“Transcend everything, wander freely, exist eternally in freedom. But who can truly last forever? And how easy is it to be free? Ten thousand years of our Holy Sect’s great cause, a hundred ancient ancestors—has even one of them achieved eternity, or tasted true freedom? Elder Liang, can you last forever? What is the purpose of cultivating martial arts? It is to push one’s limits, to act upon one’s emotions and vendettas freely, and to protect what is most important. Once you enter the sect, you are no longer free. Whether you are a gifted disciple or a servant, each of you is an indispensable part of the sect.”
“The strength of the sect determines your strength; its decline determines your decline. As a member of the sect, you must devote all your heart and soul to make the sect even stronger. Where is the freedom in that…” At this moment, Lin Fan became unusually talkative. Regardless of whether the other understood or not, he bombarded him with a torrent of words, leaving him speechless.
Of course Lin Fan agreed with the idea of eternity and freedom—what was the point of cultivation if not to pursue such ideals?
But now, seeing the old man acting so arrogantly, Lin Fan couldn’t help but feel the urge to put him in his place.
Sure, this might earn the old man’s dislike, but Lin Fan wasn’t afraid. After all, he was a member of the Holy Sect, not the Jiuxiao Sect—what harm could the other possibly do to him?
“Great! Master Lin, your words are absolutely brilliant…”
“Master Lin, every word you speak is the truth. Cultivation is about protecting what matters most to us. My talent is nothing special, so how could I ever hope to achieve eternity and freedom?”
…
The disciples of the Holy Sect voiced their agreement one after another. Though they were on Lin Fan’s side, his words had deeply moved them.
Some disciples had mediocre talent, and their cultivation progress had stagnated. To chase eternity and freedom was like chasing a dream. But Lin Fan’s words gave them new purpose.
As disciples of the sect, they naturally wished for its growing strength. Therefore, they must pour all their efforts into safeguarding the sect and helping it flourish.
…
At this moment, Liang Yichu was momentarily stunned. He had been completely silenced by this junior and didn’t even know how to counter.
Especially that line—”Can you achieve eternity and freedom?”—left Liang Yichu at a loss for words.
Among the ancestors of the Jiuxiao Sect throughout history, who had ever achieved such freedom and eternity? None whatsoever.
And himself—could he achieve eternity and freedom? That was just a fool’s dream.
“Sigh, people always think cultivation is a good path, but they don’t realize that once you step into the cultivation world, it’s like entering a deep sea, far more complicated than imagined.” At this moment, Lin Fan shook his head and sighed, speaking with the air of an old sage.
At this moment, Lin Fan had truly shown off.
Wu Ya stared at Lin Fan in astonishment. He never expected this young man to say such words, and upon reflection, they actually held a bit of truth.
“Hmph!”
Just then, a sharp, fierce sword intent suddenly erupted.
“Buzz…”
A long sword flew from the void. Its sharp, dark light seemed to sever everything, tearing through space with violent tremors, as if it could tear reality apart at any moment.
“Survival of the fittest, the strong devour the weak. Only the weak seek excuses to escape. The strong firm their hearts—eternal freedom is the highest realm. Regret nothing in this life, even in failure, as long as you follow your heart. Dare you face my sword?” At this moment, Xin Feng’s long hair danced wildly, his eyes sharp like sword blades, slicing through all obstacles before him.
The sword pointed directly at Lin Fan.
“Dare you face my sword!” Xin Feng coldly declared.
He was furious inside. This man was even more arrogant than himself. Even the elder had been left speechless. As a gifted disciple of the Jiuxiao Sect, he must restore the sect’s honor.
He would use his strongest sword intent to show this opponent the gap between them. No matter how eloquent the words, before absolute power, pride must bow.
A faint smile flickered across Liang Yichu’s face, but he quickly masked it with a look of displeasure. “Disciple, how can you act like this? Quickly withdraw your sword intent. If you disturb the juniors from the Holy Sect, you will have committed a grave offense.”
Xin Feng’s expression remained unchanged. His eyes burned like stars, locked onto Lin Fan. He did not retreat even slightly at his master’s words.
He had followed his master for over a decade and understood every nuance of his words and actions.
At this moment, though his master seemed to be scolding him, Xin Feng clearly understood the hidden meaning.
“Release it. Show them your strength…”
Under the pressure of this sword intent, some of the Holy Sect disciples with lower cultivation began to pale, sweat dripping from their brows. The sword intent felt like a mountain pressing heavily upon their hearts. Like sharp blades, it tore at their spirits, filling them with fear.
The gifted disciples of the Jiuxiao Sect tilted their mouths into smirks.
Their senior was angry. He was showing them the gap in strength.
Before they came, the elder had already analyzed everything for them.
Three years ago, the gifted disciple named Qiongqi had been imprisoned for killing a fellow disciple. Now, there was no pillar to support them. As for Zong Hentian, though strong, he was still far inferior to Xin Feng.
Thus, at this moment, Xin Feng’s sword intent surged, forming a domain of sword energy. None among the Holy Sect disciples could resist.
“This sword is no ordinary one. What is it?” Lin Fan, hands behind his back, stepped forward calmly, his gaze peaceful as he stared into Xin Feng’s sharp eyes.
“A sword is just a sword…” Xin Feng replied coldly, his eyes like twin swords of boundless sword intent, exuding a piercing aura.
“If that’s the case, why not let me take a swing? Hand it over.” At this moment, Lin Fan exuded an overbearing confidence, his eyes sweeping across the world as if nothing could compare.
Xin Feng snorted coldly. With a buzz, the sword flew from his hand into Lin Fan’s.
“A sword has only one master. Handle it with care.” Xin Feng stared at Lin Fan. This sword was filled with supreme sword intent. Anyone other than its master who wielded it would suffer the torment of the sword’s spirit. Yet, he didn’t mind. He wanted Lin Fan to understand just how terrifying this sword truly was.
Lin Fan grasped the sword, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
“Ding! Congratulations, ‘Indestructible Demon Body’ gained 10,000 experience.”
The moment he gripped the sword, Lin Fan felt a fierce sword intent surge through it and into his body. But unfortunately, it had absolutely no effect on him.
The gifted disciples of the Jiuxiao Sect were shocked to see that Lin Fan could even hold Xin Feng’s sword. They couldn’t believe their eyes.
Liang Yichu’s smile, which had lingered on his face, gradually faded.
This Holy Sect disciple was strange. His apprentice’s sword had been infused with endless sword intent through years of cultivation.
Yet this disciple showed no reaction at all. It was simply unbelievable.
“This is indeed a fine sword. A pity, though.” Lin Fan said calmly, shaking his head in regret.
Then, in an instant that stunned everyone, something shocking happened.
Lin Fan raised the sword in one hand and brought it down heavily on his own body.
Clang!
The sound of metal shattering echoed.
The moment Xin Feng’s sword touched Lin Fan’s body, it shattered into pieces, scattering across the ground.
This…
Everyone was completely stunned, even Wu Ya and Liang Yichu were momentarily taken aback.
“Dare you face my brick?” At this moment, Lin Fan extended his right hand, revealing a red brick.
It was an ordinary brick, with no distinguishing features.
Yet in Lin Fan’s hand, in that particular pose, it exuded an overwhelming pressure.
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