Chapter 425 - Offer Allegiance

“What!”

Feng Tianxia’s words had shocked Duan Jingtian. He had known about Chen Fan becoming a Core Formation realm expert. After all, Chen Fan’s golden core tribulation was too terrifying.

The entire Spring Autumn Sect was affected. Even when Duan Jingtian was repenting at Black Wind Cliff, he had sensed the unusual atmosphere.

So, Chen Fan advancing to the Core Formation realm was within his expectations.

If he had failed despite obtaining the Extreme Profound Elixir, then it would have meant that Chen Fan was too useless.

However, to think that he was already at the third level. This news was profoundly shocking to him.

How long has it been since Chen Fan advanced to the Core Formation realm?

Only three months!

And in that short span, he had reached the third level. It was as if he was sitting on a rocket and his destinations were cultivation levels. Even Duan Jingitian himself could achieve such an astounding feat.

“It’s no wonder he managed to complete his holy disciple mission...”

An unusual look flashed across Duan Jingtian’s eyes, along with a deep killing intent.

Chen Fan's growth was alarming, making him uneasy

Who knew if he would ascend to the sixth level realm within another three months?

What about a year later?

“Hoho, it seems you also feel threatened by Chen Fan.” Feng Tianxia smiled faintly seeing the look on Duan Jingtian’s face.

Duan Jingtian said coldly, “Speak, why did you come find me? Surely, it's not just to share this."

“I’m here to offer my allegiance," Feng Tianxia announced, his words causing a stir within Duan Jingtian.

“Allegiance?” A cryptic expression crossed Duan Jingtian's face. He chuckled and said, “What do you mean?”

Feng Tianxia didn't beat around the bush. "I'll be frank. I don’t believe Chen Fan will be your match in a year and a half. You are pretty much sure to become the next sect leader.

“I know your nature; you're the type to demand submission or deliver death. When you gain control over the Spring Autumn Sect, bloodshed is inevitable. My Tianxia Society wants to escape that fate.

“So, I'm here to offer my loyalty, pledging to stand by your side. I can make a move on Chen Fan and kill him!”

“Oh?” Duan Jingtian laughed and replied, “Not bad at all, Feng Tianxia. A wise man submits to the circumstances. Truthfully speaking, I’m not worried about that brat Chen Fan at all. He will die when my punishment ends!”

“Don’t get careless, Duan Jingtian. I’ll tell you the truth. That brat only managed to improve so quickly because he obtained a Divine Stone of Life.”

“Divine Stone of Life? That useless stone contaminated by evil qi?” Duan Jingtian’s eyes flickered.

Feng Tianxia nodded and said, “Right. The merit elder's gesture backfired. Instead of impressing you, he ended up helping Chen Fan. The high elder likely helped Chen Fan get rid of the evil qi.”

“Looks like the merit elder had good intentions but did more harm than good,” Duan Jingtian mused aloud, his eyes flickering.

Feng Tianxia said, “Thanks to the divine stone and the high elder’s support, Chen Fan’s cultivation will progress rapidly. By the time you get out, it’s hard to say how strong he would be. I suppose you don’t wish to let such a potential threat flourish unchecked?”

“Feng Tianxia, you’re saying all that to make me accept your offer of allegiance, right?”

“Of course.”

“Fine, then. Should you eliminate Chen Fan, your contribution to my rise as sect leader will be duly recognized. At that time, you’ll get your fair share of benefits,” Duan Jingtian said with a smile.

Feng Tianxia replied, “It’s also my honor to work for you, but I have to ask for you to bestow upon me some treasures to raise my cultivation. I’m already at the peak of the fourth level. I'll have greater confidence in dealing with Chen Fan once I am at the fifth level.”

Clap, clap, clap, clap...

Duan Jingtian clapped and laughed. “I see. Fine, I’ll gift you some treasures to offer you a helping hand.”

He waved his arm, and several streaks of light flew out, emitting powerful energy fluctuations. Every one of those treasures could make Core Formation realm experts go crazy and fight for them.

“Take it. I hope you won’t disappoint me. I’ll be waiting for your news,” Duan Jingtian said indifferently, acting like these treasures were nothing but garbage to him.

“Alright, I’ll challenge Chen Fan to a life-and-death battle after I advance to the fifth level. I’ll make sure to kill him!”

Feng Tianxia put the treasures away with an excited look on his face.

......

Crackle.

Explosions rang out continuously.

Countless strands of primeval qi entwined above Chen Fan, forming dragons and elephants. The dragons and elephants intertwined; dragons were humans, and elephants were qi. Humans and qi joined as one, bringing about a multitude of changes.

Chen Fan’s comprehension reached a profound, unfathomable realm. The golden core inside him spun rapidly, his aura growing increasingly stronger.

Puchi, puchi, puchi...

With each burst, gusts of wind erupted, sending gravel flying in all directions.

A month had passed since Chen Fan's return to the sect.

He had been staying at his cultivation mountain, completely immersed in cultivating. He had thrown everything else to the back of his head.

Within the Heaven Seizing Furnace, Daoist Corpse Spirit’s divine nascent essence was being refined and transformed into boundless vitality energy, becoming his nourishment.

He was now at the peak of the third level, touching the threshold of the fourth level.

Chen Fan sensed the conditions inside him and a faint smile on his face.

Good, I’m finally about to advance to the fourth level. Now, I’ll break open these shackles in one burst!

After refining Daoist Corpse Spirit’s divine energy for a whole month, he was finally touching the threshold of breaking through. Though much of the essence had been consumed, what remained, no larger than a chicken's egg, still held the potential for further progression.

He didn’t care, however. If he refined all of it, then so be it. He still had the Divine Stone of Life.

Even if he exhausted these two resources, with his strength, he could obtain even better treasures to further raise his strength.

Advance!

Chen Fan roared in his heart. The Heaven Seizing Furnace erupted violently.

𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The divine nascent essence was further refined, becoming even smaller. Energy rushed inside him like a flood; immediately, the surrounding winds went berserk and turned into hurricanes.

Poof, poof, poof, poof...

Countless primeval stones exploded simultaneously, transforming into a storm of primeval qi, which he devoured and refined.

Rumble!

Another three days passed, and Chen Fan’s aura finally reached a new level.

Fourth level of the Core Formation realm!