Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Duan Ling Tian nodded in response after he saw the determination on Liu Guang Lin’s face. Then, he finally began to cultivate in a cross-legged position. He allowed Liu Guang Lin to follow him not only because of his innate talent and trustworthiness, but most importantly, it was due to his intelligence. He needed someone reliable and capable of helping him out, and Liu Guang Lin was the perfect match.
Liu Guang Lin greeted Huan’er before she sat crossed-legged and closed her eyes, completely ignoring Duan Ling Tian. No one knew if she was cultivating or comprehending Celestial Methods or Divine Abilities.
Naturally, Duan Ling Tian was aware of Huan’er’s change. He knew she was upset because he had introduced her as his little sister to Liu Guang Lin. However, he did not pay attention to her since he felt she would get over it sooner or later.
Now that Liu Guang Lin who had broken through and became a One Basic Celestial Duke was carrying them, the trio was moving much faster compared to before. Their journey progressed smoothly; they did not encounter any obstacles along the way. In the borderlands, there were Celestial Dukes who robbed travelers as well, but it was rare. Moreover, the route they were traversing was lesser known and mostly empty. Therefore, robbers would not usually lie in wait here.
…
A few months passed in just a blink of an eye.
‘I’m almost there, just a step away from a breakthrough. Soon enough, I’ll be an Earth Stage Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial!’ Duan Ling Tian’s energy surged for a moment as he cultivated using the Taiyi Profound Method, a King Grade Cultivation Method. At the same time, the Overarching Heaven Pill he consumed quickly took effect and turned into Celestial Origin Energy that circulated in a great Qi circulatory cycle.
…
Half a month later.
Duan Ling Tian was sitting cross-legged in the air. At this moment, a tremendous surge of aura roiled in his body. The aura he emitted was clearly different from before!
‘Finally… I’ve broken through! I’m an Earth Stage Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial!’ A hint of joy could be seen in his eyes when he opened them.
“Congratulations, master!” Although Duan Ling Tian’s current strength was comparable to a Four Phenomenons Celestial King, Liu Guang Lin could feel the changes in Duan Ling Tian’s aura that obviously belonged to an Earth Stage Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial. He was shocked when he extended his Divine Consciousness to Duan Ling Tian. ‘M-master… He’s not even 100 years old?’ How could he not be shocked when he discovered Duan Ling Tian was an Earth Stage Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial younger than 100 years old? Such a person was never heard of in the past 10,000 years in the borderlands, right?
‘Hm? Where’s Huan’er?!’ Duan Ling Tian’s expression darkened slightly when he discovered Huan’er was nowhere to be found. He stared at Liu Guang Lin pointedly.
“Master.” Liu Guang Lin’s face was pale as he smiled wryly. “Miss Huan’er… She… She left…”
“When did she leave? Why wasn’t I informed?” Duan Ling Tian’s expression changed drastically when he heard Liu Guang Lin’s words. He did not doubt Liu Guang Lin’s words. For him to be unaware of Huan’er’s departure, she must have willingly left.
“About a month ago…” Liu Guang Lin took out a Spatial Ring and passed it to Duan Ling Tian as he said, “Before Miss Huan’er left, she wanted you to have this Spatial Ring. I wanted to inform you when I found Miss Huan’er was leaving, but she threatened me with her life, master. She seemed determined. I’m sure she wasn’t joking. That’s why I didn’t dare to tell you.” A helpless expression could be seen on his face as he spoke.
As Duan Ling Tian listened to Liu Guang Lin’s explanation, he studied the Spatial Ring in his hand. The Spatial Ring was empty, saved for two items: a necklace and a voice-recording Celestial Talisman. His expression changed drastically when he saw the necklace. It was the necklace that held the Divine Crystal. He opened the pendant that revealed the Divine Crystal in the Spatial Ring, and Heaven and Earth Spirit Energy filled up the ring immediately.
‘Huan’er…’ Duan Ling Tian’s expression was grim. He did not expect Huan’er to leave him with her most precious belonging after she left. Without the Divine Crystal, her cultivation would be adversely affected. ‘Silly girl!’
Then, Duan Ling Tian took out the Celestial Talisman. After crushing it, Huan’er’s voice flooded his ears.
“Brother Ling Tian, I’m leaving. I don’t actually want to leave, but I think it’s best for me to leave. Perhaps, you’ll miss me once I leave just like how you miss Sister Ke’er, Sister Li Fei, Sister Tian Wu, and Sister Murong Bing… Brother Ling Tian, I know you want to grow stronger as quickly as possible to save those you love so I left the Divine Crystal my mother has given me for you. I hope it will help you to improve your strength quickly.”
‘Huan’er…’ Duan Ling Tian’s expression turned grimmer. It would be a lie to say he was not moved by her action. After all, her cultivation would slow down immensely without the Divine Crystal. ‘Silly girl! What a silly girl!’
A hint of anxiety could be seen on Duan Ling Tian’s face as he looked at Liu Guang Yi with reddened eyes. He asked in a deep voice, “Which direction did Huan’er go?”
“That way.” Liu Guang Lin pointed to the side.
As soon as Liu Guang Lin finished speaking, Duan Ling Tian’s body flickered out of sight as his Celestial Origin Energy that was equivalent to that of a Four Phenomenons Celestial King surged out.
Liu Guang Lin stopped moving and waited for Duan Ling Tian’s return. He knew his master had gone to look for Huan’er…
…
With the strength granted by the consumable Royal Grade Celestial Weapon, Duan Ling Tian was moving at top speed toward the direction Liu Guang Lin had pointed out. Alas, even as his strength gradually weakened, there was still no sight of Huan’er.
‘Based on Huan’er’s speed, I should definitely catch up with her by now if she kept moving this way… unless she changed direction. Huan’er has grown bored of the borderlands so she would not stay here. There’s only one possibility left: she intentionally left in this direction to mislead Liu Guang Lin. She must have changed direction halfway and is moving toward the central area as well,’ Duan Ling Tian mused inwardly.
Duan Ling Tian quickly returned to Liu Guang Lin and continued his search as they traveled to the central area. He was moving at an extremely fast speed even though he had to carry Liu Guang Lin with his energy as well. In just a short while, he arrived near the border of the borderlands and central area.
“Master, the mountain range ahead is the border between the borderlands and the central area… It’s where the Formation that forces Celestial Kings and those who are stronger to leave the borderlands is located. It stretches through the entire Southern Heaven Territory, separating the borderlands from the central area.”
Duan Ling Tian’s Celestial Origin Energy had dropped to that of a Three Talents Celestial King by now. Therefore, Liu Guang Lin could vaguely make out his surroundings unlike before.
“We’re about to enter the central area? Based on Huan’er’s speed, it’s impossible for her to arrive before us… Could she have gotten into trouble? I would’ve kept her Soul Pearl with me if I knew she was leaving!” Duan Ling Tian muttered to himself as he hovered in the air above the border that separated the borderlands and the central area. His expression was grim as his eyes flashed with anxiety.