Chapter 289: Tuan Zi’s Secret

　　It’s this beast again! Chu Liuyue steeled herself, and she was about to move when she realized that it wasn’t an illusion!

　　A curtain of light was before her eyes, and a pair of vicious eyes were projected onto the light curtain.

　　At that moment, Chu Liuyue was certain about one thing—this beast was targeting her!

　　This pair of eyes—surrounded by endless flames—were accompanied with a pitiful and vicious roar!

　　The beast came prepared this time, and it was much more terrible than before!

　　Chu Liuyue stared at the pair of eyes. “Who are you?”

　　She was met with a loud roar.

　　Buzz!

　　A buzzing sound suddenly came from within Jiuyou Tower!

　　Chu Liuyue only felt pain all over as if a terrifying force was crushing her—it was a crushing sense of pressure!

　　Chu Liuyue was stunned. There is actually such a strong seal within Jiuyou Tower!?

　　As the buzzing rang next to her ears, Chu Liuyue clearly saw a hint of fear flashing across those bloodshot eyes that were filled with hatred.

　　The next moment, the curtain of light flickered and dissolved into countless specks of light before it disappeared!

　　Everything happened so quickly. By the time Chu Liuyue realized what had happened, everything had disappeared without a trace.

　　It was like this scene had never happened. However, the pain in her eardrums—caused by the buzzing—and the fear that remained in her heart made it clear that everything which happened earlier wasn’t an illusion!

　　The fiend trapped in Jiuyou Tower seemed to be struggling to get out, but it was still struggling before the powerful seal.

　　But… Why did it target me?

　　At this moment, Chu Liuyue felt her shoulders sink—Tuan Zi had appeared.

　　Chu Liuyue stared at it strangely, but Tuan Zi suddenly jumped and leaped toward the outside.

　　“Tuan Zi!” Chu Liuyue was stunned and ran after it!

　　Tuan Zi moved exceptionally quickly and dashed out of the room! It was like a ball of flames that left a streak in the air before it quickly disappeared!

　　Chu Liuyue dared not shout out loud, so she could only chase after it.

　　By the time she was at the room’s door, Tuan Zi was already on the stairs in the middle of Jiuyou Tower!

　　Tuan Zi was looking up.

　　Chu Liuyue’s heart skipped a beat, and she spoke in a hushed tone. “Tuan Zi, what are you doing!? Come back!”

　　The stairs were located right in the middle of Jiuyou Tower. It was the one path that connected all of the tower’s floors.

　　There was a barrier on every floor of the staircase.

　　One could only pass through the barriers and head to the next floor when they reached the corresponding stage.

　　This was how Chu Liuyue managed to arrive where she was from the first floor.

　　But what was Tuan Zi intending to do?

　　Tuan Zi moved its ears when it heard her, but it didn’t turn. In the next instant, it dashed upwards!

　　“Tuan Zi!” Chu Liuyue finally knew where her uneasiness came from.

　　Tuan Zi really intended to head upstairs!

　　She looked around, secretly thankful that nobody else was around here at this time.

　　This small commotion didn’t startle the few students that were in the middle of cultivating.

　　Chu Liuyue hesitated for a moment, and she saw that Tuan Zi had already dashed up the stairs!

　　Troublesome! Chu Liuyue gritted her teeth and ran after Tuan Zi.

　　After a few steps, she felt the pressure coming from the barrier.

　　Only stage-three martial artists could pass through this barrier, but what happened next stunned Chu Liuyue—Tuan Zi actually passed right through the barrier!

　　It seemed so effortless. If she hadn’t seen the ripples when Tuan Zi passed through it, she would’ve suspected that there was no barrier at all!

　　Tuan Zi turned and glanced at Chu Liuyue. It blinked as if it were wondering why Chu Liuyue didn’t follow.

　　Chu Liuyue waved toward it. “Tuan Zi, come back! You can’t go up there!”

　　But Tuan Zi refused to move; it just shook its tail. Tuan Zi clearly wanted her to join it.

　　Chu Liuyue was caught between laughter and tears. “I can’t pass through this…”

　　Before she could finish speaking, Tuan Zi sprinted over, grabbed her hand, and dragged it through the barrier!

　　Chu Liuyue stared at her hand—which had passed through the barrier effortlessly—and she was stunned. T-this… I can feel the pressure of the barrier clearly, but it doesn’t seem to affect me.

　　Chu Liuyue stepped forward hesitantly.

　　Her hand came first; her arm was next, and then…

　　She passed through the barrier blocking the way to the third floor!

　　Chu Liuyue was still a little confused as she stood on the steps to the third floor. What… just happened?

　　She turned and checked. The barrier was still there, and the ripples were just fading away.

　　Everything seems right. Chu Liuyue held her breath. Even if my ability is higher than that of a stage-two warrior, I shouldn’t have passed through the barrier that easily!

　　However, Tuan Zi seemed to think that this was normal. It grabbed Chu Liuyue’s fingers, tugging her toward the upper floors.

　　Chu Liuyue knitted her brows slightly. “You want to go further up?”

　　Tuan Zi blinked and nodded.

　　Chu Liuyue had a bad feeling in her heart, but after looking at Tuan Zi’s face, she had no choice but to play along.

　　Jiuyou Tower was rather quiet.

　　Chu Liuyue could only hear her footsteps echoing in the empty tower.

　　She soon saw the barrier for the fourth floor—it was significantly stronger and exerted greater pressure than the one before. Even Chu Liuyue found it a little hard to breathe, but all her attention was on Tuan Zi.

　　Without hesitation, Tuan Zi sprinted toward the barrier, and it managed to pass through easily!

　　Chu Liuyue suppressed her surprise and stretched her hand out cautiously. As she inched closer, she felt strong pressure!

　　She stopped.

　　“Tuan Zi,” called out Chu Liuyue.

　　Tuan Zi seemed to have sensed what she was trying to say. It ran back and grabbed her hand.

　　Chu Liuyue tried again, and the pressure had disappeared!

　　This time, she went through the barrier and entered the fourth floor successfully!

　　It really is because of Tuan Zi… Chu Liuyue stared at Tuan Zi as curiosity and confusion overflowed. What is going on? When did the barriers not have any effect on Tuan Zi?!

　　Tuan Zi looked at Chu Liuyue proudly, wagging its tail as if it were seeking praise.

　　Chu Liuyue took a deep breath. There is no way I could’ve done that based on my own ability. It is clear that all the credit belongs to Tuan Zi, but it is just a third-grade fiend. How…

　　Chu Liuyue rubbed her glabella. I almost forgot… If Tuan Zi really was a regular blood ferret, how could it be that tough in battle, and how could it have consumed Heng Jingchuo’s force directly?

　　Chu Liuyue raised her eyebrows when she saw Tuan Zi’s excitement. “You want to go up further?!”