Chapter 101: Departure [First Update]

Updated: May 22, 2013

Not far off, a long, resonant howl echoed through the air, its breath lingering and enduring. The glowing clusters emerging from the energy rift scattered wildly as if startled fish, sending the entire rift into chaos.

Jing Hao suddenly stood up, his gaze fixed in the direction of the howl, filled with endless shock and deep emotion.

The boy—sweat never lies...

Jing Hao’s heart was a whirlwind of feelings. He had witnessed firsthand how Tang Tian had grown stronger step by step. No one understood better than him the sweat and arduous effort Tang Tian had poured into his cultivation. Jing Hao himself belonged to the school of rigorous training; otherwise, he wouldn’t have ventured alone into the harsh outer camp of Daling. This kind of painstaking practice had always been his pride—until he saw Tang Tian.

This boy seemed never to know fatigue, never to tire, never to find boredom, always drenched in sweat, always gritting his teeth...

Before Tang Tian, Jing Hao felt true shame for the first time.

The words Tang Tian had spoken to the black-clad woman were his own heartfelt truth, his own code. For so long, he had lived by the same principle.

Fifth rank!

Tang Tian had broken through to the fifth rank.

From the fluctuations carried by the howl, Jing Hao effortlessly identified the unmistakable signature of the fifth rank.

In the Bright Martial Assembly, fifth-rank warriors were still considered basic-level. For someone Tang Tian’s age to reach fifth rank was nothing to boast about among the assembly’s geniuses. Yet Jing Hao had a strong intuition that Tang Tian’s future achievements would surpass those prodigies by far.

Reason told Jing Hao how absurd such a notion was. Those geniuses had resources unimaginable to outsiders: countless star stones, soul cores, treasured relics, and guidance from renowned masters. Each of them had formidable backing. Compared to that, Tang Tian was impoverished to the extreme.

Yet this feeling burned fiercely in Jing Hao’s heart.

“Haha! Fifth rank! I finally broke through fifth rank!” Tang Tian’s jubilant cheers echoed from afar.

“Wow, truly a godlike youth!”

...

Jing Hao’s lips curled into a knowing smile. If this guy weren’t so goofy, he might just be a genius.

This was a boy whose mere presence radiated such blazing light and heat that standing beside him could scorch one’s eyes!

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Three days after breaking through to the fifth rank.

At last, it was time to leave the dark underground, to depart from this dreamlike energy rift. Tang Tian felt a twinge of reluctance but quickly cast aside the faint melancholy.

Qian Hui!

I’m going to Baihong Star to see Qian Hui!

And the Heavenly Road...

Tang Tian clenched his fists involuntarily, his eyes shining with excitement. It had been two years since he last saw Qian Hui; he missed her deeply.

When Jing Hao told him they could leave, Tang Tian began preparing immediately. He visited the tomb of the Bald Head, offering incense and telling him he was leaving, perhaps never to return, hoping he could rest in peace.

Tang Tian also went to Sanhun City, mainly to visit the base and see Sairei. Sairei was completely immersed in the world of mechanical war armor, uninterested even in speaking with Tang Tian. After three words, Tang Tian was sent away. He left enough provisions behind to prevent her from starving.

“Let’s go,” Jing Hao said.

Tang Tian nodded firmly.

Upon returning to the outer camp of Daling, several warriors approached them. Leading them was a bronze-ranked warrior. Tang Tian was stunned; within his view were five bronze-ranked warriors and nine black-iron-ranked warriors!

“Lord Jing Hao!” The leading bronze warrior addressed Jing Hao respectfully, though he was of the same rank, bowing politely. “The bronze carriage is ready; you may depart at any time.”

Jing Hao nodded. “Thank you.”

Tang Tian and Jing Hao boarded a bronze carriage. Though not as lavish as Kong Youlin’s, its interior was still quite elegant.

Once inside, Tang Tian whispered to Jing Hao, “Why did so many people come? They all seem very strong.”

Jing Hao explained, “I reported the last incident. Before, no one knew what kind of treasure it was, but now we’ve found some clues—it’s the Celestial Lyre Treasury. This is just early exploration, so only these people were sent. If it really is the Celestial Lyre Treasury, silver-ranked warriors will come personally. Don’t worry; I’ve informed my teacher. If we find it, we’ll be credited first and won’t miss out on rewards.”

Tang Tian was stunned. “The Celestial Lyre Treasury really exists?”

“Indeed,” Jing Hao nodded. “It’s famous in history but no one had found a clue until that woman probably discovered something. Now that we know, Black Soul won’t have a chance. These are just the first wave; stronger forces will come later, and defenses will be tighter. Black Soul won’t interfere.”

Tang Tian groaned in frustration, clutching his head. “That woman was right! I missed it! The treasury... so many treasures...”

Jing Hao said solemnly, “Young man, do not blindly chase after treasures. That’s just you wanting to slack off, seeking shortcuts. No matter how powerful treasures are, they can never replace your sweat. You must believe that strength forged by sweat is true strength. Do you understand why?”

Tang Tian froze, staring blankly at Jing Hao.

Jing Hao felt invigorated as if he had just eaten a life-giving fruit. Still serious and imposing, he said, “Because sweat never lies!”

Tang Tian was speechless.

A nearby escort praised, “As expected of Lord Jing Hao! These words are truly the essence of our cultivation!”

Jing Hao couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Tang Tian’s eye twitched, countless frustrations flashing across his forehead. Unable to contain himself, he jumped up, pointing at Jing Hao with gritted teeth, challenging, “Come on! How can such a fine moment be wasted? Let’s fight, young man! Have a proper battle!”

Jing Hao’s laughter abruptly ceased.

When Tang Tian unleashed the Tang-style cyclic combat technique, Jing Hao felt a sudden unease.

The other warriors on the carriage were stunned beyond words. Lord Jing Hao actually... didn’t accept the challenge!

All eyes turned to Tang Tian, their gazes instantly changing. They didn’t know Tang Tian and hadn’t taken him seriously, some even thinking he was just Jing Hao’s disciple or attendant. Now, they realized how extraordinary he was.

Someone who could make Lord Jing Hao so wary...

“Who is this lord?” a warrior asked cautiously.

Jing Hao seized the opportunity like a lifeline, clearing his throat. “Lord Tang Tian is a bronze-ranked warrior of the Martial Assembly, who has made great contributions to our cause. He is also the successor to the senior Ghost Claw.”

Immediately, everyone showed profound respect. The fearsome reputation of Ghost Claw was still widely known within the Bright Martial Assembly, even after so many years.

“This is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for you all,” Jing Hao said seriously. “Sparring with Tang Tian will greatly aid your martial arts cultivation. I can assure you, despite his youth, Tang Tian has a unique understanding of martial techniques. Who will step forward?”

“I will!”

“Me!”

“Lord Tang Tian, please instruct me!”

...

Everyone scrambled eagerly, afraid to miss such a rare chance. Jing Hao sighed in relief and quickly pointed to one person before Tang Tian could react. “You! Step forward!”

The chosen warrior, excited, bowed to Tang Tian. “Lord Tang Tian, please teach me!”

Only then did Tang Tian come to his senses and glare at Jing Hao.

Jing Hao wore a smug expression but feigned calm. “Good. One at a time. Line up.”

“Brother Jing Hao, do you think this is the end of me...?” Tang Tian glared but then suddenly grinned darkly.

Half an hour later, all the accompanying warriors lay sprawled on the ground. Tang Tian showed no mercy. After breaking through to the fifth rank, his strength had reached a new height. His true energy was more robust, and combined with his Heavenly Dragon and Crane Qi techniques, each move carried tremendous destructive force.

Now even Jing Hao found Tang Tian extremely challenging.

After their match, the result was a draw. Jing Hao’s true energy was one rank higher than Tang Tian’s, but the latter’s Heavenly Dragon and Crane Qi techniques kept him from falling behind. Tang Tian’s martial skills were one rank lower, but his intuition was strong—now six times sharper.

To defeat Tang Tian, Jing Hao would need at least a thousand moves ahead.

Jing Hao was not afraid to fight Tang Tian; what he feared was Tang-style cyclic combat.

Tang Tian caught his breath, then beckoned Jing Hao with a sly grin. “Come on, Brother Jing Hao!”

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The journey was uneventful.

The warriors on the carriage admired Tang Tian profoundly. Though only fifth rank, his ferocity was extraordinary—truly worthy of a bronze-ranked warrior. Especially after witnessing the duel between Tang Tian and Jing Hao, two masters whose clashes were dazzling to behold.

Jing Hao followed a specialized path, focusing solely on swordsmanship. His skill was exquisite, almost transcendent. Though his sixth-rank sword techniques weren’t the strongest, there was an indescribable essence in his swordplay.

Tang Tian was the opposite: his martial arts were a chaotic blend of five or six different styles, his close combat fierce and unrivaled. What amazed everyone most was how seamlessly he switched between techniques, like flowing clouds and water, each transition perfectly timed and ingeniously executed.

Their battles were a spectacle of dizzying brilliance.

Jing Hao stood motionless, sword gleaming sharply, pure and precise. Tang Tian moved like a phantom, ferocious beyond compare, his attacks like a violent storm, every part of his body a weapon, making defense nearly impossible.

Everyone cherished this rare opportunity to observe such duels, attending without fail every day.

Under so many watchful eyes, Jing Hao could not afford to back down. The jealous Tang Tian seized the chance to unleash the full power of the Tang-style cyclic combat.

Jing Hao was utterly exhausted.

“We’ve arrived at Baihong Star!” a warrior called out ahead.

Jing Hao heard it like divine music, nearly moved to tears of joy.