The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 465: Number One Cultivator!

Number One Cultivator! . . .

Approximately nine centuries in the past, the Land of Han-Yang boasted six immensely influential sects, each holding a substantial share of power and prestige. Among these, the Sunlight Sect and the Starlight Sect stood as the foremost behemoths, with the remaining four sects following closely behind in terms of strength. The landscape of martial prowess in the Land of Han-Yang was indeed defined by these six peerless sects, all standing on an equal footing.

However, the harmony within this martial world was disrupted when a disciple from one of these six sects inadvertently took the life of Bu Jingtian's son. The grief-stricken Bu Jingtian, consumed by a fiery wrath, embarked on a relentless quest for vengeance. He descended upon the responsible sect with a furious storm, and what ensued was a brutal conflict that persisted for an arduous three months. Blood flowed like a torrent, painting the landscape in a gruesome tableau, and with a single sweep of his sword, Bu Jingtian annihilated the entire sect.

Following this cataclysmic battle, Bu Jingtian required an extensive three-year respite to mend his grievous wounds, which were deemed nearly insurmountable. The toll of battling an entire sect single-handedly had left him gravely injured, a consequence that seemed only fitting given the magnitude of his triumph. Yet, questions lingered—was the cost worth the victory?

For in the wake of Bu Jingtian's formidable feat, two rival sects saw a golden opportunity. With Bu Jingtian temporarily incapacitated, the Sunlight Sect's most formidable figure was rendered absent. Seizing the moment, these two sects joined forces and initiated an assault on the Sunlight Sect five years later. As the battle reached its most perilous juncture for the Sunlight Sect, Bu Jingtian emerged from the shadows, unsheathing his sword to singlehandedly reverse the tide of the conflict.

The two opposing sects found themselves teetering on the brink of destruction, prompting their hasty retreat. Bu Jingtian, however, harbored no intentions of letting them escape unpunished. He pursued them relentlessly, spanning a thousand miles of strife and leaving a trail awash in bloodshed. For the subsequent five years, Bu Jingtian relentlessly exacted retribution upon them time and time again, until both rival sects were reduced to mere memories.

Four centuries later, a prodigious cultivator of uncharted origins emerged, hailing from one of the four sects not affiliated with the Sunlight Sect or the Starlight Sect. His martial talents were unrivaled, earning him the position of an indomitable figure within the martial world. Yet, this rising star harbored a vehement disdain for Bu Jingtian's epithet as the No. 1 cultivator and challenged him repeatedly.

Despite the provocations, Bu Jingtian remained impassive.

However, the audacious challenger stationed himself at the entrance of the Sunlight Sect, indiscriminately slaying any member who dared to cross his path. Bu Jingtian, compelled by these brazen provocations, finally emerged from his solitude. With a single swing of his sword, he decapitated the challenger, embarking on a long journey with the severed head impaled upon his blade. He traversed the distance to the sect from which his adversary hailed, instigating a relentless massacre.

In the span of a single day, this sect too met its demise.

Following these events, only two preeminent sects remained to dominate the world:

The Sunlight Sect.

The Starlight Sect.

Until that moment, it had been a legend no longer. Bu Jingtian transcended the realm of legend to carve out a myth, one that resonated with the echoes of a deity of death. He was the mythos of a god-killer, a figure who knew no mercy and held firm to the belief that, when cutting down the weeds of opposition, one must eradicate the roots without fail. In Bu Jingtian's world, every transgressor met their demise, and their associates followed them into oblivion. No one emerged from the maelstrom of Bu Jingtian's wrath. Not even the allies of the fallen could escape the specter of death.

The name of Bu Jingtian bore such ominous weight that even the children of the Land of Han-Yang dared not utter it. He was hailed as the world's No. 1 Cultivator, a title that came hand in hand with the label of the most frigid and unrelenting butcher. His name was a legend and a taboo, a subject whispered in hushed tones throughout the Land of Han-Yang, as if any utterance could summon his presence.

Now, the elderly figure standing before Cha Eun Xiao embodied the very essence of this formidable individual.

In this moment, would the legend perpetuate?

Prior to Bu Jingtian's arrival, Sunlight Sect and Starlight Sect had been distinctly divided entities. Mutual animosity festered between them, and they were far from being comrades in arms. Nevertheless, the arrival of Bu Jingtian changed the paradigm. The presence of this living myth instigated a profound shift in their dynamics.

Both Sunlight Sect and Starlight Sect had originated as subdivisions of the great sects in the Qing-Yun Realm, their standings in the world similar in stature. On most occasions, their actions were synchronous, and they postured with an air of dominance towards each other.

However, Bu Jingtian's mere presence dictated a different narrative.

All were beholden to Bu Jingtian's commands, regardless of the intricate web of relationships and the complexities therein. The No. 1 Cultivator held the reins, and his voice was the resounding authority. Sunlight Sect, recognizing their vulnerability in light of their recent defeat against Boundless Lake, sought Bu Jingtian's leadership, offering him the position of their leader. This unilateral move was non-negotiable. Bu Jingtian's presence in itself was Sunlight Sect's resolute stance on the matter.

Those from the five noble clans, upon learning of Bu Jingtian's impending involvement, wore grim expressions. His presence signified Sunlight Sect's unwavering commitment, making it clear that negotiation was not an option.

Should the members of the noble clans choose to defy this declaration, their lives would hang in the balance. Bu Jingtian had the means to annihilate their entire clans in a single night.

Accept or reject the offer, the ultimate consequence was clear: those coveted Supreme Dan Beads would never reach the hands of any other, genius or not. Bu Jingtian's sword would ensure such a fate.

The world's No. 1 Cultivator, the No. 1 Slaughterer, the legend of the Land of Han-Yang, echoed his name before Feng Monarch Feng of Ling-Bao Hall, conveying a resolute message.

"Bu Jingtian? Never heard of it," Cha Eun Xiao stated with a nonchalant shake of his head, appearing weary. "Hmm. Now I know your name. You are Bu Jingtian... But can you just tell me what do you want here? I am really tired. I don't have much time to play games with you. Please just be frank, could you?"

He addressed Bu Jingtian as "my friend," singular, not plural. It was a pointed statement, directed specifically at Bu Jingtian, and it carried a subtle subtext.

"I am tired. I said it twice."

Bu Jingtian found himself in an unexpected state of bewilderment. A trace of shock etched across his visage, swiftly igniting into an ember of smoldering anger. In his mind, he had harbored the expectation that the mere utterance of his name would induce sheer terror in these young men, propelling them to prostrate in abject apology, perhaps even rendering them speechless, paralyzed by fear.

Bu Jingtian, over the course of his long and storied life, had grown accustomed to such reactions. In fact, he relished them. There was a peculiar satisfaction in witnessing individuals crumble before him, their praise and adulation washing over him like a soothing balm. He had even witnessed people faint out of sheer dread when confronted with his formidable reputation.

This was an experience he had grown to appreciate, one that had become a source of gratification. He had anticipated relishing that sensation once more, this time at the hands of this young man. Yet, the reality that confronted him was a stark departure from his expectations. The young man, Feng Monarch, displayed no visible reaction upon hearing Bu Jingtian's name. He maintained an air of nonchalance, as if the revelation held no significance.

Bu Jingtian's exhilaration was doused, replaced by a sense of having been handed a damp cloth when he had yearned for jubilant celebration.

"Have you not heard of me, young man?" Bu Jingtian queried with a furrowed brow, striving to suppress the simmering anger within him. It was possible that this youth was unaware of his exploits. Perhaps his legacy had not penetrated the young man's sphere of knowledge.

"Is Bu Jingtian truly a renowned name?" Cha Eun Xiao retorted, his tone tinged with impatience. "You might be attaching undue importance to yourself. In the martial world, one should refrain from excessive self-indulgence, don't you think?"

With that, Cha Eun Xiao effectively laid to rest any preconceptions or misconceptions he might have had. He had recognized the futility of pursuing this line of inquiry and chose to move beyond it. The past conjectures were now rendered irrelevant, and he had no inclination to perpetuate them.