Chapter 172: Chaos Tower

Leaving the scandalous thoughts aside, Yu Xuan spent a little longer in the bath, enjoying the warmth, before finally stepping out. He dried himself, slipped into a fresh set of robes, his usual Yu Clan ones and adjusted them neatly.Just as he reached for the door, a loud voice nearly made him flinch.

"Xuan’er! Are you awake yet?"

He slid the door open to find his sister already waiting. Lingluo stood proudly in her new robes, royal purple in color, the bold character Chaos embroidered across the chest. Two bright lines ran down her sleeves, marking her cultivation rank for all to see.

Yu Xuan rubbed his ears. "I’m ready, sister. And don’t yell like that, you’ll bring the whole peak running."

Lingluo only grinned. Without further delay, the two siblings headed out. First stop: a light breakfast.

The main market of Chaos Heaven Peak was bustling even this early. Yu Xuan’s gaze darted about as they walked, taking in the sight of countless cultivators of varying levels moving to and fro, trading items, chatting, arguing, even showing off their techniques. The air itself buzzed with chaotic vitality — it wasn’t just a market, it was the heartbeat of the peak.

They found a decent-looking shop tucked between two larger ones and ordered something simple to fill their stomachs. While they waited, a commotion broke out nearby. Two disciples had squared off, their voices rising with each exchange.

"You’re obviously shorter than me!"

"Hah? Open your eyes! I’m clearly taller than you, frog-brain!"

Yu Xuan turned his head, expecting a classic towering face-off... only to see two squat figures, barely reaching 4.5 feet each, glaring at one another with veins popping on their foreheads. Their race was peculiar, naturally short in stature, but apparently just as obsessed with height.

He blinked, thinking some struggles are truly universal.

Lingluo stifled a laugh behind her sleeve, while other disciples nearby began cheering, taking bets on who would "measure taller" when someone finally pulled out a measuring tape.

Breakfast arrived soon after, pulling them away from the spectacle. They ate quickly, exchanged a knowing glance at the still-arguing duo, and moved on.

The path eventually widened into a grand plaza. And there it was — the Chaos Tower.

A massive pagoda rose into the heavens, each tier radiating an untamed aura, as if the tower itself were carved out of pure chaotic will. Its presence was overwhelming yet magnetic, drawing cultivators like moths to flame. Strange runes pulsed faintly across its surface, patterns twisting and shifting in ways that defied logic, as though the tower was alive and breathing.

Yu Xuan stopped in his tracks, staring up.

"So this is the Chaos Tower?" he muttered, his voice low.

The energy washing over him wasn’t like normal spiritual qi. It was jagged, unpredictable, constantly shifting, yet perfectly balanced at its core. He could only describe it as... chaos given form.

Beside him, Lingluo’s eyes sparkled. "Brother... this is where countless geniuses proved themselves."

Yu Xuan exhaled slowly, his heartbeat quickening.

’Maybe I can finally acquire a nice pet... preferably one that flies.’ he thought.

Imagine soaring above the sect with a majestic beast while everyone below stares in awe. Now that would be cool.

Shaking off the daydream, he stepped forward with Lingluo, joining the line that wound its way toward the base of the tower. From the chatter around them, it seemed disciples could enter either solo or in groups.

"Sister, should we go together or separately?" he asked.

Lingluo raised a brow. "Why, are you ashamed to go in with me?"

"It’s not that," Yu Xuan smirked, "I just thought you’d hold me back."

Smack.

"Hmph, don’t act cocky," Lingluo said, bonking him on the head. Her silver-violet hair shimmered faintly as she narrowed her eyes at him.

Yu Xuan chuckled, but he knew she’d been feeling the pressure since learning he could already use spirit sense. Apparently, she’d marched straight to her master afterward, demanding to learn it too.

From what Yu Xuan heard, her master looked as though she was swallowing vinegar but still gave in, teaching her the basics. Lingluo wasn’t proficient yet, but she was catching on fast. That was just how she was.

As the line inched forward, Yu Xuan noticed members of the Discipline Committee stationed nearby. Their posture was strict, but their faces were pale, weary, and dark-eyed — like overworked clerks forced to do night shifts without overtime pay.

’Even mighty cultivators can’t escape duties, huh?’ Yu Xuan mused.

Finally, it was their turn.

"Are you going in as a group?" the disciple at the registry desk asked. His tone was bored, but his eyes lit up slightly when he spotted Lingluo. Recognition flashed across his face — she was, after all, rumored to be the direct disciple of a peak master.

Yu Xuan and Lingluo nodded together, presenting their medallions. The registrar placed them on a strange jade device, which glowed faintly, marking their entry time before sliding the medallions back across the desk.

"Next," the registrar called, already moving on to the disciple behind them.

But his thoughts lingered.

’So that boy is with her too... must be a junior disciple. Strange, though. Something about him feels unusual.’

Of course, he didn’t even consider the possibility that Yu Xuan was an irregular. After all, irregulars were treated like legends — beings who bent the rules of cultivation itself. To even confirm such a status, an elder would have to personally declare it. For now, Yu Xuan was just another face in the crowd.

And so, with no fanfare, no grand announcement, the siblings stepped forward.

The towering pagoda loomed above them, runes glowing faintly as if acknowledging their presence.

Yu Xuan tightened his grip on his sword hilt, a mix of excitement and nerves buzzing in his chest.

Chaos Tower... now what chaotic thing will happen inside only time knows.

Together, side by side, Yu Xuan and Lingluo crossed the massive door, ready to face whatever challenges awaited within.