Unrivaled Martial Emperor

Three days later, Chen Fan returned to the sect and learned about the outcome of the battle between Duan Jingtian and Zhong Ya.

“As expected of Senior Brother Duan Jingtian. He’s truly unrivaled. He used only a hundred moves to defeat Zhong Ya, bringing glory to our Spring Autumn Sect!”

“The battle was incomparably intense. The treasure Zhong Ya obtained helped him reach the seventh level of the Core Formation realm. He executed the Holy Light Judgement but was still defeated by Senior Brother’s Heavenly Cold Winter God Force that froze the surroundings with the Snowfilled Universe. The technique’s simply unbeatable.

“Senior Brother Duan Jingtian is now at the eighth level and stronger than almost all Grand Elders in the sect. He’s the role model and symbol of our Spring Autumn Sect.”

“......”

Disciples with higher cultivation levels, having already returned to the sect, engaged in animated discussions about the recent battle on Tianmen Mountain. Their faces reflected enthusiasm as if they had personally participated in the fight.

“Look, it’s Chen Fan.”

“It’s really him. I saw him at Tianmen Mountain. He went to watch the fight, too. Senior Brother’s unrivaled might must have shaken him badly. He is likely filled with regret now.”

“Haha, and he thought he could fight Senior Brother Duan Jingtian in three years. That’s like the classic example of overestimating yourself. Is he even worthy?”

When some people saw Chen Fan, they immediately spoke louder, mocking him.

Following Duan Jingtian’s overwhelming victory against Zhong Ya, his prestige within the sect had reached an unprecedented pinnacle. He had become the idol of countless individuals, including core disciples and even some holy disciples.

Chen Fan was also shocked when he heard their discussion.

True to his words, Duan Jingtian had defeated Zhong Ya with only a hundred moves.

Duan Jingtian was at the eighth level of the Core Formation realm!

Chen Fan's mood turned somber as he quickened his pace and returned to his residence.

As more days passed, more disciples returned from Tianmen Mountain, and the entire sect buzzed with discussions about the Tianmen Mountain battle.

......

Chen Fan exited his residence, preparing to return to his clan.

As he walked, all he heard was discussions about Duan Jingtian’s battle at Tianmen Mountain. And there weren’t any signs of it stopping any time soon.

"Senior Brother Duan Jingtian fulfilled his words, decisively defeating Zhong Ya in a hundred moves. His divine might is unparalleled."

"I believe Senior Brother Duan Jingtian deserves a higher ranking. He could easily secure a spot in the top five."

“That’s right! That day, Zhong Ya said that only the top three of the Geniuses of Heaven Leaderboard could defeat him within a hundred moves. Senior Brother's victory proves he has the strength to break into the top three.”

“......”

Chen Fan walked past with a calm expression.

He had felt a bit down for a while after returning to the sect. Duan Jingtian defeating Zhong Ya in a hundred moves was like a bolt out of the blue for him.

After all, someone as powerful as Zhong Ya had lost to Duan Jingtian in a hundred moves. This was too astounding.

When Duan Jingtian had declared that he would defeat Zhao Ya in a hundred moves, almost everyone thought he was joking, and Chen Fan was no exception.

So, when Duan Jingtian really achieved that feat, the shock was too much.

However, Chen Fan had since regained his composure, unaffected by the previous shock.

As he strolled along a secluded path, a voice tinged with envy nearby disrupted the tranquility.

“Lei Tao, Chu Tiange and the others are really lucky. Senior Brother Duan Jingtian has tasked them with retrieving the Fountain of Life from the Fiendish Corpse Mountain Range. He might even grant them a drop of it.”

“Chu Tiange is already at the peak of the fourth level. If he obtains a drop of the Fountain of Life, he could advance to the fifth level and become a core disciple.”

“I know, right? I want to go, too. To be able to serve Senior Brother Duan Jingtian is a great honor. It’s too bad my cultivation is too low. The Fiendish Corpse Mountain Range is fraught with dangers. Even an expert at the fifth level might perish.”

“I heard Senior Brother Duan Jingtian went to train at Fiendish Corpse Mountain Range a few years ago. He effortlessly dealt with those corpse demons and, by chance, stumbled upon the Fountain of Life's spiritual spring. After consuming its water, his cultivation soared to unprecedented heights.”

“This time, he sent Lei Tao and the others to retrieve the Fountain of Life. I'm certain he's gearing up to advance to the ninth level of the Core Formation realm or perhaps even the Divine Nascent realm.”

“......”

Chen Fan stopped, listening in on their conversation, his eyes flickering.

“Fountain of Life...”

He was familiar with the term, having heard of its legendary properties. This highly coveted fluid was rumored to enhance vitality essence significantly, helping the user advance in cultivation at an unparalleled speed with just a single drop.

The Fountain of Life was the best elixir for martial artists to break through any bottlenecks.

Due to its endless vital essence, consuming a drop of Fountain of Life would allow a Qi Grandmaster to advance immediately to the Yuanfu realm.

Chen Fan didn’t expect to hear news regarding Duan Jingtian and the Fountain of Life here.

“Fiendish Corpse Mountain Range...” fre(e)novelkiss.com

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.

There were four major demonic corpse lands in the Great Chu Empire. They were the Black Corpse Mountain Range, Fiendish Corpse Mountain Range, Heavenly Corpse Mountain Range, and Yin Corpse Mountain Range. [1]

As indicated by their names, these locations were graveyards where corpses were buried.

However, the unique geographical features of these places led to the corpses undergoing mutations over the years, transforming into malevolent entities like jiangshi or corpse demons.

Chen Fan recalled reading about them in a book. They were perilous territories within the Great Chu Empire, teeming with layers of graves harboring jiangshi and corpse demons.

Entering any of these four perilous territories was no different from seeking death.

There, even Thousand-Year Corpse Kings were considered trivial; deeper in, Ten-Thousand-Year Corpse Kings, demons, and various evil spirits gathered to wreak havoc.

Despite the danger, the territories attracted martial artists like flies due to the presence of ancient graves containing numerous treasures, including divine weapons. Many martial artists sought the thrill of exploring these lands despite the inherent risks.

Chen Fan was well aware that a formidable corpse tide would surge from the four perilous territories every sixty years. The Jiangshi Demon King residing in these graveyards would try to invade the mainland and transform more people into jiangshi.

In the Spring Autumn Sect, many disciples liked to kill jiangshis and corpse demons in the peripheral area of these territories to obtain their corpse core. They could be exchanged for contribution points in the sect. fre(e)webnov(l).com

“Duan Jingtian had them go to Fiendish Corpse Mountain Range to obtain the Fountain of Life.”

A cold look appeared in Chen Fan’s eyes. He mumbled to himself, “In that case, I will have to make a trip to the Fiendish Corpse Mountain Range as well.

“The Fountain of Life contains an enormous amount of vitality origin essence. It’s perfect for improving my cultivation by leaps and bounds.

“Duan Jingtian, the Fountain of Life will be mine!”

Foiling Duan Jingtian's plans would bring immense satisfaction to Chen Fan, especially when he considered the additional benefit of obtaining the Fountain of Life.

If he got the Fountain of Life, his cultivation would rise explosively quickly, bolstering his confidence in fulfilling the three-year agreement.

It wouldn’t be good news for him if Duan Jingtian obtained the Fountain of Life and broke through to the ninth level.

1. Black Corpse Mountain Range was first mentioned in 79 along with Blood Valley, when the story cut to a servant informing their master Sir Blood Shirt or Xue Yi, the Third Young Master, is dead. ☜

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