Chapter 218 - 216: Sent Flying by One Punch Again

’Such incredible Penetration Power!’

Luo Tian gazed at the one-meter-deep hole.

A human body would be even more fragile, even easier to pierce.

And this was just the First Technique, "One Sword Piercing Clouds." Luo Tian had only just begun to learn it and was far from proficient.

Even so, in terms of lethality, the power of the First Technique of the Nine Heavens Sword Technique was comparable to the Seventh Technique of the Celestial Star Sword Technique, Star Shining Nine Heavens.

’It truly is worthy of being an Earth Level Upper Grade Sword Technique!’

Luo Tian practiced it a few more times, unleashing his full power with each strike.

SWISH!

In the dark of night, bolts of Sword Qi, each more brilliant than the last, continuously struck the area around the giant rock.

He finally stopped when he felt his True Qi was heavily depleted. Continuously channeling the True Intent was also mentally taxing.

By now, the house-sized, dark gray boulder was pocked with more than a dozen meter-deep holes, making it look like a giant hornet’s nest.

After Luo Tian left...

CRACK!

Cracks suddenly spread across the surface of the house-sized boulder.

Immediately after, the entire boulder shattered, collapsing into a pile of rubble.

...

After returning to his residence, Luo Tian took out a few Spiritual Essence Coins and cultivated for an hour.

’In three days, I have to make a huge profit!’

Luo Tian currently had less than a thousand Contribution Points. Even if he went to the Cultivation Tower, he wouldn’t be able to stay for more than a few days.

The Gambling Platform in three days was a great opportunity to harvest Contribution Points.

Of course, he couldn’t be too careless.

Every single person in the Yunxiao Sect was a one-in-ten-thousand genius.

The older disciples, in particular, had been in the Yunxiao Sect for at least three years and could not be underestimated.

So, during these three days, Luo Tian had to not only study the Nine Heavens Sword Technique, but also keep up with his training in the Celestial Furnace Treasure Body and the Guiyuan True Skill.

「The next morning.」

He rose early and began practicing the Nine Heavens Sword Technique.

He repeated the First Technique over and over without feeling bored. It was as if he gained a new insight each time, allowing his Swordsmanship to improve.

Meanwhile, outside, the news of Luo Tian provoking the older disciples had spread completely.

"The new disciple, Luo Tian, is using Ning Xin’s name to swindle people and ride on her coattails!"

"Luo Tian mocked the older disciples for being too weak and wants to face them on the Gambling Platform!"

The rumors grew more and more exaggerated. The Eighth Prince was, of course, fanning the flames. He wanted to ensure Luo Tian had no place to stand in the Lower Sect!

Some of the uninformed older disciples developed a terrible impression of Luo Tian.

It wasn’t unheard of for new disciples to provoke older ones.

But so far, Luo Tian was the only one to do it so arrogantly.

Some of the more hot-tempered ones went directly to the Gambling Platform to issue a challenge to Luo Tian.

"I, Cao San! My Cultivation is at the Peak of the Fourth Layer! I challenge Luo Tian to a match tomorrow! The wager is five hundred Spiritual Essence Coins!"

In front of the Gambling Platform, a burly man spoke to a Steward in charge of the platform.

"Very well!"

The Steward recorded it, a keen interest in this new disciple named Luo Tian sparking in his heart.

He was in charge of matters concerning the Gambling Platform. In just the past two days, ten people had challenged Luo Tian, all for the same day.

"Hahaha! That brat Luo Tian is finished!"

Inside a pavilion, the Eighth Prince and several other geniuses from the Chilong Dynasty were gathered.

"That’s right. No faction is willing to take him in now. As a lone wolf, he’ll face immense pressure and ostracism!"

The Ninth Prince agreed.

Just then, a blue-haired youth ran over. "Your Highnesses, Senior Brother Qi Nan wants to see you!"

"Qi Nan?"

The two princes nodded and went out, arriving at the residence of the older disciple, Qi Nan.

Qi Nan was the son of a General from the Chilong Dynasty. In terms of status, the two of them were far superior to him.

But this was the Yunxiao Sect, where status from the Mortal World was of little use.

Qi Nan belonged to the same faction as them. He was one of the top five experts in the faction, with a Cultivation at the Spirit Sea Realm Sixth Layer, and he had a chance of becoming an Upper Sect Disciple!

"Senior Brother Qi Nan."

The two princes greeted him.

Across from them sat a man with a face that seemed carved from marble, with sharp, distinct features and a cold gaze.

"Mm. There’s a new disciple named Luo Tian in this batch, right? Tell me about him," Qi Nan said flatly.

He had been in seclusion recently, so he was completely unaware of the uproar surrounding Luo Tian.

The Eighth Prince immediately recounted all of Luo Tian’s recent actions.

"Oh? This kid is rather interesting."

After listening, a strange light flickered in Qi Nan’s eyes.

’For a new disciple to provoke the older ones like this... an ordinary person wouldn’t have the guts.’

"Senior Brother Qi Nan, may I ask why you’ve suddenly taken an interest in this person?" the Eighth Prince asked.

"Uncle Lin told me to find a way to kill this boy!"

Qi Nan said bluntly.

The Uncle Lin he spoke of was Prince Zheng.

It turned out that when Prince Zheng learned Luo Tian had successfully entered the Yunxiao Sect, he immediately used his connections to find a way to eliminate him.

Qi Nan’s father and Prince Zheng were close acquaintances.

Just a moment ago, Qi Nan had received a message from his father.

...

「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Inside the Cultivation Secret Room.

The Spiritual Essence Coins in Luo Tian’s hands slowly turned to dust.

Within his Qi Sea.

The completion of his Second-Layer Spirit Sea Vortex reached forty percent. His progress could be described as incredibly fast.

However, at this stage, his Cultivation speed slowed down again, and it would be difficult to make any improvements in the short term.

Luo Tian opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of turbid air.

’I’ve reached the Great Achievement Realm in the Fourth-Layer of the Guiyuan True Skill!’

WHOOSH!

Luo Tian opened one hand, and a brilliant, crystalline yellow True Qi bloomed forth.

SWISH! PFFT!

With a flick of his finger, the brilliant yellow True Qi condensed into a strand of Sword Qi and shot toward a Training Stone in front of him.

The specially made Training Stone, which could easily withstand an Attack from the Fourth Layer of Spirit Sea Realm, was pierced by Luo Tian’s Breaking Sky Sword Qi as if it were tofu.

’The quality of my True Qi is now higher than that of an average older disciple at the Fourth Layer of Spirit Sea Realm!’

A smile appeared on Luo Tian’s face.

Furthermore, the Guiyuan True Skill was more focused on Defense. The effect of his True Qi Body Protection was likely close to that of the Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer.

Additionally, his Nine Heavens Sword Technique had also improved.

He had cultivated the First Technique to Minor Achievement, and its power had already surpassed the final technique of the Celestial Star Sword Technique.

’Time to go earn some Contribution Points!’

Luo Tian left his room and headed for the Gambling Platform.

「At that moment.」

Dozens of new and old disciples had already gathered around the Gambling Platform.

Although the area was always lively, it was rare to see so many people gathered like today.

"Luo Tian’s here!"

Someone exclaimed.

The crowd immediately parted, revealing Luo Tian’s figure.

"Luo Tian, you’re finally here!"

Sun Hongshi’s face was full of excitement.

In today’s battle, not only could he vent Ning Xin’s anger, but he could also earn five hundred Contribution Points.

Luo Tian looked calm and composed. He ignored Sun Hongshi and walked up to the Steward in charge of the Gambling Platform.

"Sir Steward, may I ask how many people have challenged me in total?" Luo Tian asked.

"Twelve!"

The Steward hadn’t expected Luo Tian to ask this and replied with a strange expression.

"Twelve!"

Luo Tian’s eyes lit up when he heard this.

’I didn’t expect my mockery that day would have such a great effect,’ he thought. ’But on second thought, the Eighth Prince and Ninth Prince probably deserve some of the credit for this.’

"Luo Tian, get on the platform! Things have come to this, what other tricks are you trying to pull?" Sun Hongshi shouted.

SWOOSH!

Luo Tian leaped onto the Gambling Platform with a faint smile. "Who’s first?"

"Me!"

A deafening voice rang out, filled with intense excitement!

A burly figure leaped up and landed on the Gambling Platform, kicking up a wave of dust.

"Luo Tian, today I, Dong, will not be careless again! Let’s have a fair and proper fight!" Dong Hui roared.

He was impatient to reclaim his lost face.

"Wave-Breaking Saber!"

Dong Hui took out a large saber and swung it, stirring up layers of wind that created a terrifying aura.

He suddenly closed in on Luo Tian and unleashed a fierce slash.

SHIING!

A two-meter-long blue saber light howled forward. It carried the power of a monstrous wave sweeping in all directions, and it even made the sound of crashing surf.

"What a powerful slash! Dong Hui’s strength has improved again!"

"Dong Hui is bullying a new disciple too much. He didn’t hold back at all with that slash. If he seriously injures that kid, won’t the rest of the show be ruined?"

The surrounding older disciples couldn’t help but comment when they saw Dong Hui’s Attack.

Many people had challenged Luo Tian. If he was seriously injured right away, he definitely wouldn’t accept any more challenges.

’This Dong Hui’s strength is a cut above mine!’

The Ninth Prince’s expression darkened slightly.

In the Chilong Dynasty, he had few rivals among his peers and was invincible within his own Realm.

But in the Yunxiao Sect, there were many who were more outstanding than him in every aspect.

’Luo Tian, facing a Dong Hui who is even stronger than me, your first battle is bound to be a miserable defeat!’

A smile tugged at the corner of the Ninth Prince’s mouth.

However, on the Gambling Platform...

Luo Tian, facing Dong Hui’s powerful slash, seemed to have suddenly remembered something.

He actually turned his back to the slash and asked the Steward, "Since these people have already challenged me, they can’t back out now, right?"

Luo Tian only knew that the Gambling Platform existed; he wasn’t clear on the specific rules.

"That’s right!"

The Steward, looking stunned, gave a slightly bewildered nod.

’You’re about to die, and you have time to chat with me?’

"Understood!"

Luo Tian nodded.

’In that case, there’s no need to hold back!’

He activated his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body, and a pearl-like cyan luster appeared all over him. With his back still to Dong Hui’s slash, he swatted backward with his hand.

POW!

It was as if Luo Tian had eyes in the back of his head. The palm strike landed squarely on the side of the slash, and its terrifying force instantly crushed the blue saber light.

"What?"

Dong Hui was completely shocked.

’How is this possible?’

He had used his full power, yet his Attack was still shattered by Luo Tian’s single palm strike!

SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Luo Tian suddenly spun around, moving like a wisp of smoke as he instantly closed in on Dong Hui.

"Get off the stage!"

Luo Tian’s expression was cold as he threw a sudden punch!

Before the fist even arrived, an immense pressure washed over Dong Hui, making the hairs on his body stand on end as a sense of crisis washed over him.

But the two were too close. Dong Hui had no time to dodge and could only use his Treasure Artifact to block Luo Tian’s Attack!

CLANG!

Dong Hui turned his large saber sideways to block Luo Tian’s fist. The two collided violently, producing a loud sound like metal striking jade.

BAM!

The next moment, the large saber was knocked from Dong Hui’s hand, and he was sent flying off the Gambling Platform, crashing hard onto the ground.

The first battle was over!

Dong Hui was defeated in a single move!

Some of the disciples present had witnessed the first clash between Luo Tian and Dong Hui three days ago.

They discovered to their astonishment...

...that the scene on the Gambling Platform today was an exact replica of what had happened that day, as if it had been copied and pasted.