CHAPTER 449: CHAPTER 0446: SIMPLY PUT, I WANT TO RIDE ON COATTAILS IN THE FUTURE

"What is the gap between me and the Immortal Monarch?"

"No."

"An ordinary Immortal Monarch would definitely not be my match, but this Tang Immortal Monarch possesses abundant mana and deep roots. He ranks among the pinnacle figures of Immortal Monarchs."

Forget it, forget it.

Lin Fan chose not to dwell on it further. What he needed now was to muster every possible method to suppress the Immortal Monarch.

He pulled apart the Sun Destroying Immortal Bow and aimed at Tang Immortal Monarch. The surrounding immortal energy surged frantically, condensed into a single point, and he released it. With a sharp whoosh, the arrow tore through the void, piercing into the array.

"Hmm?"

Tang Immortal Monarch sensed the incoming threat and struck with his palm, instantly shattering the arrow.

"Such a myriad of techniques you possess, little friend, ceaselessly emerging."

"But if your means are only limited to such tricks, then I fear you will be disappointed."

Simultaneously, he recognized the bow. It was the Sun Destroying Immortal Bow, once belonging to Left Immortal. Unexpectedly, this treasure had fallen into the hands of his opponent. Even Left Immortal, such a peerless talent, had been defeated—astonishing indeed.

Yet the fact that this junior could confine him within the array spoke volumes of his strength.

Left Immortal’s suppression did not seem unjust.

"It didn’t work?"

Lin Fan pouted in dissatisfaction, clearly unimpressed by the bow. He had thought it was exceptional but now felt it was merely mediocre. Were the bow truly sentient, it would surely curse him: "Have you ever even considered refining me since obtaining me?"

Compatibility—he didn’t even understand the concept.

And yet he had the gall to remark that I was useless. Truly infuriating.

"It seems I must unleash my ultimate move."

Lin Fan pulled the Sun Destroying Immortal Bow again, wielding his Innate Divine Ability "Edge" alongside the Tao Level Divine Power "Great Cutting Skill." These two forces condensed into the arrow.

Buzz!

The arrow radiated brilliance—its power now a hundredfold more terrifying than before.

"Senior, let’s see how you handle this next arrow from me."

A battle between gentlemen warrants verbal notice.

Whoosh!

If the previous arrow belonged to the realm of mortals, then this one transcended it.

It was akin to what he had seen in TV dramas—this strike was beyond martial arts.

Tang Immortal Monarch was tirelessly breaking the array when suddenly, an aura far more terrifying than before descended upon him.

Swish!

The arrow came too fast. In the brief moment of his turn, Tang Immortal Monarch reached out to grab it—a Divine Skill, a mastery of profound technique. His palm glowed earthy brown, solid as a mountain, with staggering defense and unyielding resilience.

Snap!

The massive hand vibrated as it caught the arrow.

But a coolness brushed across his face, followed by trickling blood—a sharp cut had appeared on his cheek from the arrow’s edge.

The arrow hadn’t even touched his face directly, yet its sheer force caused an injury. This left Tang Immortal Monarch deeply surprised.

"What an impressive edge—a frightening aura indeed... This Divine Power is terrifyingly refined..."

"To encounter such a talent, whose mastery of Divine Powers has reached an unprecedented apex—it’s truly unheard of, unprecedented."

Tang Immortal Monarch was astonished.

Lin Fan’s brow relaxed. Managing to injure his opponent demonstrated a glimmer of victory.

Though this outcome required time.

At this moment, Lin Fan’s lips moved slightly. Raising his hand, he sketched a "卍" symbol mid-air. The Demon Crossing Scripture emerged to suppress his opponent, unraveling mysterious scriptures in the void, encircling the array, and enveloping Tang Immortal Monarch in an enigmatic power.

"This..."

Tang Immortal Monarch felt suppressed—by a force extraordinary enough to influence even Immortal Monarchs. It had to be a Divine Power surpassing the Tao Level.

Instantly.

An even more terrifying aura surged forth.

Another arrow pierced through the void, its power more ferocious than before, now infused with the Demon Crossing Scripture and Martial Arts Power.

Shattering the very space, it seemed to fly along the river of time itself.

Tang Immortal Monarch’s pupils rapidly contracted—this arrow gave him an overwhelming sense of inevitability.

Should he fail to counter it, gravely wounding him was guaranteed.

"Eight Treasures Tower!"

Tang Immortal Monarch bellowed. The Heavenly Spirit Treasure Cover radiated its splendor, intertwining immortal energy. Golden dragons coiled around a tower rising into view.

The tower materialized.

The remaining array collapsed under this towering aura, while the incoming arrow struck the tower, instantaneously enveloped in golden light. The arrow was absorbed into the tower, suppressed by its force, losing all energy and becoming pure mana, absorbed into the tower.

"That’s the power of a Holy Weapon."

Lin Fan’s eyes widened, as though witnessing a ghost—a mere Immortal Monarch possessing a Holy Weapon? How could this not be terrifying?

Wait!

On second thought, why was this surprising?

If even they possessed Holy Weapons, why couldn’t others?

Tang Immortal Monarch replied calmly, "Little friend’s insight is sharp. This item is indeed a Holy Weapon—an ancient one. Perhaps little friend wonders why someone like myself, merely an Immortal Monarch, would possess a Holy Weapon."

"The reason, quite simply, is that I spent three thousand years secluded to refine this Holy Weapon. While my cultivation advanced a mere fraction, my realm did not rise."

He intended to convey one straightforward point.

It wasn’t that he didn’t desire advancement—rather, he viewed refining an ancient Holy Weapon as more crucial than ascending realms. Even if faced with Immortal King-level experts—what of it?

With this Holy Weapon in hand, he could suppress them all.

"Impressive, truly impressive. Senior, you’re the first I’ve encountered to have fully refined a Holy Weapon."

"In that case, junior really wishes to see just how terrifying Holy Weapons can be."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Lin Fan charged toward Tang Immortal Monarch, unleashing all his Divine Powers. They surged forth under the lead of the Demon Crossing Scripture and Great Cutting Skill, ruthlessly pressing down on his opponent.

"The Tower that Subdues Heaven and Earth."

Tang Immortal Monarch waved his hand—the tower spun, its seven-colored immortal light illuminating the heavens. Even the scorching sun above paled in comparison. If light were to be defined, only this tower prevailed.

Instantly.

Lin Fan raised both hands high, slamming them furiously against the base of the tower.

Boom!

Lin Fan’s face twisted in pain—this battle posed the greatest pressure he’d ever faced. With a deafening boom, his feet landed heavily on the ground, fissuring the earth as shockwaves rippled outward, pulverizing surrounding mountain ranges.

"Such terrifying power..."

Tang Immortal Monarch was stunned—he had been astonished far too many times today, to the point he lost count. This junior’s abilities defied belief. Indeed, a thought crept into his mind.

If he had not refined the Eight Treasures Tower, what would the outcome have been?

Perhaps... not favorable at all.

"Aaah!"

Lin Fan roared low, his body housing four types of Immortal Bodies, including the top-tier Martial Arts Ultimate Body and Fierce Phoenix Immortal Body. His strength outclassed all others, his physical prowess so unmatched.

The Ancestor Dragon Floating Body remained one of the Sky Dragon Clan’s supreme physical Divine Skills in the cultivation realm.

Even in the Immortal Realm, such a mastery was rare and precious.

Tang Immortal Monarch motioned, channeling immortal light into the Eight Treasures Tower. The tower grew heavier, its pressure mounting against Lin Fan.

Crack!

Lin Fan’s body revealed fractures, blood seeping out. Innate Divine Ability’s Quick Recovery activated immediately, yet no matter how fast the healing, facing continuous exertion from such immense pressure—the damage endured was catastrophic.

"Demon God Devouring Method."

"Seize Creation itself."

Instantly, the immortal energy within the surrounding heaven and earth crazily surged into Lin Fan’s body. This was an act of plundering. If anyone were cultivating within hundreds of miles, they would inevitably realize—their surrounding immortal energy had vanished. Who had stolen it?

"I will never admit defeat so easily."

Lin Fan’s eyes burned crimson. He circulated mana and Martial Arts True Qi within his body, arrogantly resisting the fully refined Holy Weapon.

He had Holy Weapons too.

Yet the one he possessed was unrefined—rendering it practically useless.

The Eternal Divine Furnace proved somewhat helpful. If failing, it would merely serve as an escape tool.

"To master creation itself—is this the caliber of prodigy I’ve encountered? When compared to him, all so-called peerless talents fade into obscurity."

Tang Immortal Monarch held Lin Fan in exceedingly high regard, seemingly witnessing the arrival of a figure who shouldn’t exist in this world.

What about the Heavenly Court Young Emperor?

Indeed powerful beyond measure.

A Heavenly Destiny Immortal Body, destined to be heaven and earth’s protagonist. Yet so what? Beneath the Eight Treasures Tower, such figures either became ghosts or fell captive. The tower was unparalleled.

The Heavenly Court, the Four Directions Domain—countless geniuses among them shared this fate.

Even those proclaiming orthodox Taoist heritage weren’t spared.

At this moment.

Lin Fan raised both hands high, fiercely upholding the tower, distorting the surrounding space into chaotic turmoil, the void shattering repetitively. The catastrophic void turbulence ripped apart the heavens, ruining the surroundings beyond recognition.

Suddenly.

Lin Fan felt the pressure vanish entirely.

The Eight Treasures Tower transformed into a streak of light, flying toward Tang Immortal Monarch’s head, where it began slowly rotating. Radiant beams of immortal light cascaded down, casting Tang Immortal Monarch in an extraordinary aura.

"What does senior mean by this?" Lin Fan asked, panting lightly.

Tang Immortal Monarch said, "Fellow cultivator, your strength is unparalleled; your talent unheard of. When compared to you, the geniuses of this world have no advantage whatsoever."

"Given enough time, you will undoubtedly attain the Immortal Venerable Dao Fruit."

"If I were to take you back to the Turquoise Pool, the severe punishment awaiting you might even claim your life. That’s not an outcome I wish to see."

"To sow good karma and reap good fruit, I wish to establish goodwill with you."

At this moment, Tang Immortal Monarch’s address for Lin Fan shifted from "little friend" to "fellow cultivator."

Lin Fan pondered briefly, comprehending the situation, and cupped his hands respectfully. "Thank you, Tang Dao Friend. Should Tang Dao Friend ever face difficulties, I, Lin Fan, will surely repay this goodwill."

Perhaps, that is the nature of outstanding individuals.

Even those intent on capturing him are charmed and changed by his brilliance.

Tang Immortal Monarch was widely regarded as kind and friendly—a judgment from outsiders due to his consistent efforts to establish goodwill. Though he never seemed to reap the fruits of such endeavors.

Even so, no one could deter him from his path of goodwill.

Lin Fan asked, "Will Tang Dao Friend not face punishment for sparing me?"

"Do not worry, Dao Friend. Though I may not be particularly capable, I hold some standing within the Turquoise Pool. It’s fine, it’s fine. Dao Friend’s connection with Yaochi Fairy may well become a pivotal opportunity for her transformation in the future."

"Besides, affection between men and women is natural. Dao Friend sees Yaochi Fairy’s remarkable beauty and wishes to court her—why unnecessarily challenge such feelings?"

Tang Xing, Tang Immortal Monarch, was discerning. Despite the ferocious combat moments ago, Lin Fan’s exceptional brilliance and prowess led Tang Immortal Monarch to alter his stance.

No matter where.

Outstanding individuals are always warmly received.

To forge bonds during obscurity, yet aspire to ascension atop the Bodhi summit—

This was Tang Immortal Monarch’s unvarnished philosophy. He was certain: the Dao Friend before him was absolutely extraordinary, a dragon among men. If it was evident already, why wait until he became world-renowned to form an alliance? Wouldn’t that be too late?

Of course.

Though simple logic, how many could demonstrate Tang Xing’s vision for identifying greatness?

Thousand-mile horses are easy to find; true connoisseurs are rare.

Ah!

Loneliness.