The elders gradually recovered from their shock, but unlike Zheng Kaishan, they mostly showed confusion. After all, they hadn’t directly offended Li Tan and were content to watch from the sidelines. Compared to Zheng Kaishan’s situation, they were more curious about why Li Tan had come to Tianlang Sect personally.
As previously mentioned, since Li Tan could easily destroy Tianlang Sect upon a word from Zuo Qingchun, why would he bother coming here in person?
Could it be for some kind of treasure?
It was hard to imagine that a small sect like Tianlang would possess any treasure valuable enough to attract someone of Li Tan’s caliber. This was another unsolvable mystery. They couldn’t understand Li Tan’s every move, but at least they could confirm one thing—he definitely didn’t seem to have any ill intentions toward Tianlang Sect.
The disciples outside dared not make a sound, maintaining complete silence while staring intently at Li Tan, occasionally casting somewhat sympathetic glances toward Zheng Kaishan.
Zheng Kaishan, who had stirred up trouble only to be severely punished, felt his mind in chaos. He was truly caught between a rock and a hard place.
The Black Robe Organization had ordered him to kill Li Tan or at least drive him out of Tianlang Sect. However, completing this mission was clearly impossible now. Even if Li Tan committed every crime imaginable and enacted them all before everyone’s eyes, Zheng Kaishan still wouldn’t dare to resist.
Compared to the mysterious Black Robe Organization, Zheng Kaishan’s fear of Zuo Qingchun was even greater. Perhaps “fear” wasn’t the most appropriate word—it should rather be described as awe.
Awe toward a superior.
Thus, the incident came to an end. Actually, Li Tan wanted to settle the matter of Sima Luo and others right away, but it wasn’t the right time yet.
Previously, dealing with Zheng Kaishan would have been convenient had he not broken through to the Master realm. Now that he had, pushing too hard would only make him desperate. Besides, with only a week left until the excavation of the ancient tomb, there would be plenty of opportunities then.
Before that, it would be good to prepare first. Before departing for training, he had completed refining the Qi-enhancing pill. During this period of seclusion, he could fully focus on advancing to the middle stage of the Xiantian realm. If he succeeded, he would have a much easier time dealing with Zheng Kaishan, since the Qi reserves of the middle stage of Xiantian would allow him to barely use some martial arts techniques he was proud of before his rebirth.
From the moment he began cultivating after his rebirth until now, Li Tan had exclusively practiced the Panlong Fist without utilizing any other martial arts techniques. Essentially, this was because all the techniques he comprehended were far too advanced. Additionally, minor realm breakthroughs might also trigger certain changes within the Desolate Tower.
Upon breaking through to the Xiantian realm, an endless desolate world emerged. With this minor realm advancement, aside from an increase in Qi, that world should also undergo some changes.
In any case, after this trial, Zheng Kaishan had come in glory and departed in disgrace. Li Tan and others soon left the Judicial Department of Tianlang Sect.
Zhang Zhenshan and Zhang Zhi displayed even more respect, wisely refraining from asking any questions. After a brief greeting, they departed. They also understood that Li Tan’s very presence in Tianlang Sect was already a favor, something one could boast about for years. To further inquire about his intentions would simply be idiotic.
On the other hand, Zhang Chenghuan, who was still inexperienced in worldly affairs, hesitantly asked various questions. Since they were all trivial matters, such as “What was Xuecheng like in the book?” or “How powerful are experts beyond the Master realm?” Li Tan didn’t find them annoying. For once, he patiently answered all of them before returning to the training room to begin his retreat.
Just after seeing Li Tan off, Zhang Chenghuan was on her way back to her quarters when suddenly someone patted her shoulder, and an ear-piercing shriek rushed into her ears like a whirlwind.
Startled, she quickly turned around, pretending to be annoyed and pouting, “Xiaolan! Can’t you stop scaring me like that? You’re going to kill me one day!”
The girl called Xiaolan was Zhang Chenghuan’s close friend and the only one among the disciples who dared to joke around with her like this.
Xiaolan leaned in, full of curiosity, asking, “Was that guy you were just with the legendary Li Tan? What’s your relationship with him?”
“What relationship? We’re not even close.”
“If you’re not close, why would he patiently answer all your questions?
I was getting annoyed just listening from the side. Don’t lie! How far have you two gotten?”
Zhang Chenghuan’s cheeks flushed red as she scolded playfully, “Seriously, we’re not close at all. We’ve only known each other for a few days. There’s absolutely no relationship. Don’t imagine things, or I’ll get mad!”
“Okay, okay, don’t get mad, Chenghuan. I was just joking.”
Xiaolan put on a pitiful expression.
“Good, I’m glad you know you’re wrong. Want to go train in the back mountains later?”
“Sure, anytime. But you really have no relationship?”
“Really!”
The two girls walked away chatting and laughing, but Zhang Chenghuan felt a sense of loneliness in her heart.
Yes, she knew very well that she could never have any relationship with Li Tan. Even this accidental interaction was purely coincidental.
After all, they were from completely different worlds.
“Damn it! How could this happen!” Though it was broad daylight, the room’s curtains were tightly drawn, and no oil lamp was lit, making it dim and uncomfortable, with an oppressive atmosphere.
Zheng Kaishan trembled as he leaned against the chair, his sword placed beside it. He kept cursing angrily, and his fear was clearly evident beneath his fury.
Unable to do anything to Li Tan, he knew the Black Robe Organization would surely deal with him instead. Even if they didn’t act immediately, they would settle the score later.
From what Zheng Kaishan knew about the Black Robe Organization, they seemed to strictly adhere to the belief of “not nurturing failures.”
Their standard for determining failure was whether one could complete assigned tasks. In some aspects, they were lenient—those who couldn’t complete missions might still be differentiated, and as long as they could demonstrate their abilities, they wouldn’t be considered failures.
But Zheng Kaishan? He couldn’t kill Li Tan, couldn’t drive him away, and his status was already beginning to waver.
He would definitely be labeled a “failure.”
The organization had no place for failures, and they maintained strict information control. After being expelled from the organization, his fate could be imagined even with just a little thought.
Fear began to overshadow his anger.
Zheng Kaishan’s expression grew increasingly twisted, his heavy breathing in the silent room abnormally noticeable.
Who knew how long had passed—at least several days—before he finally seemed to make a firm decision.
Soon after the trial ended, Li Tan quickly began his retreat.
He consumed the Qi-enhancing pill and furiously attempted to break through to a higher cultivation stage.
Time passed especially quickly while he was in a state of intense concentration. On the evening of the fourth day, Li Tan opened his eyes, which had been closed for a long time, and his face lit up with joy.
He focused even harder, directing all his attention and spiritual awareness toward his dantian, or more specifically, the desolate world created by the Cosmos Star Manual.
Some changes were occurring in this once-dead world.
The sky, previously black and hollow like the void, began to subtly turn into a dark ink color. Under the vast heavens, wisps of white, like gauze, appeared and gradually gathered, eventually forming something akin to clouds in certain areas. Then, a drizzle began to fall.
Spirit rain?
Not exactly. This was just ordinary rainfall, moistening the previously parched and lifeless land, giving it some vitality.
Finally, the extremely thin spiritual energy in this world began to surge chaotically yet rhythmically, moving left and right, up and down in irregular yet orderly patterns. When the turbulence settled, the density of spiritual energy had increased threefold.
Typically, when an average cultivator breaks through, the increase in spiritual energy density is at most double. Yet he had tripled it! Overjoyed, Li Tan jumped up excitedly. His choice back then had indeed been correct!
Although the Cosmos Star Manual was still unremarkable at present, hovering between the Xuan and Huang levels, he believed that in the near future, it would bring him—and the Black Robes—tremendous results.
He clenched his right fist tightly, enveloped in swirling energy, and slammed it forcefully into the ground. The floor, sturdy enough to withstand a full-powered strike from a peak Xiantian expert, shattered like glass. Though this punch had drawn some strength from the Coiling Dragon Fist, the resulting amplification was still staggering.
However, these were secondary concerns. What Li Tan was most eager to test now were the martial techniques from his past life.
If he could display even a fraction of their former power, he could instantly kill ordinary Master-level experts, though he would be left exhausted afterward. Still, as a trump card, it was quite impressive.
He opened the door of the training room and directly leaped toward the forest.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage