"It seems that the attack methods of these trials can still be changed!" Xu Ran muttered to himself.

Rather than saying the attack methods have changed, it’s more accurate to say that they have improved.

The previously encountered Celestial Spirit Sword Array realized that Spiritual Attack could not cause damage to Xu Ran; on the contrary, it could become the raw material for him to replenish Innate Qi. Therefore, once the Spiritual Attack fails, it will autonomously dissipate in the Sea of Spirit.

Rather than saying the attack methods have improved, it’s more accurate to say that Xu Ran’s adversaries are becoming increasingly powerful.

To achieve this level of mastery over Spiritual Power, it’s not just a matter of degrees!

"It seems that this black clock is much more powerful than imagined."

As soon as the words were spoken.

A ripple visible to the naked eye spread from the black clock, accompanied by a violent ’clang’ sound.

It was a soundwave that had already materialized.

Upon seeing this, Xu Ran’s eyes widened in surprise.

"This clock can actually materialize sound, and judging by its appearance, the level of materialization is quite high; a collision with it could cause damage."

The materialization of mist only requires a certain degree of power control since mist is inherently visible and can be condensed by pulling together scattered particles, akin to going from one to a hundred.

But sound is different.

Sound is inherently formless, akin to the process of going from zero to one.

Evidently, this black giant clock formed by melting nine Chaotic Ancient War Puppets possesses formidable power.

The situation was just as Xu Ran anticipated.

The moment the black ripple appeared, the surrounding air was directly swept away, and exploded.

Tinnitus continuously echoed in Xu Ran’s ears, causing intermittent dizziness.

"Huff!" Xu Ran shook his head, his vision clearing as he took a deep breath, "Let’s see if your soundwave can penetrate the formless, or if I am stronger."

After finishing the sentence.

A golden light surged out from Xu Ran’s body, similarly transforming into a golden ripple that instantly swept across the dueling arena.

The originally unhindered black soundwave collided with the golden ripple erupting from Xu Ran’s body in the blink of an eye.

BOOM---

Upon collision, a violent roar erupted, causing the entire dueling arena to start shaking as if experiencing an earthquake.

This intense sensation was felt even outside the trial, in the Dao Field.

BOOM---

The moment the black ripple and golden ripple collided, the Dao Field suddenly underwent intense tremors, dissipating even the clouds in the sky.

The eerie observer who had been waiting for Xu Ran to ascend the steps heard the earth-shaking roar and felt the intense tremors, causing their heart to be extremely anxious.

"Xu Ran has been on the two hundredth step for the time of a stick of incense, why hasn’t he succeeded yet?"

Even though the roar and tremors seemed inexplicable, the observer’s gaze remained fixed on Xu Ran.

After all, whether he can ascend the White Jade Stairs at ten thousand meters height depends entirely on Xu Ran’s success.

As the observer pondered, two dazzling lights suddenly rose within the Dao Field.

Following the light, it was clear it was emanating from Xu Ran.

The observer endured discomfort, squinting at Xu Ran.

On him, one gold, one black, two radiant lights kept flickering, intertwining, as if a deity and demon were fighting for Xu Ran’s body.

"What is going on?"

The observer exclaimed in surprise at Xu Ran’s sudden change.

He wasn’t chosen by the Nine-Layered Giant Tower, and thus knew nothing of the trials.

He knew nothing of what Xu Ran was experiencing, nor understood Xu Ran’s current encounter against the contaminated Human Emperor Bell.

"I hope nothing happens, or my long-held patience would be wasted."

The observer looked at Xu Ran, filled with inexplicable agitation, grinding his teeth.

He has sacrificed too much for the White Jade Stairs, for the scene above ten thousand meters, not allowing defeat, regardless of the cost.

...

Xu Ran was unaware of the conversations and actions of the eerie observer outside the Dao Field; he was currently fully engaged with the contaminated Human Emperor Bell.

"Buzz!"

At the moment of collision between the gold and black ripples, Xu Ran made no pause, his figure vanishing from where he stood.

He’s never one to wait helplessly, only by proactively attacking can he seize initiative.

After all, attack is the best form of defense.

Xu Ran’s speed was swift, like a golden flash, leaving a trail of golden airflow in the air, arriving in front of the Human Emperor Bell in the blink of an eye.

"Let me see how hard you truly are!"

Xu Ran roared at the Human Emperor Bell, his arms swelling, countless strands of golden Spiritual Qi surged out, gathering around his fists.

"Ah!"

Then, a fist capable of shattering the void was unleashed, directly striking the Human Emperor Bell.

"Clang!"

A muffled strike echoed as the black ripple previously visible in the air appeared to pause momentarily.

The golden Spiritual Qi bursting from Xu Ran did not halt; it seized the opportunity to disperse the black ripple immediately.

Xu Ran did not focus on the black ripple, his primary target was the black Human Emperor Bell.

At this moment, he resembled an untiring machine, relentlessly pounding the Human Emperor Bell, the dispersed golden Spiritual Qi hovering in the air, filling the dueling arena.

The Second Senior Brother observed Xu Ran’s actions, frowning deeply, unable to comprehend why Xu Ran was exhausting his Spiritual Qi like this.

"Is this newcomer forgetting that his adversaries include not only the contaminated Human Emperor Bell but also the Gold Attribute Puppet, along with the four other Attribute Puppets and their techniques."

"Even if his Innate Qi allows him to overcome the Gold Attribute Puppet, does he still have a chance in the subsequent trials?"

The Second Senior Brother was utterly puzzled by Xu Ran’s current actions.

"Still too young, instantly losing reason."

The Little Junior Sister’s voice echoed, full of regret.

After all, Xu Ran’s potential was unmatched, even by the Eldest Senior Brother, showing a significant chance of success.

If he succeeds, it would be a monumental advantage for the Nine-Layered Giant Tower and them.

Although Xu Ran’s potential is immense, less than two years old, it is both his strength and weakness.

Being young signifies limited experiences, facing unsolvable dilemmas may prompt loss of reason, just like Xu Ran at this moment.

The Eldest Senior Brother coldly watched Xu Ran through the mirror, contemplation visible on his face, yet he remained silent.

...

"Dong---

"Dong---

"Dong---

...

Xu Ran’s continuous punches struck the surface of the Human Emperor Bell with seemingly no change, but upon closer inspection, one could perceive the black mist on the bell’s surface was less solid than before.

Feeling this, Xu Ran didn’t stop.

If continued under such circumstances, it would only be a matter of time before the bell was shattered.

With the intense concentration of Spiritual Qi within Xu Ran, worrying about depletion was unnecessary.

The contaminated Human Emperor Bell, sensing its surface black mist was less solid, recognized the situation; unless changes were made, it would utterly fail.

Immediately.

The previously stationary black Human Emperor Bell began rotating continuously, its body starting to expand.

Before Xu Ran could react, the expanded bell body enveloped him.

Instantly, everything turned pitch-black for Xu Ran, even the golden Spiritual Qi around his body dimmed, yet only the brightness faded, leaving the Spiritual Qi intact.

Surveying the drastic environmental changes around him, Xu Ran paused his actions, taking a moment to observe, recalling the earlier expansion of the bell’s body, quickly making a judgment.

"Am I inside the bell now?!"