Zhang Wan's eyes immediately turned fierce.
A powerful Saint force surged out like a mountain tide, transforming into a massive hand that swept towards Ling Fan.
This move utilized his strongest power, not daring to be careless in the slightest.
After all, his opponent was an Emperor-level expert. Even if severely injured, he deserved sufficient respect; otherwise, a moment's carelessness could lead to an overturned boat in the gutter.
"Zhang Wan! How dare you be so disrespectful to Senior Ling!"
Lan Gu exclaimed.
However, it was too late for her to intervene.
The palm, carrying astonishing might, pressed down towards Ling Fan.
Just then.
Ling Fan moved.
He flicked his finger, and the palm conjured by Zhang Wan's full-force strike shattered upon impact.
Ling Fan simply reached out and grabbed. Instantly, the entire world seemed to freeze. Zhang Wan felt an unimaginably terrifying power lock onto him, making it difficult to breathe, like a fish about to die.
"How is this possible! Weren't you on the verge of death from your injuries? How can you still possess such immense power!"
At that moment.
Zhang Wan's eyes bulged with horror.
"Father, Father! Save me!"
Zhang Wan screamed in utter fear.
There was no need for him to call for help.
The elder of the Qingcheng Sect, his father Zhang Yuan, had already acted.
A peak Saint King's pressure, reaching an apex and nearing the Emperor realm, erupted. In his hand, a true Emperor realm power fluctuated – a golden mace, radiating an overwhelming Emperor's aura. As the Qingcheng Sect elder Zhang Yuan struck with the mace, the heavens and earth, previously sealed by Ling Fan, were broken open. A fearsome golden light shot towards Ling Fan.
Block!
Ling Fan casually flicked his wrist.
A powerful force collided fiercely with the golden mace, immediately creating earth-shattering roars. Ling Fan remained unmoved, while Zhang Yuan staggered back dozens of feet before managing to stop. In just one exchange, his entire strength was nearly drained by the golden mace.
"Are your injuries perhaps feigned? What is your purpose in coming to our Qingcheng Sect!"
Zhang Yuan's expression turned extremely grim.
He was inwardly terrified.
He had believed his son's words, thinking this heavily injured Emperor-level expert was a delicious fat sheep. But who knew this delicious fat sheep was actually a ferocious wolf in disguise!
"Too much nonsense. Since you father and son dared to attack me, Ling, then leave your lives behind."
Ling Fan sneered.
As he took a step, the entire mountain peak where the courtyard was located bounced violently!
It was as if an ancient deity had stepped on it.
Boom!
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
With each step, it was like three death knells striking Zhang Yuan's heart.
Pfft!
Zhang Yuan's face contorted in extreme horror, his body trembling. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his legs involuntarily buckling to their knees.
"My lord, spare me! Zhang admits his guilt. Please, for the sake of me being an elder of the Qingcheng Sect, spare my life! Sect Master, why aren't you acting? Are you just going to watch me be killed!"
"Alas."
A sigh suddenly echoed through the heavens and earth.
Following that.
A gentle, spring-like power descended, silently dissolving the killing intent between Ling Fan's steps.
A figure appeared before Zhang Yuan and his son.
This figure had temples streaked with white hair, an ancient appearance, and an immortal bearing. He exuded an Emperor's pressure that could swallow the heavens and earth, a natural authority.
Upon seeing this person appear.
All the Qingcheng Sect powerhouses, including Lan Gu, prostrated themselves like a receding tide.
"Greetings, Supreme Sect Master!"
The Qingcheng Sect Master did not acknowledge the others.
Instead, his face held a degree of solemnity as he stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at Ling Fan.
"Fellow Daoist, you have already punished Zhang Yuan. For the sake of me and the Qingcheng Sect, how about letting his father and son go? I will severely punish them and provide you with an explanation. How about this: I heard you are collecting rare Emperor Pill materials. As compensation, the Qingcheng Sect is willing to offer all the heavenly materials and earthly treasures in our vault. What do you say?"
Supreme Sect Master, this is unacceptable! These are the treasured possessions of the Qingcheng Sect accumulated over countless years, priceless! Figures of powerful Saint Kings emerged, all high-ranking elders of the Qingcheng Sect. As soon as they appeared, they harbored intense hostility towards Ling Fan, strongly opposing the Qingcheng Sect Master's act of showing weakness and apologizing.
"Silence."
The Qingcheng Sect Master swept them with a stern gaze.
Ling Fan grinned.
He shook his head.
"Fellow Daoist, what do you mean by this? Do you feel our Qingcheng Sect's sincerity is insufficient?" the Qingcheng Sect Master narrowed his eyes.
"Not enough! Far from enough. Those I wish to kill, no one can save."
Ling Fan's smile vanished.
The moment his voice fell.
The mark of the Demonic Fire Red Lotus flashed in his eyes.
Pfft!
Zhang Yuan and his son behind the Qingcheng Sect Master let out excruciating screams. Terrifying demonic flames ignited on their bodies, and in an instant, they were reduced to charred remains, frozen in their final struggles, their deaths exceptionally tragic.
"You!"
A trace of anger appeared on the Qingcheng Sect Master's usually serene face.
"This is too much! Supreme Sect Master, you have been constantly yielding to this brat, yet he pushes his advantage. He actually killed our Qingcheng Sect members on our territory, right before our eyes. This is a heinous crime, and he deserves to die!"
For a moment.
The numerous powerhouses of the Qingcheng Sect were filled with righteous indignation.
Ling Fan, however, acted as if nothing had happened.
It was as if the two powerful figures who had just been burned to death were mere ants.
"What, you have an opinion about me killing two people from your Qingcheng Sect? I am helping you clean house. Idiots like these who are never satisfied will only bring disaster to your Qingcheng Sect if they live."
Ling Fan said slowly.
The Qingcheng Sect Master lowered his gaze, lost in thought.
"Whose opinion are you seeking? Heh, so the Qingcheng Sect has an Ancestor who is in closed-door cultivation, attempting to break through to the Second Order Great Emperor. Let me go and meet your Ancestor."
Ling Fan's eyes seemed to pierce through everything.
He sneered coldly and tore open the void with his bare hands. From the torn void, a figure with an unimaginably powerful aura could be vaguely seen, suppressing that space like a ballast stone.
He stepped inside.
Entering the deepest level of the Qingcheng Sect's space.
"What!"
"Our Ancestor is not dead?"
"Ah, not only is the Ancestor not dead, but he is also attempting to break through to the Second Order Great Emperor! Wonderful!"
"This fellow truly doesn't know the meaning of death. Knowing our Ancestor's existence, he still dares to seek death."
The Qingcheng Sect powerhouses were both shocked and enraged.
However, not long after.
The void tore open again.
Ling Fan walked out, completely unharmed.
Everyone was stunned.
What was going on?
Didn't their Qingcheng Sect's Ancestor still live?
How could they allow this madman to come and go freely within the Qingcheng Sect?
Just then.