Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger

That evening, after the assessment ended, Fang Yan dragged his somewhat weary body back to his residence. The moment he sat down, that familiar cold, mechanical voice suddenly rang out in his mind:

[ Ding! The host has completed the "Outer Sect Disciple Assessment," achieved victory despite being weaker, and performed outstandingly, triggering a special reward. ]

[ Reward issued: Mid-tier finger technique art—Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger, automatically stored in the system knowledge database. ]

Fang Yan was startled and nearly leaped out of his chair. The system! This golden finger, which had appeared when he was at his most desperate, had actually issued another reward!

He forcibly suppressed his excitement and focused on examining the Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger in his mind. This finger technique truly lived up to its reputation. According to its description, it originated in the ancient Great Desolation. Once cultivated to perfection, a single finger could imprison Heaven and Earth, with boundless might. Its characteristic was to condense all the inner force in the body into the fingertip. When unleashed, its power became highly concentrated, with astonishing penetrating force—perfect for making up for his lack of single-target attacks.

What surprised Fang Yan even more was that this finger technique could perfectly merge with his Ice Heart Art. When the frigid energy clung to the finger force, it could not only increase its lethality but also freeze the circulation of an enemy's qi and blood. It was truly wondrous beyond compare.

"With this finger technique, my strength can rise another great step!" Fang Yan clenched his fists, excitement flashing in his eyes.

Over the next few days, Fang Yan consolidated his Profound Ice Spear Technique while using the nighttime to painstakingly cultivate the Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger. This finger technique was extremely difficult to cultivate and demanded absolute control over inner force. Fortunately, Fang Yan had a solid foundation and the system's assistance in understanding it, so his progress remained astonishing.

In just ten days, he had cultivated the Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger to minor mastery and could condense a half-inch-long ice-blue finger force. Although its power was still shallow, it could already pierce through a three-inch-thick wooden plank with ease.

One early morning, Fang Yan was practicing his finger technique in an open area behind the mountain when an incongruous voice suddenly rang out:

"Oh, isn't this our 'newly promoted fiftieth place'? What are you sneaking around here practicing?"

Fang Yan's brows furrowed, and he turned around. Three Outer Sect Disciples were watching him with unfriendly expressions. The leader was a tall, thin young man named Lin Hao, ranked forty-fifth among the Outer Sect Disciples—five places higher than Zhao Hu.

Lin Hao was Zhao Hu's fellow townsman, and the two had an excellent relationship. After Zhao Hu was defeated by Fang Yan, he had remained disgruntled and sought out Lin Hao to help him save face.

Fang Yan looked at them coldly. "What is it?"

"Can't we come see you if there's nothing wrong?" Lin Hao sneered and stepped forward. "I heard you're pretty good at fighting? You even defeated Zhao Hu? But from where I'm standing, that's all you've got. You merely relied on a few petty tricks to beat Zhao Hu."

The two disciples beside him joined in the jeering.

"Exactly! Senior Brother Lin is a powerhouse ranked forty-fifth. He could deal with him with a single finger!"

"Brat, if you know what's good for you, kowtow three times to Senior Brother Lin, then hand over that lousy spear of yours. We'll let this matter go."

Fang Yan's gaze turned cold. He had not expected someone to come looking for trouble the moment he became an Outer Sect Disciple. It seemed the competition among the Outer Sect Disciples was even fiercer than he had imagined.

"You want my spear?" The corner of Fang Yan's mouth curled into a cold smile. "Then we'll see whether you have what it takes."

"Looking to die!" Lin Hao roared. His figure suddenly shot forward, and he struck out at Fang Yan with one palm. He cultivated the Blazing Sun Palm; the palm wind was scorching, carrying a wave of heat.

Fang Yan did not dare be careless and immediately used Wind-Treading Steps to evade. At the same time, he focused his right hand. The inner force of the Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger instantly gathered at the tip of his index finger, and an ice-blue finger force quietly took shape.

"That's all the speed you have?" Seeing that his strike had missed, Lin Hao laughed disdainfully and launched another attack, his palm technique growing increasingly fierce.

Fang Yan wove nimbly through the shadows of the palms, searching for an opportunity to counterattack. He discovered that although Lin Hao's palm technique was swift and fierce, it was too forceful and lacked follow-through.

"Now!"

The instant Lin Hao's palm struck empty air, Fang Yan seized the opportunity and suddenly closed in. His right index finger pointed straight at Lin Hao's chest.

"Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger!"

The ice-blue finger force shot out as fast as lightning, carrying a bone-piercing chill.

Lin Hao's expression changed dramatically. He had not expected Fang Yan to have such a move hidden up his sleeve. He wanted to dodge, but it was already too late.

"Pfft!"

The finger force struck Lin Hao squarely in the chest. Lin Hao felt a bone-chilling power surge into his body, instantly freezing his qi and blood and locking his entire body rigid as pain spread through every inch of him.

"Ah!" Lin Hao let out a miserable scream and fell backward.

The two disciples beside him turned deathly pale in fright and no longer dared to step forward.

Fang Yan walked slowly up to Lin Hao and looked down at him from above. "Now, do you still think I relied on petty tricks?"

Lin Hao lay on the ground, his chest icy cold. He could not even speak and could only glare at Fang Yan with venomous hatred.

Fang Yan could not be bothered to argue with him and turned to leave. As he passed the two disciples, they retreated repeatedly in terror, not daring to meet his eyes.

Fang Yan did not look back. He knew this was only the beginning. In the Outer Sect of the Mystic Martial Pavilion, only sufficiently powerful strength could earn someone the right to speak. And the appearance of the Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger had undoubtedly given him another powerful trump card on this road!