Making a Name Across the World! All Factions Make Their Moves!

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, rear courtyard.

Zhao Tian slowly opened his eyes. A golden light flashed and vanished deep within his pupils.

He let out a long breath and stretched his limbs. The bones throughout his body crackled sharply.

A full month had passed since he returned from Spirit City.

Throughout that month, he had not relaxed in the slightest. He cultivated diligently every day, steadily advancing his Four Cultivation Systems from the Radiant Divine Canon, while his Soul Power rose steadily from level twenty-two to level twenty-four.

Although his level-up speed could not be considered explosive, he had built an extremely solid foundation.

Zhao Tian could clearly feel that his physical strength, mental power, and control over his Soul Skills were all more than a cut above what they had been a month ago.

"Level twenty-four..."

Zhao Tian rose from the bed and walked to the window, pushing it open.

The early morning sunlight streamed in, warm and bright.

In the courtyard, Ning Rongrong had already begun her daily body-tempering exercises.

She wore a neat training outfit and was doing squats and push-ups. Her little face was covered in sweat, but she gritted her teeth and persevered without making a sound.

Over the past month, she had also been desperately trying to catch up.

Although she did not cultivate as quickly as Zhao Tian, her Soul Power had still risen from level sixteen to level eighteen.

For a support-type soul master, this speed was already astonishing.

Seeing how hard she was working, Zhao Tian felt slightly moved.

The little girl who had once been pampered was becoming tougher with each passing day.

"Zhao Tian! You're awake!"

Ning Rongrong noticed Zhao Tian by the window, raised her head, waved at him, and revealed a broad smile.

"Mm."

Zhao Tian nodded and walked downstairs.

"Breakfast is ready! Today, there's Rongrong's favorite..."

Ning Rongrong had only spoken halfway when she suddenly remembered something and hurriedly corrected herself. "No, it's the lotus seed soup Rongrong specially asked the kitchen to make for you, your favorite!"

Looking at her obvious attempt to cover things up, Zhao Tian could not help laughing.

"Then let's go eat together."

At the dining table, Ning Rongrong chattered away while drinking her porridge, telling him about the things she had seen and heard recently.

"Zhao Tian, did you know? That poem of yours has spread across the entire continent! A few days ago, someone came back from outside and said that people in the Star Luo Empire are even copying and passing it around!"

"Some people even came all the way to the gates of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, saying they wanted to meet you and learn poetry from you! The disciples at the entrance turned them away!"

"You're the most famous person on the continent now!"

At this, Zhao Tian's brows furrowed slightly.

Being famous was not entirely a good thing for him.

The tallest nail gets hammered. He had understood that principle in his previous life.

Moreover, this world had the colossal Spirit Hall secretly watching from the shadows.

"Rongrong, if anyone comes to visit in the future, just say that I'm cultivating in seclusion. I won't see anyone."

Zhao Tian put down his bowl and chopsticks and spoke seriously.

Ning Rongrong froze for a moment, then nodded.

"Okay, Rongrong understands."

After breakfast, Zhao Tian did not hurry to cultivate. Instead, he went to Chen Xin's residence.

Chen Xin was sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, savoring his tea. When he saw Zhao Tian arrive, he put down his teacup.

"Is something wrong?"

"Teacher, this disciple wants to know if there has been any recent movement concerning Spirit Hall in the outside world."

Zhao Tian got straight to the point.

Chen Xin glanced at him, a hint of approval flashing through his eyes.

"You are quite vigilant."

"There has."

He picked up his teacup and spoke slowly. "Recently, Spirit Hall has been recruiting young geniuses on a large scale throughout the continent. The terms they are offering are extremely generous, and quite a few disciples from small and mid-sized sects have been poached."

"Furthermore... they have mentioned your name repeatedly during their recruitment efforts."

Zhao Tian's brows knitted together. "They mentioned me?"

"Mm."

Chen Xin nodded.

"They publicly claim that the Pope of Spirit Hall personally recruited you. Although you temporarily declined, Spirit Hall's gates will always be open to you."

"And they also said..."

Chen Xin paused, his gaze sharpening.

"That Spirit Hall's sincerity exceeds that of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"If you are willing to go to Spirit Hall, Her Holiness the Pope can personally accept you as her direct disciple and cultivate you as the next Pope."

After listening, Zhao Tian fell silent for a moment.

There was no denying that Bibi Dong's move was quite brilliant.

She knew perfectly well that Zhao Tian had rejected her recruitment, yet she had deliberately made the matter public.

This would cause the outside world to develop all kinds of suspicions.

Some would believe that Zhao Tian would eventually join Spirit Hall. Some would think that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could not keep him. Others might even suspect that Zhao Tian and Spirit Hall had already reached some sort of tacit agreement.

Regardless of the truth, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's internal unity would be affected.

The relationship between Zhao Tian and Ning Fengzhi would also gradually develop a rift.

"Quite a move..."

Zhao Tian said quietly.

"Indeed."

Chen Xin nodded.

"Bibi Dong's move is called retreating in order to advance."

"On the surface, she respects your choice, but in reality, she has planted a thorn between you and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"That thorn may not seem conspicuous now, but if a conflict ever truly arises between you and Fengzhi, it will immediately come into play."

Zhao Tian raised his head and looked at Chen Xin.

"Teacher, rest assured. This disciple will not fall for it."

"I know."

Chen Xin looked at him, satisfaction showing in his eyes.

"Although you are young, your intelligence far surpasses that of ordinary people. I understand that very well."

"So I called you here today not to remind you to guard against Spirit Hall, but to tell you about something else."

"What is it?"

Zhao Tian asked.

Chen Xin said slowly, "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan sent someone to deliver a secret letter."

Zhao Tian's heart stirred. "Yu Tianheng?"

"That's right."

Chen Xin nodded.

"In the letter, Yu Tianheng said that after returning, he had carefully reviewed your battle and felt that he had not lost convincingly."

"He said that once he breaks through to level thirty, he wants to challenge you to another match."

At this, the corners of Zhao Tian's mouth lifted slightly.

Yu Tianheng was arrogant, but he was also an upright and honorable person.

He accepted defeat when he lost, then worked hard to catch up and use his strength to win it back.

An opponent like that was worthy of respect.

"Good. This disciple accepts his challenge."

Zhao Tian said.

"Once he breaks through to level thirty, he can come find me for a spar."

Chen Xin smiled faintly. "I knew you would say that."

"I've already sent a reply. Once Yu Tianheng breaks through, he can come challenge you at any time."

"Besides..."

Chen Xin changed the subject.

"There is another piece of news."

"What is it?"

"Feng Xiaotian also sent word through someone. He says he is going into seclusion to create a Self-Created Soul Skill. Once he has cultivated Gale Consecutive Slashes to thirty-six slashes, he will come find you for a match as well."

Zhao Tian smiled helplessly.

Those two fellows truly refused to admit defeat.

However, competition led to progress, and he did not mind sparring with powerful opponents.

"Good. This disciple will await them."

After speaking, Zhao Tian stood up and bowed to Chen Xin.

"Teacher, this disciple will take his leave first."

"Mm, go."

After returning to the rear courtyard, Zhao Tian did not immediately cultivate. Instead, he stood in the center of the courtyard and fell into deep thought.

Spirit Hall was laying plans in secret, while the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Feng Xiaotian were also sharpening their blades.

His rise to fame had already made him the focus of attention for all sides.

This was both pressure and motivation.

"Become stronger."

Zhao Tian closed his eyes and circulated the Radiant Divine Canon.

Golden light once again enveloped his entire body.

He had to go farther before anyone else was ready.