King of Ten Thousand Years

Inside a guest room at the Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion.

Luo Tian first took a comfortable bath, washing away the dust from his journey.

Over the past twenty days, Luo Tian had been half-traveling and half-sightseeing, but he hadn’t neglected his Cultivation.

Although he lacked the Cultivation environment of the Holy Mansion, the Upper Grade Qi Refining Pills and Qi Storage Pills he had obtained from the Du and Qi Families allowed him to refine and strengthen his True Qi, raising his Cultivation.

The Spirit Jade that the Qi Family had given him as an apology also slightly boosted his Cultivation speed.

Now, Luo Tian had opened eighty percent of his eighth Qi Vein. The Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening was not far off.

His Great Success in the Cloud Traveling Step and the Celestial Star Sword Technique had been consolidated and further refined.

Compared to when he killed Elder Du, Luo Tian’s strength hadn’t seen a massive leap, but it had progressed steadily on a solid foundation.

"Young Master Luo, the Head of the family invites you to the evening banquet."

In the evening, a family servant knocked and entered.

"Alright."

Luo Tian nodded.

His main purposes for coming to the Royal Capital this time were to accept the Eldest Princess’s invitation and participate in the Wu Mansion’s grand event.

As for the matter with the Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion, it was a task entrusted to him by his Mentor, so he couldn’t ignore it.

A short while later, Luo Tian arrived at the Lin Family’s banquet.

The head of the family, Lin Dongchuan, sat in the seat of honor.

His two sons, Lin Sheng and Lin Kai, were by his side.

There was also a pure and beautiful young woman in a green dress. She was tall and elegant, with skin as white and delicate as snow, and her bright, flawless eyes were like crystals.

The sight of her refined beauty made even Luo Tian’s eyes light up.

"This is my young daughter, Lin Qinghan. She is from the Cloud Heaven Holy Mansion, one of the Three Great Holy Mansions."

The pride on Lin Dongchuan’s face was unconcealed.

His young daughter was impeccable in terms of talent, bearing, and beauty.

"Greetings, Senior Brother."

Lin Qinghan revealed faint dimples, looking pure and captivating.

Her bright eyes flickered as she sized up Luo Tian, a hint of uncertain surprise and doubt in her gaze.

Besides Lin Dongchuan’s two sons and one daughter, at the banquet, there were also several high-level stewards from the Medicine Pavilion and some Guest Martial Artists.

"This is my martial nephew."

Lin Dongchuan introduced Luo Tian only in passing.

In Lin Dongchuan’s eyes, Luo Tian was just a Holy Mansion student at the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening, with strength not much different from his daughter’s.

He had only invited him over out of respect for his older brother, Lin Dongfeng.

"I’ve invited everyone to this banquet tonight to discuss how to deal with the impending crisis facing the Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion..."

Lin Dongchuan’s expression was grave.

The banquet quickly descended into a heated debate.

"The Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion is Father’s life’s work! It wasn’t easy to build it to its current scale. We can’t let the Tenglong Medicine Pavilion succeed! We can still hire more experts with a hefty sum," the eldest son, Lin Sheng, said.

"How could it be that easy? The Medicine Pavilion’s goods have been robbed several times, and with the Tenglong Medicine Pavilion deliberately undercutting our prices to suppress us, our accounts are in the red. We’re barely avoiding bankruptcy," a steward said with a bitter smile.

"Father, the Tenglong Medicine Pavilion is only so aggressive because they have the backing of a Royal and Noble Family. Our Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion can also seek cooperation with a major power in the Royal Capital," the second son, Lin Kai, suggested.

"Absolutely not! Seeking refuge with another Noble Family would be like letting a wolf into the house. We would be swallowed up sooner or later, just paving the way for someone else to take over!" Lin Dongchuan snapped.

Luo Tian did not join the discussion.

He simply ate and drank while listening to the Lin Family’s intense debate.

Before long, Luo Tian had a basic understanding of the "trouble" the Lin family was in.

First, the scale of the Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion was much larger than Luo Tian had imagined. It ranked in the top ten of its industry in the Royal Capital, not the small business Lin Dongfeng had described.

Of course, Lin Dongfeng couldn’t be blamed for that.

The Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion had only gradually expanded to this size in recent years, and Lin Dongfeng hadn’t been to the Royal Capital in a while.

As the business grew, the Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion attracted the covetous eyes of its competitors.

Some time ago, the Medicine Pavilion’s shops were repeatedly targeted by local thugs and bullies. They caused trouble, vandalized property, and extorted money. Among them were many skilled fighters at the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening or higher.

This caused the Medicine Pavilion’s business to decline.

It was only in the last few days that the enemy lurking in the shadows finally revealed themselves.

The Tenglong Medicine Pavilion, one of the top five in the Royal Capital, made an offer to acquire the Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion.

The acquisition price was less than a third of the market value.

The Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion naturally refused.

Afterward, the Tenglong Medicine Pavilion began to suppress and coerce the Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion by stealing its customers, colluding with bandits to rob its goods, and undercutting its prices.

The Tenglong Medicine Pavilion was powerful and had a deep background.

It was said that its largest shareholder was the "Zheng Family," one of the Royal and Noble Families.

Although the Zheng Family had declined in the last decade, the old Prince who founded their Royal and Noble Family was still alive.

This old Prince had once galloped across battlefields and earned great merit. Even after retiring home due to illness, he still held significant weight and connections in the Royal Capital.

’A Royal and Noble Family? A Prince who retired due to illness?’

Luo Tian now had a rough idea of the situation.

During the banquet, Lin Qinghan also spoke very little.

Her pure, beautiful eyes would occasionally drift toward Luo Tian, her fine brows furrowing slightly in thought.

Lin Qinghan had initially suspected that Luo Tian might be that famous genius from the top thirty of the Human List.

Her father hadn’t mentioned this senior brother’s full name, only that his surname was Luo. Just like that stunning genius on the Human List, he was also from the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion.

Lin Qinghan wanted to ask, but as a young woman, it was difficult for her to bring it up on such an occasion.

And yet, at the banquet, everyone else was deep in discussion.

Only Luo Tian was relishing the delicacies from land and sea, his chopsticks never stopping, looking completely unconcerned about the Lin Family’s crisis.

’Maybe I was mistaken...’

Lin Qinghan’s fine brows knitted together. ’How could that sensational prodigy from the Human List be so boorish, stuffing his face without any manners?’

By the end of the banquet, few people at the table had touched their chopsticks; they were all busy discussing countermeasures.

However, Luo Tian had single-handedly eaten more than half of the sumptuous feast.

This scene made the three men of the Lin family—father and sons—frown in displeasure.

"Young Master Luo, you’re the ’powerful reinforcement’ sent by my uncle. What are your thoughts on this crisis with the Tenglong Medicine Pavilion?"

The eldest son, Lin Sheng, asked with a hint of sarcasm.

He put heavy emphasis on the word "powerful."

"I have no particular thoughts on the matter, but I will follow my Mentor’s instructions and do my best to help," Luo Tian said calmly.

’No thoughts on the matter?’

Lin Dongchuan’s two sons couldn’t help but shake their heads, their hearts filling with contempt.

This Luo Tian, he had clearly come to the Lin Family just to freeload. They couldn’t expect him to be of any use.

’My older brother is so unreliable!’

Disappointed, Lin Dongchuan inwardly grumbled about Lin Dongfeng for sending such a gluttonous freeloader.

And to think Lin Dongfeng had mentioned in his letter that this student was amazing, and had even hinted at matchmaking Luo Tian and Lin Qinghan.

A flicker of disappointment passed through Lin Qinghan’s bright eyes. She no longer had any interest in asking for Luo Tian’s full name.

...

The next morning, Luo Tian sat cross-legged, cultivating the Guiyuan True Skill. He circulated the Heart Method for several cycles.

The Third-Layer of this Cultivation Technique had already reached Minor Achievement and was approaching Great Success.

An hour later, Luo Tian found a flat patch of grass in the Lin Family’s rear garden and began practicing his Sword Martial Skill.

To avoid causing any damage, Luo Tian didn’t use any True Qi. He simply practiced the forms, focusing his mind on comprehending the true essence of Swordsmanship. To an observer, his movements looked slow and clumsy.

Lin Dongchuan and his two sons also happened to be nearby.

Although the Lin Family was primarily focused on business and wasn’t a Martial Arts Family, they still practiced Martial Skills to strengthen their bodies and improve their ability to protect themselves.

Lin Dongchuan had a Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening Cultivation, and his two sons had a Fifth or Sixth Layer Cultivation.

The one with the most astonishing talent was Lin Qinghan.

She was around the same age as Luo Tian, yet she had an Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening Cultivation, which was enough to give Lin Dongchuan a basis for his pride.

"This kid’s Swordsmanship looks like he’s swinging a club."

The second son, Lin Kai, stifled a laugh.

"Behave yourself!"

Lin Dongchuan shot his second son a glare, though he also found Luo Tian’s Swordsmanship to be strange and clumsy.

"Father."

A voice as crisp as a bell rang out.

Lin Qinghan was seen walking over with a handsome and elegant young man.

The man wore a pale golden robe, embroidered on the back with a majestic pattern of clouds in the sky.

"Huh? A Golden Student from the Cloud Heaven Holy Mansion?"

Lin Sheng and Lin Kai were a little surprised.

Below the prodigy-titled students, the Three Great Holy Mansions all used the same ranking system: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.

The Cloud Heaven Holy Mansion was the number one Wu Mansion in the Azure Cloud Kingdom.

A Golden Student from this Holy Mansion was naturally no small matter.

"Uncle Lin, my name is Gu Cheng. I am Qinghan’s senior brother from the same sect. I heard the Lin Family was in some trouble, so I came especially to help."

The elegant young man said with a smile, proactively offering his services.

"So it’s Senior Gu."

Lin Dongchuan’s face broke into a smile.

The father and his sons were overjoyed and greeted him politely.

Gu Cheng’s Cultivation had reached the Peak of the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening, and he was a Golden Student from the Cloud Heaven Holy Mansion.

Such powerful reinforcement was like receiving charcoal in a snowstorm for the Lin Family.

In contrast, the Lin family men glanced at Luo Tian not far away. A freeloading bum like him was just aggravating.

"Luo Tian, this is a Golden Senior from the Cloud Heaven Holy Mansion. If there’s anything you don’t understand about Martial Skills, you can ask him for guidance."

Lin Dongchuan thought for a moment and gestured for Luo Tian to come over.

No matter what, Luo Tian was still his martial nephew, in a sense.

"No, thank you."

Luo Tian rejected Lin Dongchuan’s kind offer.

With his current strength, he could almost challenge a Sunshine Student. Asking a Golden Student for guidance was a complete joke.

"Luo Tian?"

Gu Cheng felt the name was familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

"Head of the family, this is bad! Someone’s here to make trouble..."

A steward rushed over in a hurry.

’More troublemakers?’

Lin Dongchuan’s face fell. He led his children and a few Guest Martial Artists outside.

"Don’t worry, Qinghan!"

Gu Cheng flashed a confident smile.

"I’ll be relying on you, Senior Brother."

Lin Qinghan forced a smile.

This Senior Gu Cheng had been pursuing her for a while. Lin Qinghan didn’t have any favorable feelings for him, but she didn’t dislike him either.

Besides, Gu Cheng was here now as a fellow disciple, kindly offering his help.

A short time later, the Lin family members arrived in front of the Medicine Pavilion.

They saw dozens of Scattered Stream Martial Artists surrounding a stretcher, blocking the entrance.

On the stretcher lay a middle-aged man on the verge of death. His face, chest, and other areas were covered in purple and blue bruises, and his face was contorted in pain.

"The medicine from Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion nearly killed my brother!"

"Today, we’re going to smash this place to pieces!"

This group of Scattered Stream Martial Artists all had brutish faces and radiated the air of hardened street fighters.

Several of the Martial Artists picked up clubs and began smashing things randomly.

"AAAH..."

A few of the Medicine Pavilion’s guards were beaten until their heads were bloody, and they were quickly overwhelmed.

"Stop!"

Lin Dongchuan roared.

"That old guy is the head of the Dongchuan Medicine Pavilion!"

"Beat him up and avenge our brother!"

At the command of a Gutter Nose Warrior, the crowd of Scattered Stream Martial Artists charged forward.

"This is bad! Protect the Head of the family!"

Several Guest Martial Artists stepped forward to block them.

But this seemingly ragtag group of Scattered Stream Martial Artists had four or five experts of the Meridian Opening Eighth and Ninth Layers mixed in.

AAAH! CRACK!

Within a few exchanges, the Lin Family’s Guest Martial Artists were left with broken bones or were even crippled.

"Right under the Emperor’s nose, you bullies dare to be so outrageous!"

Gu Cheng shouted righteously.

He was ecstatic. This was the perfect opportunity to show off.

’Dealing with a group of local ruffians? For a Golden Student like me, isn’t this a piece of cake?’

WHOOSH! CRACK! CRACK!

He transformed into an afterimage and darted into the crowd, instantly taking down three or four Martial Artists, including one at the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening.

"Heh heh, a Golden Student?"

The Gutter Nose Warrior sneered coldly.

WHOOSH!

A powerful aura suddenly erupted from his body. As he spread his arms, a green snake tattoo was revealed on his forearm.

"Half-step Spirit Sea Realm!"

Gu Cheng’s expression changed. He felt a pressure even stronger than that of a Golden Lord from the Holy Mansion.

"The Cyan Snake Gang!"

Lin Dongchuan and his two sons, however, turned pale, their eyes fixed on the green snake pattern on the Gutter Nose Warrior’s arm.

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