Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Black Spear

Throughout the entire ordeal, Chen Daolin remained silent, but his expression grew increasingly grim, as if he were on the verge of taking action.

Sensing trouble, Lin Fan subtly tugged at Chen Daolin’s sleeve and spoke, “I understand what’s at stake. If we can’t get into the stronghold, we’re bound to be wiped out sooner or later. If you need me to draw away the demons, so be it. But you know my strength is limited. Without some means to protect myself, I’ll likely be cut down the moment I step in.”

He hesitated, but the implication was clear—he was asking for a reward.

“Rest assured, I won’t let you come up short,” Shen Yan replied with a smile. As long as someone was willing to lure the demons away, the rest was manageable. If Lin Fan and his companion had refused to risk their lives, the plan to reach the human stronghold would have been shelved.

“I see you’re lacking a weapon,” Shen Yan continued, producing a black spear from his hand. “I acquired this a few years back. It’s not a legendary artifact, but it’s incredibly sturdy—it can pierce even the toughest demon scales.”

The spear was pitch-black and plain in appearance, except for the white patterns etched all along its shaft.

“Quick, take it! This spear is no ordinary weapon; it may be one of the legendary ones,” came the urgent voice of Prison Sky, just as Lin Fan was about to dismiss the spear as too ordinary.

“If Brother Shen is so generous with such a divine weapon, how could I refuse? Leave the matter of luring away the demons to me. Return with your men in an hour, and you’ll find the way clear,” Lin Fan accepted the spear and strode toward the stronghold with the air of a brave man marching to his death.

Shen Yan was taken aback by how easily things had been resolved—a spear he thought useless had settled the matter. Even he found it hard to believe.

But Lin Fan paid him no further heed, his mind fixed on the spear now in his grasp.

“Prison Sky, what secret does this spear hold to shock you so deeply?” Lin Fan’s figure vanished into the ruins as he reached out to Prison Sky in his mind.

“Look closely at the patterns on the spear. Don’t they resemble a true dragon?” Prison Sky’s voice trembled, his tone cautious.

“Now that you mention it, they do—coiling body, discernible claws. Could this spear be connected to the legendary true dragon?”

Lin Fan’s heart raced. If the spear truly had ties to a true dragon, it was an unparalleled treasure, far beyond any so-called magical weapon.

“That’s not the case,” Prison Sky replied curtly, his voice now calm. “Though it’s not a relic of a true dragon, its origins are even more terrifying. Its previous master was someone I would have to address with the utmost respect.”

Lin Fan was stunned. Prison Sky had always been secretive about his own past, but Lin Fan could sense his extraordinary background. If even Prison Sky would address the spear’s former owner as ‘my lord,’ Lin Fan could scarcely imagine what that meant.

“Perhaps this is fate. Use the spear well. If you can comprehend the battle techniques of its former master, you’ll benefit for a lifetime,” Prison Sky sighed. No matter how much Lin Fan called out after that, he received no further response.

“I never would have guessed that such a terrifying history lay hidden in this spear. Shen Yan must be unaware, or he’d never have given it to me. In that case, I owe him a favor,” Lin Fan mused wryly as he entered the ruins of the stronghold.

A shrill, maniacal laugh echoed through the air. “Another human? I wonder how your flesh and blood will taste this time.”

A demonic shadow appeared, lunging straight at Lin Fan’s back.

“Courting death,” Lin Fan snorted coldly. Without turning or making any visible move, a divine ray shot down from the heavens, nailing the demon to the ground.

The skirmish quickly drew attention. All around, the sounds of battle erupted as the main demon force began to encircle him.

Roughly two hundred Asura demons charged forward—every demon left in the ruins. After destroying the stronghold, the demon leaders had withdrawn most of their forces, leaving only a few behind.

“Hatred between our races runs as deep as the sea. You have slaughtered my people, and now you think to escape death? Kneel and prepare to die!” Lin Fan’s eyes were icy, his fighting spirit soaring to the heavens. He leveled the spear before him, his aura overwhelming.

“Haha! Arrogant fool. Did you know, when this stronghold fell, many were just as defiant as you? But in the end, their hearts were ripped out, their brains drained dry. The taste—unforgettable for eternity!” A figure strode forward, strikingly handsome, but to Lin Fan’s shock, this was no demon.

“What is your name?” Lin Fan pointed the spear, his killing intent suffocating.

“Li Qi,” the man replied with a sinister smile that made one’s scalp crawl.

“So, people from the Ghost Domain have truly allied themselves with the demons. The so-called Ghost Prince must be in Tianwu Domain as well. Colluding with outsiders—your crimes are unpardonable,” Lin Fan’s voice was frigid, murderous intent surging.

“Oh? How do you know I’m from the Ghost Domain—and that you even know the Ghost Prince’s name?” Li Qi was genuinely surprised. This plan was top secret, known only to a handful in the Ghost Domain. How could this man before him know so much?

“I killed one in Green Wood City. He was one of yours,” Lin Fan’s voice was as cold as ice from the highest heavens.

“Kill him!” Li Qi suddenly shouted, but his own body fled backward. He knew now what had happened—the one in Green Wood City was at the Condensed Vein stage. If this man had killed him, then Li Qi stood no chance, no matter what tricks he had. Without a moment’s hesitation, he chose to run.

“Do you think you can escape with just these demons to help you? Tell me your Ghost Domain’s plans and perhaps I’ll let you die with your body intact,” Lin Fan sneered, golden light flashing. He moved like a dragon, footsteps thunderous, wielding the spear like a war god reborn. With one sweep, he cut a demon in half, entrails spilling to the ground.

A colossal figure manifested—Lin Fan’s own divine avatar. A massive dragon claw crashed down from the sky, the force of twenty elephants unleashed, for in that instant Lin Fan had activated the Divine Creation Fist, doubling his strength.

Agonized screams filled the air as the demons suffered devastating blows. Their strength was mediocre at best, with less than a handful at the tenth level of physical refinement. Such power would have sufficed against Shen Yan and the others, but before Lin Fan, it was woefully inadequate.