Chapter Fifty-Nine: The High Priest

In just a moment, a blurred fiery red apparition shot out of the cave, solidifying beside it into a man standing about one meter eighty tall, appearing to be in his thirties, with thick eyebrows and waist-length crimson hair ablaze with flames. The visage of the Martial God was as cold as stone, his gaze sharp and piercing.

"I cannot see through this man—could he be a mid-tier deity?" The Martial God regarded Qian Kun with suspicion, unable to suppress the hint of courtesy in his voice as he inquired, "May I ask who you are, sir?"

Qian Kun smiled at him. "My name is Qian Kun. Surely you must have heard of me."

"So it is Lord Qian Kun," the Martial God responded, suddenly enlightened, inwardly astonished at Qian Kun's strength. His curiosity grew as he asked with renewed politeness, "May I ask what brings you to Mount Martial God?"

Though the Martial God carried himself with innate dominance, before a divine powerhouse whose strength clearly surpassed his own, he had no choice but to set aside his pride and proceed with caution.

Seeing the Martial God's wary demeanor, Qian Kun's smile deepened. "I came here for two reasons. First, I wished to meet the legendary Martial God and make your acquaintance. Second, I hope to battle you."

"Battle me?" The Martial God's expression changed instantly, and he instinctively stepped back. "Are you joking, sir? You are a mid-tier deity, and I am but a lower-tier one. How could I possibly be your opponent? With your strength, I fear you could kill me with a single blow."

"Don't be nervous, Aubrey," Qian Kun said with a laugh, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm not here to kill you, only to spar with you. To be honest, aside from cultivating the law of wind, I've gained some insight into the law of fire as well. You, too, cultivate the law of fire, and as a divine powerhouse, you must have comprehended at least one profound mystery of the law. Sparring with you will let me experience your understanding firsthand, which will benefit my own mastery of fire."

The Martial God relaxed slightly at Qian Kun's explanation, though he could not help but feel a twinge of envy at Qian Kun's talent—not only had he reached the mid-tier deity realm in the law of wind, but his understanding of fire was profound as well. Though the Martial God was a divine powerhouse, even he felt discouraged before a true genius.

"In that case, I shall boldly accept your challenge, Lord Qian Kun," the Martial God said, cupping his fists respectfully. "I only ask that you show some mercy."

Clearly, he still feared Qian Kun might strike too hard. Qian Kun nodded with a smile, "Rest assured, I will not use any divine artifacts against you."

"Lord Qian Kun, please follow me—let us find a place to spar," the Martial God said, transforming into a fiery red streak and soaring toward the desolate mountains in the distance.

Moments later, Qian Kun and the Martial God stood facing each other high above a barren mountain, both ready to begin.

"Aubrey, you may make the first move," Qian Kun said with a smile, gesturing invitingly.

The Martial God nodded, taking a deep breath. At a thought, flames erupted around him, forming a tangible armor of fire that made him seem like a god of flame. Dark red gauntlets appeared on his hands, burning with fire. Entering battle mode, the Martial God radiated a surging, scorching aura.

"Lord Qian Kun, receive my attack!" The Martial God shouted, his figure blurring as he became a streak of fire, appearing before Qian Kun. His flaming gauntlet, brimming with fierce power, smashed toward Qian Kun, warping and shattering space in its wake.

Boom—the explosion of energy resounded as Qian Kun, armored in a divine artifact, took the blow head-on, his body shuddering as he was knocked backward.

Stunned, the Martial God had not expected Qian Kun to withstand his attack without retaliating. For a moment, he forgot to continue.

Qian Kun, his eyes blazing, grinned. "Well done! Martial God, though you became divine by refining a godhead, your centuries of arduous cultivation were not in vain. You wield the profound mystery of fire body technique well—the attack is strong."

The Martial God could only smile bitterly. He had unleashed nearly his strongest attack, yet Qian Kun had easily blocked it, not even bothering to counterattack. What a crushing defeat!

"Next, let me test your fire body technique's defense," Qian Kun said. In a blur, he appeared before the Martial God like a gust of wind, moving so fast the Martial God could not resist. He casually struck the Martial God's chest, slicing space cleanly as if it were paper. The Martial God's flaming armor hesitated, then was rent apart by the spatial fissure.

Blood splattered, and the Martial God's body was cut cleanly in two. He quickly controlled his severed half, rejoining his body as divine power surged, healing his wounds in an instant.

"In all these centuries, you have gained little further insight into the other profound mysteries of fire law—let alone their fusion," Qian Kun said, shaking his head in disappointment. If the Martial God could fight the Grand Priest to a standstill, it seemed the Grand Priest, regarded as the pillar of Yulan Empire, was not much stronger.

After dealing the Martial God a blow, Qian Kun did not linger, departing swiftly for the imperial capital of the ancient Yulan Empire. He intended to meet the mysterious Grand Priest and obtain the method of cultivating life magic.

In the ancient Life Temple of Yulan Empire's capital, the Grand Priest sat in silent meditation within a shadowy chamber. Suddenly, she shuddered and opened her eyes wide. "Divine powerhouse Qian Kun? He has already arrived in the capital, and I did not notice. Even if he is not a mid-tier deity, he must be a lower-tier deity with formidable soul strength, to hide his presence so completely."

Her thoughts raced, and in a flash, the Grand Priest vanished from the chamber, reappearing high above the imperial capital, amidst the clouds. Qian Kun stood upon a white cloud, smiling quietly as he awaited her.

"Grand Priest, you need not wear your mask before me. I could discern your appearance with a sweep of divine sense," Qian Kun said with a smile.

The Grand Priest remained silent for a moment, then willed her green mask to fade away, revealing her fair, stunningly beautiful face. As Qian Kun suspected, the Grand Priest was a woman.

"I have never met you before. I have lived in the Yulan Plane for over ten thousand years, becoming a divine powerhouse more than ten millennia ago. I am familiar with every divine being to emerge on the Yulan Continent since then. Yet you seem to have appeared out of nowhere, with such strength. Are you an escapee from the Plane Prison?" she asked.

Qian Kun arched an eyebrow and smiled. "Grand Priest, you know quite a lot—even about the Plane Prison. But no, I am not from there. As for my origins, you need not worry yourself. I am, however, curious about your name. Always calling you Grand Priest feels awkward."

"I have been Grand Priest for ten thousand years," she replied indifferently. "My name—I have nearly forgotten it."

She gazed at Qian Kun, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "You did not come merely to see my true face and ask my name, did you?"

"I mainly wished to meet you, and also have two minor requests. First, I hope to spar with you. Second, I wish to study life magic. Would you be willing to instruct me?" Qian Kun replied calmly.

Her expression remained cold. She was silent for a moment before responding, "We may spar. If you defeat me, I will teach you life magic."