Chapter 2789: The Three Prominent Celestial Alchemists
Duan Ling Tian had gone earlier to meet the three prominent Celestial Alchemists, he did want to keep them waiting. However, the three Prominent Celestial Alchemists did not seem to take him seriously. He had arrived at the agreed destination, in the residence of the Sect Leader of the Tai Yi Celestial Sect, but after half a day had gone by, neither hide nor hair of the three prominent Celestial Alchemists could be seen.
“Master Duan, they might have encountered something that’s causing them delay.” Bai Ping hastily came up with an excuse for the three prominent Celestial Alchemists as though he was afraid that Duan Ling Tian might storm out in a fit of anger. It might seem like he was defending the three prominent Celestial Alchemists, he was inwardly seething. It was evident that the three prominent Celestial Alchemists were making things difficult for Duan Ling Tian. Most importantly, those three were putting him in a difficult position!
“It’s all right. I’ll just wait a little longer,” Duan Ling Tian replied and smiled lightly.
While they were waiting, Duan Ling Tian’s mind began to wander. When he thought about the series of incidents that happened after he arrived in Tai Yi City, he felt that he had been given a shortcut. Things had progressed in an unbelievably smooth manner. Initially, he had planned to follow the people of the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom to partic.i.p.ate in the Wasteland Grand Contest organized by the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland. He was going to take first place and reveal his ident.i.ty as a prominent Celestial Alchemist to join the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect. He would then use the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect as a platform to further improve his cultivation base before leaving the Wasteland.
Naturally, before leaving, Duan Ling Tian planned to keep his promise to Long Fei Yun, the Thirteenth Prince of the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom, to obtain the throne to the kingdom. He also planned to fulfill his promise to Brother Pei and enter the Little World that was left by a Celestial King to help Brother Pei retrieve a Royal Grade Celestial Weapon. According to Brother Pei, the real reason for the Wasteland Grand Contest was to recruit people to enter the Little World. Since only powerhouses below the age of 100 could enter the Little World, the Three Major Celestial Sects had organized the contest to search for young and strong powerhouses to enter the Little World. In the beginning, he was confident with his strength, the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland, the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect in particular, would definitely select him to enter the Little World as long as he demonstrated his strength.
Unexpectedly, the course of his plans had changed even though his objective remained the same. The change happened when Huan’er’s appearance was revealed. In the end, it led to Duan Ling Tian deciding to join the Tai Yi Celestial Sect instead of the Martial Dragon Celestial Sect. Moreover, he was directly given the t.i.tle of Chief Celestial Alchemist by the Tai Yi Celestial Sect. The t.i.tle was undoubtedly an honorable one. With that t.i.tle and status, it would be easy for him to help Long Fei Yun ascend the throne of the Soaring Dragon Celestial Kingdom even if he did not join the Martial Dragon Celestial Kingdom and to enter the Little World.
“Sect Leader Bai Ping, as far as I know, the Wasteland Grand Contest didn’t use to impose an age restriction in the past. Why did it suddenly change?” Duan Ling Tian asked even though he had already roughly known the reason from Brother Pei.
“Master Duan, I was planning to tell you this sooner or later even if you didn’t ask…” Bai Ping said with a smile. He was already aware that Duan Ling Tian was a Great Overarching Golden Celestial who was under the age of 100. Therefore, he had already reserved a spot for Duan Ling Tian to enter the Little World left behind by a Celestial King. After all, it would be a waste to deny a talent like Duan Ling Tian to enter the Little World!
“An age restriction was imposed for this years’ Wasteland Grand Contest because…” Bai Ping honestly told Duan Ling Tian everything he knew, including the Little World that was left behind by a Celestial King. His eyes shone as he explained what he knew to Duan Ling Tian. “At the end of the contest, the three major Celestial Sects will select people to enter the Little World… With your capabilities, Master Duan, you’ll definitely be selected. Moreover, after entering the Little World, with your strength, it’s even possible for you to gain many treasures, including a Royal Grade Celestial Weapon!” His voice turned more and more excited and he continued to speak.
“If others were to obtain the Royal Grade Celestial Weapon in the Little World, they would need to hand it over… However, if it’s you, regardless of how many Royal Grade Celestial Weapons that you obtain, you’re free to keep it.” Bai Ping made a generous promise to Duan Ling Tian.
“Sect Leader Bai Ping, isn’t it too early to say these things? How do you know if I’m willing to enter the Little World or not?” Based on Duan Ling Tian’s words, it was apparent he did not take Bai Ping’s promise seriously.
“Master Duan, it’s a rare opportunity to be able to enter the Little World… If I were younger, I would definitely seize the chance and enter the Little World!” Bai Ping found it difficult to understand Duan Ling Tian’s thoughts.
“I suppose you’re right… However, it’s only considered a great opportunity if you’re certain you can survive in the Little World,” Duan Ling Tian said lightly, “If I’m not mistaken, the Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland had sent many powerhouses below the age of 100 into the Little World before this, right? Most importantly, none of them survived.”
Bai Ping fell silent. Indeed, it was just as Duan Ling Tian had said. The Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland had sent many powerhouses below the age of 100 into the Little World, and yet, none of them lived to come out from the Little World! There were no exceptions or doubts, all of their Soul Pearls had shattered.
“Master Duan, since you are one of us now, I’ll be honest with you. The Three Major Celestial Sects of the Wasteland had indeed sent young powerhouses younger than the age of 100 into the Little World. However, it was done in a haste without much planning. The strongest person who was sent in there was only an Indigo Sun Golden Celestial. Therefore, with this contest, we’re not going to send anyone weaker than a Violet Sun Golden Celestial into the Little World,” Bai Ping explained.
“Previously, an Indigo Sun Golden Celestial had died… How are you so sure that a Violet Sun Golden Celestial wouldn’t die in there? Although I’m a Great Overarching Golden Celestial, how sure are you that I won’t die after entering the Little World?” Duan Ling Tian retorted.
Bai Ping was speechless. He had no answer for Duan Ling Tian’s question. Even if a Great Overarching Golden Celestial who was under the age of 100 like Duan Ling Tian found the Little World dangerous, it seemed like there was no hope for the Three Major Celestial Sects to obtain the treasures in the Little World. In the end, he said, “Master Duan, your concerns are justified… Although I really want you to enter the Little World, and I truly think it would be a waste if you don’t enter, I’ll still respect your decision whatever they may be. If you’re unwilling, then, I won’t force you to enter.”
“You’re right, Sect Leader Bai Ping. With my capabilities, it would truly be a waste if I didn’t enter the Little World. In any case, there’s still some time before the Wasteland Grand Contest starts. Let me consider it,” Duan Ling Tian said with a nod.
“Yes, yes, you should really consider it.” Bai Ping agreed with a nod. Initially, he thought it would be a walk in the park for a Great Overarching Golden Celestial under the age of 100 in the Little World. However, after listening to Duan Ling Tian’s words, he began to doubt himself. Who could say for sure that it would not be dangerous for a Great Overarching Golden Celestial under the age of 100 in the Little World?
At this moment, three voices rang in unison from outside. “Sect Leader!”
The three prominent Celestial Alchemists had finally arrived.
“Three masters, please come in,” Bai Ping said, “Master Duan had come early and had been waiting for a long time.” A hint of dissatisfaction could be heard in his voice.
Duan Ling Tian saw two old men and a middle-aged man. These three were obviously the three prominent Celestial Alchemists in the Tai Yi Celestial Sect.
One of the old men with a medium build who was dressed in a grey robe asked, “You’re Master Duan?” He blatantly sized Duan Ling Tian up and rudely extended his Divine Consciousness to probe Duan Ling Tian. After that, the old man staggered for a moment before he stabilized his footing. A hint of contempt could be seen in his eyes as he said, “You’re not even 100 years old?”
“Not even 100 years old?”
Upon hearing this, the other old man and the middle-aged man instantly extended their Divine Consciousness to probe Duan Ling Tian. They found out that Duan Ling Tian was, indeed, not even 100 years old!
The other old man was tall and burly, and he was dressed in a green robe. He said skeptically, “A prominent Celestial Alchemist who’s not even 100 years old?”
The middle-aged man dressed in a blue robe who was skinny and had a permanently gloomy expression on his face said, “Since the sect leader says he’s a prominent Celestial Alchemist, then, it must be true. After all, with luck, it’s not impossible to obtain a prominent Celestial Fire.”
Finally, the grey-clad old man s.h.i.+fted his eyes from Duan Ling Tian to Bai Ping and asked skeptically, “Sect leader, is he really able to refine the Overarching Heaven Pill?”