Firmament Sword

Sun Xiaohong, however, thought it was a shame to send it back. A single Heart Nourishing Pill was worth at least several dozen Top-level Immortal Spirit Stones!

But with Qi Yue present, she couldn't say much.

She could only take the small jade bottle and head outside, reluctant to part with it.

Qi Yue suddenly called out to Sun Xiaohong, smiling. "Since it's a kind gesture, why refuse? Just accept it."

"This..." Sun Xiaohong looked at Xu Luo, troubled.

Xu Luo waved his hand and said with a serious expression, "Go and tell Miss Wu Sisi that Luo Tian appreciates the sentiment, but the gift is too valuable. He really cannot accept it."

Sun Xiaohong nodded, murmured her assent, and walked out.

Qi Yue's eyes were filled with mirth as she looked at Xu Luo. "Senior Brother, a Heart Nourishing Pill is worth several dozen Top-level Immortal Spirit Stones. Why refuse it?"

"How can I accept such a valuable gift for no reason?" Xu Luo said seriously.

Qi Yue's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, looking extremely happy.

Outside, however, Wu Sisi was not nearly as happy. She had thought that by sending such a valuable gift, even if he didn't accept it, he would at least grant her a meeting. She never expected that he wouldn't even give her that.

Wu Sisi's expression turned ugly. She looked at Sun Xiaohong and asked, "Is Qi Yue in there?"

Sun Xiaohong hesitated for a moment, and Wu Sisi immediately understood. She said with a smile, "Never mind. Since it's not convenient today, I'll just come visit Senior Brother Luo another time."

With that, Wu Sisi turned and left without any hesitation. The moment her back was to Sun Xiaohong, however, her face became a mask of ice!

'You'll regret rejecting my goodwill!' Wu Sisi departed with a haughty expression, her head held high.

...

...

In the Celestial Brilliance Annual Competition's round of 500, Wanghai, an Inner Disciple of Celestial Brilliance, specifically challenged... the Senior Brother of the Medicine Garden, Luo Tian!

The news came as a shock to many.

Recently, there had been a great deal of discussion about Luo Tian. His name had become thoroughly known throughout Celestial Brilliance. Even many reclusive elders, who typically paid no mind to worldly affairs, couldn't help but ask around, "Who is this Luo Tian?"

If An Yu had challenged Luo Tian, people could have understood it to some degree. It would have been seen as revenge for his junior brother.

But Wanghai... what grudge did he have with Luo Tian? Was it just for fame?

Then, a rumor began to circulate from an unknown source, and everyone finally had their answer.

"Do you know why Wanghai is challenging Luo Tian? The story... goes back to the reason Luo Tian entered the Celestial Brilliance Medicine Garden in the first place!"

"Wanghai failed to win an attack Talisman in a dispute with someone and came to hate them. That person was the mysterious figure who auctioned the Nether Flower Seed. And Luo Tian... he only got into the Celestial Brilliance Medicine Garden because of that same mysterious figure."

"Come to think of it... this has nothing to do with Luo Tian, does it? Even if Wanghai resents the mysterious person who auctioned the Nether Flower Seed... what does that have to do with him?"

"Heh, you never know. Luo Tian and that mysterious person might just be one and the same!"

"You know... that's actually possible. If it's true, then Wanghai going after him... isn't wrong at all."

"It's hard for most people to say for sure, but either way, Wanghai comes off as a bit petty..."

As the name "Luo Tian" rose to prominence in Celestial Brilliance, many had begun to accept this Senior Brother of the Medicine Garden.

After all, Xu Luo had proven his strength with his actions, and admiring the strong is human nature.

So, when the news broke, many were not only surprised but also felt disdain for Wanghai's actions, believing him to be far too narrow-minded.

Xu Luo had little reaction to the various comments from his fellow disciples. Wanghai, on the other hand, was furious.

SMASH!

A crystal-clear cup was smashed to pieces on the floor, thrown down by a furious Wanghai.

Wanghai's face was livid. He gritted his teeth and cursed, "Who... who spread this rumor? If I find out... I'll never let them get away with it!"

As he spoke, a cold light flashed in his eyes. He muttered, "I know. Luo Tian... it must have been you! The one who auctioned the Nether Flower Seed... nine times out of ten, that was you too!"

"You think killing a good-for-nothing like Chu Lin... makes you skilled? I'll show you... what a true powerhouse looks like!"

"If that attack Talisman hadn't been snatched away... how could I have failed when trying to obtain that inheritance? How could someone have gotten there first?"

Wanghai seethed with rage, his heart a storm of hatred. The fires of jealousy... had all but consumed his reason.

「Meanwhile.」

An Yu sat in a chair in his room, a smirk on his face. "I never thought this Luo Tian would be so widely hated," he said lightly. "Someone beat me to challenging him. Heh, he got off easy."

"Of course. What realm is Senior Brother at, and what realm is that Luo Tian? He's not even worthy of you taking action personally!" a follower chimed in, sucking up.

An Yu enjoyed the flattery and smiled faintly. "You can't quite say that. This Luo Tian... does have some real skill. As for how much... heh, if it had been me that day, I could have easily slain Chu Lin too!"

"Those country bumpkins from the Medicine Garden who've never seen the world think that just because they have attack Elixirs... they hold the key to victory. In reality... they're far too naive!"

"If no one had ever seen an attack Elixir before, then using one by surprise... would certainly be effective. But now, everyone knows how powerful they are. Who would fight a disciple from the Medicine Garden without being on their guard?"

"Luo Tian's greatest asset is his speed. Heh... if I ever get the chance to face him, I'll make sure he understands that when his speed is useless... he is nothing but a waste!"

An Yu said coolly, then told the follower beside him, "Remind me about Luo Tian's match in the round of 500."

"Understood, Master," the follower replied.

"By the way, any news... from Jin Ming's side?" An Yu looked up at his follower and suddenly asked, "I heard that Jin Ming's younger brother, Jin Xian... was dealt with by that Luo Tian in the Medicine Garden?"

The follower smiled. "That did happen. It was right after Luo Tian joined the Celestial Brilliance Medicine Garden. Jin Xian went to provoke him but got thoroughly beaten by Luo Tian and ended up fleeing in disgrace. For some reason, though, it seems Jin Xian never told Senior Brother Jin Ming about it."

"What's so hard to understand about that? It's obvious Jin Xian is afraid Jin Ming would beat him senseless if he found out!" An Yu scoffed. "That Jin Ming is the most sanctimonious person I know. To become the next Sect Leader, his every move reeks of hypocrisy! If he knew about this, he'd probably go to the Medicine Garden to thank Luo Tian personally, then come back and give his own brother a harsh lesson."

When the conversation turned to such matters, the follower didn't dare say anything more, though he completely agreed with An Yu.

Jin Ming, the Senior Brother of Celestial Brilliance... gave everyone the impression of being nearly perfect in every way.

But truly perfect people... don't exist. Everyone has their own personality and temper. So, in the eyes of people like An Yu, Jin Ming's perfection was the ultimate hypocrisy!

...

...

In his room, Jin Ming looked at his younger brother, Jin Xian, who stood trembling before him. "Tell me what happened," Jin Ming said faintly. "How is it that so many people know about this, yet I'm only hearing about it now?"

"It's not exactly something to be proud of. Why would I tell you about it?" Jin Xian said, sneaking a glance up at his older brother.

"So you do know it's disgraceful?" Jin Ming glanced at his brother, his expression blank. "Quite the show of force, rampaging through the Medicine Garden in a warship. You even dared to fly right over their Senior Brother's induction ceremony."

"And that's not all, you even went looking for trouble at his door..."

"Let me ask you, even if you had beaten Luo Tian to a pulp, humiliating him and the entire Medicine Garden, what good... would that have done you?" Jin Ming asked his brother coolly.

"None..." Jin Xian's mouth twitched as he answered honestly.

"And you know there's no benefit to it?" Jin Ming snorted. "You did all this just to satisfy your own fleeting vanity. Were you thinking... that even though I'd scold you, I'd secretly get revenge for you, is that it?"

"No..." Jin Xian said meekly. "I know I was in the wrong. I never expected you to get revenge for me, Brother."

"At least you're not a complete idiot!" Jin Ming heaved a sigh of relief. He stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and began to pace. "You know what I've been planning all this time. Everyone knows. But you, with your restless nature, are always stirring up trouble for me."

"People see that you're my brother, so they don't lower themselves to your level and give you some leeway. But you... you take a mile when given an inch. This lesson, in my opinion, is good for you!"

"At the very least... it will make you understand that there's always someone better, and it will make you realize that not everyone... will give you face just because of me!"

As Jin Ming spoke, a cold light flickered in his eyes. "This Luo Tian... I consider him the greatest rival of my life!"

"It can't be that serious..." Jin Xian mumbled from the side. "He just killed a fellow disciple from the Medicine Garden. How strong can he be?"

"Wanghai is no match for him! Neither is An Yu!" Jin Ming's gaze was deep and profound, his eyes seeming to hold the sun, moon, and stars. His vital energy surged like a dragon. "If I cannot eliminate him... it will be very difficult for me to claim that position!"

With that, Jin Ming glanced at Jin Xian. "For the time being, you keep your head down and don't cause me any more trouble! This Luo Tian is not someone you should be thinking about. When the critical moment comes, I will make my move!"

Having said his piece, Jin Ming turned and walked out the door, leaving without another word.

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