Chapter 550 - Nie Tao

Chen Fan’s gaze flickered upon hearing Xiao Zhen.

Although he was now at the peak of the ninth level and should be able to exchange blows with a four-revolution Golden Core realm expert, he likely couldn’t defeat them.

So, being targeted by an alliance with a six-revolution Golden Core expert was bad, bad news for him.

“Did they get no Martial Dao Will fragment?” Chen Fan asked doubtfully.

A total of nine Martial Dao Will fragments appeared on the Hidden Dragon Island. Powerful demonic beasts snatched three of them, and the rest ended up with human martial artists.

Chen Fan's fragment was hidden since he was in seclusion, and one was with Li Yao. This meant that the remaining five fragments had sparked fierce and tragic battles.

In that fight, many of the old alliances were destroyed, and new alliances rose to prominence. The Battle Heaven Alliance was one of those new alliances and was one of the five strongest alliances.

Logically, they should have secured a Martial Dao Will Fragment. If they had one, why would they still want his?

Xiao Zhen chuckled and said, “You hit the nail on the head. The Battle Heaven Alliance is the only one among the five strongest alliances to not obtain a Martial Dao Will fragment. So naturally, they’re after yours. Compared to the other forces, your fragment is the easiest to take.”

“Really?” Chen Fan’s gaze flickered in astonishment. It was astounding that such a powerful force failed to obtain a fragment.

Xiao Zhen explained, “As you know, of the nine fragments, humans only have six. If you remove the one Li Yao has, there are really only five fragments that others can fight for.

“And then if we exclude yours too, there will only be four left. However, there are five top alliances: Heaven’s Equal Alliance, Myriad Truths Alliance, Battle Heaven Alliance, Saber Sword Alliance, and Goddess Alliance. Aside from the Battle Heaven Alliance, the three top alliances, Myriad Truths Alliance, Saber Sword Alliance, and Goddess Alliance, each managed to obtain a Martial Dao Will fragment.

“They could have taken the last fragment had it not fallen into the hands of an extremely mysterious expert. It’s said that he’s a young Daoist, but he isn’t any weaker than Li Yao.” [1]

A figure appeared in Chen Fan’s mind. It was that young, mysterious Daoist he had met on the sea.

The Daoist had given him a mysterious, unfathomable feeling. Chen Fan didn’t expect him to obtain one of the Martial Dao Will fragments in this fight, displaying extremely terrifying strength.

“So, the other Martial Dao Will fragments are simply out of the Battle Heaven Alliance’s reach. Do you understand now why you are being targeted by them?”

Chen Fan nodded.

Among the six Martial Dao Will fragments in human martial artists’ possession, the other five owners were all very powerful.

Even that lone Daoist was terrifyingly powerful and was comparable to Li Yao. It was simply impossible for others to snatch it from him.

Although he made a name for himself in one battle, defeating Luo Qian, he was not worth mentioning in the Battle Heaven Alliance’s eyes. Thus, Chen Fan also wouldn’t be taken seriously by the Battle Heaven Alliance.

“Weakness is truly an original sin. But that’s fine. If the Battle Heaven Alliance wants to take my Martial Dao Will fragment, they will have to prove themselves.”

Chen Fan wasn’t afraid. Although the Battle Heaven Alliance was very powerful, he wasn’t weak either.

Even if Chen Fan encountered five or six revolution Golden Core experts, they wouldn’t be able to kill him even though he was no match for them.

Moreover, having pressure on him would motivate him to cultivate harder and improve his cultivation.

Once he reached one-revolution Golden Core, he knew that his combat strength would skyrocket. He wouldn’t fear even five-revolution Golden Core experts then.

After traveling together with Xiao Zhen for some time, they parted ways.

Chen Fan was a piece of fat meat in many people’s eyes. Although Xiao Zhen wasn’t weak, having reached the four-revolution Golden Core level, he wasn't top-tier, and Chen Fan didn’t want to drag him into trouble.

Moreover, he also preferred operating alone. Thus, he simply found an excuse to separate from Xiao Zhen.

Afterward, Chen Fan headed straight toward the depths of the Hidden Dragon Island.

The outer areas had been thoroughly explored, leaving no treasures behind. The only option was to delve deeper.

Chen Fan shuttled through the mountains and forests, killing plenty of demonic beasts.

The deeper he went, the more common it became to encounter beasts with the divine dragon’s bloodline, which greatly lifted his spirits.

He was looking forward to the Myriad Elephants Divine Art advancing to the fifteenth layer, achieving complete mastery. Then, he could take care of even eight or nine-revolution Golden Core experts, beings just inches away from the Divine Nascent realm.

Chen Fan suddenly halted his steps and shouted, “Come out!”

Swoosh!

A whistling sound cut through the air, and a silhouette emerged.

The newcomer was a youth in his early thirties, slim and handsome, with a cold gaze fixed on Chen Fan.

“You must be Chen Fan,” said the youth indifferently, sizing up Chen Fan.

“Who are you?” Chen Fan asked.

“I’m Nie Tao.” The youth raised his chin and said loftily, “I’m a vice alliance leader of the Battle Heaven Alliance. You’ve probably heard of us and know why I came to you. I have to admit, you’re good at hiding. Many people have been looking for you without finding a trace.

“Let’s not waste time. Hand over the Martial Dao Will fragment, and I might let you go. I could even let you join our Battle Heaven Alliance. You’re probably aware that a treasure like the Martial Dao Will fragment isn’t something a ninth-level Core Formation realm like you should possess.

“Hand it over!”

Nie Tao extended his hand as if the fragment rightfully belonged to him and he was merely reclaiming it.

Chen Fan furrowed his brow deeply, a cold light flickering in his eyes.

He didn’t expect the Battle Heaven Alliance to find him so soon. He didn’t suspect Xiao Zhen of betrayal for a moment, knowing Xiao Zhen wasn’t that kind of person.

“Why are you still hesitating? Are you thinking of running away? How na?ve. Since I found you, you can’t escape. The only thing you can do is to hand over the Martial Dao Will fragment obediently. That’s the sensible choice, you know?

“Don’t make me take it by force, or you’ll regret it. It’ll be too late by then. Don’t harbor any delusions, either, just because you defeated Luo Qian. It’s not that I’m looking down on you, but I only need one finger to deal with you.”

Nie Tao stretched out a finger and shook it left and right, his attitude contemptuous. He was completely disregarding Chen Fan.

1. Reminder that Li Yao is the head of the Heaven’s Equal Alliance. ☜