32: Chapter 32 The Grand Cloud Boat Gathering

Qiandao City, located in the center of the "Tianxing Archipelago" at the intersection of the Inner Sea and the Middle Sea of the Xingluo Archipelago, is the core of the entire Xingluo Sea Area. It is the headquarters of the Thousand Islands Alliance and the venue for this "Heaven-Sea Grand Assembly."

Traveling from Golden Cloud Island on the Feng Family's medium-sized cloud boat, the "Cloud Piercer," it took ten full days of traveling ten thousand li per day to arrive at this core sea area, guarded by countless islands of all sizes.

When the Cloud Piercer passed through the final layer of mist and the view suddenly opened up, even with Lin Wan's disposition, he couldn't help but be slightly moved.

Between the sea and sky, a massive city, like a giant beast of the sea, lay prone upon the blue waves. The city walls were a hundred zhang high and stretched for hundreds of li. They were cast entirely from blue-black "Star-Pattern Steel," with surfaces covered in complex Formations and defensive arrays. Under the sunlight, they shimmered with a cold, hard metallic luster, exuding a thick, solemn, and inviolable Aura. Inside the walls, buildings stood in great numbers, row upon row, with countless high towers piercing the clouds. Streams of light, like stars, crisscrossed the sky above the city—these were the escape lights of high-level Cultivators, or various types of flying boats, cloud carriages, and Spirit Beast mounts.

Above the city, a layer of faint, seven-colored glow hovered year-round. This was the "Heaven-Sea Spiritual Glow," formed by the convergence of several medium-sized Spiritual Veins. Not only was it breathtakingly beautiful, but it also made the concentration of Spiritual Qi in the city more than ten times higher than in the outside world; cultivating here yielded twice the result with half the effort.

At the port, it was a scene of ten thousand boats competing and a thousand sails racing. Giant tower ships hundreds of zhang long, decorated gorgeously and shimmering with spiritual light; swift and agile medium-to-small cloud boats of various styles; and even rare carriages pulled by sea beasts were densely packed, moored inside and outside the wide port. Cultivators were constantly going up and down, the noise was deafening, and the sound waves surged to the sky.

"This... is Qiandao City." Feng Yushu stood beside Lin Wan, looking at the magnificent giant city before him, his tone carrying a trace of pride and emotion. "The center of the Xingluo Sea Area, the place of dreams for countless Cultivators. The once-a-century Heaven-Sea Grand Assembly is held here, attracting forces from the five great regions, and even some from the Central Province. Elder Lin, look, those cloud boats hanging different flags—there's the Red Flame Flag of the 'Skyfire Sect' from the Eastern Wilderness, the Bodhi Flag of the 'Vajra Temple' from the Western Desert, the Snow Lotus Flag of the 'Ice Soul Palace' from the Northern Plains, and the Southern Region... wait, is that actually the Cloud-Pattern Sword Flag of the 'Qingyun Sect' from the Southern Region?"

Lin Wan's gaze sharpened as he looked in the direction Feng Yushu pointed. Sure enough, at a relatively quiet berth in the port, there were three medium-sized cloud boats, about fifty zhang long, sky-blue in color, with flowing cloud sword patterns engraved on the hulls, and the iconic flags of the Qingyun Sect flying. On the boats, one could vaguely see some Disciples wearing the Qingyun Sect's Daoist robes moving about, their Auras steady, their cultivation levels not weak.

The Qingyun Sect has come too? Lin Wan's heart stirred slightly. Right, the Heaven-Sea Grand Assembly happens once a century, inviting talents from all over the world; it was no surprise that the Qingyun Sect, as a major Sect of the Southern Region, received an invitation. He just wondered who was leading the team. Would Senior Brother Han Lingtian be there, or perhaps Revered Master Peak Master Yue Lingyun? If he really ran into them, this appearance of his (gray-white hair, overseas identity) would be a bit troublesome. However, his Aura was currently restrained, and using the Mind Splitting Technique to simulate pure water-attribute Spiritual Qi, he was disguised as an overseas Loose Cultivator. As long as he didn't expose himself, it should be fine.

"The Qingyun Sect is one of the few major Sects in the Southern Region, famous for its sword Dao. I heard that they have a newly promoted 'five elements sword core' Genius, not even thirty years old, who has already formed a Golden Core. In the 'Tiannan Grand Competition' a few years ago, he shone brilliantly, even defeating Saint Son Yan Wuji of the Eastern Wilderness's Skyfire Sect. Unfortunately, it seems he later met with an accident in a Secret Realm and his whereabouts are unknown. It is truly a pity." Feng Yushu seemed to have heard of the Southern Region's affairs and sighed with emotion.

Lin Wan remained calm, though he sighed inwardly. He hadn't expected his affairs in Tianque City to have spread overseas. Whereabouts unknown? It seemed the Sect had declared it as such, which was good; it saved a lot of trouble.

"Fellow Daoist Feng is quite knowledgeable about the affairs of the Southern Region." Lin Wan said indifferently.

"You flatter me, Elder. The Feng Family has some business dealings with the Thousand Islands Alliance, so our information is relatively well-informed. This Grand Assembly is a mixed bag, with forces from all sides gathering, especially the top Sects from those major regions. They have all sent their elites, aiming directly for the opportunities within the 'Tianhai Secret Realm'. Although my Feng Family has some influence in the Inner Sea, we still need to act carefully and keep a low profile at such a grand gathering." Feng Yushu whispered, a hint of caution flashing in his eyes.

Lin Wan nodded. His goal for this trip was clear: primarily to inquire about news of "void crystal essence" and "ten-thousand-year sinking silver." If a suitable Opportunity arose, exploring the Tianhai Secret Realm would also be fine. As for showing off or competing with others, that was not his wish, unless necessary.

The Cloud Piercer slowly landed at the berth the Feng Family had booked in advance. The group disembarked, and the Feng Family's steward in Qiandao City had already come to greet them and arrange their accommodation—an elegant courtyard in the West District of the inner city called "Listening to the Tide Courtyard." The environment was quiet, the Spiritual Qi was abundant, and it was not far from the main venue of the Grand Assembly, "Tianhai Plaza."

After settling down, Feng Yushu hurried away to the Thousand Islands Alliance headquarters to handle the registration procedures and gather information from all sides. Lin Wan remained in the courtyard and did not go out immediately. He needed to familiarize himself with the environment of Qiandao City first and wait for Feng Yushu to bring back more detailed intelligence.

Three days later, the Heaven-Sea Grand Assembly officially opened.

On this day, before the sky was even bright, the entire Qiandao City was already boiling. Countless Cultivators poured from all directions toward the giant square in the center of the city—Tianhai Plaza—which covered thousands of mu, was paved with white jade, and stood surrounded by twelve sky-piercing dragon pillars.

Lin Wan, along with Feng Yushu and two other Late Stage Foundation Establishment clansmen of the Feng Family, a group of four, followed the flow of people to the edge of the plaza. At this moment, the plaza was already packed with people, likely no less than one hundred thousand! In the center of the plaza, a huge platform ten zhang high and a hundred zhang wide had been erected. Around the platform, there were tens of thousands of seats, as well as hundreds of private boxes of various sizes, isolated by Formations. There was no one on the platform yet, but a solemn and dignified Aura had already permeated the air.

"That is the Eastern Wilderness area, see? That young man in bright red with an overbearing Aura is the leader of the Skyfire Sect for this trip. It is said he is already at the Mid-stage Golden Core and is Saint Son Yan Wuji's Senior Brother, named Yan Potian. The one next to him is Liao Chen from the Western Desert's Vajra Temple; his Aura is even more profound, likely already at the Peak of the Mid-stage Golden Core. Xue Jian from the Northern Plains' Ice Soul Palace is also said to have formed her Core, and her temperament has become even colder. As for the Southern Region, the Qingyun Sect has sent a Mid-stage Golden Core Elder, surnamed Han, who is said to have extremely high attainment in sword Dao..." Feng Yushu whispered, introducing some of the eye-catching figures on the plaza to Lin Wan.

Lin Wan's gaze swept over, and sure enough, he saw many familiar or heard-of faces. Yan Potian of the Eastern Wilderness, Liao Chen of the Western Desert, Xue Jian of the Northern Plains... all had formed their Cores, their Auras deep and heavy, clearly having made significant progress over the years. On the Qingyun Sect's side, sitting in front of the private box was none other than Senior Brother Han Lingtian! He was still dressed in black, clutching a heavy sword, his face cold and stern, and his Aura was clearly already at the Mid-stage Golden Core! Beside him sat Xu Feng, Senior Sister Su Qing, and a few unfamiliar Foundation Establishment Disciples. Xu Feng was already at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, and Senior Sister Su Qing was already at the Early Stage Golden Core. It seemed the Sect had not relaxed over these years.

Seeing his fellow Sect members, a trace of warmth welled up in Lin Wan's heart, but he did not step forward to acknowledge them. The time was not yet right.

In addition to these representatives from the major regions, the plaza was filled with representatives of major and minor forces from the Inner Sea, Middle Sea, and even the Outer Sea of the Xingluo Archipelago, as well as rogue Cultivator experts and eccentric figures. The Auras were complex and varied in strength, but there were no weaklings among them; at the very least, they were at the Foundation Establishment level. Golden Core Cultivators were everywhere, and occasionally, one could even sense a few obscure, abyss-like, heart-palpitating Auras—those were... Nascent Soul True Monarchs!

A once-in-a-century grand event, it truly lived up to its reputation.

"Dong—!"

A clear, melodious bell chime that seemed to cleanse the soul rang out from the high platform in the center of the plaza, instantly suppressing all the clamor.

The bell rang nine times, its lingering sound echoing.

Immediately after, the space above the high platform twisted slightly, and three figures appeared out of thin air.

In the center was an old man wearing moon-white Daoist robes, with a refined face, crane-like hair and a youthful complexion, holding a jade whisk. His Aura was ethereal and worldly, yet unfathomable. He was none other than the current leader of the Thousand Islands Alliance and the only Late Stage Nascent Soul great Cultivator in the Xingluo Sea Area—True Monarch Tianxuan!

On the left was an old man wearing red-gold python robes, with a majestic face and an Aura as heavy as a mountain. He was a Guest Elder stationed in the Xingluo Sea Area by the Great Xia Dynasty, with Mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation. On the right was a woman wearing colorful robes, with a stunning appearance and an ethereal temperament. She was an Elder of the "Tianyin Pavilion" from the Central Province, also at the Mid-stage Nascent Soul level.

The three Nascent Soul True Monarchs appeared together, and the plaza instantly fell silent. Everyone held their breath and bowed respectfully.

"Fellow Daoists, those who come from afar are guests. I am Tianxuan, and on behalf of the Thousand Islands Alliance, I welcome you all to our Xingluo Sea Area to participate in this Heaven-Sea Grand Assembly." True Monarch Tianxuan's voice was gentle, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears. "This Grand Assembly will last for one month. During this period, there will be large-scale auctions, Alchemy competitions, Artifact Refining competitions, Formation competitions, Talisman competitions, and other events. Furthermore, the 'Tianhai Secret Realm' will open in ten days. Anyone holding a 'Five Elements token' may enter to explore. There are countless opportunities within the Secret Realm, as well as dangers. It depends on your own ability, and you are responsible for your own life and death."

"In addition, during the Grand Assembly, private fights are strictly prohibited in the city. Violators will have their cultivation crippled and be expelled from Qiandao City. Within a hundred li outside the city, large-scale slaughter is also not allowed. Violators will be regarded as provoking the Thousand Islands Alliance and will be pursued by the Alliance."

The rules were simple but carried unquestionable majesty. In front of three Nascent Soul Cultivators, especially True Monarch Tianxuan, a Late Stage great Cultivator, no one dared to have any objections.

"Now, I announce that the Heaven-Sea Grand Assembly has officially begun! The first item: the Auction! I invite the person in charge of 'Wanbao Tower'!"

As True Monarch Tianxuan's voice fell, his figure slowly dissipated, and the other two Nascent Soul Cultivators also left. On the high platform, a wealthy-looking old man wearing brocade robes, with a beaming smile and Mid-stage Golden Core Aura, walked up with several beautiful maids. It was the person in charge of Wanbao Tower in Qiandao City.

The auction officially began.

Piece after piece of rare Medicinal Pills, Magic Treasures, Materials, Cultivation Techniques, and Spirit Beasts were presented on the high platform, sparking fierce bidding frenzies. Items that could be auctioned at such a grand event were at least third-grade treasures, and fourth-grade and fifth-grade items appeared from time to time. The prices were shockingly high, often reaching hundreds of thousands or millions of Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and some were even exchanged for Top-Grade Spirit Stones or rare Materials.

Lin Wan was not very interested in most of the auction items and just watched quietly, feeling the atmosphere of this top-tier overseas auction. During the process, a piece of "Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron" did appear, which was a top-grade material for refining water and ice-attribute Magic Treasures. It caused a bit of a scramble, but since it was not something he urgently needed, he did not make a move.

Feng Yushu, however, successfully bid for a bottle of "Crystal Condensation Pill" that could increase the success rate of forming a Core, spending a considerable amount. Clearly, it was prepared for the younger generation of his Family.

The auction lasted for a full day, and it was only when night fell and the lights were lit that it came to a temporary end. Tomorrow, competitions for Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and other skills would take place.

The crowd dispersed and returned to their respective accommodations.

Over the next few days, besides going to the plaza every day to watch the various competitions and broaden his horizons, Lin Wan wandered around Qiandao City alone to familiarize himself with the environment. He also visited major firms and shops to inquire about news of "void crystal essence" and "ten-thousand-year sinking silver."

News of the void crystal essence was strictly blocked at the Thousand Islands Alliance headquarters, and Feng Yushu could not find out the exact situation. He only knew that the Alliance did have it in stock, but its usage and acquisition conditions were confidential. As for the ten-thousand-year sinking silver, the head of the Duobao Pavilion had indeed arrived in Qiandao City, but their whereabouts were secretive, and they were hard to see under normal circumstances.

On this day, Lin Wan wandered to a free trading area in the east of the city called "Curio Workshop." Stalls stood in great numbers here, and Cultivators could set up stalls freely to trade items. It was a mixed bag, with true and false difficult to distinguish, but one could often find some unexpected things.

Lin Wan strolled along, his gaze sweeping over the stalls. Suddenly, he stopped in front of a stall in an inconspicuous corner.

The stall owner was a thin, small Cultivator wearing a bamboo hat, with an Aura at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, whose face could not be seen clearly. There were not many things on the stall: a few pieces of Ore, a few Spiritual Plants, and a few Jade Slips, all of which were very ordinary. But what attracted Lin Wan's gaze was a piece of stone? about the size of a palm, grayish-white, with a rough surface, inconspicuous, and even stained with some dirt, lying casually in the corner of the stall.

No, it wasn't a stone.

Lin Wan's pupils shrank slightly. The guixu sword he was nourishing in his body actually transmitted a trace of an extremely faint yet clear... palpitation at this moment! And the void five elements token in his embrace was also faintly heating up.

This "stone"... was strange! And it seemed to be related to the guixu sword and the void five elements token!

He remained calm, squatted down, picked up a piece of ordinary "Black Iron Ore" from the side, and asked: "Fellow Daoist, how much for this Black Iron?"

"Fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones." The stall owner's voice was hoarse.

"Too expensive. Thirty." Lin Wan bargained, his gaze sweeping over the grayish-white "stone" as if inadvertently. "And what is this? It looks like an ordinary stubborn stone."

"Oh, that thing? I picked it up from an ancient battlefield. It looked a bit special, so I brought it along. If you want it, give me one hundred Spirit Stones, and I'll throw it in for you." The stall owner said casually.

One hundred Spirit Stones was a high price for an unknown stone. But Lin Wan did not hesitate and took out the Spirit Stones: "Okay, this piece of black iron, plus this stone, one hundred and thirty. I'll take them."

After paying the Spirit Stones and putting the two items away, Lin Wan did not linger and turned to leave.

Returning to the quiet room of the Listening to the Tide Courtyard, he immediately set up a Restriction and took out the grayish-white "stone."

It was heavy and cold in his hand. The surface was rough, indeed like a stubborn stone. But after carefully probing with his Divine Sense, he could feel that inside the stone, there was a trace of an extremely subtle, yet incomparably pure and condensed... spatial fluctuation! And there was an Aura that was of the same origin as the guixu sword, but even more ancient and vicissitudinous.

"Could this be... the associated stone crust of a 'void crystal'? Or perhaps, the residue of some kind of spatial material?" Lin Wan speculated inwardly.

Regardless of what it was, anything that could make the guixu sword and the void token resonate could not be simple.

He tried inputting a wisp of Five Elements spiritual power.

The stone showed no reaction at all.

He then tried stimulating it with the Sword Qi of the guixu sword.

The greyish-white stone trembled slightly, and a layer of stone powder flaked off its surface, revealing a sliver inside... an extremely tiny crystal cross-section that appeared a deep silver, as if starlight were flowing within it!

Although it was only the thickness of a hair, Lin Wan could clearly feel the pure, extremely condensed spatial power contained within that sliver of crystal!

It far surpassed any spatial material he had encountered before!

"This is... the raw Ore of a 'void crystal essence'?! Although there is only a sliver, the quality is extremely high!" Lin Wan was shocked inwardly.

He had searched high and low in vain, only to find it without any effort!

To think that he had picked up a piece of raw Ore containing void crystal essence at a street stall in this Treasure Pavilion!

Although the amount was extremely small, it was enough to prove that this item truly existed, and that the guixu sword and void token in his possession could sense items of the same origin!

This was a major discovery!

It meant that he might be able to use the resonance of the guixu sword and the void token to find more void crystal essence elsewhere, perhaps even within the Tianhai Secret Realm!

"It seems that I must enter the Tianhai Secret Realm." Lin Wan's eyes burned with intensity.

There were "void nodes" in the Secret Realm, and the possibility of them producing void crystal essence was extremely high.

Moreover, the raw Ore in his hand might serve as a "guide," helping him to more accurately locate the void crystal essence within the Secret Realm.

He carefully put away the greyish-white stone material, his heart filled with anticipation for the opening of the Tianhai Secret Realm in ten days.

However, just as he was preparing to continue studying the stone material, Feng Yushu's slightly urgent voice came from outside the quiet room:

"Elder Lin, are you there? I have an urgent matter to discuss!"

Lin Wan frowned slightly, put away the stone material, and removed the Restriction: "Fellow Daoist Feng, please come in."

Feng Yushu pushed the door open and entered, his expression somewhat unpleasant: "Elder Lin, I just received news that an accident occurred at the Alchemy Competition."

"A Guest Elder alchemist recommended by our Feng Family had a conflict with... with an alchemist from the Eastern Wasteland Huo Family during the competition and accidentally severely injured them."

"The Golden Core Elder leading the Huo Family, 'Elder Huo Yan', is relentless, claiming that our Feng Family must give an explanation, otherwise they will cancel our Feng Family's qualification to enter the Tianhai Secret Realm this time!"

The Huo Family? The Huo Family from the Eastern Wasteland that had some old grudges with the Feng Family?

Lin Wan remembered that he had previously had a conflict with a direct descendant of the Huo Family at the Duobao Pavilion. He hadn't expected another storm to arise at the Alchemy Competition.

"What is the specific situation? What does the Huo Family intend to do?" Lin Wan asked.

He knew that Feng Yushu had come to find him likely because he felt this matter was tricky and wanted to ask him to step in.

"The cause of the conflict was the struggle for a rare Tier 4 Spiritual Plant, the 'Red Sun Fruit'."

"According to the competition rules, Alchemy Materials are self-prepared, but that Red Sun Fruit was a public material provided by the competition, and there was only one. Both families' alchemists had their eyes on it, and after a disagreement, they started fighting."

"Our Feng Family's alchemist had a higher cultivation level and accidentally severely injured the other party. In this matter, we are in the wrong."

"Elder Huo Yan is holding onto this and refuses to let go, proposing two conditions. First, hand over the alchemist who caused the injury for the Huo Family to deal with. Second, compensate the Huo Family with 100,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, plus... thirty percent of what our Feng Family gains from this exploration of the Secret Realm."

Feng Yushu gritted his teeth and said: "This is clearly extortion! If we hand over the alchemist, our Feng Family's reputation will be ruined. Demanding compensation in Spirit Stones and a share of the Secret Realm gains is even more of an exorbitant demand!"

"But if we don't agree, Elder Huo Yan has connections within the Thousand Islands Alliance, and I'm afraid he really could affect our Feng Family's..."

Handing over the alchemist, paying heavy compensation. Either way, it would be a heavy blow to the Feng Family.

Especially during this grand assembly, with everyone watching; if they yielded, the Feng Family's prestige in the Inner Sea would be swept away.

"What is Elder Huo Yan's cultivation? How many people did the Huo Family bring this time?" Lin Wan asked.

"Elder Huo Yan is a Mid-stage Golden Core, famous for a long time, skilled in fire-element Cultivation Techniques, and has impressive combat power. The Huo Family brought about twenty people this time, including three Golden Core Cultivators and over ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Their strength... is above our Feng Family."

Feng Yushu's expression was ugly. This time, including Lin Wan, the Feng Family only had two Golden Core Cultivators (on the surface) and over ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators. A direct confrontation would not be a match.

"Take me to see." Lin Wan stood up.

The Feng Family was now allied with him and was helpful to him. He could not sit idly by in this matter. Moreover, it was time to settle the old grudges with the Huo Family.

"Elder, that Elder Huo Yan is not weak, and he has a fiery temper. Your injuries have just healed, so perhaps..." Feng Yushu was somewhat worried.

Although he knew Lin Wan's strength was unfathomable, he had been severely injured, and Elder Huo Yan was a veteran Mid-stage Golden Core.

"It's fine, lead the way." Lin Wan's tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable air.

Feng Yushu gritted his teeth: "Alright! Elder, please follow me!"

The two left the residence and headed towards the "Danding Plaza" where the Alchemy Competition was held.

Danding Plaza was located in the west of the city. Although it was already evening, the plaza was still surrounded by Cultivators watching the excitement.

The competition platform in the center of the plaza was paused, and two groups of people were confronting each other, the atmosphere tense and ready to explode.

One side was the Feng Family group, led by a middle-aged alchemist with a pale face and blood on the corner of his mouth—the very Guest Elder of the Feng Family who had caused the injury.

Two Feng Family Elders stood protectively in front of him, their faces livid. Several Feng Family Foundation Establishment Disciples stood around, their expressions nervous.

The other side was a group of Cultivators dressed in crimson robes, led by an old man with a ruddy face, hair and beard like fire, and eyes as sharp as knives—this was the Huo Family Golden Core Elder, Elder Huo Yan.

Behind him stood two Early Stage Golden Core Huo Family Elders and over ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators, all with angry expressions and aggressive Auras.

On the ground lay a Huo Family alchemist with a charred chest, unconscious.

"Feng Yushu! You finally arrived! You must give this old man an explanation for today's matter! Otherwise, don't blame this old man for being impolite and crippling all you trash from the Feng Family!"

Upon seeing Feng Yushu, Elder Huo Yan immediately shouted sternly, releasing his Mid-stage Golden Core Spiritual Pressure without reservation, pressing down towards the Feng Family members.

The two Feng Family Elders hurriedly released their Spiritual Pressure to resist, but they were shaken back repeatedly, their expressions becoming even worse.

"Elder Huo, this matter is a misunderstanding. In a competition, it is inevitable to have accidents. Our Feng Family is willing to compensate for your losses, but handing over the alchemist and thirty percent of the Secret Realm gains is absolutely impossible!"

Feng Yushu stepped forward and said in a deep voice.

"Misunderstanding? Accident? You seriously injured a Tier 3 alchemist meticulously cultivated by my Huo Family, damaging his Foundation, and you call it a misunderstanding?"

Elder Huo Yan laughed in extreme anger: "Feng Yushu, enough nonsense! If you don't do as I say today, your Feng Family can forget about participating in this grand assembly! This old man means what he says!"

"Elder Huo, this is going too far." A calm voice rang out.

Lin Wan walked out slowly from behind Feng Yushu, came between the two sides, and looked calmly at Elder Huo Yan.

"Who are you?" Elder Huo Yan's gaze narrowed as he scanned Lin Wan.

This person's Aura was hidden, showing only Late Stage Foundation Establishment (Lin Wan's disguise), with greyish-white hair, looking like a sickly weakling.

But for some reason, being watched by those calm eyes, Elder Huo Yan felt a faint sense of discomfort.

"Feng Family Guest Elder, Lin Wan." Lin Wan said indifferently, "Since this matter happened during the competition, it should naturally be handled according to the competition rules."

"Your alchemist's skills were inferior, so injury was inevitable. If Elder Huo is unsatisfied, feel free to set the terms, and I, Lin, will accept. Using force to oppress others and extorting wealth is not something a Golden Core Senior should do."

"Presumptuous!" An Early Stage Golden Core Elder behind Elder Huo Yan shouted angrily, "Where did this ignorant junior come from, daring to speak to our Huo Family Elder like this! You're courting death!"

Before the words fell, he had already struck out with a palm, a crimson palm print carrying scorching high temperature slamming towards Lin Wan's head!

Although this palm was not full power, it was enough to severely injure or even kill an ordinary Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"Be careful!" Feng Yushu exclaimed.

Lin Wan did not dodge or avoid, and did not even use the guixu sword.

He just raised his right hand, spread his five fingers, and made a phantom grab towards the incoming crimson palm print.

"Five Elements, Suppress."

An invisible yet terrifying pressure, heavy and viscous to the extreme, suddenly descended!

With Lin Wan at the center, within a ten-zhang radius, the space seemed to solidify, and the Five Elements Spiritual Qi was instantly suppressed and smoothed out.

The imposing crimson palm print, upon entering this ten-zhang range, was like falling into a quagmire, its speed dropped sharply, its light dimmed rapidly, and the violent fire-element spiritual power contained within the palm print was forcibly decomposed and annihilated by that invisible pressure!

In the blink of an eye, the palm print completely dissipated into nothingness, without even a spark splashing out.

"What?!" The Huo Family Elder who attacked changed his expression greatly, his eyes full of disbelief.

Although he hadn't used his full strength, it was still a Golden Core strike, and it was resolved so lightly by this "sickly weakling"?

Elder Huo Yan's pupils also shrank, and his gaze towards Lin Wan finally carried a sense of gravity.

That move just now was definitely not something a Foundation Establishment Cultivator could do! That invisible pressure field could so easily suppress and decompose a Golden Core-level fire-element attack?

This child was hiding his cultivation! Moreover, his control over Five Elements spiritual power had reached an astonishing level!

"A bit of skill." Elder Huo Yan said coldly, "No wonder you dare to stand up for them. But do you think you can stop this old man with just these means?"

He took a step out, and crimson flames erupted from his body, turning into a sea of fire covering nearly half the plaza!

Within the sea of fire, faint phantoms of fire crows and fire dragons danced, and the temperature was so high that the surrounding watching Cultivators retreated repeatedly.

The terrifying Spiritual Pressure of a Mid-stage Golden Core was released without reservation, pressing down towards Lin Wan.

"Brat, try taking another palm from this old man!"

A fierce look flashed in Elder Huo Yan's eyes, his right palm became crimson like a soldering iron, and he struck out!

This time, it was not a casual strike, but the use of his famous ultimate technique—the "Burning Heaven Palm"!

A giant flame palm, condensed to the extreme, dark gold in color, appearing as if it could burn mountains and boil seas, tore through the sea of fire, carrying an Aura of destroying everything, and slammed down towards Lin Wan's head!

Before the palm arrived, the scorching heat wave had already made Feng Yushu and the others pale and struggle to breathe.

Facing this palm strike that could severely injure an Early Stage Golden Core Cultivator, Lin Wan's expression remained calm. He didn't even use the guixu sword.

He just raised his right hand again; this time, it was not a phantom grab, but his five fingers slowly closing, as if he were going to hold the entire world in his palm.

"Five Elements cycle, water and fire complement each other, Guixu... dissolve."

Following his barely audible chant, within his palm, the five-colored spiritual light of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth suddenly lit up, but instantly returned to a chaotic greyish haze.

The greyish haze of spiritual light rotated, forming a tiny chaotic vortex.

The giant dark gold flame palm with astonishing power slammed into the chaotic vortex.

There was no explosion, no heat wave.

In the horrified gaze of everyone, the "Burning Heaven Palm," which could burn mountains, was like a clay ox entering the sea, silently swallowed, decomposed, and assimilated by that tiny chaotic vortex!

The vortex rotated, converting all the fire-element spiritual power within it into the purest Five Elements Spiritual Qi, feeding it back to itself.

In just one breath, the giant flame palm completely disappeared. The chaotic vortex also dissipated along with it.

Lin Wan's figure did not move, not even the corner of his clothes was lifted. Only his face seemed a fraction paler, and his greyish-white hair fluttered slightly in the heat wave.

The whole scene was dead silent.

Everyone looked at that figure in the green robe in the field as if they had seen a ghost.

Elder Huo Yan's infamous "Burning Heaven Palm" had been resolved so bizarrely and so domineeringly again?

Elder Huo Yan himself was like a duck with its neck choked, his face full of shock, anger, and disbelief.

His full-power strike was actually... broken so easily by a seemingly sickly Cultivator? How could this be possible?!

"You... who exactly are you?!" Elder Huo Yan's voice was hoarse, and for the first time, a look of dread appeared in his eyes.

Someone who could so lightly resolve his Burning Heaven Palm was at least a Mid-stage Golden Core, or even... Late Stage? But this person's Aura was clearly only Foundation Establishment...

"Feng Family Guest Elder, Lin Wan." Lin Wan repeated, looking calmly at Elder Huo Yan, "Elder Huo, do you want to continue?"

Elder Huo Yan's expression changed uncertainly, killing intent flickered in his eyes, but there was more shock and suspicion.

The opponent's methods were too bizarre, and he didn't know the depth of his cultivation. If he continued to fight, he had no certainty of victory.

Moreover, this was Thousand Islands City, where private fighting was strictly prohibited; just now was the limit. If it really escalated and brought the Thousand Islands Alliance enforcement team, it would also be unfavorable for his Huo Family.

"Good! A good Feng Family Guest Elder indeed!" Elder Huo Yan gritted his teeth, suppressing the killing intent in his heart, "This old man will remember today's matter! Let's go!"

He glared fiercely at Lin Wan and Feng Yushu, waved his hand to take the Huo Family members, carried the injured alchemist, and left the plaza, looking defeated.

Staying any longer would just be asking for humiliation.

Watching the Huo Family members leave, the Feng Family members finally breathed a sigh of relief, their gaze towards Lin Wan filled with ecstasy and awe.

This Elder Lin's strength was simply unfathomable! Even Elder Huo Yan, a Mid-stage Golden Core, had suffered a setback and dared not pester them further.

"Elder Lin, I cannot thank you enough for your great kindness!" Feng Yushu bowed excitedly. If it weren't for Lin Wan today, the Feng Family would likely have suffered a major setback.

"It is within my duties." Lin Wan said indifferently, turning and walking towards the outside of the plaza, "Let's go, let's go back and prepare for the Secret Realm."

After this incident, the Feng Family had initially established their prestige in the grand assembly. And the name of Lin Wan as the "mysterious Guest Elder of the Feng Family" would likely spread quickly.

But this was not what Lin Wan desired. When a tree stands above the forest, the wind will surely destroy it. He only hoped that it would not attract too many unnecessary troubles.

He looked up at the night sky, dotted with stars.

The Tianhai Secret Realm would open in seven days.

A bigger stage, bigger storms, perhaps, were still to come.