Lai Hantian was the most prized disciple of the late Marquis Shen, a powerhouse of the Heavenly Sect.
Originally, Ao Donglai had been Marquis Shen's "hostage" in the Imperial Capital. Lai Hantian had been responsible for protecting him while also serving the Sealed Lord.
After Marquis Shen fell and the situation in the Southern Border collapsed, more than half of Marquis Shen's disciples perished, while the survivors were left struggling for their lives.
Ao Donglai returned to the Southern Border to manage the overall situation with his elder brother. Lai Hantian also returned after the Sealed Lord's death.
The addition of a Heavenly Sect expert finally salvaged a little of the situation. Wielding a long staff, he roamed everywhere, exterminating the rebels.
Things had originally been improving bit by bit, until fresh turmoil arose recently.
"Hee hee hee, Lai Hantian, the Heavenly Pillar is nothing more than this!"
"Your clumsy techniques are simply disgracing Old Monkey. Stop showing off."
"Can't hit us, just can't hit us."
A vast, resplendent pillar of light swung wildly yet powerfully. At times it reached up to the Nine Heavens, and at times it swept horizontally across all directions. Wherever it passed, space rippled like water.
Lai Hantian was a Heavenly Sect powerhouse who used a staff. With his weapon in hand, he was no longer constrained by its form; he had thoroughly grasped the essence of the "staff."
That pillar of light carried an uprightness that could pierce through all things. Wherever it passed, evil beings scattered, and anything standing in its way vanished into smoke.
Yet his enemy was exceptionally troublesome.
The targets of the light pillar's repeated sweeps were not terrifying, hideous monsters, but plump children holding hands and hopping about. They giggled and laughed, their faces overflowing with delight.
The plump