Chapter 9 - Rise of a Stormy Situation

The Qingyang Mountain Range was massive, its lush forests teeming with life and full of demon beasts. This place was both a haven and a nightmare for martial artists.

After Chen Fan had reported the matter of killing Liao Feng and the gray-clothed teenager to the sect, he immediately set off and came to the Qingyang Mountain Range.

This was the plan he had in mind when he killed Liao Feng. He would come to the Qingyang Mountain Range to train and only return to the sect after his cultivation had increased. Then, he wouldn’t need to be afraid of Liao Fan.

Moreover, even if Liao Fan learned of his journey to the Qingyang Mountain Range, he couldn’t search the entire massive mountain. Trying to find someone here was no different from trying to find a needle in a haystack. This gave Chen Fan the much-needed time to focus on advancing his cultivation.

Deep within the dense forest nestled in a valley, a figure sat in the lotus position atop a massive stone.

Above the figure's head loomed a colossal vortex resembling a funnel, drawing in copious amounts of heaven and earth primeval qi.

This figure was holding a crystal. The wisps of milky white dense qi within the crystal streamed out, and the figure absorbed them.

This figure was none other than Chen Fan.

His aura seemed to surge and recede like the tide as he fervently attempted to break through to the third level of Qigong.

The heaven and earth primeval qi within a radius of several miles gathered at his location and was plundered by the tyrannical Heaven Seizing Art. Additionally, with primeval stones supporting his cultivation, the primeval qi within Chen Fan's meridians surged like a mighty river, swiftly circulating.

The amount of primeval qi within his dantian kept increasing.

Boom!

Chen Fan suddenly shook. The previously fluctuating aura erupted, giving rise to a powerful gust of wind that swept through the surroundings, picking up gravel and sand in its wake.

Chen Fan slowly opened his eyes, which were shining with joy.

He’d broken through to the third level of the Qigong realm!

Now, the primeval qi in his dantian was vigorous, ten times what he had as a second-level Qigong martial artist.

“This is still not enough. Liao Fan’s cultivation is at the fifth level, and he can be considered an expert within the whole outer sect. Even though I’d broken through to the third level, I would die if I were to face him.”

Chen Fan knew the crisis wasn’t over just because he had advanced a bit.

“Luckily, I still have more than two months. That’s enough for me to raise my cultivation level.”

Chen Fan’s eyes shone. He had brought all his primeval stones and practiced a domineering cultivation technique like the Heaven Seizing Art. With more than two months to spare, he could raise his cultivation to the fifth level of Qigong.

“Cultivators shouldn’t focus on closed-door cultivation alone. It isn’t the proper path. With the numerous demon beasts on Qingyang Mountain Range, I can hunt them to gain experience with real combat and refine my primeval qi to make it denser. I can also practice my martial skills. The power of Vajra Seal at minor mastery is not enough, and there is also the Myriad Elephants Divine Art...”

Chen Fan thought he’d made the perfect choice. This place was a paradise to him, offering ample opportunities to enhance his cultivation.

“Let’s go and try hunting some demon beasts!” Chen Fan looked around, and he immediately headed out of the valley.

Meanwhile, in a small loft inside the Spring Autumn Sect’s outer sect:

Bang!

A youth slammed his palm onto a table beside him, turning it into smithereens.

The man was emitting a cold, murderous aura, his expression icy. He was none other than Liao Feng’s older brother, Liao Fan.

“You wretched little bastard, how dare you kill my little brother! I definitely won’t let you go. I’ll shred you to pieces. You will die only after you have suffered the cruelest tortures at my hands!”

Liao Fan's eyes gleamed with a chilling, icy light, his intense desire for vengeance almost tangible. As a result, the room temperature plummeted abruptly, reminiscent of a wintry day blanketed in snow.

Having been absent from the sect for a few days, Liao Fan had just returned, only to receive the news of his younger brother, Liao Feng, being slain. Instantly, an overwhelming fury consumed him.

Liao Feng had died because he had trespassed into someone’s residence, but that mattered not to Liao Fan, as he was his younger brother.

Moreover, he had merely trespassed into the residence belonging to the trash of the outer sect.

“Brother Fan.”

A youth walked in. Sensing the cold, suffocating atmosphere in the room and the terrifying murderous intent coming from Liao Fan, he shook, and even his voice trembled.

“Speak,” Liao Fan said coldly.

The youth replied, “According to what we’ve gathered, Chen Fan has left sect grounds. Based on the direction he went in, we think that he’d gone to the Qingyang Mountain Range.”

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

“Qingyang Mountain Range...”

Liao Fan’s eyes flickered with cold intent. “This little bastard is pretty smart. He must have known that upon discovering his heinous act of murdering my brother, I would undoubtedly seek revenge. But did he think he could escape my pursuit just because he went into hiding? Wishful thinking!”

The youth said apprehensively, “Brother Fan, that kid has always been a martial trash. Somehow, he achieved a breakthrough and reached the Qi Gathering realm, resulting in the tragic demise of your younger brother. But even if his dantian opened up, his cultivation level wouldn’t be higher than the fourth level. Powerful demon beasts are everywhere in the Qingyang Mountain Range, so he will be confined to the outskirts with his strength.”

Liao Fan's eyes gleamed with a cold, determined light. “You’re right. Even though that little bastard entered the Qingyang Mountain Range, his movements will be limited to its outer regions. This significantly narrows down his potential whereabouts. Send the word out. Have those heading out to train in the Qingyang Mountain Range search for that little bastard. Anyone who finds him will be rewarded heavily!”

Liao Fan firmly believed that with a vast number of people and the allure of substantial rewards, he would undoubtedly be able to locate Chen Fan.

“Yes,”

The youth nodded, a similar cold glint shining in his eyes. “I’ll get it done right away.”

Meanwhile, at another loft in the Spring Autumn Sect, Qin Changkong was pacing back and forth in his room, anxious.

“Why did Xiaofan rashly kill Liao Feng?” Qin Changkong muttered to himself, his eyes filled with worry.[1]

Although Liao Feng was at fault for getting himself killed, his older brother couldn’t be treated lightly. Even if one ignored his fifth-level cultivation, one couldn’t overlook his connection with the Heaven’s Alliance.

Even the Outer Sect Master had to show some respect to this organization.

The founder of the Heaven’s Alliance was currently a core disciple of the sect. His standing and strength far surpassed an outer sect elder like Qin Changkong.

“Ah, what do I do?” Qin Changkong was anxious, feeling like an ant on a hot pan.

Chen Fan’s father and Qin Changkong were disciple brothers and were extremely close.

The former had entrusted Chen Fan to him. If anything were to happen to Chen Fan, it would be difficult for him to explain things to Chen Fan’s father.

A tall girl with beautiful looks entered the room and called out to Qin Changkong, “Father.”

“How is it? Any news?” Qin Changkong hurriedly asked, looking at his daughter.

Qin Yao shook her head and said, “I heard he’s gone to the Qingyang Mountain Range. However, I also learned that Liao Fan has instructed those heading there for training to keep an eye out for Chen Fan while they are at it."

“Ah, what should I do? Given Xiaofan’s abilities, he will likely remain on the outskirts. They would easily discover his tracks. He would be a lot of trouble then!” Qin Changkong was cast down.

“Father, why don’t I go to the Qingyang Mountain Range and see if I can find him before the others?” Qin Yao suggested.

Qin Changkong’s eyes lit up and hurriedly agreed, “Alright, Yao’er. Go immediately. You must find Xiaofan before the others. You mustn’t let anything happen to him.”[2]

1. Xiao is a term of endearment in Chinese. ?

2. ‘er is also a term of endearment in Chinese ?