Chapter Forty-Two: The Covenant of the Divine Son

“Senior Sister Yunxi has been designated as the Divine Maiden?” Lin Fan was overjoyed. There had long been rumors about this, but now it was finally settled. The title of Divine Maiden represented not only greater resources but also far more authority—an honor of particular significance for both Lin Fan and the Celestial Court at present.

“That’s right. This round of contest was won by the influential figures on Senior Sister Yunxi’s side. However, the Orchid Heart Palace is no longer a safe place. The members of the Divine Son Alliance are watching like hawks, determined to eliminate anyone who tries to seek an audience with Senior Sister Yunxi.”

Gu Renfeng’s tone was heavy. In truth, this was little different from a veiled house arrest. Fortunately, Yunxi was not one to crave fame or glory, or she would have already unleashed a storm upon those people.

“The Divine Son Alliance must be the group gathered by Duanmu Ci. But it isn’t especially troublesome. According to the regulations of the Celestial Gate, once a disciple steps into the Celestial Being Realm before the next sect master is decided, they must immediately become an elder of the Celestial Gate. Duanmu Ci’s achievement in reaching the Celestial Being Realm is significant, but it comes with its own disadvantages. He probably doesn’t dare to make any drastic moves now. If I’m not mistaken, there must be voices calling for his impeachment within the Celestial Gate,” Chen Daolin snorted. He understood such high-level power struggles far better than Gu Renfeng and the others.

“Brother Daolin is right. If I insist on meeting Senior Sister Yunxi, no one will be able to stop me—unless someone at the Congealed Vein Realm intervenes, I’m confident enough to handle it.” Weighing the pros and cons, Lin Fan finally decided to head directly to the Orchid Heart Palace to seek Yunxi.

Seeing that the situation could not be changed, Gu Renfeng and the others didn’t try to dissuade him further, instead advising Lin Fan of a few matters to be cautious about.

After a few more words, Lin Fan took his leave. Time waited for no one; he could afford no delay.

The Orchid Heart Palace was not far from where Gu Renfeng and the others resided. Within half an hour, Lin Fan could already see the magnificent palace. Yet, at that moment, he was stopped.

“Beyond this point is the forbidden ground of the Divine Son Alliance. Outsiders may not pass. Who are you? Do you have a pass token?”

A young man stood before Lin Fan with an air of arrogance. He was an inner disciple of the Celestial Gate and a follower of the Divine Son Alliance.

“Divine Son Alliance? I’ve never heard of it. In the Celestial Gate, I recognize only the sect master. And who do you think you are?” Lin Fan replied coldly, showing not the slightest courtesy. He had come to make trouble; there was no need to mince words.

“How dare you! The Divine Son Alliance was established by the Celestial Gate’s Divine Son, Duanmu Ci. There is no one in the sect who does not know it. You’d better watch your tongue, or you’ll lose your life.”

The young man was furious, his brows drawn in anger. The Divine Son Alliance’s power made even the great houses keep silent; never had anyone dared speak to them in such a manner.

“Out of my way. In the Celestial Gate, there is only the sect master. I don’t know any Duanmu Ci.” Lin Fan would say no more. Lifting his foot, he strode forward, about to pass the young man.

“How bold! Today I’ll break your leg!”

A furious shout rang out. The young man, his face pale with rage, stretched out a hand to grab Lin Fan’s shoulder.

“Get lost!” Lin Fan shouted, his eyes shooting out beams like celestial lanterns piercing the sky. The young man trembled as if struck by lightning and, unable to withstand the force, dropped to his knees.

“Let’s see who dares speak so wildly here!” came another shout. A powerful figure attacked, and a sword light swept down from above, enveloping Lin Fan.

“Is arrogance now allowed simply because one has reached the ninth level of the Physical Body Realm? Do you really think the Divine Son Alliance is nothing more than a bunch of weaklings?”

The sword light howled, its brilliance flooding the sky. This was a master of the tenth level of the Physical Body Realm—each sword stroke carried the power of an elephant.

“Tenth level of the Physical Body Realm? I once thought such a realm was rare, but now it seems there are as many as stray dogs.” Lin Fan snorted, divine radiance bursting from his body. Dragon-like and tiger-stepped, he showed no concern for the oncoming sword light.

Clang!

The sword light struck him like metal against divine iron, ringing out with a resounding crash.

Lin Fan’s expression didn’t change. The protective divine light around him flickered, rendering the sword light utterly ineffective.

“So, the Celestial Gate has produced someone of your caliber. I’ve never seen you in the inner sect before. Are you a newly promoted disciple?” another voice called out. A giant palm descended from the sky—far more powerful than the sword-wielder, though Lin Fan guessed he still didn’t rank among the top ten of the inner sect, though not far from it.

The dark-gold hand, three meters wide, fell like a cloud upon Lin Fan, its five fingers radiating dazzling light and exuding overwhelming might.

“A pack of sneaking rats—hiding in shadows and striking from behind. In my eyes, you truly are no more than chickens and dogs, not worth a thought.” Lin Fan halted, his hair streaming wildly, his aura domineering and unmatched.

“Begone!”

Lin Fan unleashed a long howl, his fist thundering forth. Boundless blood and energy surged like a vast ocean, engulfing the heavens. He struck with all his might, determined to force those hidden in the shadows into the open.

Boom!

A deafening explosion followed—the giant palm in the sky shattered into pieces, and a muffled grunt echoed through the heavens. The assailant was wounded.

Lin Fan’s eyes gleamed as he executed the Divine Creation Fist; a dreadful dragon claw tore through the sky, lunging toward a certain spot.

“Insolent wretch! Courting death!” came a chorus of furious shouts as multicolored rays burst forth. Several formidable auras soared into the clouds.

These were the strongmen of the Divine Son Alliance, forced out by Lin Fan’s assault, and they emerged in utter disarray.

They were all young, none more than twenty-five years of age, and even within the Celestial Gate, they were unequivocal geniuses—renowned throughout the inner sect.

“How dare you attack us! Even the gods can’t save you now!” one of them roared, unleashing his power to the fullest. He charged with the strength of his body alone, dazzling light surging forth, intent on suppressing Lin Fan.

“Don’t think the Celestial Gate is a place where your Divine Son can cover the sky with one hand. There are countless others in this world. Who is Duanmu Ci? Call yourself ‘Divine Son’ long enough and you’ll start believing you’re truly descended from the gods?”

Lin Fan sneered, advancing without a hint of retreat. He saw through his opponent’s techniques—though they appeared formidable, the man’s strength was no more than three elephants. Even without his Divine Creation Fist, Lin Fan could crush him.

A giant hand the size of a meditation mat shot forth, utterly unadorned, cutting straight toward the enemy.

“Fool! You think your body is invincible? How dare you meet my divine art head on. You’ll die with no place to be buried!”

His opponent sneered, activating a secret method; his whole figure blazed with divine light. He too had seen Lin Fan’s earlier feats and knew him to be dangerous.

Yet he had overestimated himself—or rather, underestimated Lin Fan’s true power.