The battle sent ripples of unrest through several provinces. The once-dominant Western Sect Leader had been defeated by a junior barely a hundred thousand years old, shocking the world.
At the same time, it dawned on everyone just how formidable the Heaven Mending Sect truly was, its foundations unfathomably deep. Beyond its sect leader, it boasted a powerful woman whose strength rivaled—perhaps even surpassed—most sect leaders in the Upper Realm, her depths immeasurable.
Moreover, this fairy was fiercely protective, willing to personally seek justice for her disciple, clashing with a sect leader and storming their gates to kill. Her dominance was undeniable.
Thus, the message was clear: a warning to all beings of the world. Anyone who dared to shamelessly ambush the sect's juniors would face her wrath—she would come knocking, ready to unleash a slaughter.
"I'm suddenly so jealous of that Heaven Mending Sect prodigy. To have such a powerful backer, he can walk anywhere without fear."
"Exactly. If only I could become a disciple of that fairy senior. It'd be pure bliss."
"Dream on. Not just anyone can study under her. You'd need to defeat an initial-generation prodigy to even be considered…"
Cultivators from various sects buzzed with discussion, some envious, others admiring. The defeat of the Six-Zhang Golden Body was monumental, sparking a storm of speculation.
Not only had Lin Fan become a household name, but Qing Yao's prowess was equally celebrated, her reputation spreading among the great clans. Many began to reassess this woman, awestruck by her might.
"Sigh, to think you've reached such heights. It puts us to shame," sighed a Heavenly Deity from the Creation Academy.
He was from the same era as Qing Yao and knew her well, having once been among her admirers. Back then, she was already remarkable.
Yet, after countless years, he remained a mere Heavenly Deity, while she had soared to the ranks of a titan, a sect leader-grade existence.
The gap between them was vast, like heaven and earth.
At the Heavenly Deity level, the path forward was nearly blocked. Advancing to sect leader status was extraordinarily difficult.
To cultivate ancient methods, one needed rare seeds. To follow modern methods, divine materials were scarce and elusive.
Thus, beings surpassing the Heavenly Deity Realm were exceedingly rare. Even among the top sects of the Three Thousand Provinces, sect leader-grade figures were few and could be counted on one hand.
Hence, Heavenly Deities were often called "lesser sect leaders" in the Upper Realm.
"Tch, tch, tch. This fairy from the Heaven Mending Sect is no ordinary figure. She was incredibly famous back in her day, tied to a major event…" someone began, stirring up old tales in the Spirit Realm, igniting a frenzy across the Three Thousand Provinces.
"Oh? Tell us more! Let us marvel at the fairy's legend," a group chimed in, eager for stories of mighty figures, especially those of a peerless beauty.
"Keep it down. This matter is taboo in the Upper Realm. Discussing a powerhouse's past is never wise," cautioned a cultivator who had ignited his divine flame.
"Don't worry, we understand. We won't spread it," some nodded, urging him to continue.
"I don't know much, but the current deputy leader of the Heaven Mending Sect was the saintess of her generation, known as one of the two brightest pearls of the Upper Realm, with countless suitors."
"Who was the other pearl?" someone couldn't help but ask.
"Naturally, the Old Witch of the Heaven-Severing Sect, the Heaven Mending Sect's archrival."
Hiss… The crowd gasped. They might not know much about the Heaven Mending Sect's fairy, but the Old Witch was infamous, a name that struck fear into hearts.
Her title alone sent shivers down spines, her terror well-known.
Even many elders had suffered at her hands, scars they could never forget.
In that moment, many clamped their mouths shut, too wary to discuss the Old Witch of the Heaven-Severing Sect.
"Ahem, let's get back to the fairy's tale," the middle-aged Divine Flame cultivator said awkwardly.
The group nodded in unison, ears perked, listening intently.
Clearly, they feared the Old Witch more—a true predator who devoured without leaving bones, capable of ensnaring you without warning.
The holy fairy, at least, maintained a facade of grace for appearances.
"Speaking of the fairy, we can't ignore her tangled love-hate saga with the Demon Emperor…"
An hour later, everyone who heard the story stood dumbfounded, unable to recover.
"So, you're saying the fairy sacrificed herself to the Demon Emperor, saving the Heaven Mending Sect from near destruction?!" someone exclaimed.
The Divine Flame cultivator neither confirmed nor denied, offering only a vague outline. Sometimes, leaving things unsaid sparked more imagination.
At the same time, Lin Fan and Yue Chan caught wind of the tale and hurried to the tavern.
"Do you think what he said is true, about the Ancestor and the Demon Emperor?" Yue Chan asked, her clear eyes blinking with doubt.
Lin Fan shook his head. "You're the saintess, raised in the sect since childhood, and even you don't know. How would I, someone new to the outside world, have a clue?"
"If it's true, the Ancestor's sacrifice was immense, saving the entire sect single-handedly. Everyone in the sect should be grateful to her."
Yue Chan reflected inwardly, asking herself if she could make such a sacrifice for the greater good, offering herself to a demon.
"Tch, I say those people deserved it. Pretty Big Sis shouldn't have bothered with them. In the end, she's the only one who suffered," Lin Fan scoffed, indignant on her behalf.
"Could this… be the sect's forbidden history?"
Yue Chan murmured, recalling a blank chapter in the sect's records, a taboo no one could investigate or discuss, punishable with utmost severity.
But as she pondered, lost in thought, Lin Fan sprang into action, his aura brimming with killing intent, runes blazing, qi and blood surging wildly.
"Hey, what are you doing?!" Yue Chan gasped, her forehead creasing with frustration, baffled by his sudden outburst.
"Haven't you noticed? Someone's deliberately spreading these rumors," Lin Fan replied coldly, striding toward the source of the voice.
"Junior Brother, that's a Divine Flame Realm cultivator! Don't be reckless!" Yue Chan shouted, grabbing his collar, her brows knitting with worry.
"I'm going after a Divine Flame cultivator!"
In the next moment, Lin Fan charged forward. The door to the adjacent room exploded, and before anyone could react, he launched a kick, sending the divine being flying.
Boom!
The middle-aged man rose, his fury towering. Runes materialized one after another, glowing brilliantly, his terrifying aura shaking the entire city.
The tavern teetered, on the verge of collapse, but the place was no ordinary structure. A grand formation activated just in time, stabilizing the building.
"You've got the guts of a bear and the gall of a leopard, daring to ambush me. Courting death?!" The divine being's voice was icy, his eyes flashing with visions of suns and moons, utterly intimidating.
He raised a hand, unleashing a great divine ability, summoning a barrage of dense lightning to strike.
Lin Fan stood unmoved, letting the lightning crash upon him, utterly fearless. He blocked it with ease.
In this Spirit Transformation Realm zone, even a True God would be suppressed here, their power curtailed.
"You're… the Heavne-Mending Sect's prodigy!" The man recognized Lin Fan's face, his shock evident.
"Oh, you know me? Speak, then. Which sect do you serve, and who sent you to spread these slanderous lies?"
Lin Fan sneered, advancing step by step, his aura unmatched, exuding an air of sole supremacy. The crowd's hearts raced, instinctively parting to clear a path.
"Hmph, I'm a lone cultivator, unaffiliated. Everything I said is true, not a word of falsehood!" the man declared, his tone carrying a hint of confidence, unafraid of the Heaven-Mending Sect.
"I know a better way to ask questions. Let's see if your mouth stays as tough later!"
Lin Fan stretched, his joints cracking like a tolling bell, the sound resonant and terrifying, shaking all who heard it.
____
If you want to support me and read advanced 100+ chapters and other stories join: patreon.com/Caluem