King of Ten Thousand Years

”What? Liu Yi!”

Wang Fu cried out in shock.

He never imagined that the trump card Ying Feihang had given him would fail to kill Luo Tian and end up killing Liu Yi instead.

’How could this be?’

He didn’t consider the possibility that Luo Tian had changed the Poison Needle’s direction.

In his view, Luo Tian had struggled just to dodge the Poison Needle’s attack; it was sheer luck. ’How could he possibly have the ability to alter its trajectory?’

Besides, precisely aiming the Poison Needle at Liu Yi would have been incredibly difficult.

”Had a falling out, you two? To think you’d try to kill him!”

Luo Tian mocked with a smile.

’Getting rid of Liu Yi at Wang Fu’s hand couldn’t be more perfect.’

Now, only Wang Fu remained. His threat was limited, so Luo Tian no longer saw a need to leave.

He executed the Wind Manipulation Technique, his body becoming a gust of wind, a blurry afterimage as he sped away from Wang Fu.

”It’s not easy to get a chance in the Slaughter Grotto Heaven, and those two idiots just had to ruin it!”

Luo Tian looked displeased.

He now began to focus on the trial itself, honing his Martial Skills and increasing his strength.

Combining the Nine Heavens Sword Technique and the Wind Manipulation Technique, he pushed his speed and Attack to their absolute peak!

SHIIING! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Luo Tian’s figure was like the wind, unpredictable. Sword Qi crisscrossed the air, filling it with a chilling aura.

Splashes of blood erupted all around as Blood Corpse after Blood Corpse fell to the ground, dead.

In the distance, Wang Fu was surrounded by a massive horde of Blood Corpses. He could barely protect himself, let alone interfere with Luo Tian.

”Luo... Tian!”

His eyes were bloodshot as he stared daggers at Luo Tian, letting out a bone-chilling, Yin Cold roar.

The plan to stop Luo Tian had failed yet again!

Not only that, but he had gotten Liu Yi killed!

Wang Fu’s rage soared, his heart filled with resentment, but he was utterly helpless!

He held on for about a dozen breaths.

Suddenly, a layer of white light enveloped Wang Fu and teleported him out.

...

「Outside.」

The crowd of Upper Sect Disciples stared at the three balls of light above the Light Cave.

”How is this possible? That kid still hasn’t been teleported out!”

Li Zhiyun’s face was ashen with disbelief.

He had bet Ning Xin that Luo Tian couldn’t even last the time it takes for an incense stick to burn inside.

But now, it was almost time for two incense sticks to burn!

’How could this be?’

The other Upper Sect Disciples were also shocked and skeptical.

”He’s a mere Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer. How could he possibly stay in the Slaughter Grotto Heaven for so long?”

”Could it be that the kid has some special method to avoid being chased by the Blood Corpses?”

A mature-looking young man commented. He had participated in the Four Grotto Heavens trial once before.

Even Ning Xin was stunned.

’Looks like I underestimated him. He’s actually lasted this long inside!’

Ning Xin smiled sweetly.

She wasn’t worried about the bet at all anymore. In fact, she was about to win three thousand Spiritual Essence Coins.

But suddenly, OMM!

Above the Light Cave, one of the white orbs of light extinguished.

Ten breaths passed, but no one was teleported out.

Some of the senior disciples immediately exclaimed, ”Someone died inside!”

The ashen-faced Li Zhiyun froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. ”Hahaha! That kid really overestimated himself! He didn’t listen to my advice and actually died in there!”

He thought he was guaranteed to lose the bet, but Luo Tian had died!

”Sigh, what a pity. To last that long inside proves his talent and strength were extraordinary...” the mature-looking young man sighed.

”How could this be? Luo Tian...”

The color drained from Ning Xin’s beautiful face.

Guilt welled up in her heart. She believed Luo Tian had died because of her bet; she had been the one to harm him.

Farther back, the corner of Ying Feihang’s mouth curled up slightly. ’Those two idiots didn’t screw it up this time.’

With Luo Tian dead, he could finally relax. He turned, preparing to leave.

But suddenly, another orb of light dimmed.

Immediately after, Wang Fu was teleported out.

”As expected of the number one expert from the Lower Sect, to think he lasted so long!”

”Isn’t Wang Fu the top disciple from the Lower Sect? Could the new disciple still inside actually be stronger than him?”

The disciples began to murmur amongst themselves, their attention fixed on Wang Fu.

As a newly promoted Upper Sect Disciple, his performance was already quite impressive.

But Wang Fu’s face was deathly pale, his gaze vacant.

When he met Ying Feihang’s gaze, a shiver ran down his spine.

”Wang Fu, well done. From now on, you’ll be with me!”

Ying Feihang said with a smile.

Wang Fu walked hesitantly over to Ying Feihang and stammered, ”Senior Brother Ying... I failed!”

”Failed? Isn’t Luo Tian dead?”

Ying Feihang froze, asking subconsciously.

”The one who died... was Liu Yi!”

The words were hard for Wang Fu to say, but he told the truth.

Ying Feihang’s expression froze for a breath, then suddenly turned savage.

SLAP!

He slapped Wang Fu directly, sending him sprawling to the ground with a clear, red Palm Seal on his face.

Ying Feihang’s breathing grew ragged, rage burning in his chest.

If they weren’t in public, he would have done far more than just slap him.

”I lent you a Hidden Weapon, lent you Upper Grade Defense Treasure Armor to help you deal with Luo Tian in the Slaughter Grotto Heaven! Were you eating shit in there?”

Ying Feihang couldn’t stop himself from cursing.

This was an outcome he had never imagined. He even wondered if Liu Yi and Wang Fu were pig-headed idiots to have failed so spectacularly!

After venting, Ying Feihang calmed down slightly.

”So you’re saying... the person still inside is Luo Tian!”

Ying Feihang’s expression darkened.

Luo Tian’s strength had far exceeded his expectations.

Ying Feihang knew the truth now, but the others were still in the dark, all assuming Luo Tian was dead.

They thought the one still in the trial was Liu Yi and were waiting to see how long he could last.

...

「Inside the Slaughter Grotto Heaven.」

Luo Tian stood as if atop a mountain of corpses in a sea of blood.

From all directions, a ceaseless tide of Blood Corpses charged toward him.

Luo Tian had already swallowed a Qi Replenishing Pill to restore his True Qi while simultaneously executing the Wind Manipulation Technique and Nine Heavens Sword Technique to slay his enemies.

His robes were drenched in blood, and he emanated a towering, ice-cold, baleful aura.

His Mid Grade Defense Treasure Armor had been completely destroyed under the onslaught of the Blood Corpses.

A dozen or so wounds marred his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body, but they were all minor.

However, Luo Tian was also reaching his limit.

He had nowhere left to run. Standing atop a pile of dead Blood Corpses, he was surrounded by more than two hundred more.

But Luo Tian hadn’t given up. He wanted to fight until the very last moment to make the most of the Slaughter Grotto Heaven.

Suddenly, the attack speed of the Ice Trace Sword in Luo Tian’s hand increased dramatically. Wherever the Sword Light passed, a faint Cold Mist and wisps of cloud drifted, stirring up a whirlwind of Sword Qi.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

The Sword Qi was as fast as lightning yet as smooth as flowing water. It seemed to transform into a violent gale, churning with Luo Tian at its center.

The charging Blood Corpses were instantly covered in dozens of Sword Marks and blasted away in unison.

’I’ve finally comprehended it! The second style of the Nine Heavens Sword Technique, Flowing Wind and Clouds!’

This Sword Technique’s Sword Qi was as swift and elegant as the wind, with a massive area of effect perfect for group battles!

Furthermore, it was a continuous Sword Technique; its power would stack as he continued to execute the swordsmanship.

Its only drawback was its immense consumption.

After using this move, Luo Tian had barely any Qi Sea True Qi left. After all, he had been fighting continuously using two Earth Level Upper Grade Martial Skills.

OMM!

A layer of white light enveloped Luo Tian and teleported him out.

...

”The third white orb has dissipated!”

”I can’t believe this new Upper Sect Disciple lasted for so long. I wonder how many Points he got?”

Everyone’s eyes lit up as they stared intently.

But the person they saw was Luo Tian!

”Huh? This person... isn’t that young man at the Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Sixth Layer.”

”Isn’t that the kid at Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer?”

”What the hell! What’s going on?”

Cries of surprise erupted, sparking widespread shock.

”What? You brat... How are you alive again?”

Li Zhiyun stared dumbfounded at Luo Tian, his face a mask of horror.

’Didn’t Luo Tian die in there?’

”Luo Tian? You’re not dead?”

Ripples flashed in Ning Xin’s beautiful eyes as a look of pleasant surprise appeared on her face. She instantly appeared before Luo Tian, confirming it was really him.

”Who said I died?”

Luo Tian asked.

However, he had already guessed why these people thought he was dead.

”Senior Brother, a bet’s a bet. Pay up!”

Luo Tian walked up to Li Zhiyun and held out his hand for the money.

”You... you must have cheated! Your Cultivation is the lowest of the three of you. How could you possibly be the last one out!”

Li Zhiyun’s brows furrowed into a knot as he voiced his strong suspicion.

His statement was met with agreement from some of the other disciples.

They found it utterly unbelievable that Wang Fu, at Spirit Sea Realm Seventh Layer, came out first; Liu Yi, at the Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Sixth Layer, died inside; and Luo Tian, at Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer, was the one who lasted until the end.

”Are you trying to go back on your word, Senior Brother?”

Luo Tian shot back.

”I will report this to the higher-ups and ask the Elders to investigate thoroughly! Cheating in the Four Grotto Heavens has very serious consequences!”

Li Zhiyun was convinced Luo Tian had cheated.

”If the Elders determine you didn’t cheat, then I, Li Zhiyun, will admit defeat and pay you six thousand Spiritual Essence Coins, not one less!” he added.

Luo Tian didn’t really care either way.

The death of an Upper Sect Disciple inside the Slaughter Grotto Heaven was bound to alert the higher-ups and trigger an investigation.

”Li Zhiyun, you keep accusing Luo Tian of cheating, but have you taken a good look at his score?”

Ning Xin chided sharply.

”Score?”

Li Zhiyun looked toward the canyon.

Luo Tian was also curious to see how he had performed this time.

On the canyon wall, a rectangular area protruded slightly.

This was the Slaughter Grotto Heaven ranking board!

Currently, a total of six people had entered. Since Liu Yi had died, only five names were on the board.

The first-ranked person was named Liu Donglai, a senior disciple who had entered before Luo Tian. He had stayed inside the longest and had 22,500 Points!

The second-ranked was also a senior disciple, with 18,600 Points!

The third-ranked was, shockingly, Luo Tian, with 17,700 Points, only a few hundred points behind second place!

As for Wang Fu, who had come out a bit earlier than Luo Tian, he was ranked fifth with 11,700 Points.

”Such high Points!”

Luo Tian’s score drew gasps of amazement from many people.

”This is the Slaughter Grotto Heaven. The Points are calculated based on the number and Level of the Blood Corpses killed!”

Ning Xin explained.

Wang Fu had only come out a little while before Luo Tian, yet the difference in their Points was so large.

This was because he had killed relatively few Blood Corpses inside, spending the entire time considering how to deal with Luo Tian.

”So that’s how it is... What a pity. I killed too few!”

Luo Tian nodded, then said with regret.

This comment left some of the nearby disciples fuming.

”You say that as if you weren’t giving it your all.”

Ning Xin rolled her eyes at Luo Tian, voicing what the other disciples were thinking.

In their view, for Luo Tian to have lasted so long and accumulated over 17,000 Points, he must have fought with everything he had and used every last trump card.

But in reality, Luo Tian had been constantly harassed by Liu Yi and Wang Fu during this trial. Otherwise, his score would indeed have been even better.