Ye Tianling easily passed through the thirty-first layer of the Heaven-Reaching Tower.

The thirty-first layer hadn’t been very difficult.

Along the way, he hadn’t encountered any more reckless Cultivators.

Although Ye Tianling had run into a full nine groups of Cultivators, he didn’t recognize any of these Alien Race Cultivators.

And even though Ye Tianling had concealed his aura and appeared to be at a low Realm, those Cultivators would actively step aside and avoid him upon seeing him.

This allowed Xia Xinqin and Yao Lun, who had been on edge, to relax considerably.

"Divine Child... We’re almost through the thirty-second layer. Yao Ling and Princess Xinyue should be waiting at the entrance to the thirty-third."

Yao Lun said cautiously, all the while watching Ye Tianling’s expression.

Unfortunately, Ye Tianling’s expression remained grim, which made Yao Lun’s heart pound with fear. He felt it was even more terrifying than facing the Elder Roc King.

"Yes, let’s go. No need to be afraid. It’s not like I’m going to roast and eat you," Ye Tianling said faintly.

He paid no mind to their apprehension and fear.

Ye Tianling was not in a good mood. His longing for the Little Dragon Girl made it nearly impossible for him to control his Demon Heart.

Furthermore, the new rules of this World were highly restrictive in many ways. Even the negative side effects after devouring other Cultivators were significant.

Xia Xinqin followed silently, her expression growing more complex.

"Are... you all right? Do you need help?"

Xia Xinqin asked in a low voice, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"Are you truly willing to help?"

Ye Tianling asked in return.

"I... I do want to help you."

Xia Xinqin replied softly, biting her lip.

"I’m fine, so I don’t need it. Besides, I have no need for things like Absorption for the time being, and the benefits of Yin Yang Harmony aren’t that significant right now. I need a special method for Meditation on the changes in the Celestial Dao’s rules. Do you have one?"

Ye Tianling gave Xia Xinqin a deep look. He felt a hint of fondness for this girl who was still thinking of ’helping’ him resolve his negative side effects.

"Everyone is looking for a method like that; no one has it. Besides, our Meditation Techniques are all about the Visualization of our own Sword Soul and the changes in our Void Realm. We don’t have any profound Meditation Techniques for the changes of the Celestial Dao."

Xia Xinqin said, looking rather ashamed.

Ye Tianling nodded. "The thought alone is more than enough. Let’s go."

As he spoke, they passed through the thirty-second layer and entered the area of the thirty-third.

At the entrance, Ye Tianling saw Xia Xinyue and Yao Ling sitting quietly in the distance, waiting for them.

However, there were three men from the Alien Races with them.

One had antlers, another was a man from the Tiger Race, and the last was a man with elven wings. A natural aura flowed from him, and he was so handsome and transcendent that he surpassed even the most peerless of beauties.

"You actually came? It’s been so long, we thought you weren’t going to make it."

Yao Ling’s pretty face showed a hint of surprise, but she also breathed a sigh of relief, her voice becoming uncontrollably intimate.

Yao Ling’s intimate tone immediately made the expressions of the three Alien Race men turn a little awkward.

Their gazes immediately fell upon Ye Tianling. However, two of them almost instantly dismissed him, their eyes landing on Xia Xinqin and Yao Lun instead.

Only the one from the Elf Race let his gaze linger on Ye Tianling for a moment, a hint of wariness in his eyes.

"Playing tricks again?"

Ye Tianling’s expression turned cold, his tone accusatory.

"Huh? No, of course not."

Stared at by Ye Tianling’s cold eyes, Yao Ling shivered. She immediately scrambled to her feet and ran to his side.

She looped her arm through his, a very intimate gesture.

"I’m really not playing any tricks! These are just some friends I’ve run into a few times while climbing the tower. That’s the Third Prince of the Deer Race, Lu Minghui. This is the Young Prince of the Tiger Race, Hu Teng. And that one is the Celestial Spirit Race’s Divine Child, Gleyun. He’s a genius at the Profounder Level."

Yao Ling said coaxingly, hugging Ye Tianling’s arm and giving it a little shake.

Seeing this, fire seemed to spark in the eyes of Hu Teng and Lu Minghui, but neither of them made a rash move.

For a Cultivator whose Realm was only Sword Spirit Third Heaven and whose bloodline aura seemed completely ordinary to reach this place was no simple feat.

’As for being brought in by Prince Yao Lun and Princess Xia Xinqin, they didn’t buy it. With Yao Lun’s and Xia Xinqin’s Talent, they could bring someone else along to a place like this? They clearly didn’t believe it.’

"The great name of the Kunpeng Divine Son is well-deserved indeed."

Gleyun stood up, cupped his fist, and took the initiative to bow, his attitude one of utmost respect.

"Oh? You have sharp eyes."

Ye Tianling gave Gleyun a passing glance, but a distinct sense of apprehension and crisis arose within him.

He had noted Yao Ling’s words: ’Divine Child’ and ’Profounder Level’ genius.

In other words, this Celestial Spirit Race prince, at the Sword Void Second Transformation Peak Realm, likely had a Battle Power of at least level six or seven.

In this new World, that kind of strength was terrifying.

’The top geniuses of this World... are truly extraordinary,’ Ye Tianling thought. ’His Ability and Life Chart are likely on par with Ye Cangqian’s. Plus, his sense of danger is extremely sharp; he knows when to advance and when to retreat.’

While Ye Tianling was pondering, Gleyun gave a dashing smile. "Kunpeng Divine Son, you are indeed straightforward. Are you aiming for the forty-fifth layer this time? Or do you just plan to take these two to the Thirty-Sixth Layer and be done with it?"

Ye Tianling’s heart tightened. He knew at once that Gleyun was exceptionally clever.

This kind of person was clearly a fearsome opponent.

"The forty-fifth layer? I’ll take them to the Thirty-Sixth Layer first, then I’ll try for the fifty-fourth. I’m not interested in the ninety-fifth layer. Anything above that is more my style."

Ye Tianling replied nonchalantly.

"How arrogant!"

Hu Teng, the Young Prince of the Tiger Race, couldn’t help but snort.

"He certainly is arrogant. All this empty boasting before he’s even accomplished anything. It seems his reputation is undeserved."

Seeing Ye Tianling act so pretentiously in front of Xia Xinyue and Yao Ling, Lu Minghui was instantly displeased.

’Does this bastard really dare to talk so big? Isn’t he afraid of making a fool of himself when he fails?’

"Arrogant? Just because you trash can’t do it doesn’t mean this Divine Child can’t. Now, stop looking at me and my mount with such jealousy. Otherwise, I’ll beat you to death!"

Ye Tianling shot the two an indifferent glance and snapped at them.

"Ah—"

Yao Ling’s delicate body jolted, and she shivered. Her grip on Ye Tianling’s arm tightened involuntarily.

"Tianling Divine Son, don’t! You... Ugh, you..."

Yao Ling was now panicking.