Chapter 524: Chapter 472: Spirit Realm Level 4? Not Enough!

How could the Ancestor Celestial Master not be angry? Yu Yangzi was his close disciple, his appointed successor, and the current Heavenly Master. The audacity of the offender who had tried to kill him was an insult to the elder’s dignity.

The Ancestor Celestial Master, who had once made formidable individuals like Zhao Baiyang and the Qingxu Taoist wary, was not one with a gentle temperament. A lenient character would not have attained the position that he had.

In the face of such ruthless cruelty towards his disciple, the fact that the Ancestor Celestial Master had not retaliated was him showing respect towards the powers behind these people – the Celestial Masters originating from the Sky Wasteland.

“In returning with the decree of our ancestor, I find you disregarding it and even daring to act in rebellion. Are you plotting betrayal against Dragon Tiger Mountain?” said Zhang Chengzhou, the eldest of the trio, his voice cold.

It would appear that the warnings that he had received about betrayers during his departure were right. It had been thousands of years, and those who remained behind had forgotten their respect for their ancestral master, proving themselves to be ungrateful descendants.

No wonder important individuals had warned him; he needed to remove any potential threats and act resolutely if need arise. The priority should be to ensure a smooth return to Dragon Tiger Mountain.

“You abandoned all contact for thousands of years, only to return and harm the present-day Celestial Master. Is this how our ancestors treat their loyal followers?” The Ancestor Celestial Master retorted sharply, challenging their actions.

Although he did not know the reasons behind their abandonment, he understood that his lineage had been left behind to struggle with survival. His lineage had maintained the dignity of the Dragon Tiger Mountain for thousands of years without any acknowledgement from their superiors. Now, they were expected to submit just because a minor official was sent? This was utterly ludicrous.

Even after hundreds of years following the rejuvenation of Heaven and Earth, the Ancestor Celestial Master still held a significant position in society, despite his low-profile nature. Nobody dared belittle him.

What were these people up to? How did they view him? If he continued to yield, wouldn’t he be reduced to a helpless beggar?

Unfortunately, the Ancestor Celestial Master was not one to bend easily. He had remained standing all these years, refusing to kneel.

So what if the people from the Sky Wasteland were stronger? They merely had the advantage of a better environment. If they were in the same situation as him, they would be no different from ordinary folks.

Having been a revered figure for years, the Ancestor Celestial Master wasn’t going to submit just because they were the origin of the Sky Wasteland’s Celestial Masters. He was open to reconciliation had they approached him with humility and respect. However, their provocation was something he could not tolerate.

This was something Pei Xuanjing had anticipated, no one wants to play second fiddle after being accustomed to being a leader.

The ancient powers of the Sky Wasteland had left a legacy here, but thousands of years had passed. Time had gradually eroded their status and significance.

Had they been able to return immediately and suppress all lingering influences with a thundering dominance, there would have been no room for conflict. Their subjects would have had no choice but to silently yield.

Regrettably, the rejuvenation of Heaven and Earth was a gradual process that provided the opportunity and time for these powers to develop. Once they gained power, they would be unwilling to submit easily.

Conflict was thus inevitable.

“So, you’re refusing to abide by the orders of our ancestors?” A sense of glee flashed in Zhang Chengzhou’s eyes as he continued pressing the issue without answering their questions directly.

The Ancestor Celestial Master might have been dissatisfied with the ancestral lineage from the Sky Wasteland, but it wasn’t like they looked highly upon the plebeians from the ancestral land themselves.

If they didn’t want to cooperate and planned on opposing the ancestral decree, he would suppress them directly. After all, it was time for them to witness the true might of the Dragon Tiger Mountain’s ancestral lineage.

“It seems our negotiations are at a standstill,” the Ancestor Celestial Master sighed, shaking his head slightly.

They clearly had no intention of having an equal conversation and considered their submission their right.

Zhang Chengzhou smirked in cold amusement. “Since that’s the case, let me show you the true power of our Celestial Masters!” he proclaimed, his voice turning icy.

Boom!

His aura exploded as he took a step forward, his hands outstretched towards the Ancestor Celestial Master.

The display of power from the Fifth Order of the Spiritual Realm left everyone present in shock. Although the powerhouses of the Dragon Tiger Mountain were formidable, witnessing such a terrifying display of power instilled a sense of fear in their hearts, threatening their lives at any moment.

In the Sky Wasteland’s Dragon Tiger Mountain, a cultivator of the Spiritual Realm Fifth Order might not be considered powerful, but in the recently revived Daming World, they were highly regarded. Only Pei Xuanjing and Zhu Houji, the highest-ranking individuals in the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, could easily surmount them.

Feeling the terrifying onslaught of his power, the already pale faced Yu Yangzi further lost color. He wondered if his master stood a chance against such a formidable enemy.

Although Dragon Tiger Mountain had many spiritually powerful beings, it singularly relied on the Ancestor Celestial Master as its pillar. If he were to fall, they would likely forfeit any hopes of resistance and become mere puppets.

Yet, despite everyone’s concern, the Ancestor Celestial Master faced the terrifying power surge without any fear. Displaying an unperturbed demeanor, he allowed his equally terrifying energy to burst forth.

A strong flow of Primordial Qi surrounded him, causing his Daoist robe to billow. He might have had white hair, but his face was youthful. He exuded strength from his stout physique, emulating terrifying power.

He was at the Fourth Level of the Spiritual Realm!

No one might have expected that the Ancestor Celestial Master had progressed to the Fourth Level of the Spiritual Realm discreetly.

Zhang Yunhong, who had been helping the injured Zhang Zhuoran, was slightly taken aback by the revelation, his eyes flashing with shock.

Though the difference between the Fourth and Third level of the Spiritual Realm appeared marginal, in reality, it was immense. The Third Level was of the Fourth Order, while the Fourth Level belonged to the Fifth Order, qualifying them as a Great Cultivator.

No wonder his casual strike earlier had severely wounded Zhang Zhuoran.

What shocked Zhang Yunhong was the Ancestor Celestial Master’s talent. In just over a decade following the rejuvenation of Heaven and Earth, he had advanced from a common martial artist to the Fourth Level of the Spiritual Realm. This rate of cultivation was astounding.

Even in the Qi-rich Sky Wasteland, young talents nurtured by large forces would struggle to progress at such a rapid pace. The jump from the Third to Fourth Level of the Spiritual Realm was a significant hurdle and not easily overcome.

“So, you’re at the Fourth Level of the Spiritual Realm. Still, that’s not enough,” scoffed Zhang Chengzhou, shaking his head.