“It won’t hurt telling you guys, the summit’s Spirit Qi is ten times denser than that on the foot of the mountain’s!”
Ten times!
Everyone was shocked. Although Spirit Qi density increased by ten times didn’t mean that cultivation speed could increase by ten times, but one or two times was possible, right? They could only increase cultivation speed by one to two folds by taking all sorts of medicinal pills, so what did one to two times imply?
“Hehe. Originally, you guys would’ve been divided into four levels based on your score in the second stage, but now… everyone is Yellow Grade! But don’t worry!”
The azure-robed old man gesticulated with his hands, and continued, “Want to become a Black Grade, Earth Grade, or a Heaven Grade student? It’s simple. You guys can challenge those above. See those palace halls? If someone resides there, you guys can challenge those there, win, and then take over their place. Hehe, students of four levels not only live in different places, but also receive enormously different cultivation resources.”
“Even more, Heaven Grade students can occasionally receive lectures by Shattering Void Tier elites on the truth of martial arts!”
Everyone was moved. The last words were too lethal. Shattering Void Tiers elites instructing them… even an insensate stone could attain mastery with such treatment, not to mention geniuses like them.
“Then… what if one loses a challenge?” someone asked.
“Lose?” The azure-robed old man revealed an ominous smile. “Then obviously take responsibility for the consequences! Our Restore Heaven Academy selects present-age geniuses, future gods of war that can pass down the seeds of martial arts. No need for good-for-nothings, and no need for cowards!”
Everyone felt a chill in their hearts. Take responsibility for the consequences? It meant that should they be crippled or even killed, no one would care!
Apparently, challenges couldn’t be issued thoughtlessly.
“However, since you guys didn’t complete the second round of exams, there are quite a few Earth Grade and Black Grade palace halls still vacant. You guys can occupy them without having to challenge others,” the azure-robed old man went on.
Everyone was instantly overjoyed. Now, those already checked in were definitely fierce people who received direct entry to the academy and were basically unbeatable, but contending with others, they were still considerably assured.
“Each person can accept at most one challenge a day, and if injured, one can apply for meditation to evade battle—at most for three months, but only two times each year,” the azure-robed old man continued.
Everyone nodded. No matter how much of a genius you were, if you were taken on in turns, you’d still be defeated; this would completely meaningless.
“Alright, you guys can go.” The azure-robed old man waved his hand, and flew up, treading towards the summit.
Everyone looked at each other, and hurriedly took to their heels. They didn’t run, because before they came in, they were told that the academy forbid flying in here… unless it was during a battle.
They all wanted to seize the few remaining Earth Grade, or Yellow Grade palace halls, so they obviously ran speedily.
When they reached the end of the mountain path, they saw a person was sitting cross-legged there with eyes tightly closed, as if mediating, or as if dozing off.
“Small Saber King!” someone instantly cried out.
Chapter 677 - A Battle of Wits
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Henyee
Small Saber King was definitely a figure filled with legendary colors.
He was a present-age genius, and had always been worshipped on a divine altar as a well-known figure amongst younger generation, and there were very few that could stand as his equal. More terrifyingly, he’d actually crossed into the Deity Transformation Tier!
This meant that the Spiritual Infant grew into a deity within the body, and he could invoke heaven and earth’s Spirit Qi, causing his battle prowess to grow by leaps and bounds.
Everyone shivered. Even though everyone here was a genius, under the pressure of a Deity Transformation Tier elite’s presence, everyone still felt a shiver at from the depths of their souls.
Of course, there were many people who were exceptions. For example Ling Han, Hu Niu, the Rabbit, the Rain Emperor, Mu Rong Qing, and Wenren Qian Qian. A true king in martial arts could be defeated, but would never be terrified before having fought.
Smal Saber King opened his eyes, and shua , his eyes were like a flash of Saber Ray; as it swept by, the celestial mist was split apart, and a deep mark appeared on the mountain walls.
Everyone was shocked. This was only the power of opening his eyes!
More terrifyingly, the mountain walls were guarded by formations and strongly fortified, and even if they attacked them with full strength, they might not even be able to shatter a rock. However, Small Saber King only opened his eyes, and it was that terrifying. This strength gap was truly massive as to heaven and earth.
As expected of Small Saber King, the strongest genius presently… perhaps, already the one and only.
“Ling Han!” Small Saber said dully. “I’ve waited for you a long time already.”
Shua , everyone’s gazes turned towards Ling Han.
Before this, Ling Han’s reputation wasn’t all that resounding. After all, he became famous in the north region, and the majority of the people here still half-believed his identity as a Heaven Grade alchemist; the Alchemist Society didn’t proclaim to the world that they had a third Heaven Grade alchemist.
Besides, Ling Han was also too young. Saying he was Heaven Grade alchemist was like saying someone reached Heaven Tier at this age—wasn’t that just nonsense?
However, Rong Huan Xuan and Small Saber King successively challenged Ling Han, and with these two powerful figures serving as foil, Ling Han’s name immediately left a mark amongst the younger generation.
“Waiting for me?” Ling Han smiled faintly. “Yes, you should wait for me. I am a Heaven Grade alchemist, highly noble in status, so waiting doesn’t guarantee that you’ll see me! You’re lucky today.”
Pu!
Many people instantly spurted out. Ling Han truly had an arrogant tone, saying that making Small Saber King waiting was something normal. Who was Small Saber King? An exceptional talent amongst the younger generation!
However, thinking about it the other way around, there certainly was ample reason. If Ling Han truly was a Heaven Grade alchemist, then Small Saber King certainly didn’t have the right to see Ling Han whenever he wanted, and even if he pleaded on his knees, Ling Han wouldn’t need to respond.
Heaven Grade alchemists, there were only two in the world… Ling Han being the third one didn’t receive public recognition.
Small Saber King stood up and his eyes turned into burning white saber light, making others unable to distinguish his sclera, an extremely strange thing. He drew his saber immediately, weng , the treasured saber’s vein-like patterns lit up one by one, as an endless might circulated.
It was a ninth-tier Spirit Tool, and Small Saber King couldn’t completely unleash its power yet, but one star or even a half would be terrifying enough.
Ninth Tier!
“You’ve killed my father, and this hatred is absolutely irreconcilable!” Small Saber King said coldly, and arbitrarily waved the saber. The Saber Ray swept and cut a deep mark on the tough mountain walls.
Everyone was even more shocked. If this saber was slashed at them, even if they defended with all their strength, they’d probably still be cut in two, right?
Ling Han laughed loudly, and said, “Now, the academy has also become a place to end personal grievances?”
Those words were thorny and cutting.
Even Small Saber King revealed a hesitant look when he heard them, not daring to respond carelessly. He was only Absolute Saber Sect’s exceptional talent amongst the younger generation, but he didn’t represent the Absolute Saber Sect. Besi
des, the Absolute Saber Sect was only one of the five great sects.
He thought hard for a while, and then said, “Take it as me challenging you.”
Ling Han sneered, and said, “What sort of rule is this, a high-tier disciple can challenge a low-tier disciple, then who can still cultivate at ease?”
Everyone nodded; otherwise, they would lack too much sense of security.
The existence of the challenge system should encourage students to climb upwards. The weak would keep working hard, while the strong also wouldn’t dare let down their guard, or else they’d be surpassed, forming an atmosphere of active advancement.
However, if the strong could challenge the weak, wouldn’t everyone feel at danger?
To hell with cultivation!
Small Saber King was temporarily at a loss for words. His high tier was originally his pride, but why’d it become his encumbrance now? He thought for a while, and said, “Our age is the same, you still fear a fight?”
“Same your sister!” Ling Han spat, “Say, Uncle, your age is double mine, and you have the face to act like you’re as young as me. Aren’t you way too shameless?”
Pu!
Instantly, many people laughed out loud, but hurriedly covered their mouths in fear that Small Saber King would bear a grudge.
Small Saber King trembled in anger. Theoretically, they certainly belonged to the same generation, and even those below one hundred belonged to the younger generation. After all, a hundred-year-old Spiritual Infant Tier warrior was only equivalent to twenty years old for a normal mortal.
In the martial arts world, the relative ages below thirty were all called the younger generation, and seeing it like this, Deity Transformation Tier warriors below one hundred forty years of age were also part of the younger generation. Heaven Tier elites under one hundred eighty years of age were also in this range, and Shattering Void Tier ones under two hundred years of age also counted.
In the previous life, Ling Han reached the Heaven Tier at the age of two hundred years. In reality, he’d just surpassed the definition of “youth” back then, so he was named the first in history. However, thinking about it now, he was only the first person in that ten millennia, and this record would soon be broken.
… After him, martial arts welcomed explosive prosperity, just like now.
Ling Han changed the topic of the conversation, and said, “Small Saber King, it’s time to settle the grievances between you and I. Alright, I’ll answer your challenge, but it’s not a normal challenge, instead… a challenge to the death! Do you dare to accept it?”
Do you dare to accept?
The words powerful and resonating, just as if a sharp sword!
Small Saber King was slightly stunned by Ling Han’s aura. This brat had just arrived in the Spiritual Infant Tier, so what qualifications did he have to challenge him to a fight to death? Ling Han could fight surpassing his tiers, but could he not?
Could it be… medicinal pills?
Ling Han snickered, and said, “Don’t say I’m bullying you, I won’t take any pills when I fight you!”
Small Saber King was shocked again. Not taking pills, how would you fight me? There’s an entire large tier’s difference between you and I, and I’m one of the strongest geniuses currently, being able to battle surpassing ten stars!
However, with such a rare and good opportunity, if he rejected, he would not only miss the chance, but also be left with a thorn inside his heart, thinking that he was inferior to Ling Han. As time went on, this would definitely shake his heart, and his cultivation would not only not progress, but even possibly regress.
hus, this fight he had to accept!
On the other hand, wasn’t he who suggested the fight?
“Okay, I accept!” Small Saber King nodded forcefully.
Chapter 678 - Fighting Small Saber King to the Death
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Henyee
Ling Han certainly didn’t want to tangle with Small Saber King any longer.
Small Saber King massacred wantonly in the city of mortals, making Ling Han abhor him and include him on his must-kill list. Moreover, being chased by Small Saber King several times… did Ling Han not have a temper?
Now that Small Saber King offered himself, he obviously had to be slaughtered. Earlier was just some teasing; in fact, the moment Ling Han saw Small Saber King, Ling Han had already decided to take action.
“A fight in the skies!” Ling Han rose into the air.
“Not afraid of you!” Small Saber King also jerked his body and rose into the sky.
The two were probably the strongest geniuses of the younger generation. Separated by three hundred meters, they stood loftily in the sky, both extremely confident and emitting powerful auras.
One was like a sword, and one was like a saber.
The competition of the two great geniuses was also the competition between sword path and saber path.
Everyone focused their attention on the duel. Quite a few people even walked out from within the summit’s palace halls and raised their heads to watch; flying was forbidden here except during fights.
Yao Hui Yue, Lang Ya Tian, Dong Ling’er, and the exceptional figures of the younger generation all appeared. Small Saber King could be said to represent an extreme; who dared to underestimate him here?
If Ling Han could defeat him, then it would almost guarantee his position as number one amongst the younger generation.
Of course, there were still a few abnormal freaks that hadn’t appeared yet. For example, the Heaven’s Sword Sect had a sword path genius that constantly comprehended dao in Heaven’s Sword Spring. The Absolute Saber Sect also had a Xu Xiu Ran, whose tier was not higher than Small Saber King’s, but his talent was more freakish—defeating Small Saber King in the same tier was as easy as the turn of the palm for him.
In addition, the Thousand Corpse Sect actually also had a super genius who had also never appeared, still cultivating diligently, for it wasn’t time yet for him to surprise the world.
The figures of the older generation were also watching; even they were very interested in the outcome of this battle.
“We… really aren’t going to interfere?”
“The Sword King has ordered: let it be.”
“But Small Saber King is Absolute Saber Sect’s exceptional talent, and if he were to truly die here, Lord Heaven Saber will probably burst into fury!”
“Hehe, Sword King’s obviously supporting the duel, so what are you afraid of?”
“Besides, that brat surnamed Ling is a Heaven Grade alchemist, a Heaven Grade alchemist that’s barely twenty years old. If he truly dies here, don’t they fear the that the Alchemy Society will blow a fuse?”
“You’re thinking too much again. Did the Alchemist Society admit Ling Han’s status?”
“This…”
The people of the older generation no longer spoke. They decided not to interfere in the duel. Since both parties agreed to this battle to the death, then it was destined that there would be one less genius after this battle.
Ling Han unleashed the Demon Birth Sword with a smile, and said, “I really don’t want to bully you, but thinking about your hideous features, it seems that bullying you a little isn’t bad.”
Weng , the Demon Birth Sword was activated, and four vein-like patterns shined!
As he crossed into the Spiritual Infant Tier, but more importantly, formed Sword Ray, Demon Birth Sword’s power also increased again. However, compared to the dense and numerous vein-like patterns on the blade, four vein-like patterns truly weren’t worth mentioning.
This was natural. Even if a tenth-tier Spirit Tool could only unleash one-hundredth of its might, killing a Heaven Tier opponent would be easy, let alone a Deity Transformation Tier one.
“So what of a tenth-tier Spirit Tool!” Small Saber King snorted. “You’re still way far from being in the Shattering Void Tier! Besides, a Spirit Tool not nourished by oneself will definitely be unable to blossom wi
th its full powers. I won’t lose to you.”
“Lose or not, it’s not from boasting, but from fighting!” Ling Han laughed brightly, extended his left hand, and made a hooking motion. “Come, come, come, let me teach you what’s called freakish and what’s called genius!
“Arrogant!” Small Saber King charged out and waved his long saber. A three-meter-long Saber Ray swept out from the blade, looking as if it could split heaven and earth in two.
Ling Han waved his sword to parry, also unleashing his Sword Ray.
Peng!
The two Rays collided and turned into infinite light fragments, falling down from the sky.
Their first moves were evenly matched.
However, everyone was shocked. Small Saber King… was at the Deity Transformation Tier! Moreover, he was a super genius that was able to battle surpassing tiers, but despite it being so, he was still tied in an attack with Ling Han; what an unbelievable thing this was?
“Damn it!” Small Saber King clenched his teeth. In reality, his power gave him the advantage, but a Ray’s power hinged on not only one’s power, but also the amount of Qi and the quality of the weapon that unleashed it.
Their Qi should be equal in amount, breaking through to the limit of thirty flashes, so for Ling Han’s Ray to still achieve a tie against his, it was due to the treasured sword in Ling Han’s hand.
A tenth-tier Spirit Tool. Even if it couldn’t fully unleash its battle prowess, its quality was higher than a ninth-tier weapon, a matter that needn’t be doubted.
Small Saber King was very bitter. He’d obtained the treasure vault of an ancient dynasty, but actually lost to Ling Han in a contest for treasures. A tenth-tier Spirit Tool, how many could there possibly be in this world?
“Simply relying on the power of a Spirit Tool!” Small Saber King snorted, and already charged over, slashing at Ling Han. He knew Ling Han’s movement art was fast, so he chose close combat, not giving Ling Han the chance to the advantage in speed.
“Close-combat?” Ling Han sneered. “You’re seeking your own death!” He cultivated physical arts concurrently, and under the tempering of the Indestructible Heaven’s Scroll, his physique was formidable, and close combat was his super strong suit.
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