Chapter 217: Obstruction, and a Hint of Gloating!
Heaven Hall.
While the Desolate Hall was in an uproar over the Dan River Baptism, Heaven Hall wasn't exactly peaceful either.
The situation was similar across all four halls of Dao Sect. But when it came to Heaven Hall, the competition for the Dan River Baptism was even more intense than in the Desolate Hall.
After all, Heaven Hall was far stronger, had more disciples, and therefore, fiercer internal competition.
Many had worked in secret to win this year's coveted spot.
But none of them could have expected that the spot would be snatched away by a disciple from the Desolate Hall!
And all because Lin Fan was the Hundred Dynasties War champion?
If he had chosen Heaven Hall from the beginning, perhaps they wouldn't have felt so dissatisfied.
Near the Dan River in Heaven Hall was a massive floating platform, already packed with people.
Everyone had come to see for themselves just what kind of ability this Lin Fan had—what had earned him the favor of two Hall Masters and the right to undergo the Dan River Baptism in their territory.
At the deepest section of the Heaven Hall Dan River, Ying Huanhuan once again found her older sister Ying Xiaoxiao on one of the floating platforms.
"Sis, that Lin Fan guy pulled some trick to get Uncle Qi Lei and Uncle Wei Sen to approve him for the Dan River Baptism here! Isn't that just too much?" she complained.
Ying Xiaoxiao was a little surprised too, but her expression remained calm. "If both Hall Masters approved it, they must have their reasons. No need to fuss."
"If he had joined Heaven Hall, I wouldn't mind him getting the baptism," Ying Huanhuan pouted. "I'd even block anyone who tried to give him trouble. But he chose Desolate Hall, and now he's here trying to take from us. It's not just me—everyone in Heaven Hall has a problem with it."
Ying Xiaoxiao said evenly, "I trust the Hall Masters to handle things properly."
Ying Huanhuan smirked mischievously. "Even if the Hall Masters protect him, there will still be plenty of disciples who don't like it. Sooner or later, someone will teach him a lesson."
Ying Xiaoxiao replied calmly, "Sparring between fellow disciples is perfectly normal."
As they spoke, a gust of wind could be felt from the platform by the Dan River's edge.
"That must be him. I'm going to enjoy the show," Ying Huanhuan said with a glint in her eyes before soaring away toward the crowded platform.
Ying Xiaoxiao shook her head lightly and returned to her cultivation.
...
Lin Fan landed on the platform alongside Qi Lei and Wei Sen, unfazed by the sea of people waiting to see him.
"Greetings, Hall Masters!"
The gathered disciples respectfully bowed when they saw the two hall leaders.
Wei Sen frowned. "What are you all doing here?"
The crowd exchanged glances.
After a moment, a handsome young man in a light blue robe stepped forward from the crowd.
"Disciple Cheng Xuan greets the Hall Masters," he said with a bow before continuing,
"I heard that you've allowed Desolate Hall disciple Lin Fan to undergo the Dan River Baptism here. I won't question your decision—but I'd like to make a wager with Junior Brother Lin Fan."
The surrounding disciples lit up with excitement at Cheng Xuan's words and immediately started whispering among themselves.
"That's Senior Brother Cheng Xuan!"
"He's already at the Seventh-Stage Nirvana Realm and is rumored to be the next personal disciple. This is going to be good!"
"Lin Fan's also at Seventh-Stage Nirvana Realm, but I doubt he'll match Senior Brother Cheng."
"He's just a wild card. Cheng Xuan has trained here for years and already started cultivating the Heaven Emperor Scripture. If Lin Fan accepts, he's bound to lose!"
...
Qi Lei gave Cheng Xuan a flat look before turning to Lin Fan. "Lin Fan, it's up to you."
Lin Fan cupped his hands respectfully toward Qi Lei, then turned to Cheng Xuan. "Senior Brother, what's the wager?"
Cheng Xuan smiled. "Simple. We spar. If you win, you keep your spot in the Dan River Baptism. If you lose, you return to the Desolate Hall."
Lin Fan said calmly, "If I lose, I forfeit the baptism. But if you lose, what exactly are you putting up?"
Cheng Xuan's expression stiffened briefly, then he said, "If I lose, you may do as you wish."
"No need for anything extreme. If you lose, just give me one million Nirvana Pills," Lin Fan said casually, eyes flashing slightly.
He wasn't here to stir up hatred. Snatching the Dan River spot had already upset Heaven Hall's disciples—it was only natural.
He only wanted to prove his qualification, not antagonize everyone.
By first stating the value of the Dan River Baptism, then offering a lesser bet, he gave both Cheng Xuan and the other disciples some face.
Qi Lei and Wei Sen exchanged glances, both looking quite satisfied with how Lin Fan handled it.
The surrounding disciples no longer viewed Lin Fan with as much hostility.
"Guess he's not so annoying after all," Ying Huanhuan murmured from the edge of the platform, her lips curling into a slight smile.
Cheng Xuan cupped his fists. "Thank you, Junior Brother Lin Fan. Please—en garde."
"I won't hold back then," Lin Fan nodded lightly. With a roar, Yuan Power exploded from his body.
Boom boom boom!
In an instant, five crimson pillars of light shot skyward!
A Yuan Power storm ripped through the skies, tearing the clouds apart.
"Great Wilderness Heaven-Imprisoning Hand!"
Lin Fan's voice rang out like thunder.
The five crimson light pillars transformed into five massive, ancient fingers.
The fingers fused, forming a colossal crimson hand as if tearing through the void from some ancient era.
Behind it, space itself shattered.
A towering phantom, indistinct but godlike, emerged from the torn sky.
Lin Fan's expression grew serious as he clenched his fist.
Instantly, the massive crimson hand came crashing down!
Simultaneously, the phantom above also extended its hand, its form becoming increasingly tangible.
Under the stunned gazes of the Heaven Hall disciples, the phantom's hand slammed downward toward Cheng Xuan.
Seeing this terrifying attack, Cheng Xuan's face grew solemn. He unleashed a tidal wave of Yuan Power behind him.
The wave surged and transformed into a massive energy sword, dozens of meters long!
The sword's appearance twisted the surrounding sky. Several nearby disciples paled just from its aura.
It was a blade capable of cleaving the heavens.
"Heaven Emperor Scripture—Great Sky Demon Cloud Sword!"
Cheng Xuan grasped the giant sword and swung it forward with a roar!
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