Chapter 26 - Thrones

As the crowd silently stared at Tatsuya's departing figure, they all let out different respective sigh that represented their current turbulent emotions. Some felt shocked, worried about their life, terror from Tatsuya's power, and other such emotions.

"T-that's impossible…"

Among the large crowd that populated the outside of the outer disciple's dormitory, a bulky and large man unceasingly trembled in terror. He was the lackey of Hu Jian that Tatsuya decimated two days ago. His body continuously convulsed, with evident dread present on his face.

"Man, you offended him two days ago. I pity you…"

The outer disciple that stood beside the bulky man, felt that the latter's trembling is natural. After all, the bulky man had offended Tatsuya two days ago. The outer disciple tapped the bulky man's shoulder, without any fear despite the latter being a bully.

"No… you don't understand…"

"What?"

The bulky man spoke while trembling, his gaze never leaving the direction where Tatsuya's figure vanished. The outer disciple felt confused over the bully's unusual behavior, opting himself to leave. He would glance at the bulky man, and would shake his head, as he left the perimeter.

"You guys don't understand, that man, Shiba Tatsuya, only possessed the cultivation of a 1st stage of True Profound Realm cultivator two days ago…"

The bulky man murmured to himself, his voice inaudible to the people around him. Finally deciding to leave the place, he glanced at the direction where Tatsuya had gone to, before leaving the place. Each step of his, represented the trembling of his heart.

"I offended someone I shouldn't have and someone that nobody should do in the future…"

The bulky man left the place gloomily, without being aware that someone was looking at him. The gaze contained complicated emotion, as it also glanced at the direction where Tatsuya had gone to. Ling Huan was the one actually looking at the bulky man.

"Shiba Tatsuya could skip 7 stages? Talent that rivals Ling Yun?"

"What a joke. That man fought me and defeated me easily with only 1st stage of True Profound Realm cultivation base. His talent is beyond what they had concluded…"

Ling Huan shook his head, and knew that the bulky man also shared the same feeling, that Tatsuya is a dragon among dragons. He then turned his body away, and then suddenly shuddered in shock. He found a very beautiful woman standing before him.

"Mo Yan'er…"

"Ling Huan, is what you have just said true?"

"There's no point in hiding it before you. Just promise me that you won't ever leak anything about it…"

Ling Huan seriously confirmed her question, with the intent to clarify things with Mo Yan'er. Outside of his expectation, Mo Yan'er just nodded her head without any rebukes and question. Seeing her docile made Ling Huan realize something.

"I see. So, the upper echelons already know of his existence…"

"…"

They both glanced at the direction where Tatsuya had gone to, as the place descended into silence. Some disciples noticed them together, but they only ignored them.

…

(Hm. If what I surmised is true, then below the Mission Hall lies the inheritance dimension of the White Tiger God…)

Tatsuya thought to himself, completely unbothered by the looks of the people around him. If back then, every disciple would look at Tatsuya with disdain and scorn. Now, their gaze contained awe, fear, and respect.

With his innate ability, Elemental Sight, completely active all this time, Tatsuya was able to sense every single thing within the whole Heavenly Sword Villa. Not a web of spider, or piece of rubble escaped his sight, as he seriously analyzed the structure of the Mission Hall.

(So this is it…)

Tatsuya said to himself, while gazing at the gigantic building before him. He could feel that the profound energy is more abundant in this place compared to the latter. He instantly knew that this was the result of the White Tiger God's inheritance being situated in this place.

(For the past few days, I haven't sensed any single Emperor Profound Realm cultivator within the villa. For now, I'll just analyze the molecular structure of that elder.)

Gazing upon the black-bearded elder that guarded the Mission Hall, Tatsuya began his analyzing process of the elder's molecular structure. He leisurely went towards the Mission Hall, every step of his and actions felt natural.

"I see that you are new here, fellow. Read the instructions carved on the marble, and remember that each mission might take your life…"

"Thank you, elder."

Tatsuya slight bowed at the black-bearded elder, as his emotionless eyes hid his penetrating gaze. The black-bearded elder was completely unaware, and only nodded at Tatsuya's appropriate behavior.

(Thank you, black-bearded elder. Now, maybe the Thrones are all guarding the gate towards the White Tiger God's inheritance dimension… I'll survey the surroundings first.)

Already finished planning his next action, Tatsuya slowly moved towards the marble that is located in the center of the Mission Hall. Different rules and instructions are carved on the marble, indicating the proper manners that the disciples should follow.

Tatsuya glanced at the missions, and just grabbed a piece of paper. The paper contained the different information about the mission that Tatsuya have chosen.

"I'll apply for this mission…"

"What?"

Apparently, an honorary elder currently guarded the Mission Hall. He only possessed 1st stage of Earth Profound Realm cultivation base, despite being old. It seemed that he was only destined to be an honorary elder for his life.

"Are you joking, young man?"

"This mission could be only taken by disciples of 1st stage Earth Profound Realm and above. Don't overestimate yourself."

"…"

Tatsuya silently stared at the honorary elder. The surrounding disciples around them murmured and felt interested by such situation. However, some disciples knew of Tatsuya's current identity, and intentionally went forward.

"Elder, this outer disciple is Shiba Tatsuya. He possesses the talent to skip 7 stages, so I don't think there's any problem here."

"What?!"

The moment that disciple revealed Tatsuya's talent and identity, an uproar manifested on the Mission Hall, making the hall extremely lively. The honorary elder then gulped back, and coughed a few before slowly changing his initial decision.

"I forgot that you are that Shiba Tatsuya, then you could now take this mission."

"Hear that brother Tatsuya? You can now take the mission."

The disciple that inconveniently helped Tatsuya, smiled at the latter while quickly grabbing the mission paper. The disciple inwardly felt delighted over his own judgement to help Tatsuya at this predicament.

"…"

"Brother Tatsuya?"

Then, the disciple noticed that the man wasn't budging at all, as he felt confused. He then looked closer at Tatsuya and involuntarily stared at the latter's eyes. In that instant, he felt terror spread throughout his body.

"Hii!"

The disciple fell into the ground, as terror floated into his face. When he had stared into Tatsuya's eyes, he felt his very existence being laid bare before those eyes, and it was a feeling that made him felt threatened.

"B-brother Tatsuya, I'll leave the mission paper here…"

The disciple grumblingly left the Mission Hall, while trembling from time to time. The other disciples felt confused over the reason why he had suddenly fallen into the ground. After all, cultivators usually don't make that kind of mistakes.

(2 Emperor Profound Realm, and that is all they have?)

The reason why Tatsuya had ignored the disciple was because he is currently focusing on the cultivators that he had sensed through his innate ability. He could sense the presence of the two Thrones guarding the gate towards the White Tiger God's inheritance dimension.

(Hm. Analyzing their molecular structure would take more time, and being immobile would bring suspicions.)

"Mm."

Tatsuya woke up from the full concentration of his usage of Elemental Sight, as he swiftly grabbed the mission paper from the table. The other disciples all stared at him with different respective emotions.

He then controlled his profound energy on his body to boost his speed. His figure vanished in an instant from the place, making the crowd shock from his sudden disappearance.

"So fast!"

The crowd all stared at themselves, as their disbelief from the disciple's statement had completely vanished. They all now believed that Tatsuya is someone who could rival the strongest genius of the whole country in talent.

Tatsuya while running towards his dormitory, while silently activated the Kokyu Cultivation Technique. The explosive and pure profound energy on his body began to rotate and move in extreme rate. Each second, his cultivation increases.

"Really convenient…"

Tatsuya said to himself, as he found himself standing before the door of his room. He unhesitatingly opened the door. He then noticed his roommate at the corner of his room.

His roommate is sleeping without any care in the world, obviously exhausted from the non-stop practice. Tatsuya also followed, and jumped into his bed. He slowly closed his eyelids, while leaving a sliver of his awareness on the outside.

His cultivation technique worked its job, as Tatsuya just slept soundly on his bed. He felt like sleeping, so Tatsuya didn't hesitated at all.

Their room didn't felt like it has changed at all, but Tatsuya had actually done something to it. His roommate didn't know that Tatsuya had placed a formation diagram on the room. And it is a formation diagram that would make people with ill intent, completely immobile.

The tree branches swayed along the wind, as a refreshing wave of wind entered the room. The sun rays had grazed the room itself, making the atmosphere comfortable enough to force someone to sleep...