King of Ten Thousand Years

”What a waste for a genius like you!”

Wang Fu sneered.

The implication was obvious. He wasn’t just trying to stop Luo Tian from passing; he wanted to kill him.

”You want to kill me?”

Luo Tian’s expression darkened.

He had no past grudges or recent grievances with Wang Fu. It was their first meeting, yet the other man wanted him dead!

”Who put you up to this?”

Luo Tian wanted to know who was behind this.

”Hmph, you don’t have the right to know!”

Wang Fu took a heavy step forward, his body shooting out like a sharp arrow.

In that instant, it was as if a primeval beast was charging at Luo Tian.

Wang Fu threw a punch, and a deep blue whirlwind materialized, transforming into a fist shadow the size of a water vat that erupted with terrifying power.

Luo Tian wasted no words. He gathered his Guiyuan True Qi in his palm and struck out, meeting Wang Fu’s attack head-on.

BOOM!

A violent roar erupted on the spot. The two terrifying forces intertwined, and their True Qi slammed against the surrounding walls.

’Such dense True Qi.’

Luo Tian floated back two steps. He could feel that Wang Fu was even stronger than he had expected.

”So you do have some skill,” Wang Fu remarked coolly.

That last move had just been a casual strike, but it had allowed him to gauge Luo Tian’s depth.

He had originally thought that Luo Tian managed to get here so quickly due to an agile Body Technique and fast reaction speed.

It seemed Luo Tian’s strength wasn’t bad either.

A long, jet-black staff suddenly appeared in Wang Fu’s hand. With a swing, it stirred up a crackling cyclone of air.

WHOOSH! BANG!

The shadow of a long staff suddenly appeared above Luo Tian’s head, wreathed in a dark blue tempest. It chopped down with immense force.

’What a fast attack!’

An ordinary cultivator at the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm would have had a hard time reacting.

SWISH! CRACK!

Luo Tian’s figure floated back half a step, and the staff instantly smashed into the ground in front of his feet, blasting out a crater.

The assessment passage was reinforced with an Array, making it extremely difficult to damage.

This showed the terrifying power behind Wang Fu’s strike. If it had hit his head, his brains would have likely splattered on the spot.

”Earth Splitting Stick Technique!”

The long staff in Wang Fu’s hand moved as nimbly as a limb, yet it was incomparably ferocious. Its massive attack range completely enveloped Luo Tian as he unleashed a torrential offense.

Luo Tian could clearly feel that Wang Fu’s strength was far greater than Li Mu’s.

Although Li Mu was ranked third among the Lower Sect Disciples, he probably wouldn’t last twenty moves against Wang Fu.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Luo Tian retreated continuously. The staff’s afterimages were everywhere, smashing shallow craters into the surrounding walls. He had no opportunity to break through Wang Fu’s blockade.

”Hehe, let’s see how much longer you can dodge.”

Wang Fu chuckled lightly.

He was blocking the path for another reason.

Since he had nothing better to do, he decided to play with Luo Tian for a while.

But Luo Tian was in no mood to play.

’An opening!’

At a certain moment, Luo Tian seized an opening when Wang Fu let his guard down. An ethereal Sword Mark flickered in his eyes.

He took out the [Ice Trace Sword] and frantically poured his True Qi into it.

One Sword Piercing Clouds!

SHIIING!

A Sword Light, condensed to the absolute limit and exuding a bone-chilling cold, shot out as if to pierce the nine layers of heaven.

The Sword Light threaded through a gap in Wang Fu’s stick technique, aiming straight for his knee.

”Hm?”

Wang Fu’s dark pupils contracted, and he immediately retreated.

PFFT!

The sharp, icy Sword Light flashed past, tearing through Wang Fu’s pants and leaving a shallow, bloody gash on the outside of his thigh.

The wound froze over as the cold intent invaded his body.

”An Earth Level Sword Technique, and Sword Intent!”

Wang Fu said coldly.

At the same time, he understood that this had only happened because he had underestimated his opponent and fallen for Luo Tian’s ploy.

Luo Tian had no intention of making small talk with Wang Fu.

SWOOSH!

The moment he injured Wang Fu, he executed the Cloud Traveling Step, preparing to bypass him.

His goal was to pass the assessment, not to duel Wang Fu here.

”Without my permission, no one is getting through here!”

Wang Fu roared, his aura soaring to the heavens with unparalleled dominance!

BOOM!

The aura around him surged. Violent, deep blue True Qi erupted from his body, forming a blue tempest that destroyed everything around it.

At this moment, the cultivation aura Wang Fu revealed was actually that of the Spirit Sea Realm Seventh Layer!

The man everyone considered the number one disciple of the Lower Sect had actually been hiding his strength!

No wonder Wang Fu had reached the end so quickly.

And no wonder he dared to block the finish line! He truly had the strength to back it up!

ROAR! WHOOSH!

After this full outburst, Wang Fu’s power increased dramatically. The black-and-blue afterimage of his staff swept out like an incomparably thick pillar, its power limitless.

”He’s actually at the Spirit Sea Realm Seventh Layer!”

Luo Tian was extremely surprised.

He unleashed several sword strikes in succession that landed on the long staff, weakening some of its power, but he couldn’t break through it completely.

Wang Fu closed in rapidly, intending to suppress Luo Tian.

The intense clash between the two engulfed the entire passage in a series of explosions.

「Behind them.」

Liu Yi, Li Mu, and the others arrived and were stunned by the sight.

The cultivation Wang Fu was displaying was actually the Spirit Sea Realm Seventh Layer!

And why hadn’t Wang Fu passed the assessment yet?

’This is bad. Wang Fu is trying to kill Luo Tian! Is he trying to stand up for the Eighth Prince? Is that why he’s deliberately waiting here for Luo Tian?’

Liu Yi cursed inwardly.

If Luo Tian died here, it might attract the Law Enforcement Elder again, who might even think he was an accomplice.

Furthermore, Liu Yi wanted to curry favor with Luo Tian and resolve their past enmity.

So, he suddenly rushed forward.

”Boss, stop!”

Liu Yi struck out with a crimson Fiery Flame Palm Light that smashed into Wang Fu’s Earth Splitting Stick Technique, reducing its power by about forty percent. He was afraid Wang Fu would kill Luo Tian with a single strike.

Luo Tian seized the opportunity to counterattack, repelling Wang Fu’s staff attack with several flashes of Sword Light.

”Liu Yi, what are you doing?”

Wang Fu roared furiously.

Had Liu Yi lost his mind? Not only was he not helping him deal with Luo Tian, but he was actually helping Luo Tian fight him.

’Is this Liu Yi a fake?!’

”Boss, Luo Tian has a powerful background. We can’t kill him!”

Liu Yi transmitted his voice secretly.

Outwardly, however, he put on an appearance of desperately trying to save Luo Tian, hoping to earn his forgiveness.

”Liu Yi, you...”

Luo Tian was very surprised.

Luo Tian had already felt something was strange when Liu Yi helped him earlier.

Now, Liu Yi was even betraying the leader of his own faction, Wang Fu, for his sake!

’Could it be that Liu Yi has been captivated by my charm and plans to defect to my side?’

Nine Heavens Sword Technique!

Guiyuan Cloud-Dispelling Hand!

Luo Tian seized the chance to launch a counteroffensive, attacking with a Palm Technique in his left hand and Swordsmanship in his right.

Liu Yi’s cultivation was at the Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Sixth Layer, and he was very strong. With his help, Luo Tian managed to suppress Wang Fu.

”Hehe, everyone, I’ll be taking my leave!”

Li Mu took the opportunity to bypass the group.

Wang Fu wanted to stop him, but while facing the combined attacks of Luo Tian and Liu Yi, he was powerless to block Li Mu, the third-strongest in the Lower Sect.

If he gave chase, he was afraid Luo Tian would escape too.

So, Wang Fu could only watch helplessly as Li Mu passed the assessment.

”Didn’t you just say that no one could pass without your permission?”

Luo Tian mocked.

Wang Fu’s face darkened. He snarled, ”Liu Yi, are you fucking crazy? Get lost!”

He never expected that the one who would screw him over in the end would be his own subordinate, Liu Yi.

”Boss, we really can’t kill this Luo Tian. Just let him go!”

Liu Yi urged helplessly.

As long as Wang Fu let Luo Tian go, he would have done Luo Tian a huge favor, and their grudge would be resolved.

”Liu Yi, if you help me kill Luo Tian right now, it’s not too late. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not warning you!”

Wang Fu was flustered and exasperated.

The Lower Sect Disciples speculated that Luo Tian’s backer was the Law Enforcement Elder.

But this was only speculation and couldn’t be confirmed.

The one who had ordered Wang Fu to kill Luo Tian, however, was an Upper Sect Disciple named Ying Feihang, whose master was none other than the powerful and influential Third Elder of the Yunxiao Sect!

If Ying Feihang hadn’t warned him not to spread the word, Wang Fu would have just blurted it out.

”Boss, don’t make things difficult for me. Just let Luo Tian go. It’s only one spot, it’s not a big deal.”

Liu Yi continued.

Hearing this, Wang Fu was about to go insane with anger.

Ying Feihang had ordered him to kill Luo Tian. If he let Luo Tian smoothly become an Upper Sect Disciple, how would he explain himself to Ying Feihang?

After all, the only reason Wang Fu was able to break through to the Spirit Sea Realm Seventh Layer before the assessment was because of Ying Feihang’s help.

Having accepted the benefits, he had to get the job done.

「In the midst of this chaotic scene.」

The Eighth Prince arrived, escorted by two guards at the Spirit Sea Realm Sixth Layer.

”Senior Brother Wang, what’s going on here?”

the Eighth Prince asked, puzzled.

At this moment, Luo Tian also understood the reason why Wang Fu was guarding this spot.

”So your real purpose in guarding this place was to wait for this useless Prince!”

Luo Tian sneered.

If Wang Fu hadn’t been standing guard, five people would have certainly passed the assessment before the Eighth Prince arrived.

It seemed the Eighth Prince had promised Wang Fu some incredible benefits to get him to help secure a spot as an Upper Sect Disciple.

”Luo Tian, who are you calling useless! I’m about to enter the Upper Sect, while you are going to die here!”

the Eighth Prince roared, his face grim.

From this day forward, he would break free from Luo Tian’s shadow and soar to the heavens!

”Is that so?”

Luo Tian suddenly floated backward, rapidly approaching the Eighth Prince as his [Ice Trace Sword] bloomed with a piercingly cold light.

SWISH!

He thrust his sword. An incomparably sharp Sword Qi, carrying a surging cold tide, shot out like a streak of aurora.

For this strike, Luo Tian had also used his Divine Vein Power, making it even more terrifying!

”Save me! Quick, save me!”

The Eighth Prince was instantly thrown into a panic.

Luo Tian’s sword strike arrived in the blink of an eye, giving him the illusion that he couldn’t dodge and was doomed to die!

”Stop!”

Wang Fu instantly gave chase, unleashing a wild sweep of his staff that kicked up a dark blue tempest.

If the Eighth Prince died, his deal would be off.

Besides, no matter what, the Eighth Prince was the son of the Red Dragon Monarch, who might blame him for failing to protect his son.

BUZZ! WHOOSH!

Luo Tian’s Divine Vein erupted. A vortex of Cold Mist surged around his body, condensing into a two-meter radius.

Anything that entered this area would be assaulted by a terrifying Cold Power.

As a result, Wang Fu’s Attack was disrupted, its power and speed reduced.

SWOOSH! WHOOSH!

Luo Tian’s body leaned back, almost brushing against the ground.

He used this maneuver to dodge Wang Fu’s Attack, then shot out like an arrow, pushing his speed to the limit as he rushed for the exit.

”Damn it, I fell for his trick!”

Wang Fu suddenly realized.

Luo Tian had only pretended to attack the Eighth Prince. His real goal was still to claim a spot as an Upper Sect Disciple!

But Wang Fu’s staff technique had just swept out and hadn’t finished its motion; he had no time to stop Luo Tian.

”I’ll be taking the third spot!”

Luo Tian left those words behind as his figure vanished at the entrance to the passage.