Chapter 268 - 266: An Uproar of Laughter

Hearing Ning Xin’s voice transmission, Luo Tian understood why Han Yuan was deliberately targeting him.

In fact, it wasn’t just Han Yuan. Several other Core Disciples also disliked Luo Tian.

First, Luo Tian’s score in the Heart Demon Grotto Heaven was too high, even surpassing their own.

As Core Disciples, being outdone by a new disciple was a huge loss of face.

Second, Luo Tian had offended the Third Elder.

The Third Elder’s power and influence in the Yunxiao Sect were terrifying, and not long ago, a rumor had spread that the Third Elder intended to teach Luo Tian a lesson.

Almost no one in the Upper Sect dared to offend the Third Elder. Some would even take it upon themselves to punish Luo Tian just to curry favor with him.

Han Yuan’s deliberate bullying of Luo Tian now was also partly an attempt to win the Third Elder’s favor.

Several other Upper Sect Disciples nearby watched on with schadenfreude.

"Hmph. You don’t even know what the Creation Grotto Heaven’s trial is, yet you dare slander an Upper Sect Disciple? You have no manners."

"Now that you’re in the Upper Sect, you’d better learn to behave. Don’t think you’re so special just because you got a good score once in the Heart Demon Grotto Heaven."

Han Yuan snorted coldly, admonishing Luo Tian as if he were an elder.

"Luo Tian, don’t be rash! He’s one of the ten Core Disciples!"

Ning Xin sent the voice transmission, afraid that Luo Tian would get into a dispute with Han Yuan.

The ten Core Disciples represented the strongest group of geniuses in the Yunxiao Sect, and they possessed privileges far beyond those of ordinary Upper Sect Disciples.

For example, if one of the ten Core Disciples committed a minor offense, the Sect would tend to overlook it, so long as it wasn’t a major crime.

"Mm-hmm."

Luo Tian replied simply.

’I’m not going to get angry over a single taunt, and besides, there really is a huge gap between me and the ten Core Disciples.’

Han Yuan thought Luo Tian was backing down and a contemptuous smile appeared on his lips.

But then, Luo Tian spoke up. "In that case, Brother Han, do you know what the trial in the Creation Grotto Heaven is?"

’Core Disciple Han Yuan wants to teach me a lesson, so I can use this chance to get the information I need from him.’

The corner of Han Yuan’s mouth twitched. ’I’ve already entered the Creation Grotto Heaven trial once. How could I not know what the test is?’

"There’s no harm in telling you. The key to the Creation Grotto Heaven’s trial is in the name itself: ’creation’."

"The Creation Grotto Heaven will present all sorts of difficult problems. For example, it might give you an incomplete Palm Technique and ask you to complete it, judging your score based on how well you do. It might even ask you to create specific new moves!"

Han Yuan said coolly.

Silence fell all around. Many frowned in thought, feeling a headache coming on.

"There’s actually a trial like that?!"

"That’s way too hard. No wonder Han Yuan only got twenty-eight thousand Points!"

"Aren’t we still a long way from being able to create our own moves?"

Seeing the worried faces all around, Han Yuan couldn’t help but smile smugly. "The Creation Grotto Heaven is essentially designed for the ten Core Disciples. You lot are just going in to have a look."

But after he finished speaking, Han Yuan noticed that Luo Tian had a very strange expression, as if he were secretly pleased.

This wasn’t Luo Tian’s fault.

After hearing Han Yuan’s explanation, he immediately felt that the Fourth Grotto Heaven’s trial was exactly the same as what he usually did with his Celestial Book.

Almost all the Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills Luo Tian currently practiced were either completed or developed through the Celestial Book’s Inference.

If this was what the Creation Grotto Heaven’s trial was all about, then Luo Tian really wasn’t scared at all.

"Luo Tian, I see you still don’t get it."

Han Yuan was very displeased with Luo Tian’s reaction.

"The Fourth Grotto Heaven has nothing to do with strength or Spiritual Will. It tests your accumulated experience on the path of Martial Arts, your worldly knowledge, and your innate talent for Martial Arts."

Generally speaking, the older you are, the higher your level, and the more you’ve been exposed to, the easier it will be.

And Luo Tian, in terms of both Cultivation and age, was at the very bottom of the Upper Sect. Moreover, he had only just entered the Upper Sect, so his exposure to high-level matters was limited.

"I can tell you with certainty: in the Fourth Grotto Heaven, you’ll basically be at the bottom of the Upper Sect!"

Han Yuan mocked him bluntly.

"Hehehe, Brother Han, how can you say that?"

Just then, a laugh came from behind them.

Everyone looked over and saw that the newcomer was actually Ying Feihang.

Ying Feihang, who had been locked up for ten days and had his resource stipend docked for a month for slandering Luo Tian, had been released a while ago.

"Brother Han, you’re underestimating Luo Tian too much. He is the biggest dark horse of this year’s Four Grotto Heavens. I believe Luo Tian’s performance in the Creation Grotto Heaven won’t disappoint anyone either."

Ying Feihang said with a faint smile.

Many people were stunned. Why would Ying Feihang speak up for Luo Tian?

’Could it be that he really knows he was wrong and has repented?’

It was simply unbelievable.

After a moment of surprise, Han Yuan immediately understood and said with a faint smile, "Junior Ying has a point. My words were a bit too harsh just now."

"Junior Luo was first in the entrance examination, the first to enter the Upper Sect, and the biggest dark horse of the Four Grotto Heavens. His performance in the Creation Grotto Heaven trial will surely rank among the very best and shake the entire Upper Sect!"

"With Junior Luo’s talent, getting twenty thousand Points should be no problem. It might not even be impossible for him to catch up to me!"

The corners of Han Yuan’s lips curved up as he lavished praise and flattery on Luo Tian, practically praising him to the heavens.

This time, the surrounding crowd slowly understood. Ying Feihang and Han Yuan were trying to "kill him with praise."

They were building Luo Tian up so high just so he would have a harder fall.

’These people are despicable!’ Ning Xin thought, gritting her teeth.

Han Yuan and Ying Feihang had latched onto Luo Tian, refusing to let go, intending to completely crush such a stunning genius.

"Junior Luo’s talent is extraordinary! He got forty-two thousand points in a single run in the Heart Demon Grotto Heaven and set a new record in the Survival Grotto Heaven. This Creation Grotto Heaven should be nothing to him."

"Junior Luo, hurry up and show us how many points you can get in the Creation Grotto Heaven."

"He should get at least twenty thousand Points, right?"

Many of the older disciples present sided with Ying Feihang, chiming in and stirring up trouble.

Some even started spreading rumors, sending out messages claiming that Luo Tian looked down on the Creation Grotto Heaven and was going to show off his skills and crush all competition!

One could only imagine that if Luo Tian’s score was too low, he would become the laughingstock of the entire Upper Sect.

One after another, malicious gazes fell upon Luo Tian.

At this moment, Luo Tian finally spoke. "Heh, you all have pretty good judgment. You’re absolutely right!"

"Huh?"

The surroundings quieted down considerably as many disciples showed looks of confusion and astonishment.

"With my talent, this Creation Grotto Heaven is indeed nothing special!"

Luo Tian declared calmly, his hands clasped behind his back.

The area was instantly plunged into silence.

Then, a roar of laughter erupted.

"Hahaha! Junior Luo is right!"

"Good, we’ll be waiting for Junior Luo’s performance! Hahaha!"

All those who disliked Luo Tian burst into laughter.

Ying Feihang and Han Yuan had dug a pit, and Luo Tian had actually jumped right into it.

"It seems success has really gone to his head. He’s become arrogant beyond belief!"

An older, neutral disciple sighed, his impression of Luo Tian worsening.

"I am the strongest genius of this generation in the Yunxiao Sect. It’s just a mere Creation Grotto Heaven. Brother Han’s score is average, so it won’t be a problem to surpass it."

Luo Tian continued.

Everyone around was dumbfounded, as if they were watching a clown’s comical performance.

Hearing this, Han Yuan felt a mix of contempt and annoyance that Luo Tian would belittle him so brazenly.

But for the sake of a better "kill with praise," he couldn’t be bothered to argue. Instead, he smiled and said, "Since Junior Luo is so confident, I, your Brother, will wait and see."

"If Junior Luo can truly surpass me, I’ll give you five thousand Spiritual Essence Coins as a congratulatory gift."

Han Yuan acted very magnanimous and kind, as if he doted on Luo Tian.

"Five thousand Spiritual Essence Coins? You have a deal!"

Luo Tian’s eyes lit up.

He was currently in dire need of Spiritual Essence Coins.

"Mm, a deal it is."

Han Yuan’s expression was strange.

He had just said it casually. There was no way Luo Tian’s score in the Creation Grotto Heaven could surpass his.

But Luo Tian’s excited reaction, as if those five thousand Spiritual Essence Coins were already his, was simply baffling.

"I’m heading into the trial now. You all should prepare yourselves, don’t be too shocked by my score."

Luo Tian said to the crowd.

"Pfft!"

One of Han Yuan’s lackeys couldn’t help but snort with laughter.

The others also wore mocking smiles.

Now, they were all eagerly anticipating Luo Tian’s final result.

VMMM!

Luo Tian walked up to the fourth Light Cave and stepped inside.

Instantly, a heaven-shaking roar of laughter erupted all around.

"I’ve been holding it in for so long, I can finally laugh! Hahaha!"

"Hahaha, this is hilarious! The kid really thinks he’s a peerless genius!"

Han Yuan and Ying Feihang exchanged a look, deep smiles playing on their lips.

Right after, Ying Feihang also approached the Creation Grotto Heaven and stepped inside!

Everyone understood that Ying Feihang was going in to compete with Luo Tian, to get his revenge and further suppress him.

"Spread the news. Let more people witness Luo Tian’s results!"

Han Yuan ordered several of his subordinates.

Soon, word of this spread throughout the Upper Sect.

The opening of the Creation Grotto Heaven was already a highly anticipated event.

It was the most difficult Grotto Heaven, and even for the ten Core Disciples, getting a total of one hundred thousand points was a tricky affair.

But now, there was a rumor that a newly promoted Upper Sect Disciple, Luo Tian, thought the Creation Grotto Heaven was simple and was going to show off, surpass the Core Disciples, and score one hundred thousand points.

These were all deliberately exaggerated rumors.

But outsiders didn’t know the truth. Several Core Disciples were alerted and began rushing over to the Four Grotto Heavens.

The matter even reached the ears of the high-ranking Elders!

...

Inside the Creation Grotto Heaven.

Luo Tian appeared in a circular Martial Arts Arena.

’Ying Feihang and Han Yuan will probably exaggerate what I said to attract more people.’

Luo Tian smiled calmly, as if everything was within his grasp.

In fact, Luo Tian actually wanted to thank Ying Feihang and Han Yuan.

His ultimate goal in participating in the Four Grotto Heavens was to make a name for himself and then become the disciple of a powerful expert.

But right now, because of the Third Elder, the Upper Sect Disciples disliked him.

Even some high-ranking figures, not wanting to offend the Third Elder, might also reject Luo Tian.

This undoubtedly increased the difficulty for Luo Tian to find a master.

Luo Tian had to do something even more astonishing to have any hope of achieving his original goal!

But Han Yuan and Ying Feihang’s "praise-to-kill" tactic had given Luo Tian an idea.

That was why he had willingly jumped into their trap.

VMMM!

A huge screen of light suddenly appeared in front of him, covered in densely packed text.

"This is a Mortal Level Upper Grade Supreme Fist Technique, but the second form is incomplete. Please complete it."

A cold, mechanical voice announced.

’A Fist Technique...’

Luo Tian had never cultivated a Fist Martial Skill before.

But it was the first test, after all, so the difficulty wasn’t high.

As long as one had some understanding of Martial Skills, even without knowing any Fist Techniques, one could still complete this task, though the answer might not be perfect.

Luo Tian didn’t use the Celestial Book right away.

He planned to first rely on his own abilities to face the Creation Grotto Heaven. This, too, was a form of training.