Chapter 462: Is He a Zhai Shou Powerhouse? The Mixed Yuan Imperial Divine Seal (5k)

Before the Water Pavilion, silence reigned.

Xu Yinhao and Xu Yindeng stared in stunned silence at Zhang Fan approaching from afar, their wide eyes filled with deep shock.

Zhao Jiexuan!?

This disciple of Xu Changshou—the man who had effortlessly defeated Xu Yinhao just two days ago—was now here, standing before the Xu family’s sacred Water Pavilion!?

This was something Xu Yinhao and Xu Yindeng could never have anticipated.

“How is he here?” Xu Yinhao’s heart trembled; his expression grew unnatural.

Two days ago, his father Xu Mingcheng had solemnly warned him: this disciple of Xu Changshou was far more terrifying than he imagined—likely already at the Great Scholar Eighth Level, or even the Great Soldier Ninth Level.

Compared to him, his own newly attained Great Scholar realm seemed pitifully weak.

“You know each other?”

Xu Jiuzhi, watching her brother’s reaction, couldn’t help asking.

“When I was at Xiling Mountain, I met Brother Zhao.” Xu Jiuli grinned, as if he’d already forgotten the blood on his face.

The sight was strangely unsettling.

“How’s the method I taught you coming along?” Zhang Fan asked casually.

“I’ve practiced it. It’s had some effect—but not much.” Xu Jiuli murmured.

His realm hadn’t improved at all, but the method Zhang Fan taught him proved far more effective than the Xu family’s ancestral Dao techniques.

“You’ve only practiced for a few days? Cultivation doesn’t happen overnight.” Zhang Fan shook his head.

He himself had spent over a year to advance from an ordinary person to his current Zhai Shou realm, with his Inner Elixir having undergone two transformations.

Thus, cultivation has never been about instant success or sudden breakthroughs.

Even Xu Ji Nian, hailed as the reviver of the Lingbao Sect and destined by fate, had to cultivate slowly, step by step.

“I didn’t know you two had such a connection.” Xu Jiuzhi looked at Xu Jiuli, her eyes softening.

This useless younger brother had finally done something worthwhile.

With this bond, the man before her was now even more closely tied to their third branch.

“Gentlemen, we meet again.”

At that moment, Zhang Fan’s gaze lifted, finally turning toward the visibly uneasy Xu brothers.

“You know each other!?”

Xu Jiuzhi was stunned again, glancing between Xu Yinhao and Xu Yindeng.

“Jiuzhi, you didn’t know? This Daoist is Master Changshou’s top disciple.” Xu Yinhao regarded Zhang Fan warily and spoke gravely.

Xu Jiuzhi’s heart skipped.

Recently, she’d heard that a clan uncle who had been away for years had returned—and he was a Zhai Shou-level powerhouse. But he belonged to the second branch.

She never imagined the man she’d treated as an honored guest was Xu Changshou’s disciple?

That meant he was also part of the second branch!?

Thinking of this, a shadow darkened her heart—and she even felt a pang of regret over the three days she’d lost.

“Who hurt you just now?”

At that moment, Zhang Fan’s voice rang out.

He didn’t know Xu Jiuzhi’s thoughts; his attention was fixed on Xu Jiuli.

In terms of sentiment, Xu Jiuli had deep ties with him—they’d already bonded on Xiling Mountain.

In terms of kinship, this young man was his distant cousin.

Xu Jiuli said nothing, only glared fiercely at Xu Yindeng.

Suddenly, Zhang Fan’s eyelids lifted, his indifferent gaze falling upon Xu Yindeng, who immediately paled and instinctively stepped back.

Hum…

Almost simultaneously, Xu Yindeng’s right arm twisted violently, as if an invisible, intangible force was ravaging and tearing it apart…

“Ahh…”

Xu Yindeng screamed in agony; in an instant, his right arm was a bloody ruin, the sound of shattering bones unceasing.

“Zhao Jiexuan!?”

Xu Yinhao’s face turned ashen; he rushed forward, supporting Xu Yindeng, his trembling eyes locked on Zhang Fan, his pupils revealing both fury and astonishment.

Throughout it all, Zhang Fan had stood motionless, showing no visible movement.

Yet Xu Yinhao had no doubt: the man had indeed struck.

This sight made even Xu Jiuzhi’s expression shift.

“Brother Yinhao, your younger brother is too reckless—he dares treat his own kin with such brutality. If you don’t curb him now, he’ll lose his life outside. My minor punishment is actually saving him.”

“Don’t thank me.” Zhang Fan spoke softly but firmly.

“Thank you!?”

Xu Yinhao froze, then clenched his fists, rage surging in his eyes—but he dared not move.

“Zhao Jiexuan!”

Xu Yindeng’s face was deathly pale, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead.

“Young man, you have no sense of your place.”

Suddenly, a cold voice rang out like thunder, echoing through all ears.

Zhang Fan looked up to see a middle-aged man approaching from afar—around forty, tall and thin, his black hair streaked with strands of white.

“Uncle Mingjing!”

Xu Yinhao, seeing the man, cried out in shock.

“Uncle Mingjing!”

“Uncle Mingjing!”

Xu Jiuzhi and Xu Jiuli both paled, but dared not delay—they stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Xu Mingjing was the youngest among the second branch’s second-generation disciples—and also the one with the greatest potential.

At only forty-seven, he had already forged his Inner Elixir and entered the Zhai Shou realm two years ago.

To achieve such mastery at this age was terrifyingly gifted.

Xu Mingjing’s expression was icy; he said nothing, walked to Xu Yindeng’s side, lowered his gaze, and examined his injuries.

“Young man, cruel and ruthless.” Xu Mingjing spoke coldly.

As he spoke, he pulled a crystal vial from his pocket, filled with crimson liquid that swirled thickly, like blood.

“Pearl Blood!” Xu Jiuzhi’s eyes lit up.

In the great rivers and streams, some ancient clams—over a hundred years old—sank to the riverbed, feeding on drowned corpses and absorbing the dragon qi of the water veins. Over time, they formed a crimson pearl within their shells.

Legend said a common man holding such a pearl could breathe and walk underwater, and even the largest river fish would retreat upon seeing it.

But once removed from the river’s waters, the pearl would dissolve into this thick, blood-like liquid.

This was a rare treasure, said to revive the dead and regrow flesh and bone.

Xu Jiuzhi knew the Water Pavilion functioned like a funnel, periodically drawing treasures from the lower reaches of the Nine Rivers and spitting them out.

This vial of Pearl Blood was what Xu Mingjing had obtained from the Water Pavilion.

Hum…

The moment Xu Mingjing opened the vial, a pungent, foul stench surged out.

Instantly, the crimson liquid inside boiled, transforming into wisps of crimson mist that flowed into Xu Yindeng’s twisted arm.

“Aaaahhh…”

Xu Yindeng shrieked in agony; his body grew scorching hot, the thick black blood steaming away as vapor, while his twisted arm visibly healed, swelling back to fullness, broken bones knitting together at a visible pace.

“What a treasure.”

Zhang Fan’s eyes gleamed; he couldn’t help but marvel.

This was true celestial essence, a rare marvel of mountain and sea.

Even Xu Jiuzhi’s eyes now filled with envy.

The Water Pavilion’s treasure-spewing was unpredictable—those who encountered it were blessed with immense fortune.

She had never once encountered one.

In truth, among the entire Xu family, only a handful had ever received treasures from the Water Pavilion.

Huh…

In moments, Xu Yindeng’s arm was fully restored—even paler and smoother than before—though he still hung it limply, as if drained of strength.

"Rest quietly for three months after returning, or you'll never fully recover," Xu Mingjing said calmly.

As he spoke, he sealed the crystal vial and slipped it back into his pocket.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Xu Yindeng exhaled deeply; his pale face regained a touch of color, and he instinctively glanced toward Zhang Fan.

At that moment, Xu Mingjing’s brows lifted, his piercing gaze finally settling on Zhang Fan.

“Young man, you have no sense of your place. Do you think being Xu Changshou’s disciple grants you license to act recklessly within the Xu family?” Xu Mingjing snapped coldly.

“Uncle Mingjing…” Xu Jiuli hurriedly stepped in front of Zhang Fan.

“Shut up. I’m speaking—this isn’t your place to interrupt. Even your father wouldn’t dare cut me off.”

The cold voice echoed in Xu Jiuzhi and Xu Jiuli’s ears; the Zhai Shou powerhouse’s aura crushed their breath.

Seeing this, Xu Yindeng felt his suppressed emotions ease slightly.

“I think you’ve misunderstood.”

At that moment, Zhang Fan raised his hand, strolling as if through a quiet courtyard, utterly ignoring the powerful aura as he walked straight to Xu Jiuzhi and Xu Jiuliang, the brother and sister.

“I am not Xu Changshou’s disciple; I’d say we’re more like friends,” Zhang Fan said softly.

Hearing this, all present were moved.