King of Ten Thousand Years

Cloud Pool!

It was a Forbidden Cultivation Land of the Mu Family, opened once every three years.

The talented disciples sent by the forces affiliated with the Mu Family could also enter to cultivate if they obtained a spot.

There were twenty spots in the Cloud Pool in total.

The ten most outstanding geniuses of the Mu Family were guaranteed ten spots. The remaining spots were contested in a martial arts competition between the other Mu Family disciples and the outside geniuses.

”Didn’t Luo Tian get a spot? Why is he over there?”

Mu Ze remembered it clearly.

Mu Yunshi had argued with several high-ranking members to secure a spot for Luo Tian in the Cloud Pool.

But now, Luo Tian had appeared at the competition for the spots, in the area designated for outside geniuses.

’That old codger, he just got back to the family and he’s already opposing so many of the higher-ups, earning their displeasure.’

’He fought to get a spot for this kid. If I could find a way to make Luo Tian waste it, that old codger would probably die of anger.’

Mu Ze’s gaze grew profound as his thoughts raced.

If he succeeded, the family’s higher-ups would think more highly of him and pour more resources into his development.

Besides, Mu Ze wasn’t afraid of retaliation from Mu Yunshi. His father was the family’s Grand Elder.

...

Listening to the discussions around him, Luo Tian gradually understood the significance of this competition.

’A competition for the Cloud Pool spots?’

Luo Tian had gone into seclusion for over a month right after arriving at the Mu Family, so he knew very little.

But it was clear that these spots were very precious.

Even the major clans who paid tribute and sent their geniuses to study with the Mu Family did so to compete for this opportunity.

Unfortunately, the spots were limited. Each time, the outside geniuses would obtain four or five spots at most.

On the Martial Arts Arena.

POW!

An outside genius was sent flying off the Martial Arts Arena by a palm strike from a Mu Family disciple.

The Mu Family disciple was victorious.

Immediately after, Ji Yuanqing took the stage!

His cultivation was at the Earth Element Realm Fourth Layer, while his opponent was only at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Third Layer. He secured victory in just ten moves!

”Amazing!”

”He’s the Ji Family’s number one genius, as expected!”

The outside geniuses cheered, sharing in his glory.

Among the Mu Family’s higher-ups, a few nodded slightly, acknowledging Ji Yuanqing’s talent and strength.

A smile touched Ji Yuanqing’s lips as he stood on the Martial Arts Arena, basking in the feeling of being the center of attention.

’This feeling of being watched and praised... even though I can enjoy it anytime in the Ji Family, it’s completely different here.’

Satisfied, Ji Yuanqing stepped down from the stage and looked toward Jiya’Er.

But he saw that Jiya’Er wasn’t looking at him. Instead, she was looking past him, squeezing through the crowd to arrive at Luo Tian’s side.

”Brother Luo, what are you doing here?”

Jiya’Er revealed a lovely smile.

After learning that Luo Tian was the disciple of one of the Mu Family’s higher-ups, she felt he was even more outstanding, someone even the Ji Family’s number one genius, Ji Yuanqing, couldn’t compare to.

”Just passing by.”

Luo Tian nodded in response.

”I don’t know if I’ll be able to get a spot in this competition for the Cloud Pool. I’m so jealous, Brother Luo. You aren’t even a member of the Mu Family, yet you have a guaranteed spot.”

Jiya’Er looked at Luo Tian with an envious expression.

”I have a spot?”

Luo Tian was taken aback.

”You don’t know?” Jiya’Er was also very surprised.

”I only heard about it...”

She recounted what she had heard.

Luo Tian’s master had fought for a spot for him, which had caused dissatisfaction among many of the Mu Family’s higher-ups and geniuses.

In the end, however, Mu Yunshi had succeeded.

The incident had a big impact, and all the geniuses concerned about the Cloud Pool spots knew about it.

’It seems Master saw that I was in seclusion and didn’t want to disturb me...’

Luo Tian understood after a moment’s thought.

The competition for the Cloud Pool spots gradually neared its end.

In the final moments, Jiya’Er took the stage. Her cultivation was at the Earth Element Realm Third Layer, which was also extremely impressive, but she was no match for a Mu Family disciple and was defeated after thirty moves.

”I lost.”

Jiya’Er walked off the stage, looking aggrieved and sad, a pitiful sight.

Just as the competition was about to conclude, a Mu Family genius suddenly leaped onto the Martial Arts Arena.

”Elders, please give me one more chance! I want to issue another challenge!”

After getting on stage, Mu Jiu bowed to the Mu Family’s higher-ups.

A smirk played on Mu Ze’s lips as he spoke, ”Father, let’s give Mu Jiu a chance. It’s a real shame he only lost earlier because he was careless.”

The one in charge of this competition was none other than his father, the Mu Family’s Grand Elder.

The Mu Family’s higher-ups began to confer.

Mu Jiu’s father was also one of the Elders present.

”Mu Jiu, we’ll give you one more chance. You may challenge one of the other ten who hold a spot!”

the Grand Elder announced righteously.

Below the stage, the outside geniuses were indignant.

It was completely unfair!

Every time the Cloud Pool opened, they received very few spots to begin with, and now the Mu Family was showing such blatant favoritism to their own people.

But they were furious and didn’t dare to speak out, so they could only accept it.

The five outside geniuses who had managed to secure a spot were all praying that Mu Jiu wouldn’t challenge them.

Everyone had witnessed Mu Jiu’s previous battle. He had indeed lost due to a moment of carelessness; his true strength placed him among the best of those at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Third Layer.

”You, get up here!”

Mu Jiu immediately fixed his gaze on Luo Tian and barked the order.

The eyes of the entire crowd instantly focused on Luo Tian.

The outside geniuses and the Mu Family members were all extremely surprised. What was Luo Tian doing here?

Luo Tian was supposed to have a guaranteed spot.

Luo Tian was also a bit speechless.

It was just a coincidence. A Guard had led him here.

”You can’t challenge Brother Luo! His spot is guaranteed. According to the rules, it can’t be changed,” Jiya’Er spoke up.

Such was the inviolable nature of a guaranteed spot, a privilege originally enjoyed only by Mu Family disciples.

’So there’s a rule like that, huh.’

Luo Tian mused. In that case, he couldn’t be bothered to go up and play along with Mu Jiu. He really had no interest.

”You brat, get your ass up here!”

”You’re just a mere outsider, yet you got a guaranteed spot from the Mu Family! I, Mu Jiu, am the first to object!”

Mu Jiu roared furiously.

Luo Tian’s cultivation was only at the Earth Element Realm Second Peak.

As long as he could get Luo Tian on the stage, he was certain he could win the spot!

This was Mu Ze’s instruction, but it was also his own wish.

”If you object, you can just hold it in,”

Luo Tian suggested.

After all, a guaranteed spot couldn’t be changed.

”You...”

Mu Jiu’s face twisted with anger, his fury erupting, but he wanted to retort and didn’t know what to say.

「At the same time.」

The Mu Family’s higher-ups started discussing.

”Well, Luo Tian has a guaranteed spot. By rights, it cannot be challenged. Isn’t Mu Jiu’s action a bit inappropriate...?” a kind-looking Elder said.

”You can’t put it that way. Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Some rules ought to be changed,” a red-faced old man said.

The spot that Mu Yunshi had snatched that day was originally supposed to belong to his disciple.

”Father, I think Elder Xin is right. The Cloud Pool spots should go to the capable. It’s unfair that Mu Jiu, at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Third Layer, can’t enter the Cloud Pool, while Luo Tian, at the mere Earth Element Realm Second Layer, can,” Mu Ze said.

The higher-ups chimed in one after another.

The vast majority believed that there could always be special exceptions and that Mu Jiu’s challenge should be allowed.

”After our discussion, Mu Jiu, you may challenge Luo Tian!” the Grand Elder announced.

BOOM!

An uproar instantly erupted among the Mu Family disciples and the outside geniuses.

The Mu Family’s higher-ups had actually made a ”special exception” for Luo Tian.

The guaranteed spots of other Mu Family geniuses could not be challenged, but Luo Tian’s could!

Luo Tian’s expression darkened.

Although he had expected that his master fighting for a spot for him would attract some dissatisfaction, he hadn’t expected the Mu Family’s higher-ups to target him so blatantly.

Just then, a furious roar shook the area. The wind surged and Spiritual Qi roiled.

”Who dares to snatch my disciple’s spot!”

Mu Yunshi rushed over from a distance, his face dark and grim.

The faces of the higher-ups present turned slightly grim. Mu Yunshi had actually arrived at this critical moment.

”Bullying my disciple while I’m away? Trying to steal his spot?”

Mu Yunshi drifted down, his gaze sweeping over the higher-ups present.

”You could snatch my disciple’s spot, so why can’t Mu Jiu, who has genuine talent, snatch Luo Tian’s spot?” the red-faced old man shouted.

”Yunshi, how can this be considered bullying? They’re having a fair martial arts match. The winner gets the spot,” another Elder said.

Mu Yunshi’s expression was cold and severe. Facing the pressure from the gathered Mu Family Elders, he showed no sign of weakness.

”The spot is in my disciple’s hands. Today, I, Mu Yunshi, would like to see who dares to try and take it!”

Mu Yunshi let out a cold shout, and the surroundings instantly fell silent!

So domineering!

Luo Tian couldn’t help but feel a little moved. For his sake, his master was willing to confront all the family’s higher-ups!

The Mu Family’s higher-ups were both angry and helpless.

Mu Yunshi’s temper was too unyielding. Although he had just returned to the family with no power or influence, the current Supreme Elder was once Mu Yunshi’s master, which made them hesitant to use force against him.

”Yunshi, don’t go too far! You’re not the one who calls the shots in the Mu Family!” the Grand Elder said, his face heavy.

Mu Yunshi wasn’t even giving him face. Some days ago, he had even publicly berated his son. The Grand Elder was deeply displeased.

The Grand Elder and Mu Yunshi’s gazes met, and the air suddenly became oppressive, as if two invisible mountains were crashing into each other, sending terrifying currents of air sweeping in all directions!

The higher-ups fell silent.

The many young geniuses felt a suffocating pressure.

Luo Tian could sense that in that formless clash, Mu Yunshi was at a disadvantage.

After all, he had just broken through to the Celestial Pool Realm, and there was a considerable gap between his cultivation and the Mu Family’s Grand Elder.

However, the Grand Elder also had his reservations and didn’t push things too far.

Suddenly, a voice broke the stalemate. ”Master, since Mu Jiu objects and wants to challenge me, I’ll grant him his wish!”

After speaking, Luo Tian stepped onto the Martial Arts Arena.

”Disciple, you...”

Mu Yunshi hadn’t expected Luo Tian to do this. He felt a sense of helplessness, but also a touch of gratification.

”Yunshi, your disciple is already on the stage. Are you still planning to cause trouble?” the Grand Elder demanded.

”Hmph!”

Mu Yunshi snorted coldly and said nothing more.

On the Martial Arts Arena.

Mu Jiu’s face was ecstatic. He looked at Luo Tian with disdain. ”How many moves do you want to lose in? Name it!”

His words were incredibly arrogant, but no disciple questioned them.

As a genius of the Mu Family, the Cultivation and Martial Skills he practiced were a level higher than those of disciples from ordinary families!

What’s more, there was a whole layer of difference between Luo Tian’s and Mu Jiu’s cultivation.

The outside geniuses couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Luo Tian.

”Heh, serves him right!”

Only Ji Yuanqing was gloating, clapping his hands in approval.

In his eyes, Luo Tian’s defeat was certain.

And since he had a spot and would be able to enter the Cloud Pool, Ji Yuanqing couldn’t help but feel a sense of superiority.