MTLNOVEL Chapter 154: Climbing Diligently
Xu Tao's sermon lasted a full hour.
Although it felt like a waste of time for some, to others, it was a time filled with epiphanies and learning. Even the mistakes they had been unconsciously making were pointed out and could now be fixed!
"…I guess that's all for now," Xu Tao sighed, checking everyone's faces.
Half looked tired, while the other half looked excited. Some were already swinging their weapons or practicing their skills, trying to figure out and correct the weaknesses Xu Tao had identified—diligently working to improve themselves!
Ignoring them, Xu Tao turned to look at the other end of the coliseum.
Previously, it had been a sealed area with no exit except for the seemingly open skies. Though that was just an illusion—like the resting floor of the fourth trial—it had been covered with an invisible barrier.
Now that the knights had all been eliminated, a gate opened on the far end, the one previously blocked off by the knights. Through it, they should be able to leave the coliseum and reach the next floor to face the sixth trial.
"We wasted a lot of time reflecting on mistakes," Xu Tao said, arms behind his back. "Now, it's time we head to the next trial. Let's go."
Of course, no one could understand his words. But seeing him walk forward, everyone made way for him, then followed his lead toward the exit.
The next trial awaits!
🔷🔷🔷
The Tower of Babel—or rather, the Tower of Broken Languages—was designed so that its difficulty increased with every floor.
Floors like the fifth trial, where they had to fight as a group, or the third, where they had to split up and conquer sections equally, were the most common. Every now and then, riddle floors designed to undermine team unity would also appear.
Of course, the Dao Law preventing them from understanding each other's speech remained active. That's why, normally, they should've had great difficulty climbing the tower...
"Should" being the keyword.
Realizing that techniques relying on images rather than words worked well, Xu Tao practically carried the entire team up the tower with his skills.
In moments when they were in the same space, he used the direct method of Qi Thread Transmission. When they had to split up or were separated by a transparent wall, he used projection-type transmission techniques.
As a result, for their progression, not being able to understand one another's language became a trivial matter. It didn't even amount to a challenge!
Of course, there were still moments when they had trouble. Like during the 16th trial, where each of them was separated into individual maze-like structures. They had to find their own way out.
Even Xu Tao was troubled by how to lead the others in that situation… until he realized the endpoint was the same for everyone. Knowing that—and that a "right" path existed for each person—he decided to use an old technique he seldom employed.
"I haven't used this technique in forever…"
At the Golden Core stage, there was one technique practically required for all cultivators to learn: the cloning technique.
There were hundreds of variations using various mediums and materials, but Xu Tao preferred one famously used by the Heaven's Equal Great Sage, a legendary figure in the cultivation world.
He plucked a single strand of hair, holding it on the top of his palm. Then, he muttered a few words that couldn't be understood before blowing the strand out of his hand.
The next moment, the hair flew from his palm and transformed, taking on Xu Tao's own image. A clone that possessed virtually the same appearance and strength as he did—though this was nothing more than an illusion.
The clone was like a small robot one could program to follow commands. Depending on the caster's ability, it could behave just as naturally as a real human. But in Xu Tao's hands, it was practically the ultimate cheat.
"Looks like it still works properly," Xu Tao nodded, satisfied.
"Alright, go. Each time you encounter a fork in the path, split up and send one clone in each direction. When you find someone, guide them back to the entrance."
"Yes."
The clone simply nodded, then walked back along the path Xu Tao had taken.
At every split in the path, copies of Xu Tao popped out as naturally as if the same body was moving in three directions at once. If others had seen it, they would've rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
"Oh, Sir Tao!"
"My Emperor, so you came to lead the way."
"Ugh, it's you again…"
Reactions varied when his clones found their escort targets, but most were positive. As soon as a clone located someone, it split into two—one to continue exploring, the other to guide the person to the exit.
In this way, a maze supposedly designed to take 24 hours to clear was completed in just 2 hours!
The following trials presented little challenge, especially after several rounds of Xu Tao "teaching" them all.
By the 25th floor—practically halfway through the tower—Xu Tao made a decision.
"Alright, let's rest up here for now."
Despite their speed in clearing the trials, and with Xu Tao's support at that, they had gone through numerous tough challenges. Although the core group remained lively, the rest were already nearing their limits.
Fatigue—both mental and physical—had piled up like a mountain.
They could barely keep up with Xu Tao's instructions anymore, which not only endangered their own lives, but everyone else's as well. Thus, the decision to take a break was more necessity than luxury.
Though they didn't understand Xu Tao's words, seeing him sit casually on the ground—despite the surroundings looking like a hellscape—everyone followed suit.
They sat down, lay on the ground, slept, or ate food. Each person spent time in their own way, trying to recover their stamina and mental strength.
"Just halfway up and already like this…" Xu Tao sighed, shaking his head. "Looks like just raising their levels really isn't enough to make them strong."
Little did anyone know that at this moment, he had already decided their fates. They'd have no idea until they returned... a few days later.