C13 Sect Leader of Celestial Sect Wu Kuangyun

"No, this won't do. His Highness must join the Celestial Sect!" Jiang Zhong insisted with fervor. Only a formidable force like the Celestial Sect could equip Ling Dao with the necessary skills. Both the royal family of the Great Luo Dynasty and the Killing House were significant powers, not to be trifled with so easily.

"Still clinging to me shamelessly? Get lost!" Ye Hongxuan's right foot shot out like a bolt of lightning, striking Jiang Zhong in the belly. Depleted of his Genuine Qi and already severely wounded, Jiang Zhong stood no chance against Ye Hongxuan's kick.

Jiang Zhong was hurled through the air, trailing blood behind him. A single kick had sent him flying dozens of meters. This was Ye Hongxuan exercising restraint; had he intended to kill, Jiang Zhong would have been utterly destroyed.

"Grandpa Jiang!" Ling Dao cried out, dashing to Jiang Zhong's side with utmost speed. Jiang Zhong struggled to rise, only to cough up another mouthful of blood. The sight turned Ling Dao's eyes crimson with rage, driving him into a frenzy.

"I'll fight you to the death!" Ling Dao's eyes blazed with fury as he swung his fists at Ye Hongxuan. He was blind to the vast chasm in their abilities; his sole focus was avenging Grandpa Jiang.

"You're out of your league! Were it not for your father's sake, you'd be dead already!" Ye Hongxuan's claim was a facade; in truth, he feared King Carefree. The closer his dealings with the king, the more he understood the extent of his dreadfulness. What contingencies had King Carefree prepared? Ye Hongxuan dared only to drive Ling Dao away, lacking the courage to deliver a fatal blow.

From a distance, Ye Hongxuan sent a palm strike through the air, unleashing a formidable gust that barreled towards Ling Dao. A sharp pain exploded in Ling Dao's chest as he was blasted backward. Ye Hongxuan's strength was leagues beyond Ling Dao's.

*Bang!*

Ling Dao's body slammed into the ground, his bones feeling as though they were about to shatter. His rage remained undiminished, fueling his readiness to rise and engage in a fierce battle with Ye Hongxuan once more. The incident with Jiang Zhong had driven him to the brink of madness.

"Your Highness!"

In the midst of Ling Dao's renewed charge at Ye Hongxuan, Jiang Zhong suddenly enveloped him in a tight embrace. No matter how forcefully Ling Dao struggled, he couldn't escape Jiang Zhong's hold. Witnessing Ling Dao's frenzied state, tears clouded the old man's eyes.

"Cough, cough..."

Jiang Zhong's wound was aggravated by Ling Dao's movements, prompting a series of painful coughs. It was only then that Ling Dao, with fury in his eyes, began to settle down. Jiang Zhong offered him a smile, seemingly indifferent to the chaos that had just unfolded.

"Your Highness, we should leave."

Releasing Ling Dao, Jiang Zhong still clung to his arm, determined to prevent any further confrontation with Ye Hongxuan. Jiang Zhong might not understand Ye Hongxuan's motives, but he refused to let Ling Dao take unnecessary risks. If Ling Dao were to die before him, Jiang Zhong felt that no amount of his own deaths could compensate.

"If this place holds nothing for us, then surely there's another place that does."

With Jiang Zhong's insistent tug, Ling Dao was unable to pursue the fight with Ye Hongxuan. He had regained his composure. Besides, Jiang Zhong's injuries were severe; prompt healing was essential, and further conflict was out of the question.

Ling Dao committed the day's events to memory. He refrained from making grand declarations; they were unnecessary. At this moment, any words he spoke would merely be a joke. He had come to realize that all perceived favors were illusory—only strength was real.

If he had the same power as King Carefree, would Ye Hongxuan have dared to harm Jiang Zhong? If he had such strength, would Jiang Zhong have suffered this fate? And if he were as powerful as King Carefree, could the Free and Unfettered Wangfu have faced destruction?

Everything stemmed from his overwhelming weakness. In a world where the strong devoured the weak, the powerful were revered, while the weak were relegated to the lowest rungs of society, vulnerable to the whims of their superiors. The strong had it all; the weak lacked even dignity.

"One day, with my sword in hand, I'll exact vengeance on all who have wronged me!"

A chilling intent to kill flickered deep within Ling Dao's eyes, yet he concealed it masterfully, unnoticed by all. With careful steps, he supported Jiang Zhong, descending the mountain. If the Celestial Sect had no place for him, why linger?

"Without King Carefree's protection, you won't last long!"

Ye Hongxuan watched the retreating figures of the elder and the youth, a cold smirk on his lips. Jiang Zhong was gravely wounded, further injured by his kick—unlikely to survive more than a few days. And Ling Dao, as King Carefree's son, had many enemies. With his current strength, survival seemed a distant hope.

"Hold on!"

Just then, a commanding voice echoed across the arena. A tall, middle-aged man arrived, stepping through the air, exuding an aura of absolute dominance. He was none other than Wu Kuangyun, the reigning Master of the Celestial Sect.

"Greetings, Master!"

Even Ye Hongxuan, the Great Elder, knelt in deference. The Sect Leader's status far surpassed his own. The other Celestial Sect Disciples looked on in astonishment. What brought the Master here?

"Was it you who shattered the Celestial Sword Formation?"

Wu Kuangyun paid no mind to the other disciples or even the Great Elder. His gaze was fixed on Ling Dao, as if beholding a priceless treasure. As the Sect Leader, he was well aware that the Celestial Sword Formation tested one's swordsmanship prowess.

Ling Dao's success in breaking the formation spoke volumes of his exceptional skill in the Sword Dao. Even Wu Kuangyun had not managed such a feat. At just fifteen, Ling Dao's prodigious talent was evident. Could he not be considered a boon to the Celestial Sect?

"Absolutely!"

Ling Dao gave a nod. With just two words, he conveyed his utter disappointment in the Celestial Sect, and naturally, he felt no inclination to engage in idle chatter with its Sect Leader. His frosty demeanor momentarily took the Sect Leader aback.

"Your ability to shatter the Celestial Sword Formation speaks volumes about your exceptional swordsmanship talent. I have to ask, would you consider becoming my disciple?"

Wu Kuangyun's proposition visibly shook Ye Hongxuan, while envy filled the gazes of the distant Celestial Sect Disciples as they watched Ling Dao. The prospect of being mentored by the Sect Leader of the Celestial Sect was a coveted dream for many.

"Master, why bother with this nobody? He's not even a fleshly body realm martial artist at fifteen. What's the point in making him your disciple?"

The Great Elder interjected hastily, fearing the repercussions if Wu Kuangyun were to take Ling Dao under his wing. He had more to say, but a stern look from Wu Kuangyun promptly silenced him.

"Not interested."

Ling Dao's terse response left Wu Kuangyun with a raised eyebrow.