Chapter Forty-Nine: A Formidable Lineup

"It's not that I seek confrontation, but you leave me no choice with your relentless aggression." Chen Daolin clasped his hands behind his back. As the foremost inner disciple and the son of the Sect Master of the Celestial Capital Sect, he naturally brimmed with confidence, fearing no one.

"Then today, let the Hall of Orchid Heart become a sacred ground stained with blood." Cheng Wushuang's words were imposing, his fighting spirit soaring to the heavens. With the support of the Cheng family and the Divine Son, he had nothing to fear from Chen Daolin.

"No, I will not raise my hand today. This is the day when the Divine Court establishes its standard. As the Divine Court's Protector, I would rather not see blood shed on such an occasion. However, know this: you and those of the Divine Son Alliance are not welcome here. Should you overstep your bounds by even a single step, you will face the full wrath of my thunder." Chen Daolin's gaze was as sharp as a blade, his presence cutting across the crowd. It was now clear he had joined the Divine Court, explaining his resolve to stand against Cheng Wushuang.

Those gathered exchanged glances, sensing the formidable power behind the Divine Court. It could no longer be underestimated.

How could a force supported by three great noble clans and the Young Master of the Celestial Capital Sect be considered weak?

"Hmph, then let me see who among you dares to stop us." A cold snort echoed from the distance. Jiang Yun approached, wielding a Sky Halberd, his aura overwhelming to the extreme.

"My battle with your Divine Lord is not yet settled. This time, we will see who is superior." Jiang Yun was unmatched in bearing and composure, and indeed, he had the strength to back it up.

"It is said the Divine Court is under the command of the Celestial Maiden of the Celestial Capital Sect, but the Divine Lord is not Yunxi herself. I too wish to see what this so-called Divine Lord is capable of." Another illustrious figure arrived—a woman with a fiery silhouette, clad in a flowing scarlet gown, moving like a living flame.

At this moment, even Chen Daolin felt a mounting pressure. He recognized her: Yao Yuewu, ranked fifth among the Celestial Capital Sect's top ten inner disciples.

"It seems you are determined to force a confrontation. I too am curious to see how much you've improved over the years." Chen Daolin's eyes were icy, his dominance undiminished. His surging energy and blood radiated an aura of violence.

"There is no need for them to act; I alone am enough to suppress you!" A long howl reverberated through the land as yet another powerhouse arrived. A dazzling sword light descended, like a pillar supporting the heavens, its matchless edge slicing through the void itself.

"Sword One!" Chen Daolin shouted, his body swaying as a massive Dao diagram rose behind him—a divine form exuding absolute might.

The newcomer was fearsomely powerful and wasted no time unleashing a peerless killing move. Even Chen Daolin dared not take him lightly.

"So you still possess such techniques; impressive indeed—they will serve you a lifetime." The figure drifted closer, his entire being like a long sword, emanating deadly intent.

"Where is Lin Fan? Let him show himself! For daring to wound my brother, he is courting death." Sword One's voice was cold and dismissive, but everyone understood he had the right—he was the Celestial Capital Sect's second-ranked inner disciple.

"So your exile to the borderlands failed to blunt your murderous edge, and has instead made you even more unruly, defeated foe!" Chen Daolin withdrew his Dao diagram, his momentum undiminished. He stood at the very peak, facing figures renowned throughout the Celestial Capital Sect. Any one of them could rival him, especially Sword One, who was truly terrifying—even back then, Chen Daolin had only narrowly prevailed.

"Hmph, bold words from you. I too wish to see how strong you are now." Sword One, worthy of his ranking, immediately seized the upper hand. The other top experts of the Divine Son Alliance fell silent, taking their places behind him.

"I'm going in now—will you try to stop me?" Twin sword beams swept the sky as Sword One's aura became sharper still, wreathed in murderous intent, like an unrivaled warlord emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

Chen Daolin frowned, realizing he could no longer hold back these people. Sword One alone was enough to match him, not to mention the other formidable figures present.

"No wonder he is the Divine Son—his foundation runs deep. And these are just the inner disciples; who knows how many true disciples belong to the Divine Son Alliance?" Within the Hall of Orchid Heart, murmurs spread as everyone noted the Alliance's terrifying power. Just these few were enough to dominate a region; should they reach the peak, they would be absolute overlords of the Transcendent Realm.

"Indeed, the Divine Son has been cultivating his influence for years, while Yunxi has only recently risen to prominence and cannot organize her own force. The outcome is clear."

"Chen Daolin alone cannot hold everything together, and the heirs of the three major clans are still too inexperienced to make a difference."

No one placed their hopes on the Divine Court. In their eyes, it was like striking a stone with an egg—utterly futile against the Divine Son Alliance.

"The Divine Son Alliance is truly overbearing. Do they not place any value on our noble families?" A glow of rainbow light spread as violet aura swept for miles. A figure shot across the sky, coming to stand at Chen Daolin's side.

"Elder Brother!" Gu Renfeng exclaimed with delight. The newcomer was Gu Ming, the strongest of the Gu family's younger generation. Though not of the main bloodline, he had been adopted into the family by Gu Tianhua, his father's former subordinate.

"Hmph, your arrival changes nothing. Lin Fan, will you continue to hide behind closed doors?" Sword One snorted coldly, then let out a long, echoing howl that thundered through the heavens, reaching every ear.

"Impressive tactics—he's forcing Lin Fan to make a statement. If Lin Fan does not respond, the Divine Court will become a laughingstock today." Everyone present understood this and waited anxiously for Lin Fan's reply.

"Today, as the Divine Court raises its banner, we have invited guests from all corners. Whether you come with sincere congratulations or ulterior motives, as long as you are here, you are my guests. Come, take your seats!" A sonorous voice rang out in all directions—Lin Fan had spoken for the first time, his demeanor commanding and resolute. Not for a moment did he indicate he would bar Sword One and his party, fully revealing his confidence. Without true inner strength, such composure was impossible.

"Very well, then I shall meet this Divine Lord. I hope that, apart from Yunxi, there are others in your Divine Court with such courage." Sword One's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing, but he did not hesitate. Lifting his foot, he led his group directly into the Hall of Orchid Heart, this time unopposed by Chen Daolin and the others.

By now, nearly all the expected guests had arrived, with only a few stragglers making their way in. Half an hour later, the doors of the Hall of Orchid Heart closed, admitting no further guests.

Inside, all eight hundred and eighty-eight seats were filled. Before each guest lay an array of spiritual fruits, rare and precious, displaying the Divine Court's lavish wealth.

"The Celestial Maiden Yunxi and the Divine Lord Lin Fan have arrived!"

Half a cup of tea's time later, a powerful announcement swept through the hall. The previously boisterous guests fell silent at once, rising to their feet to show their respect for the approaching hosts.