Chapter 92: The Future Pillar

Qin Zhen, however, was like a slab of rock, unmoved by the wind, as if he were a vajra. Yet this was a fourth‑stage mysterious artifact, its might so fierce that Qin Zhen could not possibly block it. To resist it in person was truly an unimaginable feat.

Boom—boom—boom!

Streams of force slammed into Qin Zhen's body, continuous and unending, massive and heavy. It seemed as if before his eyes there was not a fourth‑stage mysterious artifact at all, but a formidable master swinging his palm to strike.

How… how could this be possible?

Ke Da Shi gave Lu Fan a look of disbelief, his eyes filled with horror and a hint of incomprehension.

Hehe, old ghost Ke, you see little and marvel much. Young Lu's methods make anything happen quite normal. Qin Zhen brought this on himself; each time he swung the crystal furnace's force, it was redirected, and now it turns back on him—self‑inflicted, his death hardly a loss!

Zu Qing Tan wore a strange grin, part pride, part sigh.

Those around, hearing such words, were even more shocked, staring at Lu Fan with disbelief.

Is he really just a sixteen‑ or seventeen‑year‑old boy? What kind of person has the Lu family produced to wield such methods, capable of killing foes beyond their level? Even a senior master with decades of cultivation would be powerless before such divine skill!

Ah—

A chilling howl rang out as Qin Zhen raised his head and roared; his feet, once as steady as Mount Tai, finally gave way, trembling, and helplessly staggered sideways toward Qin Feng and the others.

I hate this!

With the crystal furnace's power behind him, if it reached Qin Feng, the lone son would surely die before his eyes—how could he accept that?

Clack!

In an instant of thought, he suddenly swung his palm, striking his own chest. An unparalleled force burst outward, colliding with the power erupting from the crystal furnace behind him.

Bang—bang—bang!

Dull explosions rang within his body, and the torso that had struggled to move sideways finally halted.

His face twisted grotesquely, blood gushed from his seven orifices, his meridians shattered, blood spattered everywhere. Yet he seemed oblivious, instead excited, his two hands drumming like a drum—"dong—dong—dong"—continuously striking his chest.

In that moment, Qin Zhen seemed to traverse time and space, battling another version of himself. The force erupting from the refining crystal furnace was entirely the result of the Wild Seal siphoning his previous palm force and transmuting it.

He appeared mad, his clothes torn, blood everywhere; there was no trace of the Bright Moon Empire's four great families' patriarchal aura—clearly just a lunatic, a pitiful lunatic.

Lu Fan watched the scene without any smugness, only sorrow, feeling sorry for Qin Zhen. He sighed slowly and said, "You brought this on yourself. I intended to sacrifice you today, but considering your father‑son bond, I'll let the offense that angered me pass."

Although he disliked the man, seeing him desperately shield Qin Feng from that blow moved Lu Fan, and his earlier anger faded.

As soon as he finished speaking, with a single‑handed move, a flash of radiant glow flickered on the refining crystal furnace. In an instant, like a bursting balloon, it collapsed into a palm‑sized sphere that drifted back.

But Qin Zhen still seemed unaware; after a few more consecutive strikes, he barely ceased, blood pooling at his feet, standing there dumbly as if a corpse.

At the same time, Qin Feng and the others vanished in an instant, turning out to be mere phantoms.

Ke Da Shi's face froze for a moment, then he understood: Lu Fan, though only a third‑stage Talisman Master, possessed the ability to wield spatial divine skill. Previously it had just been light‑shadow illusion tricks to dazzle the eyes.

Yet this made him even more astonished. At such a critical moment, to set such a clever illusion, even employing father‑son affection to trap Qin Zhen—no seasoned, renowned talisman cultivator could likely achieve that!

It was not merely strength, but a talent. This talent surpassed a third‑stage Talisman Master scheming against a fifth‑stage Martial King, and was even more terrifying.

Zhao Zu and his companion also froze, offering a wry smile. If Lu Fan truly employed spatial divine skill, they wouldn't be surprised. Yet this clever illusion was truly baffling, hard to grasp.

As for the others, they were completely stunned, a flash of realization crossing their faces, as if saying "so that's why." Some were shocked beyond words; the illusion was vivid, its timing exquisitely perfect, locking Qin Zhen solidly.

These are not the tricks of a mere youth; they belong to a profoundly enlightened, cunning old monster!

Clap—clap—clap!

Applause rang out, and a young man stepped forward, smiling, and said to Lu Fan, "President, your methods are astonishing; I, Zhan Xiao, admire you greatly!"

Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, followed the voice, and saw that the newcomer was Zhan Xiao. He recalled how, back at the academy, this kid had stirred up trouble and drawn hatred onto himself.

"Hmph! So it's you; you actually dare appear before me. Conveniently, you made me flee in disgrace that day; today I'll collect some interest from you!"

He let out a cold snort, said nothing, and suddenly launched a punch toward Zhan Xiao. The man's appearance at such a moment suggested ulterior motives. Lu Fan had no time for other matters; he would deal with him first and discuss the rest after the Grand Assembly concluded.

Zhan Xiao's face froze, not expecting Lu Fan to strike so. Yet he seemed to have another backing; he made no move to retaliate, chest out, as if daring Lu Fan to take him.

Lu Fan turned his fist into a palm, seized the opponent's throat, his expression slightly odd as he said, "What do you mean? Do you think Lu Fan is soft‑hearted and weak? Think again!"

Zhan Xiao forced a grin, a faint cold sweat on his forehead, and said, "President, Ling Jiao Xi sent me. She has already agreed to let me become your right‑hand, serving as vice‑president of Heavenly Dragon!"

Lu Fan frowned instantly at the words, "What did you say? Heavenly Dragon!"

He snapped back to reality: Heavenly Dragon was the guild Ling Yao forced him to form; he hadn't cared, assuming everything was being schemed by Ling Yao behind the scenes, unrelated to him.

Back at the academy, those who called themselves Heavenly Dragon disciples had forced him to flee in disgrace, compelling him to leave Heavenly Source Academy. The ringleader of that turmoil was none other than Zhan Xiao before him.

"Hmph! Whatever Ling Jiao Xi promised you is none of my business. The old grudge ends today; prepare to die!"

Lu Fan adopted a fierce stance, yet he exerted little Qi, instead glancing toward a corner.

Three figures pushed through the crowd and emerged, their faces slightly fearful yet excited, bowing to Lu Fan and saying, "Zhang Jiling, Wang Ergou, Kong Sanqiu have met the President; we hope you spare Vice‑President Zhan, let him atone and contribute to our Heavenly Dragon's great cause!"

Lu Fan frowned; he recognized those three. They had caused him many troubles alongside Zhan Xiao that day. He had thought them mere petty thieves, but now it seemed they were not as he had imagined.

"Wang Ergou, you only just broke through the Warrior stage a few days ago, yet now you're already in the mid‑phase of the Gathering Essence Realm. Looks like those days weren't wasted!"

"Kong Sanqiu, you were at the pinnacle of the Gathering Essence Realm back then, claiming you would breakthrough soon. Now you have indeed advanced to the Transforming Tendon Realm; your talent is impressive!"

"Zhang Jiling, you surprise me the most. Your martial cultivation is negligible, yet your mental power is exceptionally strong. I see you haven't even practiced talisman arts; such ability must be innate. If you later take up the talisman path, you'll surely achieve great things."

Lu Fan's gaze swept over the three, and he offered a few words of praise. The trio's faces brightened with excitement.

His earlier tactics had been laid bare before the three; following Lu Fan and earning his approval would truly be clinging to a golden thigh, promising limitless prospects.

Beside them, Zhan Xiao gave a faint wry smile; Lu Fan had probably only glanced at the three before, yet his words sounded as if he'd known them for years—clearly and plainly exposing their reality and illusion, truly astonishing.

It is a kind of insight, also a kind of discernment. Not just any ordinary talent can claim that; as a scion of a great family training in the world, I understand what it signifies.

He sighed leisurely and said, "President, you see through those three so clearly; I wonder how you view me, Zhan Xiao?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Jiling and the others turned their heads, their faces showing a hint of envy.

A Fourth‑Stage Great Martial Master at such an age possesses remarkable talent, already comparable to some long‑renowned masters. Certain instructors at the academy might not even have confidence in subduing Zhan Xiao now.

The others also realized, murmuring among themselves. In an instant they grasped the situation: Lu Fan is a student of Heavenly Source Academy, and these four youths are likewise.

In everyone's mind, those four were truly young talents with limitless futures. That they all pledged allegiance to the boy Lu Fan showed just how formidable he was.

A single person's strength counts only as personal martial power, but if that person commands a host of extraordinary aides, it's a different story.

With the talent and methods Lu Fan has displayed, given time he will become a dragon among men, the pillar of this generation of the Bright Moon Empire.

The crowd's gazes turned toward them—some startled, some sighing, and others with various complex emotions. Lu Fan, however, remained composed, gave a faint smile, and said to Ling Xiao:

"That day you were sly and treacherous, stirring up trouble, just like a petty person who toys with tricks. Yet I saw a lingering heaviness in your brows, as if you were forced. So, Ling Yao that girl didn't really mistreat you, did she?"

Before his words finished, Zhan Xiao already wore a bitter expression, his brows knit together as hideously as possible. He inwardly lamented the huge gap between himself and Lu Fan—Lu Fan dared to call Ling Yao that girl in front of everyone, while he himself was driven to this point by Ling Yao and could not contain his anger.

At the same time, Zhang Jiling and the other two also wore complex looks—some joy, some loneliness, and a trace of unspeakable pain.

"Hum! To gain power, you have to give something. I don't know how many people in the academy want Ling Yao's instruction; you four got a bargain, so why act like this!"

Lu Fan shook his head, let out a cold hum, and expressed clear displeasure.

Zhan Xiao, the three of them, and Zhang Jiling instantly regained composure. He clenched his teeth hard, looking determined, bowed and said: "Thank you, President, for your guidance; we have taken note!"

Lu Fan waved his hand at Zhang Jiling and the two companions, then gave Zhan Xiao a slight sneer and said, "We Heavenly Dragon disciples have pure thoughts and simple hearts; you, a scion of a great family, should stay out of this. I will honor Ling Yao's teaching promise to you; you will temporarily assume the Vice President role and step aside for now!"

Zhan Xiao's background is unknown, and his talent is not ordinary; he cannot simply accept a lower position without cause. Although Lu Fan is confident in himself, he does not believe that a single roar of his tiger‑like body or a burst of dominance could subdue the other party.

Zhan Xiao's expression flickered, but he was never sincere. Though he admires Lu Fan's tactics, he could not truly make himself bow to the other's will. This arrangement suits him perfectly: it won't offend Ling Yao, it preserves a sliver of face with Lu Fan, and it won't leave him in a dilemma later.

Having figured this out, he instantly slipped away with Zhang Jiling and the two companions.

Lu Fan gave a faint smile, cast a meaning‑laden glance at Qin Zhen, then turned to Ke Da Shi beside him and said, "You just mentioned that Miss Nalan, whose expression turned odd as if recalling some past that involves me, right? Speak up, I'd like to hear!"

His words were very gentle, without any hint of force. Yet to Ke Da Shi's ears they carried an irresistible tone, as if they were orders from some great figure.