King of Ten Thousand Years

With the swordsmanship perfected, Luo Tian began to cultivate.

Nine Heavens Sword Technique, First Technique: One Sword Piercing Clouds!

SHING!

Luo Tian drew the Wind and Snow Sword. Following the descriptions in the Nine Heavens Sword Technique, he began practicing, employing the proper methods for circulating his True Qi and executing the sword techniques.

He quickly came to one realization: it was difficult!

The difficulty of the Nine Heavens Sword Technique surpassed that of any martial skill Luo Tian had ever practiced.

At first, he couldn’t even make heads or tails of it!

After all, it was an Earth Level Upper Grade Sword Technique. Even an Elder at the Earth Element Realm would struggle to master it.

This was precisely why the Elder from the Xuanwu Pavilion had cautioned Luo Tian.

Any other disciple in the Spirit Sea Realm would have been completely unable to master this swordsmanship after redeeming it, wasting a colossal number of Contribution Points for nothing.

”The difficulty is what makes it a challenge!”

Luo Tian’s gaze was resolute.

In the past, he had always grasped the basics of any martial skill with ease.

He had never known what it felt like to truly struggle.

And so, Luo Tian threw himself into the swordsmanship, meticulously studying every detail.

After cultivating the Creation Technique, Luo Tian’s aptitude and Comprehension were exceptionally high.

He practiced the swordsmanship again and again, gradually losing himself in the movements.

Suddenly, a trace of True Sword Dao Intent emanated from him unconsciously, and an intangible brilliance brightened the area.

In that instant, Luo Tian seemed to have an epiphany, and his sword technique suddenly flowed with ease.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

As he swung the Wind and Snow Sword, it stirred the air, causing currents to churn and roll.

”So that’s how it is!”

A look of dawning comprehension appeared on Luo Tian’s face.

Earth Level Martial Skills corresponded to the Earth Element Realm.

Earth Level Upper Grade Martial Skills corresponded to an even higher level. The Nine Heavens Sword Technique was particularly special; one had to grasp at least a hint of True Sword Dao Intent, or it would be difficult to even begin.

And now, Luo Tian was on the path to mastering it.

As he practiced the swordsmanship over and over, his True Sword Dao Intent would faintly manifest, and the two would reinforce each other.

Not only was Luo Tian’s swordsmanship improving, but his understanding of True Sword Dao Intent was also deepening.

Just then, Sun Hongshi’s furious roar echoed from outside.

”Luo Tian, get the hell out here!”

”You bastard! How dare you deceive me! Now give up this pavilion and get on your knees and beg for forgiveness!”

Sun Hongshi was seething with rage.

But Luo Tian was at a crucial point in his training with the Nine Heavens Sword Technique and couldn’t be bothered to deal with him.

Sun Hongshi’s shouts drew the attention of some new and senior disciples.

”Brother Sun, how did this kid trick you?” a friend asked.

”This bastard has absolutely no connection to Ning Xin, but he deceived me and is squatting in her residence!” Sun Hongshi snarled, grinding his teeth.

”What? That kid doesn’t actually know Ning Xin?”

His friend was also surprised.

Everyone knew that every batch of new disciples was suppressed and bullied by the senior ones.

In the past four days, many new disciples had been beaten up at least four times.

But no senior disciple had ever gone out of their way to cause trouble for Luo Tian, precisely because they had all heard he was connected to Ning Xin.

But as it turned out, they had all been deceived!

”What? So this kid was just using Ning Xin’s name to fool all of us?”

”How outrageous! I’m going to teach him a lesson for Ning Xin’s sake today!”

After hearing this, many of the senior disciples grew furious as well.

By what right did a mere Spirit Sea Realm Second Layer with no connections or backing get to enjoy such a luxurious residence?

How could they, as senior disciples, show their faces after being deceived and played for fools by a new disciple?

Dong Hui was also drawn over by the commotion. When he heard what was happening, his expression turned incredibly sour.

’If I’d known the kid was a liar, I would’ve beaten him to a pulp earlier!’

Dong Hui was filled with vexation and regret as hatred welled up inside him.

Compared to everyone else, his situation was the most pathetic. He had been sent flying by a single punch from a new disciple at the Spirit Sea Realm Second Layer and hadn’t even gotten his revenge.

Outsiders who didn’t know the full story might actually think that Dong Hui was afraid of Luo Tian.

’No way! I have to get my dignity back!’

Dong Hui was now determined to teach Luo Tian a lesson, no matter what, and reclaim the dignity of a senior disciple.

”Luo Tian, come out and fight me!” Dong Hui bellowed.

And so, a scene unfolded outside Luo Tian’s residence.

A crowd of senior disciples gathered, shouting furiously and demanding to teach Luo Tian a lesson.

The commotion even drew the attention of Ke Yuexuan and Yuwen Xuan.

’What has that guy gotten himself into now?’

Ke Yuexuan pressed a hand to her forehead, sighing softly.

’That man is a walking disaster area; he’s never peaceful wherever he goes!’

”Eighth Brother, look!”

The Ninth Prince called the Eighth Prince over, a broad smile on his face. ”That kid is finished! He’s offended so many senior disciples!”

”Hmph. He’s getting what he deserves!” The Eighth Prince snorted coldly.

He had been incredibly jealous when he first learned that Luo Tian was living in such a fine pavilion.

He had almost believed that Luo Tian really knew Ning Xin, which was why he had spent the last few days investigating his background.

Now, his worries were completely put to rest.

’Let’s go add some fuel to the fire.’ A plan formed in the Eighth Prince’s mind.

Luo Tian’s talent and potential terrified him.

Moreover, Luo Tian had Ten Thousand Contribution Points, enough to let him have an easy time in the early stages and advance his Cultivation at a rapid pace.

The Eighth Prince squeezed through the crowd and shouted with a resentful expression, ”Luo Tian, during the assessment, you cheated, swindled, and robbed your way to a full Ten Thousand Contribution Points! I can’t believe that even after entering the Sect, your wicked nature hasn’t changed. You’ve even started deceiving your senior brothers and sisters!”

The moment the Eighth Prince said this, the crowd erupted.

”What? Ten Thousand Contribution Points!”

”You’ve got to be kidding! Is it even possible to earn that many Contribution Points in the assessment?”

”Holy cow! Ten Thousand Contribution Points! I work my tail off doing missions, and I might not earn that much in half a year!”

The senior disciples were all stunned.

In truth, there were two reasons senior disciples bullied newcomers. One was to establish their dominance.

The other was to extort them for personal gain.

And among all possible gains, Contribution Points were the most important!

”My Eighth Brother wouldn’t lie! Many of the new disciples can testify that Luo Tian is sitting on a huge pile of Contribution Points!” the Ninth Prince chimed in to support him.

The senior disciples had already wanted to teach Luo Tian a lesson. Now, learning that he also possessed a massive amount of Contribution Points, they grew even more agitated, itching to snatch all Ten Thousand of them for themselves!

”Luo Tian, I’ll settle this score with you today! Fight me!” Dong Hui roared, worked into a frenzy.

”Don’t think hiding in there will do you any good!”

Dong Hui strode forward to Luo Tian’s pavilion and raised his foot to kick the door down.

He was about to force his way into Luo Tian’s home!

’Heh heh!’ A triumphant smile spread across the Eighth Prince’s face.

’For now, I need to stunt Luo Tian’s growth. Having the senior disciples squeeze him for his Contribution Points is the perfect solution. As for how to kill Luo Tian... that will require an opportunity and a proper plan!’

But suddenly...

BANG!

...the door to Luo Tian’s pavilion flew open.

SMACK!

Dong Hui, who had been standing right at the entrance preparing to break it down, was struck square in the face by the suddenly opened door.

His head spinning from the impact, Dong Hui stumbled back several steps.

”You little...” Dong Hui clutched his nose, his expression grim.

Luo Tian had opened the door with such explosive force that even as a cultivator at the Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Fourth Layer, Dong Hui’s nose had nearly been broken.

This made him feel that Luo Tian had done it on purpose.

’But how could Luo Tian have known I was standing right outside the door? Does he have X-ray vision or something?’

In fact, Luo Tian really did know.

His Spiritual Sense had detected Dong Hui preparing to break down the door, prompting him to end his cultivation session.

He quite liked this pavilion; it would be a shame to see it damaged.

”My, all my senior brothers and sisters are so enthusiastic. Do you all wish to spar with me?” Luo Tian asked with a smile.

”That’s right, Luo Tian! Fight me right now! If you lose, you’ll give me five hundred Contribution Points as an apology!”

Dong Hui was aggressive, looking like he wanted to start the fight immediately.

”I heard the Yunxiao Sect has a special method for sparring, known as the ’Gambling Platform’!”

”How about this: anyone who wants to spar with me can prepare five hundred Contribution Points and issue a formal challenge on the Gambling Platform. I’ll see you all there in three days!”

A smile played on Luo Tian’s lips.

He had learned about the Gambling Platform while familiarizing himself with the Yunxiao Sect.

It was a method of fighting that had emerged from the chaos of the Lower Sect!

On the Gambling Platform, both parties would put up equal stakes, and the winner would take all!

You could bet anything on the Gambling Platform. The most common stakes were Contribution Points and Spiritual Essence Coins, but one could also bet one’s life.

”The Gambling Platform? Fine!” Dong Hui agreed instantly.

With a referee officiating the matches on the Gambling Platform, he wouldn’t have to worry about Luo Tian going back on his word.

”Luo Tian, do you dare accept my challenge!” Sun Hongshi shouted.

His strength was far greater than Dong Hui’s; he was at the Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer!

”Why wouldn’t I dare?”

”But if you’re too weak, don’t bother challenging me. I’d hate for you to lose and then accuse me of bullying the powerless!” Luo Tian added.

”You bastard, what did you just say?”

His words instantly ignited the fury of the senior disciples.

A mere Spirit Sea Realm Second Layer was speaking so arrogantly. He had no respect for anyone!

’An arrogant new disciple like him must be taught a harsh lesson!’

”Boy, as you wish! I, your senior, will also challenge you! If you can last twenty moves against me, I’ll consider it your victory. Let’s just hope you don’t get cold feet in three days!” a dark-faced man at the Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer shouted.

”Eighth Brother, what is Luo Tian doing...?” The Ninth Prince watched the scene, unable to comprehend it.

They had deliberately set a trap for Luo Tian, yet here he was, actively provoking the senior disciples even more. It was as if he felt the pit wasn’t deep enough, so he grabbed a shovel, dug a little deeper, and then jumped in.

The Eighth Prince’s expression was grim.

He also couldn’t understand why Luo Tian would do such a thing.

By offending so many senior disciples, Luo Tian was doomed to a miserable fate.

”Eighth Prince,” Luo Tian’s voice cut through, a provocative smile on his face as he looked at him. ”I wonder, do you dare to step onto the Gambling Platform?”

In truth, Luo Tian could have dismantled the Eighth Prince’s scheme simply by revealing that he had less than a thousand Contribution Points left.

’But then again,’ he thought. ’I only have less than a thousand Contribution Points left, so I need to find a way to earn more.’

That was why Luo Tian had decided to play along with the Eighth Prince’s plot, further enraging the senior disciples to set his own plan in motion.

”What’s there to be afraid of! I’ll see you on the Gambling Platform in three days!” The Eighth Prince replied, completely unafraid.

After entering the Sect, he had found a backer, allowing him to cultivate in peace, and his strength had improved considerably.

He had long been eager to avenge his previous humiliation!

...

After the crowd of new and senior disciples blocking his residence finally dispersed, Luo Tian resumed practicing the Nine Heavens Sword Technique.

However, since he was practicing indoors, he didn’t dare use his True Qi for fear of destroying the building.

After practicing for a full day, Luo Tian felt he had finally mastered the basics of the Nine Heavens Sword Technique’s First Technique.

「Late that night.」

He left his residence and found a deserted area at the foot of the mountain.

”One Sword Piercing Clouds!”

A phantom Sword Mark flashed in Luo Tian’s eyes.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

The Wind and Snow Sword in his hand danced wildly, resonating with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and building a vast, boundless momentum.

Suddenly, the gleaming sword in his hand shot forward in a fierce thrust.

SHIIINK!

A beam of Sword Qi, condensed to its absolute limit, shot out like a bolt of pure white silk. It tore through dozens of meters of forest before striking a boulder the size of a house.

Walking closer, he saw that a hole one meter deep had been pierced into the hard, greyish-black boulder!