Chapter Thirty: The Terrifying Vein Condensation Realm

"I never expected a mere seventh-level Body Refinement junior to possess such power. Truly, I am astonished. I wonder what secrets you carry."
The voice was grand and majestic, as if a deity were roaring. In an instant, a gale swept through, and several distant buildings were reduced to ash.
This was the power of the Pulse Condensation Realm: words became law, and every utterance wielded magic.
"The Celestial Martial Domain and the Ghost Domain are sworn enemies; both sides regard each other as mortal foes. In the ancient battle, the Ghost Domain was defeated and has since languished, never daring to step onto Celestial Martial territory. Yet now, you seem to have developed some courage."
Lin Fan stood with furrowed brows, gazing toward a space where an old man in black robes hovered. His hair was white, and his sinister visage sent chills down one's spine.
This was a true expert of the Pulse Condensation Realm, suspended in mid-air, invincible and awe-inspiring.
"In that ancient battle, the Celestial Martial Domain employed underhanded tricks, yet you have the nerve to bring it up now? Besides, times have changed. You, a mere junior of the Heavenly Capital Sect, dare speak to me this way. Reckless to the point of courting death."
The old man from the Ghost Domain snorted coldly, radiating dazzling light, his gaze icy, murderous intent sweeping across the sky.
A massive hand descended from above, imbued with unmatched might—an attack from the Pulse Condensation Realm, terrifying beyond compare. The wind surged, clouds roiled, and the very world changed color.
Lin Fan's brow twitched, deeply awed by the Pulse Condensation Realm's power.
"You are shameless beyond measure. If all the Pulse Condensation experts of the Ghost Domain are like you, it's no wonder you lost that battle."
Lin Fan sneered, unleashing his full strength. He knew the old man was not using his full power; the strike contained only two or three elephant's worth of force.
A colossal Kunpeng spread its wings, sweeping across the Three Thousand Worlds in a burst of energy. Three mammoth elephants manifested, and the ground beneath Lin Fan's feet trembled, webs of cracks forming.
"What a formidable body, what terrifying potential! If I could refine you, not only would my lifespan stabilize, but I might even advance further. Hahaha! This must be fate—my luck has arrived."
The old man laughed aloud, surprised by Lin Fan's explosive power, but soon his shock gave way to delight.
"You still think you can capture me? Wishful thinking!"

Lin Fan's face darkened. He sensed that the old man's killing intent had faded, replaced by a greedy desire. He understood clearly that the old man coveted something within him, and whatever it was, it couldn't be good. Immediately, Lin Fan thought of escape.
He pushed his limits, unleashing the Seven Stars in succession. Brilliant starlight flashed, summoning a river of stars that illuminated the world.
The terrifying battle had already stunned the people of Greenwood City. All rushed toward the commotion, witnessing scenes of apocalyptic destruction, trembling in awe and fear.
"You think that's all I've got? You greatly underestimate the Pulse Condensation Realm. It is a level beyond your imagination—now, perish!"
The old man from the Ghost Domain unleashed his deadliest technique. Strands of Dao force engulfed the heavens, dazzling light swept for miles. In that moment, he seemed a celestial god, suppressing the vast earth.
He flicked a finger; ten mammoth elephants hovered in mid-air, terrifying beyond measure.
The giant finger crashed down like a collapsing pillar of heaven, sweeping all before it. The old man transformed into a streak of divine light, charging directly at Lin Fan.
"Too powerful!"
Lin Fan's body trembled. The difference between the strength of ten elephants and three was as vast as earth and sky. With the first exchange, he was severely wounded, his body nearly shattering.
A mighty force surged, dispersing the river of stars. The soaring Kunpeng was slain in a single move, light bursting forth.
Lin Fan was sent flying, his body cracking like porcelain. Before he could recover, another streak of divine light approached.
"Hmph, this is the difference between us. A pity for such a talent. But what I can't understand is why the Heavenly Capital Sect would let a junior like you roam Ancient Red City alone, without even a protector. Do they not know how treacherous it is here?"
Before the killing blow arrived, the old man appeared before Lin Fan, his dry hand reaching for Lin Fan's shoulder. His face betrayed no emotion, as if rebuking a reckless child. And indeed, that was the reality.
"No!"
Lin Fan cried out in alarm; he found himself completely imprisoned, unable to escape, forced to watch the old man's hand descend.
"Get out!"

Lin Fan's whole body shook as he desperately exploded with power. A vast force shot forth—the power of the Dao. Helpless, Lin Fan could only unleash his incomplete Dao force, and remarkably, it yielded good results.
The void cracked; the old man's imprisoning force was broken. Lin Fan dodged the deadly grab with a flash, then sped into the distance.
All the while, he called out desperately to Prison Sky, hoping for help from the mysterious artifact spirit. But there was no response.
"This damned Prison Sky—at the critical moment it fails me!"
He cursed bitterly. Lin Fan had ordered Prison Sky to extract power from the jade talisman given by Duanmu Ci, hoping to borrow Duanmu Ci's strength to fight the old man. At worst, the talisman's power could defend against the old man's attack—a talisman capable of withstanding a high-level Pulse Condensation expert should easily block this old man.
But without Prison Sky's response, Lin Fan could only give up, cursing it endlessly in his heart.
"Unexpectedly, you've already grasped the Dao force. Heaven truly favors me. With a talent like you, I could advance further and extend my life by a hundred years. You are my lucky star! I once resented Ghost Prince for making me guard Greenwood City, but now I see it was my greatest fortune. When this is over, I must thank Ghost Prince."
The old man from the Ghost Domain was now utterly arrogant. Lin Fan's Dao force was incomplete—in the old man's eyes, it was nothing but a clumsy imitation, hardly worth mentioning.
Terrifying waves spread out as the old man waved his hands, divine patterns obscuring the sky. These were his most fearsome techniques. Using Dao force came at a heavy price, risking early demise, but with Lin Fan as his prize, he saw hope and held nothing back. For a moment, he was filled with youthful vigor, as if he had returned to his prime, gazing disdainfully at the world.
Lin Fan sensed an overwhelming power enveloping him, making escape impossible. Horrified, he prepared to use Dao force again, hoping for a chance to flee.
"Do not resist. Let him capture you. There is a familiar aura on him—perhaps this will be an opportunity for you."
Just then, Prison Sky's voice suddenly sounded in Lin Fan's ear.