Chapter 467 - 465: Old Acquaintances Reunite

As Hu Yingbo crashed wretchedly to the ground, the surroundings instantly fell silent.

"What just happened?"

The many onlookers wore looks of shock and disbelief.

’How could this be the outcome?’

Luo Tian was just an Auditor Disciple who had recently joined the Sect.

His only combat record in the Sect was defeating a disciple from the Su Family, who was also an Auditor Disciple.

That Su Family disciple could only last a few moves against Ying Long.

And Hu Yingbo’s strength was far greater than Ying Long’s!

"Yingbo!"

The delicate woman was also startled. She quickly ran over and helped Hu Yingbo to his feet.

Hu Yingbo was shocked and uncertain. Seeing the many astonished gazes around him, he was overcome with shame and anger!

He was an Official Disciple at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Fifth Layer, yet he had been sent flying by a mere Auditor Disciple’s palm strike. Where could he show his face now!

"You little brat, I was just careless earlier! Face me now in a proper duel!"

Hu Yingbo bellowed.

The crowd around them nodded, agreeing with Hu Yingbo’s claim.

After all, the scene just now had been too unexpected, too hard to believe.

"There’s no need. If you have any other tricks up your sleeve, just use them."

Luo Tian shook his head, looking bored.

’A duel with an opponent like this? I really can’t get worked up about it.’

"You... you dare look down on me!"

Veins throbbed on Hu Yingbo’s forehead.

WHOOSH!

Blue True Essence surged out, and waves of energy swept in all directions, like rolling clouds gathering.

"Mountain-Plunging Fist!"

After gathering power for two breaths, Hu Yingbo unleashed his strongest killing move!

He soared into the air and threw another punch. The fist’s shadow was like a mountain—deep blue, heavy, and crushing as it descended.

The immense, heavy pressure overwhelmed the entire area, causing many nearby disciples to feel an invisible weight. They struggled to breathe and retreated one after another!

"What a powerful Fist Technique!"

"I’m afraid Hu Yingbo has cultivated this Mountain-Plunging Fist to the Ninth-Layer. With such power, even someone at the Earth Element Realm Sixth Layer would have to be cautious!"

The surrounding disciples exclaimed in amazement.

But a light, casual comment drifted from Luo Tian’s lips: "The Fist Technique is passable."

The next instant, he struck like lightning.

He activated his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body and unleashed the Cold Wind Palm.

BANG! BOOM!

The air shook violently. Air currents scattered as an icy storm whipped up, sweeping out like a natural disaster from the Extreme Ice World.

The ferocious Mountain-Plunging Fist seemed to have encountered an even more savage and domineering force. Its power was suppressed, the technique frozen and then shattered!

An explosion erupted as the icy storm unfurled.

"Impossible!"

A look of shock crossed Hu Yingbo’s face.

This time, he had gone all out and used his strongest Fist Technique!

WHOOSH—BANG!

Hu Yingbo was sent flying by a blast of icy wind, once again crashing wretchedly to the ground.

The outcome of this exchange was identical to the last.

’He was sent flying before and claimed he was careless. Was he still being careless now?’

To be careless twice in a row was simply stupidity.

"T-Too strong!"

"Luo Tian is actually this strong? I never knew!"

"Well, now I’ve seen everything. He’s truly a miracle among the Auditor Disciples!"

Waves of astonished gasps came from the crowd. Luo Tian and Xia Bingyue became the center of attention.

Hu Yingbo became an object of ridicule.

"You brat, you dare to humiliate me!"

Hu Yingbo roared, his face dark and vicious.

"Humiliate you?"

Luo Tian looked puzzled.

’You, Hu Yingbo, attacked me twice on your own initiative. I only retaliated. How did that turn into me humiliating him?’

Hu Yingbo’s line of thinking amazed Luo Tian.

"You just wait! You dared to humiliate me, so I won’t let you off easy!"

Hu Yingbo threatened.

"Is that so?"

Luo Tian’s brow furrowed slightly. "In that case," he said coolly, "I can only make sure you’re not let off easy first."

Luo Tian walked forward.

"Y-You, what are you doing?"

Terrified, Hu Yingbo shivered and took three steps back.

"Didn’t you say I was humiliating you? I can’t take the blame for nothing. I’ll humiliate you for real now."

Seeing Luo Tian’s serious expression, Hu Yingbo completely panicked.

SWOOSH!

He turned and ran.

But Luo Tian suddenly appeared in front of him, kicked him in the stomach, and sent him crashing to the ground again.

What followed was the sound of punches, kicks, and miserable screams.

"I... I was wrong! Spare me!"

Hu Yingbo begged for mercy.

Luo Tian didn’t stop.

"I was wrong! I won’t do it again! I won’t take revenge on you!"

Hu Yingbo screamed repeatedly.

Only then did Luo Tian stop. He clapped his hands and said, "You can scram now."

Hu Yingbo didn’t dare to linger for even half a breath. He fled in an instant, forgetting to even take his female companion with him.

This act successfully intimidated all the Official Disciples and Auditor Disciples nearby!

"So ruthless and domineering!"

"I’m done for. I was just bad-mouthing Luo Tian. You don’t think he’ll hold a grudge, do you?"

"I’m the one who’s truly done for! I mocked him to his face several times before. I need to prepare a gift..."

...

Luo Tian helped Xia Bingyue into the room and took out a Healing Elixir.

Xia Bingyue took the elixir.

The room fell silent, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.

"How did you get here?"

"Why are you here?"

After a few breaths of silence, Luo Tian and Xia Bingyue asked each other at almost the same time.

"War broke out on the Dongchen Continent. The Four Major Sects and the Celestial Ring Alliance sent the prodigies from within their ranks to the Outer World..."

Xia Bingyue slowly explained.

When Luo Tian left Dongchen, it was just the calm before the storm.

But soon, a bloody storm descended.

From the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, besides Xia Bingyue and Celestial Evil Sword, two others also left Dongchen.

However, Xia Bingyue was the only one who became an Auditor Disciple of the Tai Yuan Sect.

The spots were too few. Even Celestial Evil Sword, once one of the five great prodigies, could only wait for the next opportunity.

Luo Tian noticed that Xia Bingyue’s Cultivation was at the Earth Element Realm Fifth Layer. He was afraid she had already surpassed her fellow disciple, Celestial Evil Sword!

Luo Tian wasn’t surprised by this.

It was a widely acknowledged fact among the upper echelons of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect that Xia Bingyue’s talent in the Sword Dao was superior to Celestial Evil Sword’s.

Furthermore, back in the Red Lotus Martial Venerable’s cavern residence, Xia Bingyue had obtained an Ice Heart Meditation Mat, which was an excellent treasure for aiding Cultivation.

In the Ancient Era, it was something that only Celestial Level Martial Artists and above could afford to use.

"Qi Yuntian of the Celestial Ring Alliance arrived at the Tai Yuan Sect at the same time as me. He’s on the Sixth Peak."

Xia Bingyue added.

"Qi Yuntian?"

Luo Tian was a little surprised and a faint smile appeared on his face.

He had been away from the Dongchen Continent for a year or two. He never expected to run into two old acquaintances at once.

「The next day.」

Qi Yuntian, Xia Bingyue, and Luo Tian gathered together.

Qi Yuntian was as handsome and coolly composed as ever, with an extraordinary air about him.

His eyes shimmered with a faint golden light, exuding an indescribable, mysterious aura that put an invisible pressure on others.

Luo Tian had sensed a similar feeling from Yan Xiaoxia, but it had been much weaker.

’It seems this is the subtle influence of a special constitution.’

"Luo Tian, when did you leave Dongchen? How did you get to the Tai Yuan Sect?"

Qi Yuntian asked, a little puzzled.

’I always thought I was ahead of Luo Tian, that I had already surpassed him. Perhaps after many years, when I return to Dongchen, the gap between us will be as vast as heaven and earth, and Luo Tian will only be able to look up at me in awe.’

But as it turned out, when he arrived at the Tai Yuan Sect, he discovered Luo Tian had already been here for some time—even faster than him.

"Thanks to my master’s help..."

Luo Tian said briefly.

Qi Yuntian couldn’t help but admire Luo Tian’s luck. The master he had taken in the Yunxiao Sect turned out to be a former peerless genius of the Mu Family from the Celestial Mountain Realm.

"I won’t be staying in the Tai Yuan Sect for long."

Qi Yuntian said calmly.

Luo Tian and Xia Bingyue looked at him in confusion.

"This is just a temporary stop for me. After I’ve obtained certain opportunities, I’ll leave and travel to the deeper reaches of the Cosmos..."

Qi Yuntian’s expression was serene, but he exuded a faint, unconscious arrogance.

His ultimate goal was something Luo Tian couldn’t even imagine right now!

’This Qi Yuntian... his background is anything but simple...’

Luo Tian sighed.

The Celestial Ring Alliance was very similar to the Martial City Spirit Hall in the Outer World; they were even somewhat connected.

’Could it be that Qi Yuntian has latched onto this powerful connection?’

As far as Luo Tian knew, the Martial City Spirit Hall was spread throughout the Cosmos, and no one could clearly explain its specific background or origins.

After chatting for a while.

Qi Yuntian made to leave. "The Main Peak Disciples’ assessment is in two and a half months. I need to go prepare."

As the former King of the Celestial Pride, who had also awakened a mysterious constitution, he had progressed at a divine speed. He was now at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Fifth Layer.

Even so, he wasn’t very confident about the Main Peak Disciples’ assessment.

"Alright, see you then."

Luo Tian said with a faint smile.

"See you then," Xia Bingyue also said.

Qi Yuntian was a little surprised.

’Luo Tian and Xia Bingyue are both going to participate in the Main Peak Disciples’ assessment?’

Not wanting to discourage them, he said tactfully, "Don’t underestimate the Tai Yuan Sect. The Main Peak assessment has even higher requirements for Auditor Disciples."

After saying this, Qi Yuntian left.

"This is for you."

Luo Tian took out a Jade Bottle containing Spirit Calming Powder.

With Xia Bingyue’s current Cultivation, participating in the Main Peak assessment would be a stretch.

Xia Bingyue knew this too, but facing Luo Tian and Qi Yuntian, the tenacious and unyielding Sword Intent in her heart refused to admit defeat.

"I’ll pay you back later."

She accepted the medicinal powder from Luo Tian, her heart filled with a mixture of complicated feelings. Even now, she didn’t know how to face him.

Luo Tian had just stepped out of the courtyard.

When Steward Lü, with his sallow, yellowish skin, arrived. "It’s been taken care of. Come with me."

"Thank you, Steward Lü."

Luo Tian felt a pleasant surprise.

’The matter of going to the Main Peak area to comprehend the True Martial Wall was settled so quickly!’

If he didn’t know that Steward Lü was an enemy who wanted to harm him, Luo Tian might have actually wanted to thank and repay him sincerely.

The two of them left the Eighth Peak and approached the three Main Peaks!

The three Main Peaks were majestic and magnificent, emitting a vast and imposing pressure, like three Immortal Mountains that even gods and demons would avoid.

As they got closer, Luo Tian could feel a distinct increase in the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

Soon, the two arrived at the foot of the Third Peak.

Under Steward Lü’s guidance, Luo Tian entered the Main Peak smoothly without any obstruction.

After a short while.

In the distance, Luo Tian saw a dark yellow cliff face surrounded by a golden Barrier. The vicinity was heavily guarded, silent, and solemn.

The two of them came to a nearby courtyard.

"Elder Fang, I’ve brought the person."

Steward Lü called out respectfully.

Luo Tian sensed a powerful Spiritual Sense sweep over him before quickly retracting.

"You may leave."

An aged voice came from within the courtyard.

Just as Steward Lü left.

SWOOSH!

A square Token flew out of the courtyard as the person said, "You may go in. Come out after one day!"

"Thank you!"

Luo Tian caught the Token, turned to look at the True Martial Wall, and approached it with a sense of apprehension.