King of Ten Thousand Years

The Su Family disciple, having been defeated by Luo Tian, was incredibly resentful.

’Even if he broke through to the Third Layer Peak, he shouldn’t be this strong!’

The Su Family disciple’s own Cultivation was at the Earth Element Realm Fifth Layer, and he had even lasted two moves against Ying Long.

And yet, Luo Tian had defeated him in just two moves.

Worse still, because he had "trespassed" into the Celestial Bamboo Forest right after it closed, all his remaining Contribution Points had been deducted.

He immediately returned to his residence to find Ying Long.

"Boss, I got beaten up."

The Su Family disciple whined, his face a picture of misery.

Ying Long’s eyelid twitched.

"I recruited you to handle my business, not to stir up trouble!"

Ying Long’s gaze turned icy, a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

It had barely been a day, and this new follower of his had already caused trouble.

"Boss, it was Luo Tian! He was bad-mouthing you today, so I wanted to teach him a lesson for you, but..."

The Su Family disciple shamelessly fabricated the story.

Hearing this, Ying Long felt that his new follower was actually quite loyal.

"Luo Tian again? Bad-mouthing me behind my back and beating up my follower!"

Ying Long’s expression turned vicious.

’Looks like I have no choice but to teach him a lesson!’

Ying Long suddenly straightened up, a tyrannical aura radiating from him as he pushed open the door and stormed out.

...

After defeating the Su Family disciple, Luo Tian left the Celestial Bamboo Forest.

Now that his Cultivation had broken through to the Third Layer Peak, the strength of his True Essence alone surpassed that of an average Earth Element Realm Fifth Layer. Combined with his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body, which had recently advanced to its Fifth-Layer, his advantage was practically overwhelming.

Of course, an "Official Disciple" at the Earth Element Realm Fifth Layer might have been able to hold out a little longer.

’Next, I’ll go check out the lecture hall.’

Every peak in the Tai Yuan Sect had a lecture hall.

Elders would periodically hold lectures, teaching subjects ranging from history and culture to Spirit Ore and Rare Materials or Martial Arts knowledge.

SWOOSH!

Suddenly, a streak of cyan light shot past in the distance.

A woman in white was within the light. Upon seeing Luo Tian, she immediately flew over.

WHOOSH!

A sweet fragrance wafted over as a woman in snow-white robes descended, like a pure white lotus with an ethereal temperament.

"Where is the Eighth Peak’s lecture hall?"

The innocent-looking woman asked coolly, her voice exceptionally pleasant.

Luo Tian’s eyes lit up. The innocent-looking woman had skin as white as snow and bright eyes like crystals; she was exceptionally beautiful.

"As it happens, I’m headed to the lecture hall too."

Luo Tian replied honestly.

The old Auditor Disciple from before had told him where the lecture hall was, and Luo Tian remembered the directions clearly.

"You’re going too?"

The innocent-looking woman’s eyes filled with suspicion.

She had countless suitors growing up and had seen all sorts of ways people tried to hit on her.

Luo Tian’s answer felt like a familiar pick-up line, and she began to feel a slight aversion to him.

"Yes."

Luo Tian nodded.

He found it strange when the innocent-looking woman didn’t respond.

Not thinking much of it, Luo Tian began to walk away, calling out nonchalantly, "If you’re coming, then follow me."

The innocent-looking woman was a little surprised. Luo Tian had actually just left her behind. ’Looks like I was overthinking things,’ she thought.

"Wait."

The innocent-looking woman caught up to him.

The two barely spoke on the way there.

Perhaps it was because of Luo Tian’s status as an Auditor Disciple that the innocent-looking woman was reluctant to interact with him too much.

...

The lecture hall of the Eighth Peak was a massive, circular building.

On a huge stone platform sat a long-bearded old man, his legs crossed.

This Elder was lecturing on Spirit Ore and Rare Materials that were rare, unusual, or had even gone extinct.

Below, numerous Official Disciples were in attendance.

Behind the Official Disciples was a group of Auditor Disciples.

For a portion of the disciples, the long-bearded old man’s lecture was somewhat dry and boring.

"That’s... Yue Linfei!"

An Official Disciple’s eyes went wide as he stared at the female figure who had suddenly appeared behind them.

Immediately after, many disciples looked behind them, whispering and murmuring in surprise.

’Looks like this woman’s status isn’t simple,’

Luo Tian threw a few more glances at Yue Linfei.

"How is that kid with Yue Linfei?"

Several Official Disciples noticed Luo Tian.

Luo Tian’s performance the night before had left a deep impression on them.

"Isn’t that the fellow who got the better of Brother Ying yesterday?"

A thick-lipped man’s face grew cold and grim.

’Could it be that Luo Tian knows Yue Linfei?’

The long-bearded old man who was lecturing looked up, slightly displeased.

"My apologies for interrupting Elder Lu’s lecture. I have a difficult question, but I will wait to ask it after you are finished."

Ignoring the stares of the many disciples, the innocent-looking Yue Linfei apologized to the long-bearded Elder and then withdrew from the lecture hall.

The thick-lipped man saw that Yue Linfei left the lecture hall without exchanging a single word with Luo Tian.

’It seems they don’t know each other. Luo Tian was just trying to ride her coattails.’

"That guy’s name is Luo Tian, right?"

the thick-lipped man asked the person next to him.

"What are you planning to do?"

"Brother Ying just sent me a message asking for this kid’s location... I’ll help him take out his frustration, and he’ll owe me a favor!"

The thick-lipped man’s lips curled into a smirk.

He and Ying Long were, for all intents and purposes, thick as thieves.

However, Ying Long was much more formidable and had also befriended some high-level people.

The thick-lipped man got up, walked over to Luo Tian, and, to Luo Tian’s complete bewilderment, suddenly shouted, "Luo Tian, what nonsense are you spouting? How could Elder Lu possibly be wrong in his lecture?"

Luo Tian was stunned. He hadn’t said a single word since he arrived!

Throughout the lecture hall, the disciples all turned to stare dumbfounded at Luo Tian.

"Is this guy an idiot? He actually dares to question the content of an Elder’s lecture!"

"He looks like a new Auditor Disciple. How pitiful. He’s about to be expelled from the Tai Yuan Sect."

The crowd whispered amongst themselves, waiting to watch the spectacle of Luo Tian’s downfall.

A few of the Auditor Disciples offered Luo Tian a moment of silent pity.

When they first entered the Tai Yuan Sect, the steward who received them had instructed them to be respectful and deferential toward Official Disciples, especially Main Peak Disciples, whose status was lofty.

And an Elder’s status was immeasurably higher than that of any Official Disciple or even the Main Peak Disciples.

Offending an Elder was a surefire way to get expelled from the Tai Yuan Sect, with almost no chance of reprieve.

On the stone platform, Elder Lu looked up again, the displeasure on his face now obvious.

"If you have a problem with my lecture, state it directly!"

Elder Lu said coolly.

When it came to knowledge and insight regarding mysterious Spirit Ore and Rare Materials, few in the entire Tai Yuan Sect could compare with him.

Even Yue Linfei had come all the way from the Main Peak to seek his guidance.

"I didn’t say anything."

Luo Tian stated honestly.

"Luo Tian, still trying to weasel your way out of it? Elder Lu hasn’t said anything about punishing you. He just wants you to raise your issue, not mutter behind people’s backs!"

the thick-lipped man said with great contempt, putting on the air of a righteous gentleman.

"Speak. Tell me where I was wrong in my lecture,"

Elder Lu said impatiently.

"Heh, kid, this is what you get for being arrogant and ignorant, for looking down on Official Disciples,"

the thick-lipped man jeered via sound transmission.

’Arrogant and ignorant? Looking down on Official Disciples?’

’Just because I don’t treat Official Disciples with the same fear, terror, and fawning flattery as others, I’m considered arrogant, ignorant, and disrespectful?’

’If I don’t handle this well, I’m afraid...’

Luo Tian’s expression grew grim.

An Auditor Disciple offending an Elder-level figure would definitely not have an easy time going forward.

It was said that, throughout the history of the Tai Yuan Sect, half of all Auditor Disciples ended up being expelled...

Everyone in the lecture hall stared at Luo Tian, waiting to see what he would do.

Even Yue Linfei paused in her steps.

She had been very close to Luo Tian and was certain he hadn’t spoken ill of Elder Lu.

’Should I help him?’ Yue Linfei wondered.

Just then, Yue Linfei heard a clear voice ring out.

"Disciple Luo Tian pays his respects to Elder Lu. There is, in fact, an issue with some of the knowledge you just taught!"

Luo Tian declared, neither servile nor arrogant.

The thick-lipped man nearly burst out laughing when he heard this.

Luo Tian had actually decided to play along and admit to the accusation.

Elder Lu had a stubborn personality. If Luo Tian couldn’t provide a coherent explanation, he would surely be expelled from the Tai Yuan Sect.

"Sigh!"

Yue Linfei let out a silent sigh.

Now, it would be troublesome for her to try and vouch for Luo Tian. She couldn’t be bothered to get involved anymore.

"Oh? Then by all means, tell me. What was wrong with my lecture?"

Elder Lu didn’t know whether to laugh or be angry.

’A mere Auditor Disciple with his shallow experience, what could he possibly know?’

"A moment ago, Elder, you were explaining a rare Ancient Spiritual Ore, the Black Silver Moon Ore. You said that by soaking it in ’Water Essence Liquid,’ one could absorb a mysterious Energy from within it, which would then precipitate into ’Moon Spirit Liquid.’"

Luo Tian said slowly.

"That is correct."

Elder Lu nodded.

"But in truth, the Moon Spirit Liquid cannot be consumed directly."

Luo Tian said gravely.

"Just because you say it can’t be consumed, that makes it true?"

the thick-lipped man sneered.

In truth, none of the Auditor Disciples or Official Disciples present knew any better. They didn’t even know a treasure like Black Silver Moon Ore existed; everything they knew came from Elder Lu’s lecture.

Elder Lu had said the Moon Spirit Liquid could be consumed.

For Luo Tian to now claim it couldn’t be consumed directly—was this a challenge to Elder Lu’s authority?

Elder Lu’s brow furrowed slightly, as if he’d just remembered something.

"Then you tell me, why can’t it be consumed directly," Elder Lu said.

"After being soaked in Water Essence Liquid, the resulting liquid is contaminated with a mysterious metallic element called ’Black Silver Powder.’ It dissolves easily into the Spiritual Liquid, and once consumed, it is extremely difficult to expel from the body. Over time, it will clog the meridians, affecting one’s Cultivation and even future potential..."

Luo Tian stated calmly.

This knowledge, of course, had come from the Celestial Book.

"Nonsense!"

"To actually claim that consuming Moon Spirit Liquid clogs the meridians and affects one’s Cultivation!"

"Moon Spirit Liquid is clearly a treasure, how could it possibly be a poison?"

A few Official Disciples retorted impolitely, holding firm to what Elder Lu had said.

But Elder Lu had fallen into deep thought.

The records did mention that consuming Moon Spirit Liquid had certain side effects, but this had never been confirmed.

He had once seen a similar theory to Luo Tian’s in a fragmented ancient text, but it was just a simple guess with no definitive proof.

But Luo Tian was now explaining it in great detail, and as Elder Lu followed his line of reasoning, he felt it was entirely correct!

"Where did you hear all this?"

Elder Lu fixed his gaze on Luo Tian.

Many of the disciples found it strange. Why wasn’t Elder Lu punishing or scolding Luo Tian? What was the point of this question?

"I read it in a book."

’In the Celestial Book,’ he thought.

"Yes. The Moon Spirit Liquid can be consumed, but only in small amounts. In larger quantities, there would indeed be very noticeable side effects."

Elder Lu amended the content of his earlier lecture.

The disciples in the lecture hall were all stunned.

A few breaths later, they finally reacted.

Elder Lu was admitting that he had been wrong, and Luo Tian had been right!

"This..."

The thick-lipped man stood as if turned to stone, his expression frozen.

’How did Luo Tian manage to turn this situation around?’