Chapter 1411: Duelling Ling Yun
After Duan Ling Tian listened to the City Governor of Mound Hill City's explanation, he gained a new understanding of Saint Grade Martial Tactics' moves.
It should be noted that the Saint Grade Martial Tactic he learned in the past was through saint tokens. The things he learned was rigid and far less vivid compared to what the City Governor of Mound Hill City had described.
'No wonder so many people still want to find a master even though there are saint tokens in the Dao Martial Saint Land... Finding a master is more than just looking for protection, it's also to enhance their strength,' Duan Ling Tian thought to himself.
Duan Ling Tian was not in a rush to return to the Latent Dragon Camp. He stayed at the City Governor of Mound Hill City's manor instead.
There was nothing lacking in the City Governor of Mound Hill City's manor. Moreover, it had a better cultivation environment compared to the Latent Dragon Camp.
According to Jin Yuan Bao's words, he did not want to return to the Latent Dragon Camp anymore after staying here for a few days.
One day, the City Governor of Mound Hill City summoned Duan Ling Tian and the other three before him and said, "Today, the four of you will spar in front of me... The strong are revered in the Dao Martial Saint Land, so your seniority will be ranked according to your strength."
Among them, apart from Jin Yuan Bao who had addressed Duan Ling Tian and Ling Yun as Senior Brother, the others did not address anyone as Senior Brother nor did they refer to themselves as Junior Brother.
The City Governor of Mound Hill City had discovered this and planned to rank their seniority today.
"Master, let me go first... If Xiong Hu can defeat me, I'm willing to be the youngest Junior Brother." Jin Yuan Bao took the lead and volunteered.
"Very well." The City Governor of Mound Hill City nodded and stood at the side with Duan Ling Tian and Ling Yun as they watched Jin Yuan Bao and Xiong Hu who were about to fight.
"Jin Yuan Bao, you're still the same. Always unwilling to submit to me." Xiong Hu was not surprised Jin Yuan Bao wanted to challenge him. He looked at Jin Yuan Bao with a dignified expression, ready to react if Jin Yuan Bao were to attack.
Although he ranked before Jin Yuan Bao in the Latent Dragon Camp's Thirteen Gangsters, he was not much stronger than him.
Every time, they would only know the outcome of the battle after a hundred moves.
After Duan Ling Tian had broken through to the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage, he discovered something... Even without utilizing the Strange Pupil, he could still clearly see Jin Yuan Bao and Xiong Hu's movements.
'It seems that because I've broken through to the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage, apart from my body becoming stronger, all my organs are also different from ordinary Martial Cultivators at the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage," Duan Ling Tian speculated inwardly.
Apart from that, Duan Ling Tian could not think of another explanation.
Jin Yuan Bao and Xiong Hu fought fiercely, going back and forth... Duan Ling Tian felt a little sleepy as he continued to watch the battle that was evenly matched.
Duan Ling Tian only woke up a hundred moves later when Jin Yuan Bao fell to a disadvantageous position.
Xiong Hu finally defeated Jin Yuan Bao after another thirty moves.
"It's about 130 moves again." Jin Yuan Bao wiped the bloodstains at the corner of his mouth as he frowned.
"Two more moves compare to the previous time."
Xiong Hu smiled faintly and said, "Junior Brother Jin, shouldn't you address me as your Senior Brother now?"
"Senior Brother Xiong." Although Jin Yuan Bao was a bit reluctant, he was not shameless. He addressed Xiong Hu as Senior Brother before he stood to the side.
Regardless if it were Duan Ling Tian, Ling Yun or the City Governor of Mound Hill City, no one was surprised by the result.
After Xiong Hu consumed a Two Star Healing Medicinal Pill that the City Governor of Mound Hill City had thrown him, he quickly recovered to his top form... Then, his eyes immediately shifted to Duan Ling Tian.
"Duan Ling Tian, I know I'm no match for Ling Yun... We'll spar now. If you win, I'll address you as Senior Brother. If I win, you..." Xiong Hu looked at Duan Ling Tian.
However, Duan Ling Tian interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. "If you win, I'll also address you as Senior Brother."
"Good! How direct!" Xiong Hu grinned when he heard Duan Ling Tian's words. "Come here then."
Under the eyes of the City Governor of Mound Hill City, Ling Yun, and Jin Yuan Bao, Duan Ling Tian stepped forward. Moments later, he stood unmoving like a mountain in front of Xiong Hu as they prepared to battle.
Jin Yuan Bao looked at Xiong Hu with a hint of pity in his eyes.
In his opinion, Xiong Hu was merely a little bit stronger than he was, and he himself knew that he was not as strong as Duan Ling Tian. It was impossible for Xiong Hu to be a match for Duan Ling Tian. He could already envision the scene of Xiong Hu being defeated by Duan Ling Tian.
However, what happened next was beyond his expectation... It was not just him, even the City Governor of Mound Hill City and Ling Yun were surprised as well.
Under their watchful eyes, Duan Ling Tian stood still for a long time.
Finally, Xiong Hu attacked first.
Although Xiong Hu was ranked no.2 among the Thirteen Gangsters, he did not dare to let his guard down around Duan Ling Tian since even Jin Yuan Bao acknowledged he was not as good as him.
When he attacked, he unleashed his strength without holding back.
However, he was still blasted away by Duan Ling Tian who had suddenly disappeared from his sight even though he had unleashed his full strength.
The moment before he was blasted away, he only saw a flash in front of his eyes before Duan Ling Tian appeared just a stone throw away in front of him.
In just a split second, Duan Ling Tian's fist landed on his body.
That punch made his body tremble, and he flew out like a shot arrow. Duan Ling Tian's fist felt like a sledgehammer falling on his chest and internal organs.
After the clouds and mist drifted across the sky, Xiong Hu finally fell to the ground in an embarrassing manner. It was an obvious defeat.
Silence.
The entire place was deadly silent.
Xiong Hu's dull breathing was the only thing that was audible.
"Impressive!" When Jin Yuan Bao regained his senses, he gave a thumbs up to Duan Ling Tian. 'No wonder Senior Brother Duan is a prodigious Martial Cultivator from the Mortal Continent. He's so strong that he's comparable to an ordinary Martial Cultivator at the Perfection Mortal Shedding Stage.'
Although Jin Yuan Bao remained calm outwardly, he was deeply shocked in his heart.
Although he had confidence in Duan Ling Tian, he thought he would need a few more moves to defeat Xiong Hu... Who would have thought that Xiong Hu would be defeated in just one move?
This granted him insight into Duan Ling Tian's strength. This matter really shocked him.
'This... Is he really just a Martial Cultivator at the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage?' Jin Yuan Bao exclaimed inwardly in disbelief.
Ling Yun looked at Duan Ling Tian solemnly.
Earlier, he saw everything clearly when Duan Ling Tian had attacked. At this moment, he even thought that Duan Ling Tian's speed was not much slower than his.
He knew Duan Ling Tian was able to defeat enemies with higher cultivation base than him even though he was only at the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage. However, he did not expect Duan Ling Tian to be so strong.
Even Xiong Hu who was at the peak of the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage could not endure more than one move.
"Mast... Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage?" The City Governor of Mound Hill City had checked Duan Ling Tian's cultivation base with the Spiritual Secret Tactic. He could not help but gasp inwardly. It was like tens of thousands of horses were running through his mind. It took him a while before he finally recovered.
It had not been that long, but Duan Ling Tian had made another breakthrough again?
The City Governor of Mound Hill City only managed to gradually calm himself down after he took a few deep breaths. Although he was shocked, he did not say anything.
As the City Governor of Mound Hill City, naturally, he knew what should be said and what should be done.
He did not doubt that if news of Duan Ling Tian's consecutive breakthroughs within such a short span of time spread out, he would definitely become a prime target... If the matter reached that point, it would not be good for Duan Ling Tian.
This was because everyone, including him, thought Duan Ling Tian was hiding some huge secret since he managed to break through two levels in such a short time. Naturally, there might be other reasons, but others would not think so.
People would rather err on the side of caution. They would rather kill than to let someone go!
That was the rule of conduct for greedy people.
Therefore, in order to protect Duan Ling Tian, he kept quiet even though he was extremely shocked... As long as he remained silent, Ling Yun and the others would not find out that Duan Ling Tian had broken through to the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage.
In their eyes, Duan Ling Tian was still a terrifying Martial Cultivator at the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage.
'When he was at the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage, he was already able to defeat most of the Martial Cultivators at the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage... Now that he has broken through to the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage, I'm afraid that even Ling Yun won't be able to contend with him,' the City Governor of Mound Hill City thought to himself.
At the same time, he was in a good mood because he felt that he had obtained a treasure.
"Senior Brother Duan." After Xiong Hu consumed a Healing Medicinal Pill and caught his breath, he stood up slowly. He looked at Duan Ling Tian with respect and admiration in his eyes.
He submitted to Duan Ling Tian from the bottom of his heart... The purple-clad young man had sent him flying and defeated him in just a move.
Since the other party had addressed him as Senior Brother, naturally, Duan Ling Tian had to show a bit of concern. He asked with a smile, "Are you alright?"
His eyes fell on Ling Yun after he ascertained that Xiong Hu was fine.
"You're very strong."
Ling Yun stepped forward and looked at Duan Ling Tian solemnly. "Previously, I didn't think I would be wary of facing a Martial Cultivator at the Intermediate Mortal Shedding Stage Martial Cultivator."
"You're not weak either," Duan Ling Tian replied calmly.
"Duan Ling Tian!" At this moment, the City Governor of Mound Hill City's voice rang in Duan Ling Tian's ears in a timely manner through True Energy Voice Transmission, "Don't expose your cultivation base at the Mastery Mortal Shedding Stage so easily."
Duan Ling Tian was not surprised the City Governor of Mound Hill City knew about his breakthrough since he had sensed his Spiritual Energy sweeping over him. It made him feel like he was completely seen through when he was defeating Xiong Hu.
It was then he knew the City Governor of Mound Hill City had doubts about his cultivation base and had used the Spiritual Secret Tactic to check his cultivation base.
However, Duan Ling Tian could hear a trace of anxiousness in the City Governor of Mound Hill City's voice. This surprised him.