Chapter 4490: The Duan Clan's Elder

It was not until the envoy from the Jade Tide Heavenly Mansion left that Duan Bing, the Clan Leader of the Duan clan, returned to his senses.

'Someone below the realm of supreme powerhouses who comprehended the fourth stage of the Sword Dao?' Duan Bing thought to himself with a frown on his face.

Under normal circumstances, if an advanced Supreme God comprehended any of the Four Daos of Heaven and Earth to the fourth stage, they would feel the call to break into the realm of supreme powerhouses. Very few people would choose to wait and not answer the call. This was not surprising since almost everyone would not give up on the chance to become a supreme powerhouse.

The advanced Supreme Gods who did not respond to the call were divided into two groups: those who did not have the potential to become supreme powerhouses and those who wanted to become peerless top advanced Supreme Gods first. Generally, the number of the latter was far fewer than the former. After all, there were many risks attached to becoming a peerless top advanced Supreme God; success was not guaranteed. In the Outer Boundary and the Myriad Worlds, the number of peerless top advanced Supreme Gods was not even 10% of the number of supreme powerhouses.

For this reason, it was extremely difficult to find someone who comprehended the Four Daos of Heaven and Earth to the fourth stage and also had yet to become a supreme powerhouse. It was even more difficult since the requirement this time was someone who specifically comprehended the Sword Dao to the fourth stage as well.

"In the Duan clan, there are two people who have comprehended one of the Four Daos of Heaven and Earth to the fourth stage and have yet to become supreme powerhouses. Although they comprehended the Weapon Dao, none of them comprehended the Sword Dao... They don't meet the requirements to enter that place..."

Currently, in the Duan clan, there were only two people below the realm of supreme powerhouses who comprehended one of the Four Daos of Heaven and Earth to the fourth stage. The Weapon Dao they comprehended was the Spear Dao and the Saber Dao respectively. These two people were also among the people closest to the realm of peerless top advanced Supreme Gods in the Duan clan, and they were also among the strongest among their peers. They could be considered pillars of the Duan clan as well.

'It seems like we can only look for outside help,' Duan Bing thought to himself.

...

At noon the next day.

Duan Ling Tian and Tan Xiu Teng left the inn and had lunch in a nearby restaurant. They did not need to ask around and quickly found out where the Duan clan was recruiting talents in Tourmaline Holy City just by listening to the conversations in the surroundings.

As one of the three strongest demi-saint-rank forces in Tourmaline Holy City, the Duan clan's side estate in the city was huge even though it was only used for recruiting talents. The main estates of many clans, which were not demi-saint-rank forces, in the city could not even compare to the Duan clan's side estate.

At the entrance, a guard looked at Duan Ling Tian and asked politely, "Sir, are you here to look for someone?"

As a member of the Duan clan; a demi-saint-rank force, the guard knew better than to judge people by their appearance. Many people looked ordinary but were powerful and could not be provoked. As such, the guard and his peers were very polite to the people they met. With this, they did not need to fear accidentally offending someone they could not afford to offend.

Duan Ling Tian shook his head and said with a slight smile, "No. I heard that the Duan clan recruits talents here. I came to join the Duan clan."

The guard grew even more polite upon hearing this. He said, "I see. Please come in. I'll bring you to the assessment hall for interim elders. As long as you pass the assessment, you'll be able to join our clan."

Although Duan Ling Tian looked young, the guard did not underestimate Duan Ling Tian. After all, there was no telling if Duan Ling Tian was tens of thousands of years old under his youthful appearance.

When Duan Ling Tian entered the side estate, he saw lush plants and rockeries. The corridors were also beautifully paved and gave off a low-key but luxurious vibe.

Upon seeing Duan Ling Tian's reaction, the guard leading the way said with a slight smile, "This used to be the estate of a powerful clan. After that clan was annihilated, this place was left empty for a while. In the end, our clan leader obtained it and turned it into our clan's side estate."

Although the guard did not go into details, Duan Ling Tian knew that many people must be envious of the Duan clan. The fact that the Duan clan managed to obtain such a place was enough to show its might.

At this time, the guard slowed down slightly and said, "Sir, the person in charge of this place is an elder from the Duan clan's Enforcement Hall. He has a bad temper. When you see him, you must be polite. He hates those who are arrogant just because of their strength. He's a supreme powerhouse."

Under normal circumstances, the guard would not remind those who wanted to join the Duan clan. However, seeing that Duan Ling Tian was easygoing and did not put on any airs, regardless of Duan Ling Tian's strength, he took the initiative to remind Duan Ling Tian.

"Thank you for your reminder," Duan Ling Tian said.

The guard continued to lead the way as he asked, "Sir, my name is Duan Xiao. What's your name?"

"Duan Ling Tian," Duan Ling Tian replied honestly. He did not bother to hide his name this time. With his strength and the Duan clan, very few people would dare to target him. Perhaps, only someone from the Duan clan would dare to do so, but the chances were very low. Moreover, his spatial ring would self-destruct. As long as he was unwilling, no one would be able to snatch his treasures away.

The Duan clan was a demi-saint-rank force, and it was unlikely that its members would target an interim elder for his or her treasures. Moreover, he was not just any interim elder, but he was someone close to the realm of peerless top advanced Supreme Gods.

After listening to Tan Xiu Teng, he knew he would be greatly respected and valued once he joined the Duan clan.

Not only did Duan Ling Tian reveal his name, but his appearance had also returned to normal. In the past, he had to hide because he was strong enough. Now, there was no need for him to hide.

"Your surname is also Duan?!" Duan Xiao exclaimed in surprise. Then, he laughed before he said, "It seems like you're destined to join our Duan clan. Did you choose the Duan clan because of your surname?"

"Yes, it's one of the reasons," Duan Ling Tian replied with a nod. In fact, it was the main reason he chose the Duan clan.

Finally, after leading them to the backyard, Duan Xiao bade farewell to them and instructed another person to lead Duan Ling Tian and Tan Xiu Teng to a big hall in the backyard.

Before leaving, Duan Xiao said with a smile, "Brother Ling Tian, I hope to see you in our clan!"

Although Duan Xiao was tasked with guarding the Duan clan's side estate in Tourmaline Holy City, he was relatively strong. He was an advanced Supreme God, and many weaker interim elders and Revered Elders in the clan were no match for him. As such, when faced with potential new interim elders and Revered Elders, he treated them as equals.

"Alright," Duan Ling Tian responded with a slight smile. He had a good impression of the friendly Duan Xiao.

Meanwhile, the person who led Duan Ling Tian and Tan Xiu Teng to the hall was rather aloof. He did not speak unnecessarily as he led the duo to the hall.

In the courtyard outside of the hall, an old man, who looked to be over seventy years old, was sitting in front of a stone table and drinking tea.

"Elder, I've brought him here..." the person who led the duo here said respectfully.

In fact, the moment Duan Ling Tian stepped foot into the side estate, the old man already knew Duan Ling Tian wanted to join the Duan clan. Duan Xiao had sent him a message earlier. This was where the Duan clan recruited talents after all so he was not surprised.

The old man rose to his feet. Despite his thin body, his aura was strong, and the pressure he emitted felt like it weighed thousands of pounds.

With this aura, Duan Ling Tian confirmed that the old man was indeed a supreme powerhouse.

When the aura swept out, Tan Xiu Teng's expression changed drastically. His body trembled slightly, and blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth.

On the contrary, Duan Ling Tian stood still, completely unaffected. At the same time, a fierce aura surged from his body.

Following that, Tan Xiu Teng's expression eased immediately. Clearly, Duan Ling Tian had helped him ease the pressure.

"What a powerful Sword Dao..." the old man said after he withdrew his energy. He stared at Duan Ling Tian with barely concealed excitement.

'Is there such a coincidence?'

The old man had just received a message from the Clan Leader of the Duan clan yesterday, telling him to search for someone below the realm of supreme powerhouses who had comprehended the Sword Dao to the fourth stage. He could not help but wonder if it was a coincidence that someone who met the requirement showed up today.

'His Sword Dao is definitely above the fourth stage! We'll have to test him before we know what stage he's at...'