The Gravity Tower was divided into nine levels, each with a different gravity multiplier.
The first level had a one-fold gravity multiplier, the second level had two-fold, the third level had three-fold, and so on, reaching an astonishing nine-fold gravity on the ninth level.
However, the Gravity Tower also had access restrictions that varied among the four major academies: Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow. The Yellow-tier Academy only had the privilege to enter the gravity chambers on the first three levels, allowing for cultivation under a maximum of three-fold gravity.
The Mystic-tier Academy's access was extended to the fifth level, while the Earth-tier College could reach the seventh level.
Students of the Heaven-tier Academy enjoyed the highest privilege, having access to all nine levels and the freedom to enter and cultivate as they pleased.
Since Ye Chen was only a student of the Yellow-tier Academy, he was only qualified to enter the gravity chambers on the first, second, and third levels.
Upon entering the Gravity Tower, Ye Chen bypassed the first and second levels and headed straight for the third level.
Each level of the Gravity Tower contained multiple gravity chambers. The third level alone had over a hundred chambers, many of which had their doors tightly shut, indicating that people were currently cultivating inside.
Choosing to enter one of the gravity chambers, Ye Chen immediately felt the three-fold gravity acting upon his body, causing him to sink slightly.
Such gravity would exert considerable pressure even on a Houtian Ninth Layer cultivator, making normal movement nearly impossible.
Attempting to cultivate in the three-fold gravity chamber, Ye Chen simply moved his body a bit and discovered that although the three-fold gravity did exert some pressure, it was minimal for him—almost negligible.
This was because his body was too formidable. After achieving minor mastery in the Human Yuan Body Art and cultivating both internally and externally with the Tyrant Heaven Refining Saint Art, the three-fold gravity could hardly affect him; it was practically negligible.
Feeling somewhat disappointed, Ye Chen realized that while the three-fold gravity still had some effect on him, it was not significant. He then left the three-fold gravity chamber and went to the reception and registration desk on the first level.
"May I ask if I can access gravity chambers on higher levels of the Gravity Tower for cultivation?" Ye Chen inquired directly.
The registration staff seemed to have anticipated Ye Chen's request and was not surprised, though his expression turned somewhat peculiar. "Mr. Ye Chen, you are now permitted to access any level of the Gravity Tower."
Ye Chen was stunned. Weren't there supposed to be corresponding restrictions for the four academies regarding access to the Gravity Tower's levels? He had only asked out of curiosity, never expecting to succeed.
However, unusual occurrences often had hidden reasons. Being no ordinary person, Ye Chen quickly deduced that someone must have granted him special privileges. Within Xia Feng Academy, he didn't know many people, and among those who had the authority, knew his strength, and would grant him such privileges, it was likely the Thirteenth Prince, whom he had just met.
After a moment's thought, Ye Chen grasped eighty to ninety percent of the situation. "It must have been the Thirteenth Prince who instructed you to do this, right?"
The registration staff was taken aback, not expecting Ye Chen to guess correctly. Not daring to hide the truth, he replied, "As you said, the Thirteenth Prince personally came by earlier and used his privilege to grant you access to all levels of the Gravity Tower. As long as you wish, Mr. Ye Chen, you may freely enter any level from one to nine."
Ye Chen sighed softly. Regardless of the Thirteenth Prince's intentions, this gesture alone made him worthy of friendship.
If the opportunity arose, he would repay this kindness.
Leaving the registration desk, Ye Chen did not head directly to the ninth level. He needed to adapt gradually and was unsure whether his current strength could withstand the nine-fold gravity.
Being too rigid could lead to breaking; he understood this principle all too well.
Appearing on the seventh level, as soon as Ye Chen stepped into the seven-fold gravity cultivation chamber, he felt his entire body sink under a terrifying pressure, slowing his movements considerably.
Although the seven-fold gravity was only slightly more than double the three-fold gravity, the actual pressure was far greater than double.
In the three-fold gravity chamber, Ye Chen could move with ease, practically ignoring the gravity. But in the seven-fold gravity chamber, the pressure was significantly higher.
However, instead of showing difficulty, Ye Chen's face lit up with excitement. Only under such intense gravity could cultivation yield twice the result with half the effort.
Under the seven-fold gravity, Ye Chen gradually adapted after about half an hour. Although he wasn't as relaxed as in the three-fold gravity chamber, it wasn't particularly difficult either.
Subsequently, Ye Chen left the seven-fold gravity chamber and entered the eight-fold gravity chamber. As he had anticipated, while the gravity increased by one fold, the pressure increased by more than that.
In the seven-fold gravity chamber, he could run at a normal pace like anyone else, but in the eight-fold gravity chamber, he could only manage a strained run, as the pressure had increased dramatically.
Naturally, this was because Ye Chen hadn't used the Tyrant Heaven Refining Saint Art to disperse the gravity. Otherwise, he could have moved normally, just as he had when dealing with the Furious Mountain Bear by dispersing the gravity.
This time, he sat cross-legged in the eight-fold gravity chamber, quietly feeling the terrifying pressure brought by the eight-fold gravity. Every muscle, bone, and fiber of his body writhed and adapted, preparing in advance for entering the nine-fold gravity chamber.
After a full half-day, Ye Chen finally emerged from the eight-fold gravity chamber and headed to the ninth level.
Strictly speaking, there was only one gravity chamber on the ninth level, but it was exceptionally spacious, spanning about thirty zhang in diameter. The walls, floor, and even the ceiling were pitch black, giving it a solemn and weighty atmosphere.
At this moment, the nine-fold gravity chamber was empty, with no one inside.
As soon as Ye Chen entered, he felt a terrifying pressure directly acting on his body, causing his entire frame to crackle incessantly, as if it might shatter at any moment.
"Such terrifying gravity."
Ye Chen's expression turned serious. Compared to the previous eight-fold gravity, this was much stronger, like a mountain pressing down on him. Every inch of his bones and muscles crackled and groaned under the strain.
Old Yan drifted out, sensing the nine-fold gravity, and shook his head. "Nine-fold gravity is quite suitable for you at your current level. It's particularly effective for cultivating the Tyrant Heaven Refining Saint Art."
Among the two body-refining techniques Ye Chen cultivated, the Human Yuan Body Art primarily relied on absorbing energy from heaven and earth, while the Tyrant Heaven Refining Saint Art was the opposite—it continuously tapped into the human body's potential through rigorous cultivation to strengthen oneself.
Cultivating under gravity could accelerate the strengthening process of the Tyrant Heaven Refining Saint Art.
"Tyrant Heaven Refining Saint Art, First Form!"
At this moment, under immense gravitational pressure, Ye Chen began cultivating the Tyrant Heaven Refining Saint Art starting from the first diagram.
Although he had already cultivated up to the tenth diagram, it didn't mean the previously cultivated diagrams were ineffective. On the contrary, the cultivation diagrams of the Tyrant Heaven Refining Saint Art were interconnected and could be integrated into a continuous series of movements, making cultivation more effective than practicing a single diagram alone.
Moreover, now that he was re-cultivating under nine-fold gravity, even practicing in the manner of the first diagram would yield unexpected results.
At this moment, Ye Chen was holding a strange posture, his legs bent in place, his body slowly leaning forward, his arms twisted behind his back, and his entire form swaying in an odd, contorted manner.
This was the posture of the first diagram. At this moment, the needle-like sensation that the first diagram had once brought him—a sensation that had long disappeared—reappeared. Under the nine-fold gravity, it felt especially pronounced, as if countless needles were constantly piercing his muscles, bones, and tendons, spreading a terrifying pain throughout his body.
However, for Ye Chen, this was a case of pain mingled with joy.
...
While Ye Chen was cultivating in the gravity chamber, news quickly spread throughout Xia Feng Academy.
A mysterious young super expert had appeared in the Yellow-tier Academy and had held his own against the Thirteenth Prince from the Heaven-tier Academy in a confrontation.
As soon as this news spread, it caused an unprecedented uproar.