Chapter 164: Returning to the Tiandu Sect

As my cultivation becomes increasingly formidable, the gap between each minor realm grows more pronounced. I'm afraid that even if I were to break through to the mid-stage of the Two Decays of Heaven and Man, I still wouldn't be a match for the mid-stage of the Four Decays of Heaven and Man, unless I reach the late stage of the Two Decays.

Inside a secluded cave dwelling, a figure opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air. It was none other than Lin Fan, who had recently parted ways with Gu Renfeng and the others.

This breakthrough had taken a full month, yet he had only advanced by a single minor realm. Furthermore, his combat prowess was not quite enough to rival the mid-stage of the Four Decays of Heaven and Man, contrary to his earlier speculation.

This is entirely normal. Before the Four Decays of Heaven and Man, a millennium-level talent could surpass a realm to defeat an opponent. However, after the Four Decays, only a two-millennium-level talent can achieve this. Once one reaches the Void-Breaking Realm, the gap widens even further, requiring a three-millennium-level talent to surpass a single realm.

The ancestor of the Yi family spoke up at the appropriate moment. He had been standing before Lin Fan, acting as his guardian throughout the process.

So that is how it is. That certainly explains it.

Lin Fan nodded, showing no trace of disappointment. In fact, this was well within his expectations.

The Void-Breaking Realm is divided into four stages: the initial stage, the mid-stage, the late stage, and the peak. If a mere millennium-level talent could still cross realms at this stage, it would be utterly terrifying. Take Lin Fan for instance; wouldn't he be able to contend with titled powerhouses once he enters the Void-Breaking Realm? But in reality, how could that ever be possible?

The higher the realm, the more severely the advantage of innate talent diminishes in terms of combat power enhancement. After all, those who manage to walk that far are none of them ordinary; at that level, what decides the outcome are divine abilities and the comprehension of the Dao.

The ancestor of the Yi family wore a blank expression. His own talent had been quite impressive back in the day, or he never would have attained the status of an Emperor.

Divine abilities and Dao comprehension depend on individual fortune, though innate talent still retains a certain degree of usefulness—at least it remains crucial before one ascends to become an immortal.

Lin Fan spoke noncommittally, his face devoid of any expression. He then rose to his feet.

We can leave this place now. Having been away for so long, I find myself wishing to see some old friends.

A smile appeared on Lin Fan's face, his thoughts having already drifted thousands of miles away to the Tiandu Sect.

The Tiandu Sect was the premier sect of the Tianwu Domain, held in such high regard that even the Domain Lord's Estate treated it with reverence. Its eight major aristocratic clans were renowned throughout the world, and rumor had it that each clan had a Void-Breaking ancestor backing it up—this was precisely the deepest foundation of the Tiandu Sect.

We have returned after all. Everything I am started right here.

Outside the mountain gates of the Tiandu Sect, two figures gazed into the distance. One of them, possessing the appearance of a youth, sighed with emotion. They were Lin Fan and the ancestor of the Yi family, who had taken three full days to reach the Tiandu Sect.

This Tiandu Sect was built upon a dragon vein, which could ensure its prosperity for ten thousand years. However, producing a titled powerhouse is a bit of a stretch for them. Besides, I can see that most of their fortune has already dissipated; they are likely facing an impending catastrophe.

The ancestor of the Yi family scanned the area ahead, a look of surprise crossing his eyes.

Fortune has dissipated? What do you mean?

Lin Fan frowned, a trace of doubt flashing across his face.

The Tiandu Sect is not a place to linger for long. I advise you to leave as soon as possible. Moreover, the Great Jin Nation does not seem peaceful either. Beneath its prosperity, an undercurrent of murderous intent is rising, and a massive calamity is about to befall them. I never expected that a once-great divine dynasty would sink to such a state.

The ancestor of the Yi family sighed with some emotion. Although the Great Jin Nation had exhausted its heritage and even gone so far as to hide in a remote corner of the Greater World, it was ultimately destined to fade away like yesterday's flowers and vanish completely from heaven and earth.

I have also sensed it. The emergence of the Demon Race could never be limited to mere ripples. When their large-scale invasion begins, even the Great Jin Nation will completely fall. My return this time is precisely to arrange my affairs and have some old friends migrate to the Endless Sea.

Lin Fan did not show much surprise. Ever since the Demon Race appeared, he had already entertained this thought. The Great Jin Nation would perish sooner rather than later; even if things hadn't reached this point yet, they were not far from it.

The ancestor of the Yi family merely nodded. He would not interfere excessively unless a crisis threatening Lin Fan's life and death arose.

You should find a place nearby to cultivate for now. I will contact you after I have finished handling matters within the sect.

Lin Fan glanced at the ancestor of the Yi family and spoke, his face revealing neither sorrow nor joy.

Very well. I need to recover my strength, and if I were to appear here openly right now, it would likely make certain people uneasy.

The ancestor of the Yi family nodded. This was precisely what he desired. Without further hesitation, he locked onto a direction and soared away directly as a streak of light.

A double-edged sword, is it? As long as I do not fall, you will never be able to flip the tables. Harboring a rebellious bone is precisely Senior Moshi's evaluation of you.

Watching the departed figure of the Yi family's ancestor, Lin Fan could not help but let out a cold laugh. Without further ado, he too shifted his form and flashed away into the distance.

He did not immediately seek out the location of the Divine Court. Instead, he arrived at a desolate little hill—a place where, under normal circumstances, no one would ever come.

Old Man Ji, I've come to see you.

Lin Fan muttered to himself. Before him lay a small mound of earth, with a wooden board planted in front of it, forming a modest little grave. Judging by Lin Fan's words, this was the resting place of the old menial servant who had once raised him.

He stood there motionless for several hours, during which Lin Fan recounted some of his experiences over this past period. Finally, he cast a deep, meaningful glance at Old Man Ji's grave before turning away, vanishing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Within the Tiandu Sect, buildings stood in dense arrays, including a fair share of majestic and imposing palaces. However, the majority of these were occupied by the sect's elders and true successor disciples.

Among the numerous palaces, two stood out as the largest. Aside from the main hall of the Tiandu Sect, which was hidden deep within the void, no other structure could compare to them. These two grand palaces were precisely the headquarters of the Son of God Alliance and the Divine Court within the Tiandu Sect.

The Divine Court had risen only recently, so its foundation could not yet rival that of the Son of God Alliance. This was somewhat evident from their respective palaces, though the difference was not overwhelmingly vast.

Outside the hall of the Divine Court, a figure materialized at the entrance like a ghost.

This was the time when the Mission Hall distributed tasks, so there were not many disciples outside the Divine Court—only two guards at the tenth stage of the Mortal Body realm.

Who goes there? Don't you know this is the territory of the Divine Court?!

One of them sneered, looking down his nose at the intruder. He possessed a robust physique and was quite young, around twenty-five or twenty-six years of age. Given time, he would undoubtedly become another expert in the Pulse Condensation Realm.

The Divine Court has grown so powerful that it actually uses disciples at the tenth stage of the Mortal Body realm to guard its gates. What grand ambition.

Lin Fan smiled and nodded inwardly. However, he ignored the man's arrogance, recognizing that this was also a manifestation of the Divine Court's strong internal cohesion.

I am here to see a few people. Please announce my arrival.

At this moment, Lin Fan had concealed his aura, making him look like an utterly ordinary disciple of the Mortal Body realm, and a low-tier one at that.

Who is it you wish to see? Besides, the two of us cannot neglect our posts; under normal circumstances, we are not permitted to leave this place.

The robust young man looked at Lin Fan in surprise, a peculiar glint flashing in his eyes.

What?

Lin Fan frowned. Could it be that these two guards were unable to announce visitors? That was impossible; otherwise, if powerful experts came visiting, there would be no one to welcome them out.

However, if you show enough sincerity, we might be able to squeeze out a little time to announce you.

The robust young man chuckled, wearing a knowing expression.

Yet Lin Fan was completely baffled, failing to grasp the man's implication entirely. But a moment later, anger flared within him.