Chapter 184 - 182: Breakthrough to the Spirit Sea, Chilled to the Bone

Luo Tian? Pavilion Master Luo?

The students and high-ranking members gathered before the Spirit Fighting Tower were all stunned, staring at one another in disbelief.

However, under the immense pressure radiating from the Vice Manor Master, everyone’s heart trembled, and no one dared to disobey.

"Greetings, Pavilion Master Luo!"

The students all bowed in greeting.

"Ahem! Greetings, Pavilion Master Luo..."

Lin Dongfeng and the other Elders and Mentors looked utterly exasperated. Suppressing their doubts and frustrations, they bowed to a young man young enough to be their grandson.

Lin Dongfeng, in particular, found the experience excruciating. He had to formally bow to his own student.

"Heh heh! There’s no need for such formalities, everyone. Please, rise!"

Luo Tian had a look of sheer enjoyment on his face. He waited until everyone had completed their bows before raising a hand and speaking graciously.

The corners of the high-ranking members’ mouths twitched. They wished they could rush over and beat the smug little brat senseless.

Luo Tian, however, was ecstatic. ’It’s not every day I get to enjoy being a top dog.’

"Vice Manor Master Yue, how did Luo Tian become a Mansion Master?"

A few indignant high-ranking members sent voice transmissions to inquire.

"This is what happened..."

Vice Manor Master Yue also looked like he was in pain.

"Luo Tian passed the tenth floor of the Spirit Fighting Tower, earning the recognition of the Holy Mansion’s founder, Zhang Ziyang. He has been named an ’Honorary Mansion Master’."

"An Honorary Mansion Master?"

Everyone present was stunned, and an instant later, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

Luo Tian had actually become a Mansion Master of the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion, even if it was only an honorary title.

"This Honorary Mansion Master has no actual authority, but he enjoys the same status and all the same benefits as the Mansion Master."

Vice Manor Master Yue explained, feeling utterly suffocated with frustration.

In theory, while Luo Tian couldn’t interfere with the Holy Mansion’s internal affairs, his status and benefits surpassed those of the Vice Manor Master.

Even if the Sun Chasing Mansion Master himself were present, Luo Tian could stand with him as an equal.

Therefore, when facing Luo Tian, Pavilion Master Yue was a rank lower and was required to bow in greeting.

’This kid! He really soared to the heavens in a single step...’

Several high-ranking Elders were resentful, but also filled with envy and jealousy.

The students present were dumbfounded, their hearts filled with nothing but awe and reverence.

When the gap in status was this vast, it was difficult to even feel jealousy.

A Mansion Master of the Holy Mansion was a titan in the Azure Cloud Kingdom. Compared to someone like that, an ordinary student was no different than an ant.

The person feeling the most bitter about this, however, was Yue Jing.

Back then, he had relied on his status as the Vice Manor Master’s nephew and a Golden Lord to try and suppress and even kill Luo Tian.

And now, after such a short time, Luo Tian’s status had surpassed that of his own powerful backer.

"By the way! Pavilion Master Luo, after passing the tenth floor of the Spirit Fighting Tower, did you receive any inheritance from Senior Zhang Ziyang?"

A glint flashed in Vice Manor Master Yue’s eyes.

"An inheritance? I didn’t find one!"

Luo Tian said, his expression unreadable.

In truth, besides the Purple Gold Token that represented his status as an Honorary Mansion Master...

...Luo Tian had indeed gained something else.

An incomplete Great Sun Map had appeared in his mind. Within the map, a scorching sun rose in the east and set in the west, its cycle exuding a profound Martial Arts True Intent.

This Great Sun Map was similar to the True Intent Marks on the Divine Communication Ancient Wall at Profound Spirit Mountain.

The difference was that the Great Sun Map was geared toward Cultivation Techniques, whereas the latter was geared toward Martial Skills.

The Sun Chasing Holy Mansion’s Sun Chasing Skill, as well as the Cultivation Technique that Zhang Ziyang himself practiced, were both comprehended from this very incomplete Great Sun Map.

Seeing Luo Tian’s denial, Vice Manor Master Yue was skeptical but didn’t press the matter.

Amid a chorus of congratulations, Luo Tian and Lin Dongfeng left the Spirit Fighting Tower together.

"You brat! Your wings have certainly grown stiff. Now you’re walking all over your master..."

Lin Dongfeng said with a laugh.

"I wouldn’t say that! You’re now the Mentor to a Mansion Master. A rising tide lifts all boats, after all."

Luo Tian let out a hearty laugh.

"You really think this ’Honorary Mansion Master’ title was a free gift, don’t you?"

Lin Dongfeng said, half exasperated and half amused.

"What do you mean?"

Luo Tian’s expression turned thoughtful.

"You passed the tenth floor of the Spirit Fighting Tower. Your future achievements are immeasurable; you might even surpass the Sun Chasing Founder one day."

Lin Dongfeng said with a sigh.

"Now, the title of Honorary Mansion Master has tied you to the Holy Mansion’s chariot. The greater your fame and achievements become, the more the Holy Mansion stands to gain."

"I see."

Luo Tian had to admit, the old were indeed wiser.

The legacy left by Zhang Ziyang was clearly no free lunch.

If Luo Tian enjoyed the many benefits of the Holy Mansion now, he would be indebted to them. In the future, if the Holy Mansion needed his help, it would be difficult for him to simply stand by and watch.

"I have a feeling that the Azure Cloud Kingdom is too small to contain a True Dragon like you."

Lin Dongfeng’s expression was complex as he cast a profound look at Luo Tian.

"Have you ever thought about leaving the Azure Cloud Kingdom and finding a bigger stage?"

"Leave the Azure Cloud Kingdom?"

Luo Tian was taken aback, then his expression grew thoughtful again.

He was now number one on the Azure Cloud Kingdom’s Human List. He was beginning to feel a sense of loneliness among his peers, just as Xia Bingyue once had.

Instead of answering the question directly, Luo Tian posed one of his own.

"Mentor, if I stay in the Azure Cloud Kingdom, can I become a peerless expert on the Proud Continent, someone so powerful that no one could ever harm my family and friends?"

"No."

Lin Dongfeng answered without a moment’s hesitation.

He had traveled beyond the Azure Cloud Kingdom and seen the world outside.

Staying in the Azure Cloud Kingdom was like being a frog at the bottom of a well. Without true trials and challenges, how could anyone become a true powerhouse!

"I understand your thoughts. After you advance to the Spirit Sea Realm, come and see me again..."

Lin Dongfeng took a deep breath, having made up his mind.

SWOOSH!

Before Luo Tian could react, Lin Dongfeng gracefully departed.

’It seems this is what has been weighing on my Mentor’s mind.’

Luo Tian mused.

Ever since parting ways with Hermit Hidden Dragon, he had sensed that Master Lin was troubled by something.

...

「That night.」

Luo Tian returned to the Golden Area as usual.

He had just become an Honorary Mansion Master, and the associated benefits still needed to be arranged by the Holy Mansion’s administration.

「Inside the Cultivation Room.」

Luo Tian sat cross-legged, his consciousness reaching for the incomplete Great Sun Map in his mind.

「A moment later.」

Luo Tian withdrew his consciousness, a hint of regret on his face.

The Great Sun Map was indeed a legacy.

If Luo Tian were willing to spend the time, he could comprehend a powerful Cultivation Technique from it—at the very least, an Earth Level Low Grade technique, like the Sun Chasing Skill.

The Cultivation Technique that Zhang Ziyang had comprehended from it was close to the Earth Level Upper Grade.

However, comprehending a Cultivation Technique from it was a lengthy process that required a substantial Martial Arts foundation.

And Luo Tian already had two suitable Cultivation Techniques.

His Guiyuan True Skill produced vigorous and pure True Qi, far surpassing other Earth Level Cultivation Techniques of the same rank.

And the power of his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body was nearly at the Celestial Level.

More importantly, any Cultivation Technique comprehended from the Great Sun Map would be extremely Yang-aspected and fierce, which didn’t suit Luo Tian’s Divine Vein.

In terms of value, this incomplete Great Sun Map was worth less to Luo Tian than the two True Intent Traces he had recorded from Profound Spirit Mountain.

’This legacy might be suitable for Master Lin, though.’

The thought occurred to Luo Tian.

Lin Dongfeng had been an astonishing Martial Arts prodigy in his youth, but his progress had stalled for thirty years. He had experienced great ups and downs in his life and possessed a profound Martial Arts foundation.

’I’ll deal with that after I reach the Spirit Sea Realm.’

Luo Tian was rather curious to find out what was troubling Master Lin, and what he wanted to tell him.

After the tempering he had undergone in the Spirit Fighting Tower...

...Luo Tian’s Essence, Qi, and Spirit had reached a perfect state.

The True Qi within his Qi Veins and Qi Sea had been honed to its absolute limit, becoming exceptionally refined.

WHIRL!

Luo Tian activated the Heart Method of the Guiyuan True Skill. The True Qi from his nine Qi Veins began circulating in a specific pattern before converging within his Qi Sea.

「In the Qi Sea Space.」

GURGLE!

The surging, dense True Qi gradually formed a swirling vortex, continuously drawing more True Qi from his nine Qi Veins.

Luo Tian was only one final step away from advancing to the Spirit Sea Realm.

He had to form the Qi Sea Spiritual Vortex.

Forming a Qi Sea Spiritual Vortex required an immense Cultivation Foundation as well as a certain degree of talent and Comprehension.

Many Martial Artists were never able to take this step in their entire lives.

But for someone with Luo Tian’s Divine Vein and powerful foundation, it was merely a matter of time.

...

「On the third day of Luo Tian’s secluded Cultivation.」

「Inside Chasing Sun Hall.」

A white-browed man in a wide Purple Gold Robe suddenly appeared.

This was none other than the Sun Chasing Mansion Master, Ao Chuan.

"Mansion Master!"

Vice Manor Master Yue bowed respectfully.

"I heard that Luo Tian passed through the Spirit Fighting Tower and became an Honorary Mansion Master."

The white-browed man, Ao Chuan, began.

"That is correct."

Vice Manor Master Yue replied.

"Did he obtain Zhang Ziyang’s legacy?"

the Sun Chasing Mansion Master asked.

"Luo Tian denied it."

Vice Manor Master Yue said.

"Oh?"

The Sun Chasing Mansion Master’s brow furrowed slightly.

As the Mansion Master, he had higher clearance and had read Zhang Ziyang’s personal notes.

According to those notes, it was highly probable that Zhang Ziyang’s legacy had been left on the tenth floor of the Spirit Fighting Tower.

The Sun Chasing Mansion Master didn’t want to seize Luo Tian’s legacy; he just hoped it could be used to benefit the entire Holy Mansion.

Just then...

FLAP! FLAP!

A gold and red Message Bird flew into the great hall.

"A letter from the Monarch?"

The Mansion Master removed the letter tube and unfurled its contents.

"What!"

Before he was even halfway through, the Sun Chasing Mansion Master’s pupils constricted and his expression changed drastically.

"Mansion Master! What is it?"

Vice Manor Master Yue had rarely seen the Mansion Master so shaken.

The Sun Chasing Mansion Master let out a long sigh and handed the letter to Vice Manor Master Yue.

"Arrest Luo Tian? How can this be!"

Vice Manor Master Yue was so horrified he nearly jumped out of his skin.

"The Sun Chasing Holy Mansion finally produces a once-in-a-generation talent, and now he’s wanted by the Royal Family."

"Doesn’t Luo Tian have an excellent relationship with the Royal Family? He even saved two of the Princes, didn’t he?"

Vice Manor Master Yue was in utter disbelief.

"If it means appeasing Prince Zheng’s anger and protecting the Royal Family’s interests, what’s sacrificing one talented newcomer to the Monarch?"

The Sun Chasing Mansion Master wasn’t surprised.

"Mansion Master, are we really going to hand Luo Tian over?"

Vice Manor Master Yue couldn’t bear the thought.

Luo Tian passed the tenth floor of the Spirit Fighting Tower; he was the most astonishing genius in the history of the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion, perhaps even in the history of the entire Azure Cloud Kingdom.

If such a genius were to fall, it would be an immense loss for both the Holy Mansion and the Azure Cloud Kingdom.

"Pass down the order. Summon all Elders and high-ranking members. We will decide this matter together!"

the Sun Chasing Mansion Master said in a solemn voice.

...

「Meanwhile.」

「Outside Luo Tian’s residence in the Golden Area.」

"I have urgent business! I must see Brother Luo!"

Li Yunxiu cried out, her face a mask of anxiety.

"His Lordship is in seclusion."

a servant in the courtyard said apologetically.

「Inside the Cultivation Room.」

Within Luo Tian’s Qi Sea, the vortex of True Qi was gradually forming a hazy Spirit Light Vortex that shimmered like a dreamlike ribbon of color.

The moment this Spirit Light Vortex formed...

VWOOM!

Above the pavilion, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi formed a five-colored vortex that drew in energy from all directions.

’So, this is the Spirit Sea Vortex?’

Luo Tian marveled at the sensation.

The Spirit Light Vortex rotated automatically, flashing with a crystalline yellow glow. Through the medium of his Divine Vein, it constantly absorbed Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, growing stronger.

Once a Spirit Sea Vortex was formed, a Martial Artist’s True Qi became inexhaustible, capable of replenishing itself as if from a sea of Spiritual Qi.

To take this step was to enter the Spirit Sea Realm!

"Brother Luo broke through to the Spirit Sea Realm! Let me in, quickly."

came a delicate shout from outside the residence.

Li Yunxiu gazed at the five-colored vortex above the pavilion, her face filled with delight, and barged right in.

"Yunxiu, what is it?"

Luo Tian was in the middle of stabilizing the Spirit Sea Vortex within his body when he saw Princess Yunxiu rush in.

"Brother Luo, this letter is from my aunt! She said it’s a matter of life and death and that I had to deliver it to you personally."

Li Yunxiu hurriedly passed the letter to him.

"A letter from the Eldest Princess?"

Luo Tian unfolded the letter.

"Master Luo, Manqing is deeply ashamed..."

The letter began with a profound apology from the Eldest Princess.

The content that followed shook Luo Tian to his core.

"Master Luo! Please flee the Azure Cloud Kingdom at once! My brother, the Monarch, has decided to have you arrested to appease the wrath of Prince Zheng!"

The hurried, unsteady handwriting at the end of the letter revealed a sense of helplessness.

After reading the letter, Luo Tian’s first reaction wasn’t anger.

It was a bone-deep chill that started in the soles of his feet and spread throughout his entire body.

Back at the auction, Luo Tian had exposed the murderous plot involving the Spring and Autumn Insect and saved the Monarch’s life.

In the Royal Secret Garden, for the sake of the Azure Cloud Kingdom’s stability and security, Luo Tian had saved both the Third Prince and the Seventh Prince.

One could say that half of the Monarch’s family owed their lives to Luo Tian.

And yet, the end result was that Luo Tian was to be sacrificed like a pawn in exchange for the Royal Family’s continued existence.

How could such a thing not be utterly chilling!