2173 Stunned

The group of White Tiger Sanctum elders and disciples' eyes lit up when they heard the energetic voice. All of them flew closer to Duan Ling Tian to take a look.

"Lord Sanctum Leader!"

"Listen! Did you hear? Lord Sanctum Leader seems quite angry!"

"How can he not be angry? Duan Ling Tian's provoking him! With his temper, do you think he'll be able to keep calm?!"

"How bold of Duan Ling Tian to challenge Lord Sanctum Leader. Don't tell me he's really confident he can defeat Lord Sanctum Leader?"

Many White Tiger Sanctum elders and disciples discussed among themselves. They were not certain if Duan Ling Tian was strong enough to defeat the Sanctum Leader of White Tiger Sanctum. After all, they had witnessed how monstrously strong Duan Ling Tian was a few years ago.

Since Duan Ling Tian had come to the Fire Worship Sect, he had not lost before. He had won all the challenges that he had issued. He had only returned to the Fire Worship Sect today, but he had already issued a challenge. However, this time his opponent was not a disciple from the Fire Worship Sect but a Golden Flame Elder who was also the Sanctum Leader of White Tiger Sanctum! The Sanctum Leader of White Tiger Sanctum from the Four Symbols Sanctums could be considered as quite strong among the Golden Flame Elders in the Fire Worship Sect.

When the people present on the scene recalled Duan Ling Tian's previous feats and thought of the strength of the Sanctum Leader of White Tiger Sanctum, they were not certain what the outcome would be like.

"Lord Sanctum Leader's cultivation base is at the Fifth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage while Duan Ling Tian's cultivation base was at the Third or Fourth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage three years ago. Now that three years have passed, I wonder if he has grown strong enough to defeat Lord Sanctum Leader."

"One's cultivation becomes slower as the level becomes higher, especially once one reaches the Fourth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage. Every level is harder to break through than the one before. Even if Duan Ling Tian's cultivation base was at the Fourth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage three years ago, it doesn't mean he'll be able to break through to the Fifth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage in three years."

"I agree! This is why I think Lord Sanctum Leader has a higher chance of winning!"

"I can't wait to see Lord Sanctum Leader beating him up! How dare he act so outrageously in the White Tiger Sanctum? Does he think he can easily bully the White Tiger Sanctum?"

After discussing among themselves, most of the White Tiger Sanctum elders and disciples felt the Sanctum Leader of White Tiger Sanctum would win if he fought Duan Ling Tian.

Whoosh!

A thunderous noise rang in the air as a figure appeared close to Duan Ling Tian. Those White Tiger Sanctum disciples with a weaker cultivation base could not catch the figure's movement at all. It seemed as though he had appeared out of thin air.

It was a tall middle-aged man with a sturdy body. He was dressed in the exclusive uniform of an elder of the Fire Worship Sect. However, the flames on his robes were gold. There was an embroidery of a tiger with the word 'King' on its forehead on the robe as well. It was not difficult to guess the middle-aged man's identity from his uniform. It was Lu Qing, the Sanctum Leader of White Tiger Sanctum!

Lu Qing's face was covered with his beard. His eyes were big and framed by a pair of thick eyebrows. His hair was disheveled. All in all, he had a valiant and dangerous aura about him. As he hovered in the air, he looked like a ferocious tiger that was about to go on a hunt.

The moment Lu Qing appeared, the group of White Tiger Sanctum elders and disciples immediately greeted him respectfully.

"Lord Sanctum Leader!"

"Lord Sanctum Leader!"

Lu Qing nodded indifferently as he stared at Duan Ling Tian intently. "Duan Ling Tian, I've never met you before. However, I've heard a lot about you. It seems like you're a rare prodigy who only comes along every one thousand years in the Fire Worship Sect... You're probably the first person whom Lord Sect Leader has to personally invite back to the sect. I admire you a lot."

Although Lu Qing said he admired Duan Ling Tian, his tone was filled with disregard. This was because he knew the reason why the Sect Leader of Fire Worship Sect had released a statement asking for Duan Ling Tian's return. It was only because the Sect Leader wanted to borrow the Super Saint Weapon, the Devilseal Tablet, that Duan Ling Tian possessed to deal with the Devil Clans if they invade the Upper Province!

"Lu Qing, the Sanctum Leader of White Tiger Sanctum. I've heard about you as well," Duan Ling Tian replied indifferently.

"Duan Ling Tian, I know you have a high innate talent. I'm sure you've made huge progress in your cultivation base now that several years have gone by... However, are you certain you can defeat me? If you really think so, I must admit that I've overestimated you in the past. Currently, you're nothing but a brainless boor in my eyes." Lu Qing's tone turned colder when he heard the indifference in Duan Ling Tian's voice. It sounded like a provocation to him.

"Well, we'll find out if I'm strong enough to defeat you or not once we get this started." Duan Ling Tian seemed unbothered by Lu Qing's tone that had turned colder. He maintained his indifferent manner as though Lu Qing was insignificant in his eyes. Indeed, he really did not think much of Lu Qing.

Lu Qing, the Sanctum Leader of White Tiger Sanctum and a Golden Flame Elder in the Fire Worship Sect, was only at the Fifth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage at most. Disregarding everything, Duan Ling Tian's cultivation base alone was higher than Lu Qing's cultivation base. Duan Ling Tian's cultivation base was at the Sixth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage!

YOU!" Lu Qing became furious when he saw Duan Ling Tian's disregard of him. The Saint Origin in his body instantly surged out from his body with killing intent.

Some of the White Tiger Sanctum disciples who had a weaker cultivation base were pushed back on their feet from this force.

"Where does Duan Ling Tian get his courage from? How dare he look down on Lord Sanctum Leader?!"

Duan Ling Tian's nonchalance surprised the group of White Tiger Sanctum elders and disciples. They wondered why Duan Ling Tian spoke as though he had already won the fight.

"Lord Sect Leader is furious! I'm afraid Duan Ling Tian is going to get his skin flayed today even if he's not killed!"

Many of the White Tiger Sanctum elders and disciples shook their heads and said a silent farewell to Duan Ling Tian when they saw how furious Lu Qing was.

"Duan Ling Tian has only left the sect for a few years, but he thinks he's invincible now."

"He should be taught a lesson today so he knows his place. How dare he act so outrageously in front of the Sanctum Leader of White Tiger Sanctum? He's seeking death!"

"Well, Lord Sect Leader personally invited him back to the sect so I don't think Lord Sanctum Leader will kill him. However, I'm certain he'll suffer a lot of injuries today!"

Most of the White Tiger Sanctum elders and disciples did not have high regard for Duan Ling Tian. They felt he was looking for trouble.

A small number of White Tiger Sanctum elders and disciples had a solemn expression on their faces as they watched the scene that was unfolding before their eyes. They all had the same thought in their minds.

"Duan Ling Tian is just as confident as before. Is it possible that he really is strong enough to defeat Lord Sanctum Leader?"

Naturally, these people did not dare to give voice to this thought. The others would definitely curse them if they knew what they were thinking.

The Saint Origin surged out of Lu Qing's body and he was about to make a move...

Suddenly, a slightly impatient voice rang in the air. "Too slow!" Duan Ling Tian had a frown on his face when he spoke.

Duan Ling Tian's words further enraged Lu Qing, causing his Saint Origin to skyrocket immediately. His body was trembling violently from anger, and he prepared to strike...

"Sanctum Leader Lu, since you're not going to make a move, I'll make a move first!" Duan Ling Tian's impatient voice rang in the air again.

As Duan Ling Tian spoke, he moved his right hand quickly. A dazzling golden light appeared immediately on his body. It was his Sun Saint Origin!

Duan Ling Tian's Sun Saint Origin that swept out from his right hand grew brighter and brighter, blocking the sky from view. It seemed as though it had transformed into a gigantic hand.

As Duan Ling Tian moved his hand, the gigantic hand that was formed from his Sun Saint Energy moved toward Lu Qing, the Sanctum Leader of White Tiger Sanctum, as well.

Boom!

Rumble!

The gigantic hand clenched into a fist that resembled a mountain before it smashed down on Lu Qing!

This strike from Duan Ling Tian contained only Sun Saint Origin. He did not use any martial tactics, Divine Abilities or Saint Weapons.

However, this strike was more than enough to deal with Lu Qing.

When the gigantic hand reached out to grab Lu Qing, Duan Ling Tian's Sun Saint Origin swept out. It completely overpowered Lu Qing's Saint Origin.

Although Duan Ling Tian was only at the Sixth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage Sixth Form, his Sun Saint Origin was far superior to the Saint Origin of an ordinary cultivator at the Sixth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage. His Sun Saint Origin was comparable to the Saint Origin of a cultivator at the Seventh Form of the Saint Celestial Stage. It was only natural that his Sun Saint Origin easily overpowered the Saint Origin of a cultivator at the Fifth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage.

"Arghhh-"

Lu Qing, the Sanctum Leader of White Tiger Sanctum, could not move at all since the gigantic hand was holding him in place. He could only howl in pain as his face turned red. The Saint Origin in his body continued to surge out of his body. It was obvious he was using all his strength at this moment. Even then, he was still overpowered and defeated.

"T-T-This..."

"H-How is this possible?!"

Upon seeing this, the group of White Tiger Sanctum elders and disciples were stunned.