‘It seems like teacher does care for me.’
‘It’s obvious he gave me a reminder because he didn’t want too many people to know I’ve broken through again… Truth be told, it hasn’t been that long since I’ve broken through to the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage.’
‘If news of my current breakthrough to the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage spreads out, it might cause unnecessary trouble… After all, the speed of my breakthroughs is just too outrageous.’ Duan Ling Tian understood the City Governor of Mound Hill City’s good intention. He felt a sense of warmth.
If he was a bit insincere when he addressed the City Governor of Mound Hill City as Teacher earlier, then now, he truly treated the City Governor of Mound Hill City as his teacher.
The City Governor of Mound Hill City was the second person whom Duan Ling Tian sincerely regarded as his teacher ever since his arrival in this world.
As for the first person, it was Cloud Continent’s Sima Chang Feng.
Sima Chang Feng used to be the Dean of Crimson Sky Kingdom’s Paladin Academy. Duan Ling Tian had relocated it to the Ling Tian Sect before he left the Overseas Saint Islands.
Duan Ling Tian had always regarded Sima Chang Feng as his teacher even though he was currently millions of times stronger than Sima Chang Feng. This was not because he had taught him a lot of things. On the contrary, he barely taught him anything. He respected Sima Chang Feng because he had helped him many times previously. He would never forget his kindness.
Currently, the City Governor of Mound Hill City’s position in Duan Ling Tian’s heart had risen substantially even though it was still not comparable to Sima Chang Feng.
“Duan Ling Tian, you’re an honorable opponent,” Ling Yun stared at Duan Ling Tian and said solemnly, “If you’re an ordinary Martial Cultivator at the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage, I wouldn’t bother using my sword. In fact, most Martial Cultivators at the of the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage are not even worthy of me using my sword.”
“I’ll have to use my sword in our battle… However, I’ll allow you to attack first. I’ll give you a head start since you’re just a Martial Cultivator at the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage,” Ling Yun said, as his face heated up from embarrassment.
With his cultivation base at the Perfection Mortal Shedding Stage, even if he did not make the first move during the battle against a Martial Cultivator at the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage, he still had the unfair advantage when he used his sword. Therefore, he felt a little embarrassed. However, he had no choice but to do that.
He would not have cared if it was just an ordinary Martial Cultivator at the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage. However, this Duan Ling Tian had defeated Xiong Hu who was ranked no.2 among the Thirteen Gangsters in just one move. He was strong enough that Ling Yun had to treat him with caution.
“Are you certain you want me to make the first move?” Duan Ling Tian asked as he looked at Ling Yun calmly.
“Yes.” Ling Yun nodded.
Was that a joke?
He already had an unfair advantage of fighting a Martial Cultivator at the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage even though his own cultivation base was at the Perfection Mortal Shedding Stage… How embarrassing would it be if he insisted on making the first move?
“You’ll regret this,” Duan Ling Tian said as he stared intently at Ling Yun.
“I, Ling Yun, never regret anything,” Ling Yun said slowly as his eyes glinted.
Duan Ling Tian smiled so widely that he managed to creep Ling Yun out.
Following that, under the watchful eyes of Ling Yun and the others, a layer of silver luster shone on Duan Ling Tian’s body. It was as though he was wearing a silver coat.
“Silver Shirt!” The City Governor of Mound Hill City’s eyes lit up when he saw the silver luster on the surface of Duan Ling Tian’s skin. It was obvious he recognized the defensive move Duan Ling Tian was using.
Then again, the Human Rank Mediocre Saint Grade Martial Tactic that contained the Silver Shirt was one of the Saint Grade Martial Tactics available in the Merit Pavilion of the City Governor’s Estate. As the City Governor of Mound Hill City, he naturally knew that.
After Duan Ling Tian cast the Silver Shirt, he raised his left hand, and the Sun Shooting Bow appeared.
Subsequently, True Energy shot out from his right hand and condensed into an arrow, and he nocked it on the Sun Shooting Bow… Duan Ling Tian slightly drew the bowstring that was made from the tendon of a Five-Clawed Devil Dragon and instantly released it.
Xiu!
In just a split second, a solid arrow ray shot out like a meteor shooting across the sky.
Following that, Duan Ling Tian flew out along with it, standing firmly on the arrow ray. The air compressed before it exploded in their wake.
Body and Arrow Synchronization!
Duan Ling Tian was so fast that Xiong Hu and Jin Yuan Bao who were standing at the side could not catch his movements at all.
“So fast!” The City Governor of Mound Hill City’s eyes widened in shock.
Although he knew Duan Ling Tian’s cultivation base had broken through to the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage and was not weaker than a Martial or Dao Cultivator at the Perfection Mortal Shedding Stage, he did not expect his arrow to be so fast.
‘Even an arrow shot by a Martial Cultivator at the peak of the Perfection Mortal Shedding Stage with his full strength wouldn’t be so fast!’ The City Governor of Mound Hill City’s heart skipped a beat.
“So fast!” As the party involved, Ling Yun regretted his choice as soon as Duan Ling Tian shot the arrow.
Unfortunately, there was no use in crying over spilled milk.
Just as he was about to move to the side, his hands touching the hilt of the sword on his back, he discovered the figure that was still quite a distance away earlier had arrived before him.
Bang!
Before he could even react, Ling Yun was sent flying away by Duan Ling Tian’s punch, similar to Xiong Hu.
Unlike Xiong Hu who had fallen to the ground in an embarrassing manner, Ling Yun managed to land on his feet even though his body swayed, and he was pale. Suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
He looked as though he had seen a ghost when he looked at Duan Ling Tian again.
Although he had expected Duan Ling Tian’s strength to be comparable to an ordinary Martial Cultivator at the Perfection Mortal Shedding Stage, he did not expect him to be so strong!
Once he made the first move, Ling Yun did not even have to chance to avoid it or draw his sword.
‘He… Is he really a Martial Cultivator at the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage?’ At this moment, Ling Yun truly felt skeptical.
However, he dismissed the thought when he recalled Duan Ling Tian had just broken through to the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage three months ago. It was even confirmed by two Saint Rudiment Stage powerhouses using the Spiritual Secret Tactic.
‘It’s impossible for Duan Ling Tian to break through again in just three months.’ Ling Yun was very certain on that.
What a joke!
To break through from the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage to the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage in just three months… Even the top prodigy in the Dao Martial Saint Land was not capable of that.
Even if they had the best resources and cultivation environment, it was just not possible to break through within such a short period of time.
“Good, good!” The City Governor of Mound Hill City stared at Duan Ling Tian with sparkling eyes as the fat on his cheeks jiggled due to his excitement.
Although he had guessed that Duan Ling Tian might defeat Ling Yun after he discovered he had broken through to the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage, he did not expect him to defeat him in just one move.
Duan Ling Tian’s current strength had surpassed the old Su Qi.
Xiong Hu and Jin Yuan Bao were simply dumbfounded. They stood rooted to their spots, and it took them a while before they regained their senses.
Although they knew Duan Ling Tian was strong, they did not expect him to be so strong… He had the advantage by striking first, and he defeated Ling Yun before he even had time to react.
“He defeated Senior Brother Ling Yun with one move… Does this mean Duan Ling Tian’s stronger than Senior Brother Su Qi?” Jin Yuan Bao muttered after gasping.
“Yes. Even Senior Brother Su Qi needed three moves to defeat Senior Brother Ling Yun.” Xiong Hu nodded.
Both Xiong Hu and Jin Yuan Bao genuinely submitted to Su Qi’s strength.
‘Sure enough… If I use the Silver Shirt, along with the strength of my physical body, and I fully unleash my strength, it’ll surpass someone at the peak of the Perfection Mortal Shedding Stage.’ Earlier, Duan Ling Tian managed to defeat Ling Yun instantly because he had the advantage of striking first and had unleashed almost all his strength.
‘With my current strength, I might be able to fight a Martial or Dao Cultivator who had just broken through to the Paramount Mortal Shedding Stage! Naturally, it’ll still be quite difficult for me to win.’ Duan Ling Tian was aware of his own strength in this regard.
The Perfection Mortal Shedding Stage was not comparable to the Paramount Shedding Stage.
“If it’s the old Su Qi, he wouldn’t be a match for Duan Ling Tian indeed… However, Su Qi has just broken through to the Paramount Mortal Shedding Stage just half a month ago,” the City Governor of Mound Hill City said with a smile when he heard Jin Yuan Bao and Xiong Hu’s words.
The City Governor of Mound Hill City’s words froze Ling Yun, Xiong Hu, and Jin Yuan Bao. “Senior Brother Su Qi has broken through to the Paramount Mortal Shedding Stage?”
“He broke through to the Paramount Mortal Shedding Stage before he turned forty… Oh, God! What kind of innate talent is that?”
“Having such innate talent, he can be considered as a first-rate monstrous prodigy even in the Moon Illumination Sect. He’ll be valued by the top official in the Moon Illumination Sect and they’ll even train him vigorously.”
Xiong Hu and Jin Yuan Bao felt a little envious as they discussed this.
“Su Qi has broken through to the Paramount Mortal Shedding Stage?” Duan Ling Tian was surprised.
Similar to him, Su Qi was also a Martial Cultivator from the Mortal Continent.
As a Martial Cultivator from the Mortal Continent, even if he had just broken through to the Paramount Mortal Shedding Stage, his strength was not comparable to an ordinary person at the Paramount Mortal Shedding Stage who was native to the Dao Martial Saint Land.
Duan Ling Tian thought about it and honestly felt he was not confident fighting Su Qi who had just broken through to the Paramount Mortal Shedding Stage.
“Speaking of the Moon Illumination Sect… In six months’ time, the Moon Illumination Sect will open its doors to recruit new disciples. At that time, the Eighteen Cities, including us, will send our best disciples there.”
The City Governor of Mound Hill City said, “Among the four of you, Duan Ling Tian and Ling Yun will definitely pass the Moon Illumination Sect’s test and join them… Xiong Hu, Jin Yuan Bao, it’s not impossible for both of you if you manage to improve within the next six months.”
Moon Illumination Sect was a powerful sect that controlled the Eighteen Cities, including Mound Hill City. It was a seventh-rate force that also controlled a grade-seven Saint Stones reserve.
Even the City Governor of Mound Hill City was a known disciple of the Moon Illumination Sect.
“In order to amaze the world with a single feat during the entrance exam of the Moon Illumination Sect, Su Qi has gone into closed-door cultivation recently. He’s preparing to cultivate three moves from a Human Rank Mediocre Saint Grade Martial Tactic to the Impeccable Stage,” the City Governor of Mound Hill City said as he looked at the four of them.