King of Ten Thousand Years

The Ninth-Layer of the Martial Pavilion hadn’t lit up in fifty years.

But now, not only had someone reached the Ninth-Layer, they had also passed the trial!

The surroundings erupted with a roar as mighty as a flash flood, and the gazes of numerous experts from the Outer World fixed on Luo Tian.

’This young man’s strength and potential are astonishing. If we could win him over...’

The Martial Artists present were all from various major realms, and their minds immediately started racing.

In some of the smaller realms, Luo Tian’s talent and strength would make him an absolute top-tier genius!

’Even in the Outer World, he remains just as eye-catching,’ Yi Jingwen sighed.

She recalled how back in the Yunxiao Sect, from the moment Luo Tian entered the Upper Sect, he had attracted immense attention and performed one miracle after another.

Now that he was in the Outer World, it seemed nothing had changed.

In the VIP section of the spectator area, the Hall Master of the Martial City Spirit Hall asked, "How long did it take him to clear all nine layers? Where does he rank on the all-time list?"

"Luo Tian’s time was incredibly short. He’ll make it into the top five on the all-time list!" a nearby attendant replied.

The Martial Pavilion event had been held over a hundred times, with a history spanning more than five thousand years.

To rank in the top five was already astounding.

"In the last thousand years of records, he is the first!" the attendant added.

He’d actually broken the Martial Pavilion’s thousand-year record!

After all, this Martial City Spirit Hall’s Martial Pavilion event attracted geniuses from twenty to thirty surrounding realms each time it was held!

Over the past millennium, countless brilliant geniuses had left their mark in the Martial Pavilion, yet Luo Tian had just trampled over all of them!

Just then, Luo Tian walked out of the Martial Pavilion’s main gate.

"Congratulations, Luo, for reaching the Ninth-Layer and taking first place!"

A High Tier Earth Element Realm expert Luo Tian didn’t recognize at all stepped forward to congratulate him.

Although the Martial Pavilion event had just begun and many geniuses had yet to make their attempt, the crowd had already decided that Luo Tian was first place for this session!

Watching Luo Tian become the center of attention, Lu Yue felt her red, swollen face burn with even greater humiliation.

’As a genius of the Sea Demon Palace, that should be my reception!’

"Senior Sister Lu, if Luo Tian hadn’t used some underhanded trick to kick you out, you definitely would have cleared the Ninth-Layer too," another disciple from the Sea Demon Palace consoled her.

"We’re leaving!"

Lu Yue’s expression turned cold, and she quickly departed.

She and her junior brother had been on a mission and just happened to come across the Martial Pavilion event. She had planned to take first place, but unexpectedly ran into Luo Tian.

"Senior Sister Lu, I remember that a Martial Venerable’s inheritance appeared during the last Secret Realm trial for new disciples. The fact that Luo Tian is still alive means he was the last one to leave the place of the inheritance."

Another Sea Demon Palace disciple transmitted his voice, his head lowered.

"Indeed!" Lu Yue nodded.

"The Sect’s upper echelons said that the unknown Secret Realm already has an owner and is no longer under their control. Do you think it’s possible that Luo Tian obtained the Martial Venerable’s inheritance and took control of the entire Secret Realm?" the disciple continued.

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Lu Yue’s eyes.

’This matter must be reported to the Sect!’

A cold, sinister smile appeared on Lu Yue’s face.

In truth, even without this.

The fact that Luo Tian had taken first place in the Martial Venerable’s trial, cutting off the opportunity for the Sea Demon Palace’s disciples, was enough to earn their enmity!

What’s more, according to the accounts of Wu Ye, Lu Yue, and Tu Kai, Luo Tian was the inheritor of the Martial Venerable’s legacy!

...

"Luo Tian, congratulations! After the Martial Pavilion event ends, the Hall Master will personally present you with your reward!" the judge outside the Martial Pavilion said with a smile.

’Oh? The Hall Master is presenting the reward?’

’If the Hall Master of the Martial City Spirit Hall is presenting it personally, the reward is bound to be generous.’

The Martial Pavilion event continued.

But many people had already lost interest in watching. As far as they were concerned, the most exciting part of the show was over.

It was impossible for anyone to surpass Luo Tian!

"Hahaha, Luo, you are truly astonishing!" Mu Li exclaimed, his face wreathed in smiles as he laughed heartily.

He would have been satisfied if Luo Tian had simply made it into the top ten.

Who would have thought his final result would be so astounding!

Just a moment ago, quite a few people had taken the initiative to strike up a conversation with Mu Li.

"Luo Tian, we were in the wrong before. Please forgive us!" Sun Jun and Zhao Yuran said, walking over and bowing their heads in apology.

Luo Tian ignored them. He had never considered the pair worth his notice from the very beginning.

As night fell, the Martial Pavilion event concluded.

In this session’s Martial Pavilion event, besides Luo Tian, Wu He and one other person also reached the Ninth-Layer, but neither of them managed to pass it.

Luo Tian’s position remained unchanged: first place in the Martial Pavilion event!

Next up was the award ceremony.

Only the top ten received rewards. The prizes for second through ninth place were all presented by the Vice Hall Master of the Martial City Spirit Hall.

The Hall Master would only be presenting Luo Tian’s reward.

The Hall Master, dressed in blue robes, drifted over. A formless, terrifying aura washed over the entire area, silencing everyone.

The crowd parted on its own accord, clearing a large, empty space.

"Well done. You’ve broken the thousand-year record for the Martial Pavilion event!" the Hall Master said with a smile, his expression full of praise.

"Broke the thousand-year record?"

Hearing these words from the Hall Master himself caused a massive uproar!

"For first place in the Martial Pavilion, the reward is fifty thousand Spiritual Essence Coins, a bottle of Water Element Pills, and one Top Grade Treasure Artifact!"

Water Element Pills could solidify one’s foundation and accelerate cultivation for those in the Earth Element Realm.

A single bottle contained five pills, with a total value of fifty to sixty thousand Spiritual Essence Coins.

As for the Top Grade Treasure Artifact, Luo Tian didn’t get to choose. He would receive whatever the Hall Master gave him.

However, the Hall Master was quite considerate and bestowed upon Luo Tian a Top Grade Treasure Sword, which suited him well.

"For clearing the Ninth-Layer and breaking a record that has stood for a thousand years, you are awarded a First-class VIP Order from the Martial City Spirit Hall!" the Hall Master continued.

"A First-class VIP Order!"

The crowd instantly burst into an uproar.

"A First-class VIP Order makes one the highest-level honored guest of the Martial City Spirit Hall. Their status is exceptional. They can stay at any Martial City Spirit Hall for free and enjoy a thirty percent discount on all transactions at the Hall’s official trading posts."

"And that First-class VIP Order is valid in all Martial City Spirit Halls throughout the entire Broken-star Realm!"

"I heard that the Martial City Spirit Hall’s First-class VIP Orders are extremely rare, with only one being issued every century."

Listening to the discussions around him, Luo Tian understood just how precious this First-class VIP Order was. Its value might even surpass that of the Top Grade Treasure Artifact!

"The token you’re holding is that very First-class VIP Order," the Hall Master said nonchalantly.

Luo Tian took out the token and examined it. The nine grooves on the golden token were filled with different colored lights, between which complex lines spread out, faintly outlining a single, nine-colored horizontal stroke—the character for "one"—in the center!

After the awards were presented,

The Hall Master gave Luo Tian a few more glances before his figure flickered and vanished. He moved so quickly that no one had time to react.

"Congratulations! The entire Flying Cloud Sect only has one of those First-class VIP Orders from the Martial City Spirit Hall," Mu Li said with great envy.

"They’re that rare?" Luo Tian asked.

"There are only two ways to get a First-class VIP Order from the Martial City Spirit Hall. The first is to have immense cultivation strength and great prestige, and to curry favor with the Martial City Spirit Hall. In that case, you might be granted one."

"The second is to achieve some kind of rare honor within the Martial City Spirit Hall’s sphere of influence!"

The threshold for the first method was high, and it was extremely difficult to achieve.

The second method was also difficult, as evidenced by the fact that Luo Tian only succeeded by breaking a thousand-year-old record.

"Luo, you’ve really done me a great favor this time. Why don’t you pay a visit to the Flying Cloud Sect and let me host you properly?" Mu Li extended an invitation.

The Martial City Spirit Hall had issued the First-class VIP Order partly to build a connection with Luo Tian.

The Flying Cloud Sect’s desire was even stronger; they were desperate to find a way to keep Luo Tian at their sect.

"No, thank you. I’m on a tight schedule," Luo Tian said, shaking his head.

’The journey is long, and it will still take another five or six years to reach my destination.’

’Besides, I’ve also offended the Purple Scale Race and the Cyan Armor Race.’

’With Lu Yue’s appearance, news of my whereabouts will likely reach the Sea Demon Palace soon as well.’

’Only by entering the Human Race’s territory, the Tai Yuan Domain—or better yet, the Tai Yuan Sect—will I be truly safe!’ Luo Tian thought to himself.

"Alright. If you have time in the future, you’re always welcome to visit the Flying Cloud Sect in the Qianhe Realm."

Slightly disappointed, Mu Li bid Luo Tian farewell.

Luo Tian’s group of four returned to the inn.

"Brother Luo, you’re incredible!" Yan Xiaoxia cheered, overcome with excitement.

They had just returned to the inn and entered the corridor.

Luo Tian immediately sensed something was wrong and stopped in his tracks.

Yan Lihui, Yi Jingwen, and the others also felt a terrifying pressure and a faint but palpable sense of danger!

A woman in red wearing a conical bamboo hat had suddenly appeared in the corridor.

"I won the bet," Luo Tian’s expression darkened.

’This Deputy Captain of the Undead Pirates is even stronger than Mu Li. Does she intend to go back on her word?’

"A bet’s a bet. I admit defeat. But your performance this time only makes me want to recruit you more. If we get the chance, let’s make another wager."

After saying her piece, Hongyi vanished without a trace.

"Ugh..."

Luo Tian was speechless. ’Being targeted by the Deputy Captain of the Undead Pirates is definitely not a good thing.’

"Luo Tian, that person just now was...?" Yi Jingwen asked.

"The Deputy Captain of the Undead Pirates we encountered before," Luo Tian didn’t hide the truth.

Yan Lihui and the other two were shocked, and a chill ran down their spines.

They had no idea when this deputy captain had started targeting Luo Tian, let alone that the two of them had made a bet!

Luckily, Luo Tian had won.

"How are the upgrades to the Void Ship coming along?" Luo Tian asked.

"It cost seventy thousand Spiritual Essence Coins. Now, at top speed, not even an expert at the Eighth or Ninth Layer of the Earth Element Realm would be guaranteed to catch us. The Defense and stability have also been improved..." Yan Lihui explained.

A good Void Ship could save time on their journey and help ensure their safety.

To cover the costs, Luo Tian gave twenty thousand Spiritual Essence Coins to Yan Lihui.

"We’ll set out first thing tomorrow morning," Luo Tian said to the others.

Afterward, he went alone to the Celestial Net Intelligence Organization.

Inside a dimly lit room, a mysterious, masked person appeared in a small window.

"Do you have the information I requested?" Luo Tian asked.

"We do."

The person replied in the affirmative and handed over several sheets of paper. They were all filled with information about Ye Feng and Cheng Wanli, or leads suspected to be related to them.

By cross-referencing the various pieces of intelligence, he was able to deduce the approximate location of Ye Feng and Cheng Wanli.

’Hm? Near the Tai Yuan Domain? That’s right on the way,’ Luo Tian noted with a slight nod.

"The total is thirty thousand Spiritual Essence Coins. Since you’re a first-class VIP, you get a thirty percent discount. That will be twenty-one thousand Spiritual Essence Coins."

The masked person said this before Luo Tian had even shown his VIP Order.

’As expected of an intelligence organization.’

After obtaining the intelligence, Luo Tian returned to the inn.

「The next day.」

Luo Tian had just stepped out of his room when he saw a man standing outside the door, who said with a smile, "Luo Tian, the Hall Master requests an audience with you!"

Luo Tian was slightly stunned, but he immediately nodded.

’The Hall Master of the Martial City Spirit Hall has an extraordinary status and immense power. What purpose could he have for inviting me?’

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