Chapter 544 542: Wanted Criminal

The battle was over quickly.

Luo Tian won, and it seemed just as easy as his previous few battles.

The entire arena fell silent.

On the high platform, the expressions of the ten Hall Masters were frozen. They were utterly silent.

Dongfang Hong had lost, just like that!

This was something they had never imagined.

Just then, a steward walked over. He glanced at the result of the battle without a trace of surprise.

He sent a mental message to Hall Master Shang, "Hall Master, I've finished investigating Luo Tian's situation..."

When the Martial Arts competition began, the other Hall Masters' strange reactions upon learning that Luo Tian would be participating had piqued Hall Master Shang's suspicion, so he had immediately sent his steward to investigate.

At this moment, Hall Master Shang finally learned of Luo Tian's circumstances, and his face couldn't help but tremble.

'A True Disciple of the Tai Yuan Sect!'

'He has a record of defeating a Celestial Pool Realm expert!'

'It's unbelievable, utterly shocking!'

'No wonder Luo Tian said he was confident he would win. No wonder the other Hall Masters were so worried...' Hall Master Shang finally understood everything!

Hall Master Shang had expected Luo Tian to have a brilliant future, but he never thought it would happen so soon!

...

"Number Ten wins!"

The referee announced the result, and the entire arena erupted in cheers and commotion!

"Dongfang Hong lost?"

The one-horned man's face was vacant.

And Luo Tian's victory hadn't even been difficult. Just what kind of monster was he?

"To think that after forty years of solidifying my foundation at the Half-step Celestial Pool Realm, I still haven't reached my limit!"

Dongfang Hong sighed.

If he had truly reached his limit, there was no way he would have lost to Luo Tian!

Dongfang Hong had been defeated, but he had also found a new goal. Even if he couldn't break through to the Celestial Pool Realm, he could still become stronger.

The red-faced old man and the middle-aged woman from the Mu Family were also watching the battle.

"The rumors were true after all. Luo Tian's combat strength has already reached the level of the Celestial Pool Realm."

The middle-aged woman sighed.

The red-faced old man was also filled with emotion. When Luo Tian had first come to the Mu Family, he was only at the Low Tier Earth Element Realm, but now he was about to catch up to him.

The Martial Arts competition continued.

But the audience had lost interest in the subsequent matches. Some people even left early.

「Half a day later.」

The four competitions—zither, chess, archery, and martial arts—came to a close.

Originally, Hall Master Shang's side was on track to take second or third place, since his candidate for the chess competition had come in dead last.

However, because both the one-horned man and Dongfang Hong had suffered heavy injuries after fighting Luo Tian, their subsequent battles were affected, and they each lost a match.

This caused the overall scores of Hua Feng Hall Master and the Green Skin Hall Master to drop.

As a result, Hall Master Shang took first place!

As for this result, Hall Master Shang had the bizarre feeling that he had just inexplicably won the lottery!

He had never imagined that he would have such a dazzling moment during the exchange event between the Martial City Spirit Hall Masters.

After the competition ended, the ten Martial City Spirit Hall Masters convened to discuss other matters.

This had nothing to do with Luo Tian. His task was complete, so he prepared to take his leave.

"Luo, don't be in such a hurry to leave. You've done me a great service this time. You must stay and let me entertain you properly."

Hall Master Shang said hurriedly.

"Luo, your performance just now was truly eye-opening. I was hoping to invite you to be a guest at my place."

A different Spirit Hall Master said.

The other Hall Masters all looked at him. A moment ago, they had been secretly plotting against Luo Tian, but now that the competition was over, this Hall Master was immediately extending an olive branch to him.

'How shameless.'

However, no sooner had the other Hall Masters finished their silent scorn than they too revealed smiles and began chatting with Luo Tian.

As Spirit Hall Masters, their status was lofty.

But the future potential Luo Tian had displayed was simply terrifying. He might even have a chance to reach the very Peak of the Broken-star Realm!

A genius like him was worth them lowering themselves to build a connection.

Faced with the enthusiastic invitations from several Hall Masters, Luo Tian felt it would be impolite to refuse, so he stayed.

「That night.」

Hall Master Shang held a banquet, and numerous Hall Masters, as well as many other important figures from the vicinity, gathered together.

At the banquet, the amount of attention Luo Tian received was second only to the ten Spirit Hall Masters, and many people came to toast him.

After a few cups of wine, the Crow took out the [Miaoyin Zither] and shouted, "How about this god plays a tune for you all to liven things up?"

"No..."

Everyone present was filled with panic, and many shot pleading looks toward Luo Tian.

"Ugly Bird, these people don't understand music. They wouldn't be able to appreciate your Divine Melody."

Luo Tian said nonchalantly.

His words belittled everyone present, but not a single person questioned him or looked displeased. On the contrary, they nodded in agreement.

"That's true. What a bunch of ignorant fools!"

The Crow struck a lonely pose of self-appreciation.

The banquet ended.

Hua Feng Hall Master was the first to leave.

From beginning to end, he didn't exchange a single word with Luo Tian, appearing utterly disdainful.

"Luo, you helped me a great deal this time. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."

Hall Master Shang said generously.

"That won't be necessary. I imagine the Hall Master has already heard about my situation."

Luo Tian declined.

Hall Master Shang nodded slightly.

Indeed, unless he brought out one of his most treasured possessions, it would be difficult to catch Luo Tian's eye.

Hall Master Shang couldn't help but feel emotional.

He had only done Luo Tian a small favor back then, yet he had received such a huge reward in return.

"Actually, there is one thing I'd like to ask for the Hall Master's help with. Have you heard any news recently about a Human Race sanctuary?"

Luo Tian asked tentatively.

"Go and check!"

Hall Master Shang said to his steward.

The steward left immediately and only returned an hour later. He said, "Hall Master, there has been no recent news related to a Human Race sanctuary."

Luo Tian was slightly disappointed.

This result most likely indicated that the war on the Dongchen Continent was already over—they had either repelled the Alien Race or been conquered.

Another possibility was that the Dongchen Continent was simply too far from here for any news or clues to have spread.

"I'll be taking my leave!"

Luo Tian cupped his fists in a farewell salute and left the main hall with the two Mu Family Elders.

'Next, I'll just have to rely on the route from my memory to find the Dongchen Continent...'

Luo Tian murmured to himself.

'In that case, the first destination is the "Earth and Water Realm"!'

The Earth and Water Realm was the first Outer World Space Luo Tian had arrived in after leaving the Dongchen Continent.

He had stayed there for a short time, entered the territory of the Purple Scale Race, and met the siblings Yan Lihui and Yan Xiaoxia.

"Perfect. I can also settle the score from back then."

A cold glint flashed in Luo Tian's eyes.

Back then, after using him, the Purple Scale Race not only refused to give him the Outer World Map but also tried to eliminate him.

If Luo Tian hadn't been clever enough to leave early with the Yan Lihui siblings, he would have likely fallen into the Purple Scale Race's hands.

After leaving the Earth and Water Realm, Luo Tian and the others had even been pursued by assassins from the Purple Scale Race.

Luo Tian had always been clear about his grievances.

Those who showed him kindness would surely be repaid; those who were his enemies would not be spared, not a single one!

"Let's go!"

Luo Tian and the two Mu Family Elders boarded the Void Ship and left the Martial City Spirit Hall.

「Half a day later.」

A white flying crane carrying three people arrived at the Martial City Spirit Hall.

"I wonder if Luo Tian has left yet..."

A white-robed old man said.

Beside him were a young man and a young woman, both of whose Cultivation had reached the Peak of Earth Element Realm Fifth Layer!

Passersby who saw this young man and woman would exclaim and start discussing them.

A faint arrogance showed on their faces, and they clearly enjoyed the feeling.

"Let's go!"

The white-robed old man led the young man and woman to visit an old friend of his.

"Luo Tian has already left?"

The white-robed old man was slightly regretful.

"Old Li, I just remembered something. A few years ago, didn't Luo Tian participate in the Martial Pavilion event under the identity of your Flying Cloud Sect?"

A fat old man across from him suddenly recalled something.

"That's right. Why do you ask?"

The white-robed old man, Mu Li, was puzzled.

"Holy shit, Old Li! You can't forget about me now that you're acquainted with such a genius! When are you going to introduce me?"

The fat old man said excitedly.

Mu Li grew even more confused, as did the young man and woman beside him.

'Luo Tian's talent is indeed greater than ours, but there's no need for this old man to act like this, is there? After all, he's a respectable figure in this Martial City Spirit Hall.'

"You don't know? Don't lie to me! Luo Tian is a disciple of the Tai Yuan Sect..."

The fat old man said suspiciously, then recounted everything he knew.

Mu Li, along with the young man and woman, stood frozen in place like statues.

Originally, Mu Li had only come to take a look after hearing that Luo Tian had arrived.

After all, Luo Tian had indeed done the Flying Cloud Sect a huge favor back then.

He had never, ever imagined...

...that Luo Tian had actually become a True Disciple of the Tai Yuan Sect!

That was the Tai Yuan Sect! In front of the Tai Yuan Sect, his "Flying Cloud Sect" was less than nothing!

The young man and woman beside Mu Li were also completely dumbfounded.

Back when they participated in the Martial Pavilion event with Luo Tian, they had looked down on him, only to suffer a heavy blow to their pride!

Now, just hearing this news about Luo Tian was enough of a blow that they couldn't recover. The arrogance on their faces vanished completely.

...

「Four months later.」

Luo Tian's Void Ship arrived smoothly at the "Earth and Water Realm."

During the long voyage, Luo Tian's Cultivation progressed steadily, bringing him closer and closer to the Peak of Earth Element Realm Eighth Layer!

To pass through the realm-gate, one had to undergo an inspection.

"Hm? You look..."

A Guard stared at Luo Tian, then turned to look at a huge bulletin board covered with dozens of wanted posters.

Among them was one poster, and on it was none other than Luo Tian!

"It's a wanted criminal!"

"Seize him!"

"There's a bounty of one hundred thousand Spiritual Essence Coins on this person!"

The Earth and Water Realm Guards stationed at the realm-gate immediately surrounded him!

"Tsk tsk, is this guy an idiot? Doesn't he know he's wanted? And he still dares to come to the Earth and Water Realm!"

The other groups of people entering and exiting the realm-gate all assumed the posture of spectators enjoying a good show.

But the Luo Tian they saw showed no trace of panic. Instead, he chuckled and said, "Only a hundred thousand Spiritual Essence Coins? The Sea Demon Palace has a bounty of one million Spiritual Essence Coins on me!"

The Earth and Water Realm was on the outermost edge of the Broken-star Realm. It was relatively backward, and information was scarce.

A bounty of a mere hundred thousand Spiritual Essence Coins for a High Tier Earth Element Realm cultivator was ridiculous in itself.

If the Purple Scale Race were to find out that the target they had once put a bounty on was now a disciple of the Tai Yuan Sect, one could only wonder what they would think.

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Ten Guards surrounded Luo Tian!

Luo Tian said calmly, "The bounty was issued by the Purple Scale Race. I have only come here this time to deal with an old enemy along the way. If you back down, you can avoid death!"

Luo Tian's nonchalant attitude made several of the Guards feel that something was wrong.

When they met his gaze, a sense of crisis inevitably rose in their hearts!

Suddenly, a boisterous laugh rang out.

"Hahaha, I'd like to see for myself just which wanted criminal is so bold! To actually dare to force his way through the Earth and Water Realm's realm-gate!"