Chapter 3652: Duan Ling Tian Reveals His Origin
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Duan Ling Tian’s hope of asking for several jars of Power Brew was crushed upon hearing Murong Sui Feng’s words.
At this moment, Murong Sui Feng’s expression turned solemn as he suddenly said, “Duan Ling Tian, I a.s.sumed you were attacked on the trial grounds?”
Duan Ling Tian nodded in response.
“The members of the 10,000 Leaves Sect approached the trial grounds but left shortly after. Is it true that Hou Qing Ning asked them to protect you, but you refused?”
Duan Ling Tian nodded again.
“Why did you reject him?” Murong Sui Feng asked, “Even if their Sect Leader, a King of G.o.ds, couldn’t enter the trial grounds, his men shouldn’t have a problem with that. Did you have help or were you confident about your strength?”
“I didn’t want to owe him a favor,” Duan Ling Tian replied honestly.
“You didn’t want to owe him a favor?” Murong Sui Feng glanced at Duan Ling Tian from the corners of his eyes. “This excuse is flimsy at best. It’s more accurate to say you’re confident about your strength, right?”
“Dean Murong, since you know the answer, what’s the point of asking then?” Duan Ling Tian said with a faint smile on his face, “Indeed. I was confident I’d be able to defend myself as long as they weren’t Kings of G.o.ds.”
“Are you sure you’re only capable of defending yourself?” Murong Sui Feng looked at Duan Ling Tian knowingly. “From what I know, all of the death warriors the Zhong clan sent are dead. Even their leader, one of the strongest clan members below the stage of a King of G.o.ds, is dead. He was an advanced G.o.d who had comprehended several Fused Profundities from the law of s.p.a.ce. Based on the strength you displayed during your battle with Hong Jun, it would’ve been impossible for you to defeat him, let alone kill him, unless you hid your true strength during the battle.”
Duan Ling Tian was surprised that Murong Sui Feng was privy to so many matters about him. At the same time, he thought it was not that surprising since Murong Sui Feng was not only the dean of the Hidden Fog Academy but also the Vice Sect Leader of the Hidden Fog Sect. This kind of information was not difficult for someone like Murong Sui Feng to find out.
“Did I guess right?” Murong Sui Feng asked.
Duan Ling Tian said with a faint smile, “Dean Murong, your intelligence network is rather impressive. In fact, not only were the death warriors from the Zhong clan who came to the trial grounds, but the death warriors from various king-rank forces were there as well. I tried to question them, but they all chose to commit suicide. Hence, I don’t know which specific forces they came from. I’m sure you know better than I do regarding this matter.”
“That seems like an admission,” Murong Sui Feng said with a smile, “I wanted to meet you not only to verify this matter, but also to inform you that I plan to recommend you to enter the Hidden Fog Sect as a core disciple. Are you interested?”
Duan Ling Tian’s eyes lit up immediately. He hurriedly thanked Murong Sui Feng, expressing his intention. “Thank you, Dean Murong!”
Duan Ling Tian knew it was not easy to become a core disciple of the Hidden Fog Sect when he had just joined the Hidden Fog Academy. A core disciple’s status was on par with an inner elder of the sect. After being a core disciple for 1,000 years, one would be promoted and become a core elder of the sect who had an even higher status.
If one did not wish to become a core elder of the Hidden Fog Sect, alternatively, one could join the emperor-rank force that controlled the Hidden Fog Sect through recommendation. Although one would have to start from the bottom again, one’s status would still be respectable. An ordinary elder of the emperor-rank force was even higher than that of a core elder of a lord-rank force, after all. Needless to say, it was not easy becoming an ordinary elder of an emperor-rank force. Even with the recommendation from the Hidden Fog Sect, one would need to pa.s.s a test first. Failing to pa.s.s the test meant one could only stay in the Hidden Fog Sect.
Murong Sui Feng said, “However, to become a core disciple, you’ll have to pa.s.s a series of tests first even with my recommendation. You’ll still be accepted into the sect even if you fail the test. However, you’ll only be an inner disciple of the sect. You can naturally take the test again in the future to become a core disciple.”
“I understand, Dean Murong,” Duan Ling Tian said. It was only normal that he would only be able to become a core disciple of the Hidden Fog Sect after they determined his strength. This was the same even if he joined an emperor-rank force.
“You should prepare yourself for the test during this period of time. I’ll ask the sect to send someone to meet you after a month,” Murong Sui Feng said as he poured another cup of wine for himself and Duan Ling Tian.
“Thank you, Dean Murong,” Duan Ling Tian said.
Following that, the duo’s conversations leaned toward more casual topics.
Murong Sui Feng tried to find out more about Duan Ling Tian’s origins.
Duan Ling Tian naturally did not dare to lie and say he was from the Glorious Heaven Sect like before. After all, Murong Sui Feng’s status meant that it was likely he was well-connected and well-informed.
Duan Ling Tian sighed before he said, “Dean Murong, it’s been a while since I came to the Profound Energy Land, but I’ve never told anyone about my origins before. Since you’ve taken such good care of me, I naturally can’t lie to you. To be honest, I’m not a native of the Profound Energy Land.”
“You’re not a native of the Profound Energy Land?” Murong Sui Feng was stunned by this revelation.
Duan Ling Tian nodded.
“Then where are you from?” Murong Sui Feng asked.
“I’m from a Devata Realm,” Duan Ling Tian replied truthfully.
“A Devata Realm?” Murong Sui Feng chuckled. “I see. To be so talented at such a young age, you must have an extraordinary background.”
Murong Sui Feng did not doubt that Duan Ling Tian was slightly below the age of 3,000. In his opinion, Duan Ling Tian must have come to the Profound Energy Land before the pa.s.sages from the Realms of G.o.ds and Devata Realms were sealed.
“So you’ve been here 1,000 years?” Murong Sui Feng asked.
“1,000 years?” Duan Ling Tian shook his head.
“So you’re here for fewer than 700 years? You came shortly before the pa.s.sages were sealed?” Murong Sui Feng asked again.
“No.” Duan Ling Tian shook his head again. “I’ve only been here for a few years.”
“A couple of years?” Murong Sui Feng frowned. “How can that be? With the Realm Battlefield and the sealed pa.s.sages, that’s impossible, right? How did you end up in the Profound Energy Land under such circ.u.mstances?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure if I should consider myself fortunate,” Duan Ling Tian said with a bitter smile, “When I was cultivating in the Land of the Dead, one of the seven deadliest places in the Devata Realms, a spatial tear suddenly appeared and pulled me into the s.p.a.ce turbulence. When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a foreign place. Slowly, I came to realize I had been accidentally sent to Realm Battlefield due to the s.p.a.ce turbulence.”
“So that’s how you ended up in the Realm Battlefield… I’ve heard of the seven deadliest places in the Devata Realms, but I didn’t know the s.p.a.ce there is so unstable,” Murong Sui Feng said, “However, based on your strength, you’re lucky to have escaped from the Realm Battlefield alive and arrived in the Profound Energy Land.”
“Frankly speaking, if I weren’t lucky enough to have met a kind senior who sent me to one of the bases in the Realm Battlefield, I wouldn’t have survived,” Duan Ling Tian said with a bitter smile.
“You’re truly lucky,” Murong Sui Feng nodded with a smile as he said, “Not everyone in the Realm Battlefield is kind, after all. Instead, they’re a rarity there.”
“I agree.” Duan Ling Tian nodded. He said determinedly, “Hence, I’m determined to return the favor of the kind senior.”
A hint of admiration could be seen in Murong Sui Feng’s eyes when he saw Duan Ling Tian was truly determined to repay his benefactor’s kindness. For this reason, his impression of Duan Ling Tian rose again.
If it were not for his vow to never again accept a disciple, Murong Sui Feng who had taken Duan Ling Tian as his disciple. He was sure this extraordinarily talented genius from a Devata Realm would reach great heights in the Realm of G.o.ds if given a chance.
At this moment, Duan Ling Tian discovered Murong Sui Feng had been telling the truth. Now that he was having his fourth cup of Power Brew, it was no longer effective.
The duo continued to chat for a little while more before Duan Ling Tian finally bade farewell to Murong Sui Feng.
Murong Sui Feng summoned Yu Qian Shan and told Yu Qian Shan to lead Duan Ling Tian back to the Ten Stars students’ courtyards.
…
When Duan Ling Tian returned to his courtyard, the Ten Stars students were still excitedly speculating how many points Duan Ling Tian had acc.u.mulated during the trial.
“I’m very curious about Senior Brother Duan’s points!”
“I can’t wait for tomorrow to come!”