Ultimate Magus in Cultivation World

A vein popped on the Ancestor's forehead.

Around them, disciples whispered fearfully:

"Is he insane…?"

"He challenged the Sect Ancestor directly!"

"He's courting death!"

The Ancestor floated into the air, robes fluttering despite the stillness.

"Very well, brat. Since you dared disturb my seclusion, I will personally test your qualifications."

Lightning flickered around Tian Lei's fingers.

"That's perfect. I needed a warm-up."

The air grew heavier as the two stood across from each other.

The Ancestor narrowed his eyes.

"Young people these days… no respect at all."

Tian Lei cracked his neck.

"Respect is earned. Not handed out."

A pulse of power exploded from the Ancestor, shaking the entire sect. Tiles cracked. Dust rose. Several disciples were pushed back by the shockwave.

"So you think you can take over my sect?" the Ancestor growled.

"Yes," Tian Lei said simply. "That's why I'm here."

The Ancestor vanished—appearing right in front of Tian Lei with a palm strike aimed at his chest.

Tian Lei blocked it with one hand, sliding back a few meters but still standing firm.

Gasps echoed everywhere.

"He blocked the Ancestor's strike?!"

"Impossible!"

The Ancestor frowned. "Not bad. But let's see how long you last."

He rushed forward again, fists and palms blurring, each hit carrying decades of cultivation.

Tian Lei grinned. "Now this is more like it!"

He met the Ancestor blow for blow, lightning sparking every time their attacks collided. The ground beneath them cracked more and more as the pressure increased.

Disciples watched with wide eyes, unable to look away.

The Ancestor pushed off and floated higher into the air.

"Fine, brat. Let's fight seriously."

Tian Lei followed him upward.

"I was waiting for that."

Tian Lei and the Ancestor hovered above the sect, both staring each other down. Clouds formed in thick layers overhead, swirling like a giant whirlpool.

The Ancestor pointed at Tian Lei with a shaky but dangerous finger.

"Brat… I am at the Third Stage of Heaven Rank. You think you can challenge me?"

Tian Lei smirked.

"I may be at 1st stage but I am a genius"

The Ancestor's aura flared. Blue light burst from his body and spread outward like a shockwave. Roof tiles flew off houses. Trees bent. Some disciples were forced to kneel from the pressure alone.

Tian Lei didn't retreat.

He raised his hand, lightning crawling up his arm like living snakes.

"Come then, old bag of bones."

The Ancestor moved first.

He vanished. A split second later, he reappeared behind Tian Lei with a fist covered in thick spiritual energy.

BOOM!

The punch hit Tian Lei in the back. He flew downward like a meteor, smashing into the training ground with a loud crash. Dust and debris exploded everywhere.

Disciples screamed.

"He got crushed!"

"No one survives a Heaven Rank strike!"

But then—

Lightning burst out from the crater.

Tian Lei stood back up with a grin, wiping a bit of blood from the corner of his mouth.

"That all? Your punch is too soft."

The Ancestor's eye twitched. "Arrogant brat!"

He dived down, throwing dozens of palm strikes, each one strong enough to shatter mountains.

Tian Lei flipped backward, dodging several before clashing palms with the Ancestor again.

CRACK!

A thunderous sound shook the air as lightning shot out from Tian Lei's arms and mixed with the Ancestor's energy. The shockwave blasted a ring-shaped crater around them.

Tian Lei used a spell.

"Thunder Step!"

Lightning exploded under his feet and he disappeared. The Ancestor blinked—too slow.

Tian Lei reappeared beside him and punched him in the ribs.

WHAM!

The old man coughed and flew sideways. But he quickly stopped himself in the air, gritting his teeth.

"You little—!"

He formed dozens of energy blades around himself.

"Heaven Blade Art!"

The blades shot toward Tian Lei at high speed.

Tian Lei responded by slamming his palms together.

"Storm Shield!"

Wind and lightning mixed, forming a spinning barrier. The blades struck it one after another.

PING! PING! PING!

Sparks flew in all directions.

But some blades broke through and cut Tian Lei's arms and shoulders. Blood dripped slowly down his skin.

The Ancestor laughed.

"Your spells can't save you forever!"

Tian Lei wiped the blood with his thumb.

"I don't need forever. I only need one opening."

He raised both hands, gathering lightning so dense that the sky lit up.

Disciples stared up at him, eyes wide.

"Is he crazy?"

"That much lightning—he'll blow himself up!"

The Ancestor realized the danger. "You dare!?"

Tian Lei grinned.

"I did say I'm taking over your sect."

The Ancestor rushed forward to stop him.

Too late.

Tian Lei slammed his hands together.

"Thunderfall!"

A massive bolt of lightning, thick as a tree trunk, dropped from the sky and smashed into the Ancestor.

BOOOOOOOM!

A blinding flash covered the entire sect. Buildings shook violently. Stones cracked. Several disciples were knocked off their feet.

When the light finally faded…

the Ancestor was falling.

His robes were torn. His hair was half burnt. Smoke rose from his body.

He hit the ground hard, rolling across the dirt before stopping on his back.

Everyone held their breath.

Tian Lei slowly floated down, landing in front of him.

The Ancestor forced his eyes open, glaring weakly.

"You… little bastard… how can you be so powerful at such young age…?"

Tian Lei shrugged.

"Talent."

The Ancestor tried to get up, but his body trembled.

"You lost," Tian Lei said calmly. "The sect belongs to me now."

The courtyard stayed silent.

Every disciple stared at Tian Lei, terrified and shocked.

The Ancestor finally let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.

"…Damn it. Fine. According to Imperial Law… the sect is yours."

Tian Lei smiled.

"Good. Now stand up. I need you to announce it to everyone properly."

The Sect Master trembled as he pushed himself off the ground. His face was pale, and shame burned in his eyes, but he had no choice. Imperial Law was absolute.

All the disciples stared with wide eyes, hardly believing what they were seeing. Their new Sect Master had arrived—

and he had taken the position by force.

The former Sect Master swallowed hard, then cupped his fists toward Tian Lei.

"I… acknowledge your victory," he said loudly so the entire sect could hear. His voice shook. "From this moment onward, the Iron Sky Sword Sect belongs to Tian Lei!"