Chapter Six: A Surge of Power

"The Gate of Heaven lies in the east of the Tianwu Domain, near the Ghost Domain, and Hu Xia City is the closest city to it. It is said that the city's lord is a towering figure within the Gate, his cultivation unfathomable, having stepped beyond the Condensed Vein Realm." Lin Fan, riding a Azure Qilin Horse at full gallop to hasten his journey, recalled the records about Hu Xia City in his mind.

"The chaos of Hu Xia City is well known. The powers within are tangled and complex. Even though the Gate of Heaven holds the title of City Lord, it gains little favor; countless strong individuals covet it from the shadows. Compared to the Tianwu Domain, this city is closer to the Ghost Domain."

The border between the two domains was notorious for its disorder. This was common knowledge. Not only did the strong of the Great Jin Kingdom refrain from intervening, they sometimes participated themselves. Only endless conflict could make a power grow stronger.

"But who exactly is Lady Yun? Sister Lan did not elaborate, as if she feared others might know." Lin Fan furrowed his brow, sensing something amiss.

Thinking thus, he unconsciously took out the token from his embrace and scrutinized it. Birds, flowers, insects, fish, and ancient ancestors were vividly carved, and though rust mottled its surface, its extraordinary nature could not be concealed.

"This token is tied to so many things. How could it so easily come into my possession? Are they not afraid someone else will take it?" Lin Fan was full of doubts. If it truly mattered, why entrust it to him? Perhaps it was meant to cover something up.

"No more speculation. I'll cross the Fallen Mountain Range, reach Hu Xia City, and hand it to Lady Yun; then all will be clear."

Unable to find any explanation, Lin Fan could only abandon his thoughts in resignation. He urged his steed onward, riding at a breakneck pace.

If he didn't cross the Fallen Mountain Range, the journey to Hu Xia City would be twice as long, if not more. Time was pressing, so Lin Fan had no choice but to take the risk.

The Azure Qilin Horse possessed the bloodline of wild beasts and its speed was astonishing. The Gate of Heaven was not far from the Fallen Mountain Range either. Half a day later, Lin Fan reached the outskirts of the mountain range.

"The Fallen Mountain Range is home to rampaging beasts; a perilous place. Yet after several purges by the Gate of Heaven's experts, most of the powerful beasts have been slain. Only a handful remain—beast kings at the Condensed Vein Realm. Encounters with them are rare."

Muttering to himself, Lin Fan sent the Azure Qilin Horse to wander the outskirts of the range, planning to retrieve it for his return journey, while he himself plunged straight into the mountains.

Half an hour later, several figures appeared outside the Fallen Mountain Range.

A gloomy man stood at their head, with four attendants trailing behind.

"Let’s go," Senior Brother Feng commanded in a low voice, leading the four into the mountains with bold strides, heedless of all dangers within.

Not long after, another shadow flashed by. This newcomer was even more formidable, moving like an arrow released from its string, traversing the perilous terrain as if it were flat ground.

By then, Lin Fan had already entered deep into the Fallen Mountain Range...

Ancient trees towered overhead, beastly roars echoed, and the air was thick with a faint bloody stench, nauseating in its intensity.

Such was the Fallen Mountain Range: every step fraught with mortal danger.

"No wonder it is famed as a perilous land within the Tianwu Domain—these past half-months have been nothing but battle."

In the distance, atop an ancient tree, crouched a figure. His robe was tattered, stained with dried blood—Lin Fan himself, eyes sharp as a hawk.

Not far from him lay a thicket of shrubs, about half a man's height.

"The Mamba Serpent is a treasure from head to tail, its vitality abundant. If I can devour it, I may break through six thousand pounds of force."

Lin Fan whispered to himself, poised for action, ready to strike at the slightest movement with overwhelming power.

After half a month of relentless slaughter and absorption of beast stones, Lin Fan's realm had reached the peak of the third tier, but his strength had increased to five thousand five hundred pounds—equal to the average seventh tier of physical refinement.

He had also come to understand the purpose of the warm current emitted by the beast stones: the more one exceeded their own realm in raw strength, the greater their latent potential. That warm current worked to enhance his potential.

At that moment, a rustling sounded in the thicket, and a massive serpent surfaced, its stench overwhelming.

The Mamba Serpent was pitch-black, its strength comparable to the peak of the sixth tier of physical refinement.

"Now!"

Lin Fan moved. He flew down from the ancient tree, unleashing the Seven Star Fist. The force swept forth, his powerful energy erupting.

This punch gathered all his essence, spirit, and strength—though just a single blow, it surpassed countless techniques.

The serpent roared, jaws agape, its gigantic tail sweeping across the thicket, clearing a wide patch of ground with tremendous force.

Lin Fan, having prepared, seized the initiative. The two collided, producing a thunderous crash.

"What terrifying strength!"

Lin Fan retreated slightly, a grave look crossing his face.

"This Mamba Serpent’s strength nears six thousand pounds, not inferior to mine."

A sudden charge—its enormous tongue crashed down like a hill, flattening everything in its path. Several ancient trees were snapped in half, splinters flying.

"Wretched beast!"

Though startled, Lin Fan remained composed; with a cold snort he launched another assault, fists whirling like an invincible war god, attacking with fierce dominance.

Such attacks were the most fearsome—and most dangerous. One misstep would mean serious injury. Between Lin Fan and the Mamba Serpent, it was as if they had reached an unspoken agreement: both unleashed their greatest power, each intent on killing the other.

The battle raged on, both sides exhausting themselves, clashing head-on and crushing everything in their path.

Lin Fan coughed blood, his face pale.

He had used his deadliest techniques: five stars hung suspended in midair, every movement carrying immense power, overwhelming his opponent.

Yet now, he was met with fierce resistance. The Mamba Serpent fought desperately, and neither side could gain the upper hand.

Lin Fan, however, was unperturbed, retreating and advancing in turn, keeping to his own rhythm, never losing ground.

The Mamba Serpent, by contrast, grew anxious, roaring ceaselessly, its blood boiling, but time and again it was defeated, suppressed by Lin Fan’s iron fists.

Another furious surge—the serpent's tail crashed down, blasting the air apart with a deafening roar.

"Good! Die!"

Lin Fan shouted, hair flying, gathering all his strength.

"Six Stars Piercing the Sun!"

With a cry, he swung his fists, tracing mysterious paths, as divine patterns rained down.

This was the Seven Star Fist’s killing art, nearly as potent as the full constellation; its power was beyond imagining.

Divine light flashed from his fists, as if to pierce the heavens.

A tremendous crash shook the earth; the Mamba Serpent shrieked, its body snapped in two.

But Lin Fan was not unscathed—the serpent’s attack carried immense force, pure power that could only be met head-on.

He spat blood, sent flying, but compared to the serpent, he was far better off.

"Devour!"

Lin Fan strode forward, hands weaving divine patterns—this was the devouring secret technique from the beast stone, which he had learned to use over the past half month.

Soon, the serpent's corpse shriveled visibly, leaving only a snakeskin behind.

At the same time, Lin Fan’s aura grew stronger, his strength soaring.

"Five thousand six hundred pounds!"

"Five thousand seven hundred pounds!"

"Five thousand eight hundred pounds..."

As his strength surged, Lin Fan was pleasantly surprised to find he seemed to be approaching the threshold of the fourth tier of physical refinement!