Chapter 174 - 173: Initial Achievement of the Treasure Body, a Powerful Master’s Sect

The *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body* was created by a Great Power from Ancient Times, its might rivaling that of a Celestial Level Technique.

This Body Refining Technique uses the world as a furnace, hammering the body as if it were a Divine Treasure and tempering it with the Ice and Fire Power to cultivate a Supreme Treasure Body.

Theoretically, the *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body* has nine layers, allowing one to cultivate to the Celestial Pool Realm and beyond.

However, that Great Power from Ancient Times only created the first three layers of the technique, which correspond to the Spirit Sea Realm. The subsequent parts were never completed.

’The first three layers will be enough for my cultivation for a long time to come.’

A smile touched Luo Tian’s lips. He was in no hurry to perfect this technique.

The Third-Layer of the *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body* corresponded to at least the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm, and its combat power would be even greater.

’As for improving this technique?’

It wasn’t that Luo Tian hadn’t thought about it, but it was just too difficult.

To improve a technique that was already practically Celestial Level? The cost to the Celestial Book would be astronomical.

The level of the *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body* was too high. It would require numerous Spirit Level Upper Grade, or even Earth Level and higher, Body Refining Techniques to significantly reduce the inference cost.

Body Refining Techniques were far too rare. The Holy Mansion didn’t even have two Spirit Level Body Refining Techniques, let alone any at the Earth Level or higher.

It would be difficult to find a technique in the entire Azure Cloud Kingdom that could compare to the *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body*.

Inside his room, Luo Tian circulated his True Qi, using the Refining Technique of the *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body* to temper every inch of his muscles.

A faint burning sensation spread across Luo Tian’s body.

Suddenly, a familiar fiery aura burst forth from deep within his body.

’The residual power of the Dragon Scale Grass!’

Luo Tian’s expression turned strange, and he immediately absorbed this power to accelerate his body’s tempering.

As it turned out, because he had lacked a Body Refining Technique, Luo Tian had not fully absorbed the first two stalks of Dragon Scale Grass he had consumed.

Dragon Scale Grass also had the effect of strengthening one’s Yang Yuan.

That was why *that sort of thing* had happened when Luo Tian came into contact with Xia Bingyue that day.

「Half a day later.」

Using the Body Refining Technique, Luo Tian completely absorbed the residual power of the Dragon Scale Grass.

Unexpectedly, Luo Tian successfully crossed the initial threshold of the *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body*.

FWOOSH!

As Luo Tian cultivated, jade-like azure qi patterns appeared in places on his skin.

The azure qi patterns flickered with sparks as they roamed over Luo Tian’s body, constantly tempering his physique.

This rapid progress was due not only to Luo Tian’s top-tier innate talent but also to his physique, which had been enhanced by the Dragon Scale Grass, giving his body physical strength comparable to the First Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm.

His cultivation at this moment was a natural success.

「Two days later.」

Luo Tian consumed a stalk of Dragon Scale Grass.

FWOOM!

A searingly hot and fierce aura erupted within Luo Tian’s body like a volcano.

The familiar wrenching pain and a wave of heat like an electric current swept through his entire body.

Luo Tian immediately activated the *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body*, feeling as if his entire being had been plunged into a fiery furnace to forge his physique.

When the Medicinal Power was completely absorbed, Luo Tian had mastered the First Layer of the *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body*.

BZZZT!

Luo Tian activated the Magic Technique. A jade-like, azure membrane of light appeared on his skin. His muscles bulged slightly, emanating an intimidating, oppressive pressure born from his immense vitality.

POW!

Luo Tian threw a punch, his fist wreathed in an azure-jade luster, and a dull, explosive sound rang out.

The power of that punch was enough to make someone at the First or Second Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm retreat in alarm. Even the top three on the Human List would have to step aside.

’Haha! With my physical strength alone, I can rival the top rank on the Human List.’

Luo Tian was overjoyed.

He then took out the Wind and Snow Sword and lightly swiped it across the azure membrane of light on his skin.

CLINK!

A crisp sound, like metal striking jade, rang out, leaving only a faint white mark on his skin.

’What powerful Defense! Even someone at the Second Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm couldn’t break through my body’s defenses.’

Luo Tian was astonished.

He had only just mastered the First Layer, yet he already possessed such power and Defense.

If he were to add his *Guiyuan True Skill*, Martial Skills, and True Intent on top of this, his combat power would be unimaginable.

All at once, Luo Tian’s strength had far surpassed the level of the top rank on the Human List, and he was quickly catching up to an ordinary Mentor at the Holy Mansion.

After another half-day of consolidating his cultivation, a message arrived from Lin Dongfeng. It was finally time to meet the grand-master.

Lin Dongchuan and his family respectfully saw Luo Tian and Lin Dongfeng off.

"Brother Luo! You must come visit the Royal Capital more often in the future," Lin Qinghan said, her pure, bright eyes misting over with reluctance to see him leave.

The young woman was holding the latest issue of the *Human List*.

Astonishingly, Luo Tian’s name was at the very top, tied with Xia Bingyue for first place on the Human List.

The "Figures of the Hour" section described in great detail Luo Tian’s brilliant achievements in the Royal Secret Garden.

Luo Tian didn’t know it, but this issue of the Human List had sent shockwaves through the Martial Arts Circle of the Azure Cloud Kingdom, especially among the younger generation.

A commoner youth shooting from the bottom of the Human List to the very top in just a few short months—his meteoric rise was nothing short of a miracle.

...

「Half a day later.」

At the foot of an unremarkable green mountain south of the Azure Cloud Royal Capital, Luo Tian and Lin Dongfeng drifted to a stop.

"Master Lin, who exactly is this grand-master?" Luo Tian asked curiously.

The green mountain before them was not particularly high.

However, Luo Tian’s Qi Observation Skill detected a faint trace of Dragon Vein Spiritual Qi.

"Heh, your grand-master goes by the title ’Hermit Hidden Dragon.’ Though he is not widely known, even the Monarch must treat him with respect," Lin Dongfeng said with a smile.

Luo Tian was shocked. ’Someone who even the Monarch has to respect? Isn’t his standing a bit too high?’

’Could the grand-master be an Earth Element Realm Great Power?’ Luo Tian subconsciously voiced.

"That’s right! Your grand-master is the only Earth Element Realm expert in the Azure Cloud Kingdom who isn’t affiliated with the government."

Lin Dongfeng’s face was filled with reverence.

’Earth Element Realm! An Earth Level expert!’

A sense of solemn respect washed over Luo Tian, and his breathing quickened.

He never would have imagined he was about to meet such a prominent figure.

Taking a deep breath, Luo Tian followed Lin Dongfeng up the mountain toward the summit.

"Well now! Isn’t it Senior Brother Lin? You haven’t shown your face in years. To think you’d actually come for the grand-master’s one-hundred-and-fiftieth birthday?"

A mocking voice drifted down from halfway up the mountain.

The owner of the voice was a middle-aged man in jujube-colored robes, followed by a young man with a large saber hanging from his waist.

"Hmph! So it’s you, Junior Miao," Lin Dongfeng said, his face darkening.

「Thirty years ago.」

He was the Hermit Hidden Dragon’s most outstanding disciple, deeply favored by his master.

This Junior Miao had tried to take his place, challenging him multiple times without success.

Later, Lin Dongfeng’s foundation was damaged by a powerful enemy, and his Cultivation regressed.

Miao Jiang, this supposed junior brother, had kicked him while he was down, stealing the woman who had once been his, toying with her, and then mercilessly casting her aside.

"Miao Feng, go greet Elder Lin," the middle-aged man in jujube robes, Miao Jiang, said with a smile to the saber-wielding youth beside him.

"Greetings, Elder Lin."

The saber-wielding youth gave a slight bow, showing not a hint of respect.

He carried an air of arrogance, his disdainful gaze sweeping over Luo Tian and Lin Dongfeng as if he were looking at a pair of country bumpkins.

"Miao Feng is my youngest son. He recently broke through to the Third Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm," Miao Jiang said with a hint of pride.

Then, his mocking gaze fell upon Luo Tian.

"Senior Brother Lin, is this your disciple? Half-step Spirit Sea? I suppose he’s not too weak."

It sounded like a compliment, but compared to his own son, Miao Feng, with his Third Layer of Spirit Sea Realm Cultivation, it was clear who he thought was superior.

"Reaching the Third Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm before the age of thirty is merely so-so," Lin Dongfeng retorted without holding back.

Luo Tian was only fifteen or sixteen, and with his Half-step Spirit Sea Cultivation, reaching the Spirit Sea Realm was a certainty.

The potential he showed far surpassed that of the saber-wielding youth, Miao Feng.

Hearing this, Miao Feng’s expression turned ugly, but he didn’t dare lash out at Lin Dongfeng, who was his elder.

"What’s your name, kid! You don’t even bow to your senior brother. Where are your manners?" Miao Feng sneered, turning his aggression on Luo Tian.

The implication was that Lin Dongfeng had failed to teach his student properly.

"You are not qualified to know my name," Luo Tian said calmly.

He was disgusted by the father and son’s passive-aggressive attitude and couldn’t be bothered to deal with them.

Huh? Miao Jiang and his son were both taken aback.

’This disciple of Lin Dongfeng’s is truly arrogant!’

"Good, you brat! How dare you be so rude on the grand-master’s mountain! I’ll teach you a lesson on his behalf!" Miao Feng’s eyes flashed with cold light.

WHOOSH!

Miao Feng’s figure became a blur as he shot forward, swinging his palm toward Luo Tian’s face.

He intended to slap Luo Tian and teach this arrogant, disrespectful junior a lesson.

Miao Feng attacked so quickly that someone at the First Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm would have struggled to react in time.

’This is bad!’

Lin Dongfeng’s expression changed, and he prepared to intervene.

"Hey! It’s best if we elders don’t interfere in a spar between the younger generation," Miao Jiang said, moving to block Lin Dongfeng.

Ever since Lin Dongfeng’s Cultivation was crippled, Miao Jiang had become the Hermit Hidden Dragon’s number one disciple, his own Cultivation having reached the Peak of the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm.

Just as Miao Feng’s palm was about to connect with Luo Tian’s face—

THWACK!

A powerful hand shot out and intercepted Miao Feng’s slap.

Neither of them had used True Qi.

"AAGH!"

THUD!

Miao Feng went tumbling more than ten meters away, letting out a howl like a pig being slaughtered. One of his hands was red and swollen like a pork bun, and he was drenched in a cold sweat from the pain.

"Feng’er!"

Miao Jiang cried out in alarm, flashing over to his son to check his arm.

"Lin Dongfeng! Feng’er was just playing around and didn’t use his full strength, yet your disciple was so vicious!" Miao Jiang roared in fury.

Luo Tian’s palm strike had nearly broken Miao Feng’s arm.

"I wasn’t using my full strength either. Who knew he was so weak?" Luo Tian said innocently.

He had, in fact, held back. If he had truly unleashed the power of the *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body*, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

’So weak?’

Miao Feng felt like his lungs were about to explode with rage. He felt utterly humiliated. He hated himself for holding back and getting tricked by someone at the Half-step Spirit Sea Realm.

"Junior! Don’t you get arrogant! I didn’t even use my True Qi just now. That wasn’t even twenty percent of my full strength!" Miao Feng snarled, scrambling up from the ground, his face grim and cold.

WHOOSH! SHIIING!

Miao Feng’s Cultivation at the Third Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm erupted as he reached to draw his saber.

"Ouch!"

Miao Feng had only half-drawn his blade when he cried out in pain. A sharp, needle-like agony shot through his swollen palm.

"It would be useless even if you drew your saber. I didn’t use any True Qi either," Luo Tian said leisurely, his arms crossed.

"You..."

Miao Feng nearly coughed up blood in fury. He was about to lunge at Luo Tian with just one hand.

"Feng’er! Treat your hand first!" Miao Jiang growled, suppressing his anger as he took out an ointment and applied it to Miao Feng’s hand.

"Junior Miao! This student I took in at the Holy Mansion is one of the top talents on the Human List. Not bad, eh?" Lin Dongfeng said, stroking his beard with a smile, rubbing salt in the wound.

’This student of mine, Luo Tian, really didn’t disappoint. He’s perfect for fighting fire with fire.’

"Lin Dongfeng! Your student maliciously harmed another and has no respect for his elders! I will report this matter to the grand-master!" Miao Jiang’s face was as dark as storm clouds.

"Haha! A cultivator at the Third Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm lost to someone at the Half-step Spirit Sea Realm. Aren’t you afraid of losing face in front of Master?" Lin Dongfeng laughed, unconcerned.

With that said, he led Luo Tian away, leaving them behind.

"Don’t worry, Feng’er! I will get justice for you," Miao Jiang said, his eyes glinting coldly as he finished applying the ointment for his son.

"Father, my hand will recover quickly. When it does, I’ll make that kid pay," Miao Feng said, his face full of resentment and murderous intent.

A short while later, Lin Dongfeng and Luo Tian, as well as the Miao father and son, arrived at the Bamboo Grove Courtyard on the mountain’s peak, ready to meet the Hermit Hidden Dragon.