Chapter 572: Conflict

Lin Fan never expected things to turn out like this.

Where had the promise of mutual love and care gone? How could a fellow disciple be punished so easily over a mere disagreement?

All that happened was Tianyun had spoken a word to himself, and now he was to be punished? That was just too domineering.

Wei Tian extended his hand like a claw, locked onto his target with a murderous aura, and lunged toward Tianyun.

“Senior Brother Wei, stop!” Hongyun shouted upon seeing Wei Tian show no restraint, his expression immediately changing.

The “Sky-splitting Claw” could tear through the heavens themselves—how much more so the flesh and blood of Tianyun?

Tianyun’s heart trembled at the sight. He knew this was a warning from his senior brother, but the hierarchy in Yunzong was strict, and he dared not fight back.

Even if he did, he knew he wouldn’t stand a chance against Wei Tian.

Just at that moment, Tianyun suddenly noticed a figure stepping in front of him.

When Wei Tian saw the human blocking his path, he sneered inwardly. Without hesitation, he increased his force, his fingers radiating sharp, gleaming light as he aimed for Lin Fan’s shoulder, hoping to crush it entirely.

Crack!

A crisp sound rang out—but it wasn’t the sound of Lin Fan’s shoulder breaking. At the very moment Wei Tian’s fingers touched Lin Fan’s shoulder, all five fingers twisted violently, as if struck by an invisible force.

A sword intent pierced through Lin Fan’s shoulder and surged into Wei Tian’s arm.

Blood splattered, flying into the air.

Aaah!

A scream echoed out as Wei Tian staggered backward. His right hand looked as if pierced by countless blades, riddled with countless bloody holes, from which blood continued to gush.

“You…” Wei Tian glared furiously at Lin Fan, but the pain forced a cry from his throat. The lingering sword intent still burned within his arm.

“Tianyun is your junior brother. It’s understandable for you, as his senior, to discipline him. However, Tianyun is my friend. To bully my friend in front of me is to show no respect for me, Lin Fan. This was just a small warning. If you dare to act out again, I’ll sever that arm of yours without hesitation.” Lin Fan declared, exuding overwhelming pressure.

Wei Tian burned with rage. He hadn’t expected this man to dare strike back, let alone wound his arm.

But he understood the gap between himself and Lin Fan.

Yet, with so many fellow disciples watching, how could he possibly back down and lose face?

“You, the suspicious human who snuck into Yunzong, must have ulterior motives. Everyone, seize him together!” Wei Tian roared furiously.

“Stop!” Hongyun stepped between them. “Senior Brother Wei, we are currently inside the Secret Waterfire Realm. Fighting amongst ourselves now would be extremely unwise.”

“Little Sister Hongyun, are you siding with this human now?” Wei Tian’s anger had not subsided, and he was unwilling to back off. “Even if Senior Brother Liuhen favors you, don’t blame me if I show no mercy to you either.”

“Hongyun, whatever relationship I have with Senior Brother Liu is irrelevant. If the elders learn of your recklessness, they certainly won’t spare you either,” Hongyun replied.

“Junior Brother Wei, step back,” Fang Weifeng suddenly stepped forward. His aura was imposing, like towering mountains, vast and mighty.

“Senior Brother, but I—” Wei Tian was unwilling to accept this, still wanting to reclaim his dignity.

“Step back!” Though Fang Weifeng’s tone remained calm, to Wei Tian, refusing again would surely provoke his senior brother’s wrath.

“Senior Brother Fang, I hope you can make the final decision here, and that we can unite our efforts to survive this Secret Waterfire Realm,” Hongyun pleaded.

Fang Weifeng’s expression darkened. “Little Sister Hongyun, you step back as well.”

“Senior Brother…” Seeing the expression on Fang’s face, Hongyun felt a sense of foreboding.

“Step back!” Fang Weifeng roared. Invisible sound waves and martial force blasted Hongyun away—a display of immense power.

Watching this unfold, Lin Fan knew this matter wouldn’t end peacefully. What frustrated him was that he had done nothing wrong, yet was repeatedly oppressed.

It was true indeed that kindness invites bullying.

If he had shown his full strength and dominance from the start, the outcome might have been different.

“Lin, be careful. Senior Brother Fang is very strong,” Tianyun whispered behind Lin Fan.

He was also filled with resentment. What good was being a fellow disciple if everything still came down to strength?

Lin Fan nodded, then stepped forward, staring directly at Fang Weifeng. “If you want a fight, then let’s have one. Lin Fan has never feared anyone.”

“Hmph, bold words. Wei’s defeat is his own fault, but interfering in a senior disciple’s correction of a junior is an insult to Yunzong itself. Today, I’ll see what power you possess to justify harming another,” Fang Weifeng snapped.

“Lin Fan, don’t act rashly!” Hongyun stepped in front of Lin Fan.

Lin Fan released a wave of energy, gently pushing Hongyun aside.

“This no longer concerns you. Stand aside and watch. Besides, I’ve been itching for a fight. Let’s see if Yunzong’s disciples are even worthy of surviving in this Secret Waterfire Realm.”

Lin Fan feared no one, least of all trash like this. If they wouldn’t listen to reason, they had only themselves to blame for being crushed.

The surrounding disciples were equally stunned. None had expected things to escalate to this point.

But now that Senior Brother Fang was stepping in, none of them dared interfere.

With no other choice, Hongyun reluctantly stepped back, worry evident in her heart.

Fighting here could bring disaster to anyone injured.

“Lin Fan, please show mercy,” Hongyun pleaded, knowing Lin Fan’s strength. If Fang were killed, the consequences would be catastrophic. Even with her intervention, the sect would never forgive Lin Fan.

“Rest assured, I know my limits. Someone as weak as him dares to challenge my authority? If I don’t teach him a painful lesson, he’ll never know there are those greater than himself,” Lin Fan scoffed disdainfully.

“Arrogant fool! You dare call me weak? Today, no one will save your life!” Fang Weifeng’s eyes burned with murderous intent as he prepared to strike with deadly force.

Lin Fan’s lips curled into a cold smile. A second-tier Divine Realm expert—barely stronger than a thousand bats. Daring to provoke him was nothing short of suicide.

“Die!” Fang Weifeng roared, his entire body surging with power. His robes flapped like a banner in the wind.

He moved, his figure flickering. His energy surged like a flood, converging into his palm as a palm strike roared toward Lin Fan with deafening force.

In an instant, Fang Weifeng’s form multiplied, illusions appearing in every direction—false and real, indistinguishable.

The surrounding disciples tensed, uncertain of what would happen next.