Chapter 3196: A Challenge from Zhang Yun Ting

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Who’s Duan Ling Tian? How did he replace Hei Sha and rank 65th on the scoreboard?”

Those who kept an eye on the scoreboard of the upper realm in the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm were shocked to discover the sudden appearance of an unfamiliar name.

This person made it into the top 70 as soon as he appeared on the scoreboard. Moreover, based on the points he accumulated, it seemed like he only had roughly thirty points before he obtained 223 points after eliminating Hei Sha.

“Hei Sha was ranked 69th on the scoreboard, but this person ranks 65th after eliminating Hei Sha!”

“It’s unexpected for Hei Sha to be eliminated. This person can’t be a nobody, but I’ve never heard of him before today.”

“Duan Ling Tian? This name sounds familiar.”

“Did you say Duan Ling Tian? I remember there was a famous prodigy from the Profound Nether Mansion who was invincible in the middle realm thirty years ago…”

“Do you think they’re the same person?”

“Impossible! The gap between their strength is too wide… Do you think a Ten Directions Celestial Duke is capable of defeating someone like Hei Sha when only thirty years have passed? What a joke!”

“Hei Sha’s a veteran in the upper realm. Although he hasn’t comprehended any profundity from the law of fire to the initial stage, he has comprehended all nine profundities from the law of fire to the rudimentary stage. Coupled with his Royal Grade Celestial Weapon, he should be able to defeat ordinary Ten Directions Celestial Kings as long as they haven’t comprehended any profundity to the initial stage.”

There was a huge commotion in all of the safe zones in the upper realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm due to the new name that suddenly rose to 65th place on the scoreboard.

Naturally, there were other members from the Profound Nether Mansion who had entered the upper realm as well. They were shocked when they saw Duan Ling Tian’s name on the upper realm’s scoreboard. Nevertheless, they did not think the newcomer on the scoreboard was the same person as the Duan Ling Tian from their mansion. It did not matter if Duan Ling Tian was powerful enough to become the Imperial Tutor of the Profound Nether Mansion or how talented he was. They did not think it was possible for a Ten Directions Celestial Duke to improve so much after only thirty years.

…

Meanwhile, Zhang Yun Ting, a Ten Directions Celestial King from the Phantom Fox Clan, was making his way toward Duan Ling Tian and Huan’er.

“Duan Ling Tian is ranked 65th on the scoreboard?” Zhang Yun Ting discovered Duan Ling Tian’s rank when he checked the scoreboard through his Identity Jade Token out of curiosity.

After a while, he muttered to himself, “I didn’t expect that woman whom we suspect to be the Thousand Phantoms Ice Fox to possess such strength! She’s actually capable of eliminating Hei Sha!”

Based on Zhang Yun Ting’s words, it was obvious he did not think Duan Ling Tian eliminated Hei Shan. He assumed Huan’er had eliminated Hei Sha and conceded the points to Duan Ling Tian. He had arrived at this conclusion because he had met Duan Ling Tian in the Profound Nether Mansion thirty years ago when Duan Ling Tian had just become a One Basic Celestial King. It would be considered an amazing feat if Duan Ling Tian could become a Two Forms Celestial King within thirty years. Even then, it was impossible for Duan Ling Tian to be able to eliminate Hei Sha with that sort of strength.

Moreover, a few thousand years ago, before he comprehended any of his profundities to the initial stage, he only managed to fight to a draw with Hei Sha.

Zhang Yun Ting’s expression gradually grew more and more solemn as he thought to himself, ‘That girl killed Jun Wang Chen, a core disciple of the Wind Thunder Dao Sect, without the need to use a Celestial Weapon. She’s even capable of eliminating Hei Sha… I’m afraid I might not be able to defeat her…’

When Zhang Yun Ting considered Huan’er’s strength, he had taken Huan’er’s Royal Grade Celestial Weapon into account. He thought it was impossible for her not to possess a Royal Grade Celestial Weapon. With Duan Ling Tian’s status in the Profound Nether Mansion, it was not difficult for Duan Ling Tian to obtain a Royal Grade Celestial Weapon for Huan’er.

‘In any case, I still have to probe her strength and test her abilities even if I’m not a match for her… Worse comes to worst, I’ll just crush my Identity Jade Token to escape at the critical moment.’ Zhang Yun Ting felt more at ease after thinking about this and sighed in relief. In the past, if someone had told him a Six Combos Celestial King was capable of defeating him, he would never have believed it. However, at this moment, he had no choice but to believe it.

…

Meanwhile, Duan Ling Tian and Huan’er, who were unaware that a member of the Phantom Fox Clan was swiftly closing in on them, traveled in a straight line. Since he was not familiar with the upper realm yet, he thought it was better to stick to one direction.

After Duan Ling Tian’s battle with Hei Sha, he allowed Huan’er to fight all the opponents they encountered. With this, she became more and more famous as she slowly and steadily rose on the scoreboard.

“Hm?” While Duan Ling Tian waited for Huan’er to rejoin him after she eliminated yet another opponent, he suddenly narrowed his eyes. It seemed like he had noticed something.

Similarly, Huan’er turned around and looked in the distance as though she had sensed something as well.

Soon enough, a grey-clad old man appeared before the duo. He looked at Duan Ling Tian and said with a faint smile on his face, “Imperial Tutor Duan, we meet again.”

Before Duan Ling Tian could reply, the grey-clad old man continued to say with a smile, “Imperial Tutor Duan, it’s been thirty years since we last met. Do you remember me?”

“You’re the man who accompanied Branch Leader Zhang from the Phantom Fox Clan during his visit to the Profound Nether Mansion thirty years ago.” Duan Ling Tian remembered the person in front of him was one of the two old men who stood behind Zhang Dong Nan thirty years ago. He did not expect to meet this person in the upper realm at all.

“Since the branch leader was around previously, it wasn’t appropriate for me to speak. Let me introduce myself to you today, Imperial Tutor Duan. I’m Zhang Yun Ting, an elder of the Phantom Fox Clan’s branch in the Southern Heaven Territory,” the grey-clad old man said.

‘Zhang Yun Ting?!’ Duan Ling Tian’s eyes widened imperceptibly when he heard Zhang Yun Ting’s name. Since he had just looked at the scoreboard fifteen minutes ago, he easily recalled that Zhang Yun Ting was ranked 52nd in the upper realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm.

Soon enough, Duan Ling Tian’s expression turned solemn, and killing intent began to stir in his heart when he saw Zhang Yun Ting appraising Huan’er.

Although Zhang Yun Ting was not capable of determining if Huan’er was truly a Thousand Phantoms Ice Fox, he was still highly suspicious like the two men who tailed Huan’er in the past.

Fortunately, Huan’er had become a Celestial King. Due to her cultivation base, even if Zhang Yun Ting was suspicious, it was impossible for him to find out if she was a Thousand Phantoms Ice Fox. After all, they were all Celestial Kings. Despite the difference in their strength, they could not see through her identity.

Zhang Yun Ting’s expression did not betray his thoughts. He asked amiably, “Girl, you must be the one who killed Jun Wang Chen, the core disciple from the Wind Thunder Dao Sect, and eliminated Hei Sha, right?”

However, Huan’er did not pay any attention to Zhang Yun Ting. Duan Ling Tian had told her through Voice Transmission that the old man was a member of the Phantom Fox Clan and a threat to her.

Zhang Yun Ting did not seem bothered that Huan’er had ignored him. He continued to say, “I’m currently ranked 52nd on the scoreboard, why don’t we battle? If you defeat me and obtain my points, you’ll be able to enter the top 50…”

Since Zhang Yun Ting could not confirm if Huan’er was the Thousand Phantoms Ice Fox, he hoped that he would be able to force Huan’er into revealing her true form when they battled. Even if she did not revert to her true form, there was a chance she would accidentally let her true energy leak during a battle. If that happened, he would be able to confirm once and for all if she was the Thousand Phantoms Ice Fox and accomplished his mission. It would be worth it even if he was eliminated and sent out of the upper realm.

‘If I can confirm her identity, the branch leader will be able to confidently inform the clan leader of this matter and request for reinforcement to capture her from the Profound Nether Mansion…’ Zhang Yun Ting thought to himself. He could not help but feel excited when he thought about the rewards their branch would receive. Although he knew the lion’s share of the reward would go to the branch leader, he was still satisfied with getting the scraps.

Meanwhile, Duan Ling Tian said through Voice Transmission, “Huan’er, since he challenged you, you should accept it… However, remember not to use any techniques that will betray your identity as a Thousand Phantoms Ice Fox. Apart from techniques exclusive to a Thousand Phantoms Ice Fox, don’t use any techniques from the Phantom Fox Clan as well. Just use the law of space to deal with him. If that’s not enough, use your Celestial Weapon.”

Duan Ling Tian was unsure of the extent of Zhang Yun Ting’s strength. However, based on Zhang Yun Ting’s current rank, it was clear that Zhang Yun Ting was much stronger than Hei Sha. It was likely that Zhang Yun Ting had comprehended some profundities to the initial stage.

Duan Ling Tian continued to remind Huan’er. “Even if you notice he’s weaker than you, don’t rush to show your strength. It’s best if you give him the illusion that both of your strengths are equal for a period of time.”

Although Huan’er did not know the reason behind Duan Ling Tian’s instructions, she, naturally, did not hesitate to obey him. She knew he must have a good reason for telling her to do these things.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

As soon as Duan Ling Tian finished speaking, Huan’er’s Celestial Origin Energy that had been boosted with the Space Elemental Profundity surged out of her body as she stepped forward. In just a blink of an eye, she appeared about 100 meters away from Zhang Yun Ting. She looked at him frostily and said, “Since you challenged me, prepare to leave your points behind…”

Zhang Yun Ting’s reply was simple. “If you want my points, you’ll have to defeat me.”

Zhang Yun Ting made a move as soon as he finished speaking. Flames surged out from his body, not unlike Hei Sha whom Duan Ling Tian previously fought. Clearly, both of them comprehended the law of fire. The difference was Zhang Yun Ting was stronger than Hei Sha.

After a dozen breaths had passed…

‘He has comprehended the Burning Profundity to the initial stage?’ It was not difficult for Duan Ling Tian to see that Zhang Yun Ting had comprehended the law of fire’s Burning Profundity to the initial stage.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yun Ting grew stronger and stronger as time passed. It seemed like he had unleashed almost all of his strength.