experience entering the Silent Temple with this one, and finally came to the conclusion that the two places had absolutely nothing in common.

"What do you mean,"

"Don't you understand what I mean? Maybe this isn't a demon-suppressing tower at all. We've never even been inside. Who can prove that this nine-story demon tower definitely imprisons a demon?"

"Impossible. Our Xiao family's ancient records state that a great demon is imprisoned here." Xiao Xingxue's tone had already wavered slightly. She also sensed that something was strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was so strange.

"Get ready, what's coming next might just blow your mind."

Xiao Xingchen focused his mind.

"A flower in a mirror and the moon in the water, also known as 'flower in the moon and reflection in the water,' refers to flowers in a mirror and the moon reflected in water," ignoring the gazes around him, he slowly stepped onto the lake's surface.

"All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, dew, and lightning; thus should they be viewed."

"The Three Realms and Six Paths are merely manifestations of one's own mind; they are like reflections of the moon in water, mirror images, and still others—how can they be born or die?"

. . .

As he murmured, a mysterious aura appeared around him. Instead of causing him to fall into the lake, the steps he took left a golden footprint, and he continued walking step by step along the lake's surface.

"Follow in my footsteps, or one wrong step will lead to utter ruin."

Xiao Xingchen sighed. He never expected to see a mirage here, a tangled web of illusion and emptiness that created the unreal, ethereal phenomenon. And to his surprise, scriptures only monks could understand appeared in his mind.

These interpretations of the scriptures appeared suddenly, as if they were part of a pre-ordained program, emerging on their own after we stepped into the illusion of reality.

At the same time, a figure sitting cross-legged could be faintly seen in front of him, and Buddhist chants began to echo in his ears as he moved forward.