Chapter 527 525: As You Wish

When Luo Yun took the stage, the aura of his cultivation spread out, instantly causing a sensation.

"Peak of Earth Element Realm Ninth Layer?"

The tall Elder from the Barbarian King Hall had a look of surprise.

"Luo Tian was worn down by the previous fights. Now, facing an opponent at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Ninth Layer, he's sure to lose!"

"Excellent! That guy's finally going to get what's coming to him!"

The disciples of the Barbarian King Hall all clapped and cheered, eagerly awaiting Luo Tian's tragic end.

"Luo Yun is a disciple I secretly accepted not long ago. Even I, his master, didn't know when he broke through to the Peak of the Ninth Layer."

The Grand Elder of the Sea Demon Palace said with a faint smile.

Not a single member of the Tai Yuan Sect's upper echelon believed him.

But one point in the Grand Elder's words made their expressions darken.

Luo Yun was actually the disciple of the Sea Demon Palace's Grand Elder!

To be chosen as a disciple by the Grand Elder, Luo Yun's talent and strength had to be extraordinary.

And after becoming the Grand Elder's disciple, he would only have grown even more terrifying!

But on second thought, the Tai Yuan Sect's upper echelon realized something was off.

The Sea Demon Palace had sent out so many people just to wear Luo Tian down for a single victory.

No matter how they calculated it, it seemed like a bad deal.

Even if Luo Tian were to lose, it would be a glorious defeat.

'Could the Sea Demon Palace have some other motive?'

"Please, grant me your guidance!"

Luo Yun had a gentle and polite demeanor.

SWISH!

A pitch-black metal Folding Fan appeared in his hand, adorned with ferocious, savage images and ancient, mysterious text.

It was a Profound Artifact!

Luo Yun waved the Folding Fan, and a sheet of black light flew out, transforming into a ferocious, black Ancient Beast!

ROAR!

Though illusory, the ferocious black Ancient Beast seemed real. Its roar was accompanied by a terrifying aura that intimidated everyone present.

Many nearby disciples from the Three Sects felt a chill run down their spines, their minds reeling from the impact.

"What a powerful technique!"

A disciple from the Tai Yuan Sect at the Peak of the Ninth Layer wore a grave expression.

He had fought earlier and even won a wagered match.

But now, he realized that this Luo Yun might be the Sea Demon Palace's true ace—an invincible existence among those at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Ninth Layer.

On the Martial Arts Arena, the ferocious black Ancient Beast instantly pounced at Luo Tian.

Luo Tian's expression was calm as he met it head-on with a fist of grayish-white, icy light.

BOOM!

The black Ancient Beast slammed into Luo Tian's fist and shattered into pieces.

Even facing someone at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Ninth Layer, Luo Tian still looked completely at ease.

"Is that all?"

Luo Tian said coolly.

"Oh, really?"

A wicked smile played on Luo Yun's lips.

WHOOSH!

He waved his Folding Fan again, and layers of majestic, dark light surged forth like a monstrous, roiling tide.

From within the black tide, one, then two... and soon ten ferocious, savage-looking Ancient Beasts emerged.

"This is my full power."

The corners of Luo Yun's mouth curled up.

WHOOSH!

With a light wave of the pitch-black Folding Fan, ten overwhelmingly ferocious Demon Beasts, treading on waves of black clouds, surged forward, their momentum shaking the very air!

"What kind of technique is this?"

"What a terrifying Attack!"

Gasps of shock erupted from the crowd.

Many disciples at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Ninth Layer felt a sense of terrified helplessness in the face of this Attack!

Luo Yun was too strong!

Now that he was using his full power, Luo Tian's defeat was certain!

But Luo Tian's eyes were as still as an ancient well, as if he saw nothing before him.

SHING!

The Ice Nether Sword was unsheathed! A fierce gale of Sword Intent that shot to the heavens, accompanied by Yin Netherworld Cold Power, erupted forth!

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi trembled in resonance!

Cloud Dispersing!

A flurry of ethereal, Cold and Mysterious Sword Qi flashed and danced, forming a continuous whirlwind that swept forward with immense power!

In that instant.

The forms of the ten savage black Ancient Beasts dimmed and gradually dissipated within the whirlwind!

Luo Yun's incredibly fierce Attack had been effortlessly neutralized by Luo Tian!

The smile on Luo Yun's face instantly froze, replaced by a look of sheer horror!

'This must be an illusion.'

Luo Yun suddenly felt a draft. Looking down, he saw that his robes had been sliced open in a dozen places, with one cut even running across his crotch.

"This—!"

Luo Yun's pupils constricted!

The Swordsmanship Luo Tian had suddenly displayed utterly terrified him!

Those who had fought Luo Tian before had an instant realization: Luo Tian's true specialty was Swordsmanship. He hadn't been using his real skills at all!

The arena fell silent.

Everyone had thought that Luo Yun, the disciple of the Sea Demon Palace's Grand Elder, would crush Luo Tian.

But Luo Tian's power seemed limitless, unfathomably deep!

"Sword Intent?"

The Grand Elder of the Sea Demon Palace frowned.

According to his plan, after Luo Tian had been worn down by several matches, his own disciple was supposed to take the stage, crush Luo Tian, and cripple him in the process!

But events had developed far beyond his expectations!

Luo Tian had actually comprehended true Sword Intent, and the profundity of that last sword strike was simply astonishing!

On the Martial Arts Arena.

Luo Yun let out a great shout as his True Essence surged. He fully activated the black Folding Fan and launched a ferocious assault!

But with his sword now drawn, Luo Tian's edge was unstoppable!

He swung his Treasure Sword with simple movements, yet his Swordsmanship had a sense of returning to the basics. The Sword Light was incomparably sharp, disintegrating everything in its path.

"And here I thought the disciple of the Sea Demon Palace's Grand Elder would be something special. Turns out... you're nothing much after all!"

Luo Tian said nonchalantly as he unleashed a Sword Cold Light, as ethereal as the wind, that shot toward Luo Yun.

"Don't you get arrogant!"

All traces of Luo Yun's gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by a savage ferocity.

He burned his True Essence to unleash his strongest fighting power, attacking madly with his Folding Fan.

Luo Tian's expression remained placid as he used his powerful and sharp Swordsmanship to shatter everything in his path!

Ten moves later.

THUD!

Luo Yun fell from mid-air and crashed to the ground, his body covered in seven or eight ghastly, bloody wounds.

"You were the weak one acting arrogant in front of me!"

Luo Tian slowly descended.

The battle was over!

The arena was silent once more.

The disciples of the Barbarian King Hall were completely dumbfounded!

"Is this really Luo Tian?"

"Is his cultivation really at the Earth Element Realm Seventh Layer?"

The disciples even suspected Luo Tian had been replaced by an imposter!

This level of strength was just too much!

The disciples of the Barbarian King Hall who weren't familiar with Luo Tian were now completely certain of one thing: him obtaining thirty percent of the Treasure of the Thief King was no accident or stroke of luck. His strength was a major factor!

The expressions of the Sea Demon Palace disciples were incredibly sour.

They had already lost several matches in a row!

They had been sure Luo Yun would win, but he was defeated just as quickly as the others before him.

The Grand Elder of the Sea Demon Palace could no longer contain his shock!

He had planned everything perfectly; this battle was supposed to end with Luo Tian crippled!

But instead, Luo Yun was miserably defeated! And what's more, he had now witnessed Luo Tian's astonishing potential!

'With this level of talent and potential, it seems he really did obtain a Martial Venerable's inheritance... combined with the Treasure of the Thief King, this boy's future is simply unimaginable...'

The Grand Elder of the Sea Demon Palace felt a surge of alarm and apprehension.

'I must eliminate Luo Tian as soon as possible!'

"Luo Tian, well done! Hahaha!"

A brilliant light flashed in the Sect Master of the Tai Yuan Sect's eyes as he let out a hearty laugh.

Luo Tian's victory was another huge, pleasant surprise for the Tai Yuan Sect's leadership!

Everyone in the Tai Yuan Sect, from top to bottom, was beaming with delight.

Only two people had cold, sharp gazes: He Yunkong and his master!

'How did this kid's strength increase so quickly?' He Yunkong wondered in shock.

When He Yunkong had first met Luo Tian, the boy had only just entered the Main Peak!

But now...

He Yunkong felt that Luo Tian would soon catch up to him!

'Master's decision was right. We absolutely must move the date of our wager forward!'

「On the Martial Arts Arena.」

"Is anyone else coming up?"

Luo Tian's piercing gaze swept over the disciples of the Sea Demon Palace and the Barbarian King Hall!

When his gaze met theirs, the disciples of the two Sects couldn't help but lower their heads!

Luo Tian had won five consecutive matches!

Even the disciple of the Sea Demon Palace's Grand Elder had been easily defeated. Who else would dare to face him?

The disciples of the two Sects were completely subdued, thoroughly convinced by Luo Tian's winning streak!

"Is that all you've got?"

Luo Tian feigned a look of slight disappointment.

In the face of such mockery...

...everyone from the Sea Demon Palace and the Barbarian King Hall remained silent, with no one daring to retort.

"Oh well, the Sea Demon Palace has already lost quite a bit. If they keep losing, I'm afraid they'll have nothing left to bet..." Luo Tian continued.

It was a rare opportunity to humiliate the Sea Demon Palace so openly, so of course he was going to milk it for all it was worth.

"Will you ever shut up!"

A disciple from the Sea Demon Palace couldn't help but shout in anger.

"Oh? Do you want to come up here and have a go with me?" Luo Tian retorted.

The Sea Demon Palace disciple immediately clamped his mouth shut.

"Alright, Luo Tian, you've fought several matches in a row. Come down and rest for a while," the Sect Master of the Tai Yuan Sect said.

He was genuinely worried that Luo Tian might provoke the Sea Demon Palace too much.

But Luo Tian didn't obey. He said calmly, "Sect Leader, I have one more thing to attend to!"

Everyone looked surprised.

'What else does Luo Tian want to do?'

Luo Tian suddenly turned, his gaze fixed on He Yunkong. "Senior Brother He," he said, "didn't you want to move our five-year agreement forward? I will grant your wish!"

'Now that the matter with the Sea Demon Palace is settled, it's time to carry out Master's instructions.'

Luo Tian knew that He Yunkong and his master already felt threatened. To prevent them from causing more trouble in the future, he decided to settle this matter as soon as possible.

"What? Luo Tian is challenging Senior Brother He?"

"A five-year agreement? What's that all about?"

Many disciples weren't aware of the history between Luo Tian and He Yunkong.

They were simply shocked that after fighting so many consecutive battles, Luo Tian would actually challenge He Yunkong, a cultivator at the Half-step Celestial Pool Realm!

This was just too audacious, absolutely fearless!

Below the Martial Arts Arena.

He Yunkong was stunned.

He truly hadn't expected Luo Tian to say something like this at a time like this.

'Shouldn't Luo Tian be trying to get out of it every way he can?'

"Luo Tian, you're too arrogant! Did you think I was afraid of you?"

He Yunkong sneered.

'Perfect! I can deal with Luo Tian right now!'

The delegations from the Sea Demon Palace and the Barbarian King Hall showed a flicker of interest.

To think that Luo Tian would actually challenge a fellow Sect member at the Half-step Celestial Pool Realm!

It seemed that this challenge between Tai Yuan Sect disciples was about to begin.

But Yan Yufeng suddenly interjected, "Luo Tian, this concerns a wager between myself and Mu Yunshi. It must be conducted fairly, so that Mu Yunshi won't have any complaints when he loses!"

"You've fought several consecutive battles and are considerably drained. Your fight with He Yunkong will be postponed by one month to give you ample time to prepare."

In truth, Luo Tian's exhaustion was only moderate; it wasn't a major issue.

And even if it were, there was no need for a month-long postponement!

"This old one is also quite interested in the battle between your esteemed Sect's two great geniuses. If you don't mind, we'll just wait here for a month," the Grand Elder of the Sea Demon Palace said.

"The Tai Yuan Sect isn't in a hurry to drive us away, I trust," said the tall Elder from the Barbarian King Hall.

And so.

The contingents from the Sea Demon Palace and the Barbarian King Hall both decided to stay temporarily at the Tai Yuan Sect, all to watch the battle between Luo Tian and He Yunkong a month later.

It was just a duel between two Sect Disciples, yet it had drawn the attention of the three great Overlord Level powers of the Broken-star Realm. This was, to say the least, rather shocking.