When Lin Fan stepped into the teleportation portal of City in the Sky, his feet suddenly gave way to nothingness, and he felt as if he had fallen into an endless void.
[Second Trial Participant: Reach the end of the maze to teleport to the next level!]
The scene before my eyes changed rapidly, with flowing light and Chaos Qi intertwining to form a mesmerizing curtain of light.
A moment later, his feet were back on solid ground.
Um?
Lin Fan looked up.
Before me lay a hazy, gray space, with countless stone steps extending in all directions, each suspended in mid-air.
There is no end in sight.
The stone steps are covered with pale golden patterns, like sleeping dragon veins, exuding an ancient and faint aura.
After walking a certain distance, a fork in the road will appear.
Each fork in the road leads to even more forks, weaving together an endless maze.
More importantly, the space within this labyrinth is distorted...
He withdrew his gaze, recalling the system notification sound. It seemed to have indicated that Yun Wuji was nearby. He decided to check which direction he was in.
" The Yun Wuji..."
Lin Fan paused, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Not bad luck. The chives should be almost ready by now, right?"
He turned and walked towards the northeast.
He was curious to see what kind of opportunity Yun Wuji had obtained in the Immortal Ancient Ruins.
Lin Fan walked a hundred steps, but a landmark stone he had just passed appeared in front of him. He turned right, made three turns, and returned to the starting point.
Illusion or spatial folding?
Lin Fan crouched down and reached out to touch the road sign stone at his feet.
The stone felt warm to the touch, covered by a thin layer of power of rules, like a maze woven with some kind of grand array of laws.
"Interesting."
He activated his Double Pupils, and a flash of purple-gold light passed through the depths of his pupils. His vision suddenly changed, and the hazy space seemed to have been peeled away, revealing the true path below.
But only a portion.
The other part of the mysterious space is still shrouded in chaotic mist, which even the Double Pupils cannot fully see through.
"It seems that the one who set up this second level is at least Great Emperor- level being!"
Even my current Double Pupils can't see through it completely.
They walked for about half an incense stick's time.
Lin Fan stopped again, a dark purple light appearing in his palm as he activated the Reincarnation Pupil Technique.
Semi-transparent images appeared before my eyes, like reflections in water. They weren't very clear, but their outlines were still discernible.
With his abilities, he could see more than just what would happen within a quarter of an hour.
Holding the other person's belongings, he activated his Reincarnation Pupil Technique, allowing him to see what had happened to the other person in this place over the past year.
Time keeps jumping around like crazy...
Let's go back a few months to the future.
It seems that Yun Wuji was among the first batch of cultivators to enter the ruins!
Yun Wuji's figure quickly appeared...
He was leading Chu Qing and several cultivators through the maze, his steps steady, stopping occasionally to check their direction, as if he had some understanding of the maze.
It seems that Yun Wuji is deliberately showing off his strength in front of everyone, like a guide.
Chu Qing stood beside him, nodding occasionally, with a small distance between them, as if there was a slight barrier between them...
"Those two are indeed together."
Lin Fan dispelled his pupil technique, his smile deepening as he continued forward.
They walked for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Suddenly, the sounds of fighting erupted ahead, mingled with a woman's screams and the crisp clang of clashing weapons. The aftershocks of the Law of Fire emanated from the air, carrying a scorching heat.
Lin Fan slowed down and turned a corner.
Suddenly, a fierce fight and angry shouts came from ahead.
A wide stone platform appeared before them, and four figures were surrounding a beautiful woman.
The leader was clad in crimson armor and wielded a spear engulfed in black flames. His aura was around that of Mid Quasi-Saint, and his entire body was enveloped in a violent black-red power of law. His attacks were ruthless, with each spear aimed directly at a vital point.
The other three were all at the Early Quasi-Saint, each occupying a territory and blocking all escape routes.
The beautiful figure surrounded in the middle was none other than Chu Qing.
Her red dress was torn in several places, there was a bloodstain on her shoulder, and her left arm hung slightly, clearly injured. But she still gritted her teeth, holding a crimson longsword in her hand, the sword light weaving into a net of fire, barely blocking the four people's attacks.
Rumble!
Chu Qing has been in the secret realm for several months and has obviously obtained considerable opportunities, but unfortunately she is still no match for a group of people.
" The Yun Wuji!"
Lin Fan guessed that Yun Wuji would definitely come to the rescue, and he could take the initiative to sabotage their relationship.
"Fellow Daoists of the Chu Mountain Sect, why struggle?"
"My young master said that as long as you obediently hand over the Flame Phoenix Grass, we will let you leave."
The red-armored man at the head of the group said coldly, turning his black flame spear in his hand and thrusting it out again. A black lotus of flame condensed at the tip of the spear and exploded with a bang.
"Boom!"
Chu Qing was so shocked that she staggered backward, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.
She gritted her teeth and shouted, " The Flame Phoenix Grass is an opportunity I fought tooth and nail to obtain! Why should I hand it over to you? Kill me if you dare, or forget about it!"
The man in red armor frowned, seemingly losing patience. "Then don't blame us for being impolite!"
He raised his black flame spear high, the tip of which condensed into an extremely dense black flame, the power of laws surging, clearly preparing for a full-force attack.
Chu Qing's pupils contracted slightly.
She could feel that the power of that shot far exceeded her current state; even if she tried her best to block it, she would be seriously injured.
"Get out of my sight, all of you!"
A deep and domineering voice rang out, and the nine dragons roared simultaneously, suddenly erupting like an invisible mountain pressing down, blasting all five black-clad cultivators away!
Bang bang bang bang bang!
Five figures scattered and flew in all directions, crashing into the surrounding mist and stone walls.
Some fainted on the spot, while others struggled to get up, only to find that their bones had been shattered by the impact.
The leader was blasted the furthest, smashing through a section of the illusionary stone wall before being swallowed by the mist; his fate remains unknown.
" The Lin Clan Son!"
"Damn, this woman actually knows the Emperor's son?"
The surrounding cultivators, who were eager to make a move, froze in place upon seeing this scene.
Chu Qing stood there, stunned.
She stared at the figure emerging from the mist, riding a chariot pulled by nine dragons, his white robes fluttering in the wind, his handsome face and signature languid smile playing on his lips, and for a moment she was speechless.
"You..."
She knelt on one knee, her face filled with joy, and said in a somewhat weak voice, "Your Highness? Thank you so much for saving me, Your Chu Qing grateful!"
I was just passing by and picked it up.
Lin Fan waved his hand. "Where's Yun Wuji?"
Chu Qing shook her head. "We got separated. A while ago he said he was going to scout ahead and told me to follow behind... but I ended up getting ambushed."
She spoke, then fell silent for a moment.
She knew there was an unconscious hint of resentment in her tone.
Yun Wuji indeed strong, but he is always too focused on his own path and rarely looks back at her.
Seeing her expression, Lin Fan understood what was going on.
Suddenly, Chu Qing lost her balance and almost fell to the ground, but fortunately Lin Fan used his magic to support her from a distance.
" Qing'er!"
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from the other end of the maze passage.
A figure burst out of the mist, its golden dragon aura surging, and the aura of the Holy Dragon Battle Physique erupted like a volcanic eruption.
It is precisely because the Yun Wuji.
He had clearly noticed the commotion and rushed over, only to see this scene as soon as he turned the corner.
Chu Qing leaned against Lin Fan's hand; the two were very close.
Yun Wuji stopped, his face instantly darkening. " Lin Fan!"
His voice was as cold as ice. "What are you doing to Qing'er?!"
He stared at Lin Fan, and his aura as Early Saint Realm suddenly exploded. Golden law power surged around him, and the sound of a dragon's roar echoed faintly in the void, like a golden dragon about to erupt in fury.
"Let her go!"
Yun Wuji's voice was filled with suppressed anger.
He rushed forward, his golden blood surging around him, forming a golden halo that dispersed a large area of the surrounding mist.
Chu Qing was startled by the voice and explained, " Wuji, you've misunderstood! It was the Imperial Prince who saved me just now. I was injured and couldn't stand steadily, so he helped me up..."
"You helped him up?"
Yun Wuji stared at her. "Why did he help you? Can't you stand on your own?"
Before Chu Qing could explain further, Yun Wuji had already taken a step forward, golden light condensing in his hand, and punched towards Lin Fan's face.
Chu Qing's expression changed. " Yun Wuji! Stop!"
But the punch had already landed.
Lin Fan's eyes remained unmoved; he simply raised his hand to block.
boom!
Fist and palm collided, and golden shockwaves clashed and exploded with the Chaos Qi.
Yun Wuji felt a terrifying force coming from his palm, and he staggered backward, his arm slightly numb, and his chest heaving with blood and qi.
Lin Fan remained completely still, not even the hem of his clothes fluttered slightly.
Lin Fan's tone was calm, even slightly teasing. "Such a big reaction? Your jealousy is probably even stronger than that Flame Phoenix Grass."
Yun Wuji ashen.
He used 70% of his strength in that punch, intending to give Lin Fan a warning, but he ended up being the one who was knocked back.
" Yun Wuji, you've misunderstood!"
Chu Qing quickly moved away from Lin Fan and stood between the two, urgently saying to Yun Wuji, "I was injured and almost fell just now, and the Imperial Prince helped me up!"
Yun Wuji glanced at her, then at Lin Fan, and said coldly, "Are you injured?"
Chu Qing pointed to the wound on her shoulder. "I was being chased by the Holy Fire Sect. If the Imperial Prince hadn't happened to pass by and intervened, I might already be lying on the stone platform!"
Yun Wuji's gaze fell on the wound on her shoulder, and then he saw the corpse on the ground. His expression softened slightly.
But his tone remained indifferent. "People of the Holy Fire Sect?"
Chu Qing said, "Yes, the Imperial Prince saved me to steal my Flame Phoenix Grass, and instead of thanking him, you spoke rudely to him. You should apologize to the Imperial Prince right now!"
Yun Wuji's expression stiffened.
Apologize?
Apologize to Lin Fan?
Yun Wuji coldly replied, "Impossible. He stole my ancient dragon bone from the Demon God Secret Realm. I will never forget this grudge. Ask me to apologize to him? Dream on!"
Chu Qing trembled with anger. "You... how can you be so stingy? That dragon bone was originally unclaimed; whoever gets it keeps it. What makes you think it's yours?"
"It's mine!" Yun Wuji gritted his teeth. "If he hadn't interfered, I would have refined the dragon bone long ago!"
"You..."
Chu Qing was so angry she couldn't speak.
She turned to look at Lin Fan, a hint of apology in her eyes. "Your Highness, that's just his personality... don't take it to heart."
[Ding! The host has successfully disrupted the relationship between Chu Qing and Yun Wuji, causing Chu Qing's favorability towards Yun Wuji to decrease. The host has gained 150,000 Villain Points!]
[ Yun Wuji develops a rift with Chu Qing, gaining 80,000 Villain Points ]
A system notification sounded in my ear.
Lin Fan nodded inwardly. The leeks were indeed ripe. He quietly watched the two argue while he lay there gaining Villain Points.
boom!
Just then, he sensed a sudden surge of energy erupting from Yun Wuji's body.
Yun Wuji remained silent for a moment, then his gaze returned to Lin Fan.
He neither apologized nor backed down. "I won't forget what you owe me. Lin Fan, you stole my ancient dragon bone at the Demon God Ruins last time. We'll settle that score later."
Lin Fan, hands in his pockets, a smile still playing on his lips, looked Yun Wuji up and down. "Are you sure you want to settle accounts with me?"
Chu Qing's expression changed as well, and she quickly grabbed Yun Wuji: " Yun Wuji! What are you saying! The Imperial Prince just saved my life, and instead of thanking him, you're going to attack him?"
Chu Qing stood beside Lin Fan again and again. Yun Wuji frowned. "Let go of me! He never had good intentions! Don't be fooled by him!"
"Watch how I kill him!"
The moment the words fell, Yun Wuji took a sudden step forward, his body radiating golden light, and a deafening dragon roar resounded.
"Roar!"
A golden dragon pattern appeared between his brows, and a layer of fine dragon scales appeared on the surface of his skin, indicating that he had fully activated his Holy Dragon Battle Physique.
"You stole my dragon bone last time!"
"Today I'll show you what the true Holy Dragon Battle Physique is all about!"
The aura of the Saint Realm erupted without reservation, and the power of laws spread out overwhelmingly. With the help of the Ice Dragon Empress, he fully awakened the Holy Dragon Battle Physique and became stronger with each battle!
Yun Wuji unleashed a punch.
This punch, imbued with golden dragon energy and Law of the Holy Dao, transformed into a giant golden dragon with its head held high and its claws tearing through the void, lunging straight at Lin Fan.
Its power far surpasses that of the previous punch.
Several cultivators who appeared one after another in the viewing passage were all shocked. "So powerful! Who is this person? How dare he attack the Emperor's son?"
"I heard it's that newly rising prodigy from the Chu Mountain Sect?"
He also gained Long Aotian's approval and became a prodigy of the Dragon Clan!
The crowd was buzzing with discussion.
Lin Fan narrowed his eyes slightly. "Having broken through to the Saint Realm and awakened the Holy Dragon Battle Physique, you are indeed much stronger than before. Is this your source of confidence?"
He did not use his Double Pupils, nor did he activate the Hunyuan Bell.
He simply clenched his fist, and Chaos Qi condensed on the surface of his fist. He activated the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Force, and thousands of Giant Elephant Particles roared simultaneously.
A single punch, simple and unremarkable, yet it carried the crushing power of both the Law of Chaos and the Law of the Fist Dao.
boom!
The golden dragon collided with the chaotic fist imprint, unleashing a deafening roar.
The stone platform shook violently, and the surrounding void was cracked like a spider web.
The golden dragon lasted only three breaths.
Then, starting from the dragon's head, it crumbled inch by inch.
Golden fragments scattered and flew everywhere, like glass crushed by a boulder, littering the ground.
The force of the fist imprint remained undiminished, passing through the golden fragments and landing precisely on Yun Wuji's chest.
puff!
Yun Wuji sent flying backward, crashing into the chaotic wall at the edge of the stone platform, creating a dented crack.
"No, how could that be!"
"I am Sage, how could I lose to you? I don't believe it!"
He struggled to get up, but blood was already trickling from the corner of his mouth, his face was ashen, and a clear crack had appeared on the dragon scale armor on his chest.
That's it?
Lin Fan landed a foot on his chest, looking down at him with a calm tone. "Are you getting cocky after breaking through to the Sage, or do you think I wasn't serious last time and just happened to win?"
" Yun Wuji; recognize reality!"
"You are no match for me, just like you were back in the Demon God Ruins. You are utterly powerless against me. An ant is just an ant!"
[Ding! The host has crushed Yun Wuji, gaining 80,000 Villain Points ]
[Ding! Host has humiliated Yun Wuji, gaining 50,000 Villain Points ]
Yun Wuji stared intently at him, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
He wanted to speak in rebuttal, but the tightness in his chest and the surging blood and qi prevented him from uttering a single word.
"Buzz!"
Chu Qing quickly stepped forward and pleaded with Lin Fan, "Your Highness, please show mercy. He acted impulsively and didn't mean to offend you."
"No, Qing'er!"
Yun Wuji's eyes widened in fury. "Don't beg him!"
He roared at Lin Fan, "If you have the guts, then kill me! You absolutely won't make it past the tenth level. And even if you do manage to get past the tenth level, there's Long Aotian waiting for you..."
Lin Fan's icy voice rang out. "Do you know what kind of person this Emperor Prince hates most? Anyone who dares to threaten this Emperor Prince..."