Chapter 335 - Repelled with a Single Spear

Xin Wuming came riding his sword, drawing the attention of everyone, including Chen Fan.

He had a slender figure, bordering on thinness, dressed in grayish-white attire. While not conventionally handsome, his sharp eyebrows and piercing gaze added a distinct aura to his otherwise ordinary appearance.

Back when Chen Fan had just entered the ruined ancient city, he heard people yelling Xin Wuming’s name and also saw him killing those people. However, he didn’t see the man himself.

Chen Fan was seeing Xin Wuming for the first time.

Xin Wuming was ranked third on the Influential Figures Leaderboard, was known as the Sword Demon, and had killed countless people. [1]

His moniker not only highlighted his exceptional swordsmanship but also hinted at his ruthless nature.

Under the crowd’s watchful gaze, he descended, looked at Zi Ling, and greeted, “Long time no see, Zi Ling.”

Among the individuals here, only Zi Ling warranted his acknowledgment. Others, including Jiu Wuxue and Jin Tao, both within the top ten of the Influential Figures Leaderboard, weren’t qualified to get his attention. Their rankings, eighth and ninth, paled in comparison to the top five.

Since Xin Wuming ignored them, the others in the crowd never even had a chance.

“Long time no see,” Zi Ling greeted calmly, nodding slightly.

Xin Wuming didn’t say much. He directed his stern gaze toward the lake and that light of destruction.

After a brief scrutiny, he remarked, “Looking at this situation, it should take another half an hour before the light of destruction dissipates. That's when we can enter the Nebulous Battle Palace."

He promptly settled into a cross-legged position and closed his eyes in meditation.

His actions dumbfounded the crowd, but no one dared to speak. After all, no one wanted to disturb the Sword Demon.

Meanwhile, Chen Fan had already shifted his focus away from Xin Wuming. He had formed his estimate of Xin Wuming's strength.

Xin Wuming was on par with Xue Tianhe. Seventy to eighty percent of his illusory core had solidified, so he was just a step away from reaching the Core Formation realm.

However, Chen Fan couldn’t tell who would win between Xin Wuming and Xue Tianhe.

Chen Fan also sat down cross-legged on the ground and pondered.

Will Xue Tianhe come? The phenomenon is conspicuous and visible throughout the entire mysterious realm.

A sharp light flickered in Chen Fan’s eyes.

No, Xue Tianhe probably wouldn’t dare to show himself. He’s a blood demon, after all. Exposing himself would mark him as a public enemy. Even if he had three heads and six arms, he would die if everyone here attacked him together.

Meanwhile, a dozen blood-red figures stood on a mountaintop roughly five miles away, their gaze fixed on the rainbow lake.

Being their leader, Xue Tianhe was among the group, standing at the front.

A blood demon at the peak of the ninth level looked at the rainbow pillar and licked his lips as a fiery look flashed across his eyes. He looked at Xue Tianhe and asked, “Xue Tianhe, are we really not going to get involved?”

Xue Tianhe said plainly, “I won’t stop you guys if you want to head to your deaths; do as you please. The Nebulous Divine Palace is our holy cult’s nemesis. The Nebulous Battle Palace is the core of the mysterious realm. The battle palace’s power will kill us before we can even obtain any treasures. You can go if you think you can withstand the battle palace’s power.”

A flash of indignation crossed the face of the ninth-level blood demon. He didn’t argue, as he knew that Xue Tianhe was just stating a fact.

Ignoring them, Xue Tianhe's gaze remained fixed ahead. His nose twitched slightly, and a stern look flashed across his eyes. He mumbled, “That guy managed to escape, as I thought. I can already smell his vitality...”

He had already picked up the scent of Chen Fan’s vitality. Xue Tianhe narrowed his eyes, aware that he couldn’t do anything to Chen Fan for now.

Too many onlookers surrounded the lake. Even a tiger would struggle against such a pack of wolves.

The dozen or so people behind Xue Tianhe were still whispering among themselves.

Xue Tianhe said, “No need to feel dejected. We’ll head over after they enter the battle palace. The Nebulous Battle Palace serves as a trial ground; most won't overcome its challenges. Once these weaker people are out, it will be our turn to feast.

“This time, I will feed to my heart's content, fully condensing my blood core and advancing into the Core Formation realm. By then, even if Xin Wuming, Zi Ling, and their ilk unite, they will serve as nothing more than my blood sustenance.”

A dangerous light shot out from Xue Tianhe’s eyes.

“Alright, we’ll do as you say. We’ll bury all these people in the mysterious realm and end the younger generation of the Wuning Empire.”

The dozen or so individuals' eyes sparkled with anticipation, and they erupted into applause and cheers.

......

People were still rushing over from all directions, kicking off dust clouds.

Soon, the lake's surroundings were covered with heads, numbering close to a thousand people.

Surveying his surroundings, Chen Fan couldn't help but lament inwardly. Only about a thousand of the four to five thousand who had entered the Nebulous Mysterious Realm survived. This kind of mortality rate was too horrifying.

Yet, it was an inevitable outcome. This was a trial ground, where death was an anticipated outcome—either at the hands of others snatching their treasures or at the claws of ancient demon beasts lurking within.

Suddenly, a sound resembling a thunderclap rang out.

Rumble...

𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The crowd looked over and recognized the newcomer.

“Oh, Qiu Beihai is here.”

Qiu Beihai was late because he had been very far from here.

As soon as he arrived, he sighed in relief when he saw that the crowd was still there. He scanned the area and spotted Xin Wuming, Zi Ling, Jiu Wuxue, and the others; his gaze became slightly more serious.

He was also a monstrous genius in the top ten of the leaderboard, but there was still a notable gap in strength between him and the top five. This discrepancy was especially pronounced between the top and bottom halves of the top ten.

Among the top ten rankers of the leaderboard, the mysterious realm had Xin Wuming and Zi Ling from the top five. As for the bottom five, the sixth and seventh rankers weren’t here, while the other three were present.

Suddenly, Qiu Beihai’s gaze settled on Chen Fan.

Immediately, his aura surged to the sky, rolling with killing intent. He roared angrily, “Bastard, let’s see where you’ll run to this time!”

Chen Fan had also seen Qiu Beihai. However, his expression remained unchanged, and he said indifferently, “Run? I fought you to a draw when I was at the seventh level. Do you think you’re still a match for me now that I am at the eighth level? Oh, right, you’re in the Illusory Core realm, after all. You can ignite your illusory core, but the question is, do you dare to?”

Chen Fan's face twisted with derision.

“Hmph, cut the crap. So what if you’ve broken through to the eighth level? Die! Cleaving Through Heaven!”

With a forceful kick, he lunged at Chen Fan, his aura pulsating, sending shockwaves through the surroundings. A blood-colored saber light pierced through the heavens and chopped down violently at Chen Fan.

A glint of resolve flashed in Chen Fan's eyes as an iron spear materialized in his hand. He thrust it toward the formidable blood-colored saber light.

“Get lost!”

Rumble!

An intense explosion rang out. The blood-colored light shot out crazily, dying the surrounding space crimson.

After that singular exchange, Qiu Beihai fell back repeatedly, leaving behind a trail of deep footprints.

Thump, thump, thump!

On the contrary, Chen Fan stood straight on the spot with his spear, exuding an aura reaching for the heavens.

“How is it?” Chen Fan asked proudly, looking at Qiu Beihai.

1. Mentioned in 316, but he was called murderous demon there. Let’s just go with Sword Demon. ☜