Unparalleled Sword Emperor/C4
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Unparalleled Sword Emperor/C4
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C4

"Ugh."

Ling Yunfan's consciousness slowly sharpened after an indeterminate stretch of sleep, and his eyes, previously sealed shut, gradually opened.

"This is my room. It looks like I was carried back here by my father after I passed out." Ling Yunfan, freshly risen from his bed, noticed a bowl of faintly fragrant soup on a nearby table and pieced together the events following his collapse.

"Can I truly defeat Lee Xueer in two years and survive? If I lose, the Ling family might not withstand the fallout. Despite our brief encounter, it was clear she's ruthlessly determined. Her Cultivation Talent is nothing short of remarkable. There might have been a sliver of hope for the old me, but now, reduced to nothing, my chances are virtually nonexistent. Yet, with two years ahead, there's a glimmer of opportunity. I cannot afford to abandon hope." Ling Yunfan downed the soup quickly, his hands unwittingly clenched into fists, his brow furrowed as he silently vowed to persevere.

Now, Ling Yunfan wore a grave expression unseen for years. Bereft of the means to measure up to his peers, let alone his prowess, his fundamental Cultivation Talent had been rendered useless seven years prior. Facing a prodigy like Lee Xueer, lauded by legions, would have broken a lesser spirit under the weight of such pressure.

"Hmm? What's this?" About to retreat to the mountain for training, Ling Yunfan spotted a white note beside the stone bowl and picked it up. "Fann, your actions yesterday filled me with pride. I will support you with all my might, and I hope you will redouble your efforts in training. This opportunity is yours to seize, so you must strive with all your might."

Drip!

"Father, I won't let you down. In two years, I will best Lee Xueer, live well, and grow even stronger." Ling Yunfan set the note down, leaving behind two drops of moved tears, and strode out without a backward glance.

Upon reaching the streets of Swallow Azure City, Ling Yunfan noticed the odd glances cast his way. A few held admiration, but they were the minority. Most were tinged with scorn and revulsion, and some even bore outright hostility.

Seeing the looks these people gave him, Ling Yunfan mused, "Ah, the Celestial Roar Continent truly is a place where strength can change everything. It's the same everywhere. Whether your actions are right or wrong, if you're powerful enough, you can turn mistakes into triumphs. But if you're too weak, even good deeds can sour, and the survival of the fittest reigns supreme."

With a shake of his head, Ling Yunfan dismissed the onlookers and continued on his way.

Ha... Ha...

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Deep in the mountains, Ling Yunfan dove straight into his grueling training without even a moment to warm up. His shouts echoed as the Giant Iron Tree, his makeshift punching bag, quivered and shook. The tree's metallic-like black leaves cascaded down with each punishing blow he delivered.

Each punch to the Giant Iron Tree not only tested his strength but also fortified the meridians within his body. The activation of his family's Spirit Controlling Technique created a small vortex at his back, drawing the Cosmic Spiritual Force from the surroundings into his frame.

Yet, just as he neared a breakthrough, the transformation within his body vanished as quickly as it had come, as if it had never occurred.

Overcome with frustration and a deep sense of injustice, Ling Yunfan ceased his cultivation and sat down, the pain and defiance clear in his posture.

Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!

"Why is this happening? Am I truly incapable of cultivating? I refuse to accept this..." As he gazed at his bloodied hands, Ling Yunfan's heart screamed in turmoil. But soon, a peculiar noise from behind snapped him out of his despair. Whirling around, he exclaimed in alarm, "A Rank One demonic beast, the Bloodthirsty Purple Pattern Snake!"

Confronted with the snake, its body adorned with eerie purple stripes and the size of a man's arm, Ling Yunfan sensed imminent danger. His instincts screamed at him to flee for his life, lest he fall prey to the lethal Bloodthirsty Purple Pattern Snake, its presence emanating pure malice.

The Bloodthirsty Purple Pattern Snake was a venomous serpent with the prowess of a Rank One demonic beast. Its hide was as impenetrable as steel, and its venom had the capacity to kill a martial artist at the Body Refining Stage within an hour. A single misstep and a poisoning would be fatal without the aid of a special antidote pill. But the snake's ferocity didn't end there; it was known for its extreme cruelty, draining the blood of its victims, be they fellow demonic beasts or otherwise, before consuming them whole.

Its vibrant coloration and ruthless nature earned it the name Bloodthirsty Purple Pattern Snake.

"Why are there demonic beasts here? Didn't my father clear them all out for me?" Ling Yunfan's sweat poured like a river as the snake inched closer.

"No time to think—I've got to escape!" Realizing escape was his only option, Ling Yunfan didn't hesitate. He turned on his heel and fled at top speed.

The snake, seeing its prey attempting to flee, was relentless in pursuit.

Thus began a desperate chase through the woods, with man and snake nearly matched in speed. But soon, an exhausted Ling Yunfan found himself at a cliff's edge, trapped with no way forward or back.

"Is this the end for me?" he wondered, staring down into the abyss. As the Bloodthirsty Purple Pattern Snake closed in, Ling Yunfan's brow furrowed, his body coiled tight, fists clenched, ready for a final stand.

Then, the sky roared, and a massive bolt of lightning cleaved through the air, shaking the ground and sending tremors through all living things. The thunderous sound was relentless.

A magnificent streak of blue lightning descended, like a blue thunderbird swooping down at incredible speed.

The ground before Ling Yunfan exploded under the force of the strike, and both he and the Bloodthirsty Purple Pattern Snake were sent plummeting down the cliffside.

"Curse it, I have so much left undone—I can't die like this, I won't accept it!" As the earth vanished beneath him and he fell toward the abyss, Ling Yunfan thought of his father's hopes for him and let out a defiant roar to the heavens, "Aooo! Aooo!"

Suddenly, the once clear sky darkened in a flash, and the surroundings plunged into darkness. The ground seemed to be gripped by an unseen force, trembling incessantly. The violent quaking caused massive boulders and trees to topple and shatter.

Buzz!

Elsewhere, Ling Yunfan, who should have been plummeting down the cliff, was now enveloped in a brilliant golden light. A golden shield materialized around him, suspending him in midair.

The radiant light lit up the entire cliff base, creating an oasis of brightness in the gloom. The light soared skyward, piercing the darkness.

Before long, the golden glow faded. Countless purple chains, etched with intricate patterns, wrapped tightly around Ling Yunfan. It was as though they were sealing away a monstrous entity. Anyone else ensnared by such chains would likely suffocate, but Ling Yunfan showed no sign of pain. Instead, he continued to snarl and roar, consumed by rage like a wild beast.

With each roar, the chains began to fracture. A resounding snap echoed as the peculiar purple chains visibly shattered. Amidst his frenzied roars, Ling Yunfan's aura shifted subtly. He advanced from the Body Refining Level Two to Level Three. Then, a sudden burst of light enveloped him, his eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness, plummeting downward at breakneck speed.

"What's with this celestial phenomenon? Could a treasure have emerged?"

"That anomaly seemed to originate from the mountain where Fann practices his cultivation. I need to check it out."

"If a Heaven Earth Spirit Item has emerged, it's likely already claimed by some powerful individuals. But if it's the emergence of a prodigy, we must establish a good rapport."

In the brief time following the disturbance caused by Ling Yunfan, individuals from nearby factions were drawn to the mountains, some with the hope of discovering valuable treasures.

Though the phenomenon was fleeting, it captured the attention of many, who quickly set out to explore its origin.

"The anomaly just now appeared to be at Mr. Yunfan's usual training spot. There might be danger. His strength is still too modest; I must go and see for myself!" As the sky regained its clarity and the light sparked by Ling Yunfan vanished, Ling Hong of the Ling Family gazed worriedly toward the fading glow and whispered her concerns.

Without giving it much thought, Ling Hong immediately dashed off in the direction where the light had vanished.

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