Top-Tier Perception Starts From Basic Fist Techniques

Chapter 176.3: Lu Changshengs Perception Shocks the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect! (III)

By the time the commotion spread throughout the sect, Lu Changsheng had already returned to his cave residence. His Sense Domain covered a radius of ten li, so he was fully aware of the stir he had caused.

"Tch! My Perception has been exposed..." he muttered to himself, though he had expected as much. The Intents he comprehended were identical to the martial artists he copied them from. And once he revealed them in combat, anyone familiar with those Intents or Domains would recognize the match and realize he had replicated them. From that alone, it would be clear that his Perception was extraordinary.

In truth, it made no difference if others knew how powerful his Perception was. No one, whether a Divine Treasury martial artist, a Dao Foundation cultivator, or even those above, had any reliable way to enhance it as he could. Even if they took Dao Comprehension Pills, they would not be able to truly increase their Perception. The pills merely induced a state of heightened clarity, allowing one to make better use of what was already there.

While it offered no direct advantages in combat, Perception remained Lu Changsheng's greatest asset. As long as no Dao Foundation martial artist made a move against him, he had nothing to fear. Once he forged his own Dao Foundation, even that concern would disappear. In fact, revealing the extent of his Perception could work in his favor, as it would discourage those watching from the shadows from entertaining any further schemes.

He understood that his rapid rise had inevitably drawn attention. While he remained within the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, no one outside the sect would dare make a move against him, but the scrutiny had never stopped. In fact, a level of scrutiny came from within the sect itself. Many suspected he possessed some hidden secret, perhaps a rare treasure.

But now, by revealing his terrifying Perception, he had effectively silenced those speculations. Perception was innate; it could not be taken, copied, or stolen. Everything about his rise could be attributed to this alone, leaving no room for speculation.

Lu Changsheng then turned his focus to the Intents he had just comprehended. He needed to split them and use the Dao Comprehension Pills to evolve them one by one. Seven fused Intents would become fourteen separate Intents, requiring twenty-eight pills in total to evolve them all into Domains. Each Domain would then take ten days to nurture to Perfection within his Mind Space. And fourteen Domains meant one hundred and forty days of nurturing, which was nearly four months.

Seven two-in-one Domains in just four months is incredibly good!

Without hesitation, Lu Changsheng entered seclusion once more, and four months quickly passed by. All that time, he remained withdrawn, focused entirely on cultivation, ignoring everything beyond his cave residence.

However, not everyone was as patient and calm as him.

Lei Tiandu, the top true inheritor of the Yellow Heavenly Sect, had been watching Lu Changsheng ever since accepting Elder Huang Jiufeng's commission. He waited for an opening, but four months had passed, and Lu Changsheng had not once set foot outside the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect's base.

This put Lei Tiandu in a difficult position. Although he was confident he could defeat Lu Changsheng, storming into the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect was out of the question. Even hovering just outside their territory, as Xu Haotian once had, would not guarantee success. Furthermore, if a Dao Foundation cultivator was quietly watching over Lu Changsheng, they could step in the moment things turned lethal, and Lei Tiandu would have no answer for that.

Lei Tiandu groaned in frustration. Forget it! I'll just send a challenge request. All I can do is hope he's as proud and hot-blooded as they say, and that he won't refuse because of my name and title.

Sending a formal challenge was the last thing Lei Tiandu wanted. With his reputation as the number one true inheritor of the Yellow Heavenly Sect, most opponents would look for a way to turn down the challenge, so the chances of Lu Changsheng accepting were slim. However, he had no other choice. To kill Lu Changsheng, he had already delayed the Heart Tribulation and forging his Dao Foundation time and again. He could not afford to wait any longer.

***

While Lei Tiandu stewed over killing Lu Changsheng, Lu Changsheng had just completed his cultivation.

Finally, all done! Seven two-in-one Domains have all been nurtured to Perfection!

A look of satisfaction appeared on Lu Changsheng's face as he summoned his status panel.

[Status Panel]

Host: Lu Changsheng

Mind Space: 55 li

Perception: 6740 (Praised by All)

[Skills]

Heart Sword True Mantra: Progress 45% (Jade Heart Sword)

Lu Changsheng smiled at the results. With his Mind Space now at fifty-five li, he was not only eligible to apply for another Mind Stabilization Stone, but also one step closer to the hundred-li milestone needed to begin forging his Dao Foundation.

As for his Domains, he ran a quick tally. In total, he now possessed eleven two-in-one Domains, one five-in-one Domain, and several ordinary Domains. If went all out in battle, the combined force of his Domains alone could rival one hundred and fifty layers of Domains.

This number was astonishing. For most Divine Treasury martial artists, nurturing one hundred layers of ordinary Domains to Perfection was already the limit. A few could exceed that by relying on fused Domains, pushing their strength to rival over one hundred layers of Domains, but such individuals were rare and almost always ranked within the top five of the Dao Foundation Candidate List.

Satisfied with his results, Lu Changsheng planned his next steps. Time to find other true inheritors to spar with and collect more Domains.

He stood up and left his cave residence for the True Inheritor Hall. When he arrived, an elder called out to him.

"Lu Changsheng, a challenge request came for you while you were in seclusion. It's from Lei Tiandu of the Yellow Heavenly Sect. It came a while ago, but we didn't want to disturb you."

Lu Changsheng paused, a trace of surprise crossing his face. He did not think that with his current reputation, there were still Divine Treasury martial artists willing to challenge him.

He took over the letter from the elder. "Lei Tiandu...! Isn't he the number one true inheritor of the Yellow Heavenly Sect?"

It made sense now. Lei Tiandu was no ordinary Divine Treasury martial artist, which was why he dared to send a challenge request.

The elder nodded. "That's right. I don't know his exact reasons, but I suspect Huang Jiufeng is behind this. Lei Tiandu is already capable of attempting to forge his Dao Foundation, but a flaw in his heart has kept him from facing the Heart Tribulation. Most likely, Huang Jiufeng offered to help him overcome it in exchange for killing you."

The history between Lu Changsheng and Xu Haotian was no secret, and neither was the fact that Xu Haotian's master bore a grudge because of it.

Lu Changsheng gave a faint smile. "The number one true inheritor of the Yellow Heavenly Sect. That's quite the reputation. Since he wants a challenge, I'll oblige him. Besides, someone like him must have quite a few fused Domains I can learn from. Elder, I accept Lei Tiandu's challenge."

The elder’s expression stiffened slightly. He had made the situation clear, yet Lu Changsheng still chose to accept the challenge.

He sighed and shook his head. He's still young and hot-blooded. I suppose because he once killed Divine Treasury experts as a Divine Fortification martial artist, he has a reputation to hold on to. It's a pity that now to keep this reputation, he feels that he has to accept the challenge or lose face.

"Lu Changsheng, are you sure about this?" the elder insisted, keeping his voice low. "You have only just advanced to the Divine Treasury Realm. If you declined, no one would think less of you for it."

"I appreciate your concern, elder, but I know what I'm doing." Lu Changsheng's tone was calm, but his attitude was firm.

The elder studied him for a moment before nodding. “Very well. I will accept Lei Tiandu's challenge for you on behalf of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect. The time, location, and rules will be arranged by the True Inheritor Hall. You are a disciple of the sect. We will not allow you to be at a disadvantage.

"And if you truly have the strength to hold your ground against Lei Tiandu, the Yellow Heavenly Sect will become the laughing stock throughout the entire Ancient Region."

Lei Tiandu was no ordinary opponent, and Lu Changsheng only needed to hold his ground against Lei Tiandu to deliver a heavy blow to the Yellow Heavenly Sect. As for defeating him, or even killing him, the elder did not let his mind go there. That would be fantasy.

Lu Changsheng nodded. He did not care to defend himself in front of the elder. When the time came, he could simply prove his strength by defeating Lei Tiandu.

"Thank you, Elder. I'll follow the sect's arrangement," he said with a bow.

Although he was not the number one true inheritor of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect yet, he was the true inheritor with the greatest potential. He trusted that the sect would not allow him to suffer a loss.

With that settled, Lu Changsheng returned to his cave residence and waited quietly for his fight with Lei Tiandu.