Chapter 107: Triumph

“The Forbidden Land? I never expected the Eighteen Levels of Hell in the Buddhist tradition to be such a place. I wonder just how powerful an entity could be restrained by its limits,” Lin Fan muttered to himself, surveying his surroundings—a barren wilderness. The ground was cracked and parched, bereft of any vegetation, and the distant horizon seemed utterly lifeless, bleak and stripped bare.

“The Eighteen Levels of Hell were personally summoned by the Buddha from the boundless starry heavens, dwarf planets brought here. Even those at the Ancestral Realm would find themselves suppressed in this place,” came the voice of the Judgment Spear, heavy with nostalgia, lost in memories.

“I’ve been to Hell before, but it looked nothing like this back then. You must understand, Hell was once a place where the Buddhist sect suppressed demons and heretics—it was glorious beyond description, a sight unfit for outsiders to witness.”

A flash of light, and the spirit of the Judgment Spear appeared in midair. Hands clasped behind his back, his eyes shone with brilliance, peerless and majestic, a terrifying aura emanating from him. The entire planet quaked, but the so-called Hell, which could subdue Ancestral Realm beings, proved unable to hinder him.

“Have you already surpassed the Ancestral Realm?” Lin Fan drew a deep breath, mystery flickering in his gaze.

“No need to speculate. My realm is not like that of your human race,” the spirit of the Judgment Spear shook his head, unwilling to elaborate.

“This place could have been useful to you, but time waits for no one. There’s no need to linger. The fortune within the Little Thunderclap Temple is far more important,” the Judgment Spear declared, extending a vast hand, parting heaven and earth, snatching stars and moons—his divine powers ignored the boundaries of space.

For a moment, heaven and earth shook, as if the planet would split apart—terrifying indeed.

“Who dares to act so recklessly here!” A thunderous voice echoed, a burst of radiance, as a giant hand reached out, intent on halting the Judgment Spear’s assault.

“So this is how you greet an old friend? I have urgent business today and do not wish to reminisce,” the Judgment Spear instantly recognized the challenger, clearly another ancient being.

“So it’s you. Leave quickly. This is not our time to emerge,” the voice hesitated, then withdrew, the great hand never descending.

The Judgment Spear remained expressionless, ascending, gazing down upon all enemies.

At last, the true master appeared.

A Dao robe soared into the sky, not wishing for battle, darting straight into the distance.

“Now that I know your whereabouts, you still wish to flee? If we were outside, perhaps, but within this layer of Hell, my word is law!” The Judgment Spear was unmatched, supremely domineering, reaching the pinnacle of power. Both hands unleashed secret techniques, shattering the heavens.

“Don’t destroy my domain,” the mysterious figure spoke again, a hint of displeasure, yet he stabilized the space with his divine arts.

“Who are you? Why do you pursue me so relentlessly?” The Dao robe emitted a voice, a surge of murderous intent sweeping the skies.

“As I suspected, your spirit has been erased, leaving only malice. I wonder if any goodness remains,” the Judgment Spear shook his head, unleashing terrifying divine powers to imprison the Dao robe midair, rendering all its struggles futile.

“Hate! Hate! Hate!” The spirit of the Dao robe appeared—a venerable Taoist, yet his eyes were blood-red, brimming with murderous rage.

“I know you are resentful, but some things are determined from the beginning. You will fade away, so in your final moments, wield your power as you should,” the Judgment Spear stood high above, once more attempting to refine the old Taoist.

“Impossible! My death was unjust, tragic! I cannot accept it!” The Taoist struck out, a dreadful force sweeping across, crushing all in its path. The Judgment Spear’s domain trembled, nearly rupturing.

“The power of monsters and evil, even birthing ominous signs—I cannot allow you to remain,” the Judgment Spear’s voice turned icy. Then he let out a long howl.

“Old friend, it’s your turn. If this power erupts, your realm will be destroyed,” boomed the voice, iron and gold clashing, swallowing the world.

“I never thought you’d have any troubles left,” the mysterious figure replied, not acting immediately.

“This problem doesn’t trouble me, but for certain reasons, I cannot utterly destroy this Dao robe right now,” the Judgment Spear said with a hint of displeasure, though his strength was such that true power could annihilate all.

“Fair enough. I’ll lend a hand this once.”

The mysterious figure grew solemn, manifesting a vast Buddhist kingdom. Divine symbols descended—this was the art of universal salvation, an unrivaled Buddhist technique.

The combined power of these two beings was terrifying; within half a quarter-hour, the spirit of the Dao robe let out agonizing screams.

“I refuse! I refuse to accept this!” At last, a heartrending wail, and the Dao robe’s spirit dissipated. Thus, an ancestral artifact had fallen, its glory forever lost.

“An ancestral artifact, gone just like that?” Lin Fan was dumbfounded, his face filled with shock.

Ancestral artifacts were said to be imperishable through countless calamities, yet today one had perished. The news would send chills down the spine of any who heard.

The mysterious figure departed, silent, likely bound by restrictions that prevented him from appearing before mortals.

The Judgment Spear’s spirit descended slowly, Dao robe in hand, finally coming to rest beside Lin Fan.

“Take this Dao robe. It still possesses the power of an ancestral artifact, but only once. It will suffice to obtain the fortune within the Little Thunderclap Temple,” the Judgment Spear handed the Dao robe to Lin Fan, imparting this news.

“That’s more than enough. Now I finally have the strength to vie with the great figures,” Lin Fan nodded solemnly, taking the Dao robe, filled with heroic confidence.

“No need to retrace your steps. Within this layer of Hell is a teleportation array connecting directly to the Little Thunderclap Temple. But let me warn you—the Little Thunderclap Temple is far more complicated than you imagine. Now I can tell you the meaning of a Fallen Immortal,” the Judgment Spear looked at Lin Fan, speaking slowly.

“Immortal is a realm, above the Great Emperor. Fallen Immortal means a fallen celestial being.”

“What?!” Lin Fan was stunned. The Great Emperor was the master of the Divine Dynasty, wielding terrifying might, surpassing all. Then what would Immortal be? Perhaps invincible described them best.

“No need to worry. That Immortal has already perished,” the Judgment Spear shook his head, leading Lin Fan at breakneck speed. In the blink of an eye, the stars shifted, and a vast altar appeared before him.

Radiant light shone, and Lin Fan stood atop the altar, about to be teleported. This time, the Judgment Spear did not accompany him, likely for his own reasons—perhaps related to the mysterious figure within this layer of Hell.