Chapter 110

"Since the teleportation array is ready, let's begin!"

As his words fell, the whole place stirred. Everyone, impatient, was about to rush into the teleportation array.

Lu Fan's mouth curled slightly, wearing a strange expression, he said loudly: "Begin? Do you really think my Heavenly Origin Academy has no rules? Stay aside!"

Before his words finished, a flash of light suddenly erupted from the teleportation array, tearing through the void with lightning speed, striking Wang Yicai's chest in an instant.

"Ah——" Wang Yicai cried out, his face ashen; the array's light gave him no time to resist, his chest already struck by Intermediate Thunder, his qi and blood surged, and he couldn't help spitting a mouthful of fresh blood.

"Young master, be careful!" the black-robed old man who had been guarding Wang Yicai exclaimed in shock, about to step forward to help.

Lu Fan gave a faint smile, waved one hand, and a vigorous force shot out, blocking the black-robed old man in front of him. His true qi spread, carrying a formidable pressure that made even the Martial King experts tremble with fear.

Wang Ruolan could no longer watch; she leapt forward to attack Lu Fan. At this moment, Zhan Xiao flashed aside, stepping in front of Wang Ruolan, and somehow produced a feather fan, lightly swaying it as he chuckled:

"Miss Ruolan, we officials are handling this; outsiders had better not meddle!"

The other party is Wang Yicai's older sister, yet in Zhan Xiao's mouth she's merely 'an irrelevant person.' How can there be such reasoning in this world? Can't an older sister stand up for her younger brother? Truly overbearing and unreasonable.

Those around gossiped incessantly, sowing discord without any concealment, as if fearing the world would not be chaotic enough.

As soon as Lu Fan appeared, he awed the entire crowd; the vast majority secretly resented him, seething with anger. Everyone here were scions of great clans and prestigious sects, each a heaven‑chosen prodigy—who had ever submitted to another?

Although Lu Fan's methods were startling, few truly feared him; each secretly gathered strength, hoping to beat him back to his original form inside the Dragon Pagoda. Now that the Wang siblings have clashed with Lu Fan, it's a perfect chance to gauge his true strength.

Lu Fan wore a faint smile as he scanned the crowd. He could hardly miss their thoughts, yet he paid them no heed, merely chuckling. Turning his gaze to Wang Wu, he laughed heartily and said:

'Wang Yicai is your clansman; this time I'll let him off, but if there's a next time, don't blame me for being ruthless!'

Everyone's hearts shuddered, already sensing the intense killing intent in Lu Fan's tone. In his casual talk, his murderous aura fully manifested, overbearing beyond compare—could the rumors all be true?

Wang Yicai had not yet recovered, his qi and blood surging, and Lu Fan's threat left him ashamed and furious, his spirit wavering. Given his nature, even if he fought to the death he would seek to save face—but Lu Fan's strength was too great; he could not muster any resistance.

On the other side, Wang Wu furrowed her brows, her face cold. Lu Fan's threat toward Wang Yicai was hardly not aimed at her; ever since he appeared, they'd been at odds. Always proud and aloof, when had she ever suffered such treatment?

She clenched her silver teeth, coldly staring at Lu Fan, yet her voice was grim: 'Well done, Lu Fan—you've really improved! I, Wang Wu, had truly underestimated you before!'

Everyone wore the air of spectators, thinking, with that heavenly pride of hers, there's no way she'd simply 'submit' to Lu Fan, right?

Just as that thought arose, Wang Wu smoothed her brows, lightly clapping her bound hands before Ling Yao. The seal Lu Fan had placed shattered instantly.

Torrential force and domineering true qi surged back into Ling Yao's body, and the aura of a Martial King powerhouse burst forth.

Everyone stared, then their faces lit up with excitement as they looked toward Wang Wu, unable to help exclaiming. The heavenly pride is indeed heavenly pride; by freeing Ling Yao this time, that Lu kid will surely not get away easy.

Liu Changsheng had recovered by now; although he still resented Lu Fan's earlier conduct, the Dragon Pagoda affair was urgent, and that teleportation array was even more mysterious than before, so he let it go.

He gave a dry cough, 'Cough!', extended a hand to stop Ling Yao, but with the matter at hand, there was no need to stir up trouble.

Yet contrary to everyone's expectations, the freed Ling Yao closed her eyes, as if calming her spirit. She slowly opened them, her gaze clear, devoid of resentment or anger, instead wearing a smile as she said to Lu Fan: 'Lu Fan, you just said you'd change the rules; now that the dean is here too, you can speak plainly!'

Di Liushan was utterly stunned; given Ling Yao's usual temperament, how could she remain so calm after such humiliation?

Liu Ruodance also slightly furrowed her brows; she had hoped Ling Yao would discipline Lu Fan a bit, but she hadn't expected this turn of events.

Others stood dumbfounded, utterly unprepared. Yet upon recalling Lu Fan and Ling Yao's earlier 'ambiguous' actions, some felt relieved, pinning all blame on Lu Fan, coldly staring at him while plotting how to take him down inside the Dragon Pagoda.

Lu Fan gave Ling Yao a meaningful glance; he had subdued her twice with unexpected moves, relying on skill rather than brute force. Given her talent, she likely already had defenses, and now with this attitude, future retaliation will require caution.

He smiled faintly and said, 'Merely possessing a Dragon Spirit Talisman isn't enough to enter this teleportation array; one must also be a friend of my Heaven Source Academy. If you belong to hostile forces, you'd best stop here and leave at once!'

He acted like the patriarch of Heaven Source Academy, utterly laughable. Yet Liu Changsheng, hearing this, showed no displeasure; instead he gave a slight nod.

Now, a youth in an inconspicuous corner could no longer sit still, glaring at Lu Fan with hostility, speaking ill‑naturedly:

'What Heaven Source Academy friend? I think you mean your own friends, Lu Fan! You're quite something—a mere academy disciple daring to overstep, trying to impose your personal view to alter the founding principles of the Heaven Source Bright Moon Branch. Traitorous intent, blatant as day!'

Everyone shuddered, some glancing over in surprise. Even Liu Changsheng hadn't spoken, apparently moved by Lu Fan's words; for him to jump out now seems rather untimely. Deliberately sowing discord, he might well invite Liu Changsheng's jealousy.

Lu Fan followed the sound, his gaze narrowing; he instantly saw the other's origin and sneered, 'Hiding your true face—what kind of hero is that?'

As his words fell, his qi permeated the venue; his mighty vigor erupted like a shockwave, surging toward the opponent.

The youth's face paled in shock; just as he was about to strike, the shockwave had already engulfed him, turning into a subtle ripple that swept around his body.

Light and shadow dispersed, revealing Nie Xing's figure—sword‑browed, bright‑eyed, yet wearing a grim, resentful expression, with a hint of panic from his exposed identity.

He had fled the Ye family manor, promptly disguised himself, even leaving Old Zuo behind, fearing Ye Fei would see through his guise. He had endured in silence until now, but hearing Lu Fan's words made him unable to stay still.

'Nie Xing, so it's you, you wretch!'

Liu Changsheng's expression shifted; Nie Xing had betrayed Heaven Source Academy to join the Sacred Martial Hall—a disgrace to the institute. For him to reappear now, still daring to stir up trouble, left Liu Changsheng's anger with no outlet.

He flicked his sleeve, and the Martial Venerable's aura burst forth, sweeping toward Nie Xing.

Yet this pressure only reached about three zhang before Nie Zhengyong, where it dissipated without cause, vanishing like smoke.

'Who dares? What audacity to oppose Liu!'

Liu Changsheng exploded in thunderous rage; though the gathered youths were astonishing talents of the Dragon Elephant Dynasty, with formidable guards and several Martial Venerables plainly present, he regarded none of them.

As his voice fell, a faint laugh rose. Suddenly, a flash of rosy light appeared beside Nie Xing, and several figures emerged—indeed, members of the Sacred Martial Hall.

'Haha! Dean Liu, what a temper! I don't know if the Hall Master is worthy to oppose you!'

The speaker was a middle‑aged man in coarse hemp clothes, worn and tattered, yet his aura was fierce, with an indistinct surge of energy. At his side loomed a dark shadow—an old acquaintance of Lu Fan, Li Qingshan.

'Hmph! Song Renjie, so it's you!'

Liu Changsheng's pupils contracted, his face a mask of disbelief. Elder Bai and Ling Yao also changed expression, stepping back in unison as if they'd witnessed something horrifying.

'You call yourself Hall Master—could you be the one in charge of the Sacred Martial Hall's Bright Moon Branch?'

At this moment, Lu Fan stepped forward, eyeing the opponent with casual curiosity, and spoke.

His words made the others suddenly realize: the Sacred Martial Hall is a transcendent power throughout the Tianxuan Realm; even a branch in a remote backwater state commands respect.

Nie Xing, seemingly emboldened, pointed at Lu Fan and shouted, 'Bold Lu Fan, upon seeing Hall Master Song, kneel at once!'

Li Qingshan was also agitated, veins bulging on his forehead; he lightly tapped his waist, and a silver jade disc appeared, flashing with mystic light, transforming into a blazing sun that pressed down on Lu Fan.

'Long time no see—you haven't improved at all! With such meager skill, the Sacred Martial Hall's divine technique practitioners aren't anything special either!'

Lu Fan shook his head, clearly dissatisfied. With a casual swing, he released a seal formula.

'Boom!'

The silver jade disc that had become a blazing sun shuddered upon contact with the seal, then supreme radiance poured forth like a waterfall, exploding outward in all directions with a thunderous roar.

Li Qingshan's expression froze, he snorted coldly, and with one hand recalled the jade disc, then immediately prepared to strike again.

"Qingshan! You're no match for him; you should stop!"

Song Renjie lightly patted Li Qingshan's shoulder; a smooth, luminous light entered the other's body. Li Qingshan, who had just been furious, instantly relaxed, his anger dissipating as he stored the jade disc in his sleeve.

"Great True Yang Holy Light Technique—you're considerably stronger than that Wei Kuangdao!"

Ye Lu Fan nodded, looking as if he thought your skill was not bad and he admired it.

Nie Xing, seeing this scene, gritted his teeth in anger. Lu Fan also went too far in taking himself seriously, speaking to the Holy Martial Palace Bright Moon Sub-palace Master like that—utterly oblivious to life and death.

Ling Yao also secretly shook their head, palms sweating.

Song Renjie gave Lu Fan a heavy look, then burst out laughing, saying: "Not bad, not bad! It's no injustice that the Holy Palace Discipline Hall Head fell into your hands; Old Lu Shanhu is fortunate to have a grandson like you—perhaps the Lu family will soon soar and leave my Bright Moon territory!"

He wore an expression of sighing, with no trace of anger or resentment. Toward Lu Fan's disrespectful attitude, he also seemed completely unbothered.

Everyone was stunned, looking utterly bewildered. The Holy Palace Sub-palace Master—what stature—how could they be so easygoing?

Liu Changsheng also furrowed his brows, wearing a strange expression. Song Renjie appears gentle and refined, like a scholar, but in his early years he was decisive in killing, far more ruthless than Wei Kuangdao. Lu Fan's repeated actions have harmed the dignity of the Holy Martial Palace considerably; there's no reason to let him off!

Lu Fan merely smiled faintly, turned his head slightly, and said in a low voice: "The Chief of the Royal Artificers' Corps has arrived—why hide? Could it be that even someone like Master Huang has scruples?" Then he went to study.