Chapter 142 - 141: Luo Tian’s Harvest

After Luo Tian defeated Hong Peng.

The top five of the Wu Mansion Grand Assembly were now set.

This ranking was mostly consistent with the Azure Cloud Kingdom’s Human List.

’That kid actually broke into the top five of the Grand Assembly, which is the same as being in the top five of the Human List.’

Vice Manor Master Yue was pleasantly surprised, but he also felt a bit stifled and uncomfortable.

「Before the Wu Mansion Grand Assembly.」

Luo Tian had claimed he would fight for a spot in the top twenty.

Vice Manor Master Yue had publicly expressed his disapproval, even criticizing him for being arrogant and impetuous.

Now it seemed...

Luo Tian had been far too modest. He had broken into the top five and even won the hand of Xia Bingyue, the number one on the Human List, becoming the biggest winner of all.

It could be said...

Luo Tian was now the signature genius of the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion. He wasn’t one of their prodigy students, but he was better than one.

Once the top five were decided.

The ranking challenge entered its final stage.

The fight for the top three, and even for first place!

Luo Tian did not initiate a challenge.

His current rank had already far exceeded his expectations.

Breaking into the top ten, which would allow him to enter the Royal Secret Garden and obtain the Spiritual Pearl Liquid, had already fulfilled his goal.

Seeing that Luo Tian wasn’t making a challenge.

The second-ranked Wang Tian and third-ranked Yuwen Xuan were somewhat disappointed.

If Luo Tian had challenged the top three.

They would have definitely taught him a harsh lesson and humiliated him, forcing Xia Bingyue to give up on the idea of marrying him.

’Hmph! Just wait until we’re in the Royal Secret Garden. I’ll make you pay...’

Wang Tian’s gaze turned frigid, a murderous aura flickering around him.

In the ranking challenge.

One could only challenge those ranked higher. Bound by the rules, they couldn’t actively challenge Luo Tian.

Behind Luo Tian.

The fourth-ranked Third Prince, Li Yi, also gave up on challenging.

Li Yi’s strength was half a step above Hong Peng’s.

But the top-three contestants, Yuwen Xuan and Wang Tian, were more than just one level stronger than Hong Peng.

It was said that Hong Peng couldn’t even last ten moves against Wang Tian.

"I challenge first place!"

Wang Tian and Yuwen Xuan spoke in near-perfect unison.

Yuwen Xuan held affection for Xia Bingyue, which was why he had come to participate in the Wu Mansion Grand Assembly.

Wang Tian, on the other hand, simply wanted to claim the top spot and conquer Xia Bingyue.

"Since you also want to challenge her, let’s determine a winner between us first."

A sharp glint flashed in Yuwen Xuan’s eyes.

"Fine!" Wang Tian’s voice was domineering.

SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Wang Tian and Yuwen Xuan leaped out, facing each other from a distance.

WHOOSH!

Two invisible whirlwinds, born from the powerful auras of their Spirit Sea Realms, collided.

Golden Thunder Fist!

Yuwen Xuan threw a punch. A Golden Thunderbolt flickered, and a massive Fist Force of golden lightning, the size of a water vat, boomed as it shot toward Wang Tian.

The power of this single punch.

It made the skin of the top twenty geniuses on the platform tingle, their blood and Qi surging.

Seven Fiends Palm!

A terrifying aura emanated from Wang Tian as he unleashed a domineering, millstone-sized Palm Shadow, dark as the abyss. A wave of sinister, malevolent energy swept out in all directions.

"What terrifying Palm Force!"

The spectators felt a chill run down their spines, the flow of their own blood and Qi stagnating.

BOOM!

The two powerful forces clashed, leaving a large, pitted crater in the hard floor of Xuanwu Square and sending dust and debris flying everywhere.

’As expected of the top three on the Human List, the very peak of the Azure Cloud Kingdom’s current generation of geniuses,’ Luo Tian sighed inwardly.

The combat power these two displayed already surpassed Xia Bingyue at her Half-step Spirit Sea level.

Wang Tian in particular.

The pressure he exuded was incredibly close to that of Xia Bingyue.

BOOM! BOOM! BANG!

The two figures on the stage clashed again and again, the thunderous noise incessant as shockwaves of wind and Qi blasted outwards.

After dozens of moves.

"Seven Evils Heart Sutra!"

Wang Tian’s expression turned fierce. His aura surged, and as he attacked, a layer of faint black, distorted ripples spread out from him, sweeping toward Yuwen Xuan.

’Hm?’

Yuwen Xuan sensed a chilling premonition of danger. He circulated his Protective True Qi and struck back with his Thunder Palm Force.

WHOOSH!

The distorted, faint black ripples seemed largely unaffected by the True Qi, enveloping Yuwen Xuan.

’Not good!’

Yuwen Xuan’s body shuddered. The True Qi within him fell into disarray, and his attacks and movements were met with an invisible resistance.

"What kind of Cultivation Technique is that! It’s so bizarre!"

The crowd was shocked.

"The rumors were true. Wang Tian obtained the inheritance of the Seven Evils Demon Lord," Cloud Heaven Sect Master murmured.

The Seven Evils Demon Lord was an Earth Element Realm expert from a century ago, who had rampaged through several neighboring kingdoms, completely unstoppable.

Wang Tian was originally just a disciple from a minor Noble Family with mediocre aptitude. It was only because he received the legacy of the "Seven Evils Demon Lord" that he soared to the top, becoming a Peak genius of his generation.

After Wang Tian activated the ultimate skill of the "Seven Evils Demon Lord."

BANG! PTAH!

Yuwen Xuan held on for a dozen more moves before he was struck, spitting blood in defeat.

"Bingyue! Be careful of his Magic Power Field!"

After his defeat, Yuwen Xuan looked worried as he warned Xia Bingyue.

A grave expression appeared on Luo Tian’s face.

The terrifying strength Wang Tian had displayed was enough to threaten Xia Bingyue.

"Xia Bingyue! If you’re going to lose, you might as well become my beautiful wife. I will ’take good care’ of you," Wang Tian laughed, appearing arrogant and confident.

Xia Bingyue, like a magnificent lotus carved from ice and snow, floated down gracefully. Her gaze was as clear and tranquil as ice, completely undisturbed.

Seven Fiends Palm! Seven Evils Heart Sutra!

Faint black, distorted ripples surged from Wang Tian’s body. He suddenly closed the distance, unleashing a vast, cloud-like torrent of dark palm energy at Xia Bingyue.

’A Close-Combat Kill!’ Luo Tian’s heart skipped a beat. This Wang Tian also understood Xia Bingyue’s weakness.

Lonely Peak Technique!

Xia Bingyue’s Three-foot Cyan Blade traced an arc of crystalline, cold sword light, like a bolt of aurora tearing through the heavens, carrying with it the pride of a lonely peak.

The same sword strike.

But this time, it was more than twice as strong as the one she had used against Luo Tian!

PFFT! BANG!

The vast palm energy unleashed by Wang Tian was forcefully shattered by the single sword strike.

The icy aftershock of the Sword Light pushed forward, but it was warped by the faint black field of energy around Wang Tian, leaving only a shallow, bloody cut on his shoulder.

"What a terrifying Sword Dao Attack. He wounded Wang Tian with a single strike."

The spectators were astonished.

’No!’

Luo Tian noticed that Wang Tian was getting even closer to Xia Bingyue, and that faint black, rippling field of power was also sweeping toward her.

A jolt of pain shot through Wang Tian’s shoulder, but a look of delight crossed his face.

He had risked a minor injury to get a little closer to Xia Bingyue.

BUZZ! SWISH!

The faint black, distorted ripples expanded further, enveloping Xia Bingyue.

Xia Bingyue’s delicate body swayed, and she couldn’t help but let out a muffled groan.

"A perfect chance!"

Wang Tian pushed with both palms, and a vortex of dark, malevolent Palm Light formed, attempting to completely surround Xia Bingyue.

SWISH! PFFT! PFFT!

With a wave of her Three-foot Cyan Blade, Xia Bingyue unleashed a vast expanse of shimmering, cold sword light, riddling Wang Tian’s vortex of dark palm energy with holes.

However.

Those faint black, distorted ripples created a strange resistance that hindered her attacks.

"Haha! It’s not that simple!"

A triumphant look appeared on Wang Tian’s face. His palms erupted with an even stronger dark, malevolent Palm Light, repairing the vortex and further trapping Xia Bingyue.

Even when some Sword Qi landed on him, it was warped by the faint black rippling field. Coupled with his True Qi Body Protection, he only suffered minor injuries.

Wang Tian’s intention was clear.

He was willing to take some damage to constantly wear down and restrict Xia Bingyue with his field and palm vortex.

As a Sword Cultivator, Xia Bingyue’s power was in her initial burst of momentum; it would wane with time and eventually be exhausted.

Once she was drawn into a battle of attrition, she had already half-lost.

SWOOSH! BUZZ!

A phantasmal sword shadow flashed in Xia Bingyue’s starry eyes. Her snow-white clothes fluttered as she began to emanate a True Sword Dao Rhythm.

In that instant.

The sword in her hand seemed to resonate with the very wind and clouds, shimmering with a magnificent, ice-crystal hue.

She brought her sword down!

The bizarre, faint black ripples around her were sliced to pieces, and the vortex of dark palm energy was forcefully pierced.

"How is that possible!"

Wang Tian was stunned, his face a mask of disbelief.

Then, another magnificent, translucent slash of icy Sword Light came at him. It felt as if it struck his very soul, and his whole body began to tremble as if trapped in a land of icy mountains and snow.

PFFT!

Wang Tian unleashed the full power of his Demon Skill, but it scattered like dark clouds. A deep, bone-visible gash was left on his body.

’Is this the power of True Sword Dao Intent?’

Luo Tian was shaken.

The power of True Intent was truly terrifying, capable of turning the mundane into the miraculous.

When Xia Bingyue fought him, she had unleashed her Spirit Sea Realm Cultivation and True Sword Dao Intent at the last moment, leaving him with no power to resist.

"I concede!"

After barely holding on for a few more moves, Wang Tian was finally defeated.

Xia Bingyue’s breathing was ragged, her beautiful face slightly pale.

If Wang Tian had been able to last for another dozen moves, she might have been the one to lose.

After all.

Xia Bingyue had only grasped a sliver of True Intent Fur. She could only unleash it by focusing her Essence, Qi, and Spirit in an all-out burst, and she couldn’t maintain it for long.

When fighting Luo Tian, she had maintained her Half-step Spirit Sea Cultivation and held back, which made it difficult to activate her True Intent.

’Damn it! If I were just a bit stronger, I could have beaten that bitch.’

Wang Tian retreated with a resentful look on his face.

With Wang Tian’s defeat.

This year’s Wu Mansion Grand Assembly came to a close.

With her Three-foot Cyan Blade, Xia Bingyue had suppressed all the geniuses of the Azure Cloud Kingdom’s current generation.

At this moment.

The faces of the many youths participating in the Grand Assembly were downcast.

So many men had been trampled under the feet of a single, delicate woman. It was beyond stifling; it was a disgrace.

There was only one young man.

Far from feeling stifled, he wore a faint, gentle smile.

That was Luo Tian!

Because the Unparalleled Celestial Maiden, whose sword pierced the clouds, was now his fiancée-to-be.

At this moment.

Luo Tian once again felt the numerous gazes of jealousy and envy from Wang Tian, Yuwen Xuan, and many others.

"The Wu Mansion Grand Assembly is over!"

"The rewards for the top ten will now be distributed!" the Royal Family Elder announced loudly.

Soon.

Ten palace maids carrying trays walked up to the top ten contestants.

"This is the Spiritual Pearl Liquid?"

Luo Tian and the others received a crystal bottle the size of a baby’s fist. Inside flowed a seven-colored liquid.

Spiritual Pearl Liquid could strengthen the Qi Sea of a Spirit Sea Realm cultivator, enhancing their Cultivation Foundation.

For those at the Peak of the Ninth Layer or Half-step Spirit Sea, consuming it could also help them advance to the Spirit Sea Realm.

’This liquid... I can save it for when I’m advancing to the Spirit Sea Realm.’

Luo Tian was delighted and stored the crystal bottle in his Space Ring.

"In three days, the Royal Family will open the passage to the ’Royal Secret Garden’. Only the top twenty from this Wu Mansion Grand Assembly are qualified to enter," the Royal Family Elder announced.

As soon as he said this.

The top twenty on the platform all showed expressions of joy and anticipation.

The Royal Secret Garden was an Ancient Garden preserved in its original state from Ancient Times. It held many rare and extinct Treasure Materials, as well as lost inheritances and ancient ruins.

In the past, some youths of their generation had entered the Royal Secret Garden, found great opportunities, and changed their Martial Arts destiny.

’Once I enter the Royal Secret Garden, seize an opportunity, and greatly increase my strength, I will cripple this kid. And I will conquer that bitch Xia Bingyue and make her submit to me...’

Wang Tian’s eyes glinted with a deep, cold cruelty.

"Three days, huh?"

Luo Tian’s face was full of anticipation.

The Yin Crystal Stone in his possession could still provide several more days of absorption, which was enough to raise his Divine Vein by another level.

Furthermore.

Luo Tian had gained quite a lot from watching the battle between Xia Bingyue and Wang Tian.

At this moment.

A new illustrated page had appeared in the Celestial Book in Luo Tian’s mind. It depicted a young woman in white with skin like ice and bones of jade, holding a Three-foot Cyan Blade and launching a fierce Attack.

The young woman in the illustration was identical to Xia Bingyue, incredibly lifelike, and her attacking posture emanated a trace of True Sword Dao Rhythm.