Chapter One Hundred Fifty: Tian Heng Takes Action

In every sect, the head disciple line inevitably possesses the most powerful cultivation techniques and martial arts of the entire sect. Only in this way can the head disciple’s supreme status be maintained indefinitely.

As a formidable figure at the Sixth Heaven of the Profound Sovereign realm, within the Great Xia Empire, only those at the Earth King level or certain elders from sects and ancient noble families could surpass him. He had already reached the pinnacle of the pyramid; there were few things that could stir his heart, at least within the Great Xia Empire.

However, whenever the name “Golden Sun Sword Manual” was mentioned, Tian Heng grew restless. The founder of the Golden Sun Sect had swept through the Great Xia Empire with this very manual, to the extent that even the Great Xia Emperor dared not challenge its edge.

On the Sky Dome Continent, martial prowess was revered above all, and swordsmanship was a branch of martial arts, famed for its unmatched offensive power.

The Sword King of the Imperial Capital, Fu Shenfeng, practiced a rare form of swordsmanship. Once, he single-handedly assaulted the Wen family, one of the five great families of the Imperial Capital. His sharp swordsmanship was unstoppable, and only the intervention of the Supreme Elder halted him.

As a major sect within the Great Xia Empire, the Golden Sun Sect possessed countless scriptures, naturally including records on the art of the sword.

Tian Heng had once read an ancient text describing swordsmanship as originating in the distant past, flourishing during the ancient era. However, swordsmanship was not a path open to everyone; without innate talent, one’s achievements would remain low. Because the demands of cultivating swordsmanship were exceedingly harsh, it gradually declined. Yet none could deny its sharpness. Tian Heng clearly remembered a phrase from the records: “When swordsmanship is mastered, one is invincible among equals.”

Tian Heng had long harbored the desire to study the Golden Sun Sword Manual, though it was a secret only the head disciple line was permitted to learn.

He vividly recalled when the Golden Sun Sect’s leader was still at the Profound Sovereign realm. During a sparring session with the Grand Elder, he was defeated within three moves. Tian Heng had been present at the time, and the final sword move of the sect leader left an indelible impression on him, igniting an irresistible longing.

Now aged, and having reached the limits of the Sixth Heaven of the Profound Sovereign, Tian Heng knew that mere hard work alone would not elevate him further; external aid was necessary. No one was content with the status quo. Originally, when Tian Heng aimed to break into the Profound Sovereign realm, he was content just to reach that level. But once he did, he believed the Second Heaven of the Profound Sovereign was within reach. Such was human nature.

He had lost hope of breaking through to the Earth King realm, until just now, when Lu Hui’s words truly moved him. Now at the late Profound Sovereign Sixth Heaven, after the Golden Sun Sect’s young sect leader had mastered the Golden Sun Sword Manual and made rapid progress, Tian Heng, with his talent, believed that after acquiring the Golden Sun Sword Manual, he might break through. With the full backing and ample resources of the Golden Sun Sect, there was indeed a glimmer of hope to reach the Earth King realm.

If Tian Heng stood among the upper echelons of warriors in the Great Xia Empire, then Earth King realm warriors were at the very top.

An Earth King level warrior could sustain a sect for a century; such a figure was coveted by every faction.

Moreover, if Lu Hui truly defeated the young sect leader, then as Lu Hui’s master, Tian Heng would be the undisputed Supreme Elder of the Golden Sun Sect. The position of Supreme Elder was second only to the sect leader, meaning Tian Heng would hold real power over the entire sect.

Thinking of acquiring the Golden Sun Sword Manual, breaking through to Earth King realm, and becoming the Supreme Elder, even Tian Heng—with decades of calm and composure—could not help but feel his heart stir.

Whether it was the Golden Sun Sword Manual, becoming an Earth King warrior, or the Supreme Elder position—any one of these was irresistible to him.

As an elder of the Golden Sun Sect, Tian Heng was no fool. Reflecting, although the young sect leader was exceptionally gifted, judging by Lu Hui’s current talent, he was indeed superior by half a step. Their young sect leader had shown only comparable ability at Lu Hui’s age, but as the young sect leader and the principal disciple of the sect leader, and three years older than Lu Hui, Tian Heng had never seriously considered this issue.

Nor did Tian Heng expect Lu Hui to harbor such ambition—to challenge the young sect leader.

There was an unspoken rule within the Golden Sun Sect, well known to its disciples. The young sect leader had always been the strongest among the sect leader’s disciples. Other direct disciples could challenge him; if victorious, they would become the young sect leader, replacing the previous one. But if defeated, the consequence was death.

The young sect leader represented the entire Golden Sun Sect and was destined to become the Lord of Golden Sun Mountain; his dignity was inviolable.

Challenges to the young sect leader by direct disciples were not unheard of, but since the founding of the sect, none had ever succeeded.

Disciples favored by the sect leader were naturally one in a million in talent, and the young sect leader was the strongest among them, especially since their “Golden Sun Sword Manual” was renowned for its fierce offensive style.

In the early centuries, challenges to the young sect leader occurred yearly but gradually declined over time. Eventually, no one dared challenge him, lacking the confidence to risk death.

“Lu Hui, do you really have confidence?” Tian Heng asked.

“Master, when have I ever spoken empty words? Before you went into seclusion, I told you that before your return, I would master the Golden Radiance Palm. Now, what do you think?” Lu Hui replied proudly.

Tian Heng thought silently. Indeed, as far as he knew, few in the Golden Sun Sect had made such progress with the early-stage Profound Realm technique “Golden Radiance Palm” in such a short time.

His resolve hardened.

“Master, shall we slay the city lord’s mansion today?” Tian Heng said.

A boundless aura of the Sixth Heaven Profound Sovereign burst forth from Tian Heng’s body, filling the entire hall with a terrifying presence.

Lu Tianhong had already arrived, gasping for breath. As for the Fortunate Elder, barely able to stand with feet planted firmly.

Lu family’s patriarch’s gaze was grave. When a Sixth Heaven Profound Sovereign cultivator strikes, he could only resist briefly. The power gap was obvious, and Tian Heng, as a Golden Sun Sect elder, surpassed them both in cultivation techniques and martial skill.

The patriarch swiftly reconsidered and leapt, vanishing from the hall in an instant.

“Master, deal with that old man first. He’s the only Profound Sovereign in the entire Lu family!” Lu Hui shouted.

“Trying to escape?” Tian Heng sneered, golden light flashing beneath his feet as he dashed out of the hall.

“Lu Hui, you... ah...” Lu Tianhong tried to say something but immediately gave chase, with the Fortunate Elder following closely.

Lu Tianhong had intended to advise Lu Hui, but seeing Tian Heng pursuing the patriarch, he had no time to speak and hurried after them.

“Hmph, the entire Lu family will perish with me!” Lu Hui said fiercely.

Without hesitation, Lu Hui followed suit.

The city lord’s martial training ground.

It had become the Lu family’s training ground, where young men and women of the family practiced diligently. Occasionally, those returning from missions would come here to spar.

Suddenly, a fierce wind swept the training ground, followed by a thunderous roar.

“Lu family disciples, evacuate immediately.”

“What is that...?”

“That’s the voice of the patriarch.”

Dust rose and swirled until it settled, revealing two aged figures standing opposite each other in the center.

“What—no more running?”