Crisis of a Close Friend and Xiantian Breakthrough

Granny Wang from the tofu shop in the south of the city tearfully told Chen Fan about Lin Xiaohu's capture.

"Xiaofan, you have to think of something! Xiaohu went to pick firewood at the foot of the Xianyun Sect yesterday and somehow offended a sect disciple. Two people in white clothes took him away towards the mountain. He even shouted your name before he left!" Granny Wang wiped her tears, her voice filled with anxiety. "I heard from others that the sect disciples have terrible tempers. No one who offends them ends up well. You must save Xiaohu!"

Chen Fan's heart sank like it was hit by a massive boulder. Lin Xiaohu was his only friend in Qingyang City. Both were orphans with no one to rely on. They had endured the coldest winters together in a dilapidated temple and shared half a moldy bun. Xiaohu was honest and simple; he would never provoke others. How could he have offended a sect disciple?

"Granny Wang, do you know the names of the disciples who took Xiaohu? Did they say where they were taking him?" Chen Fan asked urgently, suppressing his anxiety.

Granny Wang shook her head. "I didn't hear their names clearly. I only saw the cloud patterns of the Xianyun Sect embroidered on their sleeves. They were heading towards the Punishment Platform on the back mountain of the Xianyun Sect. I heard that the Punishment Platform is a place specifically for dealing with those who offend the sect. At best, they'll break their limbs; at worst..." Granny Wang didn't dare to say the rest, but her worried eyes said it all.

Chen Fan didn't ask any more questions. He turned and sprinted towards the back mountain of the Xianyun Sect. He knew time was of the essence; every second delayed meant more danger for Xiaohu.

Along the way, fragments of his time with Xiaohu flashed through Chen Fan's mind. Anger and worry intertwined in his heart, and the internal energy within him began to stir restlessly. He ran while circulating the Burning Heaven Art, trying to suppress his internal energy. But the more he suppressed it, the more turbulent it became, as if it wanted to break free from the confines of his body.

"This won't do. I can't keep going like this." Chen Fan stopped and leaned against a large tree, gasping for breath. He could feel that he was only a thin veil away from the Xiantian Stage. Once he broke through that veil, his internal energy would transform into True Energy, and his strength would increase dramatically. However, breaking through to the Xiantian Stage required an opportunity and enduring the pain of the Mortal Body Shackles shattering. He simply didn't have time to prepare slowly right now.

"Xiaohu is still waiting for me. I can't stop here!" Chen Fan gritted his teeth, a look of determination flashing in his eyes. He remembered his master's dying words: "The path of martial arts is inherently against the heavens. Every breakthrough is a struggle against fate."

Since he had no time to prepare, he would break through through battle!

Chen Fan found a secluded cave, sat down cross-legged, and began to actively attempt to break through to the Xiantian Stage. He mobilized all the restless internal energy in his body and launched a fierce assault on the Mortal Body Shackles.

"Ah—!"

Intense pain instantly engulfed Chen Fan's entire body, as if countless sharp knives were cutting through his muscles and bones. Every inch of his skin trembled, and every nerve screamed. Sweat dripped from his forehead like rain, soaking the ground beneath him. His face turned as pale as paper, and he bit his lip until it bled.

But Chen Fan did not give up. He clenched his fists, with only one thought in his mind: break through! For Xiaohu, he had to break through!

After an unknown amount of time, just as Chen Fan was about to collapse, a crisp "crack" sounded within his body, as if something had shattered. Immediately after, a power far more refined and potent than before surged from his dantian, instantly spreading to every corner of his body.

Internal energy transformed into True Energy, the Mortal Body Shackles shattered. He had reached the Xiantian Stage!

Chen Fan slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. He felt the boundless True Energy surging within him and felt filled with strength. The fatigue from running and breaking through the barrier had vanished without a trace.

"The power of the Xiantian Stage is truly different!" Chen Fan clenched his fist, feeling the power contained within it, his heart filled with confidence. He believed that with the strength of the Xiantian Stage, he would have the power to fight even against the disciples of the Xianyun Sect.

Chen Fan wasted no more time. He rushed out of the cave and sped towards the Punishment Platform on the back mountain of the Xianyun Sect.