Chen Fan experienced a sudden bout of dizziness while drifting in the void. Upon regaining awareness, he found himself on solid ground, realizing he had exited Dragon Mountain Blessed Land.
Before Chen Fan had the time to look at his surroundings, a commanding voice thundered in his ears, compelling him to kneel. The stern and cold command echoed like thunder, resonating in his eardrums and reverberating through his brain.
Instantly, an overwhelming force pressed down on him as if the might of heaven itself was compelling him to kneel. Despite his efforts to resist, he fell to his knees heavily, cracking the platform beneath.
Struggling to stand against the force, Chen Fan tried to utilize his cultivation, only to find it futile.
The primeval qi around him exploded, and he felt stripped of his cultivation, unable to move.
He could only stay —kneeling in a state of humiliation.
Chen Fan roared furiously in indignation.
It dawned on him that Duan Jingtian had made his move when he left Dragon Mountain Blessed Land, unleashing his formidable aura and forcing him to kneel.
“It’s useless even if you scream, you ant!” Duan Jingtian’s disdainful voice rang out.
Chen Fan gritted his teeth tightly, nearly shattering his molars.
A surge of qi erupted from Chen Fan's chest, prompting Duan Jingtian to slightly ease the pressure, allowing him to lift his head.
All eyes turned toward them.
Everyone’s expressions turned into one of shock.
“Xiaofan!” Qin Yao exclaimed, snapping back to reality in astonishment.
“Duan Jingtian, what are you doing!?” Qin Changkong stepped forward, positioning himself between Chen Fan and Duan Jingtian, his expression furious. His Yuanfu realm aura erupted, trying to shake Duan Jingtian’s aura.
Duan Jingtian glanced at Qin Changkong coldly and said indifferently, “Yuanfu realm ant, you’re not qualified to speak with me.”
Duan Jingtian's gaze sharpened, focusing on Qin Changkong. A mere glance from him sent Qin Changkong reeling backward, blood spewing from his mouth.
The sheer power of Duan Jingtian's gaze had injured and flung a Yuanfu realm expert!
“Father!” Qin Yao cried out, rushing to Qin Changkong's aid as he struggled to his feet.
Chen Fan’s eyes widened with rage when he saw this scene, his eyes locked onto Duan Jingtian.
Duan Jingtian was like a deity, looking down from high above at Chen Fan. A loud smack rang out with his command, and Chen Fan’s cheek swelled up.
Chen Fan's gaze remained fixed on Duan Jingtian, burning with defiance.
Duan Jingtian furrowed his eyebrow and said coldly, “Your gaze annoys me. Dig them out.”
Sharp light gathered in his eyes, and Chen Fan felt a stabbing pain as if sharp swords were trying to gouge out his eyeballs.
Finally, Zhuo Bufan intervened and declared, "Enough, Duan Jingtian!"
He materialized in front of Chen Fan, his gaze unwavering as he emitted a powerful aura that countered Duan Jingtian's oppressive energy.
“You’re going to stand in my way, Zhuo Bufan?” Duan Jingtian narrowed his eyes, exuding a dangerous light.
Zhuo Bufan's eyebrows furrowed tightly; he didn't want to provoke Duan Jingtian, but the situation demanded his intervention.
What would the other three sects think?
What would the Spring Autumn Sect disciples think?
Chen Fan obtained the Ice Jade Snow Lotus and helped the Spring Autumn Sect get first place for the Dragon Mountain Blessed Land training, achieving great merit for the sect.
However, as soon as he left the blessed land, Duan Jingtian was trying to kill him. How would their sect’s disciples feel if news of this matter spread?
Duan Jingtian took a step forward.
The mournful sound of wind echoed across Dragon Mountain Peak, enveloping the area in an incomparable chill that sent shivers down everyone's spine.
Suddenly, heavy snow fell from the skies, covering heaven and earth. The surrounding thousand miles completely transformed, bathing in a pristine white hue.
As the snow fell, the trees, flowers, grass, and rocks immediately turned into ice, frozen solid.
Even the entire Dragon Mountain Peak had turned into a snowy mountain.
Leng Feng and the others’ expressions changed drastically.
The Qigong realm disciples shivered from this chilling intent, their complexions paling as they teetered on the edge of becoming ice sculptures.
The elders had no choice but to activate their cultivation, enveloping their respective sect's disciples to ward off the biting cold.
“Heavenly Cold Winter God Force!”
Zhuo Bufan was astonished. “The Sect Leader passed down this cultivation technique to you? It is the highest secret of successive generations of Sect Leaders. Only those who have taken over the position of Sect Leader will be taught this technique. Why did he teach it to you?”
Duan Jingtian said proudly, “Because I am destined to be the next Sect Leader of the Spring Autumn Sect. Zhuo Bufan, obstructing me now is tantamount to obstructing the sect's future. Consider the consequences carefully!”
The elders of the three other great sects were also appalled.
They had naturally heard of Heavenly Cold Winter God Force—an earth tier cultivation technique and the emblem of the Spring Autumn Sect's Sect Leader.
Traditionally, it was only passed down to the new Sect Leader, but Duan Jingtian, not yet having assumed the position, was already cultivating it—a clear indication of his impending leadership.
“Zhuo Bufan, although you hold the esteemed position of the Outer Sect Master, I am the inner sect’s number one holy disciple, personally taught by the Sect Leader and the next Sect Leader of the Spring Autumn Sect. I’m abiding by the sect’s rules and punishing the sinful beast who killed his fellow disciples. Are you certain you wish to oppose me?”
Duan Jingtian's hands were folded behind his back, exuding an air of superiority that dismissed even Zhuo Bufan, the Outer Sect Master.
Zhuo Bufan was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Chen Fan suddenly erupted into maniacal laughter. “Abiding by the sect’s rules? Good one! The winner is king, and the loser is a thief. If you want to take my life, you should be prepared to risk your own!”
“Duan Jingtian!” Chen Fan shouted angrily, firmly determined, “You proclaim yourself as the future Sect Leader of the Spring Autumn Sect, yet your words are nonsense. Zhong Li and his associates are members of Heaven's Alliance, your lackeys and subordinates. I merely dealt with those who serve you and wounded your pride, and now you speak of righteousness. Have you no shame?
“Moreover, my guilt or innocence is not for you to decide! So what if you’re the number one holy disciple of the inner sect? So what if the Sect Leader teaches you personally? Is cultivating the Heavenly Cold Winter God Force really that big of a deal?
“Your status remains that of a disciple until you assume the role of Sect Leader. By what authority do you represent the sect in punishing me?!”
Chen Fan was unyielding and determined, his voice resounding through heaven and earth, shaking the people’s hearts.