Chapter 122: A Martial Artist of the Heavenly Path Tier

Wu Guang’s killing intent was so palpable that it stunned everyone present. With just a single bold declaration, the murderous aura pierced the air, leaving all onlookers in a state of inexplicable shock. Only now did they realize what a formidable powerhouse stood before them.

“Hea… Heavenly Waterfall Blade!”
“It’s the Heavenly Waterfall Blade, Wu Guang!”
“Oh, heavens! A Sky Road-level martial artist!”

The terrified crowd suddenly recalled the name Kong Yiyu had mentioned earlier and grasped the true weight behind it. Wu Guang, the Heavenly Waterfall Blade, was a Sky Road-level powerhouse. He was the first true master Tang Tian had ever encountered, possessing such fearsome strength that even Kong Yiyu, a warrior who had already stepped into the Eighth Order, dared not defy him.

However…

“Huh?” Tang Tian turned to Jing Hao, looking confused. “What is a Sky Road-level martial artist? Is that just someone who can travel the Sky Road?”

Jing Hao nodded earnestly with a calm expression. “Exactly. That is why a Sky Road-level martial artist is nothing to get excited about.”

Wu Guang snapped his ragged blade from his back, pointing it at Jing Hao with a glare. “Little Jing Hao, you unfilial brat, ruining your Uncle-Master’s reputation! I shall teach you a lesson on behalf of my Senior Brother today.”

“Cancel the task,” Jing Hao said, turning his head toward Tang Tian. “He’s quite unreliable.”

Wu Guang’s bravado instantly deflated like a punctured ball. He leaned in, putting on a ingratiating smile. “Why be like that? We’re all family; it hurts our bond to act this way. Young Master Tang, you will understand later—the appearance fees for Sky Road-level martial artists are very high.”

“Then what exactly is a Sky Road-level martial artist?” Tang Tian asked out of curiosity.

Wu Guang scratched his head. “Well, let me think how to put this. The Sky Road has many regions. For instance, this Perseus Constellation here is a safe zone; it has been thoroughly developed. But in the grand scheme of the Sky Road, it is merely a tiny corner. Most constellations in safe zones have long histories. Each constellation has many star gates, some of which lead to unexplored regions.”

Rarely having the chance to hear such firsthand information, Tang Tian listened intently. Wu Guang had extensive experience traversing the Sky Road.

“Many people assume those unknown regions are uninhabited, but that is completely wrong. Humanity has a long history of exploring the Sky Road. Throughout history, many powerhouses have ventured deep into its furthest reaches. Some returned, while others remained there, settling down and propagating. After tens of thousands of years, they have developed worlds of their own.” Wu Guang’s tone was filled with longing.

“On the Sky Road, star gates are the most important nodes that form trade routes. But few people know that star gates are not static; their cycles of change are simply very long, often spanning a thousand years or more. Many previously explored routes are eventually severed by these changes and gradually forgotten. They become like isolated islands in the middle of an ocean, rarely visited, developing their own unique civilizations. Many of the constellations that vanished throughout history disappeared for this very reason—their routes were cut off.”

“The exploration of the Sky Road has never ceased. Everyone constantly searches for those lost constellations, hunting for secret treasures, Star Stones, and Soul Cores, following one another in succession. Sky Road-level powerhouses are the elite among them. A so-called Sky Road-level martial artist is one who possesses the capability to open up new star gate routes.” Wu Guang pointed at himself with his thumb, his tone filled with pride.

“And I am the man who opened the Waterfall Route!”

“That sounds amazing!” Tang Tian’s eyes lit up. “The Waterfall Route? Where does that lead?”

“The Waterfall Planet,” Wu Guang said, a look of nostalgia crossing his face. “It’s a beautiful place where waterfalls are everywhere. The locals are also very kind. It’s a pity it’s not a constellation and produces no secret treasures.”

“Is it very far?” Tang Tian asked, looking wistful.

“Well, quite far. You have to pass through over twenty废 planets—oh, waste planets are those with no real value. They are the most common type on the Sky Road, and they are everywhere. The environment on such planets is usually atrocious. On the most dangerous one, the wind was like a blade, and I could only crawl through the cracks in the ground. I never want to visit that hellhole a second time. But, after grinding there for five months, my blade technique did improve quite a bit.” Wu Guang couldn't help but look smug at the last sentence.

“You look ambitious, kid. What, thinking of venturing onto the Sky Road?” Wu Guang asked with the air of an experienced veteran.

“Yes! Qianhui and I promised to go to the Sky Road together!” Tang Tian admitted frankly.

“Then you must be extremely careful. The powerhouses and Star Soul Beasts on the Sky Road are formidable. Your current strength is a bit weak.” Wu Guang smacked his lips.

Tang Tian did not refute this; given Wu Guang’s strength, he was indeed qualified to say Tang Tian was weak. However…

He clenched his fists, refusing to flinch. A flame called fighting spirit burned fiercely in his eyes. He widened his eyes and stared back without showing any weakness. “Hmph! So what if you’re a Sky Road-level martial artist? Just wait to be defeated by a god-like youth!”

“A god-like youth?” Wu Guang froze for a moment, then burst into loud laughter, his appreciation undisguised. “I like that title! A youth should have such grand aspirations! Ah, back in the day, my greatest rival was my Senior Brother. I practiced day and night, striving for excellence, and finally…”

“Got beaten like a dog,” Jing Hao interjected coolly.

Wu Guang choked, as if something had stuck in his throat. His face turned bright red, and it took him a moment to recover before he roared in anger, “I am going to teach you a lesson for my Senior Brother today!”

“Is it because you were beaten like a dog by my master?” Jing Hao asked, his tone flat and devoid of inflection.

“Ah! You’re driving me crazy!” Wu Guang shrieked, jumping up and down in a fury.

Tang Tian watched them both in stunned silence. His impression of Brother Jing Hao had been completely overturned. One must never offend Brother Jing Hao…

***

The atmosphere in the Shangguan family had taken on a brand-new look. The practice arena was the liveliest place every day, where all the Shangguan disciples trained with a fanatical intensity. The victory over the Yu family had firmly established the Shangguan family as the premier clan in the Perseus Constellation.

Wu Guang, the Heavenly Waterfall Blade, was a genuine Sky Road-level powerhouse. Before the decline of the Perseus Crown, the Perseus Constellation had also possessed several Sky Road-level powerhouses, but now, there were none.

Tang Tian and Wu Guang were seen chatting happily, appearing to be on very close terms, a sight that did not escape anyone’s notice. The fact that Wu Guang even displayed a hint of fawning toward Tang Tian left everyone deeply shaken.

Then there was Tang Tian’s Soul General, that withered old man—such a stunning strike could only come from someone of no small reputation.

What was Tang Tian’s true background?

The most reliable information suggested that Tang Tian was with the Bright Martial Union, but there was no further intelligence. No matter how one looked at it, Tang Tian did not resemble an ordinary martial artist of the Bright Martial Union.

Every faction immediately realized one fact: the current Shangguan family was absolutely not to be trifled with. Thus, the very next day, the heads of the various families came to pay their respects, apologizing for the trouble their juniors had caused the night before.

For a time, the entrance to the Shangguan estate was bustling with carriages and a continuous stream of visitors.

Tang Tian, however, was not distracted. He continued his grueling daily training without the slightest relaxation. With him as a role model, the other disciples dared not slack off in the slightest; Tang Tian had established absolute authority within the Shangguan family.

Wu Guang did not stay long before leaving the Perseus Constellation to begin sweeping through various strongholds of the Clan Alliance. Jing Hao was also leaving to return to his master; it was said that they had made substantial progress with the Soul Refining Instrument Tang Tian had provided. Jing Hao was returning to refine his Martial Soul.

Amori and his three companions followed Jing Hao back; such an opportunity was rare. Furthermore, Jing Hao believed that since their strength was still low, they would grow much faster within the Martial Union’s base.

Everyone agreed this made perfect sense. This battle had made Amori and the others realize that their strength was far too low—they couldn't even handle a Soul General of the Clan Alliance. Systematic training was exactly what they needed, and Jing Hao promised that he would take good care of them at the base.

Tang Tian knew that Brother Jing Hao was a man of his word; since he had given his promise, he would certainly fulfill it.

Still, having just reunited, everyone was reluctant to part. Tang Tian divided all his remaining points among the four of them.

The four of them didn't yet grasp the true value of the points and didn't think much of it, but Jing Hao was secretly surprised by Tang Tian’s generosity.

Soon, the Shangguan family gradually returned to its usual tranquility.

Tang Tian continued his training while patiently waiting for Qianhui’s return.

***

In the Eighteen Bronze Men Chamber.

Tang Tian shrunk his shoulders with lightning speed. *Whoosh*—a thick bronze arm whistled past, narrowly missing him. Tang Tian’s hand latched onto the bronze arm charging at him, and using the force transmitted through it, he swung his body in a strange arc, crashing into the bronze man’s chest. Almost simultaneously, at least three bursts of energy grazed his body.

Tang Tian was as slippery as a fish; having breached the bronze man’s guard, he slid out from under its armpit.

The moment he broke free, he unleashed his internal energy through the palm still pressed against the bronze man.

The bronze man instantly lost its balance and tumbled to the side.

Another bronze man charging from the side didn't react in time, and they collided into a heap. But a flurry of fist shadows was already surging toward Tang Tian.

Tang Tian let out a roar and threw a punch to meet the bronze fist!

*Thud!*

The heavy bronze man was brought to a dead halt by the force of that punch.

The power of Tang Tian’s punch had improved significantly compared to before.

However, he didn't even have time to gloat before *swish, swish, swish*—several sword gleams bloomed. A lean bronze man wielding a bronze sword was incredibly fast.

Tang Tian quickly retreated, but eight bronze men appeared around him, lunging from all directions.

Tang Tian was terrified. Seeing all his paths blocked, he gritted his teeth and bent his knees, preparing to leap upward to escape.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed from above.

Tang Tian looked up, his face drained of all color.

The largest of all the bronze men had appeared above him at some point and was smashing down!

“You guys are too shameless…” Tang Tian’s heartbreaking howl echoed throughout the chamber.

*BOOM!*

Dust billowed, and the ground trembled.

Silence, as if in death.

The eighteen bronze men stood up one by one, turning and dispersing on their own.

On the ground, there was a human-shaped crater.