Chapter Forty-Five: Confronting the Seventh of the Outer Sect

"You arrogant brat, I am the Three-Headed Demon Ape, possessing invincible might—how could you possibly be my match!" Zhang Xiwen's voice boomed as his massive form stretched out, a black radiance soaring into the sky.

He raised both hands high, attempting to hold back Lin Fan's colossal foot.

"Even the Three-Headed Demon Ape has been slain by others—what makes you think you are invincible? Submit to my suppression!" Lin Fan's voice was icy, his foot merciless, exuding overwhelming dominance.

The tremendous sole collided with the Demon Ape, unleashing a terrifying surge that swept across the area. For a moment, a gale raged, as if a hurricane had erupted on flat ground.

"Ah..." Zhang Xiwen let out a wailing cry, dropping to his knees with a heavy thud. The earth beneath him groaned and cracked, vast fissures snaking across its surface.

"You... you!" Zhang Xiwen's entire body trembled, sensing an unstoppable force erupting forth, utterly impossible to resist.

"I told you, you are far from invincible; this level of power cannot break into the top ten of the inner sect." Lin Fan stood with his hands behind his back. His giant foot faded, but one hand pressed down.

The Three-Headed Demon Ape, Zhang Xiwen's transformation, could no longer withstand this immense force. His massive body collapsed, sprawled upon the ground.

"No, I don't believe it! How can you possess such terrifying strength!" Zhang Xiwen howled, his body radiating light as streams of black brilliance shot skyward, like smoky haze.

He burned the Three-Headed Demon Ape's blood within, hoping to use this power to escape Lin Fan's suppression. The dark radiance spread like storm clouds, exuding a dreadful aura, as though the Demon Ape had come to life again. Yet, nothing could change the outcome; he could not block Lin Fan's enormous palm.

"Futile," Lin Fan said, face unchanged, relentless as a deity. His gaze pierced everything, and with a flash of light from his eyes, the other two ferocious heads of the Demon Ape exploded.

"Enough." At that moment, a voice drifted over. Jiang Yun approached slowly, dragging his Fangtian Halberd behind him, trailing sparks.

He resembled an ancient humanoid beast, a small frame containing tremendous power, ready to erupt like a volcano, unstoppable once unleashed.

"You are not worthy," Lin Fan said, his gaze blazing like lightning. With a sweep of his hand, he sent Zhang Xiwen flying hundreds of yards. The Demon Ape form could no longer be maintained; Zhang Xiwen reverted to his human shape.

"I can see you have no intention to kill, likely here to make your name known in the Heavenly Capital Sect. Unfortunately, today you have met me." Jiang Yun's expression betrayed no ripple of emotion, as if the three men had no connection to him. He easily discerned Lin Fan's intent; a mind as cunning as a demon belonged to someone like him.

"Oh, so you saw through me. But what does it matter? After today, my name will echo throughout the Heavenly Capital Sect." Lin Fan's heart stirred, his gaze growing colder. He realized Jiang Yun was trying to disrupt the momentum he had built with words, but having recognized the tactic, Jiang Yun's effort was for naught.

"I hadn’t wanted to act, as I have yet to fully comprehend a divine skill. But now I must step forward; the prestige of the Divine Sons Alliance must not be sullied." A hint of regret flashed in Jiang Yun's eyes, though he seemed unconcerned. Every top ten inner sect prodigy harbored an invincible faith, believing themselves capable of suppressing all rivals.

"If you dare make a move, your reputation will not survive," Lin Fan retorted forcefully, unwilling to concede even verbally. But he was already on high alert—every top ten inner sect disciple was a legendary figure, famed for extraordinary feats. Jiang Yun had once slain a genuine Condensing Veins-stage cultivator.

It was no mere feat akin to Lin Fan's slaying of the old ghost from the Nether Domain; Jiang Yun's opponent had been in his prime, brimming with vitality, not some decrepit elder.

"Then let me see how much strength you possess," Jiang Yun snorted coldly, brandishing his Fangtian Halberd. A fierce light swept forth, dazzling and boundless. In that instant, it seemed to all as if a gigantic sun rose from the earth, stinging their eyes, forcing them shut.

This was divine might, as if splitting heaven and earth—a manifestation of Jiang Yun's Dao, peerless and unmatched. The Fangtian Halberd's brilliance shone to the extreme, threatening to pierce the heavens themselves.

"What a terrifying Dao, what a terrifying Jiang Yun. Were it that old ghost from Nether Domain, this strike would surely pin him dead," Lin Fan's eyes danced wildly, his soul shaken. He realized he had underestimated the so-called top ten of the inner sect.

Boom!

The sky itself seemed about to be shattered. Lin Fan unleashed his full power, daring not to hold back in the slightest. He produced a black spear, meeting his opponent head-on.

A roar erupted—the black spear seemed alive, thundering like a dragon.

The two divine weapons clashed, bursting forth with radiant light. Distant buildings collapsed, reduced to dust by the impact, while the onlookers had long since retreated, not daring to approach.

"You are indeed formidable," Jiang Yun remarked, seemingly surprised, yet he did not relent. The Fangtian Halberd struck down with the force of thunder.

"You are not as terrifying as imagined," Lin Fan replied coldly. His spear danced like a dragon, meeting Jiang Yun's assault. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of exchanges passed, each blow deadly, both men fighting with abandon. Yet, neither could gain the upper hand.

Radiance obscured heaven and earth, the two appearing as reawakened war gods, clashing relentlessly. Wherever they passed, it was as if ancient war chariots crushed all before them.

By now, the crowd outside Orchid Heart Hall had grown. Several experts from the Divine Sons Alliance had arrived, but seemed wary, not intervening.

All were waiting for Orchid Heart Hall's response. If there was none soon, those Divine Sons Alliance experts might strike to kill Lin Fan, for among the distant crowd lurked several Condensing Veins-stage cultivators.

"Enough—dare you flaunt your power here in Orchid Heart Hall? The Divine Sons Alliance has such audacity," came a melodious voice, ethereal as celestial music from the Nine Heavens. Even the dreadful shockwaves from Lin Fan and Jiang Yun's battle were subdued.

A flawless jade hand emerged from the void, imbued with terrifying might, though it bore no malice toward Lin Fan or Jiang Yun. It merely separated them.

"From today forth, await the pilgrimage of all disciples in the Heavenly Capital Sect," Yun Xi revealed her brilliance, displaying unexpected dominance. Her jade hand seized Lin Fan, intent on drawing him directly into Orchid Heart Hall.

"Do you truly believe yourself the Divine Maiden? Our Divine Son has yet to acknowledge you," came a dreadful voice, surging from distant space. Cheng Yan's figure hovered in the distance.

Heaven and earth trembled as he unleashed thunderous power. A blazing hand struck out, heading straight for Lin Fan.