Though Ian Song knew he was still leagues away in strength, he couldn’t resist testing himself against the Third Tier’s First Layer, just to see the true gulf between him and a Golden Core Realm cultivator.
"Temple Spirit, does the Third Tier’s First Layer offer revival chances?"
"You get five revivals."
"So if I fail the First Layer, I won’t get erased, right?" Ian pressed.
"No. You won’t."
"Alright, send me in!"
Less than five minutes later—
Ian was promptly ejected from the Third Tier's First Layer trial. The gap between his strength and the early Golden Core puppet was simply insurmountable; even unleashing every trick in his arsenal, he couldn’t leave a scratch on that Golden Core Realm battle puppet.
Meanwhile, that puppet could snuff out his life with a single indifferent wave.
In no time, Ian had put the failed challenge behind him and turned to the Temple Spirit: "Do I have primary usage rights now?"
"Correct."
The scenery shifted in a blink, and Ian found himself standing inside a vast, empty chamber of gleaming metal.
He swept his gaze around—every inch of the cultivation room was bare, not a single object in sight. For a moment, Ian felt a pang of disappointment.
But he quickly realized there had to be more to this place than met the eye. "Temple Spirit, what’s the real function of this cultivation room?" he asked.
No sooner had he spoken than a golden orb materialized before him. Inside, countless dark-gold runes spun and danced, swirling in mesmerizing patterns.
"What’s this supposed to be?" Ian asked, curiosity burning in his eyes.
"This is Dark-Gold Body," the Temple Spirit intoned. "It’s a top-tier body-refinement art—so rare that even in the God Realm, it’s a priceless treasure. Dark-Gold Body has nine stages. If you master just the first, even an early Golden Core Realm cultivator won’t be able to break your defenses."
"That insane?" Ian’s eyes blazed with excitement.
"Just touch the orb with your hand. All thirty-six thousand runes inside will merge into your flesh, blood, and bones. To complete the first stage, you only need to light up three hundred and sixty of them!"
"How do I light them up?"