Chapter 133 - Dignity

“How ridiculous, you’re just an ant!”

Chen Fan's words were met with only a disdainful laugh from Duan Jingtian.

“If I say you’re guilty, then you are guilty," he stated arrogantly, his expression unchanged.

Duan Jingtian’s aura became even more imposing and overbearing, making the Yuanfu realm elders nearby feel a strong sense of oppression.

“Move, retreat further away!” urged Leng Feng and others loudly.

Duan Jingtian's oppressive aura rendered even the Yuanfu realm elders powerless, forcing them to tremble and withdraw.

With a casual sweep of their sleeves, the elders guided their disciples to another mountain peak, a strategic retreat to escape Duan Jingtian's formidable pressure.

The outer sect elders of the Spring Autumn Sect also whisked away Mu Chen and the others, their stern gazes fixed on the platform of Dragon Mountain Peak.

“Scary. It's truly terrifying!"

“Exactly how strong is Duan Jingtian? Is he a step away from the Divine Nascent realm?”

“His cultivation is at least at the sixth or seventh level of the Core Formation realm!”

“......”

The elders from the other three great sects huddled in hushed discussion, their voices tinged with fear.

Ignoring those conversations, Duan Jingtian took a confident step forward, causing a shift in the atmosphere. The sky darkened as heavy snowflakes, carried by the forceful wind, began to descend.

Whoosh, whoosh...

“You laughable, sinful beast. If I, Duan Jingtian, wish to kill you, who would dare object? My words carry the authority of heaven!” Duan Jingtian's tone resonated with immense force, displaying tyrannical dominance over everything.

His words were the rules—the very might of heaven.

If he, Duan Jingtian, wished to kill someone, who would dare object?

“Your words are the rules? The might of heaven?”

Chen Fan, however, reacted with disdain and roared in a mad frenzy, “Regardless of your strength, you're merely a Spring Autumn Sect disciple. If your words are the rules, what are these rules?”

“You’re nothing but an ant. How dare you question my words! Die!”

Duan Jingtian's cold words marked the beginning of his decisive action. With a forceful palm strike, he unleashed a torrent that seemed to reverse winds and clouds, making mountain rivers flow in the opposite direction.

Chen Fan felt like his soul would shatter and dissipate under this palm. The terrifying aura had engulfed him, rendering him utterly powerless.

As Chen Fan faced imminent death at the hands of Duan Jingtian, Zhuo Bufan intervened again.

He thrust his palm, and the space quaked, his strength colliding with Duan Jingtian's impending strike.

Rumble!

The mountains quivered, and gusts of wind wreaked havoc, extending several miles.

A glint of murderous intent emanated from Duan Jingtian's eyes as he uttered coldly, “Zhuo Bufan, this is the second time you've obstructed me. Are you truly willing to make an enemy of me, Duan Jingtian, for the sake of an insignificant ant? Do you believe I lack the courage to act against you? Are you prepared to experience the might of the Heavenly Cold Winter God Force?”

Duan Jingtian’s aura shot up to the skies, shocking heaven and earth.

Zhuo Bufan's heart quivered, faltering in the face of Duan Jingtian's overwhelming aura.

“Move out of the way,” Duan Jingtian said slowly.

As his voice fell, one of Zhuo Bufan’s legs shifted slightly.

Duan Jingtian's talent was astonishing, placing him among the top echelons, even if not yet at the level of overlooking the entire Great Chu Empire.

Moreover, the Sect Leader had personally chosen him as his successor. He had even imparted the Heavenly Cold Winter God Force to Duan Jingtian before he had even assumed the sect leader position. He would take control from the current Sect Leader in a matter of years.

Considering all this, was it truly worth antagonizing Duan Jingtian for Chen Fan?

Chen Fan had naturally noticed this subtle scene, a sense of sorrow enveloping him. It was the sorrow of the weak.

Duan Jingtian had targeted him, threatening to end his life. Why? Because Chen Fan had challenged the Heaven's Alliance's authority by killing He Junyang and incapacitating Zhong Li's group in the blessed land.

Duan Jingtian noticed Zhuo Bufan's foot movement, a faint smile playing on his lips.

This was Duan Jingtian’s prestige!

So what if he was the Outer Sect Master?

In front of him, Zhuo Bufan had to submit and move out of the way all the same.

“Now, who can possibly save you?”

Duan Jingtian’s indifferent gaze shifted onto Chen Fan.

The oppressive force, akin to the might of heaven, enveloped him again, rendering Chen Fan immobile as if bound by invisible shackles.

“Ah! Ah! Ah!”

Despite Chen Fan's vehement attempts to move and break free, his furious roars echoed in vain.

“Even an ant wants to shake a tree?” Duan Jingtian laughed coldly and slapped with the back of his hand without looking.

Rumble!

Instead, an unseen force ruptured the qi currents, as if the pillar supporting the sky had crumbled, disintegrating the primeval qi within Chen Fan. Now, he couldn’t even voice his indignation.

Helplessly pressed to the ground, countless bones broken, Chen Fan prostrated. A surge of boundless hatred welled up within him.

Hatred!

Boundless hatred rose in Chen Fan’s heart.

He had believed he had reclaimed his lost dignity, only for it to be mercilessly stripped away again by Duan Jingtian's overwhelming strength.

Ah, I want to become an unrivaled expert. I want to instigate change, justice, and retribution in this world... But now, I can’t even protect my own dignity. What good are these aspirations now?

For the first time, Chen Fan realized just how weak he was. He desperately needed strength!

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

No matter what, I need powerful strength!

Only with strength can I have my dignity!

And only with dignity can I talk about ideals!

I need strength...!

Chen Fan roared in his heart and struggled as hard as he could, but he was utterly powerless.

Before Duan Jingtian, he was so weak that resistance seemed futile, rendering him no more than an ant, a mere speck of dust.

Zhuo Bufan's gaze reflected his internal conflict. Eventually, he took a deep breath and said, “Duan Jingtian, although Chen Fan violated the rules and killed a fellow disciple, he did achieve great merit in Dragon Mountain Blessed Land. Can you spare his life?”

Although he gave in, he wanted to fight for Chen Fan one last time.

Even if Duan Jingtian rejected his plea, he would have no regret in his heart. He had done all he could.

“Oh, since Sect Master Zhuo is pleading for him, fine. I’ll cripple his cultivation and spare his worthless life as a warning to others!” Duan Jingtian said, raising his eyebrow.

Zhuo Bufan nodded and said, “Much thanks.”

This was the best result he could fight for Chen Fan.

Duan Jingtian was too forceful. Who knew if his ascent to Spring Autumn Sect's sect leader position would be a blessing or a curse?

“Sinful bastard, just be an honest commoner in the future.”

Duan Jingtian didn’t say anything more. He raised his palm, about to destroy Chen Fan’s cultivation.

“Hold it right there!”

However, someone interrupted suddenly. A voice echoed, and a figure materialized in front of Chen Fan—none other than the Pavilion Guard Elder from the outer sect's Martial Arts Pavilion.