King of Ten Thousand Years

Luo Tian surveyed the packed room and sighed inwardly.

Before, despite his astonishing results in the Four Grotto Heavens and his first-place finish in the Xuankong Mountain trial, hardly anyone had come to congratulate him.

’It seems the status of a Core Disciple truly is extraordinary!’

This also gave Luo Tian a powerful sense of confidence. The Third Elder had been a weight on his shoulders for so long, and now he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

”Luo Tian, I heard you’re going to the Celestial Pride Conference. That makes sense. With your current strength, you should go and broaden your horizons!”

”However, don’t get your hopes up too high. It’ll be good enough if you can just break into the top fifty!”

Elder Fang Qi said.

”Elder Fang Qi is right. You’re still young. The next Celestial Pride Conference will be your true stage to shine!”

another Big Fat Elder added.

”Oh?”

Luo Tian was a little surprised. Even though he had broken into the ranks of the Core Disciples, these Elders still didn’t seem to think much of his chances.

’It seems the competition at the Celestial Pride Conference is truly fierce and incredibly difficult.’

...

Luo Tian saw off the well-wishers one by one, then promptly packed his things, closed his door, and left.

These people were simply too enthusiastic. He figured more visitors would come over the next few days.

If this kept up, Luo Tian would never be able to leave.

Just as Luo Tian stepped out, he heard a piece of news.

Cheng Wanli had challenged and defeated a Core Disciple, also becoming a member of their ranks.

Luo Tian didn’t doubt Cheng Wanli’s strength in the slightest. After all, he possessed Earth Tier Top Grade Martial Veins and had a powerful background.

’Looks like the identities and rankings of the ten Core Disciples are in for a major shake-up after the Xuankong Mountain trial!’

Luo Tian and Cheng Wanli were just the beginning.

After exchanging his old token for a Core Disciple’s Identity Token, Luo Tian was ready to depart.

He went to the Spirit Beast Garden, where one could rent a Spirit Pet to use as a flying mount.

With only two months left until the Celestial Pride Conference, time was extremely tight, especially since he planned to train while traveling to the Central Domain.

That was why Luo Tian planned to rent a flying mount; it would save him a great deal of travel time.

”Nephew Luo, what kind of Spirit Pet mount are you looking for?”

The Elder of the Spirit Beast Garden personally came out to receive Luo Tian.

”A fast flying mount suitable for long-distance travel!”

Luo Tian stated his requirements.

”Come, they’re all this way!”

The Spirit Beast Garden Elder led Luo Tian to a mountainous forest area enveloped by an Array.

The two of them stood on high ground, able to see all the flying mounts being raised there at a glance.

The Cultivation of these flying mounts were all at the High Tier Spirit Sea Realm or above.

From a distance, Luo Tian saw a massive Black Shadow suddenly burst out from the clouds.

It was a giant eagle, fifty to sixty meters long, with black feathers that looked like they were forged from steel. It emanated a terrifying wind pressure.

”A Black Spirit Blood Eagle?”

Luo Tian couldn’t help but recall that it was this very eagle that had carried him from the Chilong Dynasty to the Yunxiao Sect.

”Does Nephew Luo wish to rent this eagle? It’s an Earth Level Demon Beast. Renting it costs three thousand Spiritual Essence Coins, with an additional two thousand Spiritual Essence Coins for every month you go over...”

the Spirit Beast Garden Elder said.

”Oh? I can even rent an Earth Level Demon Beast?”

Luo Tian was slightly surprised.

Ordinary Upper Sect Disciples didn’t have this privilege.

”It’s a privilege reserved for Core Disciples,” the Spirit Beast Garden Elder said with a smile.

’Just think,’ Luo Tian thought, ’riding an Earth Tier flying mount is not only impressive, but it can also serve as a powerful fighter!’

However, the Black Spirit Blood Eagle’s fee was too expensive. It wasn’t a very cost-effective choice.

Luo Tian observed for a while before his eyes landed on a five-to-six-meter-long blue bird. He asked, ”How much for this one?”

”This is a ’Flying Cloud Bird.’ It’s extremely fast and has good endurance, with a Cultivation at the Half-step Earth Element Realm. The rental fee is one thousand Spiritual Essence Coins, plus an additional one thousand for every month you go over.”

the Spirit Beast Garden Elder explained.

”Alright! This is the one!”

Luo Tian nodded.

The Flying Cloud Bird’s Cultivation was a little lower than the Black Spirit Blood Eagle’s, but it was also much cheaper, making it a better fit for Luo Tian.

After completing the necessary procedures.

Luo Tian mounted the Half-step Earth Element Realm Flying Cloud Bird and left the Yunxiao Sect directly!

「Alchemy Peak.」

Mu Yunshi stood before his door, his former slovenly image gone. His deep gaze followed a blue shadow in the distance until it disappeared from sight.

”That kid... he actually broke into the ranks of the Core Disciples in such a short time!”

Mu Yunshi had been very surprised when he received this news.

’It seems Luo Tian’s first place in the Xuankong Mountain trial wasn’t entirely due to luck and strategy. His own strength cannot be ignored.’

’But even so, placing in the top twenty of the Celestial Pride Conference is impossible!’

The Celestial Pride Conference was a grand event for all the prodigies of the Dongchen Continent.

Geniuses from the Four Major Sects, the Ten Hidden Families, some secret organizations, and the Central Domain Commerce Alliance would all participate.

Among them, the Ten Hidden Families stood apart from the world, having little contact with outsiders.

But no one had ever underestimated the Ten Hidden Families. Even the Four Major Sects wouldn’t provoke them lightly.

Many of the geniuses from these Hidden Families had never shown their faces publicly, nor were they included on the Spirit List.

At the Celestial Pride Conference, these geniuses would surely appear, revealing the true depth and power of the Ten Hidden Families to the entire Continent!

”The Ten Hidden Families...”

Mu Yunshi sighed, his mind drifting back to certain memories.

「Elsewhere.」

”Luo Tian became a Core Disciple?”

When the Third Elder heard this news, his expression stiffened, and a powerful killing intent erupted from his eyes.

Luo Tian had become a Core Disciple in less than a year since joining the Yunxiao Sect!

The future achievements of such a young Core Disciple were unimaginable.

At the very least, in the next Celestial Pride Conference, Luo Tian would definitely become a pillar of the Yunxiao Sect, shine brilliantly, and make a name for himself across the Continent!

”Damn it!”

The Third Elder’s face was grim and sinister.

Given the speed of Luo Tian’s rise, it was only a matter of time before he surpassed him.

And Luo Tian’s master had once been expelled from the Yunxiao Sect because of him.

When that time came, Luo Tian would certainly avenge his master!

”Master, there is someone outside asking to see you! It is Elder Mao’s disciple, Hou Zhen.”

the butler said.

The Third Elder’s expression was cold. ”Let him in!”

”Greetings, Third Elder!”

A sharp-faced man walked in and bowed respectfully.

”What is it?” the Third Elder asked nonchalantly.

”Third Elder, my master asked me to pass on a message... Luo Tian has left the Yunxiao Sect.”

The sharp-faced man said with a smile.

Hmm?

A sharp glint flashed in the Third Elder’s eyes!

After the Xuankong Mountain trial ended, the Third Elder had wanted to eliminate Luo Tian but could never find the opportunity!

But now, the opportunity had arrived!

’The outside world is a very dangerous place!’

It wasn’t unheard of for Yunxiao Sect disciples to perish while traveling outside.

”Master, your disciple is willing to act!”

Qiao Hai sent via voice transmission.

”No need!”

The Third Elder waved his hand.

Murdering a Core Disciple of the Sect was a major offense, and he absolutely could not afford to leave behind any clues.

Once the matter was exposed, even his status as the Third Elder would be useless.

Letting Qiao Hai make a move was too risky. It could implicate him.

Even secretly posting a bounty felt risky to the Third Elder, as it could be traced back to him.

”Qiao Hai, before Luo Tian joined the Yunxiao Sect, did he offend the Chilong Dynasty?”

the Third Elder asked.

”That is indeed the case!”

Qiao Hai had investigated Luo Tian’s background before and knew the details clearly.

”This disciple will see to it at once!”

Qiao Hai immediately understood the Third Elder’s meaning.

Neither he nor the Third Elder wanted to be directly involved in this matter. The best way was to kill with a borrowed knife!

Luo Tian had killed the sons of two Chilong Dynasty Princes. This was a blood feud!

As long as they leaked the news of Luo Tian leaving the Yunxiao Sect to them, the ”knife” would be borrowed.

Most importantly, he and the Third Elder could completely distance themselves from it and remain uninvolved.

...

「Aboard the Flying Cloud Bird.」

Luo Tian sat cross-legged.

While his flying mount traveled, he used the time to cultivate, making the most of these two months.

After cultivating for a while, his Seventh-Layer Spirit Sea Vortex reached seventy-five percent completion.

He then took out a plump, crystal-red fruit.

A dense wave of Fire Element Spiritual Qi emanated from it. Even the Flying Cloud Bird turned its head to stare at the fruit, its eyes sparkling.

”Just keep flying properly!”

Luo Tian snapped.

This Fire Berry was a Three-star Treasure, and it was the most valuable Spiritual Material he had obtained inside Xuankong Mountain.

It contained an extremely dense Earth Vein Flame Essence, which could advance the Cultivation of a Fire Dao Cultivator. It was also a main ingredient for refining several precious Fire Element Spirit Pills!

But Luo Tian only planned to use this fruit to temper his physique.

He took a small bite.

WHOOSH!

A scorching hot aura erupted inside Luo Tian’s body like a volcano, and an intense burning sensation instantly spread throughout him.

”Worthy of a Three-star Treasure. Its medicinal power is incredible!”

Luo Tian said through gritted teeth.

It was a good thing he had only taken one bite. If he had swallowed the whole thing, he probably wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

Luo Tian immediately activated the >. His entire body felt as if it had been plunged into lava as flames seared him all over, forging his physique.

SIZZLE!

A layer of cyan energy patterns, sparkling with flames, roamed across Luo Tian’s body, continuously tempering it.

After being tempered, Luo Tian’s physique took on an even more brilliant luster.

Just then, the Flying Cloud Bird beneath him suddenly shrieked, glaring angrily at Luo Tian.

Startled, Luo Tian looked down and saw that the spot where he was sitting was slightly scorched.

Apparently, the Flame Power that had leaked out while he was tempering his physique had burned the Flying Cloud Bird.

”You’re a Half-step Earth Element Realm Demon Beast, for crying out loud. You’re useless.”

Luo Tian said helplessly.

The Flying Cloud Bird understood him and shrieked with even greater displeasure.

Next, Luo Tian created a thin membrane of True Qi and placed it underneath himself to prevent burning the Flying Cloud Bird.

He then resumed his Cultivation.

Afterward, Luo Tian took two more bites of the Fire Berry.

When the Medicinal Power was fully absorbed.

Luo Tian’s > broke through to Third-Layer Minor Achievement!

VWOOM!

Luo Tian activated the Magic Technique. His body swelled by a full size, his skin taking on a jade-like cyan luster with fine, natural patterns, and he emanated an incredibly heavy, oppressive aura.

The Flying Cloud Bird immediately felt the fellow on its back become several times heavier.

Luo Tian suddenly threw a punch, using no True Qi, only the power of his physique.

BOOM!

A cyan-jade light exploded. A dull boom echoed through the air as a cyan fist projection shot out for dozens of meters, striking the peak of a nearby mountain!

The mountaintop shattered, and boulders tumbled down. The many Demon Beasts on the mountain were startled and let out angry roars.

The Flying Cloud Bird beneath him shrieked in displeasure again.

’This person who rented me is such a troublemaker,’ it seemed to think. ’Can’t a bird just fly in peace?’

”Hahaha! Excellent! My physical strength alone is now comparable to a typical cultivator at the Ninth Layer of Spirit Sea Realm!”

Luo Tian couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

If he were to fight the blue-haired woman again now, Luo Tian would win even more easily.

”Stop. I’m going down to find a few Demon Beasts to test my skills!”

Luo Tian said to the Flying Cloud Bird.

The Flying Cloud Bird stopped with some irritation. Luo Tian leaped down and darted into the mountain forest.

The next moment.

The sound of explosions rang out as trees toppled and the surrounding Demon Beasts went into an uproar.

Combining Cultivation with actual combat was the fastest way to improve!

...

「Half a month later.」

Luo Tian gazed at a desolate forest in the distance.

This was the border of the Azure Cloud Kingdom!