Returning to the town with his freshly trained disciple, the first thing that met Ink Ash’s eyes was... an unusually tight security.

From hundreds of meters away, orderly squads of soldiers guarded the town gate under a knight captain’s command.

Lily cautiously tugged her master’s sleeve. Remembering the two mages they’d just dealt with, she asked nervously, “Um... Master, with so many people gathered there, could they be after us?”

“Impossible! I covered our tracks perfectly. Not a single leak!” Ink Ash waved dismissively, oozing mysterious confidence.

Confused by the tense town, Lily tilted her head. “Then what is this?”

“Just go see. Daydreaming won’t help.” He tapped her head lightly and strolled forward casually.

Clutching her head adorably dazed, Lily hurried after him. “Eh? Wait, wait for me, Master!”

After a brief interrogation, they entered uneventfully. Casually scanning the streets, Ink Ash suddenly noticed fewer adult men everywhere. A thick unease hung in the air.

Passersby hurried with worried faces. Street vendors had vanished, replaced by patrolling soldiers—solemn yet anxious. The already desolate town looked even more rundown.

Strikingly, half the once-sunny town lay shadowed. A towering structure now loomed in the west, piercing the sky.

“This tower... quite interesting! The next while won’t be boring.” Ink Ash squinted meaningfully, stretched lazily, and grinned brightly.

Rubbing her head in confusion, Lily muttered, “Weird. When was that tower built? Why don’t I remember it?”

“Lily, keep up.”

“Oh! Master, where are we going?”

“Idiot. Obviously the tower.”

A hundred meters from the leaning tower, a large, noisy crowd gathered. Led by a figure in silver armor, it mixed hunters, butchers, townsfolk, merchants, adventurers—and mostly disciplined knights.

Gazing at the tower radiating eerie allure, Knight Captain Lien hesitated. “Young master, are you sure? The first three explorer groups never returned. They’re likely... in grave danger.”

“So what? Do you know this tower’s true meaning?” Valen, the mayor’s son who’d rushed here five days ago, stared ahead with burning eyes.

After a pause, Lien bowed his head. “This subordinate does not know.”

“Tower of Heaven, Forbidden Tower, Divine Ruins... names fail to explain its mystery. Wealth, power, authority—all yours if you dare!” Valen shouted fervently, gazing dreamily at the “miracle.” “The Seven Seas Overlord from ten years ago, the Golden King from six—all emerged from here! This is its third appearance in the North Sea!”

“With such a once-in-a-lifetime chance, how can I not seize it?!” Without waiting for Lien’s reply, Valen waved. “For glory and the future—army, move out!”

“Oh ho? Accidentally overheard quite the scoop... Tower of the Gods, huh? Still not giving up, I see.” Watching the crowd vanish, Ink Ash murmured, eyes glinting. “But since you’re offering, I won’t refuse.”

Lily eyed her suddenly creepy master uneasily. “Hey... Master, you’re smiling evilly?”

“Idiot. Who says that about their master?” Annoyed, he tapped her head.

Pouting pitifully, she blurted, “Sob... Lily’s honest! What is this tower?”

“Simple—it’s a high-level dungeon for ‘protagonists’ to clear stages, level up, grab rewards. Got it?”

Tsk. The sacred Tower of Heaven sounded utterly vulgar from a certain Great Demon King’s mouth.

Blinking confusedly, Lily said bluntly, “Don’t understand!”

“Well, just know this: it’s dangerous inside. Survive, and you’ll get stronger.” Ink Ash dropped his mischief, turning serious.

Ignoring the danger part, her eyes lit up. “Will I get stronger?”

“What, you want to enter?” He watched her calmly.

Nodding, feeling her weakness, Lily said regretfully, “Mm! Lily’s still too weak...”

“So what? Stay with me, and you’ll—” He patted her head, seeing her determined gaze. “Inside, you’ll likely die. I can’t protect you.”

After deep thought, biting her lip, not wanting to burden him, Lily said firmly, “I... want to try.”

“You’re hopeless!” Rubbing his head, Ink Ash sighed. “That stubbornness leaves me no choice. But—I like it!”

Her dull eyes flooded with joy. “So Master means...?”

“Let’s go! It’s a dump. Ticks me off, I’ll smash it later.” He waved, walking ahead with a disdainful curl of his lip.

Reaching the portal before the door, light flickered. In an instant, the noisy leaning tower fell silent.

“Cross countless wars. Overcome endless trials. Accept my revelation... Brave warriors, chosen heroes—delight us thoroughly!”