I Cultivated Too Long and Got Isekai’d Into a Game

Even after the five knights crumbled into golden mist, no one lowered their guard. They weren't sure if that was the end of the trial—or just the beginning...

But then, the invisible barriers keeping them within their own sections quietly vanished. It was a minor change, but at least half of them noticed it instantly.

Xu Tao blinked once, then furrowed his brow.

Despite the barrier going down, the Dao Law suppressing all forms of communication had not vanished. It still lingered, making it impossible to understand any words spoken between them.

"We did it... We won! We defeated those immortal knights!"

"Fuck, I don't know what you're saying at all, but let's celebrate! YEAAAH!"

"Another trial cleared! Great Sir Xu Tao, please let us hug your thigh until we reach the top~!"

He couldn't understand a word they were saying, but their body language was obvious. They were all cheering in excitement over clearing another trial.

Xu Tao looked around. He saw Jehanne waving at him energetically. Zetian gave a cool nod of acknowledgment. Yifa darted toward him, arms waving wildly, clearly trying to ask something.

But every word remained behind a veil of confusion. Not even Xu Tao could understand what she was saying. Using a mind-reading technique, he could sense her emotions and a hint of intent—but that was about it.

Xu Tao let out a slow breath and gestured for them to calm down.

He pointed toward the large glowing array that had formed after their victory. Though words failed, his meaning was clear.

"The next trial awaits. No use staying here," he said, expecting no one to understand.

Unable to talk to each other, they couldn't even review the trial or compare notes. Neither could their words of compliment reach their target. Xu Tao could only express himself physically—patting Yifa and Jehanne's heads as he passed them, walking toward the center.

"Hah! Did you see what I did, Xu Tao? You can't handle me!!!" Achilles approached Xu Tao with a wide grin, his pride returning bit by bit.

"..."

But Xu Tao simply patted his head, same as the other two, as if praising a child for a job well done. Achilles was flabbergasted, standing still, staring at Xu Tao in disbelief.

Bit by bit, the group followed his lead, gathering near the array.

Some were still attempting gestures or mouthing words with exaggerated enunciation, hoping someone would understand. But in the end, their attempts failed miserably.

Left with no choice, they followed Xu Tao's example and stepped onto the array, one by one.

As soon as they did, a warm golden glow enveloped them, and they vanished from the third floor.

🔷🔷🔷

When their senses returned, everyone let out a gasp.

They had not arrived in another marble chamber, nor a familiar floor structure. Instead, they stood beneath a bright blue sky. A golden sun glowed strongly above, its gentle warmth reaching their skin.

The wind carried the scent of grass and wildflowers, both of which spread all around them. The ground beneath their feet was soft, green, and endless in all directions—hills and plains scattered sporadically.

Many of them were murmuring words, but as expected, they couldn't understand anyone else but themselves. The Dao Law limiting comprehension was still in place. In short, they were still inside the tower, despite the scenery looking like the outside world.

Xu Tao narrowed his eyes, touching the ground while inspecting it.

A few others—Jehanne, Yifa, Zetian, and even Achilles—had already begun to explore. They spread out across the open field, eager to test how far it extended. Achilles even ran with long strides toward the far edge of the plains, like a dog finally let out of the house... only to stop suddenly.

BAM!

"ACK!"

He lurched back, hitting his head against something invisible. "Bastard... How dare you block this demigod's path!" he growled, punching the empty air. As his fist landed, a barrier shimmered faintly, spreading radially before the light dimmed slowly.

Seeing this, Xu Tao nodded to himself.

"As expected. This is still inside the Tower. Although... this grassland isn't an illusion either," he whispered, flabbergasted.

Such a mysterious place, even he couldn't figure out how it came to be.

Seeing Achilles's lead, others followed suit. Almost everyone began walking farther in different directions. All of them came to the same realization Xu Tao had: this wasn't true wilderness. The fourth floor was just as bounded as the rest—only more... mystical.

The sky, too, didn't change upon closer inspection. The sun stood still, and no clouds moved. It was like a beautifully painted illusion turned reality, stretching across a massive dome.

As the last of them stepped through, the glowing array behind them flickered and dimmed. Gone was the soft hum of energy. The array was inert, as if sealed behind them.

"No way out..."

Xu Tao muttered, watching the now-useless platform.

Other than the portal they had passed through, he couldn't see or sense any other exit. His senses scanned the entire space—every blade of grass, every speck of dirt—but no monsters existed. No monoliths stood, and no mysterious voice spoke a riddle.

"This trial... is trickier than the others," he sighed.

A trial that gave no instructions. A floor that looked like paradise but offered neither food nor drinking water. Absolutely nothing.

He folded his arms, then sat cross-legged right where he stood.

'If there's no foe to face, no puzzle to solve, then the only option left is patience,' he thought, beginning to meditate on the spot.

Jehanne tilted her head, watching him.

She looked at the others who were frolicking about, searching for an exit, before deciding to mimic him. She sat cross-legged on the grass, closing her eyes... quietly taking a whiff of his scent with every breath.

Zetian clicked her tongue, feeling slighted by Jehanne sitting beside Xu Tao, and rolled her eyes... before heading to his other side and following suit. Starting to cultivate quietly.

The Azure Dragon Sect's outer disciples came next, sitting comfortably near Xu Tao's back to meditate. Then Jehanne's soldiers approached her side, sitting down and staying quiet.

Their actions were seen as laziness at first. But one by one, the rest understood.

If Xu Tao, the strongest among them, wasn't frantically searching or trying to escape, then there was probably no need for them to panic either.

Before long, everyone did as they wished, biding their time while trying to relax. In silence, under the false blue sky, they waited.

And so, the fourth trial began—not one of combat or riddles, but of stillness and patience.