In the alchemy chamber, the terrifying aura of the divine ability gradually faded, its power exceeding Daoling's expectations. Yet he sensed it was incomplete.
"Whether complete or not, this divine ability is extremely powerful," Daoling thought, "but it can only be fully unleashed after reaching the Soul Convergence Realm."
"I should tell Ziyu in a few days. What exactly is the significance of this ability?" Daoling clenched his fist. Ever since Ziyu urged him to master the Yin-Yang Palm, he had sensed its profound importance. Given its current terrifying potential, it might be a残缺 (incomplete) divine ability. Regardless, Ziyu had shown no ill will, so he would ask her later.
"First, attempt the tenth floor. If I fail, I'll break through to Soul Convergence—my Body Forging Realm is already consummate."
Daoling rose and left. The ninth floor's pressure was now negligible, and he soon reached the tenth-floor portal. Like a golden sun ablaze, it emanated a sacred, solemn aura that quelled any thought of亵渎（blasphemy）.
Clenching his fist, he surrounded himself with golden runes, forming a shimmering battle armor. A layer of colored-glass pill fire wreathed his body, while a purple pagoda hovered above, casting violet rays. With triple defenses, he took a deep breath and stepped through the portal.
The moment he entered, a tsunami of terror surged forth, crashing like a dragon emerging from the sea, shaking heaven and earth.
Rumble!
The purple pagoda vibrated under the onslaught, shattering instantly from the residual force. Daoling paled—this treasure was sturdier than his body!
"Not good!" he roared, retracting the pill fire. *To enter, I must rely on my body alone.* External treasures would only be obliterated.
Pressure like an ancient mountain bore down, making his bones creak. Golden blood energy erupted from within, transforming him into a young celestial god resisting the tide. Though his Body Forging aura was earth-shattering, the relentless pressure cracked his sinews, inflicting severe wounds.
"Pu..." He vomited blood, flung backward. Sitting cross-legged, he channeled energy to heal. *Is this a test for descendants?*
Daoling refused to believe even the Martial Emperor could pass. *No one can enter—this must be a jest by the pagoda's creator.*
Healing rapidly, he stood at peak condition the next day, eyes fixed on the portal. *Brute force won't work, but I can outlast it.*
Charging in again, he withstood mountainous pressures, but endless waves would drain his potential. *Here goes!* He roared, opening his pores to absorb the pressure like a furnace, risking his body's destruction.
Clenching his fists, he activated the Devouring Heaven Scripture, guiding primal energy to repair his treasure body. Merging with the pagoda's aura, he absorbed energy faster, though his body trembled on the verge of explosion.
"Am I courting death?" he wondered, bloodied but advancing. Then he saw a rusted ancient sword hilt embedded in the passage. *The purple pagoda shattered, but this sword remains? Is it beyond a treasure artifact?*
He tugged at the hilt, but it weighed like a mountain, unmoving. *Perhaps only when the pressure lifts...* Bloodstains along the path hinted at fallen prodigies.
Consuming half a drop of Life Essence Liquid, he pressed on, exhausting two drops and只剩 (only) half left. The passage's depths radiated holy might, with chaotic qi pouring from the final portal.
"The end!" Daoling's eyes lit—this was the tenth floor's threshold. A fresh bloodstain shocked him—left recently, perhaps by the Martial Emperor! *Did he enter?*
Grim-faced, he approached the portal. If the Martial Emperor, the Small Martial Dao Stele's number one, had struggled here, the challenge was immense. *Is he truly the mightiest in the Mystic Domain?*
"Entering! I must see what lies within!" he growled, covered in golden runes, golden blood energy surging. With a长啸（Long howl）, he stomped forward.
A deafening crash resounded, as if the sky were collapsing. In his mind, a golden shadow sat in the void—an omnipotent deity, ruler of all. Overwhelming fear urged submission, but Daoling roared, burning his spirit to shatter the illusion.
Suddenly, his body opened a pure land, erupting with saintly might. He defied the heavens, eyes like celestial swords. The universe seemed to collapse, then cleared to reveal a serene, sacred land—lush, radiant, and filled with primal life force.
Gasping, Daoling looked around in confusion. *Where is the deity?* The mental pressure had vanished, replaced by tranquility. Then his eyes lit on a pool ahead, shining with divine light, emanating the essence of all things.
"Is this... the tenth floor?"