King of Ten Thousand Years

Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen also looked up toward the distant horizon.

”This is bad!”

The color drained from their faces.

It wouldn’t be long before they could break through the layer of yellow ripples and reach the Spiritual Pool.

But unexpectedly, at this critical moment, a natural disaster descended!

WHOOSH!

A violent tornado charged toward them. The world instantly went dark, leaving only the roar of the furious wind.

Luo Tian hid behind a massive boulder, activating his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body and deploying his True Qi Body Protection to weather the storm safely.

Ying Feihang and his two companions had their limbs injured by Luo Tian, impeding their movement and weakening their strength.

”Ah! Help me!”

The three cried out, but their calls were drowned out by the howling storm, which engulfed their figures.

Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen had nowhere to hide. Their only option was to leave the Spiritual Pool, but that would mean starting all over again.

Obviously, they did not do so, choosing to endure it head-on.

...

The sandstorm gradually receded. The land looked as if it had been scoured clean, the yellow sand gone, revealing the dry, rocky ground beneath.

Yi Jingwen and Han Yuan’s clothes were tattered and their hair was a mess. They looked like beggars.

The lower halves of their bodies were completely buried in the ground, and their filthy faces were somewhat pale.

While facing the Spiritual Pool’s trial, the two of them had endured the full force of a natural disaster. Not only had they consumed a massive amount of energy, but they had also sustained some injuries!

”Fortunately, this natural disaster wasn’t too terrifying!”

Han Yuan sighed.

If another day or two had passed, the disaster’s destructive power would have certainly multiplied. At that point, even Yi Jingwen, at the Half-step Earth Element Realm, would never have dared to face it head-on.

Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen’s gazes fixed on the Spiritual Pool once more as they struggled to inch closer, bit by excruciating bit.

At that moment, Luo Tian walked out.

’As expected of the top ten Core Disciples. They actually managed to endure that head-on!’

The corner of Luo Tian’s mouth curled up. Anyone below the rank of a Core Disciple would likely have chosen to temporarily retreat from the danger.

However, it was precisely because the Core Disciples were powerful enough to withstand the onslaught that an opportunity had opened up for Luo Tian.

Luo Tian approached the Spiritual Pool.

Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen immediately noticed his movement.

”Luo Tian, get lost! If you dare approach the Spiritual Pool, I will show you no mercy!”

Han Yuan immediately berated him.

Yi Jingwen frowned.

Right now, both she and Han Yuan were injured and had expended a great deal of energy. It could be said that they were in a relatively ”weakened” state.

For Luo Tian to take advantage of their weakness at this moment—the timing was indeed perfect.

’Could it be that Luo Tian predicted all of this?’

If not for the sandstorm just now, this opportunity wouldn’t exist.

”Heh heh, Brother Han, I saw that you two have been at this for so long without reaching the Spiritual Pool. I get the feeling you’re not doing it right!”

”I have some experience, so I plan to give you a demonstration!”

Luo Tian said with a smile.

He then approached the Spiritual Pool and made contact with the layer of yellow ripples.

”Who asked you for a demonstration!”

Han Yuan was exasperated.

He and Yi Jingwen were just a hair’s breadth away from touching the Spiritual Pool. This was where the gravity was at its strongest; it felt as if several great mountains were pressing down on them, making every step a struggle.

Under these circumstances, it wasn’t convenient for them to attack Luo Tian.

There was another reason.

Luo Tian had arrived too late. He was bound to be much slower than them and would ultimately gain nothing.

Therefore, they didn’t feel Luo Tian’s actions posed any threat.

’Once I obtain the Spiritual Pool’s power, it will be the day you die!’

A fierce killing intent surged through Han Yuan.

BOOM!

A staggering gravitational pressure descended upon Luo Tian, as if a small mountain had suddenly slammed down on him.

But Luo Tian’s figure didn’t budge an inch; his feet merely left shallow imprints on the ground.

’Just as I expected. Against a trial of gravity, a powerful physique gives a greater advantage!’

Without relying on a single shred of True Qi, he withstood the gravity with his physical strength alone, slowly advancing toward the Spiritual Pool.

Luo Tian’s speed in approaching the Spiritual Pool was much faster than Yi Jingwen and Han Yuan’s had been.

”Hm?”

This development caught the attention of Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen.

But the two of them still didn’t believe that Luo Tian could come from behind and surpass them!

As two of the top ten Core Disciples, they had absolute confidence in themselves!

”Celestial Furnace Treasure Body!”

Luo Tian’s body seemed to expand, and a Cyan Jade Light Membrane appeared on his skin, emitting a fearsome, oppressive aura.

His power and defense surged, and his resistance to the gravitational pressure grew even stronger.

STOMP!

Luo Tian took a direct step forward, instantly closing much of the distance to the Spiritual Pool.

This stunned Yi Jingwen and Han Yuan, shaking them to the core.

”Luo Tian, if you dare take another step, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Han Yuan suddenly felt that Luo Tian might actually have a chance of surpassing him and Yi Jingwen.

”Brother Han, I only came to demonstrate for you out of the goodness of my heart because you were too slow. How can you repay my kindness with ingratitude?”

Luo Tian chuckled, ignoring Han Yuan’s warning.

”You’re courting death!”

Han Yuan was incandescent with rage. He condensed a brilliant, jade-green Sword Light and suddenly shot it at Luo Tian!

An ethereal sword glint flashed in Luo Tian’s eyes. His Sword Intent erupted as he thrust out with his Ice Trace Sword.

CLANG! BANG!

The white and green Sword Lights collided and exploded, sending Sword Qi flying everywhere.

After his Cultivation breakthrough, Luo Tian’s strength had improved.

Han Yuan, on the other hand, had expended a great deal of energy, was injured, and was still under the immense gravitational pressure. He could only exert about sixty percent of his full strength.

Thus, Luo Tian blocked the attack without being at a disadvantage.

The aftershock from the exploding Sword Qi swept out in all directions, slamming into Luo Tian, Han Yuan, and Yi Jingwen.

All three were forced back slightly.

Luo Tian retreated the least. His physique was powerful, and his defense was no weaker than that of the two Core Disciples.

”Damn it!”

Han Yuan’s face darkened.

His attack hadn’t had much effect on Luo Tian, and it had even forced everyone back a little.

”Junior Sister Yi, let’s team up and drive this brat away!”

Han Yuan said to Yi Jingwen.

How could Luo Tian possibly resist an attack from two Core Disciples working together?

In fact, this was exactly what Luo Tian had been worried about.

”I’d advise you against that. Wouldn’t it be better if we all competed based on our own strength?” Luo Tian said.

Seeing Luo Tian’s apparent fear, Han Yuan’s lips curled into a sneer. ”Get lost! You are not qualified to compete with us!”

”In that case, I have no choice but to strike first!”

Luo Tian’s expression turned cold.

WOOOM!

His Nether Dragon Divine Vein erupted in an instant. A swirling, shadowy Cold Mist enveloped an area dozens of meters wide.

Luo Tian immediately condensed the range of the Cold Power to five or six meters, perfectly enveloping Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen.

By doing this, the disruptive power of his Cold Mist Domain was maximized!

A layer of frost instantly formed on the surface of Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen’s bodies.

”A Martial Vein Power with the Ice Cold Attribute!”

Han Yuan’s heart shuddered, his face turning ashen.

And this Cold Power was far too strong!

He and Yi Jingwen were both owners of an Earth Tier Martial Vein and also had Martial Vein Powers, but theirs were for augmenting attacks and were useless here.

”Hmph, is that all you’ve got?”

Han Yuan snorted coldly.

Even with the interference from this Cold Mist Domain, he and Yi Jingwen could still instantly repel Luo Tian if they worked together.

”No, I’m not done yet!”

Luo Tian slapped the Spirit Wind Gourd at his waist, pouring a vast amount of True Qi into it.

WHOOSH!

The gourd’s mouth, aimed at Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen, suddenly erupted with terrifying wind power, forming a massive cyan vortex.

At such close range, Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen were hit by a powerful suction force, causing their bodies to shake violently.

Under the Spirit Wind Gourd’s suction, the Protective True Qi around their bodies rapidly dimmed!

The Spirit Wind Gourd’s second ability was that it could absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi or True Qi.

”Damn it, it’s the Spirit Wind Gourd!”

Han Yuan’s expression changed drastically. He truly regretted asking that question.

”Luo Tian, stop!”

Yi Jingwen’s expression faltered, her voice tinged with anxiety.

”Too late!”

Luo Tian said coldly.

Under the influence of the Spirit Wind Gourd, Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen not only suffered from the whirlwind’s interference, but their True Qi was also being siphoned away.

As a result, their ability to resist the gravity and the Nether Dragon Divine Vein’s Cold Power was greatly diminished, to the point where they could hardly move an inch!

Meanwhile, Luo Tian, with ferocious momentum, continued to advance steadily!

Soon, he caught up to Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen and instantly surpassed them!

”Junior Sister Yi, attack!”

Han Yuan shouted.

He was filled with anxiety. If this continued, the Spiritual Pool would be stolen by Luo Tian!

As Core Disciples, if they lost to Luo Tian, where would their dignity be!

”Alright!”

Yi Jingwen’s expression turned cold. She swung her Black Jade Treasure Sword, slashing down with a heavy, pitch-black blade of light!

Han Yuan also attacked instantly, a jade-green Sword Light engulfing the area.

At that moment, both of them attacked with nearly their full strength.

Even though doing so would have a great impact on themselves, they had to stop Luo Tian.

Guiyuan Cloud-Dispelling Hand!

Luo Tian felt an intense sense of crisis. Without the slightest hesitation, as he executed the Palm Martial Skill, he once again activated the power of the Flame Mark!

The crimson Flame Mark on the back of his hand flared to life, transforming into a terrifying, scorching flame that merged with the massive, crystal-yellow Palm Force.

An imposing, fiery-red giant palm suddenly blasted out!

This palm strike resonated with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, carrying with it an aura powerful enough to incinerate the heavens and extinguish the earth.

BOOM! POW!

Borrowing the power of the Flame Mark, Luo Tian clashed with the two Core Disciples.

In this exchange, Luo Tian held a slight advantage!

After all, Han Yuan and Yi Jingwen had previously expended too much energy, were injured, and were being hampered by the Cold Mist vortex and the Spirit Wind Gourd’s whirlwind. Their conditions were extremely poor.

The explosion from the attack washed over Yi Jingwen and Han Yuan, blasting them away from the vicinity of the Spiritual Pool.

Luo Tian was also hit by the aftershock, though its effect on him was slightly weaker.

He didn’t retreat a single step. Instead, in that instant, he strode forward and his palm touched the Spiritual Pool.

At the same time, relying on the defense of his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body and the Upper Grade Defense Treasure Armor he wore, Luo Tian withstood the blast’s aftershock.

”The Spiritual Pool!”

Yi Jingwen and Han Yuan stared at the center of the explosion and immediately charged in!

They instantly saw Luo Tian, his body charred black and covered in several sword wounds. He looked utterly wretched.

But they also saw the glow of the pale-yellow Spiritual Pool rapidly dimming.

On the back of Luo Tian’s hand, above the single Flame Mark, three new golden, circular marks had formed!

”I got it!”

Luo Tian grinned.

In this contest for the Spiritual Pool, he had snatched victory from the hands of two Core Disciples through a perilous battle of wits and strength!

Although he had used up one Flame Mark, he had gained the power of three new marks. The trade was undoubtedly worth it.