King of Ten Thousand Years

Chapter 329: Chapter 327: The Most Dazzling Dark Horse

After plundering the Genius Orders of the Spirit Flower Dual Swords, Luo Tian’s Token flared with golden light, rivaling that of the geniuses ranked in the top thirty of the Spirit List.

Such an achievement drew considerable attention.

"A dark horse!"

"He defeated the Spirit Flower Dual Swords so easily. Luo Tian is quite the dark horse. He should have a good chance of making it into the top one hundred of the Celestial Pride Conference."

The light from Luo Tian’s Genius Order was more dazzling than that of many in the Half-step Earth Element Realm.

In terms of the elimination round alone, he was wildly successful, and his name would be remembered by many.

"That kid has only faced weak opponents. The Spirit Flower Dual Swords were just too careless and got defeated. If he encounters a true genius at the Half-step Earth Element Realm, he’ll definitely lose."

Some people also believed that Luo Tian was just getting lucky.

But luck doesn’t last forever. Perhaps in the next moment, all of Luo Tian’s Celestial Fate Qi would be plundered, and he wouldn’t even make it through the elimination round.

"See? I was right! His luck couldn’t last. He’s run into a Spirit List genius at the Half-step Earth Element Realm!"

The man who had just spoken wore a smug smile, as if his prediction was about to come true.

Not long after robbing the Spirit Flower Dual Swords, Luo Tian encountered a genius at the Half-step Earth Element Realm.

After all, with nearly a thousand people participating in the elimination round, the probability of them running into each other was extremely high.

"You killed Junior Brother Jiang Long?"

The man in the purple robe had a grim expression.

After glancing at Luo Tian’s Genius Order, his eyes flashed, revealing a hint of excitement.

’What a big fish!’

As long as he plundered Luo Tian’s Celestial Fate Qi, he would leap into the top echelon, attract attention, and make a name for himself across the Continent.

"Hand over half of your Celestial Fate Qi, and I’ll spare you. Otherwise, I will avenge Junior Brother Jiang Long."

The purple-robed man said with cold arrogance.

He and Jiang Long were both disciples of the Purple Luo Hall. However, Jiang Long was an Inner Sect Disciple, while he was a Core Disciple, ranked ninety-fifth on the Spirit List, and known by the moniker "Purple-clothed Demon"!

"Cut the crap. If you have what it takes, come and get it."

Luo Tian’s eyes turned icy as his battle intent surged.

He wasn’t afraid of trouble. In fact, he was looking for a powerful opponent to sharpen his skills against.

"Arrogant brat! A mere Eighth Layer of Spirit Sea Realm cultivator dares to provoke someone at the Half-step Earth Element Realm!"

The Purple-clothed Demon’s expression hardened.

WHOOSH!

He raised his arms, and a violent purple gale carrying immense pressure swept forward. The sky and earth seemed to dim as his Demon Power billowed out.

The aura the Purple-clothed Demon unleashed was actually comparable to that of a Martial Artist at the Earth Element Realm!

A few other contestants nearby were instantly scared off by this aura and fled for their lives.

However, facing the Purple-clothed Demon’s might, Luo Tian only showed a flicker of surprise before his expression returned to normal.

The Purple-clothed Demon frowned. ’Luo Tian isn’t afraid?’

’Is he just faking it?’

"Do all the disciples of Purple Luo Hall only know how to bluff? Do you have no real skills?"

Luo Tian asked nonchalantly.

This move from the Purple-clothed Demon was just like when Luo Tian used the Demon Emperor Bone to simulate the Demon Emperor’s aura—it was just a bluff, a technique with no killing power.

The move was strong, without a doubt.

Unfortunately for his opponent, Luo Tian often used such tricks himself, and he was far better at it than the Purple-clothed Demon.

CLANG!

A brilliant white Sword Light from the Ice Trace Sword flashed out, resonating with the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and emitting an aura that seemed to freeze the very heavens.

The Sword Light arrived in an instant—icy, sharp, and swift. It radiated a piercing momentum that shot toward the sky, making the purple-robed man feel insignificant.

"Sword Intent!"

The purple-robed man became vigilant and immediately struck out with his palm.

Among the two hundred spots on the Spirit List, only a very small number had comprehended even a shred of True Intent, and all of them were one-in-ten-thousand geniuses.

PFFT!

The purple light palm clashed with Luo Tian’s Sword Qi. Purple energy currents surged in all directions as a streak of snow-white Sword Mark pierced through, slashing toward the purple-robed man.

The purple-robed man’s face fell in shock. ’After just one exchange, my attack is actually at a disadvantage?’

’You’ve got to be kidding me!’

He was a genius ranked ninety-fifth on the Spirit List, sixty-nine places higher than Luo Tian.

Logically, the gap between him and Luo Tian should have been enormous, but reality had just dealt him a harsh slap in the face.

"Don’t look down on me!"

The purple-robed man’s face turned cold. He stirred up a violent, purple torrent of wind, which transformed into a sinister, giant palm flickering with purple light.

This palm strike rushed forward, emitting a soul-shaking whistle that sounded like the wailing of ghosts and wolves, unsettling one’s mind.

But Luo Tian’s Spiritual Will was powerful, and he was also carrying the Mysterious Blue Treasure Pearl, so he was completely unaffected.

Several flashes of Sword Light shot out, dicing the sinister, purple-glowing giant palm into pieces.

SWOOSH!

A gale suddenly kicked up, and Luo Tian appeared to the purple-robed man’s left, unleashing the third technique of the Nine Heavens Sword Technique, "Sharp Sword and Wind."

Several lightning-fast, ice-cold Sword Lights shot out, making the purple-robed man feel a faint sense of threat.

After one move, Luo Tian shifted to another direction and attacked again.

The Wind Manipulation Technique and the Nine Heavens Sword Technique worked in perfect concert!

Luo Tian’s figure seemed to vanish. All that was left around the purple-robed man was a cold, swift wind constantly swirling, unleashing powerful strikes of Sword Qi imbued with Sword Intent.

The purple-robed man, ranked ninety-fifth on the Spirit List, was being suppressed by Luo Tian.

This scene left the Martial Artists in the audience utterly flabbergasted.

Was Luo Tian’s combat strength really that high?

The purple-robed man’s face was grim.

Luo Tian’s Body Technique was too fast to track, and his Swordsmanship was augmented by Sword Intent, forcing him to be extremely careful.

Without this powerful Body Technique, the purple-robed man was confident he could suppress Luo Tian in a head-on fight.

"What? Is this all the strength someone ranked ninety-fifth on the Spirit List has?"

Luo Tian’s voice drifted in from all around, laced with provocation.

"You’re courting death!"

The purple-robed man’s anger flared. A layer of purple flame erupted from his body, and a bloody light spread within it.

This was a Secret Technique to boost his speed. As long as he could catch up to Luo Tian, he could gain the upper hand.

BOOM!

A rock under the purple-robed man’s feet shattered as his figure shot out like a bolt of violet-red lightning. His speed surged by sixty percent, and he caught up to Luo Tian’s figure.

"Excellent!"

Luo Tian’s face lit up with joy.

He had only provoked the purple-robed man on purpose.

Only a stronger enemy could force out his own potential and have the effect of sharpening his skills.

Luo Tian secretly activated the Celestial Sword Technique. The Ice Trace Sword began to tremble, radiating a layer of flowing light.

His swordsmanship speed suddenly increased, and his Sword Techniques became incredibly fluid. Even his superficial understanding of the True Sword Dao Intent was enhanced.

The amplifying effect of the Celestial Sword Technique was even stronger than before!

PSSH!

A brilliant blast of cold Sword Qi slashed down. The purple-robed man was shocked. Luo Tian’s strength had skyrocketed again!

The purple-robed man tried his best to resist, but his Palm Technique was annihilated, and his Protective True Qi was broken.

A bloody gash stretched from his shoulder down to his abdomen.

"What? You..."

The purple-robed man was aghast.

Luo Tian gave him no time to speak and continued his assault. His terrifying attacks forced the purple-robed man into a passive position.

At this moment, Luo Tian was completely immersed in his Swordsmanship and Body Technique. His comprehension of both deepened bit by bit, his Swordsmanship growing more exquisite and his Body Technique more agile and swift.

"Sword Rolling Residual Clouds!"

He unleashed the Fourth Technique of the Nine Heavens Sword Technique, augmenting the Sword Technique with the Cold Power of his Nether Dragon Divine Vein.

BOOM! CRACKLE!

A tornado of cold Sword Light and Qi swirled out, its terrifying power stunning everyone in the vicinity.

"Ah..."

The purple-robed man used a killing move and desperately defended himself, but he was still sent flying over a dozen meters. His body was covered in wounds, his robes tattered, making him look like a beggar.

Luo Tian swooped in, snatched the purple-robed man’s Token, and plundered all of his Celestial Fate Qi!

Without another word, he swiftly departed to find his next opponent.

Luo Tian’s goal was to place in the top twenty of the Celestial Pride Conference, a goal that was still a ways off.

He could only use the conference, fighting against all sorts of geniuses, to improve himself.

After all, Luo Tian’s talent and Comprehension were both extremely powerful!

He firmly believed that under pressure and in battle, he would definitely be able to break through his limits!

Next, Luo Tian went on to challenge three more cultivators at the Half-step Earth Element Realm: the one ranked one hundred and fourth on the Spirit List, the one ranked ninety-third, and a genius from one of the Ten Hidden Families!

Through these constant, intense battles, every aspect of Luo Tian’s abilities improved bit by bit.

「Four hours later.」

In a river, saber lights and Sword Qi crisscrossed, mercilessly devastating an area nearly a hundred meters wide.

"I won’t lose! I’m ranked seventy-second on the Spirit List!"

A burly man roared.

His Saber Technique was powerful and heavy, incomparably ferocious, and full of oppressive force.

Any opponent he killed was always chopped into several pieces, which had earned him the title "Dissection Saber."

At this moment, however, "Dissection Saber" had over a dozen wounds all over his body, and the number was still growing.

The handsome youth opposite him had a placid expression. Suddenly, his aura surged, and a layer of dark Cold Mist swept out in all directions.

WHOOSH!

A whirlwind of Sword Qi swirled forward, tearing through everything in its path. The violent saber light that Dissection Saber unleashed was completely shredded and destroyed.

Dissection Saber was sent flying several meters and plunged into the river.

SWOOSH!

Luo Tian flew past, fished out a Token, plundered its Celestial Fate Qi, and then tossed it aside.

Outside.

The audience erupted in an uproar.

Just moments ago, some people were still questioning Luo Tian, saying he was just lucky and that if he ran into someone at the Half-step Earth Element Realm, his Celestial Fate Qi would surely be plundered clean.

But immediately after, Luo Tian had fought and defeated five consecutive opponents at the Half-step Earth Element Realm, even beating Dissection Saber, who was ranked seventy-second on the Spirit List!

"So strong! What a dark horse!"

"He’s ranked one hundred and sixty-fourth on the Spirit List, but his true strength is enough to defeat Dissection Saber, who’s ranked seventy-second. The Celestial Net’s intelligence-gathering is terrible!"

"If this kid keeps pushing, he has a shot at the top fifty. In the next conference, he could even contend for the top three!"

Luo Tian’s fame skyrocketed!

In truth, the Celestial Net’s intelligence was very reliable, but the Spirit List was only updated once a month, and Luo Tian hadn’t had any notable achievements in the short term.

As a result, after just two short months, Luo Tian’s strength had advanced by leaps and bounds, creating a serious discrepancy with his Spirit List assessment.

"How can this be? This kid’s combat strength... it’s greater than Lu Lin’s!"

Qiao Hai’s eyes darkened slightly.

Lu Lin had broken through to the Half-step Earth Element Realm and trained bitterly for several months. Now ranked eighty-ninth on the Spirit List, he had thought she would have a guaranteed victory over Luo Tian.

But before the two had even fought, Luo Tian had already displayed strength that surpassed Lu Lin’s.

Witnessing all this, the Third Elder’s expression also turned a little sour.

’My current strength surpasses that of an ordinary Half-step Earth Element Realm cultivator, but I wonder how big the gap still is between me and a genius on Jiang Daoyun’s level...’

The battle with Dissection Saber had taken Luo Tian some effort to win.

Dissection Saber’s Saber Technique was very strong. If Luo Tian didn’t possess a Celestial Level Body Technique, he would have been in grave danger if he had been struck by one of his saber attacks.

But among those at the Half-step Earth Element Realm, Dissection Saber was only considered upper-middle tier.

Someone like Jiang Daoyun, on the other hand, was a top-tier existence among Half-step Earth Element Realm cultivators, capable of holding his own against someone at the Earth Element Realm.

The long-legged woman, Ji Qingrong, was the same.

「The first day of the elimination round passed.」

The golden starlight scattered everywhere had almost all been collected. The main theme now was plundering the Celestial Fate Qi of others, and intense battles were raging everywhere, leaving the audience overwhelmed.

The brilliance of Luo Tian’s Token had reached the peak of the top echelon, nearing that of the two strongest geniuses at the Earth Element Realm. He had become the most dazzling dark horse!