The Nine Nether Sect's Three Venerables

Chen Lin's gaze sharpened slightly as he slowly looked over the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master.

At first glance, the white-haired, white-bearded Old Daoist seemed ethereal and untouched by worldly dust. Yet Chen Lin could clearly sense an oppressive aura swirling faintly around him, deep as an abyss and enough to make one's heart tremble.

"Seventh Level Dharma Idol..." Chen Lin mused. "The Crown Prince has been hiding a strong card."

Interesting.

But then he noticed that three of the seven who had been expected still hadn't arrived.

His thoughts flashed through possibilities, but Chen Lin soon set them aside and began advising the seven people present on the difficulties they faced in their cultivation.

Most of the techniques they had submitted earlier were only Earth-tier. They had all cultivated them to an advanced level, so Chen Lin needed only to offer a few pointers to explain each key point. The whole process was easy and efficient.

Besides, he had cultivated a Heaven-tier cultivation technique to Great Perfection. With the example right in front of him, he could offer them a thing or two.

The seven listened intently. When Chen Lin casually pointed out flaws in each of their techniques, they could only stare at one another in shock.

The hidden shortcomings and loopholes buried within their techniques rolled off Chen Lin's tongue as if he had long since seen through every detail of their cultivation. Even the solutions he offered on the spot left them feeling that the Crown Prince's master already knew every technique in the world like the back of his hand.

Afterward, Chen Lin imparted to them without reservation the essentials of the Great Sun Heavenly Merit, including the annotations that could help them break through to Great Perfection.

His intention in passing on the Great Sun Heavenly Merit was obvious: he wanted these future trusted aides to grow stronger as quickly as possible and become a fighting force.

And when they saw with their own eyes that Chen Lin had bestowed upon them a complete annotation of a Heaven-tier cultivation technique, along with a shortcut that led straight to Great Perfection, their shock reached its peak, nearly leaving them breathless.

After answering everyone's questions, offering guidance, and passing on the technique, Chen Lin also gave Ling Tian all of his annotated insights into the Great Sun Heavenly Merit, including the path that led straight to Great Perfection.

Ling Tian accepted the technique, waves crashing through his heart.

How long had it been since he'd handed the technique to his master?

He couldn't believe his master had not only mastered it completely, but had already cultivated it to the pinnacle of Great Perfection!

That speed of cultivation was monstrous beyond belief!

He suddenly understood. No wonder his master had always seemed unfathomable, even somewhat "weak." It wasn't that his master lacked ability. He had simply chosen a more efficient and astonishing path of cultivation: keeping a low profile and focusing on his training.

One by one, the seven emerged from their profound insights, feeling their minds broaden and their cultivation advance by a small degree. They bowed and respectfully cupped their fists toward Chen Lin.

"Thank you for your guidance, Heavenly Lord!"

Only one thought remained in their minds: He was too powerful! This Myriad Law Heavenly Sovereign was unfathomable!

Yet just as the atmosphere had grown fairly cordial, a rapid, heavy clatter of hooves suddenly sounded from below the Taoist Temple, shattering the quiet.

"I hear the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master is here. I wonder if Old You can subdue him in one fell swoop?" A slightly hoarse voice rang out, its tone leaving no room for disobedience.

Before the words had even faded, a rider at the head of the column pulled up in front of the Taoist Temple.

The newcomer wore fine robes and a jade belt, his bearing noble. He was none other than the Ninth Prince, Ling Xiao!

Several thousand armored soldiers followed behind him, brimming with murderous intent. Behind them came an elderly man with a sinister expression.

After two top forces rebelled, Ling Xiao had rushed all the way from Wuzhou to Tianyan City that very night. Now ambition flickered in his eyes. If I can seize this opportunity to petition for command over part of the army... His thoughts raced. This sudden force might be just the leverage he needed.

The old man beside him was the one who called himself "Old You."

At the words, a greedy, confident smile crept across his face. He bowed to Ling Xiao. "Your Highness, rest assured. The Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master is only at the third level of the Dharma Aspect Realm. Subduing him will be a trivial matter for me."

"Once that's done, Your Highness will have another powerful ally. Your influence will be transformed beyond recognition, won't it?"

A Dharma Aspect cultivator was top-tier fighting strength. Adding even one could change the course of a battle.

"Good," Ling Xiao replied without hesitation.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Old You." He gave a slight nod.

As soon as he finished speaking, Old You dismounted and strode steadily toward the Taoist Temple. His voice carried a hint of provocation. "I've long heard that the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master is cultivating here in seclusion. This old man has come today to seek a few pointers."

Inside the hall, the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He then carefully sensed the newcomer's aura.

"Mm," he said slowly, his voice tinged with understanding. "It seems this Ninth Prince really is a member of the Nine Nether Sect."

At this, the others in the hall turned pale. Only Ling Tian remained calm, as though he had expected this all along.

"What, my ninth brother's here already?" Ling Tian said casually, as if discussing some trivial matter.

The Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master nodded in confirmation. "That's right. The Ninth Prince has brought troops, and the old man beside him is Esteemed You, one of the Nine Nether Sect's Three Venerables."

He had identified Old You's true identity outright, proving just how well he knew the inner workings of the Nine Nether Sect.

Everyone present knew that the Nine Nether Sect's Three Venerables were all terrifying figures at the sixth level of the Dharma Aspect Realm!

"Your Highness, allow me to face him," the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master volunteered. As a cultivator at the seventh level, he could easily suppress him.

Then the Ninth Prince would lose one of his arms.

But just as he finished speaking, Chen Lin suddenly stopped him. "Let me go. It's been a long time since I've stretched my muscles."

Chen Lin thought to himself, As one of the Three Venerables, he must have a fortune on him. Isn't this just money falling from the heavens?

The others in the hall looked startled once more. The Myriad Law Heavenly Sovereign was going to fight personally?

They couldn't bear to miss a clash between such formidable experts. They all held their breath and waited.

"Then I'll trouble you, Heavenly Lord." A glimmer of delight flashed in the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master's eyes. He wanted to see the Heavenly Lord's power for himself, so he immediately cupped his fists.

Before the words had even faded, Chen Lin vanished from where he stood, as if he were a ghost.

They all turned their eyes toward the area below.

Old You waited for a while. Seeing that the Taoist Temple remained silent and nobody answered, he knitted his brows and looked displeased. He snorted. "Could it be that the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master doesn't even think my face is worth honoring? Is he too afraid to show himself?"

Before his words had even faded, Old You's expression changed drastically!

His pupils clearly reflected a fist rapidly growing larger, wreathed in an aura of destruction!

The fist seemed to come out of thin air, moving so fast that only a blur remained!

A dull, thunderous boom erupted, its force piercing through the air!

Old You took the blow head-on. His body instantly went limp, and he was hurled backward like a rag!

He slammed into the stone steps outside the Taoist Temple. The crisp crack of breaking bones rang out as dust billowed around him, followed by a deafening crash!

Ling Xiao, who had been standing nearby with a smug look on his face, froze. His smile stiffened, and his eyes filled with incredulous terror.