2101 Sanctum Leader of the Azure Dragon Sanctum

"No… It's impossible!! M-my c-cultivation speed! Why has it become so slow? How's it possible?!"

Bu Hong was lying prone on the floor in one of the rooms in the mansion on the floating island. His eyes were lifeless and his face was pale as he alternated between mumbling to himself and growling. It was as though he had gone insane. He was in a wretched state.

Ever since Bu Hong was defeated and knocked out by Duan Ling Tian, the new monstrous prodigy who had quickly risen in ranks in the Fire Worship Sect, he was very determined to cultivate to get stronger when he woke up due to the humiliation he had suffered. He needed to get stronger. Being defeated and knocked out by Duan Ling Tian in public was a huge humiliation to him. He had sworn to redeem himself. Bu Hong planned to challenge Duan Ling Tian to a Death Duel so he could kill Duan Ling Tian in the Palace of Death to wash away his humiliation.

However, when Bu Hong was trying hard to cultivate, he discovered he could not sense any Heaven and Earth Spirit Energy. After a while, with much effort, he finally managed to sense Heaven and Earth Spirit Energy again. Unfortunately, he discovered he could only faintly sense the Heaven and Earth Spirit Energy. As for his cultivation speed, it was as slow as a snail when he tried to absorb the Heaven and Earth Spirit Energy.

'Even the idiots with red Innate Spiritual Roots can cultivate faster than this!' Bu Hong thought to himself at that time.

In the beginning, Bu Hong thought his slow speed when absorbing the Heaven and Earth Spirit Energy was only a side effect from being knocked out by Duan Ling Tian. He thought he would recover after a few days.

However, as the days passed, things remained the same. Bu Hong's heart sank. At that point, he realized he had a problem. He was completely ruined!

Bu Hong had regained some strength at this time and his eyes gleamed sinisterly. It was filled with hatred as though he could not wait to tear Duan Ling Tian into a million pieces. 'What did Duan Ling Tian do to me?!'

'Master! I have to see master!" After taking a deep breath, Bu Hong remembered his master, the Sanctum Leader of the Fire Worship Sect's Azure Dragon Sanctum

The true disciples who were hovering near Bu Hong's residence after they heard him scream were surprised when they saw him flying out of his residence and disappeared from their sight in just a blink of an eye. Even then, they could vaguely determine the direction he was heading toward.

"It seems like Senior Brother Bu Hong is heading to the Azure Dragon Sanctum," a true disciple said once he regained his senses.

"Is he planning to look for his master?" Another true disciple asked.

"Is he going to look for his master to ask him to avenge him?" Another one of the true disciples said as he shook his head. There was a hint of disdain in his eyes when he looked at the direction Bu Hong was headed in.

As a true disciple, not only did Bu Hong not diligently cultivate to get stronger after he was defeated, but he even went to his master to whine and complain! How embarrassing!

The Fire Worship Sect had a rule that forbade Saint Land disciples from going to the Four Symbols Sanctums regardless if they were true disciples or Saint Land disciples unless they had permission from the Sanctum Leaders. People who violated that rule would be severely punished. Nevertheless, that rule did not apply to a few people. These people were the direct disciples of the Sanctum Leaders of the Four Symbols Sanctums.

The direct disciples of the Sanctum Leaders would certainly be protected by their masters even if they enter the Four Symbols Sanctums without prior permission or notification. Their masters would definitely cover for them by saying they had invited their direct disciples over.

Since Bu Hong was the direct disciple of the Sanctum Leader of the Azure Dragon Sanctum, he, naturally, enjoyed this privilege.

Upon leaving the Fire Worship Sect's Saint Land and entering the Azure Dragon Sanctum, Bu Hong easily entered the place of cultivation for high-ranking officials from the Azure Dragon Sanctum.

The place of cultivation for high-ranking officials from the Azure Dragon Sanctum was similar to the other three Sanctums. It was located in a quiet area and was forbidden to most people.

"Bu Hong?" Bu Hong's arrival had surprised one of the Azure Dragon Sanctum's Silver Flame Elders. His expression had turned grim when he saw a disciple barging into the forbidden area. However, when he realized it was Bu Hong, his expression changed immediately. A fawning smile appeared on his face when he saw Bu Hong. After all, Bu Hong was not only the direct disciple of the Sanctum Leader of Azure Dragon Sanctum, but he was also the first direct disciple of the Sanctum Leader. With Bu Hong's monstrous innate talent, his future achievement would definitely surpass the Sanctum Leader of Azure Dragon Sanctum. At the very least, he would become a Vice Sanctum Leader! It would only do him good to flatter Bu Hong.

Soon after, the Azure Dragon Sanctum's Silver Flame Elder realized that Bu Hong seemed to be in a hurry and had ignored him. He caught a glimpse of Bu Hong's grim expression and pale face.

The Azure Dragon Sanctum's Silver Flame Elder was, naturally, not annoyed. However, he was confused. "What happened?"

As the first direct disciple of the Sanctum Leader of Azure Dragon Sanctum and one of the Fire Worship Sect's prodigies, what could have caused Bu Hong to lose his composure?

'Could it be because of Duan Ling Tian again?' The Azure Dragon Sanctum's Silver Flame Elder suddenly remembered the incident where Bu Hong was defeated and knocked out a while ago. 'After that incident, Bu Hong had remained quiet… Now that he has come to the Azure Dragon Sanctum to look for Lord Sanctum Leader, don't tell me Duan Ling Tian has provoked him again?' The expression on his face was interesting, to say the least, when he thought about this. 'Duan Ling Tian is really a freak… I don't know which hole he came from. He managed to rise to the second place among the young prodigies in less than a year after joining the Fire Worship Sect!' The Azure Dragon Sanctum's Silver Flame Elder fell into a daze when the thought about Duan Ling Tian's meteoric rise in the sect. Nobody had risen so quickly in ranks in the history of Fire Worship Sect!

...

"Master!" Bu Hong called out respectfully after he rushed to the Azure Dragon Sanctum from the Saint Land when he arrived at the doorstep of his master's residence.

"Come in!" A booming voice rang from inside the mansion soon after.

Based on the voice, it definitely belonged to a man. Not only was the voice loud, but it was also hoarse.

Bu Hong entered the mansion and reached the familiar front yard. He stood respectfully in front of a pavilion. A middle-aged man with a strong build stood in the pavilion. His muscles made the robe he was wearing seemed tight. The middle-aged man was as solid as iron. His face was angular. He had bushy eyebrows and thick lips, making him look fierce. This was the Sanctum Leader of the Azure Dragon Sanctum, Lu Tie!

Bang!

A loud noise rang in the air as Bu Hong kneeled in front of Lu Tie.

After Bu Hong kneeled down, he lowered his head and said in a hoarse voice, "I have embarrassed you, master."

"Stand up," Lu Tie said indifferently. It was difficult to tell what he felt based on his words alone.

"Yes, master." Bu Hong did not dare to disobey Lu Tie. He stood up immediately, but his head was still lowered. It was as though he was ashamed to face his master.

"I heard about what happened from Yan'er," Lu Tie said indifferently just like before, "It's not unreasonable that Duan Ling Tian defeated you. However, with your Martial Dao innate talent and your indigo Innate Spiritual Root, it won't take long for you to surpass Duan Ling Tian if you cultivate diligently. At that time, you can get even with him and wash away the humiliation that you've suffered!" Lu Tie's voice turned gentle when he spoke. There was a hint of encouragement in his tone as well.

Lu Tie was extremely satisfied with his first direct disciple. He was lucky that Bu Hong had accepted him as his master since he possessed an indigo Innate Spiritual Root. With Bu Hong's Innate Spiritual Root, he was certainly qualified to be the direct disciple of one of the Vice Sect Leaders or even the Guardians and the Sect Leader himself.

Among all the Fire Worship Sect's Golden Flame Elders, Lu Tie was the only one whose direct disciple possessed an indigo Innate Spiritual Root. The other Golden Flame Elders greatly treasured their disciples with blue Innate Spiritual Roots, let alone him who had a direct disciple with an indigo Innate Spiritual Root!

"Master… I'm afraid there's no chance for me surpassing Duan Ling Tian," Bu Hong said helplessly. His body trembled when he heard Lu Tie's words that contained high hopes for him. He clenched his hands tightly and veins were prominent on his forehead. It was obvious his emotions were in turmoil.

Upon hearing Bu Hong's words, Lu Tie's expression darkened. He looked at Bu Hong as though he was about to lose his temper. "What do you mean? Just because you're defeated once, you've decided to give up?"

Bu Hong only smiled bitterly. With his current cultivation speed, how could he avenge himself? The gap between him and Duan Ling Tian would only grow wider and wider. He would never be able to catch up to Duan Ling Tian.

At this moment, Lu Tie realized that his first direct disciple was acting strangely. His expression darkened even more. "What's the matter?"

Bu Hong took a deep breath before he recounted everything about his current condition to Lu Tie. He did not dare to hide it from his master.

"What you're saying is that your Innate Spiritual Root seems to have disappeared?" Lu Tie's expression changed drastically. He said, "I'm going to take a look at your Innate Spiritual Root in the depth of your soul with my Divine Consciousness. Don't resist it."

After Bu Hong nodded, Lu Tie extended his Divine Consciousness to enter Bu Hong's body and soul to try and sense his Innate Spiritual Root.