Chapter 3449: The Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven
A hint of hostility could be heard in the person’s voice.
Duan Ling Tian, who could not ignore the voice that disturbed his cultivation, left his wooden house. When he walked out of the door, he discovered a crowd had already gathered in front of his wooden house. All of them were staring at a tall and burly young man who was dressed in a long blue robe with golden tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs.
The young man had a jade-like complexion and thick bushy eyebrows. His expression was solemn as he asked, “You’re Duan Ling Tian? The only true disciple of Heavenly Emperor Feng Qing Yang of the Solitary Destructive Heaven?”
Duan Ling Tian glanced at the young man. He did not reply to the question. Instead, he asked in return, “What brings you here?”
Duan Ling Tian was rather puzzled; he did not know why the young man was hostile when they did not know each other. Since he had never met the young man before, he could not have offended that young man.
“I’m Tong Tu, the fourth true disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven. My master brought me here to partic.i.p.ate in the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses,” Tong Tu said indifferently, “I came to challenge you to a duel today. I’m curious what kind of true disciple the Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven had accepted. Even my master can’t understand why Heavenly Emperor Feng Qing Yang would accept an inferior true disciple…”
Although the young man’s tone remained dull and flat, Duan Ling Tian could sense something amiss with the young man’s emotions.
“I, Tong Tu, am slightly over 700 years old. We’re about the same age so people won’t say I’m bullying the young…” Tong Tu continued to say.
Meanwhile, the crowd gasped when they discovered the young man’s ident.i.ty.
“I was wondering earlier who would be so bold as to provoke Duan Ling Tian. As it turns out, it’s one of the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven’s true disciples!”
“I’ve heard of Tong Tu, the fourth disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven. A few decades ago, he was already close to being as strong as a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor. After so many years have pa.s.sed, he’s likely already a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor or possessed strength on par with a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor…”
“If someone like him has yet to become a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor, I’m afraid those with strength weaker than a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor won’t be a match for him at all!”
“His master, the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven, is remarkable as well. Most importantly, he’s a Sword Celestial as well. For this reason, after Heavenly Emperor Feng Qing Yang rose to fame, the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven would draw a comparison to Heavenly Emperor Feng Qing Yang. In the past, the two Heavenly Emperors apparently dueled, and the fight ended in a draw.”
“Well, that’s all in the past now. Since Heavenly Emperor Feng Qing Yang survived the Asura h.e.l.l, one of the seven deadliest places in the Devata Realms, his strength has surpa.s.sed the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven!”
“Is this why the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven’s true disciple is dissatisfied and unresigned? Does he want to prove his master is a better teacher by defeating Duan Ling Tian?”
“Although he said he’s not bullying the young since they’re roughly the same age, it’s still unfair since they were accepted as true disciples at different times.”
“From what I know, Tong Tu has been in the Heavenly Palace of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven since he was a child. On the other hand, Duan Ling Tian only met Heavenly Emperor Feng Qing Yang 100 years ago.”
The majority of the crowd felt it was fair for Tong Tu to challenge Duan Ling Tian to a duel even if they were roughly the same age. After all, Tong Tu had been cultivating with the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven since childhood while Duan Ling Tian had only met Feng Qing Yang when he was over 500 years old. They thought Tong Tu was rather shameless for declaring he was not taking advantage of Duan Ling Tian.
“Do you think Duan Ling Tian will agree to the duel?”
Soon after, many people began to wonder if Duan Ling Tian would accept Tong Tu’s challenge. Most of them felt Duan Ling Tian would refuse Tong Tu since he was at a clear disadvantage. Only a fool would accept a challenge knowing he would lose. Moreover, since the duel was clearly unfair, no one would shame Duan Ling Tian even if he were to refuse the challenge nor did he have to worry about embarra.s.sing his master.
Meanwhile, Tong Tu, who had a keen hearing, frowned when he heard the hushed conversation in his surroundings. He was displeased that the crowd seemed to think it was fine for Duan Ling Tian to reject his challenge. He was afraid Duan Ling Tian would refuse him so he said coldly, “Duan Ling Tian, are you afraid to accept my challenge? Let me tell you; although I grew up in the Heavenly Palace of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven, I only started to cultivate with my master when I was over 300 years old. If you think the duel is unfair, I won’t use any Celestial Weapon during our duel.”
Tong Tu’s words caused an uproar among the crowd. With that, they began to fervently discuss among themselves again. No one expected Tong Tu to say such words. Moreover, based on his confidence, it was likely he was already a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor.
“Tong Tu is willing to forfeit his Celestial Weapon during the challenge?”
“Don’t you think he’s too arrogant?”
“He’s clearly looking down on his opponent.”
Meanwhile, Duan Ling Tian could not help but laugh when he heard Tong Tu’s words.
“What are you laughing at?” Tong Tu’s expression darkened. He said disdainfully, “Are you so timid? I’ve already compromised so much, and yet, you’re still afraid? You’re an embarra.s.sment to your master!”
“Do you really want to challenge me to a duel?” Duan Ling Tian asked nonchalantly.
“Would I joke with you with so many people around?” Tong Tu sneered.
As soon as Tong Tu’s voice fell, Duan Ling Tian narrowed his eyes imperceptibly and vanished into thin air.
Boom!
The crowd could not catch Duan Ling Tian’s movements at all. All they heard was a loud boom before they saw Tong Tu who was standing in front of Duan Ling Tian flying back like an arrow being released from a bow.
Tong Tu spat out a mouthful of blood. He flew back hundreds of meters before he could finally stabilize his footings. His expression was unsightly as he glared at Duan Ling Tian. “Despicable! To think the true disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven would launch a sneak attack!” Without waiting for Duan Ling Tian to reply, he continued to say, “I’ll see you during the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses!”
With that, Tong Tu rushed away.
The crowd was stunned by this sudden turn of events.
At this time, someone said, “How shameless!”
These words pulled the others back to their senses. Everyone present could tell Duan Ling Tian’s strength was at least on par with Tong Tu. Otherwise, he would not have been able to catch Tong Tu off guard and injure him. It was obvious that once Tong Tu realized this, he had run away in fear. After all, he would likely only fight to a draw with Duan Ling Tian if he was not injured. Now that he was injured, how could he possibly defeat Duan Ling Tian?
Someone asked in a hushed voice, “If any of you were in Tong Tu’s shoes, do you think you could react in time when Duan Ling Tian attacked?”
The crowd collectively fell silent, mulling over the question. After a moment, most of them shook their heads.
“Hey, it seems like we can now confirm the Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven’s true disciple has the strength of a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor!”
“He’s as strong as a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor even though he isn’t even 700 years old?”
“I feel quite embarra.s.sed. Didn’t we think it was due to luck that he was accepted as a true disciple by Heavenly Emperor Feng Qing Yang?”
“Speak for yourself. Previously, I said the legendary Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven wouldn’t have accepted a mediocre true disciple just because of a past connection. Do you know how many peerless geniuses he had rejected in the past?”
“That’s not what you said…”
“Brother, can you just shut up?”
News of Duan Ling Tian being as strong as a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor despite being less than 700 years old just like Su Li from the Jade Emperor Heaven spread like a wildfire, stirring up a commotion.
…
After Tong Tu was injured by Duan Ling Tian, he did not return to his wooden house. Instead, he looked for his Third Senior Brother, Yu Dong Fang, who was an outstanding genius.
Yu Dong Fang was over 900 years old. He had obtained the t.i.tle of a Three Star G.o.d of War in the Nine Serenities Battlefield many years ago. Hence, most people suspected he was now as strong as a Four Star G.o.d of War.
Tong Tu lowered his head and said with an aggrieved tone, “Third Senior Brother, I went to challenge Duan Ling Tian, the Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven’s true disciple…”
Yu Dong Fang was a young man with a medium build. He was dressed in a long black and grey robe. Despite his ordinary appearance, he had a pair of bright and attractive eyes. Although he was shorter than Tong Tu by half a head, his icy aura completely overpowered Tong Tu.
“You’re injured…”
“He attacked when I was unprepared,” Tong Tu said with a sour expression.
“Since he managed to catch you off guard and injure you, it seems like his strength with on par with yours at least,” Yu Dong Fang said. After a beat, he asked, “Let me ask you; do you think someone without the strength of a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor is capable of injuring you or catching you off guard?”
“No.” Tong Tu smiled bitterly. He was naturally aware of this. It was why he had felt unresigned. Perhaps, he would have accepted his defeat if Duan Ling Tian was stronger than him. However, in his opinion, his strength was on par with Duan Ling Tian’s, therefore, he felt humiliated that he was injured by Duan Ling Tian’s unexpected attack.
“He’s not even 700 years old, but his strength is on par with yours. Moreover, it’s said that he only met Heavenly Emperor Feng Qing Yang about 100 years ago. It’s unfortunate he’s so young. Otherwise, he might have been a worthy opponent for me…” Yu Dong Fang said as he shook his head.