Chapter 391 - 389: Prince Zheng’s Mansion

Aboard the Ninth Layer of Spirit Sea Realm Cyan Feathered Bird, Luo Tian sat cross-legged. Soaring through the air, he quickly left the Azure Cloud Kingdom.

’Next, it’s time to settle the score with Prince Zheng!’

The Azure Cloud Monarch’s order to hunt him down back then was largely due to pressure from Prince Zheng!

During the Yunxiao Sect’s assessment and after entering the Sect, Luo Tian had also been repeatedly targeted or plotted against by the geniuses of the Chilong Dynasty.

A few months ago, when Luo Tian left the Yunxiao Sect to train and headed for the Eastern Domain, the Earth Element Realm assassin he encountered on the road, "Ghost General," had been sent by Prince Zheng!

If it hadn’t been for Jiang Daoyun and Ji Qingrong back then, Luo Tian would have been in grave danger.

The journey was long.

Luo Tian sat cross-legged and circulated the Guiyuan True Skill to consolidate his Cultivation.

His Cultivation had already reached the Peak of Ninth Layer of Spirit Sea Realm, giving him the qualification to attempt a breakthrough to the Earth Element Realm.

To be on the safe side, Luo Tian planned to let his power settle for a period of time.

After returning to the Sect, he would refine the Earth Spirit Fruit into an Earth Spirit Pill, which could increase his chances of breaking through to the Earth Element Realm.

’Right, I’ve run out of content for the Celestial Furnace Treasure Body...’

The Celestial Furnace Treasure Body was an incomplete Cultivation Technique to begin with, only containing the cultivation methods for the first three layers. Luo Tian had already cultivated it to Third-Layer Perfection.

’Inferring a Celestial Level Technique is no small expense!’

Fortunately, Luo Tian was flush with Spiritual Essence Coins, possessing over 50,000. This included the Spiritual Essence Coin reward from the Celestial Pride Conference and the spoils he had obtained in the unknown Secret Realm.

’Celestial Book, can you infer the next part of the Celestial Furnace Treasure Body?’

Luo Tian’s consciousness entered the Celestial Book World.

Since the Celestial Furnace Treasure Body was an incomplete Celestial Level Technique, having the Celestial Book infer it opened up many different paths.

A few lines of text appeared on the Celestial Book, each representing a different path of inference.

It also listed the inference cost. Different paths had varying costs, though the differences weren’t huge.

Inferring the Fourth-Layer to the Sixth-Layer required over 30,000 Spiritual Essence Coins, while the Seventh-Layer to the Ninth-Layer would cost over 100,000.

’The cost is immense...’

However, Luo Tian understood. The Seventh-Layer to the Ninth-Layer corresponded to the Celestial Pool Realm.

Luo Tian hadn’t even reached the Earth Element Realm yet, so he could just infer the Fourth-Layer to the Sixth-Layer. The cost was within an acceptable range.

Next, Luo Tian browsed through the several inference paths provided by the Celestial Book. After a long while, he settled on a path that seemed quite good and rather suitable for him.

The Celestial Furnace Treasure Body was created by a Great Power from Ancient Times.

This Body Refinement Technique used heaven and earth as a furnace, hammering the body as if it were a Divine Treasure. It tempered the body with the Ice and Fire Power to cultivate a Supreme Treasure Body.

The first three layers could be understood as tempering the physique and building a foundation.

The Fourth-Layer would be a qualitative transformation.

The inference path Luo Tian chose summarized the Fourth through Sixth-Layers as the "Celestial Furnace Shield Body."

It was as if his well-tempered body, like a precious piece of Jade, was to be forged into the hardest of shields.

The Seventh through Ninth-Layers were summarized as the "Celestial Furnace Sword Body." Luo Tian chose this path because he was a Sword Cultivator.

After selecting the path, he supplied energy to the Celestial Book.

A total of 30,000 Spiritual Essence Coins gradually turned into a pile of ash.

The Celestial Book was charged with enough energy for 1,500 pages.

’Infer the Fourth through Sixth-Layers!’

WHOOSH!

The glow on the Celestial Book Paper Pages quickly dimmed, and 1,500 pages flipped by in an instant.

The newly inferred and perfected Celestial Furnace Treasure Body transformed into a torrent of information that flooded into Luo Tian’s mind.

’It’s done!’

A look of joy appeared on Luo Tian’s face.

Previously, the power of the Celestial Furnace Treasure Body had only approached that of a Celestial Level Technique. After the inference, it had truly reached the Celestial Level!

The Fourth through Sixth-Layers corresponded to the Earth Element Realm, but that didn’t mean Luo Tian couldn’t cultivate them now; it was just significantly more difficult.

Luo Tian activated the Fourth-Layer’s Cultivation Technique for the Celestial Furnace Treasure Body and began to practice.

BUZZ! BUZZ!

On the surface of his cyan, jade-like body, wisps of True Qi Spirit Fire darted about, tempering every inch of his being.

Because it corresponded to the Earth Element Realm, the Cultivation was difficult, and the pain of refining his Treasure Body was even more intense.

SIZZLE!

Luo Tian discovered that on the parts of his body tempered by the red True Qi Spirit Fire, the original cyan luster faded, replaced by a hint of a silver sheen.

’There’s still some unabsorbed medicinal power from the Poisonous Python Yin Spirit Fruit I consumed before...’

Luo Tian immediately activated the medicinal power of this precious fruit. A vast and pure wave of Medicinal Power erupted, nourishing his entire body. Combined with the tempering of his physique, the effect was boosted by fifty to sixty percent!

「Three days passed.」

The remaining Medicinal Power of the Poisonous Python Yin Spirit Fruit was completely absorbed.

Luo Tian had also successfully crossed the threshold into the Fourth-Layer of the Celestial Furnace Treasure Body.

A translucent silver sheen now covered Luo Tian’s entire body, completely different from before. It gave off a sense of indestructible hardness.

「More than half a month later.」

The border of the Chilong Dynasty.

A large cyan bird flew past. As it passed some checkpoints, the garrisoned Martial Artists intended to check Luo Tian’s identity.

But upon seeing Luo Tian’s Yunxiao Sect disciple attire, they immediately shut their mouths, thankful they hadn’t spoken out of turn.

Luo Tian’s journey was unimpeded.

On the back of the Cyan Feathered Bird, he was still tempering his physique, his body covered in flickering, silver-red sparks of flame.

Luo Tian’s Treasure Body had undergone a world-shaking transformation. His skin had a silver, crystal-like luster and emanated a cold, hard aura.

’Almost there!’

Luo Tian opened his eyes.

Just half a day ago, his cultivation of the Celestial Furnace Treasure Body’s Fourth-Layer had reached the Small Success Realm.

’Time to test its effects!’

Luo Tian activated his Treasure Body’s defense, took out the [Ice Trace Sword], channeled his True Qi, and slashed at his own arm.

CLANG!

A crisp sound like striking jade and metal rang out. On Luo Tian’s arm, there was only a barely perceptible white mark.

’What powerful defense! The force of that last strike was above that of an ordinary Earth Element Realm First Layer cultivator, yet it only left such a small mark!’

Luo Tian was extremely surprised.

Immediately after, he took out the [Ice Nether Sword], which was a Half-Profound Artifact.

Without using any True Qi, the power from the [Ice Nether Sword]’s sharpness alone surpassed his previous strike.

CLANG!

However, the result of the [Ice Nether Sword] striking his arm was not much different from before.

It left a slightly deeper white mark on his arm, and a sinister, cold chill spread out, trying to invade his body.

Luo Tian’s Treasure Body had outstanding defense against Ice and Fire Attribute attacks, so he was unharmed.

’If I focus completely on defense now, it would be difficult for anyone below the Earth Element Realm Second Layer to even injure me!’

Luo Tian smiled.

Not only that, but the Fourth-Layer also had an additional ability: his Treasure Body could connect with a Defensive Treasure Artifact to a certain extent, increasing its defensive power.

In other words, the defensive capabilities of the [Cold Jade Armor] Luo Tian wore would be raised to a new level.

’As expected of a Celestial Level Body Refining Technique!’

...

Chilong Dynasty, Prince Zheng’s Mansion.

On a dragon-carved throne of dark gold, Prince Zheng stared at a report in his hand, his expression grim and his thick brows tightly furrowed.

’First on the Spirit List... King of the Celestial Pride!’

Prince Zheng found it hard to believe and felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him.

He never would have imagined that the Meridian Opening Realm youth from back then could have grown so powerful in such a short amount of time!

’Status unknown, likely dead... Are you dead or not...’

Prince Zheng stared at the note at the very bottom of the first page of the Spirit List.

Ever since learning that Luo Tian had become first on the Spirit List, he hadn’t been able to eat or sleep in peace.

Throughout history, as long as they didn’t fall prematurely, every person who ranked first on the Spirit List went on to become a renowned Great Power on the continent!

Luo Tian would definitely seek revenge, and when that time came, Prince Zheng could only wait for death!

But if Luo Tian had died in the Frosty Winter Secret Realm, that would be for the best. The grudge for his son’s death would be avenged, and he wouldn’t have to worry about Luo Tian’s retaliation.

The problem was, Prince Zheng couldn’t be certain if Luo Tian was actually dead or not!

"Your Highness, Elder Zheng and Elder Zhong have arrived!"

A steward came rushing in.

"Quick, invite them in!"

Prince Zheng immediately stood up and personally walked out of the hall to welcome the two figures, Elders from the Yunxiao Sect.

Both of these Elders hailed from the Chilong Dynasty. Elder Zheng was even from the Royal Family and was related to Prince Zheng.

Within the Yunxiao Sect, there were different ranks among Elders, and Elder Zheng was one of the higher-ranking ones.

「That same day.」

Prince Zheng held a banquet to welcome the two Yunxiao Sect Elders and wash away the dust from their journey.

Inside the spacious and luxurious grand hall.

Dancers swayed gracefully, accompanied by Musicians on the side, creating a lively scene of song and dance.

"I’ve finally managed to invite you two Elders here. Come! I offer a toast to you both!"

Prince Zheng raised his cup and drained it in one go.

The two Sect Elders, however, savored the drink slowly.

"Hundred Flowers Wine? Not bad!"

Elder Zhong had an expression of enjoyment.

Hundred Flowers Wine was brewed from the nectar of a hundred different flowers. It could nourish the body, clear the meridians, and promote Cultivation.

"Elders, I would like to ask, what exactly is the situation with that Luo Tian?"

When the banquet was well underway, Prince Zheng asked in a low voice.

He believed that these two Elders from the Yunxiao Sect would certainly have a clearer understanding of the matter.

Elder Zhong put down his wine cup and said slowly, "I’m afraid the odds are against him. He’s not coming back!"

Hearing this, a hint of joy appeared on Prince Zheng’s face.

"What a pity. For Luo Tian to have just become the King of the Celestial Pride and then encounter such a mishap... heaven is truly jealous of geniuses."

Prince Zheng put on a regretful expression.

Elder Zheng and Elder Zhong smiled faintly and said no more.

They were perfectly clear about the grudge between Prince Zheng and Luo Tian.

Back then, Prince Zheng had even planned to ask them to take care of Luo Tian. That was when the Four Grotto Heavens were opening, and Luo Tian was in the limelight, attracting the attention of the higher-ups.

The risk was great and the reward small, so they had declined.

"Zheng Lin, this matter is over. Otherwise, you would have been in big trouble."

Elder Zheng said with a stern expression, his tone carrying a warning.

"You are right, my lord!"

Prince Zheng nodded repeatedly.

’If Luo Tian weren’t dead, given his status as the King of the Celestial Pride, I would indeed be in big trouble if he wanted revenge.’

But from the two Elders’ words, Prince Zheng was now certain: Luo Tian was dead!

He breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

In the ensuing conversation, Prince Zheng learned that an accident had occurred when the Frosty Winter Secret Realm opened, and Luo Tian’s group had mistakenly entered an unknown, mysterious legacy trial.

Mysterious legacy trials were always accompanied by a certain degree of danger, and many geniuses fell during each one.

This was especially true for an *unknown* mysterious legacy trial.

Moreover, unprecedentedly powerful experts of an Alien Race had appeared inside, whose individual strength surpassed that of humans.

Less than half of the human geniuses who entered that unknown legacy trial returned. All the major powers had suffered significant losses.

"For the Yunxiao Sect to lose a King of the Celestial Pride, what a true pity!"

Prince Zheng raised his cup and toasted the two Elders again.

"This is bad! This is terrible!"

The steward came running in, flustered and frantic.

"Insolence! Can’t you see I’m entertaining distinguished guests?"

Prince Zheng’s face turned cold as he bellowed angrily.

A vast, invisible wave of pressure swept out, sending the steward flying out of the hall and landing flat on his back.

"Your Highness, someone is trespassing in the Prince’s Mansion!"

The steward scrambled to his feet and kowtowed repeatedly.

Outside the Prince’s Mansion, many people were alerted by the commotion.

"Look, someone just barged right into Prince Zheng’s Mansion!"

"They’ve got some nerve, but they’ll surely go in alive and come out dead!"

"Wait, the person on that Cyan Feathered Bird... isn’t that Luo Tian?"

All around the Prince’s Mansion, the crowd was stunned.

Luo Tian, the King of the Celestial Pride! Hadn’t he failed to return to the continent, dying in the unknown legacy trial?

The news spread like wildfire, alarming all the surrounding powers!