Free Web NovelChapter 29: Chapter 29: The Second Floor Invitation
The days after Qin Yuheng’s first Tower clear passed quickly.
Heavenly Gate Academy officially recorded his team’s SSS evaluation, and their names spread through the student body. For many new students, Qin Yuheng’s team became the standard they were measured against. For some, that brought admiration. For others, jealousy.
But Qin Yuheng did not let the attention change his schedule.
Morning: body training.
Midday: Tower Theory and combat class.
Afternoon: Skill Practice Pavilion.
Evening: family training or resource planning.
Night: personal cultivation.
He began practicing the First Layer of the SSS Grade Origin Thunder Emperor Body Scripture in secret. The method was difficult, even with his compatibility. It required him to guide thunder energy through his bones and marrow while using controlled pressure to strengthen the body’s internal structure.
The pain was intense.
It felt as if tiny lightning threads were carving channels through his bones.
But the results were real.
After three nights of cautious practice, his constitution became denser, and his control over Primordial Thunder Emperor Body improved. He could now release smaller amounts of thunder with greater precision, reducing the risk of exposing overwhelming power.
He also practiced Void Thunder Shadow Step.
The First Form, Thunder Shadow Flash, gradually reached a more stable Beginner stage. He could use it three times in quick succession without losing balance, though repeated use still strained his legs.
At the academy, Han Shuren noticed.
During one combat drill, he watched Qin Yuheng cross a five-meter gap with a short burst step and strike a puppet’s weak point cleanly.
"Your movement improved," Han Shuren said.
Qin Yuheng lowered his sword.
"I gained a movement skill from the first floor reward."
"Grade?"
"High enough that I can only use the first form."
That was true.
Han Shuren nodded.
"Do not chase high-grade skills blindly. Many students ruin their foundation by learning techniques they cannot support."
"I understand."
"Good. Your control is better than Zhao Tianyu’s."
Zhao Tianyu, training not far away, heard this and nearly crushed the handle of his practice weapon.
Qin Yuheng pretended not to notice.
Zhao Tianyu had become quieter after losing the challenge. Not calmer—quieter. His hostility had not disappeared. It had condensed.
That made him more dangerous.
Lin Xian’er approached Qin Yuheng after class.
"Zhao Tianyu has stopped provoking you openly."
"That means someone advised him."
"Zhao Lan," Lin Xian’er said. "She is one of the Zhao family’s academy connections. She told him not to fight you without preparation."
Qin Yuheng looked at her.
"You are well-informed."
"That is my best quality."
"Only best?"
Lin Xian’er smiled. "One of many."
Qin Yuheng did not respond to that.
She handed him another folded note.
"This one is not free."
"What price?"
"A future information exchange. Nothing dangerous. Nothing immediate."
Qin Yuheng considered briefly and accepted.
The note contained three lines.
Second Floor access may open early for top first-floor teams.
Academy considering controlled entry to Foggy Bone Forest.
Blood Sun symbol seen near Zhao family outer contact.
Qin Yuheng’s eyes stopped on the third line.
Blood Sun symbol.
He looked at Lin Xian’er.
"Where did this come from?"
"An informant saw a black circle and crimson sun mark on a token carried by one of Zhao Mingxuan’s messengers. I do not know what it means."
Her expression became more serious.
"Do you?"
Qin Yuheng folded the note.
"I have seen similar rumors."
That was not quite true.
He had not personally seen Blood Sun Hall, but his father’s injury and family tension were clearly connected to something deeper. The symbol mattered.
Lin Xian’er studied his face.
"You are more guarded about that line than the second-floor information."
"Some information is heavier than others."
"Then be careful. The Zhao family may be more than an arrogant local clan."
"I know."
After she left, Qin Yuheng went directly to the academy library and searched old public records for "Blood Sun." Most results were restricted or vague. Some referred to outlaw groups, forbidden blood rituals, ancient ruin hunters, or cult-like organizations that studied sealed bloodlines.
Nothing complete.
But one fragment caught his attention.
Blood Sun markings have appeared in several incidents involving ancient family ruins, seal corrosion, and missing climbers.
Seal corrosion.
Qin Yuheng’s father’s abnormal wound had shown seal corrosion.
His expression darkened.
That evening, when he returned home, Qin Wanshan summoned him before he could even ask.
The old man held a letter from Heavenly Gate Academy.
"Second Floor invitation," Qin Wanshan said.
Qin Yuheng accepted the letter.
To Qin Yuheng Team,
Due to outstanding SSS evaluation on Floor 1 and excellent performance in academy trials, Heavenly Gate Academy grants your team early eligibility for controlled Floor 2 entry.
Designated Floor:
Foggy Bone Forest
Entry Window:
Three days from notice
Participation:
Voluntary but recommended
Additional academy observation and reward adjustment apply.
Qin Yuheng read it carefully.
Controlled Floor 2 entry.
Foggy Bone Forest.
In their original first-ten-floor plan, Floor 2 involved reaching Bone Lantern Camp within twelve hours, facing fog, undead-like enemies, and possibly a Fog Bone Wraith.
This was dangerous.
But also an opportunity.
Qin Wanshan asked, "Do you want to go?"
"Yes."
No hesitation.
Qin Wanshan did not look surprised.
"Then prepare better than last time."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
He hesitated for a moment, then took out Lin Xian’er’s note and showed only the third line.
Blood Sun symbol seen near Zhao family outer contact.
The atmosphere in the room changed.
Qin Wanshan’s cloudy eyes became sharp.
Qin Zhengyuan, seated nearby, went completely still.
Mu Qinglan’s gaze turned cold enough to freeze the air.
Qin Yuheng watched them.
"Grandfather. Father. Mother. What is Blood Sun?"
No one answered immediately.
The silence itself was an answer.
After a long time, Qin Zhengyuan spoke.
"Not something you should touch yet."
Qin Yuheng looked at his father.
"It may already be touching us."
Qin Zhengyuan’s hand tightened.
A dark-red line flickered beneath his skin.
This time, Qin Yuheng did not ignore it.
"Your wound is related to them."
Qin Zhengyuan closed his eyes briefly.
Qin Wanshan finally said, "Blood Sun Hall is an organization that searches for ancient bloodlines, seal fragments, and ruin inheritances. They hide behind families, guilds, and expeditions. Many years ago, your father was injured during the Crimson Eclipse Expedition. Blood Sun Hall was involved."
Qin Yuheng’s voice became quiet.
"Did they target the Qin family?"
Qin Wanshan looked at him.
"They target anything that should have stayed buried."
Mu Qinglan said softly, "And the Qin family has many buried things."
Qin Yuheng understood. freewebnøvel.coɱ
This was why they hid.
Why Qin Zhengyuan’s wound was not discussed.
Why Qin Wanshan was cautious.
Why Mu Qinglan’s background remained sealed behind silence.
Qin Wanshan’s voice became firm.
"You will not investigate Blood Sun Hall now."
Qin Yuheng met his gaze.
"I understand."
But understanding did not mean forgetting.
Qin Wanshan seemed to know that.
"Grow first," the old man said. "Without strength, truth is poison."
Qin Yuheng lowered his head.
"Yes, Grandfather."
That night, Qin Yuheng prepared for Floor 2.
Fog meant poor visibility.
Bone-type enemies meant durability and possibly spirit attacks.
They needed perception, anti-fog tools, spirit stabilization, and formation markers.
He took out the B Grade Talent Fruit Fragment: Beast Sense.
If enhanced, could it become a complete fruit?
He focused on it.
[B Grade Talent Fruit Fragment: Beast Sense]
[Eligible for Evolution.]
"Quality Enhancement."
The fragment glowed.
[Evolution successful.]
[B Grade Talent Fruit Fragment: Beast Sense]
↓
[A Grade Talent Fruit Fragment: Thousand Beast Perception]
[Note: Still incomplete. Collect or evolve compatible fragments to synthesize talent fruit.]
Still incomplete.
Qin Yuheng stored it.
Not every problem could be solved immediately.
Then he enhanced several D Grade Antidote Pills into B Grade Hundred Toxin Cleansing Pills and prepared more Defensive Talismans. He also evolved one D Grade Spirit Stabilizing Powder purchased from the academy.
[D Grade Spirit Stabilizing Powder]
↓
[B Grade Clear Mind Spirit Powder]
Useful against fear, illusion, and fog confusion.
Three days later, Qin Yuheng’s team stood once again before the Heavenly Gate Tower.
This time, Yu Qingmei herself observed from the side.
Her eyes rested on Qin Yuheng briefly.
"Foggy Bone Forest is different from Black Stone Trial Ground," she said. "The enemy is not always what you see."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
"We will be careful."
The Tower gate opened.
A cold voice echoed.
[Entering Floor 2: Foggy Bone Forest.] fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
Mist swallowed them.
