Chapter 33: Danxiang Valley – Dan Xiner VS Tianji Pavilion – Lin Fan

That night, the moonlight fell gently as Lin Chen and Lin Fan walked side by side along the mountain path of the Xuanyin Qin Sect, the air filled with a faint floral fragrance.

The two walked to a high ground with an expansive view, overlooking the night scenery of the entire Qin Sect.

Lin Chen sat on a flat, large rock, her legs swaying gently, the starlight reflecting off her profile, making her look like a Fairy from a painting.

Lin Fan stood beside her, bowing his head slightly, his gaze fixed intently on her.

"Lin Fan," Lin Chen said softly, breaking the silence of the night, "Do you think, what will we be like in the future?"

Lin Fan was startled, then revealed a warm smile: "The future us… of course, no matter how far, we will never be separated."

Lin Chen turned to look at him, starlight seeming to flow in her eyes. "Then if I become very troublesome in the future, will you dislike me?"

Lin Fan reached out and ruffled the top of her hair, laughing: "Aren't you already quite troublesome now? Yet I like it very much, how could I dislike you?"

Lin Chen blushed and swatted his hand away, but she wasn't angry, just lowered her head slightly, a sweet smile playing on her lips.

The two stayed there quietly for the whole night, until the first ray of morning light fell across the valley.

The next day, in front of the giant ancient zither sculpture on Yinyun Square, the Five Regions Joint Tournament officially began.

Seated in the first row of the VIP section were four heavyweight figures:

Xuanyin Qin Sect, Sect Master Qi Meng, wearing a silver-white long dress, with stunning temperament and eyes full of authority.

Danxiang Valley, Sect Master Wanying, dressed in a pale pink gauze garment, gentle and dignified, her gaze soft yet not lacking sharpness.

Tianji Pavilion, Great Elder Situ Qian, wearing a purple-gold robe, silver hair hanging over his shoulders, his face lean, his gaze as deep as the stars, possessing an extraordinary bearing.

Xuanyin Second Sect, Mu Tianhe, dressed in a deep cyan robe, his face cold and stern, his eyes bright, radiating a natural sense of pressure.

Behind them were the elite Disciples of various Sects, arranged in order according to their Sect's strength and status.

The host, Instructor Liu Qingwan, stepped onto the high platform and announced softly:

"Distinguished guests, yesterday's intense battles have determined three winners for us. They are: Dan Xiner of Danxiang Valley, Lin Chen of the Xuanyin Qin Sect, and Lin Fan of Tianji Pavilion! Today, the final top three will be decided among these three."

Enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from below, instantly igniting the atmosphere.

Lin Chen, Lin Fan, and Dan Xiner walked slowly to the center of the square, each of the three possessing their own unique demeanor.

Lin Chen's sweetness and liveliness, Lin Fan's coldness and composure, and Dan Xiner's nobility and elegance—the moment the three stood there, they became the focus of everyone's attention.

Instructor Liu Qingwan's voice continued to echo across Yinyun Square: "For the sake of fairness, the first match today will begin with Lin Fan, who had a bye yesterday, drawing lots to determine his opponent."

Lin Fan stepped forward, his expression cold, his sword-like eyebrows slightly raised.

He arrived in front of the jade tube, reached his hand inside, and his fingertips lightly touched a few folded lot papers.

He paused for a moment, drew one out, unfolded it, and his gaze relaxed slightly.

Instructor Liu Qingwan took the paper with a smile and announced loudly: "Lin Fan's opponent is—Dan Xiner!"

Lin Fan and Dan Xiner walked slowly to the center of the square. Their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze for an instant.

Dan Xiner wore a crimson dress, her sleeves fluttering like flames, a hint of complex emotion between her brows.

"I didn't expect us to meet again in this way."

Lin Fan raised his eyes slightly, his cold face calm and unruffled, his tone low: "Five years, and you still haven't changed."

Her gaze carried a hint of sharpness, her voice cold: "But you have changed. To think that the person who once stepped onto the ascension ladder for me is actually a coward who only knows how to escape."

Lin Fan frowned upon hearing this; it seemed the matter of him impersonating the Divine Lord had already spread in the Upper Realm: "Today is not the time for reminiscing. Since I drew you, let's let our strength do the talking."

Dan Xiner sneered: "This is the day I have been waiting for."

The two stood fixed in the center of the square, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Instructor Liu Qingwan announced: "The first match, Lin Fan versus Dan Xiner! The rules of the match remain the same: stop at a touch, causing injury is strictly prohibited, until one side voluntarily concedes or is unable to continue."

Before her voice had faded, Dan Xiner had already drawn her sword and risen; the blade's edge was chillingly sharp, and her Spiritual Qi transformed into crimson flames that wrapped around the sword, resembling scorching fire.

She slashed down with her sword, and the sword radiance swept forward, closing in on Lin Fan.

Lin Fan was unhurried, shifting his steps slightly, his silver-blue robe moving with the wind.

He lifted his finger slightly, and his Spiritual Qi condensed into a Void Realm barrier, completely blocking the sword radiance.

Subsequently, a flash of spiritual light appeared in his hand, and an ancient, simple longsword appeared. He immediately backhanded a strike, the Sword Qi like wind-blown sand, directly attacking Dan Xiner.

Dan Xiner snorted softly, her figure flashing like fire. Amidst the interwoven sword radiance, she dodged Lin Fan's offensive without a scratch and backhanded a strike towards Lin Fan's flank.

Lin Fan crossed his legs, his figure instantly retreating. While avoiding the edge, he swept his sword horizontally, the Sword Qi transforming into a gale, forcing Dan Xiner back several steps.

On the square, sword shadows crisscrossed. The two's offense and defense were as elegant and fierce as a dance, keeping the audience glued to the scene.

Dan Xiner sneered and asked: "Lin Fan, are you no longer the you that goes all out? Or is it that a guilty conscience makes you afraid to face me?"

Lin Fan's gaze was as cold as ice and snow, his voice low and powerful: "I never regret my choices. As for not using my full strength, that is because it is unnecessary against you."

Upon hearing Lin Fan's cold words, a look of annoyance appeared on Dan Xiner's face, and golden light ignited in her eyes.

She gave a low, cold snort, her Spiritual Qi surging crazily within her body, and immediately formed a brilliant halo behind her back. The halo was burning with golden flames, dazzling and eye-catching.

"Lin Fan, you are too arrogant! Today, I will let you know the price of underestimating me!"

The audience present immediately held their breath, gasping in unison.

Someone whispered in shock: "That is… the long-lost ancient technique—Divine Fire Ignition! It is said that only experts at the Soul Transformation Stage can use it. To think Dan Xiner is actually able to master it!"

"This is an ancient technique that can only be used by burning one's life force and Soul Origin, she is actually going all out like this!"

The golden Divine Fire burned fiercely behind Dan Xiner, making her appear like a high and mighty war god, majestic and powerful.

The atmosphere of the square became extremely tense instantly, with many people's eyes filled with shock and awe.

However, Lin Fan just stood there quietly, his expression still as cold as ice, without the slightest panic.

His lips curled slightly, revealing a barely perceptible sneer. His gaze swept indifferently over Dan Xiner's halo, and his voice was low: "This is merely the method of a false god. Such heterodox paths, you dare to show off in front of Tianji Pavilion?"

When Dan Xiner heard this, her anger grew even more intense, and the golden Divine Fire became even more scorching. The entire square was enveloped by that high temperature, and the air seemed to be distorting.

"Lin Fan! How dare you underestimate me! Take this move!"

She swung her sword violently, the sword radiance burning with golden flames, transforming into an overwhelming wave of fire, mixed with scorching Divine Might, sweeping towards Lin Fan!

The crowd below exclaimed repeatedly, many showing looks of worry, feeling that Lin Fan would likely find it difficult to escape unscathed.

But Lin Fan remained calm and collected, lifting his hand indifferently. His fingertips tapped lightly, Spiritual Qi surging, as gentle as a breeze, yet containing extreme power.

"Tianji Voidless, all techniques are empty."

In an instant, a transparent barrier appeared in front of Lin Fan. It looked ordinary, yet it seemed to contain some kind of unfathomable Profound Truth.

Dan Xiner's flame sword radiance crashed into the barrier with a boom, but it was like a stone sinking into the ocean, not even stirring a ripple before being completely swallowed.

Great Elder Situ Qian below saw this and stroked his beard with satisfaction, his gaze filled with approval, murmuring softly: "Tianji Voidless. To think that you actually comprehended the unique art of Tianji Pavilion to this Realm, making this Heaven-deceiving method suffer its own consequences. Good, good!"

Meanwhile, Dan Xiner revealed an expression of disbelief, her body trembling slightly: "Impossible! This is Divine Fire… How could you block it so easily!"

Lin Fan sneered coldly, his eyes carrying a hint of mockery: "The fire of a false god obtained by deceiving Heaven, you dare call it Divine Fire? Dan Xiner, your so-called power is nothing but self-deception."

After saying this, he stepped, his figure instantly turning into a phantom, appearing before Dan Xiner. He swung his longsword, and an exquisite Sword Qi pointed directly at her flaw.

Dan Xiner was caught off guard and hurriedly raised her sword to block, but was shaken back several steps, and the Divine Fire halo also dimmed accordingly.

Lin Fan sheathed his sword and stood, his gaze indifferent: "You have lost."

Dan Xiner gritted her teeth, her fists clenched tightly, her face flushed red, yet she was powerless to refute. She said in a low, unwilling voice: "Lin Fan, you…"

Lin Fan did not look at her again, turned and left, leaving only a low sentence behind: "When you truly understand what the Dao is, come and challenge me again."