Chapter 480 - Nine Halls Golden Pagoda

Close to three months after the battle that overthrew the Qin Clan, Chen Fan advanced to the eighth level. The energy within him surged like the mighty Yangtze River.

“Great! The eighth level, finally! With my strength, I should be among the strongest under the Divine Nascent realm!”

A fierce light shone in Chen Fan’s eyes.

He had killed Qin Pokong and defeated Blade Thunder Mountain’s Dongfang Yu—both at the eighth level—he wasn’t at the pinnacle of power below the Divine Nascent realm until now. After all, he couldn’t defeat someone at the ninth level then.

However, his recent advancement had made his combat strength skyrocket. He didn’t even have to fear those at the ninth level now.

If he fought Dongfang Yu now, there would be no escape for his opponent. Chen Fan could crush him with overwhelming power. In a manner of speaking, his strength had multiplied tenfold with this advancement.

“Duan Jingtian should be out soon. Fine, I should also return to the sect and compete with him. Duan Jingtian, you’re destined to die at my hands. I’ll wash away the shame from three years ago!”

Fierce killing intent shot out from Chen Fan’s eyes. With his current cultivation level, he was at least eighty percent confident in defeating Duan Jingtian.

“Still, I shouldn’t leave seclusion right now. I should first bring my cultivation in the Nine Illusory Golden Core Secret Art up to speed.”

Chen Fan’s eyes flickered. He wanted to make sure all his bases were covered. He shut his eyes again and continued his secluded cultivation for seven more days.

Sitting in a garden, Nangong Yue and Chen Zhengqing saw Chen Fan walking over and asked, “Xiaofan, you’re done cultivating?”

Chen Fan nodded, “Mmm, my closed-door cultivation is done. Father, Mother, I will be returning to the sect now.”

Nangong Yue and Chen Zhengqing’s eyes flickered. Chen Zhengqing asked, “Your mother and I are aware of your match with Duan Jingtian. I have just one question: are you confident?”

Chen Fan smiled confidently and said, “Absolutely.”

Chen Zhengqing stepped forward, patted Chen Fan’s shoulders, and said, “That’s my son. Since you’re so sure, go ahead. You have our full support.”

He knew that Chen Fan had matured and no longer needed his protection. In fact, he had realized that he could no longer protect Chen Fan. Instead, he now relied on Chen Fan for protection. All he and Nangong Yue could do was trust and support him.

Half a day later, the Spring Autumn Sect came into Chen Fan’s view.

He was as fast as lightning, streaking across the skies, as he entered the Spring Autumn Sect. He came to the Heavenly Vein Mountains area, where he saw his personal cultivation peak and those of many other holy disciples.

With a cold smile, Chen Fan looked at a deeper mountain peak—Duan Jingtian’s Jingtian Peak. [1]

Nine golden pagodas hovered above Jingtian Peak, radiating boundless splendor.

That was a Grade-4 exceptional quality treasure—Nine Halls Golden Pagoda. It possessed immense power and was a formidable defensive treasure, guarding Jingtian Peak and showcasing Duan Jingtian’s wealth.

Chen Fan had heard that Duan Jingtian once had an extraordinary stroke of luck, discovering an intact ancient ruin. Though no legacies were found, many incredible treasures were left behind.

This fortuitous encounter helped Duan Jingtian advance rapidly, quickly surpassing the veteran holy disciples. He also obtained the Nine Halls Golden Pagoda from the remains.

Whoosh!

Chen Fan landed on his mountain peak; soon, Wei Buyu arrived. He saluted and greeted Wei Buyu, “Master.”

Full of smiles, he looked Chen Fan over several times and said, “Excellent, fantastic. You’re truly an exceptional genius, like a god among mortals.

“In such a short time, you’ve grown to the point where I almost can’t gauge your strength. It seems I’m getting old and am no longer a match for you.”

Chen Fan smiled and said, “You must be kidding, Master. I wouldn’t dare to retaliate if you hit me.”

“Hahahaha, oh boy, you’re even teasing me now.” Wei Buyu laughed, shaking his head, and said, “Your deeds in the imperial city have spread throughout the Great Chu Empire, even reaching us old folks. Well done, you haven’t disgraced our sect’s prestige.

“I assume your return means that you’re already fully prepared for your duel against Duan Jingtian. How confident are you?”

With a sharp gaze, Chen Fan said powerfully, “A hundred percent!”

“Excellent. I believe in you!” Wei Buyu nodded, not doubting him.

Chen Fan flipped his palm and asked, “Master, do you recognize this treasure?”

“

Hmm

? How did the Moon Devouring Heavenly Wolf Scepter fall into your hands? This belongs to Chen Muyang, that old fogey,” said Wei Buyu, immediately recognizing it.

“Chen Muyang...”

Chen Fan quickly realized that the gray-robed masked man was Grand Elder Chen Muyang. He had expected the masked man to be a grand elder but never expected him to be Chen Muyang, as he belonged to the neutral faction. This likely meant that he had pledged allegiance to Duan Jingtian.

He wondered how many elders from the neutral faction had secretly pledged allegiance to Duan Jingtian.

“Master, this matter is like this...” Chen Fan gave a rough recount of the events that transpired.

A chilling light flashed fiercely in Wei Buyu’s eyes, and he said coldly, “Merit Elder, Elder Liehuo, and those guys... They dared to cook up a scheme to lure you out of the sect to intercept and kill you! They deserve to die! And Chen Muyang, that old fogey, he actually pledged allegiance to Duan Jingtian? How unexpected.”

“No need to get angry, Master. After I kill Duan Jingtian, I will settle the score with them. They won’t get away. Even if I confront them now, they’ll just deny everything and accuse me instead.”

“You’re right. Even though you know who they are, they were masked, so you have no concrete evidence. They’ll just make excuses and claim we’re slandering them,” said Wei Buyu.

Chen Fan said, “I’ll just leave Merit Elder and the other old fogeys aside for now. Since I’m back, I should get a little payback from Duan Jingtian first. He violated the rules and took my Ice Jade Snow Lotus. Today, I’ll make him pay me back with interest!”

Wei Buyu’s gaze shook and asked, “What are you going to do?”

“Just watch, Master. I’ll take his Nine Halls Golden Palace first!”

Chen Fan rose into the sky, tearing through the sea of clouds. He arrived above Jingtian Peak, his cultivation erupting. With a sideways glance, his palm grew much larger and directly grabbed at the nine golden pagodas on Jingtian Peak!

1. Obviously named after Duan Jingtian, but can also be read as heaven shocking peak. That’s just what his name means. ☜