Silence. It wasn't enough to just be loud; Lin Fan also had to be incredibly strong. He was already this powerful, yet he still dared to joke around. He'd already said twice to stop talking, but they just kept going. How could they not make Lin Fan angry?
Finally, quiet descended. The Divine Monk pressed his palms together, his eyelids twitching as he chanted a Buddhist prayer. A sense of foreboding washed over him. It seemed he had misjudged. This young man before him was extraordinary. He had initially mistaken him for an ordinary person, but now it was clear he was anything but. Otherwise, how could he possess such an imposing aura?
The Demonic Dao Master and other hidden experts felt a jolt, their blood churning. Just his voice alone caused such a reaction in them. It was terrifying.
"You can leave," Lin Fan said. He enjoyed making new friends, but now was clearly not the time. With so many people present, he couldn't entertain them all. Zhao Zhenle seemed troubled and needed comforting. He could also see that she didn't like these people.
The Divine Monk shook his head and sighed. "For Benefactor, does right and wrong hold no meaning?"
"Right and wrong are no longer important to me. My friend doesn't like you," Lin Fan replied. This question was interesting. He thought about the requirements of his mission. If that were the case, it would be simple. He would always choose his friend. Anyone he considered a friend was definitely not a problem. Even if there were issues, they were temporary. As long as they accepted his guidance, there wouldn't be any problems at all.
"Divine Monk, there's no need for further discussion. Regardless, this demon cannot be spared. Otherwise, she will become a scourge. Allow me to deal with this." Qin Ge spoke, then looked at Lin Fan. "Whether you choose to help a tyrant is your affair. I'm giving you a chance now. Step aside, and this matter won't involve you. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Zhao Zhenle wanted to intervene. It was this guy who had injured her earlier. That sword strike was terrifying. Even if she cultivated the Nine Nether Divine Scripture to its highest realm, she would still be no match for him. She didn't want Lin Fan to risk himself. But just as she was about to step forward, Lin Fan pulled her back and shook his head at her. The message was clear: you don't need to intervene, leave everything to me.
"Please," Lin Fan extended his hand, making a gesture of invitation. He didn't want to fight against weaklings. It would easily lead to misunderstandings, making them think he was bullying them, which could affect their self-esteem. Losing was difficult, and not everyone could understand the true nature of winning and losing.
Qin Ge faced Lin Fan with his sword, noticing Zhao Zhenle's gaze. Her eyes held a warning, as if to say, if you dare hurt him, I will make you pay the price, even if it costs me my life. Faced with such a look, Qin Ge felt a flicker of concern. Zhao Zhenle's strength was undeniable. If she truly went all out against him, it would undoubtedly cause him considerable trouble.
But was he afraid? That was a joke. He was definitely not afraid. If he were, he wouldn't have stepped forward.
His growth had been legendary, so unbelievable that no one would believe him if he told them. That's why he never told anyone that it had only taken him a few days to cultivate to his current level of power.
He had fallen off a cliff, accidentally eaten a strange fruit, and instantly become a master. Then, while searching for a way out, he encountered a massive python with horns, possibly a Flood Dragon, but it was dead. He was hungry and prepared to eat the dragon meat, but discovered a corpse inside the dragon's belly. At first, he didn't know who the corpse was.
But later, after venturing into the world, he discovered that the corpse was the renowned old alchemist, specializing in refining pills. He had found a jade bottle on the corpse containing a single pill. After swallowing it, his power surged, instantly propelling him into the ranks of the world's invincible.
Later, he found his way out, but encountered a thunderstorm. He sought shelter under a tree, but a bolt of lightning struck him directly. What good was his great power if he couldn't contend with the heavens?
But unexpectedly, the lightning didn't kill him. Instead, it filled his mind with unimaginable techniques and a fragment of memory.
Sword Immortal Bai Fengqiu.
He had no idea who Sword Immortal Bai Fengqiu was. Later, he learned that Bai Fengqiu was a peerless expert from hundreds of years ago who had achieved enlightenment through the sword, an invincible figure for over a century. He later died in a heavenly tribulation, his consciousness dissipating, but his memories coalesced within the lightning, traversing centuries.
The lightning that struck Qin Ge was the same one that had struck Bai Fengqiu.
Later on, something even more miraculous happened. He encountered an old man who, seeing his extraordinary physique, insisted on taking him as a disciple. Thinking that since he had just gained new abilities, having someone to guide him would be good, he stayed with the old man for several years.
Then came the task of subduing the demon Zhao Zhenle. His master transferred his entire life's cultivation to him, saying that the peace of the world needed him to uphold it, and that all hope rested on his shoulders. Thus, he gained a hundred years of cultivation for free.
Fate was truly wondrous. In the blink of an eye, he had encountered opportunities that others wouldn't encounter in several lifetimes. Sometimes, Qin Ge wanted to praise himself. Wasn't he the son of Heaven? In a flash, after a series of bewildering events, he had become the powerful figure he was today.
Now, with Lin Fan's challenge, Qin Ge's aura transformed. An invisible force erupted, causing the weapons in the hands of the surrounding experts to hum. This was a testament to Qin Ge's high level of swordsmanship, which resonated with other weapons.
The Divine Monk marveled. The weapons of experts were perfectly attuned to their owners, some even achieving a state of unity between human and sword. Yet, they were still affected. It had to be said, Qin Ge's strength was truly formidable.
"Don't blame me." Qin Ge swung his arm, and the long sword in his hand radiated light. Ten thousand sword beams erupted, their power vast and unstoppable.
"So weak." Lin Fan shook his head helplessly. He brought his fingers together and pushed his palm forward. In an instant, a fierce gale erupted, engulfing everyone.
There were no screams. Clearly, no one was injured.
Soon, the gale dissipated. Everyone looked at each other, then realized they were barely clothed. Those in better condition had tattered clothes, while the less fortunate had only a few strips of cloth covering them.
"What... what happened?" someone exclaimed, completely bewildered. What had just transpired?
They covered their groins, their chests, some clutching their legs tightly. Their situations differed, but their expressions were the same – bewildered by the current situation.
Qin Ge stared, looking down at the sword in his hand. The ten thousand sword beams he had unleashed had vanished without a trace, not even creating a ripple.
"What did you do?" He couldn't believe what had just happened. It was too surreal.
Lin Fan said, "I didn't do anything. You are all very weak. I didn't want to hurt you because I know Zhenle might have done something wrong. But if you want to punish her, I won't allow it."
"Leave. Don't interfere in this matter. I will educate Zhenle."
He wanted to control his own power, and he knew they were truly weak. If he used the Demon Subduing Seal or his own flames, they would die horribly. He couldn't bear it. There was no helping it; kind-hearted people had this flaw. They needed to use troublesome methods to resolve issues.
Hearing the word "educate," Zhao Zhenle blushed. Educate, discipline... Regardless of what others thought, that's how Zhao Zhenle interpreted it. She even felt a sense of anticipation in this serious situation.
She lowered her head, biting her finger, the killing intent in her eyes dissipating as an image formed in her mind.
Inside a room, she, having made a mistake, looked tearfully at Lin Fan, who sat on a stool, holding a ruler and slapping his thigh, sternly reprimanding her.
"Come, lie across my lap, stick your bottom up, and let me properly educate you..."
This image... this scenario... made Zhao Zhenle blush.
The surrounding experts, covering themselves, saw the change in Zhao Zhenle's expression and grew anxious. Quickly subdue this kid! Look at that demon, her blood rushing to her face, clearly heavily injured! Miss this opportunity, and there won't be another!
"Impossible!" Qin Ge roared, stabbing his sword into the ground and spreading his arms wide. A powerful aura erupted from him, his long hair flowing behind him.
"I will fight you with all my might!"
With a roar, his aura intensified, and a majestic force descended from the sky, manipulating the scattered weapons around them. With a whoosh, they soared into the sky.
Not only that, but this was the imperial palace, where many guards carried weapons. At this moment, the guards throughout the palace found their weapons flying out of their control, all heading towards the sky.
The Divine Monk's face was grave. Such power, even greater than when he faced Zhao Zhenle earlier.
"I will lend you my strength." The Divine Monk struck out with his palm, power surging into Qin Ge's body.
"Me too."
"And me."
The hidden experts of the world knew that if they didn't join forces, they wouldn't be able to deal with Lin Fan.
Qin Ge's face flushed. The accumulated power was too much for his body to handle, but he was unwilling to give up.
Why?
"Heavenly Sword!"
With Qin Ge's roar, a terrifying aura soared into the sky. When quantity reached a certain point, it would undergo a qualitative change. With a mortal body, he had actually condensed a heavenly sword descending from the heavens.
Although it was just an illusion, everyone could feel the terrifying pressure emanating from the Heavenly Sword.
That was the power of heaven and earth.
"Strike!"
The Heavenly Sword descended towards Lin Fan with unstoppable force, its edge so sharp that the surrounding buildings crumbled without physical contact.
Zhao Zhenle's face paled. Since cultivating the Nine Nether Divine Scripture, she had never felt so powerless. This sword strike was beyond her ability to withstand.
"Oh?"
Lin Fan looked at the Heavenly Sword. It seemed somewhat interesting, but only somewhat. There was nothing else special about it.
"Go, Heavenly Sword, inheriting all our hopes!" Qin Ge shouted, carrying the expectant gazes of everyone. This sword would surely vanquish the demon.
However...
Crack!
Lin Fan raised his hand and pinched the descending giant Heavenly Sword between two fingers. With a slight exertion of force, boom...
The Heavenly Sword cracked, then vanished into thin air.