Without a second’s hesitation, Bai Xifeng’s fist blurred as she punched the nearest "Liu Longwei" directly in the face. The sheer, unadulterated force of the blow produced a loud, dull thud that echoed sharply through the cavernous room.

Then, she immediately circulated her spiritual energy, her fingers dancing as she began sketching a complex array formation in the air around her with swift, practised movements. A shimmering, translucent barrier materialised instantly, surrounding her in a protective sphere and preventing those persistent lunatics from approaching her any further.

"Yeah... I seriously forgot that I was an Array Master back then. Last time, I actually ended up running away from these weird men like a complete idiot." Bai Xifeng mumbled to herself, her expression twitching with a mixture of irritation and lingering embarrassment at her past self’s lack of initiative.

Her eyes remained sharp and vigilant as the projections stubbornly refused to give up their pursuit. They continuously pressed their faces and bodies against the humming array barrier, their expressions unnervingly eager as they desperately searched for a single gap or structural weakness in her work. However, the moment they touched the shimmering wall, not only were they blocked completely, but they were also forcefully thrown backwards by a powerful, pulsating surge of repelling force.

After confirming that the array formation was functioning perfectly without any visible flaws, Bai Xifeng finally allowed her shoulders to relax slightly. She sat down cross-legged in the centre of her safe zone and began cultivating with grim seriousness.

She had no idea how much time had passed as she immersed herself completely in the rhythmic, tranquil flow of Qi and deep breathing. Then, suddenly, she sensed a subtle but distinct shift in the surrounding atmosphere, a thinning of the tension in the air.

Slowly, Bai Xifeng opened her eyes.

Originally, she had expected to see those troublesome projections still lingering nearby, staring at her through the barrier like hungry ghosts. However, they had already disappeared entirely, vanishing into the aether as though they had never existed in the first place. Instead, something new stood before her in the centre of the hall.

A staircase.

The staircase, which previously had not existed, was now quietly standing ahead of her, extending upward into the cool darkness of the higher levels. Bai Xifeng immediately understood the significance of its appearance. By enduring the mental "test" and remaining focused on her internal cultivation despite the absurd distractions, she had finally managed to clear the floor.

She slowly rose to her feet, stretching her stiff limbs until her joints popped, before casually dismantling the surrounding array formation with a simple flick of her hand. Then, she began walking toward the staircase with a sense of accomplishment.

However, before she could even place a single foot onto the first step, the surroundings suddenly distorted violently. The air rippled like disturbed water, and a familiar, jarring sensation swept through her body, pulling at her very core.

In the next instant, the world blurred, and she was forcibly expelled from the cultivation pagoda.

"Ah!" Bai Xifeng cried out in surprise as her feet landed firmly on the soft grass outside.

The students waiting outside immediately turned toward her the moment she reappeared in a flash of light. Their gazes quickly shifted toward the enormous, glowing ranking boards near the entrance, eager to see exactly how many floors the "returned" Bai Xifeng had advanced during her lengthy eight-hour session.

To their collective astonishment, Bai Xifeng’s ranking had not changed at all. She was still stuck on the exact same level.

The 234th floor.

In fact, several enterprising students had even started a small gambling pool earlier, betting on whether Bai Xifeng would successfully break into the 240s or fail to move entirely. Some students immediately cheered happily after seeing the final result, while others groaned loudly in disappointment, clutching their purses after losing their wagers.

Bai Xifeng, however, simply looked back toward the towering pagoda and let out a helpless, weary sigh. She had spent far too much time setting up her defences and focusing on her cultivation. The moment she finally unlocked the staircase, her eight-hour limit had already expired. She did not linger there to provide more entertainment for the crowd and simply left the area. She would return again tomorrow, and this time, she wouldn’t waste a second.

When Bai Xifeng finally arrived back at the Inscriber Division, she immediately spotted Ji Yuan sitting nearby, his presence as steady and immovable as a mountain. Ji Yuan turned toward her the moment she crossed the threshold.

"Did you forget that we were supposed to have class today?" Ji Yuan asked, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight.

"Ah!" Bai Xifeng grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head. "Sorry, Master. I was inside the cultivation pagoda and lost track of the time."

"Hmm... Which floor are you currently on?" Ji Yuan asked, his eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity.

"The 234th floor." Bai Xifeng answered honestly.

Ji Yuan was visibly surprised after hearing that response, his composure flickering for a brief second.

"How many times have you entered the cultivation pagoda so far in total?" Ji Yuan asked again.

"Five times, I think." Bai Xifeng replied, her eyes drifting upward as she counted the instances mentally.

"Five?" Ji Yuan repeated slowly, genuine surprise now appearing on his usually stoic face. "And you have already managed to reach the 234th floor in only five visits?"

"Yeah." Bai Xifeng nodded proudly, her chin tilting up. "Oh, and I am definitely going in again tomorrow. I am sure I will climb to the next floor the moment I step inside."

Ji Yuan raised one eyebrow slightly, looking at his student with a mix of scepticism and intrigue. "And why are you so certain about that?"

***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko*