Chapter 538 536: This God Wants to Participate

"I don't advise you to return to the Dongchen Continent. You should be at the Tai Yuan Sect, focusing on your Cultivation."

Mu Yunshi advised.

The journey back to the Dongchen Continent is too far and would waste a lot of time.

Besides, no one knows what the current situation is on the Dongchen Continent.

It could be mired in war, or it might have already been conquered…

Luo Tian shook his head.

He wouldn't be staying in the Tai Yuan Sect for long. He was already planning to go check out the Pale Ring.

Once he left, he didn't know when he'd have the chance to return—or if he ever would.

That was why Luo Tian had decided to return to Dongchen for a visit.

"Have the Mu Family lend me a few Celestial Pool Realm experts."

Luo Tian had already made up his mind.

'If the Dongchen Continent has already been conquered, having a few Celestial Pool Realm experts to protect me would ensure a safe escape.'

'If it's still at war, then those Celestial Pool Realm experts could serve as reinforcements.'

Mu Yunshi looked at Luo Tian, speechless.

'Borrowing a few Celestial Pool Realm experts... He says it so casually.'

"I'll go talk to them about it for you," Mu Yunshi agreed.

After leaving Mu Yunshi's residence, Luo Tian told Yue Linfei his plans and asked her to return to the Tai Yuan Sect first.

"Junior Luo, I'll go with you to the Dongchen Continent."

Yue Linfei was unwilling to return to the Sect and wanted to stay by Luo Tian's side.

"That's not necessary."

Luo Tian shook his head.

The journey was of unknown duration and filled with unknown dangers.

Yue Linfei was a chosen of the Tai Yuan Sect, with talent and potential rivaling He Yunkong's. Luo Tian couldn't hold her back.

Seeing Luo Tian's refusal, Yue Linfei was a little disappointed.

Luo Tian didn't dwell on it. After returning to his residence, he took a swig of Nine Yang Strong Wine.

After two days of Cultivation, Luo Tian took out the Ice Dragon Celestial Cold Stone. Tempering himself by alternating between ice and fire yielded the best results.

「A few more days passed.」

Luo Tian took out some Spiritual Materials and began cultivating the Celestial Essence Water Condensation Technique.

He had currently cultivated this Martial Venerable Level Technique to the Third-Layer Minor Achievement Realm, only one step away from Great Success.

Meanwhile, his Cultivation was gradually approaching the bottleneck of the Earth Element Realm Eighth Layer.

His Cultivation progressed smoothly.

Luo Tian's Cultivation steadily advanced. The True Essence in his Primordial Pool began to boil, showing signs of an imminent breakthrough.

So, Luo Tian decided to go ahead and break through.

'Greater strength meant better protection against the unknown dangers that lay ahead.'

Luo Tian had extraordinary talent, possessed an Incomplete Divine Vein, and also cultivated a Martial Venerable Level Technique.

Now that he no longer had to worry about resources, everything became much simpler.

「Half a month later.」

As expected, Luo Tian's Cultivation advanced to the Earth Element Realm Eighth Layer.

After his breakthrough, Luo Tian prepared to ask his master about the situation.

"Lord Luo, the Patriarch said that you should go see him as soon as you come out of seclusion," the Guard outside the courtyard said.

"Understood."

Luo Tian arrived at the Patriarch's residence.

When Patriarch Mu Qianshi saw Luo Tian, he was slightly surprised, then immediately smiled. "As expected of a True Disciple from the Tai Yuan Sect. Your Cultivation speed is truly astonishing."

"You flatter me, Patriarch."

Luo Tian exchanged a few pleasantries.

「A short while later.」

Two Elders arrived.

One of them was a red-faced old man whom Luo Tian found very familiar. The last time he visited the Mu Family, this Elder had looked down on him and even argued with Mu Yunshi in public.

Later, this same red-faced Elder had personally escorted Luo Tian, Mu Ze, and the others to the Tai Yuan Sect.

Beside the red-faced Elder was a middle-aged woman with fair skin, who still retained her graceful charm.

"Yunshi has already spoken with me. This matter involves a certain degree of danger, so the Mu Family cannot possibly send too many Celestial Pool Realm experts to protect you."

Mu Qianshi's expression was solemn. After glancing at the red-faced Elder and the woman, he continued, "These two Elders are willing to accompany you on your trip back to the Dongchen Continent."

"Yes. Since you are both willing to accompany me, I will also provide appropriate compensation—at least enough for each of you to advance one Small Realm."

Luo Tian gave a faint nod as he observed the two Elders.

The red-faced Elder's Cultivation was at the Earth Element Realm Second Layer, while the middle-aged woman's Cultivation was at the Peak of the Celestial Pool Realm First Layer.

Upon hearing Luo Tian's words, both of their faces lit up with joy.

At their age, their potential was nearly exhausted, and every step forward in their Cultivation was incredibly difficult.

If the compensation Luo Tian offered could truly help them advance a Small Realm, then this trip would be completely worth it.

"Luo, rest assured. I will handle any troubles on this journey," the red-faced Elder said with a smile.

"We leave in three days."

Luo Tian set the time.

...

「Three days later.」

Luo Tian and the two Mu Family Elders departed.

After a month of sailing through the void, they arrived at the nearest Martial City Spirit Hall to perform an ultra-long-distance transmission.

The Dongchen Continent is a Secret Realm Space, a refuge for the Human Race hidden within the Outer Void. Its location is also unstable and constantly drifting.

Luo Tian was not sure of the Dongchen Continent's specific location.

However, retracing his steps shouldn't be a problem.

So, he directly transmitted to the first Martial City Spirit Hall he encountered during his travels in the Outer World.

「Back then.」

Luo Tian had participated in a Martial Pavilion event at that Martial City Spirit Hall. With the Hall Master's guidance and assistance, he had performed an ultra-long-distance transmission that brought him directly to the vicinity of the Tai Yuan Domain.

After spending over a hundred thousand Spiritual Essence Coins.

Luo Tian and the others successfully transmitted away.

Such a long-distance transmission saved them five to six years of travel time.

After leaving the Transmission Hall, Luo Tian decided to first pay a visit to the Hall Master here.

「Inside the golden palace hall.」

A middle-aged man in a blue robe, with his hands clasped behind his back, paced back and forth.

Just then, a steward hurried in.

"Have you contacted Wu Yue?"

The blue-robed man immediately asked.

"I reached him, but Wu Yue said he's busy with something right now and probably won't have time to help you, Hall Master."

The steward reported truthfully.

"Those ingrates. They all took favors from me in the past. Now that some time has passed, they've forgotten all about it!"

The blue-robed man snorted, his expression turning sour.

Just then, a Guard appeared outside the hall. "Hall Master, a member of the Human Race named Luo Tian is here to see you."

"Luo Tian?"

The blue-robed man remembered.

Several years ago, at a Martial Pavilion event he hosted, Luo Tian won first place!

'His Cultivation was only at the Earth Element Realm Second Layer back then. He can't be of any help.'

The blue-robed man murmured to himself and sighed.

「Soon.」

Luo Tian's group of three walked in, led by the Guard.

The blue-robed man glanced at Luo Tian, and his expression immediately changed, morphing into one of shock.

Luo Tian's current Cultivation was impressively at the Earth Element Realm Eighth Layer!

The leap was so great it felt unreal.

"Luo, you've truly given me a pleasant surprise."

The blue-robed man said with a smile.

He had helped Luo Tian back then because he had seen his potential.

'Luo Tian truly hadn't disappointed him. In just a few more years, he might even have a chance to break through to the Celestial Pool Realm!'

"You seemed troubled just now, Hall Master?"

Luo Tian had noticed the Hall Master's expression when he entered, so he inquired.

'In this region, the Martial City Spirit Hall's status was supreme, and this man was its Hall Master. What could possibly be troubling him?'

"It's like this. Every once in a while, the Hall Masters of the many Martial City Spirit Halls in a region gather together to discuss matters related to the Spirit Halls…"

At the same time, every time the Hall Masters gathered, some activities were held to liven up the atmosphere.

But over time, these activities changed in nature, becoming a stage for the various Spirit Hall Masters to compete and show off.

As it happens, this time, the gathering is being held right here at this Martial City Spirit Hall.

"This Martial City Spirit Hall under my management is at the bottom of all the Martial City Spirit Halls in the entire Broken-star Realm, in terms of both scale and traffic…"

The blue-robed man revealed a bitter smile.

In the competitions during past gatherings, he always ranked near the bottom, but he never cared too much.

But this time, on his home ground, he didn't want to be humiliated again.

He wasn't aiming for a top rank, but he absolutely couldn't come in last.

"What are the events? Can I help you, Hall Master?"

Luo Tian couldn't help but ask.

He owed this Hall Master a favor, and if he could help, he wanted to repay it.

"The events this time are Piano, Chess, Archery, and Martial Arts! Luo, do you have any Piano Skill, or know chess or Archery?"

The blue-robed man showed a trace of expectation.

"...I don't."

Luo Tian shook his head. He was completely clueless about those three skills.

"I know how! Let me participate! My Piano Skill is unprecedented and unparalleled, no one can match it!"

But the Crow suddenly screeched with immense excitement!

"Shut up!"

Luo Tian snapped. He had experienced the Crow's Piano Skill before and had no desire to ever hear it again.

"Boy, I'm just going to play one song! Don't be jealous. If you're that upset, I'll just have to play a few more songs for you later," the Crow cawed.

"..." Luo Tian was momentarily speechless.

The blue-robed man sized up the Crow with a strange expression, thinking this bizarre-looking bird didn't seem very reliable.

"If you don't believe in my Piano Skill, I can perform a piece for you right now."

Just then, the Crow took out a black Guqin.

"This… Guqin?"

The blue-robed man's gaze was fixed, revealing a trace of shock.

This black Guqin was actually the legendary [Miaoyin Zither]!

Once, a Great Power from the Demon Race, "Fairy Miaoyin," was renowned across dozens of planes for her astonishing Piano Skill. Her instrument was the [Miaoyin Zither].

'Could this ugly crow be the successor to that Great Power from the Demon Race?'

'Truly, you can't judge a bird by its feathers!'

"Put that away. You are not to play it."

Luo Tian ordered, trying to prevent the Crow from harming anyone.

"Luo, I happen to be lacking a suitable candidate for the Piano Skill competition. Let's just let it give it a try."

The blue-robed man said.

'Seeing how incredibly confident the Crow was, and given that it possessed the [Miaoyin Zither], its Piano Skill couldn't possibly be simple.'

'Even if it was bad, how bad could it really be?'

"Hall Master, about this matter… please reconsider carefully."

Luo Tian advised.

"Boy, he already invited me to compete! How can you ruin this for me? I'll fight you!"

The Crow roared in exasperation.

"Fine, you can go."

Luo Tian, somewhat exasperated, finally agreed.

The Crow had an obsession with the Music Dao that was difficult for ordinary people to comprehend. If he ruined this performance for it, it would surely hold a grudge against him.

'Being held in a grudge by this damn thing... On second thought, it wasn't worth it.'

"Hall Master, may I ask, what are the rules for the Martial Arts competition?"

Luo Tian then asked.

Piano, Chess, Archery, and Martial Arts. He was clueless about the first three, but the last one was no problem for him.

"Participants' Cultivation must be below the Celestial Pool Realm, and there is only one spot!"

The blue-robed man was not at all optimistic about Luo Tian.

Luo Tian's Cultivation speed was shocking, but a Cultivation at the Earth Element Realm Eighth Layer was still not quite enough to qualify for the Martial Arts competition.

"That's perfect. I am willing to help you win a match, Hall Master!"

Luo Tian volunteered.

After breaking through to the Earth Element Realm Eighth Layer, Luo Tian could even contend with an ordinary Celestial Pool Realm expert.

'As for anyone below the Celestial Pool Realm? That would be no challenge at all.'

The blue-robed man's brow furrowed slightly. 'This Luo Tian is quite arrogant.'

He tactfully refused, saying, "Luo, the participants in the Martial Arts competition are basically all around the Earth Element Realm Ninth Layer, some are even at the Half-step Celestial Pool Realm."