Unrivaled Martial Emperor

Chapter 393 - High Elder

The martial arts competition had officially concluded.

It had nearly turned into a farce due to Duan Jingtian's actions.

Had Spring Autumn Sect’s High Elder not intervened, Chen Fan—the unprecedented champion—would have died at Duan Jingtian’s hands, becoming the shortest-lived champion of the Four Sects Martial Arts Competition.

Many experts were stunned by Duan Jingtian's immense power. Perhaps Duan Jingtian would become the Spring Autumn Sect’s sect leader in a year, gaining control over the entire sect.

Those who support him will thrive, while those who oppose him will face ruin!

Countless disciples of the four great sects were gossiping amongst themselves.

“Duan Jingtian is truly amazing; he nearly stirred up a storm as soon as he appeared. Even the esteemed Grand Elder couldn't withstand his unmatched strength.”

“That's the essence of power and authority. Great strength allows one to break all rules. No one among the four great sects dared to challenge his overwhelming dominance.”

“Duan Jingtian was sent off to face the wall for a year as punishment. With three of Heaven’s Alliance’s experts killed by Chen Fan, I wonder if the alliance would lie low during this period, waiting for Duan Jingtian to ascend to the peak in a year?”

“......”

Chen Fan followed Wei Buyu to the High Elder’s residence.

Behind Wei Buyu, he passed numerous tall buildings, gradually entering the depths of the Spring Autumn Sect.

Hundreds of miles into the Spring Autumn Sect, the scenery was no longer full of magnificent buildings. All he saw were tall mountains, surrounded by clouds and mist, the fresh flowers in full bloom.

These mountain peaks stretched to the distance, like the scales on a huge dragon. It was unknown how many of them there were; Chen Fan simply couldn’t see the end of it.

This was the deepest part of the Spring Autumn Sect, its core area, known as the Heavenly Vein Mountain.

Rumors had it that the Spring Autumn Sect completely occupied the dragon’s vein of Qingyang County. [1]

The true top brass of the Spring Autumn Sect lived here, and some core disciples and holy disciples cultivated here.

Hidden within this vast mountain range were numerous dangers, including killing formations that spelled doom for intruders.

Chen Fan could naturally sense the dangers within. Thus, he didn’t dare to go about as he wished and followed closely behind Wei Buyu.

Wei Buyu had also told Chen Fan about the Heavenly Vein Mountain. Core disciples at the eighth or ninth level were qualified to come to Heavenly Vein Mountain and pick a mountain peak as their private cultivation ground.

Pointing to a cloud-shrouded area ahead, Wei Buyu explained, “That's where our holy disciples select their private training grounds. We have twenty-three holy disciples in total. Once you reach the Core Formation realm, you can also choose a peak from there.”

Chen Fan asked, “Where is Duan Jingtian’s cultivation ground?”

Wei Buyu said, “Duan Jingtian has a unique status. Although he is also a holy disciple, his cultivation ground isn’t in this holy disciple area. It’s deeper in, with a better environment.”

Chen Fan came to a realization: this was a benefit brought about by Duan Jingtian’s great strength. With his tremendous abilities, he could trample on the rules and no one dared to stop him. Due to his immense strength, he could choose a better mountain for cultivation. All of this was established upon his strength.

After flying for another while, Wei Buyu said, “That towering peak ahead that pierces into the clouds is the High Elder’s cultivation ground.”

Swish, swish.

Wei Buyu and Chen Fan soon landed at the High Elder's secluded cultivation site, an area devoid of any other presence.

Following Wei Buyu, Chen Fan approached a mountainside cave dwelling.

Upon entering, he found himself in an expansive space, comparable to a spacious courtyard. He also sensed a wave of rich primeval qi blowing against him, invigorating his senses.

The cave walls were embedded with gemstones of all colors, giving it a magnificent appearance.

“Such rich primeval qi of heaven and earth.” Chen Fan couldn’t help but exclaim.

Even the Dragon Mountain Blessed Land couldn’t compare to the environment here. It was ten times better than the outside world.

A middle-aged man with a fair complexion, long mustaches, and a dignified presence came into Chen Fan's view.

The man's star-like eyes captured Chen Fan's attention instantly, drawing him in as if they were black holes. Before Chen Fan could snap out of it, he found himself breaking into a cold sweat.

The man's gaze was captivating, almost unnerving. Strangely, Chen Fan did not sense any cultivation fluctuation from him; he seemed utterly ordinary.

However, Chen Fan knew that he was a terrifying character. His cultivation had reached the point of returning to his natural state.

Even without an introduction, Chen Fan knew he was in the presence of the High Elder himself.

He had thought that the High Elder would look like an old man in his seventies or eighties, but it turned out his assumption was wrong.

The fair-faced middle-aged man was much older than he appeared to be on the surface. A Divine Nascent realm powerhouse’s lifespan was as long as eight hundred years.

This kind of expert could easily alter their appearance. Some might even choose to appear as infants, purely out of preference.

While some preferred to reveal their true age, others opted for a younger facade. It was a matter of personal choice.

“Greetings, Master.” Wei Buyu bowed to the High Elder, surprising Chen Fan with the revelation.

Master? The High Elder is actually Wei Buyu’s master!

Wouldn’t that mean that the High Elder is my martial grandmaster?!

Snapping back to reality, Chen Fan bowed and said, “Disciple Chen Fan greets the High Elder!”

“Alright, be at ease.” The High Elder smiled faintly, looking amiable and not putting on any airs. “Little fellow, I didn’t call you here for anything important. I just wanted to take a look at you with my own eyes.

“You're quite impressive, little fellow. Your talent is extraordinary, even above Duan Jingtian’s. In this old man’s opinion, you have a pretty good chance of surpassing Duan Jingtian in a year and a half and trampling him under your feet.

“Duan Jingtian acted out, likely sensing your growing threat. I also took the chance to injure him, but this won’t delay things for long.

“He is a heavenly prodigy. You have to cultivate well and seize this time to raise your strength. You can rest assured that Duan Jingtian won’t advance into the Divine Nascent realm within these eighteen months due to my attack. This is your chance.”

The High Elder had an ulterior motive when he had intervened and struck Duan Jingtian.

If he hadn’t suppressed Duan Jingtian, the latter would have advanced into the Divine Nascent realm, making it impossible for Chen Fan to surpass him.

Chen Fan nodded and cupped his fists. "I will not disappoint the High Elder's expectations."

1. Dragon’s vein refers to a rising and falling mountain range, because its shape resembles a dragon in many ways hence in Ancient China, the study of Feng Shui likens mountain range to dragons, and is an important concept of Feng Shui. ☜