Chapter 144: Harnessing Strength

“I was originally not in favor of attacking you, but since the Mo family has made their decision, I must comply. Though I am old, slaying a mere weakling at the late Tianren Realm of the Four Declines is still no challenge.”

Mo Liuxing cleared his throat a few times, his withered body trembling as if a gust of wind might topple him, yet Lin Fan sensed an overwhelming pressure emanating from him that forced him to prepare for battle with utmost seriousness.

“Enough talk. This man is surely doomed.”

The supreme ruler of the Yi family, also a venerable elder, appeared somewhat more vigorous than Mo Liuguang, his complexion flushed with vitality. His cultivation was slightly lower, at the mid stage of the Tianren Realm’s Four Declines.

In terms of true combat prowess, Lin Fan was no match for either of them. Even if he unleashed his full power, he would only reach the early stage of the Tianren Realm’s Four Declines, still far behind the Yi family’s ruler, let alone Mo Liuxing. Moreover, these two likely wielded forbidden weapons, their strength unpredictable.

“Begin.”

Mo Liuxing spoke, extending a palm as a surging glow condensed into a colossal hand nearly a hundred meters wide, descending like a mountain to crush everything beneath it.

This strike transformed decay into marvel, revealing the unmistakable power of a late-stage Tianren Realm Four Declines cultivator. This single palm strike alone posed a grave threat to even peak Tianren Realm Three Declines warriors, and even early Four Declines cultivators would struggle to withstand it.

“Not enough!”

Lin Fan’s eyes shone brightly, as if a star burned within them. He adjusted his breathing, ensuring every second was spent at his peak.

Then he moved. His entire being ignited with fervor. He raised his fist and struck toward the heavens.

Boundless vital energy surged forth, engulfing the sky. A golden figure leapt upwards, its heavy foot crashing down to shatter the immense hand formed by Mo Liuguang.

Lin Fan’s gaze flickered as he extended a finger. A mist of radiance coalesced into a jet-black spear, its sharp edge astonishing in its intensity.

This was the Judgment Spear, forged by Lin Fan’s Divine Fate Fist technique. Though not comparable to the true artifact, its aura was strikingly similar, imposing and awe-inspiring.

“Kill!”

Grasping the manifested Judgment Spear, Lin Fan strode forward. The spear radiated a fierce divine light that tore through the void.

A ground-level hurricane whipped up, ruthless and sharp.

“A lion hunts a rabbit with full strength; Mo Liuxing, you’ve been too careless.”

The supreme ruler of the Yi family, Yi Batian, snorted coldly. Known by name and fearsome reputation, he was once an invincible figure.

He produced a forbidden weapon—a purple-gold alms bowl, not one of the Yi family’s relics but from the Buddhist sect.

A beam of Buddha light burst forth, illuminating the world with salvation. A faint image of a meditating Buddha chanting sutras appeared, spreading sacred teachings.

“I’m still too weak, no match for them,” Lin Fan muttered bitterly. After Yi Batian wielded the purple-gold alms bowl, his power soared to the late stage of the Tianren Realm Four Declines, far surpassing Lin Fan’s own.

“If not for the haste, I wouldn’t be in such dire straits. If I could devour just a portion of the energy left by the mysterious stranger, I could reach the late stage of the Tianren Realm Two Declines and would no longer fear these two. But there are no ‘ifs.’ Given that, I have only one option left.”

Lin Fan’s eyes chilled, devoid of any fear. He had a backup plan, or he wouldn’t have dared come alone.

He connected with the mysterious energy within him, extracting a small portion to bolster his strength. Though temporary and not truly his own power, it was sufficient for now.

Amid the astonished gazes of Mo Liuxing and Yi Batian, Lin Fan’s aura surged dramatically, rising to nearly match theirs, even hinting at surpassing them.

“What kind of technique is this? It’s not the power of a forbidden weapon!” Yi Batian was shocked, unable to fathom the cause. Yet he remained confident, certain Lin Fan could not sustain such power for long.

“Begin—end this quickly.”

Mo Liuxing’s gaze faltered momentarily before speaking. Being slightly stronger than Yi Batian, his vision was deeper. He saw that Lin Fan was completely at ease, not forcing himself.

A terrifying aura burst forth from him, and suddenly a battle halberd appeared in Mo Liuxing’s hand—not a forbidden weapon, but his lifelong companion.

Its radiance shone brilliantly as Mo Liuxing struck with renewed vigor, shedding his frail old appearance to reveal a majestic and indomitable spirit.

Though Yi Batian was momentarily stunned, he acted swiftly. The purple-gold alms bowl surged forward, swelling to nearly a thousand meters as it absorbed the wind. A tremendous suction force aimed to swallow Lin Fan whole, to refine him alive.

“You’re both too old. This world belongs to us.”

Lin Fan remained calm and confident, not yet having fully utilized the mysterious energy left behind—barely even one percent. His goal was simple: to confuse these two from the Nine Heavens and buy himself a greater chance to survive.

The mysterious energy was vast, reaching the peak of the Void-Breaking Realm. Lin Fan had consumed less than one percent before, and now using another percent was harmless.

The manifested Judgment Spear stretched across the void, unstoppable in its path, radiating immense power that overturned all around it, exuding a staggering aura.

“Kill!”

Lin Fan roared, spear pointed forward, piercing the void toward the purple alms bowl.

“Clang!”

A clear, crisp sound rang out. Lin Fan’s body shuddered as a massive backlash surged back. His palm trembled, and the manifested Judgment Spear buzzed ominously.

“A formidable alms bowl—this is more than a mere forbidden weapon.”

Lin Fan’s eyes flickered with a strange light. He struck again, extending a finger to collide with Mo Liuxing’s battle halberd.

The clash erupted with fierce energy. Lin Fan’s expression remained calm. After surviving the Tianren Decline tribulation, his body had become immensely strong, capable of crushing Three Declines Tianren warriors by sheer physical might, allowing him to briefly contend with Mo Liuxing’s halberd.

“Hurry up and attack. We must force those two out.”

Lin Fan grew weary, unleashing his full power, sweeping his arms in grand arcs. His true form soared upward. With the mysterious energy’s aid, he was confident of victory against these two.

“Stay here!”

Mo Liuxing growled fiercely, slapping out a palm to try to hold Lin Fan back.

“Get lost!”

Lin Fan paid no heed. He hurled the Judgment Spear forward, and a brilliant rainbow tore through the sky like a dazzling Milky Way, infused with immense power.

Mo Liuxing’s complexion changed as he hastily withdrew his palm, unwilling to confront the attack head-on.

This played perfectly into Lin Fan’s plan. He did not strike Mo Liuxing but turned to Yi Batian instead.

He extended a massive hand that blotted out the sky, then saw it sweep across to grab the purple-gold alms bowl. Lin Fan’s true intention was clear: to seize the Buddhist forbidden weapon from Yi Batian’s grasp.