Chapter Seventy-Six: Stirring and Stillness

“Truly swift and decisive,” Lin Fan sighed helplessly. He glanced around, found a room, and walked in. At this moment, all his worries had vanished. With such a formidable figure intervening, the Yi sisters would surely be safe, and perhaps even gain some unexpected fortune.

“A half-step Sovereign really is terrifying. The space within their body has already become a miniature world, identical to the outside in every way.” Entering the room, Lin Fan marveled as he touched the stone bed beneath him, feeling a chill seep into his skin.

“What kind of race is the demon clan, really? There must be secrets involved that I’m not qualified to know. If only Prison Sky were here.” Lin Fan shook his head, feeling an unexpected pang of longing. If such a living fossil were present, perhaps he could learn a few more secrets.

“This old crone is truly frightening. She must have her own reasons for living in seclusion here. What kind of place is the Ancient Buddha Domain, really? Its ranking isn’t high, yet top-tier experts seem far from rare. Even a half-step Sovereign stands at the very pinnacle in Yingtian Prefecture.”

“That Buddha can't be underestimated either—a genuine titled powerhouse, though already in his twilight years. It’s said that in the Ancient Buddha Domain, the Buddhist sect reigns supreme, and even the Domain Lord must stand aside. But what kind of place is this so-called Buddhist sect? All of this is shrouded in mystery.”

Lin Fan frowned, sensing that the Ancient Buddha Domain harbored many secrets, but he was not yet qualified to meddle in such a place.

“Enough of that. For now, my focus must be on stepping into the Pulse Condensation Realm. I wonder what level of strength I’ll reach after that—surely I’ll be no weaker than the fifth tier of Pulse Condensation. Even now, I already rival the fourth tier.”

A rhomboid crystal appeared in Lin Fan’s hand—the Demon God Crystal he had obtained from Black Demon Heaven. Its deep, flickering glow inspired awe and dread.

“The Demon God Crystal contains the power of a Demon Emperor—a true Sovereign, even stronger than that old crone. Though this is but a defective power source, it’s more than enough for me right now.”

Lin Fan weighed the crystal in his hand, murmuring to himself. He could sense the energy within, vast as a celestial river, surging and boundless.

“According to Prison Sky, the ancient human race entered the Pulse Condensation Realm by refining their own bloodlines and enhancing their physical power. In other words, I must use this Demon God Crystal to strengthen myself, and when I reach a certain threshold, I'll naturally take that step.”

Lin Fan closed his eyes and activated the fragment within his heart. A devouring force swept forth, enveloping the Demon God Crystal. It devoured of its own accord, though likely because of his cultivation level, the pace was slow. But even so, it was already sufficient for Lin Fan; any more force, and he might have burst apart.

The Demon God Crystal flickered, its vast power being drawn out. Lin Fan’s entire body began to radiate divine light, and faintly, lines of divine script crawled across his cheeks.

“This is Sovereign-level power—weak, but pure beyond compare.”

At that moment, in the heart of the miniature world, the old woman opened her eyes again. This time, a red flame burned within them, radiant and bewitching under the divine light.

“Recently, a Demon Emperor emerged in the Heavenly Martial Domain, even causing the Yingtian Prefecture Lord to appear. It seems this young man is from the Heavenly Martial Domain, perhaps having gained something in that upheaval. But I am certain the boy is human.”

The old woman muttered to herself and closed her eyes once more. Waving her hands, a glow burst forth, enveloping the Yi sisters.

Instantly, the entire miniature world fell into silence. Not a sound could be heard. This was the greatest difference between the inner world of a Sovereign and the outside: though they appeared the same, the former was a dead land, devoid of life—if any existed, it was only temporarily brought in from outside.

Lin Fan and the Yi sisters were all undergoing their transformations, while the Yi family had already begun to move.

“What? Yuan’er, are you sure of what you’re saying?”

In a palace, Yi Ming sat upright on a high platform, his eyes burning with fervent desire. Standing at a distance was Yi Yuan.

“Father, I could not possibly be mistaken. The ancient Golden Roc feather is indeed on those sisters. I was about to seize it, but someone interfered and ruined everything.”

Yi Yuan bowed, a mysterious light flickering in his eyes—clearly, he had his own plans.

“Very well. Who would have thought those sisters dared steal my clan’s treasured relic? Even if they flee to the ends of the earth, they must be caught. Do you know where they are now?”

Yi Ming narrowed his eyes, a murderous aura surging from his body and scattering a cloud in the sky above.

“I do not, but I am certain they are still within the Taiwu Mountains. That’s why I suggest mobilizing the entire clan. To obtain the ancient Golden Roc feather, no price is too great.”

Yi Yuan’s voice was cold. As the eldest legitimate son of the Yi family, he held great status and talent, and wielded considerable influence within the clan.

“Good. If it truly is the ancient Golden Roc feather, even the loss of a few Heaven-tier overlords would be worth it. You must know, I am already at the fifth decline of Heaven and Man. One more step and I will break through the void. With this feather, nothing would stand in my way. I know you have your own ambitions, but for now, the greater good comes first. Sooner or later, the feather will be yours.”

Yi Ming sneered. No one knew his son better than he did; their relationship was strangely complex.

“I dare not. But there is one more thing I must warn you about, Father. The one who took the sisters away is from the Heavenly Capital Sect in the Heavenly Martial Domain. He may have a powerful background. According to him, he’s here to pay respects to the Buddha Lord.”

Yi Yuan’s face betrayed nothing, his thoughts unreadable.

“Heavenly Martial Domain? Heavenly Capital Sect?” Yi Ming’s expression hardened, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. “I’ve heard of the Heavenly Capital Sect. It is indeed powerful, never lacking Void-breakers, and they are rumored to have titled ancestors. But now, even they are preoccupied. Something major happened in the Heavenly Martial Domain, alarming even the Buddha Lord of the Ancient Buddha Domain. So, the one who rescued those sisters likely has some backing. But it does not matter. For the ancient Golden Roc feather, even if he is the son of the Heavenly Capital Sect’s master, he must die. That relic is too entangled in cause and effect—only we can possess it.”

Murderous intent surged. Yi Ming had made his decision. He cared nothing for Lin Fan’s fabricated identity; his answer was simple—kill.