Chapter 519: Du Xiaofeng, You

Some masters pour their hearts into nurturing disciples, yet the disciples fail to become accomplished.

Others take disciples casually and let them grow wild, yet the disciples’ strength surges.

When the Martial Dao Seal announced that Lin Chen had entered the Heavenly Tower at the Third Stage of Qi Refining, the entire Canglan Sect erupted in excitement.

In any super sect, factions are inevitable—that cannot be avoided.

Where there are people, there is the martial world; where there is the martial world, there are Liyi entanglements, unless everyone is a sage.

But now, the entire Canglan Sect and Canglan Region are utterly united, because all share a common external enemy: the warriors of the Bahuang Sect and Bahuang Region.

Under normal circumstances, a Third Stage Qi Refining warrior would mean little in the Canglan Sect—but now, with both sects at war, and Lin Chen being the sect’s supreme prodigy who has twice defeated Bahuang’s Sima Kong, and now has ascended to the Third Stage so swiftly, the impact is immense.

This news greatly boosts the morale of every warrior in the Canglan Region.

…

The Canglan Sect’s Grand Hall.

All elders still within the sect had gathered, with Ji Cangtian seated at the head.

“Master, Lin Chen’s breakthrough to the Third Stage is indeed cause for joy, but he rushed into the Heavenly Tower too hastily—many will surely seize this chance to challenge him.”

Du Xiaofeng voiced his concern; though the other elders heard the pride in his tone, their faces also showed worry.

Du Xiaofeng’s words held merit.

They feared Lin Chen, believing his status as Canglan Sect’s prodigy would deter others from challenging him, and if he entered the Heavenly Tower out of arrogance, he would be in real danger.

“Have our Third Stage Qi Refining disciples go to the Heavenly Tower and protect Lin Chen.”

“Useless—the Heavenly Tower allows any challenger to enter; no one can stop them.”

“Then have the disciples warn others: anyone who dares challenge Lin Chen is an enemy of the Canglan Sect.”

One elder spoke sharply, but the moment he did, silence fell instantly—even Du Xiaofeng’s lips twitched. He had considered this intimidation tactic himself, but ultimately dismissed it as unfeasible.

Those who enter the Heavenly Tower and dare challenge Lin Chen are mostly disciples of other super sects.

The imperial court established the Heavenly Tower and permits challenges precisely to allow fair competition among sects, like Mount Dengwudao—no background matters; only strength determines rank.

If we threaten others today, tomorrow other sects will do the same—then the challenge system becomes meaningless. Worse, we have no moral high ground here; other sects may not grant us this courtesy.

Right now, the Canglan Sect is at war with the Bahuang Sect and the Yanluo Temple—we cannot afford new enemies.

“Forget it. First, have our disciples observe the situation at the Heavenly Tower.”

The elder who proposed the idea realized his suggestion was unworkable and reluctantly withdrew it.

…

…

The Heavenly Tower.

When Lin Chen appeared on the circular platform, gasps rose from the square in waves.

All present were Third Stage Qi Refining warriors—the main force moving through the Yanhuang Empire—who had followed the battle atop Mount Dengwudao and Lin Chen’s recent duel with Sima Kong. Now seeing this figure who had appeared multiple times on Mount Dengwudao standing before them again, even though they had been forewarned, they were still stunned beyond belief.

“Brother Lin!”

“It really is Brother Lin!”

Soon, many in the square shouted out, drawing the attention of other warriors.

Lin Chen looked at those calling his name and smiled—they were his sect brothers, not close, but he had met them before.

“Brother Lin greets you all.”

The Canglan Sect’s brothers Moqi ly took positions at the base of the platform, their gazes sweeping over the other warriors—clearly signaling to all present: to challenge Lin Chen is to declare war on the Canglan Sect. The enmity was already sealed.

Many warriors who had entertained thoughts of challenging Lin Chen now felt hesitation upon seeing the Canglan disciples standing guard below.

They feared that even if they defeated Lin Chen, they would face further challenges—and if they lost, they’d have angered both Lin Chen and the Canglan Sect while failing to secure a spot in the Heavenly Tower. They’d lose everything.

Watching his sect brothers stand protectively before him, Lin Chen was deeply moved.

Unfortunately, not everyone would be deterred.

“I challenge Lin Chen!”

A middle-aged man shouted from the square, utterly unfazed by the piercing glares of the Canglan warriors.

“Hmph! The Heavenly Tower, like Mount Dengwudao, rewards strength, not background. Besides, who here has less background than you Canglan Sect? If you lack the strength, just surrender your right.”

The man’s tone dripped with sarcasm. One Canglan brother at the platform’s base whispered to Lin Chen: “Brother Lin, this man is Xia Anbo of the Bahuang Sect.”

So he was from the Bahuang Sect—no surprise.

Lin Chen’s lips curled in a cold smile. He knew the greatest obstacle to his climb would be the Bahuang Sect—he had prepared for this before entering the tower.

Under the gaze of all present, the platform’s light column flared violently. Xia Anbo leapt to the summit, his aura of Third Stage Qi Refining peak pressing against Lin Chen.

No pleasantries—Xia Anbo struck with a palm, thunder rumbling in the wind.

“Brother Lin, that’s the Bahuang Sect’s Thunder Prison Suppressing Demon Art—extremely brutal. Don’t block it head-on.”

Hearing the warning, Lin Chen narrowed his eyes. The platform was small—disadvantageous for agile warriors. Xia Anbo had chosen this technique precisely to deny him room to evade.

But Lin Chen never intended to dodge. With a flick of his sleeve, he extended one finger.

Canglan Finger!

A colossal Canglan Finger descended from the heavens, casting the entire platform into shadow. The roaring thunder vanished the instant the finger appeared.

The Canglan Finger inflicted damage not only upon impact—it generated terrifying pressure the moment it formed. Those of weaker cultivation would feel their hearts tremble and their courage shatter before the finger even landed.

“Break it!”

Xia Anbo, feeling the pressure above, roared. Lightning crackled between his palms. As he swung them, thunder encircled him like a prison descending—several bolts shot upward toward the giant finger.

“A Tangbidangche . Utterly overreaching.”

Lin Chen’s right hand, just lowered, slammed downward. The giant finger crashed, unleashing boundless Canglan energy like a celestial waterfall. The thunderbolts vanished instantly.

BOOM!

The finger struck, engulfing the entire platform in Canglan energy.

All warriors in the square fixed their eyes on the platform. They soon knew the outcome.

When the Canglan energy dissipated, Xia Anbo was flung from the platform, crashing into a stone pillar. Smoke and dust rose as his body blackened and convulsed—then his figure vanished entirely from the square.

Hiss!

Many Third Stage Qi Refining warriors stared at Lin Chen, standing atop the platform, his robes untouched by dust, their eyes filled with profound shock.

Xia Anbo was no novice—he had just now revealed power at least at the late Third Stage, yet he hadn’t survived a single strike from Lin Chen.

Lin Chen’s strength had truly reached the peak of the Third Stage!

Since the imperial court introduced the Heavenly Tower, all knew: those who dared enter were at the peak of their own realm. Only at the peak could one retain the right to challenge.

But everyone had known Lin Chen had only just entered the Second Stage—less than a year ago. To claim he had reached the Third Stage peak now was simply unbelievable.

Their pride made them unwilling to accept it. Many preferred to believe Lin Chen had come to challenge the tower hoping to rely on Canglan Sect’s reputation and his own potential to scare others into avoiding him.

But Xia Anbo’s crushing defeat confirmed the very suspicion they had refused to entertain.

Below the platform, the Canglan warriors were equally stunned. One, upon realizing the truth, vanished in a flash—he must deliver this news to the sect immediately.

“Brother Lin won!”

In the Canglan Sect, Xu Xia stepped out of Mount Dengwudao and, facing his waiting brothers, shouted without hesitation:

These brothers, not at the Third Stage and never having claimed first on Mount Dengwudao, were barred from entering the Heavenly Tower square to watch.

“Won? What won?”

“Did someone challenge Brother Lin? Xu, explain clearly!”

“Who challenged Brother Lin?”