"I don't care about Ke'er's past life, she's my wife… No one can take her away from me unless I'm dead!"
Duan Ling Tian's determined words echoed in Gan Ru Yan's ears, causing her to fall into a daze as the look in her eyes changed when she looked at him. 'If he treats me this way as well, I'd have no regrets even if I die now!' After a while, she rose to her feet and said, "I've other things to attend to so I'll take my leave now..."
"Hmm." Duan Ling Tian nodded but his gaze never left his wife, Ke'er, who was teaching her daughter, Duan Si Ling, swordplay in the distance. It was as though Ke'er was the only thing he could see at this moment. For this reason, he did not notice the subtle hint of disappointment that flashed in Gan Ru Yan's eyes.
After Gan Ru Yan left the compound, she left the floating island as well. Killing intent flashed in her eyes as she thought to herself, 'There are only a few things I can do for you…' She decided to kill all those who had directly or indirectly offended Duan Ling Tian in the past. This was how bloodshed started in the Fire Worship Sect. However, Duan Ling Tian was unaware of all this. Those who had offended him in the past were like ants in his eyes. He did not even care enough about them to seek revenge. However, since Gan Ru Yan knew about them, she had taken it upon herself to avenge Duan Ling Tian.
...
Meanwhile, the news about the former Guardian of Fire Worship Sect, Duan Ling Tian, being the successor of Fog Rain Progeny swept through the western region like a hurricane, causing an uproar in its wake.
"The former Guardian of Fire Worship Sect, Duan Ling Tian, who's the next strongest after the sect leader in the Saint Sect is the successor of the Fog Rain Progeny, the First Absolute in the Seven Absolutes Sect? Is this true?"
Many people in the western region found the news hard to believe. The Seven Absolutes Sect and the Fire Worship Sect had deep enmity between them after all and everyone knew about it. It was only natural they found it difficult to accept when they found out Guardian Ling Tian of the Fire Worship Sect was the successor of the Fog Rain Progeny and the Sect Leader of Seven Absolutes Sect!
"Since the news came from the Saint Sect, it has to be true!" Many people confirmed the veracity of this news.
Those who were skeptical were convinced when they heard this. "You're right. If the news came directly from the Saint Sect, it has to be true!"
"However, I still feel it's too shocking. Who knew the Guardian of Fire Worship Sect would turn out to be the current Sect Leader of Seven Absolutes Sect?"
Although the people in the western region no longer doubted the veracity of the news, they were still shocked. However, they were even more shocked by what they heard next.
"When Duan Ling Tian revealed his identity as the Sect Leader of Seven Absolutes Sect, he killed Sect Leader Tang Xuan! After just a few years, Duan Ling Tian has become an Eminent Celestial!"
When news of this spread out, it caused a second uproar in the western region.
"The sect leader of the Saint Sect has been killed?"
"Guardian Ling Tian killed Lord Sect Leader of the Saint Sect? How's this possible?"
"A few years ago, former Guardian, Duan Ling Tian, was only the strongest person below the Ninth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage. He hadn't even broken through the Ninth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage at that time. In just a few short years, he actually became an Eminent Celestial and managed to kill Lord Sect Leader?"
"What a joke!"
"Someone who hadn't even broken through to the Ninth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage actually became an Eminent Celestial after four years… It's unbelievable!"
Everyone found it hard to wrap their heads around the fact that Duan Ling Tian had become an Eminent Celestial and killed Tang Xuan, the Sect Leader of Fire Worship Sect. However, as much as they were unwilling to believe this, they could not change anything.
"Perhaps, Duan Ling Tian hid his real cultivation base from the very beginning… Maybe he hid his identity as the successor of the Fog Rain Progeny to infiltrate the Fire Worship Sect."
"That's the only thing that makes sense. After all, it's impossible for someone who's at the Eighth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage to become an Eminent Celestial in just a few short years!"
"Who would've thought that the three sect leaders from the three great sects would die in the hands of the people in the Seven Absolutes Sect one after another. It seems like the Seven Absolutes Sect truly has heaven-defying strength!"
Tang Xuan's death, naturally, reminded everyone about the Sect Leaders from the Black Kshetra Sect and the Heaven Divination Sect who were killed by the people from the Seven Absolutes Sect. The Sect Leader of Black Kshetra Sect was killed by the current successor of the Red Dust Progeny, the Seventh Absolute of the Seven Absolutes Sect, while the Leader of the Heaven Divination Sect was killed by the current successor of the Prophet Progeny, the Second Absolute of the Seven Absolutes Sect. And now, the Sect Leader of the Fire Worship Sect was killed by the current successor of the Fog Rain Progeny, the First Absolute of the Seven Absolutes Sect.'
"It seems like the power balance in the Dao Martial Saint Land is about to undergo a change!"
News of this continued to spread from the western region to the rest of the Upper Province. Most people's reaction was the same.
"The former Guardian of Fire Worship Sect, Duan Ling Tian, is the current successor of the Fog Rain Progeny, the First Absolute of the Seven Absolutes Sect!"
"After a few years, Duan Ling Tian revealed his identity and cultivation base and killed the Sect Leader of the Fire Worship Sect. Along with the Sect Leaders from the Black Kshetra Sect and Heaven Divination Sect, they're all killed by members of the Seven Absolutes Sect."
"After Duan Ling Tian killed Sect Leader Tang Xuan, the sect was facing the threat of destruction. However, due to the four Guardians' quick wits, they managed to avert disaster by appointing Gan Ru Yan, Duan Ling Tian's wife's elder sister, as the new Sect Leader of Fire Worship Sect. She's also the direct disciple of Guardian Qing Huo."
"The Fire Worship Sect also declares that they'll no longer oppose the Seven Absolutes Sect from now on!"
As this news continued to spread through the Upper Province of the Dao Martial Saint Land like a hurricane, it left everyone stunned.
...
In the Black Kshetra Sect's estate.
Supreme Elder Lang Qian Jin's expression darkened when he heard this news. "Damn it! That Fire Worship Sect has no moral integrity at all!"\\
...
In the Heaven Divination Sect's estate.
"Fire Worship Sect! How outrageous!" The Great Oracle Mo Xuan's expression was gloomy as well when he heard this news. His voice was so cold when he spoke that it sent chills up the spines of those who listened to him speak.
…
Somewhere in the Upper Province of the Dao Martial Saint Land.
A pair of identical twin brothers looked at each other in shock when they heard the news that had been spreading in the Upper Province. "Duan… Duan Ling Tian? He's the current successor of the Fog Rain Progeny, the First Absolute of our Seven Absolutes Sect?"
These twin brothers were Nangong Chen and Nangong Yi, the successors of the Didymus Progeny, the Sixth Absolute of the Seven Absolutes Sect.
Nangong Yi who regained his senses said, "It's unexpected! Truly unexpected..."
Although Nangong Chen did not say anything, he was equally as shocked as Nangong Yi.
...
"Junior… Junior Brother Ling Tian is the successor of Fog Rain Progeny? He's also the Sect Leader of our Seven Absolutes Sect?" Gu Li, the current successor of the Kratos Progeny, the Third Absolute of the Seven Absolutes Sect, was dumbfounded. He only regained his senses after a long time. He felt the world was truly small. What a coincidence!
...
When Yue Wu Ying, the successor of the Dark Shadow Progeny, the Fourth Absolute of the Seven Absolutes Sect, found out about this, he murmured, "He finally discovered his true identity..."
...
Similarly, Han Xue Nai was in shock as well when she heard this news. "Brother Ling Tian is the successor of the Fog Rain Progeny?" This was completely unexpected! She laughed wryly as she muttered under her breath, "To think I actually compared Brother Ling Tian to the mysterious successor of the Fog Rain Progeny. Who knew they would turn out to be the same person?"
Han Xue Nai was, naturally, delighted after the shock had subsided. "Since Brother Ling Tian is also from the Seven Absolutes Sect, this means I'll be able to fight along his side in the future!" A hint of disappointment could be heard in her voice as she continued to speak to herself, "I must cultivate diligently. Brother Ling Tian is already an Eminent Celestial, but my cultivation base is still at the Eighth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage!"
...
On the peak of a steep and lonely mountain, an elegant figure dressed in bright red robes could be seen. This figure belonged to a woman who looked like a fairy. This woman was none other than Feng Tian Wu, the current successor of the Blazing Phoenix Progeny, the Fifth Absolute of the Seven Absolutes Sect.
"Brother Duan..."
Unlike most of the members of the Seven Absolutes Sect, Feng Tian Wu had known since before that Duan Ling Tian was the successor of the Fog Rain Progeny. However, she was prohibited by the Old Prophet to speak about this to the other members. In recent years, she had gone to the western region multiple times. She had even disguised herself as a disciple of the Fire Worship Sect to infiltrate the sect, but she did not find Duan Ling Tian nor did she hear any news about him at all. It seemed like he had vanished without a trace, and it caused her to worry endlessly until today.