King of Ten Thousand Years

Luo Tian speculated that the white-haired old man was at least a High Tier Celestial Pool Realm cultivator, perhaps even stronger.

’What kind of favor would such a powerful expert need from me?’

”Help me take care of Qingqing.”

The white-haired old man said.

”Mu Qingqing?”

Luo Tian was a little surprised.

’In other words, the white-haired old man has to leave alone for some reason and can’t conveniently take his granddaughter with him?’

”Senior, why do you trust me?”

Luo Tian asked.

If this old man entrusted his granddaughter to someone with ill intentions, he would only be harming her.

”This old man has lived for so long. My judgment is still decent.”

The white-haired old man’s light and casual tone exuded confidence.

When he first met Luo Tian, he noticed the injuries inflicted by a Martial King on him.

’A Celestial Pool Realm First Layer cultivator who was injured by a Martial King and not only survived but could also fully heal his wounds... that’s quite remarkable.’

He had also been observing Luo Tian for the past five months.

”Of course, if you want to try anything with my granddaughter, you’re welcome to.”

The white-haired old man added, a hint of threat lacing his confidence.

’It seems he has made his own preparations.’

”I am an upright and honorable person. How could I possibly have any ill intentions toward Miss Qingqing?”

Luo Tian said with righteous indignation.

He had been able to resolve the crisis this time because of Mu Qingqing’s words, which had drawn his attention to this small boat.

How could Luo Tian repay kindness with malice?

In fact, the white-haired old man making some requests actually set Luo Tian’s mind at ease, and he would do his best to fulfill them.

”This old man has many enemies in the Pale Ring. I can only send you to one of three places that are relatively stable, where you can also evade your own pursuers.”

”The first is the Celestial Wave Saint Institute. The second is the Flying Snow Saint Institute. The third is the Wuji Saint Institute!”

The white-haired old man clasped his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent. After speaking, he looked down at Luo Tian.

But he found that Luo Tian’s expression didn’t change in the slightest.

’That’s right. This kid was forced to come to the Pale Ring; he knows nothing about the situation here.’

Indeed.

Luo Tian was completely baffled when he heard the names of these three Saint Institutes.

”In the Pale Ring, the territory of the Human Race is vaster, but it is also more chaotic and rife with internal conflicts.”

”The entire situation of the Human Race in the Pale Ring can be summarized as the Five Ancient Clans, the Ten Great Super Families, and the Three Great Saint Institutes.”

The Five Ancient Clans, whose specific origins can be traced back to the Ancient Era, are the oldest and most mysterious powers in the Pale Ring!

There are even legends that the ancestors of the Five Ancient Clans once produced a ”God”!

The Ten Great Super Families are powerful families that rose to prominence later on!

The stronger among these Noble Families have foundations and power that are not inferior to the Ancient Races.

The conflicts between the Ancient Races and the Noble Families are particularly intense.

”As for the Three Great Saint Institutes, they are rather special. They were jointly founded by the Ancient Races, the Noble Families, and many other factions. After tens of thousands of years of development, they have gradually broken free from the control of other powers and gained their own voice.”

”In terms of influence, any one of the Three Great Saint Institutes surpasses even the Ancient Races!”

”In another few tens of thousands of years, the Three Great Saint Institutes might become the most influential power among the Human Race in the Pale Ring!”

The white-haired old man said solemnly, emphasizing the transcendent status of the Three Great Saint Institutes!

Luo Tian now had a certain understanding of the power structure of the Human Race in the Pale Ring.

He said, ”I don’t know much about the Three Great Saint Institutes. Can I go take a look at all of them before making a decision?”

”You brat, do you really think you can just waltz into any of the Three Great Saint Institutes?”

The white-haired old man shot Luo Tian a look.

A single entry spot for a Saint Institute is something countless people would fight to the death for!

This was especially true for a ”country bumpkin” like Luo Tian from the Broken Ring; getting in would be even more difficult!

”Alright.”

Luo Tian slightly closed his eyes and began to perform an Inference.

The corner of the white-haired old man’s mouth twitched slightly. Luo Tian looked very young, yet he acted like an old charlatan.

But with his experience, he could also tell that Luo Tian’s Inference truly had some skill behind it.

Their meeting might have also been guided by fate.

”Wuji Saint Institute!”

Luo Tian gave his answer.

He had deduced that there was someone he was looking for inside the Wuji Saint Institute!

Who it was, he did not know.

SWISH!

With a wave of his sleeve, the white-haired old man sent two dark silver Tokens into Luo Tian’s hands. On them were the two characters for ”Wuji”, inscribed in a domineering and ancient style.

The other was for Mu Qingqing.

Luo Tian had just put the Tokens away.

WHOOSH!

In a flash, the white-haired old man flew away, disappearing into the vast, turbulent mist, leaving in a great hurry.

Luo Tian didn’t even have time to speak.

’I still don’t even know that old man’s name.’

Luo Tian muttered to himself.

...

「At the same time.」

Broken-star Realm, Sea Demon Palace.

The Palace Master came to an underground palace and said, ”Grandfather, according to intelligence from the Celestial Net, Luo Tian has already left the Broken-star Realm and gone deeper!”

”The Pale Ring?”

Demon Wave Martial King opened his eerie green eyes.

He truly hadn’t expected Luo Tian to make this choice!

”Does he think he can escape death just by hiding in the Pale Ring?”

Demon Wave Martial King’s tone was disdainful!

With his Energy, he could still influence the Pale Ring.

”Many Celestial Level Martial Artists and assassins have already pursued him into the Pale Ring!”

”Even if Luo Tian evades his pursuers, the chaos and danger of the Pale Ring are several times greater than the Broken-star Realm’s. With Luo Tian all alone, it’s questionable whether he can even survive!”

As the Palace Master spoke, his expression softened slightly.

But he hoped even more that Luo Tian would be captured alive. He wanted to personally torture Luo Tian and make his life a living hell!

”You underestimate him!”

Demon Wave Martial King shook his head slightly.

”Grandfather, that brat was injured by you. Without timely treatment, his injuries will worsen and his strength will regress. In the harsh environment of the Pale Ring, it will be difficult for him to survive!”

The Palace Master said, confused.

”This boy is a Body Cultivator and also possesses great fortune. By my estimation, his injuries won’t be a problem for him.”

Demon Wave Martial King said calmly.

The technique he had left on Ju Huan that day allowed him to exchange a single blow with Luo Tian, which had revealed many things to him!

Moreover, his perspective was not on the same level as the Palace Master’s.

”Increase the bounty. Eliminate Luo Tian in the short term, dead or alive!”

Demon Wave Martial King added.

The Palace Master was extremely puzzled.

’A bounty of one million is already enough. He actually wants to increase it?’

’And ”dead or alive”? Just how desperate is he to get rid of Luo Tian?’

”This boy’s potential exceeds our imagination. The Martial Vein he possesses very likely... surpasses the Celestial Tier!”

Seeing his grandson’s confusion, the Demon Wave Martial King offered an extra word of explanation.

”Surpasses the Celestial Tier?”

Horror filled the Palace Master’s eyes!

In its thousands of years of history, the Sea Demon Palace had once produced a world-shaking, peerless genius whose Martial Vein had also surpassed the Celestial Tier!

Back then, on the Earth List, though not yet thirty years old, he had trampled over a group of people ten or twenty years his senior!

He held the number one position on the Earth List for a full ten years!

It was believed that he had a ninety percent chance of becoming a Martial King!

But in the end, after entering a certain forbidden land, he never came out again!

”Yes, Grandfather! I’ll go take care of it right away!”

The Palace Master’s expression was grave, and he no longer had the slightest doubt!

Luo Tian actually possessed such terrifying potential. If he found an opportunity in the Pale Ring, his future would be unimaginable!

’He must be eliminated!’

That very day.

Luo Tian’s bounty was increased to the sky-high price of two million!

This was the price for capturing him alive!

Killing him would still earn one million Spiritual Essence Coins!

The entire Broken-star Realm was stirred by this bounty, and numerous bandits and even Assassin Organizations sprang into action.

But that wasn’t all.

The Palace Master began to use the Sea Demon Palace’s connections to contact factions within the Pale Ring.

When the Tai Yuan Sect learned of this, they were also quite furious!

The Sea Demon Palace had forced Luo Tian into the Pale Ring, yet they refused to let it go and even increased the bounty!

In a fit of anger.

The Tai Yuan Sect also issued numerous assassination bounties, all targeting the geniuses of the Sea Demon Palace.

In the Side Peak area.

Cheng Wanli and Yan Lihui were extremely worried about Luo Tian’s situation.

”Master, this disciple will definitely cultivate hard and come rescue you!”

A bright glint flickered in Yan Xiaoxia’s red eyes.

”Xiaoxia, don’t be impulsive. The Pale Ring is far from here, and its dangers are several times greater than the Broken-star Realm’s.”

Yan Lihui immediately tried to persuade her.

At least in the Broken-star Realm, in the Tai Yuan Sect, they were currently safe and had bright futures ahead of them.

”The Pale Ring, huh?”

Yan Xiaoxia murmured.

”...”

Yan Lihui felt he had really said too much.

...

「Pale Ring.」

In the gray-white Outer Void, a small boat sailed slowly.

”When is Grandfather coming back?”

Mu Qingqing stood at the bow, her eyes a little red and swollen.

Her grandfather had brought her from the Flowing Water Realm, only to leave her behind and depart alone.

All around was a vast expanse of gray. She had no family and no one to rely on.

”I’ll take good care of you until your grandfather returns.”

Luo Tian could only offer words of comfort.

”Lad, let this god help you comfort this child.”

The Crow in the Celestial Book called out, though in reality, it just wanted to come out for some fresh air.

Luo Tian thought for a moment and released the Crow.

”Little girl, don’t cry! This god will sing you a song!”

”Why are you so ugly?” Mu Qingqing asked curiously.

”...”

The Crow’s body stiffened. After a moment of silence, it shrieked in anger, ”You’re the ugly one! Ugly freak, ugly freak! CAW CAW CAW!”

The Crow’s angry display didn’t frighten Mu Qingqing. Instead, she found it hilarious and couldn’t help but laugh.

Just then.

A figure as large as a giant mountain suddenly emerged from the gray-white mist up ahead!

’A realm?’

Luo Tian guessed.

But as they got closer, an oppressive feeling washed over him, and he gradually realized—was this a Demon Beast?

”A Demon Beast of the Outer Void?”

Luo Tian was astonished.

”Grandfather said that as the Spiritual Qi concentration in the Pale Ring increased, some living species came into being... In the Outer Void, they are natural-born kings. If you encounter one, you should avoid it if at all possible!”

Mu Qingqing said in a prim and proper manner.

At this moment, the mountain-sized Void Demon Beast was staring at the small boat carrying Luo Tian and Mu Qingqing!

It could see the boat.

’Does this mean that after the old man left, the boat’s cloaking effect disappeared?’