Chapter Twenty-Five: Mutation

“Thank you, Senior Sister, for saving my life.” Suppressing the terror within, Lin Fan bowed respectfully, his gaze steady, not sparing Duanmu Ci a single glance.

“I did not expect you to reach this level already. Now that you have kindled the Azure Dragon, you are automatically drawn into the competition among the outer disciples. With your strength, you could carve out a place for yourself even among the inner disciples.” Yun Xi nodded slightly, her demeanor as aloof as ever. Yet Lin Fan felt nothing amiss; coldness was her nature, but the fact that she had saved him several times proved she was warm-hearted beneath that icy exterior.

“I will not disappoint your expectations, Senior Sister.” Lin Fan cupped his hands sincerely, genuine joy blossoming in his heart. He understood that Yun Xi was encouraging him to slay the demon clan with all his might, to make a name for himself. It was also a test—to see if he was worth nurturing.

“This place is too dangerous, teeming with powerful demons. Follow me for now; once we leave, you may go your own way.” Yun Xi nodded again as she spoke.

Lin Fan’s heart grew tense. He realized Yun Xi still harbored doubts about him. After all, apart from the demons, who else could grow so strong so quickly except by devouring others? If he revealed even the slightest flaw, he would likely be executed on the spot. With that in mind, Lin Fan considered making an excuse to leave; he could not afford to travel with her.

But before he could refuse, someone else spoke up.

“Yun Xi, you’re going too far. Never mind that you stopped to save someone, but now you want to take him along as well? Do you think you alone make the rules in the Celestial Capital Sect?”

A figure stepped out—broad and towering, a head taller than most, his tiger-like eyes wide and intimidating, like a savage beast. He too was a core disciple of notable standing, or he would not have dared to speak out now.

“Cheng Yan, do you have a problem with this?” Yun Xi snorted coldly, giving him no quarter. This alone revealed her strength—perhaps not the greatest among them, but at least one of the elite.

“Hmph, what opinion could I have? Our mission this time is of utmost importance; no outsiders are allowed, let alone a burden who’s only at the Body Refinement stage. And don’t forget, the Divine Son is here—this is no place for your insolence.” Cheng Yan retorted, equally forceful. Two beams of divine light shot from his eyes, landing directly on Lin Fan.

“How dare you!” Yun Xi’s face flushed with anger. She struck out with one palm, shattering Cheng Yan’s gaze and, without losing momentum, sent the force crashing toward his body.

“It’s been years since we last exchanged moves; let’s see how far you’ve come.”

Cheng Yan’s expression remained unchanged. With a flicker, his body sidestepped through the void, evading the blow. A massive white tiger materialized at his side, claws sweeping across the air like a mountain, suppressing all directions.

The exchange happened so quickly it was like a flash of lightning; Lin Fan barely registered what was happening before the two were already locked in combat.

A cold sweat broke out on Lin Fan’s brow. Only now did he grasp the terror of the Vein Condensation realm. They were on a completely different level. If not for Yun Xi’s intervention, those beams alone might have killed him instantly.

“Cheng Yan… So, it’s the Cheng family. He must have learned of my connection with Senior Sister Yun Xi and intends to kill me. Ruthless and vicious!” Lin Fan’s eyes shone with clarity, piecing together the cause and effect. A towering killing intent welled in his heart. Yet he dared not reveal it, burying his hatred deep inside.

“All these years and you’ve made little progress.” Yun Xi’s voice cut through the fray. Suddenly, a long sword appeared in her hand, its icy brilliance slicing through the air, cleaving the white tiger into countless points of light.

The two moved at the same instant, poised to fight again—when suddenly, an overwhelming force descended, forcing them apart.

“Two core disciples dueling here? Aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?” Duanmu Ci’s figure emerged, his hand stretched out as divine patterns rained down from above, as if a true god were awakening—terrifying beyond words.

“The Divine Son is right; I wouldn’t dare.” Cheng Yan withdrew, standing still, even casting a provocative glance at Yun Xi.

“Hmph.” Yun Xi snorted, silent but making no further move, clearly wary of this Divine Son.

“You’re Lin Fan?” Duanmu Ci gazed down at Lin Fan, expressionless, as if he were a deity.

“Lin Fan greets the Divine Son.” Though uncertain of Duanmu Ci’s attitude toward him, Lin Fan observed all the necessary courtesies, leaving no room for reproach.

“Very well.” Duanmu Ci nodded, then with a wave of his hand, a jade talisman appeared in midair, landing before Lin Fan.

“Our mission is highly confidential. It’s not suitable for you to follow. This is a jade talisman I forged; it can withstand a blow from a high-level Vein Condensation cultivator. Keep it well—it may save your life in a crisis.” With those words, Duanmu Ci’s form flashed away into the distance, the other core disciples quickly following, not daring to lag behind.

Yun Xi nodded toward Lin Fan, said nothing more, and sped away.

“What exactly is Duanmu Ci planning?” Lin Fan murmured, turning the jade talisman in his hand, full of doubt. The talisman felt warm to the touch, and its terrifying, boundless power was unmistakable—a testament to Duanmu Ci’s handiwork.

“Still, this talisman is a true treasure. It might really save me from a deadly calamity someday.” Lin Fan stopped pondering and prepared to store the talisman in his cosmic pouch.

“If you value your life, keep that talisman close.” Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice echoed in Lin Fan’s mind. Rainbow light flickered, and a phantom appeared before him.

“You—what are you?!” Lin Fan was startled, the scene uncanny and bewildering. But his mind had long since surpassed ordinary men’s, and he quickly regained his composure.

“I am the shard upon your chest. You must have heard that divine artifacts possess spirits—I am the artifact spirit of this broken stone. I was shattered long ago, but your devouring of demon flesh and blood awakened me.”

The phantom spoke—it was indeed an artifact spirit, belonging to the shard.

“So that’s it. I’ve heard tales of artifact spirits, but never thought I’d meet one today.” Lin Fan calmed down, sensing the shard’s mystery. If it possessed an artifact spirit, it was not so surprising after all.

“Indeed. In ages past, I followed the strongest of humanity, invincible on the battlefield. Later, I was shattered by a host of supreme beings, broken into pieces. Yet even so, nothing can dim my glory.” The phantom scoffed, its words suffused with tales of iron and blood, its aura fierce and unyielding.

“Very well. So you mean there’s something wrong with this jade talisman?” Lin Fan trusted the artifact spirit’s words and asked directly.