Chapter 476 - 474: Over Soon

"Senior Brother Yan Feng’s presence honors us, so how can we not show him face in return! Xia Bingyue, hurry up and propose a toast!"

Gongsun Long took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire.

"That’s right, Xia Bingyue. Don’t just stand there."

The others chimed in.

Xia Bingyue was on good terms with Luo Tian, and it was because of him that she had snatched third place!

None of the Official Disciples were convinced of Xia Bingyue’s ranking!

"Alas, proposing a toast is not something you should force upon others."

Yan Feng said with an air of magnanimity.

Although he said that, Yan Feng was still expectant.

But Xia Bingyue took him at his word and didn’t move.

She had a cold personality and had always relied on her own hard work to get by; she had no interest in fawning over others.

Besides, in her eyes, Yan Feng wasn’t someone worth fawning over.

Yan Feng’s expression stiffened slightly.

Seeing this, Yan Shan’s brow furrowed!

His big brother had come to support him; how could he let Yan Feng be displeased!

"Xia Bingyue, you’ve got quite the attitude!"

"Don’t think you’re so great just because you got third in the Main Peak assessment! I came in second. The gap between our rankings isn’t large, so why don’t we have a little spar?"

A cold smile played on Yan Shan’s lips.

"If you lose, you’ll drink three cups as a penalty and then perform a dance for my big brother. How about it?"

"What a great idea!"

"Miss Xia, surely you won’t refuse!"

The other Official Disciples chimed in, smirking playfully.

Xia Bingyue only ranked third because of Luo Tian. How could her true strength possibly compare to Yan Shan’s?

It would be impressive if Xia Bingyue could even last three moves against Yan Shan.

With Luo Tian absent, bullying Xia Bingyue a little brought these Official Disciples a great deal of satisfaction.

Xia Bingyue’s expression was glacial.

She stood up, preparing to leave.

Just then, a voice came from beyond Shuixin Lake. "A dance? Yan Shan, you certainly have refined tastes!"

"Luo Tian!"

Hearing this voice, Xia Bingyue’s agitated heart instantly calmed.

"So it’s Junior Luo. I was starting to think you weren’t coming!"

Hearing Luo Tian’s words, Yan Shan’s expression grew even more excited!

The one he wanted revenge on most was Luo Tian!

Yan Shan had planned this long ago: he would use this gathering to spar with Luo Tian!

If Luo Tian lost to him, he would become the undisputed number one among the new Main Peak Disciples!

This honor would benefit his future development and help him find a good master.

"If I had known you were the one hosting this gathering, I wouldn’t have come."

Luo Tian said bluntly.

"So you’re the number one new Main Peak Disciple?"

Yan Feng spoke coolly.

He knew that his younger brother, Yan Shan, had had his first-place title snatched away in this Main Peak assessment.

He was here to back up Yan Shan and intimidate Luo Tian!

Yan Feng and two older Main Peak Disciples slowly walked toward Luo Tian, an formless, oppressive aura spreading from them!

The Cultivation of these three was all at the Earth Element Realm Eighth Layer or higher!

"Senior Brother Yan’s older brother is here, yet Luo Tian is still so tactless. He truly doesn’t know what’s good for him."

Gongsun Long said to Yan Shan.

Yan Shan wore a smug expression, waiting to see Luo Tian submit and curry favor.

But.

As Yan Feng’s group of three drew closer, they saw the person behind Luo Tian, and their expressions changed drastically.

The cold arrogance on the faces of the three older Main Peak Disciples vanished instantly, replaced by warm smiles as they bowed their heads slightly, adopting the posture of underlings.

Seeing this, Yan Shan’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets!

’What’s going on?’

The many new Main Peak Disciples were all utterly astonished.

"Senior Brother He, what are you doing here?"

Yan Feng’s gaze fell on a man standing behind Luo Tian.

He Yunkong!

This was a renowned genius of the Main Peak, and a True Disciple under an Elder!

’Why would He Yunkong come to this kind of gathering?’

"Luo Tian, what are you standing there for? Hurry and make way for Senior Brother He!"

Yan Feng berated Luo Tian.

The new disciples in the back were stunned.

In their eyes, Yan Feng’s status was already very high. Just who was this Senior Brother He to make Yan Feng act like this?

Yan Shan was thrilled.

’My gathering actually attracted such an important person.’

’He Yunkong must think I’m exceptionally talented and wants to get to know me.’

"Luo Tian, a good dog doesn’t block the path! Get out of the way!" Yan Shan also shouted.

In an instant.

All the disciples present looked at Luo Tian with gazes full of anger and pity.

Luo Tian really didn’t know what was good for him, daring to block a True Disciple’s path.

Under everyone’s watchful gaze, He Yunkong finally spoke.

He said to Luo Tian, "It seems they don’t welcome you here."

"That’s fine. I’m not interested in this gathering anyway. I’m leaving. Brother He, feel free to do as you please."

Luo Tian shook his head faintly.

This brief, calm exchange silenced the entire area.

Yan Shan, Gongsun Long, and the others stared at Luo Tian in horrified disbelief.

Luo Tian was actually conversing with He Yunkong!

They finally understood—He Yunkong had come with Luo Tian!

"I’m not interested either," He Yunkong said.

He was interested in a genius like Luo Tian and curious about his background, so he had followed along to see what kind of gathering Luo Tian was attending.

At this gathering, not a single person caught his eye.

Hearing this, Yan Feng panicked.

’He Yunkong actually knows Luo Tian!’

Thinking of how he had just treated Luo Tian, he felt a pang of regret!

If he ended up offending He Yunkong because of this, he would definitely teach Yan Shan a harsh lesson.

"He actually knows He Yunkong!"

Gongsun Long felt like crying but had no tears.

’You know someone like that, so why didn’t you say so earlier? I definitely wouldn’t have provoked you.’

At this moment, everyone was deeply worried, regretting that they had offended Luo Tian!

"Brother Luo, you just got here. Don’t be in such a hurry to leave!"

"Luo Tian, let me offer you a toast. As for the earlier unpleasantness, please be the bigger person and don’t hold it against me."

Instantly, two new Main Peak Disciples did their utmost to persuade Luo Tian to stay.

Just moments ago, they had mocked Luo Tian and pitied him for offending older disciples like Yan Feng and He Yunkong. Now, however, they were bowing and scraping, practically willing to call him "daddy."

"Ah, Luo Tian, according to the rules, after every Main Peak assessment, the first-place winner is responsible for hosting a gathering. You can’t be absent."

Yan Feng also spoke up to make him stay.

"The first-place winner hosts the gathering?"

Luo Tian wasn’t aware of this.

"Indeed. Since you took no action, my younger brother Yan Shan hosted it in your stead."

Yan Feng continued.

Right after entering the Main Peak, Luo Tian had gone into secluded Cultivation to break through to the Peak of Earth Element Realm Fourth Layer.

Otherwise, someone would have certainly informed him about hosting this gathering.

"Alright."

Luo Tian stayed.

He Yunkong didn’t leave either.

The gathering continued, even livelier than before.

Luo Tian and He Yunkong became the center of attention.

Yan Shan’s older brother, Yan Feng, and several other senior disciples all crowded around He Yunkong.

He Yunkong had little interest in these people, only occasionally exchanging a few words with Luo Tian.

Watching this scene, Yan Shan’s face was grim, the veins on his forehead bulging!

’This is the gathering *I* hosted!’

He had originally planned to use this gathering to suppress and humiliate Luo Tian, taking back the glory that was rightfully his!

But the result was that he had helped host a gathering *for* Luo Tian!

He couldn’t swallow this humiliation!

Yan Shan strode toward Luo Tian.

Yan Feng’s expression changed abruptly, and he quickly sent a mental message: "Brother, don’t be rash!"

He was worried Yan Shan would do something foolish in a moment of impulse.

"Luo Tian, back on the Side Peak, I had never heard of you. For you to cause such a sensation at the Main Peak assessment, I, Yan, am impressed!"

Yan Shan began.

Yan Feng also breathed a slight sigh of relief.

But Yan Shan’s next words made his heart leap back into his throat.

"You are number one from the assessment, and I am number two. It is truly a pity that we have never crossed hands and sparred!"

"There’s no time like the present. Let’s have a spar, you and I, at this gathering."

Yan Shan had issued the challenge after all.

"Not interested."

Luo Tian said flatly.

A sharp glint flashed in Yan Shan’s eyes. If Luo Tian wouldn’t fight, he couldn’t force him.

"Since it’s come to this, I’ll just have to spar with the third-place winner."

Yan Shan gave a sinister smile, his gaze sweeping over to Xia Bingyue!

Luo Tian’s expression immediately darkened.

This Yan Shan was obsessed with the Main Peak assessment results and wouldn’t rest until he got what he wanted!

"Since you’re so eager to fight me, I’ll grant you your wish!"

Luo Tian’s gaze was like ice.

This matter had started because of him; how could Luo Tian allow Xia Bingyue to be wronged?

"It’s not convenient to spar here. Let’s move to the Martial Arts Arena."

Yan Shan’s eyes glinted, as if he could hardly wait!

"No need. It’ll be over quickly."

Luo Tian shook his head slightly.

"Oh? It seems the first-place winner is very confident!"

Yan Shan smiled on the surface but was extremely disdainful in his heart!

’The third stage of the Main Peak assessment wasn’t a contest of pure strength.’

In Yan Shan’s view, getting first place had made Luo Tian overconfident!

’Perfect. I’ll defeat you in one move and make you lose all face!’

SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

The two flew to the center of the lake, facing each other from a distance.

The surroundings fell silent as the many disciples focused their attention on the battle.

Some of the new Main Peak Disciples were still resentful of Luo Tian’s actions that day.

They looked forward to Yan Shan teaching Luo Tian a lesson!

He Yunkong was also a little interested in this fight.

’Initial Achievement in Sword Intent! I’ve only heard others talk about it; I’ve never witnessed it myself!’

"Black Ghost Seal!"

Yan Shan attacked instantly. His True Essence roiled and condensed into a sinister black seal, resembling a terrifying ghostly face!

WHOOSH!

Yan Shan threw a punch, and the sinister black ghost face swelled, kicking up a chilling Ghost Qi that covered an area of twenty to thirty meters!

Luo Tian’s expression was calm.

A silver luster pulsed on his arm as light-green True Essence was released. A heavy, ice-cold Palm Technique, simple and unadorned, met the attack head-on!

"As expected of Yan Feng’s younger brother. His strength is truly impressive!"

"There won’t be any surprises, will there? Luo Tian looks like he just broke through to the Peak of Earth Element Realm Fourth Layer. Can he block Yan Shan’s Attack?"

A few of the older disciples commented.

In terms of sheer presence, Yan Shan’s Fist Technique was grim and terrifying. The surging Ghost Qi sent a chill through one’s soul, completely suppressing Luo Tian!

In their eyes, Yan Shan and Luo Tian’s combat power were on completely different levels.

Yan Shan was the number one disciple of the Side Peak; a normal punch from him was enough to instantly kill someone at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Fourth Layer.

They didn’t understand why Luo Tian was number one in the assessment, nor why he had accepted this challenge.

BOOM—WHOOSH!

The fist and palm clashed. The jet-black Ghost Seal Fist Technique erupted, unleashing a terrifying power that swallowed everything as shockwaves rolled out in all directions.

But in the next moment.

A cyan Cold Wind Palm Force appeared, freezing the dark, sinister Fist Technique solid before shattering it!

BANG!

Yan Shan’s body flew backward ten or twenty meters. His body was stiff with cold, his arm was numb, and the blood and qi inside him roiled.

He stared at Luo Tian in shock.

’What just happened?’

The other spectators were equally stunned.

This was especially true for the new Main Peak Disciples who were familiar with Luo Tian.

Luo Tian hadn’t even drawn his sword, yet he had so easily neutralized Yan Shan’s killing move and sent him flying back with a single palm strike.