Chapter 539 537: Is That All?

There was only one slot for the Martial Arts competition.

The Hall Master placed great importance on this competition and wanted to achieve a high ranking, so he politely declined Luo Tian's proposal.

"Hall Master, please rest assured. Since I've said it, I'm confident I can win."

Luo Tian knew the Hall Master was underestimating his strength.

This place was too far from the Tai Yuan Sect. For a typical Low Tier Earth Element Realm cultivator, even traveling by Void Ship would take five or six years to reach the Tai Yuan Sect if the journey went smoothly.

Because of this, news of Luo Tian's deeds at the Tai Yuan Sect had not yet reached this place.

Just then, a loud, scornful voice echoed from outside the hall. "Oh? Who's talking so big?"

A burly man strode in.

The burly man stared at Luo Tian for a few moments, then burst out laughing. "A mere Earth Element Realm Eighth Layer cultivator wants to replace me in the Martial Arts competition? Get lost!"

It turned out that the Hall Master had already selected a candidate for the Martial Arts competition.

The burly man showed no courtesy whatsoever to someone trying to take his place.

Beside Luo Tian, the red-faced old man and the middle-aged woman couldn't help but look at him.

As long as Luo Tian nodded, they would take care of this burly man.

Luo Tian shook his head.

'Such a trivial matter doesn't require a Celestial Level Martial Artist to step in.'

Besides, Luo Tian wasn't a crude and unreasonable person who resorted to violence to solve every problem.

"Sun Ku, watch your mouth," the Hall Master said with a frown.

Luo Tian was his guest. Even if Luo Tian wasn't suitable for the competition right now, his future potential was definitely greater than the burly man, Sun Ku.

Furthermore, the Hall Master also noticed the two Celestial Level elders beside Luo Tian. 'By speaking up, I'm actually helping Sun Ku.'

"Hall Master Shang, I've already been very careful with my words."

Sun Ku was somewhat dissatisfied with the Hall Master's attitude.

He was here to help the Hall Master in the Martial Arts competition, yet the Hall Master was defending this piece of trash, Luo Tian, and scolding him instead.

"Hall Master Shang, rest assured. If I participate in the Martial Arts competition, I'm confident I can even make it into the top five."

"And what place can you get, kid? Or are you just planning to get last place?"

Sun Ku's attitude was arrogant.

He wanted to make Luo Tian understand the huge gap between them and also make the Hall Master realize his own importance.

"What place?"

Luo Tian began to think.

He wasn't clear on the rules of the competition, only that the participants' Cultivation was below the Celestial Pool Realm.

'Getting first place should be no problem, right?'

"Perhaps I can get first place," Luo Tian replied.

Hall Master Shang's expression froze.

This arrogant genius, Sun Ku, was already giving him a headache, but Luo Tian's arrogance was several times greater than Sun Ku's!

"HAHAHA!"

Sun Ku laughed out loud on the spot, then his smile turned mocking and playful. "It seems you're very confident in your own strength. I, Sun Ku, will give you a chance. As long as you can take three of my moves, I'll hand over the competition slot!"

Sun Ku had already decided to teach this ignorant Luo Tian a lesson!

Hall Master Shang was just about to stop them.

"Alright."

But Luo Tian agreed before he could.

It seemed he hadn't thought it over at all, treating it as nothing.

"Fine, follow me..."

Hall Master Shang felt a bit helpless and couldn't be bothered to intervene anymore.

Luo Tian had indeed improved greatly, but such a proud and arrogant attitude would only lead to his downfall.

He wasn't against letting Luo Tian suffer a setback to sober him up.

Under Hall Master Shang's lead, Luo Tian and Sun Ku arrived at a wide, open space.

"Kid, this is the first move. I hope you can withstand it!"

Sun Ku said with a mocking smile.

The moment his voice fell, Sun Ku soared into the air, his body erupting with True Essence that gathered in his fist.

As he threw a punch, a brilliant golden fist-light, like a shining golden sun, fiercely crushed down!

"Hmm?"

Hall Master Shang's brow furrowed. Sun Ku had actually attacked with his full strength right away. This was a clear attempt to severely injure, or even cripple, Luo Tian!

He was already prepared to intervene at any moment to save Luo Tian's life.

But Luo Tian, facing Sun Ku's punch, looked listless and asked, "Is that all you've got?"

Unhurriedly, Luo Tian raised his palm to meet the attack.

His arm shimmered with a cold silver luster, wreathed in cyan True Essence, as his palm struck the shining golden sun!

CRACK! BOOM!

In an instant, the immensely powerful golden fist-light developed countless cracks and then exploded.

"How is this possible?"

Sun Ku had expected Luo Tian to be gravely injured on the spot, but the scene before him left him utterly shocked.

THUD!

A cold, condensed Palm Force pierced through. It was too late for Sun Ku to dodge. He was sent flying over ten meters before crashing to the ground.

Hall Master Shang, watching from the side, gasped, his eyes glinting sharply!

'Sun Ku was defeated in a single move!'

Sun Ku, who had scrambled back to his feet, also had a face full of disbelief.

'How could I possibly lose to someone at the Earth Element Realm Eighth Layer? Something must be wrong!'

"I only used seventy percent of my strength just now, that doesn't count! Next, I'll use my full strength!" Sun Ku shouted!

"There's no need!"

Hall Master Shang suddenly spoke up. He glanced at Sun Ku and said, "Sun Ku, you may leave."

He had long disliked Sun Ku's arrogance and conceit.

Hall Master Shang had originally thought Luo Tian was the same kind of person. It wasn't until their exchange just now that the Hall Master realized Luo Tian wasn't arrogant at all!

'Someone who can defeat Sun Ku in one move has a chance to place in the top three, and might even take first place!'

"Hall Master, give me another chance! I'm stronger than this kid!" Sun Ku yelled.

But the Hall Master ignored him and left with Luo Tian.

Back in the magnificent golden hall.

The Hall Master smiled. "Luo, you have truly impressed me. I'll be counting on you for the Martial Arts competition in a month!"

"I will certainly do my best," Luo Tian said with a smile.

"This god will also bring you back a first place," the Crow declared, puffing out its chest proudly.

"Good, then I shall look forward to it."

Because of Luo Tian, the Hall Master's trust in the Crow had also grown.

'If the Crow is truly a descendant of Fairy Miaoyin, it also has a high chance of placing in the top three.'

In that case, Hall Master Shang would definitely not come in last in this competition. He might even rank among the top, gaining a great deal of face!

Afterward, the Hall Master had someone arrange accommodations for Luo Tian and his group.

He himself continued to select candidates for the chess and archery competitions.

"Luo, why do you want to participate in this competition?" the red-faced old man asked.

The fame one could gain from a competition of this level was rather limited, and besides, Luo Tian's reputation was already widespread!

The rewards were also ordinary. The main point was to help the Hall Master achieve a high rank, earning his appreciation and perhaps even a favor.

But Luo Tian was already a True Disciple of the Tai Yuan Sect; he didn't need to care about a favor from a Hall Master.

"I once owed this Hall Master Shang a favor. I'm just helping him out this time," Luo Tian said.

The red-faced old man and the middle-aged woman glanced at each other, affirming their positive view of Luo Tian's character.

This made them feel even more at ease, and they hoped to end this journey soon to receive their generous payment from Luo Tian.

'There's still a month until the competition...'

Luo Tian chose to enter seclusion.

Although he was confident, the Cosmos was vast. There was always someone stronger, and he couldn't afford to underestimate his opponents.

Inside the Practice Room.

Luo Tian began to temper his *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body*.

He alternated between using the Nine Yang Strong Wine and the Ice Dragon Celestial Cold Stone for tempering, which yielded the best results.

「Five days later.」

Luo Tian put away the Ice Dragon Celestial Cold Stone.

At this moment, the Sixth-Layer of his *Celestial Furnace Treasure Body* was approaching the Great Achievement Realm.

Next, Luo Tian began cultivating the *Sky Wind Divine Sword* and *Moon Shadow Escape Heaven*!

After all this time, Luo Tian had made great progress in the Thief King's Body Technique, *Moon Shadow Escape Heaven*, and had become extremely proficient in its Moon Shadow Step Technique.

In the backyard.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Luo Tian's figure moved rapidly, leaving faint afterimages of a crescent moon, making his form difficult to discern.

Over short distances, when he used the Moon Shadow Step, he could already unleash speed on par with the Celestial Pool Realm!

...

「A month passed quickly.」

The competition was held in the largest arena of the Martial City Spirit Hall.

When Luo Tian and his group arrived, the place was already a sea of people, buzzing with excitement.

Luo Tian immediately spotted ten Hall Masters of the Martial City Spirit Hall on a VIP platform closest to the arena stage.

"Hmm?"

Besides Hall Master Shang, Luo Tian recognized someone else.

It was a bald, middle-aged man in a golden robe!

Back outside the Thief King's Treasure Land, when Luo Tian had a conflict with the silver-haired old woman, this "Hua Feng Hall Master" had appeared and pressured him. Later, the Grand Elder of the Tai Yuan Sect had come out to support Luo Tian.

This time, among the ten Hall Masters, Hua Feng Hall Master was undoubtedly the most powerful, his aura suppressing the other nine!

As the host, Hall Master Shang seemed rather inconspicuous.

Luo Tian could tell that the other Hall Masters looked down on Hall Master Shang somewhat.

"Now, let the Zither Arts competition begin!"

"Will the candidates chosen by the esteemed Hall Masters please come to the stage one by one!"

On the arena stage, the referee suddenly spoke, his voice echoing throughout the entire arena.

The first to take the stage was a pink-clothed woman with beast-like ears and a tail.

"This contestant is a descendant of 'Fairy Miaoyin,' who was once famous across dozens of realms. She will now perform for all of you!"

The referee announced loudly.

Hearing this, Hall Master Shang's expression froze.

'This pink-clothed woman is a descendant of Fairy Miaoyin?'

Soon, the notes of a zither rang out, melodious and moving. The entire audience quieted down, leaving only the beautiful music to echo.

Listening closely, one could almost see a paradise of clear springs and flowing streams, making one yearn to be there, completely captivated.

Soon, the performance ended.

Many people awoke as if from a dream, feeling a bit lost, even wishing they could immerse themselves in that dream once more.

"She is truly a descendant of Fairy Miaoyin!"

"Hearing this piece today made the trip worthwhile!"

"This 'Fairy Miaoyin' must have been invited by Hua Feng Hall Master, right?"

The surroundings buzzed with discussion.

Hua Feng Hall Master nodded in satisfaction, very pleased with the pink-clothed woman's performance!

Afterward, the judges gave their scores.

The judges were all renowned masters of the Music Dao from various places.

Out of a perfect score of ten, the pink-clothed woman received a nine point eight!

After that, one performer after another took the stage, some playing the guzheng, others the xiao flute.

"Finally, let's welcome Hall Master Shang's candidate, uh... the successor to Fairy Miaoyin's legacy, to the stage!" the referee announced.

"What? A successor to Fairy Miaoyin?"

"The first one was a descendant of Fairy Miaoyin. Isn't she the one who inherited her legacy?"

"Who in the world could it be?"

The entire audience's curiosity was instantly piqued.

The pink-clothed woman also looked astonished. 'My ancestor had another successor?'