Chapter Thirty-Six: Defiance and Annihilation

"Who exactly are you? It is said that the descendants of the gods, nurtured by their ancestors, have long since become eternally confident and invincible, thus able to manifest the invincible form bearing their own features. Are you one of the gods’ progeny?"
The old man from the Ghost Domain was shaken to his core, trembling as if he had gazed upon a legend, his face etched with disbelief.

"What gods’ progeny? My heart is steadfast with the belief in invincibility, enough to strike down any foe in this world."
Lin Fan frowned, paying little heed to the old ghost’s words. With a resolute gesture, he advanced, moving like a figure cloaked in starlight and moonbeams.

"Even if you are a child of the gods, today you will be subdued by me. There is a vast chasm between the Flesh Refinement Realm and the Meridian Condensation Realm. Today, I shall show you the difference."
The old man from the Ghost Domain grew ruthless, realizing the gravity of the situation. If he did not give his all, he would surely be slain.

"No matter how powerful the Flesh Refinement Realm may be, without the forging of Dao Chains, you will ultimately fall!"
A dazzling divine light shot forth as the old man seemed to vanish into the void. His eyes shone brightly, like suns in the firmament.

A colossal Dao Chain materialized—this was his Dao technique, the ultimate achievement of the Meridian Condensation Realm.

"The Meridian Condensation Realm truly is extraordinary."
Lin Fan sighed, feeling a tremendous pressure, though it was not as overwhelming as he had imagined.

He had already begun to comprehend the Dao Chains, and had previously elevated his state of mind to match the Meridian Condensation Realm. After cultivating the Divine Creation Fist, he had refined a sense of invincible confidence. All these combined were enough to shatter the Dao Chain of the Meridian Condensation Realm!

"But you are mistaken. How dare someone at merely the first level of the Meridian Condensation Realm boast before me? Today, I will shatter your confidence!"
With a long howl, Lin Fan unleashed a mighty force from within, sweeping across the expanse.

His fist thundered forth like a dragon, dust billowing to obscure the sky. Lin Fan’s entire being radiated light, the mountain wall around them trembling as enormous cracks appeared.

He raised his hand and struck at the Dao Chain with a mighty punch. The force was like crashing waves against cliffs, like stones shattering the sky, dazzling and boundless—like an endless, domineering sea.

A deep hum resounded—the Dao Chain trembled and shone, struggling to resist. In this instant, it seemed almost alive, as if to fight on behalf of the old ghost.

"A single Dao Chain dares to oppose me? You court death. Even your master shall be crushed beneath me."
Lin Fan’s spirit soared. With one punch, he unleashed his might; the Divine Creation Fist was peerless, sweeping all before him with overwhelming dominance.

After a hundred exchanges, a thunderous crash echoed through the cave. Lin Fan coughed blood from the corner of his mouth, yet his aura grew even more terrifying, as unyielding as a mountain range. The Dao Chain, now far off, had been shattered to pieces, incapable of re-forming.

"You, you!"
The old man from the Ghost Domain stared in horror, his entire body shaking.

"I know you still have tricks left, but I won't give you the chance—fall before me!"
Striding like a dragon or tiger, Lin Fan raised a mighty hand and brought it crashing down.

This was a true dragon’s palm, carrying terrifying power and an overwhelming momentum.

"Manifest, Divine Form!"
The old man roared, eyes bulging with fury. Behind him appeared a figure three zhang tall—the Long-Armed Ghost Ape, said in legend to be a guardian beast of hell. This was the old ghost’s divine form technique.

A deafening roar burst from the Ghost Ape, its formidable aura sweeping out in all directions.

"All external power is ultimately empty. My heart harbors invincibility, my strength is unmatched. Can I not suppress a mere hell-beast?"
Lin Fan snorted coldly, his gaze unwavering. The divine form behind him merged back into his body, his momentum surging to the extreme.

The space before him collapsed in an instant. Lin Fan, transformed into a true dragon, brought his palm sweeping down, dominating all directions.

The Long-Armed Ghost Ape howled in rage, displeased by Lin Fan’s indifference. Gale winds howled, and black radiance surged forth.

"Begone!"
Lin Fan ascended, his body trembling, a vast sea of power crushing everything.

After dozens of exchanges, a dreadful dragon claw emerged from the void, several zhang in size. Terrifying power exploded forth, shattering heaven and earth.

Radiant light scattered as the Long-Armed Ghost Ape howled in vain. The dragon claw swept through with unstoppable force, smashing the ape to pieces, scattering it into countless motes of light.

At that moment, the already crumbling cave finally gave way, collapsing in a thunderous roar as endless rubble fell.

Lin Fan’s gaze remained unchanged. He strode forward boldly, every falling stone dispersed by his presence, reduced to dust.

"Die!"
Lin Fan roared, his hair flying wildly. In his ferocity, he seemed the reincarnation of a god of war.

His vast blood energy surged forward, suppressing everything like a war chariot rumbling across the land.

The old man from the Ghost Domain’s expression changed drastically, terror breaking him. No longer daring to fight, he turned to flee from the cave without a second’s hesitation.

Just then, a massive fist crashed down from above, Lin Fan’s figure close behind. With a tremendous boom, the old ghost spat blood, his body sent flying. Before he could recover, a great foot, as heavy as a mountain, came crashing down to pin him.

A scream of utter agony echoed out, but was abruptly cut short. Lin Fan, his iron fists invincible, sent the old ghost flying with a kick and immediately followed with a punch. In that instant, the old man’s skull shattered, blood and brain matter splattering everywhere.

Thus fell a once-invincible figure of the Meridian Condensation Realm, perishing with not even a whole corpse left behind.

"To think that one whom I once viewed as invincible in the Meridian Condensation Realm has now died by my hand. Truly, this is destiny. Half a year ago, I could never have imagined this day would come."
Lin Fan gazed at his palm, murmuring to himself.

The old ghost’s corpse lay bleeding not far away, yet the air was not filled with the stench of blood, but with a faint fragrance.

The Dao of the Meridian Condensation Realm is aligned with nature, body and heaven in harmony, all impurities long since purged. What remains is blood of the purest essence.

"Well done. I never imagined you could, with the Flesh Refinement Realm, defy and slay one at the Meridian Condensation Realm. Even in ancient times, this was a rare feat. And now, you are only at the ninth level of the Flesh Refinement Realm. Once you break through to the half-step Meridian Condensation—or the tenth level—you will become even stronger. Your strength may one day rival the prodigies of antiquity."
The figure of Sky Prison appeared, deeply satisfied. Lin Fan was not a scion raised from birth in a prestigious clan, so such accomplishments were truly remarkable.

"The Dao Chain of the Meridian Condensation Realm is indeed terrifying. Ordinary people could never hope to break through such a barrier."
Lin Fan nodded, wiping the blood from his lips.

The old ghost’s divine form technique had been formidable, but Lin Fan, whose heart was set on invincibility, had not feared it. What concerned him most was the Dao Chain—especially after it had awakened and fought on its own.