Chapter 281-282

281. Confront

"Illusion Worry City..."

At that moment, both Wind Sovereign and Lin Fei stood outside the gates of Illusion Worry City.

Lin Fei appeared tranquil. This was his second visit to the city. But now, compared to his previous visit, Lin Fei's identity, status, and strength had undergone a seismic shift, and the contrast was stark.

For Wind Sovereign, however, his visits to the city had been numerous, yet none of those memories were particularly fond.

With a swift "whoosh", a streak of light burst forth from Illusion Worry City, revealing a figure amidst the void: Worry-free Sovereign!

"Old Ghost of the Wind, you've returned," he taunted. "After all these years, have you finally come to your senses and mustered the courage to challenge me?"

From his lofty stance, Worry-free Sovereign looked down upon them, his voice dripping with arrogance and disdain.

Wind Sovereign's expression darkened. Gazing intently at the hovering figure, he retorted, "Worry-free, it's not I who seeks you today. It's Sovereign Lin!"

"Sovereign Lin?"

Worry-free Sovereign's eyes narrowed, and it was then that he truly noticed the figure standing behind Wind Sovereign.

Lin Fei. He did recall him. After all, Lin Fei had once landed a strike on him. It had been the first time a Martial Saint had dared to challenge him so. Of course, Worry-free Sovereign had taken the blow to save his disciple, Jiang Tianyun.

Since then, tales of Lin Fei had only proliferated. With the realm of the Three Flowers Gathering, he even directly confronted Lu Feng of the Taiyi Dao Palace.

But now, upon seeing Lin Fei, Worry-free Sovereign found something wrong immediately.

A Martial Sovereign!

Lin Fei had evidently broken the chains of the Life Wheel and ascended to the status of Martial Sovereign. The intense aura of "Life Power" emanating from him was undeniable.

"Well done, Lin Fei," he commended. "I had thought your ascent to Martial Sovereign might face some obstacles, or perhaps require more time. Yet here you are, having achieved it so swiftly!"

Being a Martial Sovereign himself, Worry-free Sovereign knew all too well. Lin Fei's ascent might seem simple, but it was fraught with innumerable uncertainties. To become a Martial Sovereign was a testament to Lin Fei's prodigious talent. Every Martial Sovereign was truly worthy of admiration!

"Martial Sovereign..."

At that instant, numerous figures flew out from the Illusion Worry City, among them, Jiang Tianyun. Though he prided himself on a will as steadfast as rock, untouched by worldly distractions, the sight of Lin Fei—especially now that he had become a Martial Sovereign—caused a ripple of emotion deep within him. He couldn't feign indifference!

The reactions of the others were even more profound.

"Lin Fei has become a Martial Sovereign? I'd heard rumors and speculations, but I hadn't expected them to be true."

"The Ancient Origin Sect has birthed another Martial Sovereign. This ensures the sect's prosperity for another millennium without any doubt. This is what you call profound heritage. The depths of a martial arts sect are truly unfathomable."

"I had assumed that for centuries, the Ancient Origin Sect hadn't produced any Martial Sovereigns."

"Once the present Martial Sovereigns of the Ancient Origin Sect reach their end, the sect would inevitably decline. Yet, here is Lin Fei, becoming a Martial Sovereign, capable of upholding its prestige for a thousand more years!"

For a moment, many felt a mixture of emotions. A Martial Sovereign! A stature comparable to a True Person of the Golden Core with a lifespan spanning millennia. Wherever they went, they were revered figures, founders of sects, and lineage patriarchs!

For those loose cultivators, reaching the echelons of a Martial Sovereign or a Golden Core True Person was a distant dream. Though they had Illusion Heart True Person and Worry-free Sovereign, in the several centuries since the establishment of Illusion Worry City, only the two of them had achieved such heights. For loose cultivators to attain the Golden Core level—it was a steep path! Such was the reality for them.

"Sovereign Lin," Worry-free Sovereign said, standing with his hands behind him, hovering in the void, and looking down at Lin Fei, "You must be aware of the agreement between the Ancient Origin Sect and my Illusion Worry City. Sovereigns are not permitted to set foot within."

Lin Fei remained unperturbed, replying serenely, "Worry-free Sovereign, I have but one request for this visit. I wish to possess every top-tier martial arts saber technique from within Illusion Worry City. I hope you can provide a copy of these techniques. Once I receive them, I naturally won't proceed into the city."

Worry-free Sovereign's gaze chilled instantly. "Sovereign Lin, are you threatening Illusion Worry City? Hmph, do you think with Wind Sovereign backing you up, you can intimidate my city? I fear you might be gravely mistaken. Wind Sovereign of the Ancient Origin Sect. Such a prestigious title. But Sovereign Lin, aren't you aware? Wind Sovereign was merely one of an opponent I defeated. If he, after all these years, has not dared to challenge me, what makes you think you can?"

"Worry-free!"

Wind Sovereign was instantly incensed.

"Boom!"

Wind Sovereign's face was as dark as a stormy sky. Behind him, the Life Wheel manifested with sudden intensity, accompanied by a halo of Divine Ability, its imposing aura immediately bearing down on Worry-free Sovereign.

Yet Worry-free Sovereign remained unperturbed, even allowing a cold chuckle to escape. "After all these years, Old Wind, you've shown no progress. Relying on just one Divine Ability and not even reaching Transcendence. With your current strength, you'll lose even more miserably this time."

Simultaneously, behind Worry-free Sovereign, another Life Wheel emerged with a great flourish.

"Boom!"

The Life Wheel was vast and radiated an equally terrifying aura. Moreover, on Worry-free Sovereign's Life Wheel, halos of light kept emerging, layer upon layer. It was the glow of Divine Ability.

One layer, two layers, three layers in total!

This indicated that Worry-free Sovereign possessed three Divine Abilities. Even if all were Lesser Divine Abilities, the combined might significantly surpass that of Wind Sovereign's Life Wheel.

"Boom!"

In the next moment, an even more terrifying aura erupted. Lin Fei took a step forward. As he stepped into the void, it was as if invisible steps materialized beneath his feet. With each step, his aura grew even stronger.

Eventually, a massive Life Wheel materialized behind Lin Fei, hovering majestically. It bore a grand halo of light, the luminance of Divine Ability. Though there was only one layer, its might was in no way inferior, even surpassing Wind Sovereign's aura slightly.

Witnessing Lin Fei revealing his Life Wheel, no one harbored any doubts anymore. Lin Fei had truly become a Martial Sovereign!

Jiang Tianyun's expression was a mix of emotions. Even though he prided himself on his unwavering resolve, at this moment, upon seeing Lin Fei's Life Wheel, he couldn't hold back the tumultuous emotions churning within him. No matter how resilient he had been, he couldn't maintain his composure now.

Martial Sovereign!

That was the ultimate goal Jiang Tianyun had strived for all his life. Yet, it seemed Lin Fei had achieved it with seemingly effortless ease. However, Lin Fei didn't even spare a glance at Jiang Tianyun.

In Lin Fei's eyes, he had only one opponent: Worry-free Sovereign. Step by step, he ascended the void, positioning himself at the same elevation as Worry-free Sovereign. The two confronted each other from a distance.

Lin Fei calmly stated, "Worry-free Sovereign, your true opponent is me."

282. Three Divine Abilities of Worry-free Sovereign

In the void, Lin Fei and Worry-free Sovereign stood in confrontation. Worry-free Sovereign's gaze was now fully centered on Lin Fei.

Challenge!

It was clear to everyone. This was Lin Fei challenging Worry-free Sovereign!

Whispers spread among the crowd. While they recognized Lin Fei's ascension to Martial Sovereign, they couldn't believe he was actually challenging Worry-free Sovereign.

Worry-free Sovereign, in the past, joint force with Illusion Heart True Person, contending against three major powers' Martial Sovereigns and Golden Core True Persons. Even though the outcome of those battles remained unknown, the very existence of Illusion Worry City was ultimately acknowledged by these three powers. This recognition itself testified to the might of the two city leaders of Illusion Worry City.

"Quite bold of you, Sovereign Lin!" Worry-free Sovereign's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. He had initially thought that Lin Fei had Wind Sovereign's backing and even anticipated a combined assault from both of them. However, he was wrong. This challenge wasn't from Wind Sovereign, nor was it a collaborative effort from both Wind Sovereign and Lin Fei. It was solely Lin Fei!

A mix of shock and fury filled Worry-free Sovereign. He wasn't underestimating Lin Fei. In fact, he now viewed him with great importance. Wind Sovereign, being no fool, was aware of his own strength. Yet, he still allowed Lin Fei to challenge Worry-free Sovereign. That, in itself, hinted at something: Lin Fei was no ordinary contender.

"Divine Ability, Frost Seal of a Hundred Miles!"

Wind Sovereign took action. With his move, a Divine Ability was unleashed. A radiant white light burst forth, causing the surrounding void to seemingly freeze instantly. Especially around Lin Fei, everything was rapidly encased in ice, even his flesh. This was one of Worry-free Sovereign's three Divine Abilities, the Frost Seal of a Hundred Miles!

Given free reign, Worry-free Sovereign could truly freeze a stretch of a hundred miles with this ability. Even though it's a Lesser Divine Ability, its power was formidable.

Moreover, Worry-free Sovereign didn't merely rely on this one ability. He was well aware that a single Lesser Divine Ability might not suffice against Lin Fei. Hence, a second layer of radiant light shone brightly from the Life Wheel behind Worry-free Sovereign.

"Divine Ability, Shadow Fist of Ten Thousand!"

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh."

Lin Fei witnessed countless fists emanating an immense force, surging toward him like a relentless storm.

The combination of Frost Seal of a Hundred Miles and Shadow Fist of Ten Thousand created a force that was formidable. When paired together, their might could rival a Great Divine Ability and was arguably even more potent than most of them.

If one was trapped within the icy grasp of the Frost Seal, and then struck by the formidable force of the Shadow Fist, their body could potentially be pulverized into dust. Such synergistic combinations of Lesser Divine Abilities were indeed rare. This was one of the reasons why Worry-free Sovereign could defeat and suppress Wind Sovereign.

However, as the power of the Shadow Fist exploded forth, a formidable aura erupted from Lin Fei.

Saber Momentum!

Lin Fei unleashed his saber momentum. As it descended, it seemed as though the skies were ablaze with roaring flames. Even the icy grip of the Frost Seal of a Hundred Miles, which had immobilized Lin Fei, began melting rapidly under the searing intensity of the saber momentum's flames.

As for the overwhelming fists coming his way, countless saber essences burst forth from Lin Fei's saber momentum.

Thud thud thud thud!

Each saber essence clashed against the oncoming fists. Within the saber momentum, Lin Fei's saber essences seemed endless and moved with astonishing speed.

Regardless of the number or speed of the oncoming fists, Lin Fei's saber momentum effortlessly parried them. The two Divine Abilities were thus easily neutralized by Lin Fei's saber momentum.

"Saber momentum?" Worry-free Sovereign's expression darkened, mixed with surprise and doubt. In his understanding, saber momentum was merely a martial technique of a Martial Saint. Such techniques shouldn't even stand up to his casual strikes, let alone his Divine Abilities. Yet, Lin Fei had effortlessly neutralized both of his Divine Abilities using saber momentum.

This was no ordinary saber momentum!

Worry-free Sovereign began to piece together why Lin Fei could directly confront True Person Lu Feng head-on. It must be due to Lin Fei's exceptionally strong saber momentum.

However, Worry-free Sovereign wasn't limited to just two Divine Abilities. He had a third! But before he could unleash this third Divine Ability, he noticed a radiant light emanating from the Life Wheel atop Lin Fei.

Lin Fei was about to unleash his own Divine Ability.

"Worry-free Sovereign, experience my Divine Ability," Lin Fei declared. "Divine Ability, Black Wind Prison!"

As Lin Fei's voice echoed, Worry-free Sovereign suddenly felt everything darken around him, as if night had instantly fallen. He couldn't see his own hand in front of him. All his senses were cut off. No sound. No light. No direction. Everything was immersed in utter darkness.

"Frost Seal of a Hundred Miles!"

Almost reflexively, the Worry-free Sovereign unleashed his Divine Ability. Immediately, a freezing chill enveloped him, ensuring that anyone who approached would be instantly frozen. This was both a form of defense and protection.

Divine Abilities could be quite diverse and peculiar. Worry-free Sovereign quickly deduced the nature of Lin Fei's Black Wind Prison - it seemed to isolate one's senses, rendering them directionless. As long as he defended himself, he could gradually break through this Divine Ability.

It had to be said that Worry-free Sovereign's combat experience was indeed vast.

After the Black Wind Prison isolated Worry-free Sovereign's senses, a gentle wind seemed to rise around him. This wind, though seemingly mild, was the Bone-Eroding Wind, capable of reducing a person to bare bones in an instant, without causing any pain.

"Master!"

Many witnessed this, and Jiang Tianyun couldn't help but shout, warning Worry-free Sovereign. Nobody expected the battle between Lin Fei and Worry-free Sovereign to take such a dramatic turn. Worry-free Sovereign, who had been dominating and seemed invincible, was suddenly pushed into a corner by Lin Fei's counter-attack.

Being isolated from his senses and now threatened by the Bone-Eroding Wind that could turn him into a skeleton, this wasn't merely a Great Divine Ability; it was a top-tier, insidiously vicious one. The kind that guarantees severe harm, if not death.

However, Worry-free Sovereign did not need Jiang Tianyun's reminder. He was already alert when the Bone-Eroding Wind approached.

A bright light emanated from the third layer of Worry-free Sovereign's Life Wheel, signaling his third Divine Ability, an ability he seldom used.

"Divine Ability, Quicksand!"

Very few had seen Worry-free Sovereign's third Divine Ability. Even in his battle against Wind Sovereign, he only had to use two of his Divine Abilities to secure victory. Now, he was forced to display Quicksand in front of everyone.

The Bone-Eroding Wind continued to blow, and Worry-free Sovereign, already reduced to a skeletal state, transformed into countless grains of quicksand. These grains were then scattered in all directions, breaking through Lin Fei's Black Wind Prison. In the blink of an eye, the quicksand grains converged, reforming Worry-free Sovereign.

Worry-free Sovereign had finally escaped! His third Divine Ability was purely a life-saving measure. In some sense, it was akin to an undying body. Once transformed into quicksand, as long as the quicksand remained intact, it would be incredibly challenging to kill him.

However, it was undeniable that this time, Worry-free Sovereign was defeated. Forced to resort to his third Divine Ability in a desperate bid for survival, he was utterly defeated.