Chapter 118: I Killed Him

"Rescued two people from the hands of a Pulse Flow Realm cultivator!"

When the outer sect disciples heard Luo Tian utter these words so nonchalantly, they were stunned for a moment before their breath hitched in their throats.

What had become of the Pulse Flow Realm cultivator who had captured the bandit-suppression team? This was undoubtedly the question everyone cared about most, yet they all held an answer on the tip of their tongues: if that expert hadn't been killed, how could Brother Luo have possibly brought the captives back?

However, it was precisely because this answer felt so self-evident that it left them feeling astonished and bewildered. How could a Qi Condensation Realm cultivator possibly defeat a Pulse Flow Realm expert? The gap between the two was not quite an unbridgeable chasm, but the former was certainly far inferior to the latter. If Brother Luo had truly killed him, how had he managed it?

Could it be the effect of an Intent?

Thinking back to Luo Tian's display earlier, it was clear he possessed an extraordinary understanding and familiarity with Intent. If one factored that in, it wasn't entirely impossible. After all, the nature of Intent was far too mysterious; the outer sect disciples present didn't even know how many types existed, so they were inclined to believe any explanation that sounded remotely reasonable.

More importantly, Shen Lingfei was still standing there, looking dazed. Even a fool knew that Brother Luo's words must be true—otherwise, would the arrogant Shen Lingfei, who usually looked down on everyone, have conceded so submissively and even offered up sect contribution points?

As Luo Tian followed behind Liu Neng, he appeared no different than before, yet his image in the hearts of the outer sect disciples had suddenly grown much taller.

Yuan Zhou, feeling the inquisitive gazes cast toward him by the surrounding disciples, felt a surge of excitement. It seemed Brother Luo hadn't let him hide Jiang Zhenglong's cultivation level back then specifically for this moment. Although Yuan Zhou couldn't quite understand Luo Tian's penchant for being called "Brother," it didn't stop him from firming his resolve to cling to Luo Tian’s coattails. As long as he performed well this time and did his utmost to spread word of Brother Luo's strength, would he have to worry about not gaining his favor? As for this Li Yang—hah, he was just a block of wood; how could he ever be as capable as himself?

"Who gave you permission to leave Wanfeng City without authorization?"

Liu Neng stood in front, his tone carrying a touch of dissatisfaction and an inexplicable sense of relief. The dissatisfaction stemmed from Luo Tian being too impulsive, leaving just as he pleased, and on the very day he had arrived. As for the relief, it was simply because Luo Tian hadn't wandered off; he had returned immediately after rescuing the people. As for where he went to save them or whom he rescued, Liu Neng didn't care, so long as he could fulfill the tasks ordered by the Sect Master.

"I heard that a bandit leader had captured members of our Shenyang Sect and was being extremely arrogant. I couldn't stomach it, so I taught him an unforgettable lesson and brought the people back while I was at it." Luo Tian thought for a moment and decided to frame the matter from the sect's perspective; if there were ever any sect rules to cite for punishment, his justification would be perfectly sound.

"Mere bandits, no need to pay them any mind. In the future, don't concern yourself with such trivial matters." Liu Neng said dismissively. Clearly, he didn't hold the bandits in any regard, and to him, the lives of a few outer sect disciples were as light as a feather, holding no weight at all.

This Shenyang Sect...

Luo Tian tightened his robe, suddenly feeling a chill run down his spine. It wasn't due to the biting gale felt while riding on the back of the Wind-Riding Bird, but rather the attitude the Shenyang Sect held toward outer sect disciples born from ordinary mortal families.

Whether they lived or died, it made little difference.

"When you meet the Sect Master later, don't be nervous. The Sect Master has a very good impression of you." Liu Neng might have thought of something, as he added in a gentle tone, "The Sect Master is the first Origin Spirit Pill expert in our sect's eight-hundred-year history, aside from our founding ancestor, Wu Minghe. It is thanks to him that the status of the Shenyang Sect has gradually risen. Remember to show the Sect Master proper reverence!"

"Understood!" Luo Tian replied crisply, though he didn't feel much inside. Although Qin Tianyu was dead, the experts in his memories were all incredibly brilliant; a mere Origin Spirit Pill expert didn't even rank. While he was currently just one step away from the Pulse Flow Realm, Luo Tian had total confidence in his own future.

The journey passed in silence. After the Wind-Riding Bird landed on Shenyang Mountain, Liu Neng brought Luo Tian to the Sect Master's residence and departed immediately after seeing Liu Changtian.

"Greetings, Sect Master!" Luo Tian performed a slight bow and waited for Liu Changtian to speak first.

Liu Changtian looked at the youth before him, who appeared humble but actually harbored a faint, hidden arrogance, his thoughts racing. A lightning-fast cultivation speed, mysterious special abilities, and superior aptitude for Intent—all of these signaled that Luo Tian was far from ordinary. If he truly hailed from one of the Four Great Families, it would be a stroke of luck for the Shenyang Sect. Unfortunately, this kid had been brought by the Seventh Prince of the Yunfeng Empire. He really didn't know what kind of game that person was playing, planting such a ticking time bomb in the Shenyang Sect.

But it was fine; this guy would soon be going to Wanfeng City, and barring any accidents, he would have no further ties to the Shenyang Sect.

It was all his destiny; it was the arrangement of fate.

Liu Changtian thought of his plan and found it flawless. He smiled slightly and said, "The day after tomorrow is the test for the Wind Cloud Guard preparatory camp. This is your opportunity. Tomorrow, I will have Elder Liu escort you there. With your strength and potential, you will surely enter the preparatory camp."

Luo Tian was taken aback.

"What, did the disciples at the trading house not tell you about the Wind Cloud Guard?" Liu Changtian frowned. The Black Rock Road where the Shenyang Trading House was located was the daily training ground for the Wind Cloud Guard. That black rock was solid and tough, and its load-bearing capacity was excellent. Let alone carrying thousands of pounds of weight for frog-jump training, even tens of thousands of pounds of force could be easily absorbed by the one-meter-thick black rock road. Of course, conducting weight-bearing training was different from smashing that road with tens of thousands of pounds of force.

But then again, the Shen family was becoming increasingly outrageous. They spent a lot of money in Wanfeng City every year, yet they couldn't get anything done correctly. Now, they couldn't even provide a proper briefing on basic situations? It seemed he would have to find an opportunity to give them a warning; otherwise, the Shen family might forget who the Sect Master of the Shenyang Sect was.

"I know about the Wind Cloud Guard preparatory camp, but Sect Master, this preparatory camp requires the Qi Condensation Realm to participate in the assessment, right? And about how long does it last?" Luo Tian felt it necessary to confirm with Liu Changtian to avoid a wasted trip. Besides, as long as he stayed in the Shenyang Sect for a few days, he was confident he could upgrade his Divine Eye; that would make it much easier to secure a firm footing once he reached the Wind Cloud Guard.

"That's correct. The assessment usually lasts about ten to fifteen days. However, the content of the assessment changes every year and is only announced right before it begins, so it's very fair and won't bury those with true strength." Liu Changtian nodded. He had carefully considered how to get rid of Luo Tian, so he was naturally well-informed about these basic details.

"Then I probably can't participate. I should be able to enter the Pulse Flow Realm within about five days, so I might as well just enter the assessment for the formal members of the Wind Cloud Guard directly." Luo Tian calculated that he would break through in two or three days, but to be safe, he added a little more time. After the battle with Jiang Zhenglong, he had gained many insights, and his Origin Energy had become increasingly solidified and easier to control; his strength had improved significantly compared to before.

"What?"

Even though Liu Changtian considered himself knowledgeable, he was stunned upon hearing this. It had only been a few months, and this kid was already about to step into the Pulse Flow Realm? What kind of monster had the Seventh Prince sent over?

Liu Changtian had originally hoped to see Luo Tian accept the offer gladly, which would have put his mind at ease. He hadn't expected him to say something like this, which truly came as a surprise. However, after only a moment of stunned silence, Liu Changtian laughed heartily, his tone filled with praise, fully displaying the composure and unflappability of a sect master. "Excellent! This is truly a stroke of luck for my Shenyang Sect!"

The words were pleasant, but Liu Changtian was extremely annoyed inside. If possible, he wanted Luo Tian gone as soon as possible. But the preparatory camp assessment always checked the cultivation level of the participants; anyone about to break through would be excluded and told to participate in the formal member assessment instead. Ordinary cultivators would naturally get stuck at the Pulse Flow Realm bottleneck. However, those presiding over the Wind Cloud Guard assessment were definitely Origin Pill Realm experts; they would scrutinize the cultivation progress of every participant. Anyone they deemed incapable of breaking through to the Pulse Flow Realm or whose foundation was not solid would be barred from the assessment and sent away.

And now this—he would have to wait another ten days.

"After entering the Wind Cloud Guard, you must perform well and never tarnish the reputation of the Shenyang Sect! If you encounter provocations from the other four major sects, do not show mercy! In the Wind Cloud Guard, might makes right!" Liu Changtian felt a bit bothered, but he still maintained the demeanor of a sect master, carefully instructing Luo Tian. "I heard that this time, the fourth son of City Lord Jiang will also be participating in the assessment to hone himself in the Wind Cloud Guard. He is about your age and became a Pulse Flow Realm cultivator not long ago. When the time comes, remember to get close to Young Master Jiang; it will be of great benefit to your future!"

Luo Tian's expression was a bit strange. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Sect Master, is this fourth son of City Lord Jiang named Jiang Zhenglong?" Although he was certain, he wanted to confirm it with Liu Changtian.

"That's right! Why, Luo Tian, did you have the good fortune to make Young Master Jiang's acquaintance while in Wanfeng City?" Liu Changtian couldn't help but reveal a look of joy. He was truly pleased this time. Young Master Jiang was the City Lord's youngest son and was extremely doted upon. If Luo Tian could establish a good relationship with him, the City Lord might be a bit more generous with resource allocations for the Shenyang Sect in the future.

What kind of person was the City Lord? Even a little bit of wealth leaking through his fingers would be enough to make the Shenyang Sect overjoyed. This Luo Tian, who knew he had such talent for cultivation and such good luck? It was as if his ancestral graves were emitting blue smoke—the blessings of eight generations of ancestors—that he could make a connection with Jiang Zhenglong just by taking a trip to Wanfeng City.

An unexpected joy, truly an unexpected joy!

"Good fortune?" Luo Tian thought of that red-gold spear, which could perhaps be considered "good fortune," and nodded slightly. "We did meet outside the city once, and then I killed him."