Chapter 281 - 279: Who Else Wants My Spot?

"Even if I failed in the competition, it’s not your place to comment!"

Lin Zhuo’s expression darkened, a hint of fury on his face.

His strength was considered quite formidable, even among those at the Peak of the Eighth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm.

But his luck had been poor. During the competition for the Xuankong Mountain spots, he had run into two Core Disciples in a row. The injuries he sustained affected his third match, and he ultimately lost his chance.

"Luo Tian, how can you speak to Senior Brother Lin like that?"

A sharp-nosed man stepped out from the crowd, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

He was none other than Elder Mao’s disciple, the one Luo Tian had beaten up in the True Intent Ancient Hall.

The sharp-nosed man hadn’t gotten a spot either. When he heard Lin Zhuo was looking for trouble with Luo Tian, he had rushed over to watch the spectacle.

"Oh? Still spouting so much nonsense. It seems last time’s lesson wasn’t enough for you!"

Luo Tian shot a cold glance at the sharp-nosed man.

The sharp-nosed man’s face turned livid. A look of fear crossed his features, and he didn’t dare say another word.

The lesson from that day was etched into his very soul.

He had been thrashed by Luo Tian, his own master had been thrashed by Luo Tian’s master, and even going to the Sect Leader for justice had been useless.

The whole affair had become a running joke throughout the Yunxiao Sect.

"Luo Tian, if you know what’s good for you, hand over the spot voluntarily. I won’t let you get the short end of the stick; I’ll give you a fair price for it!"

Lin Zhuo’s expression was cold and haughty.

After all, Luo Tian’s spot had been pre-arranged. Forcibly seizing it wasn’t exactly proper.

"Not for sale."

Luo Tian refused without a second thought.

’The opportunity in Xuankong Mountain far surpasses that of the Four Grotto Heavens. Why would I ever just hand it over?’

"Then fight me for it! The winner gets the spot!"

Lin Zhuo bellowed.

"And why should I fight you?"

Luo Tian found this amusing.

’My spot was assigned internally. As long as I don’t give it up, Lin Zhuo can’t legally take it.’

Luo Tian couldn’t be bothered to deal with Lin Zhuo and started walking toward his courtyard.

"Get back here!"

Seeing Luo Tian ignore him and turn to leave, Lin Zhuo grew desperate.

’I must get that spot for Xuankong Mountain!’

His own master had hinted that he should seek out Luo Tian. After all, Luo Tian’s Cultivation was the lowest in the Upper Sect, and he had also offended the Third Elder.

Even if snatching the spot was against the rules, the Third Elder would surely be pleased to see it happen and would secretly support Lin Zhuo.

But Lin Zhuo never imagined Luo Tian would flat-out refuse to fight!

Agitated, Lin Zhuo unleashed his True Qi. His hand swelled, his fingers sharpening into claws that shone with a piercing golden light.

WHOOSH!

He lunged at Luo Tian, his sharp golden claws tearing through the air with a piercing shriek.

Lin Zhuo had actually attacked Luo Tian directly!

’Once I’ve crippled you, there’ll be no need for you to go to Xuankong Mountain!’

For the sake of the Xuankong Mountain spot, Lin Zhuo was ready to risk it all.

The disciples gathered to watch the commotion quickly backed away. The sharp-nosed man, however, was grinning with excitement.

’Luo Tian, you’re finished!’

In his eyes, even if Lin Zhuo couldn’t snatch the spot, this fight would still leave Luo Tian severely wounded.

If Luo Tian, whose Cultivation was already the lowest, entered Xuankong Mountain injured, he surely wouldn’t gain much—he might even die in there.

SWISH! WHOOSH!

Lin Zhuo’s claw flashed past, only to see Luo Tian’s figure suddenly dissipate, turning into a wisp of cold wind that drifted to one side.

’What a fast Body Technique!’

Lin Zhuo’s sneak attack from behind had actually missed!

Many of the disciples looked slightly astonished.

"It seems you all think I’m an easy target!"

Luo Tian glared coldly at Lin Zhuo.

Since the events at the Four Grotto Heavens, Luo Tian had kept a low profile, no longer in the spotlight as he was before.

This Lin Zhuo had come right to his door demanding his spot, then attacked the moment they disagreed.

That last strike would have severely injured any ordinary cultivator at the Peak of the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm, perhaps even crippling an entire arm.

"Luo Tian, you are not worthy of a spot in Xuankong Mountain!"

Lin Zhuo transformed into a golden afterimage and pounced. His claws shone with a sharp, blinding golden light, seemingly indestructible as they tore toward Luo Tian.

Guiyuan Cloud-Dispelling Hand!

Luo Tian activated his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body, channeling his immense strength and True Qi to strike out with a heavy, crystalline-yellow giant palm, meeting Lin Zhuo’s attack head-on!

BOOM!

The heavy, crystalline-yellow palm slammed into the indestructible golden claws, sending out roiling shockwaves and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Amidst the explosion, Luo Tian’s figure remained perfectly still, rooted to the spot like a boulder.

SKID! SKID!

Lin Zhuo, however, was forced back two steps. The blood and qi in his body roiled, and the clash even aggravated the old injuries he’d sustained during the competition.

"Lin Zhuo was actually pushed back in a head-on clash!"

The sharp-nosed man was dumbfounded.

And Luo Tian hadn’t even used his True Palm Skill Intent yet!

The other disciples nearby were also astounded. They assumed Lin Zhuo must have held back, worried he might accidentally kill Luo Tian.

After all, Lin Zhuo was strong enough to have earned a spot on his own merits; he’d just been unlucky.

’Not bad! It seems my strength has increased considerably now that my Celestial Furnace Treasure Body has reached Second-Layer Perfection.’

A smile touched Luo Tian’s lips.

He had been in seclusion recently, focused on his Cultivation.

Ten days ago, he had taken a Fire Essence Pill, allowing him to break through to the Perfect Realm of the Second-Layer of his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body.

Luo Tian had made significant progress in every area but hadn’t had a chance to test it in a real fight, so he wasn’t entirely sure of his own combat prowess.

"Again!"

A taunting smile spread across Luo Tian’s face.

"Don’t get cocky! I was only using seventy percent of my strength in that last exchange!"

Lin Zhuo roared as an astonishing aura erupted from his claws, scattering rays of golden light.

Gold-Breaking Bone-Crushing Claw!

Lin Zhuo attacked with his full power. His Claw Technique was incredibly ferocious and explosive, kicking up a violent wave of golden energy.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Unafraid, Luo Tian met the assault head-on, his palms striking out continuously to counter Lin Zhuo’s ultimate technique.

The surrounding crowd was utterly flabbergasted.

"Am I seeing things? Luo Tian is actually trading blows head-on with Lin Zhuo, who’s at the Peak of the Eighth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm, and he isn’t losing ground at all!"

"What do you mean ’not losing ground’? He’s clearly got the upper hand!"

The disciples gasped in amazement.

How could Luo Tian, only at the Peak of the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm, possess such terrifying combat strength?

Aside from Lin Zhuo, many other disciples present had also been coveting Luo Tian’s spot, believing it was a complete waste for him to enter Xuankong Mountain.

But now, every disciple—including Lin Zhuo—had changed their minds.

’How can this be? How is his power so terrifying? Even my Gold-Breaking Bone-Crushing Claw can’t smash through it!’

Lin Zhuo, trading blows with Luo Tian, was utterly horrified.

His momentum was being overwhelmed by Luo Tian’s, and he was beginning to struggle.

The continuous exchange of blows even caused Lin Zhuo’s old injuries to flare up, and his face gradually turned pale.

’I can’t let this drag on!’

"One move to finish you!"

Lin Zhuo’s gaze sharpened.

Golden Radiance Mountain-Splitting Claw!

Lin Zhuo’s right claw radiated an incomparably brilliant golden light, imbued with a monstrous aura. He swiped down fiercely from above, as if to tear apart and pulverize everything in his path!

The power of this claw strike sent a chill down the spines of all the disciples.

"Luo Tian, watch out!"

Not far away, Ning Xin had just arrived in time to witness Lin Zhuo’s attack.

’Even I wouldn’t dare to face that attack head-on.’

’Luo Tian will be killed instantly by that claw!’

WHOOSH!

As the claw descended, golden shockwaves blasted out to the sides, and Luo Tian’s figure was sliced in two.

Of course, it was only an afterimage.

Luo Tian had used the Wind Manipulation Technique. His figure seemed to drift away on the wind, vanishing without a trace.

"With strength like that, it’s no wonder you didn’t get a spot!"

Luo Tian’s voice suddenly sounded from the right, right next to Lin Zhuo’s ear.

"What?"

Lin Zhuo was stunned.

’What kind of Body Technique is that? So light and ethereal, moving without a trace.’

SHING!

Luo Tian drew his Wind and Snow Sword. A sharp, ice-cold Sword Light flashed into existence, instantly appearing before Lin Zhuo!

CLANG! SQUELCH!

Lin Zhuo immediately tried to block with his claws, but a bloody gash was sliced into them, despite their supposed indestructibility.

Sword wounds also appeared on his shoulder and abdomen, sending blood splashing into the air.

Lin Zhuo stumbled back several steps. The blood and qi surged violently within him, and he spat out a large mouthful of blood, his face turning pale as paper.

"Get lost!"

Luo Tian barked.

"Damn it! If I wasn’t already injured, I would have definitely beaten you!"

Lin Zhuo’s face was livid. Too ashamed to linger, he immediately fled.

"He’s too strong!"

The spectating disciples were stunned. Lin Zhuo had been defeated so easily.

"Heh heh, Junior Luo, how about a little spar with me? The winner gets the spot!"

Another senior disciple stepped forward.

’In his opinion, Lin Zhuo had only performed so poorly because he was already injured.’

’Luo Tian just fought a fierce battle with Lin Zhuo, so he can’t be in peak condition,’ he thought. ’I have a sixty percent chance of winning.’

’Even if I lose, it’s no big deal. But if I win, I get a spot for Xuankong Mountain!’

"Oh?"

Luo Tian glanced at the senior disciple. A cold light flashed in his eyes, along with the glint of an ethereal Sword Mark.

BOOM!

An invisible, icy Sword Intent radiated outward, making the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi tremble. The Wind and Snow Sword in Luo Tian’s hand began to glow with a magnificent, crystal-clear cold light.

The swords of several nearby disciples began to hum and tremble inexplicably.

SWOOSH!

A cold glint of Sword Qi lashed out like a fierce wind, elegant yet incredibly swift!

By the time the senior disciple reacted, it was too late to defend himself.

"Aaargh!"

He let out a piercing scream as his arm fell to the ground.

A gash several feet deep was left in the ground farther away.

Hiss!

The disciples sucked in a sharp breath and scrambled back.

Only then did they remember: Luo Tian was a genius who had grasped the rudiments of True Sword Dao Intent.

And during his fight with Lin Zhuo, Luo Tian hadn’t even used his Sword Intent.

What’s more, Luo Tian’s Ice Trace Sword was still with Cheng Wanli. The weapon he was using now was just a Low Tier Wind and Snow Sword.

"Anyone else want my spot?"

Luo Tian asked coldly, the ethereal Sword Mark glinting in his eyes as his blade shone with a terrifying light.

A sharp, heaven-piercing spiritual pressure washed over the area.

"No one!"

"Junior Luo, your strength is formidable! Even Lin Zhuo was no match for you. We are filled with admiration."

The sharp-nosed man was the first to retreat, terrified that Luo Tian would come after him next. The others quickly followed suit.

In the blink of an eye, the crowd that had been blocking Luo Tian’s courtyard vanished completely.

In the distance, Ning Xin’s beautiful, jade-like face was a picture of astonishment.

Even she would have found it difficult to block the final sword strike Luo Tian had unleashed.

’So this is Sword Intent... Now that’s a true genius!’

Ning Xin sighed, shaken by the power of that one strike, bursting with Sword Intent.

"Junior Luo, we all underestimated your strength. Xuankong Mountain opens in five days. Your performance is sure to shock everyone!"

Ning Xin said with a radiant smile.

"You’re too kind, Senior Sister Ning. The ten Core Disciples are the real stars this time."

Luo Tian replied with a faint smile.

After a brief chat, Ning Xin took her leave.

With Xuankong Mountain opening in five days, all the disciples who were set to enter were making their final preparations.

Luo Tian was no exception. He went to Cheng Wanli’s place to retrieve his Ice Trace Sword and Defensive Treasure Armor.

The number of Inscriptions on both Treasure Artifacts had been increased to eight.

Time flew by.

「Five days later.」

The day Xuankong Mountain was to open had arrived!