The deeper into the dungeon, the larger its area.
Lin Bai estimated that with his full effort, he could search all thirty-eight floors within half an hour, or even less. Wherever there were disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the dungeon was likely nearby.
"Dean, I'm planning to give it a try. You can tell how valuable a dungeon is just from the beginner dungeon. Besides, we're already here; if we don't go and check it out, we'll definitely regret it."
"But dealing with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is difficult."
Flander was naturally unwilling to give up on the dungeon. In the two years since the dungeon appeared, he had encountered it twice, but unfortunately, both times it had been cleared by others. Even so, the rewards were still good, making him even more eager for the first-clear reward.
He paused, ultimately unwilling to give up the opportunity to get the first-clear reward, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Alright! Let's take a gamble. Let's go find the dungeon."
Lin Bai smiled. That's more like it; more people, more opportunities.
"Then let's split up and search. Once we find it, we'll try to make a scene, preferably attracting all the adventurers on this floor to relieve the pressure on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
If we're going to do something, we'll do it perfectly. Flander proposed a seemingly self-destructive idea, as he was still somewhat intimidated by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Lin Bai nodded, about to agree, when a series of loud noises came from afar, accompanied by powerful soul force fluctuations and magical shockwaves. Trees in the distance collapsed, and a red-yellow aurora shot into the sky.
Flander's expression changed. "It's a sign that the dungeon is opening, but why is it having such a big impact!"
"We'll find out when we go see."
Lin Bai released Ying Tian, riding the dragon into the air. Flander couldn't stop him in time, instantly activating his martial soul, flapping his wings and taking off, shouting, "Slow down, let the others scout ahead."
Lin Bai told Ying Tian to slow down slightly. The sky was clear, and they could already see the distant scenery.
About three kilometers away, a group of disciples from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, dressed in white, were confronting two other groups. The other two groups, dressed in gray and blue respectively, were likely members of the Clear Sky School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon School.
It was unclear how they had caused such a commotion in the instance; adventurers from all directions rushed towards it, the towering red and yellow aurora lights dazzling and impossible to conceal.
Seeing the chaos in the distance, Flander chuckled, "This is perfect. We don't need to risk offending the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School by causing trouble. With so many people, even the three upper sects combined couldn't match them. It's perfect for us to fish in troubled waters."
Lin Bai agreed, "Indeed, this instance is probably extraordinary; we can't miss it."
He retracted Ying Tian and jumped back to the ground. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention to them, Lin Bai wanted to conceal his strength to avoid being targeted.
Flander readily complied and landed as well, running towards the instance's vicinity together.
Many Soul Masters were already gathered around, keeping a safe distance from the three major sects. Lin Bai noticed Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong were also present. Beside them, the Sword Douluo, wielding the Seven Kill Sword, exuded unparalleled sword aura, single-handedly suppressing over a hundred adventurers.
He and Flander shrank back, secretly cursing the situation. It seemed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect and the Clear Sky Sect didn't have any Title Douluos present. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School were to interrupt their monopolization of the dungeon, their own entry would be uncertain.
Most importantly, it seemed everyone else was having second thoughts; after all, the Sword Douluo's reputation was far-reaching, and even if they joined forces, they couldn't defeat him.
Ning Fengzhi was also somewhat disheartened. He had asked his disciples, but they didn't know why the dungeon's appearance had caused such a commotion, completely disrupting his plans.
The current situation was that, apart from the Sword Douluo, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was no match for everyone present. If the Sword Douluo entered the dungeon, the others certainly wouldn't be able to stop the adventurers.
However, if Sword Douluo doesn't enter the dungeon, the difficulty is still unknown. If the difficulty is too high, there could be a large number of casualties among the sect disciples, and even he and Rongrong would be in danger.
As for having Sword Douluo kill all the adventurers present, Ning Fengzhi only had this thought in mind for a moment before he quickly suppressed it. If you don't want others to know, don't do it in the first place.
It seems compromise is the only option.
Ning Fengzhi slightly raised his head, looking at the red and yellow aurora hundreds of meters in front of him. After a long silence, he slowly spoke:
"Everyone, this place was first discovered by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. In principle, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is entitled to have exclusive access to this instance."
The adventurers stirred. Ning Fengzhi frowned, and the Sword Douluo flicked his wrist, sending red sword energy crisscrossing and carving a straight crack in the ground.
"However, to avoid unnecessary casualties, as long as you are willing to pay a piece of equipment of level 20 or above as an entry fee, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is willing to open this instance." "
Dad! Why..."
Ning Rongrong, upon hearing that they would have to share the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's instance, looked unwilling and glared resentfully at the adventurers in the distance.
"Shut up!"
Ning Fengzhi coldly rebuked her telepathically. "Rongrong, remember this: since the dungeons appeared two years ago, the rules of the Soul Master world have changed. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's status as one of the top three sects can't protect you forever."
"Look at the adventurers outside. Don't they look like a pack of hyenas with green eyes? The dungeon's system of dropping equipment and skills from monsters has gradually eroded the tacit understanding Soul Masters had when hunting Souls. Now, it's an era where profit comes first."
Ning Rongrong was terrified by Ning Fengzhi's words, staring blankly at the distant adventurers. She recalled how, in the past, when Grandpa Sword appeared, he didn't even need to lift a finger, and Soul Masters dared not act recklessly in front of him. But now, even with more people emboldening them, no one chose to back down.
Her worldview, barely formed, was shattered.
"Sect Master Ning, are you telling the truth?"
A Soul Saint from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect stepped out of the group, not daring to look at Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and bowed respectfully.
Ning Fengzhi nodded calmly, "Of course it's true. You all can enter the dungeon; the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School won't stop you. However, our disciples have guarded it for so long; they can't leave empty-handed. Each of you can enter by handing over a piece of equipment above level 20."
"Good! Sect Master Ning is truly generous! Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon School agrees to Sect Master Ning's conditions."
"The Clear Sky School also agrees."
The Clear Sky School had the fewest members, so after discussing it, they also agreed.
Finally, the adventurers, a few of the most powerful Soul Masters, gathered together and said,
"Sect Master Ning, we want to go in too."
"Alright."
Ning Fengzhi accepted all comers. After all, once Sword Douluo entered the dungeon, their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would have the best chance of clearing it first. A few dozen more people would just be providing equipment for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Ning Fengzhi gave a few instructions to a disciple, then ignored them and led a group of disciples into the dungeon.
The others hurriedly followed, but no one dared to skip the ticket. Lin Bai mingled in the crowd, gave a piece of equipment to a disgruntled Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School disciple, and then walked into the Tower of Light to enter the dungeon.
[Welcome to the Beast Catastrophe Dungeon]
(End of Chapter)