CHAPTER 448: CHAPTER 0445: BATTLE AGAINST THE IMMORTAL MONARCH

These Immortals held great admiration for Lin Fan.

Because Lin Fan gave them a very different feeling. He was clearly formidable— even prodigies were mere defeated opponents in his hands— yet he treated them with kindness and courtesy.

Just like how a true strongman extends a little care to the weak.

That care comes with rich rewards.

Suddenly.

A wave of oppressively intimidating energy blanketed over the city.

Lin Fan looked up toward the distance. Far away, a figure stood, the source of the pressure engulfing the entire city emanating from this person.

"Why would they pursue me here?"

He pondered for a moment but couldn’t come up with an answer.

"Fellow cultivators, we shall meet again if fate allows." Lin Fan cupped his hands respectfully. Then, grasping Bai Haitang by the collar, he headed toward the city gate.

Inside the city.

Xiang Fei said softly, "Brother Lin, the visitor is likely from Yaochi Sacred Land. But what could they be chasing us for?"

Lin Fan shook his head and replied, "I’m not sure, but perhaps it’s because of this swan. We’ve taken the Golden Toad along, which might have blocked disaster for it. No matter, the Golden Toad owes us a karma debt because of this."

Bai Haitang said coldly, "Do you even know who’s coming? Let me tell you— that person is none other than Elder Tang Xing from Yaochi Sacred Land. If he’s come all this way to hunt you down, thinking you can escape his pursuit is nothing less than wishful thinking!"

"You just talk way too much." Lin Fan angrily smacked Bai Haitang on the head, leaving him dazed and bewildered, though his internal rage remained undiminished.

At this moment.

Lin Fan handed the little girl and caterpillar over to Qin Yang. "Take them out of here. I’ll find you after it’s over."

"Brother Lin, who do you take me for here? If I speak about my status and background, do you think Yaochi Sacred Land dares not to honor me?"

Qin Yang understood Lin Fan’s worry.

But when he thought about his identity, what was there to fear?

The Little Immortal Venerable of the Qin Family is here— try laying a hand on me if you dare.

"Cut the nonsense. Your cultivation is the weakest among us. Staying here would only be a burden."

Lin Fan felt confident that even if he lost, there was still a significant chance of escape. But since there hadn’t been any direct confrontation yet, it was still too early to predict victory or defeat.

Bai Haitang sneered, "Faced with the arrival of an expert from Yaochi Sacred Land, you think escaping will be as simple as this? Let me tell you— stop dreaming! Weren’t you all acting arrogant just moments ago? I’d love to see how much arrogance you still have left now."

Bam!

Qin Yang landed a kick right in Bai Haitang’s crotch.

"How can you be so full of nonsense? I’ve had enough of you."

"Brother Lin, kill him..."

Bai Haitang’s face turned red as he glared at Qin Yang with rage. Such treacherous and shameless tactics— this man actually stooped so low. Truly contemptible!

Seeing his adversary still glaring at him, Qin Yang raised his fist, gesturing that if Bai Haitang dared to glare again, he’d beat him until he was searching for his lost dignity on the ground.

"Brother Lin, I’ll fight alongside you. Together, we might just have a chance."

Xiang Fei looked into the distance. Even though the opponent was still far away, their immense power could be keenly felt.

Indeed, not someone to be underestimated.

"No need. You leave with Qin Yang. I have a plan."

Lin Fan wanted to see what Yaochi Sacred Land was really aiming for. Just a minor misunderstanding, yet they sent such a high-level expert— a bit excessive, no? As for whether it had to do with the swan, it wasn’t even worth discussing. It was simply a pet; how could it warrant attracting someone so powerful?

"Go!"

Lin Fan instructed, then strode toward the city outskirts. The opponent hadn’t made a move, seemingly waiting for him to leave. If the strong were to make a move in the city, it might not survive the aftermath.

Xiang Fei and Qin Yang exchanged a glance, then left with the little girl.

Brother Lin had already spoken, so he must have his own plans.

In the distance.

Far, far from the city.

A figure awaited silently.

Soon.

From afar, a silhouette approached quickly, exuding a shocking presence. The surrounding space trembled slightly— a phenomenon caused by the spread of the aura from a mighty cultivator.

[Tang Xing: Immortal Realm Sixth Level Immortal Monarch Realm.]

"Senior Tang Xing, I wonder if I’ve offended you in any way. Please, enlighten this junior so that I may know the reason behind it," Lin Fan inquired.

The opponent was an Immortal Monarch.

But an old-school Immortal Monarch at that— judging from their power level, it was evident their mana was incredibly refined. The Divine Skills they practiced were astonishing, and they carried precious treasures. Subduing them might just be a pipe dream.

But sometimes, you never know until you try.

"The Yaochi Fairy is not to be insulted."

Tang Xing, his hair white yet his posture straight and imposing, gazed deep as the stars. He appeared like a monarch descending, in control of the heavens, while Lin Fan seemed before him like a rebellious subject. Right now, Lin Fan resembled an insurgent seeking to defy the sovereign.

Lin Fan laughed and said, "Tang Immortal Monarch must be mistaken. When did I ever insult the Yaochi Fairy? It was merely some intimate contact during combat, that’s all."

Bai Haitang cried out.

"Senior Tang, save me, save me..."

At this moment.

Tang Xing noticed Bai Haitang and looked slightly surprised. "Grass Sword Hermit..."

Bai Haitang’s face showed indignation mixed with humiliation as he said, "Senior, I was caught off guard by this thief and subdued miserably. At the same time, I was humiliated by a group of Immortals. I swear I will personally take revenge for this disgrace."

Even at this moment.

He refused to admit his defeat.

"Release Grass Sword Hermit, and I may spare your life," Tang Xing declared.

Bai Haitang was the Sword Pavilion’s disciple. Saving him would earn favor from the Sword Pavilion itself.

Lin Fan stored Bai Haitang into the Universe Tripod. Inside, the five piglets were no longer necessary— he promptly slaughtered them in hopes they’d drop some mana to ease his pressure.

Waiting quietly.

Other considerations were irrelevant; mana was the only thing that mattered.

None.

Still none.

The system notification didn’t mention mana. Hopefully, something would drop eventually.

[Gained 400,000 years of mana.]

No idea who dropped it, but it certainly solved the immediate crisis.

The realm was still in the Golden Immortal stage. Actually, just circulating mana casually would elevate him to the Supreme Immortal realm.

But that didn’t seem necessary for now.

With over 1.1 million years-worth of mana, it should suffice.

"Junior Lin Fan, possessing only Golden Immortal-level cultivation, challenges Senior Immortal Monarch across two great realms. Please."

He cupped his hands respectfully.

The Mixed Element Golden Gourd hovered around him, while the Golden River Water roiled and surged, enveloping the world in resplendent golden light. The sight made Tang Immortal Monarch’s eyes flash in surprise— indeed, this was an extraordinary Immortal Treasure.

Even so.

Tang Immortal Monarch did not take Lin Fan seriously. The gap between them— separated by two great realms— ensured that with a mere wave of his hand, he could crush the opponent. To Tang Immortal Monarch, Lin Fan was like fish on a chopping board awaiting butchery.

"To possess such courage despite knowing your low cultivation realm, I commend you for your boldness. You may strike first to avoid feeling discontent after failing to withstand a single move and being subdued," Tang Immortal Monarch said confidently.

Tang Immortal Monarch’s self-assurance was absolute; Lin Fan’s efforts were nothing more than amusing trifles.

"Alright then, my apologies for the offense."

Lin Fan cupped his hands briefly, then smiled faintly. With a loud bang, the Void beneath his feet shattered. His martial prowess was awe-inspiring, and his Immortal Law was even more terrifying. When combined, the sheer might radiating outward became overwhelming.

Tang Immortal Monarch underestimated him.

Which was perfectly normal.

But underestimation often came at a price.

Martial combat required seizing the moment and utilizing tactics. Even in battles governed by Immortal Law, strategy played a key role.

Feigning weakness allowed Lin Fan to lull Tang Immortal Monarch into believing he was truly insignificant, fostering complacency. And indeed, Tang Immortal Monarch exhibited no vigilance— why should an Immortal Monarch fear a Golden Immortal adversary? To fail in such circumstances would be face-shattering.

"Immortal Prison."

Tang Immortal Monarch retained his indifferent composure. As Lin Fan rapidly approached, he flicked his robe, causing the Void before him to shudder. Then, a prison crafted from law itself materialized, encasing Lin Fan within.

With just this one move, he didn’t expect Lin Fan to be capable of mounting any resistance.

Immortal Monarchs lived up to their name.

Their methods were undeniably daunting.

Even Daluo Golden Immortals caught in the Immortal Prison would find escape nearly impossible.

"Young man, you are powerless to resist. Come with me to Yaochi and face judgment," Tang Immortal Monarch said indifferently.

However...

Something astounding occurred.

Lin Fan’s aura surged as he smashed through the Immortal Prison with one punch. Then, in Tang Immortal Monarch’s astonished gaze, Lin Fan unleashed another punch, landing it firmly on Tang Immortal Monarch’s face.

Bam!

Tang Immortal Monarch was utterly shocked, clearly unprepared for Lin Fan’s terrifying strength.

His figure staggered backward, carving two streaks through the air as he did so.

"Well done, very well done. It seems this monarch underestimated you," Tang Immortal Monarch remarked with a faint smile, evidently not expecting to be disgracefully outmaneuvered by a mere junior.

An unforeseen development.

When Tang Immortal Monarch raised his gaze back to Lin Fan, he found Lin Fan forming an array— streaks of golden light infused the Void, stabilizing its four corners with numerous Immortal Stones.

"An array?" Tang Immortal Monarch asked, perplexed.

Lin Fan grinned and replied, "Yes, an array."

Tang Immortal Monarch chuckled and said, "Young man, your ignorance is astonishing. Do you know what caliber of figure is required to defeat an Immortal Monarch through an array? With your meager skills, I’m afraid..."

Lin Fan didn’t let him finish and instead altered his hand seals. He spoke softly, "Activate."

"Immortal Monarch Senior, do be serious. This array is a Slaughter Array consisting of 12,960 sub-arrays, merging into one. However, as I am weak and unlearned, I could only set up 1,296 sub-arrays, still faintly in line with unity theory."

"Please, break the array, Senior."

Once his words fell.

The array activated.

Tang Immortal Monarch’s expression grew serious, his previously relaxed demeanor now vanished. This array was no trivial matter— its murderous force was exceptionally strong, with intertwining phenomena of heavenly lightning, earth fire, chilling frost, and icy rain descending.

The array even invoked heart demons, illusions, and temptation formations.

"Who exactly is this fellow? How could he possess such mastery over arrays?"

"His attainment in array formation is remarkably advanced..."

What Tang Immortal Monarch didn’t know was Lin Fan’s array formation ability and its origins— to discover the truth would mean delving into long-past incidents. Once, for example... well, he simply slaughtered someone and gained insight on array mastery through a system drop. Then, encountering an Immortal Venerable grandpa who wished for death, Lin Fan helped grant his wish and obtained Dao-level mastery in array formations.

If Lin Fan’s cultivation weren’t so inadequate, his time limited, and materials scarce...

He’d genuinely love to set up a complete unity theory-level Slaughter Array for Tang Immortal Monarch.

It would leave him sobbing and groaning in unbearable pain.

Bam!

Bam!

The array setup was indeed extraordinary.

Lin Fan knew relying only on sub-arrays to suppress an Immortal Monarch was pure fantasy. Thus, he was already preparing his next plan.

He summoned the Sun Destroying Immortal Bow.

While Tang Immortal Monarch focused on breaking the array, Lin Fan didn’t mind adding a little "fun."

For instance, the feeling of an arrow descending from the heavens— it would certainly be amusing.

No offense, Immortal Monarch Senior.

Though his words were courteous, his actions were ruthless— a classic move from Lin Fan.