Chapter 61: Initial Effects Appear

On the other side, Xiao Fan returned home from the library and happened to meet his father opening the door.

He held a bag, as if preparing to go to work.

Compared to before, the middle-aged man’s complexion had grown haggard; the exhaustion in his eyes and the faint dark circles were unthinkable for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Yet to spare his son worry, he still forced a smile.

“You’re back, Xiao Fan.”

“Dad, are you off to work?” Xiao Fan’s tone was calm.

It sounded like a casual question between neighbors, carrying a faint sense of detachment.

The middle-aged man paused, his smile growing strained.

“Mm.” He gave a slight nod, then, unable to let go of his concern, added, “I made some food earlier—remember to reheat it.”

Then he pulled out a stack of spirit coins from the bag he held.

“Take this—buy whatever you want to eat, or go out and relax a bit.”

“No need.” Xiao Fan did not reach out. “Save it for your brother.”

Saying this, he walked past the frozen middle-aged man, opened the door, and stepped inside.

Having just acquired the Cang Clan’s Battle Art, he could hardly wait to enter the Trial Space and test it properly.

Thud! The door shut.

The middle-aged man opened his mouth, then silently returned the spirit coins to his bag and left with heavy steps; from afar, his figure seemed slightly hunched.

But now, Xiao Fan seemed unaware that his behavior had been anything amiss.

After entering, he rushed straight to his bedroom and lay flat on his bed.

【Name: Xiao Fan】

【Realm: Qi Refining Ninth Layer】

【Current Rank: One Thousand Five Hundred Forty-Two】

【Can Enter Trial Space】

One thousand five hundred forty-two.

Only five hundred can advance in the second round; if I remain at my previous level in the next trial, I won’t make it.

Unless I draw a Charm Cultivator.

But now, Xiao Fan let slip a confident smile…

『Enter!』

He silently murmured in his mind.

Just as he felt his consciousness begin to blur and sink.

“Heavenly ten…”

He barely caught three words—the rest vanished entirely.

When he opened his eyes again, the view was the gray, directionless Trial Space.

“Was there just a voice?” Xiao Fan frowned.

He listened intently for a while, but heard nothing.

Hallucination? Yeah, probably.

Xiao Fan did not dwell on it.

“Set: Qi Refining Ninth Layer Body Cultivator!”

In the previous trial, he’d been crushed by a Body Cultivator—he had to reclaim his pride.

Thud! Thud! The Body Cultivator’s appearance still carried immense pressure; a towering figure emerged from the gray mist and soon stood before Xiao Fan.

【Enemy: Qi Refining Ninth Layer Body Cultivator, Introduction to the Ba Classic, Minor Mastery of Shaking Mountain Fist】

Xiao Fan stared at him, recalling the fist technique demonstrated by the radiant figure.

Thud! The Body Cultivator’s shadow stepped forward, raised its arm, and swung its fist!

The punch roared, fierce and overwhelming—capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, none could stand against it!

It was this punch that had once stunned him and shattered his skull.

Now, Xiao Fan felt only profound calm.

He raised his left hand to block the incoming fist, effortlessly draining its violent force.

He tilted slightly, then drove his right elbow upward, striking the opponent’s side abdomen.

“Ahh!!”

The Body Cultivator’s shadow screamed and tried to retreat, but Xiao Fan seized his wrist, twisted, and pulled, preventing escape.

Simultaneously, he delivered a powerful whip-like kick to its chest.

Thud! The Body Cultivator’s shadow shuddered, collapsed onto the ground, its chest caved in unnaturally, spurting blood.

All of it happened in the blink of an eye.

When Xiao Fan saw the Body Cultivator dissolve into gray mist, his expression finally flickered with surprise.

He hadn’t even used the spiritual power amplification of the Xuantian Battle Art—only instinct had let him easily defeat a Body Cultivator who once crushed him with a single punch.

So powerful! Xiao Fan excitedly clenched his fist! Meanwhile, in the outside world.

Above the clouds, Huo looked downward, his gaze seemingly piercing through all things.

Xiao Fan’s entire sequence had been witnessed by him since the beginning.

This was not surprising.

The initial manifestation of Cang Clan bloodline influence is precisely this—and the affected person remains unaware, until thoughts and behavior slowly shift.

What kind of person was Xiao Fan originally?

A man willing to swallow the Barrier-Breaking Spirit Elixir, destroying his own future, to save his brother; after dropping out of school, he immediately took a job to ease his family’s burden.

When presented with an opportunity, he could have taken it easily, yet chose to return it, unwilling to take advantage.

A man so kind he bordered on foolish.

Yet this very man had, in just a few days, transformed under the Cang Clan bloodline’s influence into what he was now.

“I hope you awaken in time,” Huo sighed, watching Xiao Fan’s joy within the Trial Space.

Then he raised his hand, reaching for that faint, almost imperceptible connection.

Instantly, as if the cosmos reversed, strange ripples layered upon ripples.

A terrifying being with a third eye on its brow and star rivers swirling around it stepped forward from antiquity, manifesting its form.

Yet before Huo’s grasp, that terrifying entity shattered in less than a moment.

But that faint connection was also torn away, vanishing without a trace.

“Heaven gives all things to nourish man?” “Hmph!”

With a cold snort, Huo turned and vanished.

…………

Almost everyone who passed the first trial was preparing for the second.

Lin Qiu Xian, after being killed dozens of times by the Wu Li Sword Cultivator, finally woke up and began fighting other opponents.

He hadn’t fought in the Qi Refining realm in many years—he needed to reacquaint himself quickly.

Jiang Yujiu, too, entered the Trial Space to hone himself, aiming for stable advancement in the second round.

Of course, the livestream remained on—and still drew many viewers.

Foreign Immortal Sect disciples were also training in the Trial Space.

Except for that unlucky Alchemist.

Meanwhile, Xiao Fan’s fist techniques grew increasingly refined through repeated battles, each movement nearly perfect.

He became utterly immersed in the power of the Xuantian Battle Art—the sensation of controlling every meridian and vein left him spellbound.

Lastly, Zhang Yunlu fought every type of cultivator, no matter their method—she shattered them all with a single sword.

The Cloud Flow Sword Art that Xu Xing had once taught her had now been fully integrated into her own style, becoming ruthless, deadly, and relentless.

Hmm…

Perhaps this change stemmed from having died too many times?

…………

Thus, time swiftly arrived at the eve of the second trial.

In a quiet chamber at the Third Middle School of Xuanjian City, normally used by teachers for meditation.

Yu Ming sat at the center, surrounded by other Soul Transformation cultivators.

Besides the principal, the mayor, and the head of the Judicial Hall, two heavyweight figures were present—the Venerable Elder from the Sword Sect and Li Qingyang.

This made the already cramped chamber feel even tighter, yet no one minded.

The trial had stirred up too much commotion, and these Soul Transformation cultivators were barred from participating.

Yu Ming sat calmly, adjusting his breath.

Please collect and follow!! (End of Chapter)