Chapter 106: The Eighteen Levels of Hell

“As expected.” Lin Fan’s expression remained unchanged; he had already guessed that the Elder of the Xiang family’s message must have been the result of deliberation among these important figures. The Lord of the Ancient Buddha Domain had not emerged for long, as the battle raged on fiercely. The phantom of the Ancient Buddha strained with all its might to break free from the siege, nearly succeeding several times, which left all the great powers vigilant and unwilling to relax their guard.

“Brother Lin, since you choose to act alone, we’ll part ways here.” Xiang Zhenting clasped his hands in farewell, urgency in his demeanor. He had no intention to wait any longer; moreover, in the distance, some factions had already begun to make their move. Several groups chose to enter Lesser Thunder Sound Temple at the first possible moment.

“Brother Xiang, be careful in all things.” Lin Fan nodded to both Xiang Zhenting and Young Master Luohua. He already had his own plan, intending to avoid the limelight and not follow the crowd into the temple.

As shadows flickered and figures came and went, half a day later, the small city returned to its original state—desolate and empty.

“Judgement Spear, prepare yourself. Let’s find that ancestral artifact, the Dao Robe.” Lin Fan’s eyes flashed as he called upon the Judgement Spear in secret.

“So this was your plan all along. No wonder you were willing to set aside the opportunities within Lesser Thunder Sound Temple for now.” The voice of the Judgement Spear sounded, tinged with approval. Knowing when to advance and retreat, and understanding strategy, are both crucial on the path of cultivation, yet few can manage it—most are easily blinded by fortune.

“Opportunities may be good, but I must have enough strength to claim them. With so many powerful figures eyeing them, and untold terrors lurking in the temple, charging in with my current strength is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. I have no patron to shield me.” Lin Fan sneered. He was well aware of his own abilities—no match for the others in open contention. But once he possessed the ancestral artifact, things would change.

“It’s a pity you cannot act yourself, or else you could seize every opportunity in Lesser Thunder Sound Temple.” Lin Fan sighed. The Judgement Spear’s power surpassed even that of an ancestral artifact and could contend with true ancestral realm experts, a force that could overturn everything. The entire Jin Empire might not even possess a single ancestral realm existence.

“Hmph, you certainly have ambition. But you should know that with your current power, you’re not capable of subduing an ancestral artifact, and even if you obtain it, you may not be able to wield its strength.” The Judgement Spear snorted dismissively. In ancient times, ancestral artifacts were the backbone of the spirit-forged weapon clans, not something ordinary people could use.

“I won’t deny that. But you should be able to, right? As a sacred weapon, subduing an ancestral artifact should pose no problem for you.”

Lin Fan remained calm and composed, his intentions already set.

“You even want to use me for this? I can help you locate the Dao Robe, but let me warn you: this is no ordinary artifact. Its original master died a tragic death, and even its spirit was ground away completely.” The Judgement Spear appeared before Lin Fan, employing a powerful means to conceal itself from the distant great figures.

Lin Fan was taken aback by this, then asked in confusion, “If its spirit has perished, how can it still act on its own?” He hadn’t forgotten how, the first time he’d seen the Dao Robe, it had flown off by itself, faster than he could pursue.

“There are things in this world that can be reborn—even people. The Dao Robe’s resentment gave birth to a new spirit, but that spirit is absolutely malevolent. Even I cannot erase that. Are you sure you want to pursue it?” The Judgement Spear’s words were deep and meaningful.

“I’ll take my chances. If not, I might as well leave now.” Lin Fan pondered for a moment before replying firmly. The Dao Robe may be ominous, but it was the one thing that could help him seize the ultimate opportunity.

“Very well, let’s go. Fifty miles to the north lies a place I cannot enter with my consciousness. There may be danger, but I’m certain the Dao Robe is there. If you can make it inside, I’ll handle the rest. After all these years without action, I’m eager to test my skills.” The Judgement Spear’s gaze flashed, shooting out two beams of divine light, as if worlds were evolving within.

“What, you can act now?” Lin Fan was delighted, but his excitement was quickly dampened.

“Don’t get any ideas. If it weren’t for Lesser Thunder Sound Temple obscuring fate, I wouldn’t even be able to intervene, and even now, I can’t exert my full strength.” The Judgement Spear’s words were cold, quashing Lin Fan’s hopes.

“So that’s how it is.” Lin Fan felt somewhat deflated, but he didn’t dwell on it. He had always intended to keep the Judgement Spear in reserve.

After composing himself, Lin Fan set out. Normally, fifty miles would take him no more than the time to drink a cup of tea, but to avoid prying eyes, he took a full hour to reach his destination.

Before him lay a valley shrouded in white mist, utterly silent—so devoid of life it seemed the very essence of death.

“Are you sure it’s here?” Lin Fan called upon the Judgement Spear. The sight of the valley made his scalp tingle, as if he stood before the very gates of hell.

“It’s inside. There’s a great spatial formation here; the actual area is vast. Legend has it that the Buddhist sects suppressed eighteen levels of hell—this may be one of them. Don’t worry, there’s no great danger here. For anyone below the tenth level, your strength is sufficient.” The Judgement Spear had discerned the valley’s origins: it was indeed one of the legendary eighteen Buddhist hells.

“So the eighteen Buddhist hells aren’t just a myth—such a place truly exists.” Lin Fan drew a sharp breath, his heart shaken. He began to take these old legends seriously—many seemed to be true after all.

“Rumors don’t arise from nothing. Where do you think all these tales come from? Most are simply exaggerated, but the events themselves are real.” The Judgement Spear returned to Lin Fan’s heart, suppressing its own aura to avoid detection.

“Perhaps so,” Lin Fan muttered. Then, moving without hesitation, he plunged into the valley.

Radiant light flashed before his eyes. Suddenly, a vast world opened up—Lin Fan stood upon the starry void, and below him was a massive planet.

“How magnificent! So this is one of the Buddhist hells that suppress demons and monsters? They’ve actually imprisoned stars from the highest heavens—what terrifying power!” Lin Fan was filled with awe and wonder, and a deep curiosity toward the ancient, invincible Buddhist tradition arose in his heart.

In that instant, a tremendous force seized him. Lin Fan struggled to break free, but it was futile. In a blink, he found himself standing upon the planet’s surface.

“What manner of technique is this? My divine powers are sealed—I have only my physical strength left!” Lin Fan steadied himself, then cried out in astonishment. He could no longer wield his magic; apart from the strength of his body, he was no different from a mortal.