Granny Wang from the tofu shop in the southern part of the city told Chen Fan the news of Lin Xiaohu's capture through tears.
"Xiaofan, hurry and think of something! Xiaohu went to gather firewood at the foot of Xianyun Sect yesterday. Somehow, he offended disciples of the immortal sect, and two men in white hauled him up the mountain. Before they left, he was even calling your name!" Granny Wang wiped away her tears, her voice thick with anxiety. "I heard people say that immortal sect disciples have terrible tempers. No one who offends them comes to a good end. You have to save Xiaohu!"
Chen Fan's heart abruptly sank, as though struck by a massive boulder. Lin Xiaohu was his only friend in Qingyang City. Both were orphaned and alone; they had endured the coldest winter together in a ruined temple and shared half a moldy steamed bun. Xiaohu was honest and good-natured, never one to provoke others. How could he have offended disciples of the immortal sect?
"Granny Wang, do you know the names of the disciples who took Xiaohu? Did they say where they were taking him?" Chen Fan hurriedly asked, forcefully suppressing the anxiety in his heart.
Granny Wang shook her head. "I didn't hear their names clearly. I only saw the cloud patterns of Xianyun Sect embroidered on their cuffs. They took the road to the Punishment Platform in Xianyun Sect's rear mountain. I heard that the Punishment Platform is specifically for dealing with those who offend the immortal sect. At best, they break your arms and legs. At worst..." Granny Wang did not dare finish, but the worry in her eyes said everything.
Chen Fan asked no further questions and sprinted wildly toward Xianyun Sect's rear mountain. He knew time was pressing. Every second he was late meant another measure of danger for Xiaohu.
Along the way, every moment he had spent with Xiaohu kept flashing through Chen Fan's mind. Rage and worry tangled together in his heart, and the Internal Energy within him began to churn restlessly. As he ran, he circulated the Burning Heaven Art, trying to suppress it, but the more he suppressed it, the more violently it surged, as though it were about to burst through the restraints of his body.
"No, this can't go on." Chen Fan stopped and leaned against a large tree, gasping for breath. He could feel that only a thin layer of window paper separated him from the Xiantian Stage. As long as he pierced through it and transformed his Internal Energy into true energy, his strength would rise enormously. But breaking through to the Xiantian Stage required an opportunity, as well as the endurance to bear the agony of the mortal body shackles shattering. He had no time to prepare slowly.
"Xiaohu is still waiting for me. I can't stop here!" Chen Fan gritted his teeth, a glint of resolve flashing through his eyes. He remembered his master's final words: "The path of martial arts is one of defying heaven. Every breakthrough is a struggle against fate."
Since there was no time to prepare, then he would break through in battle!
Chen Fan found a concealed cave, sat cross-legged, and began actively charging toward the Xiantian Stage. He gathered all the restless Internal Energy in his body and launched a fierce assault against the mortal body shackles.
"Aah—!"
Agonizing pain instantly swept through Chen Fan's entire body, as though countless sharp blades were slicing through his muscles and bones. Every inch of skin trembled, every nerve screamed. Sweat slid down his forehead like rain, soaking the earth beneath him. His face turned white as paper, and he bit his lips until they bled.
But Chen Fan did not give up. He clenched his fists, with only one thought in his mind: Break through! For Xiaohu, I must break through!
Who knew how much time passed? Just as Chen Fan was about to be unable to endure any longer, a crisp crack rang out within his body, as though something had shattered. Immediately afterward, a force far purer and more majestic than before surged forth from his dantian, instantly spreading to every corner of his body.
Internal Energy transformed into true energy, the mortal body shackles shattered, and the Xiantian Stage was achieved!
Chen Fan slowly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing through them. Feeling the true energy endlessly surging within him, he felt his entire body brimming with power. The exhaustion from running and forcing his breakthrough had vanished without a trace.
"The power of the Xiantian Stage really is different!" Chen Fan clenched his fist, feeling the strength contained within it, his heart filled with confidence. He believed that with the strength of the Xiantian Stage, even against disciples of Xianyun Sect, he had the power to fight.
Chen Fan wasted no more time. He rushed from the cave and sped toward the Punishment Platform in Xianyun Sect's rear mountain.
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