Chapter 3069: Five Years

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Zheng Hong Yi’s reply confirmed the suspicion of the high-ranking officials in the Simplicity Celestial Sect; Zheng Hong Yi managed to hire an assassin from the Blood Skull Gang to kill Duan Ling Tian because he had connections in the Blood Skull Gang.

Duan Ling Tian clicked his tongue and shook his head before he said, “You used one of the two chances that the son of a high-ranking official in the Blood Skull Gang gave you to kill me… I don’t know if I should thank you for the honor or tell you that you’ve overestimated me.”

“Duan Ling Tian, the winner takes all… I hope you’ll keep your words and finish me off swiftly!” Zheng Hong Yi said in a deep voice before he closed his eyes.

Then, Duan Ling Tian did not waste any more time and swiftly executed Zheng Hong Yi.

After that, Zhang Guang Zheng, one of the Vice Sect Leaders of the Simplicity Celestial Sect, looked at Duan Ling Tian worriedly as he said, “Duan Ling Tian, the Blood Skull Gang has lost two assassins on their mission to assassinate you. One of them was even a Six Combos Celestial King… I’m afraid they won’t let the matter slide…” Then, he continued to remind Duan Ling Tian, “In the future, don’t leave the Simplicity Celestial Sect’s estate. As long as you’re in the sect’s estate, even top assassin organizations like the Blood Skull Gang won’t dare to simply enter the sect’s estate.”

“Alright.” Duan Ling Tian nodded. From this incident, he realized that he was still far too weak. He decided that unless it was a matter of utmost importance, he would not simply leave the Simplicity Celestial Sect’s estate.

Now that the Six Combos Celestial King from the Blood Skull Gang had died, it was not difficult to figure out that the next assassin the Blood Skull Gang sent would be even more powerful. It was likely that the Blood Skull Gang would send someone even more powerful than Sun Liang Peng, the Sect Leader of the Simplicity Celestial Sect, to kill him. The assassin would probably lie in wait outside the sect’s estate. If it were not for the Profound Nether Mansion, even the Simplicity Celestial Sect’s estate would not be safe.

“However, even in the sect, I’m afraid I’m not completely free from danger… If I’m not mistaken, the grand elder will probably want to avenge Wang Hong’s death… It’s not a stretch to say that he probably can’t wait to kill me…”

Wang Hong only had herself to blame for her death. However, according to Sun Liang Peng, Wang Qian Zhan, the Grand Elder of the Simplicity Celestial Sect, had always been very protective of his granddaughter who was also his only relative. Based on Wang Qian Zhan’s character, he definitely would not let this matter rest until he had gotten his revenge.

Upon hearing Sun Liang Peng’s words, the first thought that appeared in Duan Ling Tian’s mind was to leave the Simplicity Celestial Sect as soon as possible. There were both internal and external dangers in the Simplicity Celestial Sect so why would he continue staying in such a dangerous place?

However, when he thought about how Sun Liang Peng did not hesitate to mete out justice and sacrificed his third direct disciple because of him, his urge to leave dampened slightly. Although Zheng Hong Yi and Wang Hong’s actions were terrible, it would not be difficult for Sun Liang Peng to conceal the matter to save Zheng Hong Yi and Wang Hong. Naturally, Duan Ling Tian was aware that Sun Liang Peng was incredibly impartial because he valued Duan Ling Tian’s potential. After all, Sun Liang Peng would benefit greatly if Duan Ling Tian successfully entered the Profound Nether Mansion. If it were someone else in Duan Ling Tian’s shoes, Sun Liang Peng might not have dealt with the matter so decisively and fairly. Sun Liang Peng might have executed Zheng Hong Yi anyway, but there was a chance Sun Liang Peng might spare Wang Hong. After all, by executing Wang Hong, he would offend and lose the support from Wang Qiao Zhan who had a high status in the sect.

Nonetheless, Duan Ling Tian still felt grateful to Sun Liang Peng. After all, there was no guarantee he would successfully enter the Profound Nether Mansion, and at this moment, Sun Liang Peng did not benefit from him.

After executing Zheng Hong Yi and Wang Hong, Duan Ling Tian did not return to his residence in the valley for true disciples and inner disciples. Instead, he returned to Sun Liang Peng’s residence.

…

Meanwhile, Wang Qian Zhan stood at the peak of a mountain nearby with a bitter expression on his face. He muttered to himself, “The sect leader went to such lengths for an outsider, isn’t he afraid that he’ll offend the original sect members with his actions?”

Wang Qian Zhan’s eyes were red, and his hands were tightly fisted. His Celestial Origin Energy that surged out was turbulent, causing the air around him to ripple.

It was just as Sun Liang Peng and Duan Ling Tian had expected, Wang Qiao Zhan had, indeed, planned to kill Duan Ling Tian to avenge Wang Hong, his granddaughter. He was even ready to flee the sect and abandon his position as a grand elder of the sect for the sake of his revenge. Due to his experience and familiarity with the sect’s estate, he was confident that he would be able to escape safely even if he had to face Sun Liang Peng or the strong powerhouses from the sect.

However, it was out of Wang Qiao Zhan’s expectation that Sun Liang Peng would bring Duan Ling Tian back to his residence. With this, it would be much more difficult for his plan to succeed. Before he could even get to Duan Ling Tian, he would have to contend with Sun Liang Peng. Moreover, as the Grand Elder of the Simplicity Sect, he knew how difficult it was to breach the defenses in Sun Liang Peng’s residence. After all, Sun Liang Peng’s residence was also the residence of all the former Sect Leaders of the Simplicity Celestial Sect. It was protected by many complex Formations that Wang Qiao Zhan did not understand. If he drew too close to Sun Liang Peng’s residence, it would be easy for Sun Liang Peng to detect his presence.

Wang Qian Zhan’s eyes flashed with hatred, fury, and killing intent as he looked at Sun Liang Peng’s residence from afar. “Duan Ling Tian, you can stay there as long as you want. If I’m given even the smallest opportunity, I’ll definitely kill you!”

…

“Hmm?” When Duan Ling Tian entered Sun Liang Peng’s residence, he could feel an intense gaze on him. He instinctively turned to look at a mountain nearby and saw a figure standing at the peak of the mountain. His eyes narrowed slightly as he said, “That’s…”

“It’s the grand elder.” Sun Liang Peng finished Duan Ling Tian’s words. “I’ve noticed his presence since earlier. He’s been watching you like a predator eyeing its prey. It seems like I’m right; he has no intention to spare you…” Then, he sighed and said helplessly, “However, due to the sect’s rules, there’s nothing I can do to him before he attacks you. After all, he’s still the Grand Elder of the Simplicity Celestial Sect.”

Although Sun Liang Peng could easily kill Wang Qiao Zhan, he needed a reasonable cause to kill the Grand Elder of the Simplicity Sect. He could not simply kill Wang Qiao Zhang for a crime he had yet to commit. Moreover, it would stir up dissatisfaction in the other high-ranking officials of the sect.

Similarly, as the Sect Leader of the Simplicity Celestial Sect, Sun Liang Peng could expel Wang Qiao Zhan from the sect. However, he would still need a solid reason to do that.

For these reasons, Sun Liang Peng’s hands were tied. Although he knew Wang Qiao Zhan could make a move against Duan Ling Tian at any moment, there was nothing he could do about it for now.

In the end, Sun Liang Peng said to Duan Ling Tian, “Duan Ling Tian, you should stay here and cultivate if you have nothing urgent to attend to. If you have to leave my residence or the sect’s estate, please make sure to inform me about it so I can make the necessary arrangement to ensure your safety.” This was the best solution he could come up with for now. After a moment, he continued to say, “Naturally, it’s best if you don’t leave the sect’s estate at all. I’m rather certain the next assassin the Blood Skull Gang sends will be even more powerful than me…”

“Alright.” Duan Ling Tian nodded. To him, the cultivation environment here was similar to the cultivation environment in his true disciple residence. Therefore, it did not make a difference to him whether he cultivated here or there. Moreover, he did not care much about cultivation environments since he had the main branch from the Divine Tree of Life that he had claimed ownership over. The branch granted him unparalleled cultivation speed. Even Huan’er’s Divine Crystal could not compare to it.

…

Since the Chaos Divine Flame was in deep slumber, Duan Ling Tian noticed his comprehension speed when comprehending the law of fire’s profundities had slowed down considerably. Therefore, he switched his attention to raising his cultivation base and tried to break through to become a Celestial Duke.

It was a turning point once one became a Celestial Duke. After all, Celestial Dukes were able to create Little Worlds exclusive to them. According to the rumor, he could even possibly comprehend the law of space.

The law of space was one of the Four Supreme Laws that every Celestial Dukes could comprehend. Similar to the other Supreme Laws, the law of time, the law of life, and the law of death, the law of space could not be comprehended through Celestial Methods and Divine Abilities. The most common method for one to comprehend the law of space was through a Little World once one had broken through and became a Celestial Duke. Naturally, there were other ways to comprehend the law of space as well, but they were hard to come by and required a lot of luck and rare opportunities.

…

Time passed by silently as Duan Ling Tian immersed himself in raising his cultivation base. At some point, his cultivation base had almost reached that of a Celestial Duke. In fact, he was just a step away from a breakthrough and becoming a Celestial Duke. However, he was rather annoyed since the last step to become a Celestial Duke seemed almost insurmountable.

At this moment, Duan Ling Tian inhaled deeply before opening his eyes. He decided to pause his cultivation for now and resume comprehending the law of fire.

After Duan Ling Tian comprehended the law of fire’s Fundamental Profundity, the Fire Elemental Profundity, and the Pillaging Profundity, he began to comprehend the law of fire’s Burning Profundity.

According to Chaos Divine Flame, since he had experiences with using the Chaos Divine Flame to refine pills, it would be slightly easier for him to comprehend the Burning Profundity compared to the other law of fire’s profundities.

…

Similar to when Duan Ling Tian was cultivating, time continued to fly as he comprehended the Burning Profundity.

Unknowingly, five years had passed since Duan Ling Tian moved into Sun Liang Peng’s residence.

Duan Ling Tian had spent most of his time over the past five years cultivating and comprehending the law of fire’s Burning Profundity. At this moment, he was only one step away from completely comprehending and mastering the Burning Profundity. As for his cultivation base, the last step to becoming a Celestial Duke from a peak Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial no longer seemed as insurmountable as before.

At this moment, Duan Ling Tian thought to himself, ‘It shouldn’t be too difficult for me to break through and become a Celestial Duke within a year…’