King of Ten Thousand Years

The writing on the second Ancient Scroll was even more bizarre and abstract, unlike any human script.

The Celestial Book only managed to deduce less than a tenth of its contents.

But what it revealed left Luo Tian quite shocked.

”The Demon Thought Technique, a powerful Evil Technique of the Ancient Heavenly Demon Clan. It can evoke or amplify the negative emotions and mental weaknesses of intelligent races, even triggering a target’s Heart Demon. Cultivated to a high Realm, one can use Demon Thought to invade a target’s mind, influencing and controlling their consciousness...”

This was a Secret Technique, an Evil Technique of an ancient race.

The cultivation threshold for this technique required Spiritual Sense at a minimum. Even those in the Earth Element Realm would not find it easy to comprehend and cultivate.

Only those at the Celestial Pool Realm or above could cultivate it to any degree of proficiency.

But the sheer power of this technique made Luo Tian’s heart pound with excitement.

Never mind cultivating it to a high Realm to directly invade a target’s mind and control their will and personality.

Even if he only cultivated a fraction of it.

Unleashing it suddenly in battle to stir up an opponent’s negative emotions could force them to reveal an opening.

In a life-and-death struggle, the slightest opening could instantly decide the outcome.

Furthermore.

Against someone with a weak will, an unstable Realm, or existing mental weaknesses, the Demon Thought Technique could unleash several times its normal power.

”I possess Spiritual Sense. Can I cultivate this technique?”

L Luo Tian asked.

”For a human to cultivate it, it requires some slight modifications. The Celestial Destiny Creation Technique has a boosting effect on Spiritual Secret Skills.”

The Celestial Book’s answer was a pleasant surprise for Luo Tian.

「A moment later.」

Luo Tian put down the two Ancient Scrolls in his hands.

”Well?”

The Eldest Princess smiled, not holding much hope.

The scripts of these two Secret Techniques were extremely ancient. They had been in the Royal Family’s possession for two hundred years, yet no one had been able to decipher even a bit of them.

”One of the scrolls is a Pill Formula for something called the ’Fanghua Pill.’ It has the effect of preserving one’s youth and beauty.”

Luo Tian said.

’This pill’s effect seems a bit useless to me,’ Luo Tian thought.

”Preserving youth and beauty?”

To his surprise, the Eldest Princess’s beautiful eyes lit up, and she revealed a girlish, delighted excitement.

Luo Tian was taken aback.

Afterward, the Eldest Princess brought out a brush and paper, asking Luo Tian to write down the contents of the Pill Formula.

”How miraculous! Besides rejuvenating and brightening the skin, this Fanghua Pill can also slow a woman’s aging process by twenty to thirty percent.”

The Eldest Princess was amazed.

The effects of this Fanghua Pill were a fatal temptation for any woman, including noble ladies and royal princesses.

Its commercial value was simply immeasurable.

The only regret was that some of the medicinal ingredients in the Pill Formula were extremely rare, even extinct, and would require substitutes.

”As for the other scroll, I could only barely make out that it’s an Evil Technique from an ancient Alien Race. Humans probably can’t cultivate it.”

Luo Tian added.

The text of the Demon Thought Technique had already been recorded by the Celestial Book.

The Creation Celestial Book possessed a kind of scanning and recording ability for all sorts of knowledge and information.

Luo Tian hid the existence of the Demon Thought Technique.

For one, he needed to keep an ace up his sleeve and not give off the impression that he knew everything, which would otherwise attract suspicion and greed.

Moreover.

Before the Demon Thought Technique was perfected, humans couldn’t cultivate it anyway.

Since Luo Tian planned to cultivate it himself, it was best not to let anyone else know, keeping it as a secret trump card.

”Being able to decipher this Pill Formula is already a wonderful surprise.”

The Eldest Princess was beaming with joy.

She had no interest in the other scroll, since it was an Evil Technique of an Alien Race that was difficult for humans to cultivate.

...

The auction was in a few days.

Luo Tian moved into a pavilion guest room in the Princess’s Mansion and enjoyed a taste of the privileged royal lifestyle.

「That night.」

Luo Tian stored the Wind and Snow Sword, his luggage, and other items into the Deep Silver Space Ring, which was extremely convenient.

CLATTER!

Luo Tian then took out a large handful of Spiritual Essence Coins from thin air.

VMMMM!

The Spiritual Essence Coins suddenly dimmed and turned into a pile of dust.

The process only ended after consuming several hundred Spiritual Essence Coins.

Luo Tian couldn’t help but feel a pang of pain at the cost. For an ordinary Spirit Sea Realm cultivator, this was a huge sum.

’Infer and perfect!’

The power that had filled the Celestial Book then dimmed at an astonishing rate, completely consumed.

Soon.

The first quarter of the Demon Thought Technique was fully inferred and perfected.

At Luo Tian’s current level.

He only sought to grasp the basics. If he could evoke or amplify a target’s negative emotions to reveal an opening in battle, it would be incredibly practical.

Just imagine.

Facing a Spirit Sea Realm cultivator at their peak, Luo Tian could only contend with them by using his full strength.

But if he could stir up his opponent’s negative emotions and force an opening, he would have a chance to win in a single blow.

The difference between the two scenarios was immense!

Luo Tian focused his mind and began to cultivate the Demon Thought Technique.

Thanks to the boost from the Celestial Destiny Creation Technique, the process was slightly difficult, but Luo Tian was still able to cultivate it smoothly.

One must know, even cultivators in the Earth Element Realm found this technique difficult to practice.

「Two to three days later.」

Luo Tian had cultivated the Demon Thought Technique to a superficial level, just scratching the surface.

”Begin!”

A strange, ghostly light shone from Luo Tian’s eyes as he uttered a series of ethereal Void Melodies. The sounds were deep and muddled, as if rising from an abyss, unsettling one’s emotions.

WHOOSH!

Luo Tian seemed to transform into an Evil Monarch of his generation. His hair and robes billowed without any wind, and he emanated a bizarre and unfathomable spiritual aura.

It only lasted for four or five breaths.

Luo Tian’s face turned pale. His Spiritual Power was heavily drained, and his qi and blood began to wane.

And this was despite his Spiritual Power being more than ten times that of his peers and much stronger than that of an average Spirit Sea Realm cultivator.

’The consumption is immense.’

Luo Tian stopped, but a hint of joy showed in his eyes.

Now, when he used the Demon Thought Technique, it was extremely difficult for anyone below the Spirit Sea Realm to resist.

Even those in the Spirit Sea Realm would be affected to varying degrees, depending on their Realm, willpower, and other factors.

「Another two days passed.」

Luo Tian could now steadily use the Initial Tier power of his Demon Thought Technique.

Of course.

He hadn’t neglected his Martial Arts cultivation these past few days either.

He consumed another Upper Grade Qi Refining Pill and a Qi Storage Pill.

Luo Tian’s cultivation finally advanced to the Peak of Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening.

His foundation and strength both saw a small increase.

Luo Tian was now fifty percent confident that he could pass the eighth floor of the Spirit Fighting Tower.

In other words.

His strength was now roughly on par with that of an ordinary prodigy student from a Holy Mansion.

This was without even factoring in the Demon Thought Technique.

”Master Luo, the Eldest Princess requests your presence.”

Outside the pavilion, a female steward said respectfully.

”Very well.”

Looking refreshed and energetic, Luo Tian walked out of his room.

「Before long.」

Luo Tian met the Eldest Princess in a pavilion.

Besides the Eldest Princess.

There were two elderly men, both over seventy, chatting and laughing cheerfully in the pavilion.

”Master Luo, you’ve arrived.”

The Eldest Princess’s gaze swept over Luo Tian, a hint of surprise on her face.

’Luo Tian’s cultivation progress is astonishingly fast. He’s already reached the Peak of Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening.’

’Even Li Yunxiu, with her Earth Tier Middle Grade Martial Vein and the resources of the Royal Family, has only just managed to reach this level.’

’Master Luo?’

The two old men in the pavilion frowned, their faces showing clear doubt and anger.

’How dare a mere boy call himself a master?’

”These two elders are the Treasure Master, ’Master Deng,’ and the number one doctor of the Azure Cloud Kingdom, ’Master Mi’.”

The Eldest Princess introduced them with a smile.

Master Deng wore an ancient robe and was adorned with all sorts of accessories, including gloves, a bracelet, Buddha Beads, and a Compass, giving him a professional air.

Master Mi was dressed more simply. His white beard was two feet long, and he carried a large medicine pouch on his back, befitting his status as Azure Cloud’s top doctor.

”And this,” the Eldest Princess continued, introducing Luo Tian, ”is the Master Luo I have spoken of.”

”Hmph.”

Master Deng grunted, his attitude cold.

’A wet-behind-the-ears brat is being ranked as a master alongside me? This is an insult!’

”Young man.”

Master Mi said meaningfully, ”The Ancient Medicine Formula your master deciphered is indeed admirable. But as a young man, it’s better to be a little more humble.”

Luo Tian remained expressionless and didn’t respond.

Having just met them, he was already being looked down upon and lectured by the two masters. He certainly wasn’t going to offer a warm smile to a cold shoulder.

”Masters, the auction is this afternoon. I will need your help to appraise the items then.”

the Eldest Princess said politely.

”Rest assured, Princess. With Master Mi and myself here, we won’t make any mistakes!”

Master Deng said proudly.

In their conversation, neither of them treated Luo Tian as an equal.

The Eldest Princess gave Luo Tian an apologetic look.

...

This auction was of a relatively high grade and standard.

The venue was in the center of the Royal Capital’s Martial City, within a luxurious and magnificent pavilion. It was enveloped by multiple layers of Arrays and guarded by a large number of sentries.

There were only two ways to enter the auction.

First, be a VIP with an invitation.

Second, have a cultivation at the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening or higher, or possess over a thousand Spiritual Essence Coins.

”This way, distinguished guests.”

When the Eldest Princess presented a golden invitation card, the auction house sent a beautiful female steward to personally receive them.

As they entered the hall.

”Master Deng! Long time no see. Could you help me appraise something later?”

”Master Mi! You’ve come as well, Elder...”

From time to time, some distinguished guests and figures from various factions would greet Master Deng and Master Mi.

The Eldest Princess was usually low-key, and with her title as the Ice Immortal Doctor, few who recognized her had the courage to approach and greet her.

Thus, the warmth and respect the two masters received were beyond imagination.

Master Deng, in particular, was even more popular at the auction, being a Treasure Master.

The two masters were used to it, acting neither servile nor overbearing, their demeanor refined and extraordinary.

From beginning to end, they didn’t spare Luo Tian a single glance.

「Before long.」

The beautiful steward arranged for them to be seated at a VIP platform of the highest standard.

The entire auction hall was divided into three tiers of seating.

They were: ordinary seats, VIP seats, and VIP platforms.

There were only a few dozen VIP platforms, suspended in mid-air and built in an arc along the walls.

Sitting on a VIP platform provided an excellent, unobstructed, top-down view of the entire hall.

”Do our distinguished guests have any needs?”

the beautiful steward asked.

”Can I have you auction this Jade Spirit Pill?”

Luo Tian took out a Jade-like Crystal Clear Spirit Pill.

’A Jade Spirit Pill?’

Master Mi’s eyes showed surprise; he clearly knew the value of this pill.

”The effects of this pill are extraordinary. Of course, it’s no problem.”

The beautiful steward briefly appraised it, her face showing delight, and quickly processed the consignment for auction on Luo Tian’s behalf.

Furthermore.

The auction house gave Luo Tian a credit line of one thousand Spiritual Essence Coins, meaning the pill’s estimated auction value was at least one thousand.

As the auction time drew near.

Figures from all sides arrived at the venue in a continuous stream.

Among them...

...Luo Tian saw students from the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion.

The Sunshine Student, Senior Jin, as well as Nangong Yu, Yue Jing, Liu Ziyan, the Seventh Prince, and others were all present.

Even Vice Manor Master Yue was present, leading the contingent from the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion.

It wasn’t just the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion.

Students and high-ranking members from the other two great Holy Mansions, as well as many Advanced Martial Mansions, had also arrived.

Because the Wu Mansion Grand Gathering was drawing near, many participating representatives from the various Wu Mansions had arrived early.

At a certain moment.

WHOA!

A wave of gasps went through the student representatives from the various Wu Mansions.

”It’s Wang Tian, second on the Human List!”