At this moment, everyone who saw the Elder was astonished; it was beyond belief that the Black-Robed Elder actually consumed a pill?

Although no one knew what kind of pill the Elder had taken, the fact that he took it during battle clearly suggested that even the dullest of cultivators could guess it was a pill to enhance one's power, leaving everyone in shock. No one expected that the Elder would need to take a pill when facing Ding Fan?

This was simply too unbelievable! One must know the Elder is a Spirit Severing Cultivator, while Ding Fan is only in the Nascent Soul Mid Stage. Even if a pill was to be consumed, it should be Ding Fan taking it, shouldn't it? How could it be the other way around! It's quite incredible!

After all, a Spirit Severing Cultivator is a formidable presence anywhere. Forget about a Nascent Soul Mid Stage cultivator, even a Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator can be easily slain by them. Yet, this Black-Robed Elder needed to rely on a pill to defeat Ding Fan; it's utterly astounding!

At this moment, Lin Qi, upon seeing the Black-Robed Elder's predicament, was momentarily stunned. He never expected Ding Fan to push a Spirit Severing Elder to such a point where he had to consume a pill? This Ding Fan is simply…

At the same time, Lin Qi was extremely worried about Ding Fan. The Spirit Severing Elder's cultivation level was quite higher than Ding Fan's. Although Ding Fan was momentarily having the upper hand using the sword, if the Elder were to consume a pill, he would undoubtedly be more formidable, making Lin Qi very anxious for Ding Fan.

Unintentionally, the Elder consumed the pill, after which his aura surged dramatically, with the Giant Axe in his hand exuding True Qi all around. It was obvious that any careless cultivator hit by that Giant Axe would at least perish on the spot, and probably be shattered to pieces!

The Elder swung the Giant Axe continuously towards Ding Fan, making it evident that the aura of that Giant Axe wasn't something ordinary cultivators could withstand.

Boom!

With each deafening crash, the places that Ding Fan relocated to formed a massive pit, indicating that the opponent's axe was extraordinarily powerful. Although Ding Fan was deftly avoiding the Giant Axe each time, he was evading the physical strikes but not the airwaves from the axe, which pounded onto him, making Ding Fan unsteady and uncertain.

Seeing Ding Fan's situation, the Elder couldn't help but sneer, turning sinister. He swung his Giant Axe with several spins, swiftly forming a small whirlwind embedded with sharp axe blades. Any cultivator approaching this whirlwind would be minced to pieces!

The Elder wielded the whirlwind and charged at Ding Fan, causing Ding Fan to feel the pressure. The whirlwind wasn't only exceptionally sharp but also had formidable defenses.

In these moments, Ding Fan couldn't find any way to break the opponent's whirlwind attack. He could only continuously evade using his movement technique. However, the whirlwind moved incredibly fast; with a distance of over ten meters, the Elder needed less than a second to reach!

Ding Fan had to keep retreating, narrowly avoiding the whirlwind each time, in what was a remarkably close call!

The crowd was tense upon witnessing this, as the Spirit Severing Elder's attack was unlike anything they had ever conceived. This was expected, as it wasn't easy for a cultivator to witness a Spirit Severing Cultivator in battle; if they did, they'd most likely have to fight for their own lives!

Lin Qi saw Ding Fan and the Elder's confrontation, becoming more tightly wound around his longsword. Ding Fan was in a perilous situation, and Lin Qi prepared to assist him if necessary since he knew Ding Fan was no ordinary person! After all, Ding Fan was a Grade Nine Alchemist.

If Ding Fan were to die here, it would be a tremendous loss for the Cultivation World. Such an outstanding alchemic genius as the lord of Dancheng had to be protected!

And even without mentioning his alchemic talent, Ding Fan's cultivation talent was almost unmatched. At such a young age, he was already in the Nascent Soul Mid Stage—a remarkable feat—and his strength could force a Spirit Severing Cultivator to use a pill to win.

Beyond doubt, Ding Fan's prodigious nature was self-evident!

Lin Qi closely monitored Ding Fan's situation, determined to act immediately if anything happened to him.

As for the matter of Sun Long, it paled in comparison for Lin Qi. Compared to Ding Fan's safety, his position as City Lord seemed insignificant, especially as Ding Fan was not only valued by Lin Qi but also favored by Elder Wang as an Alchemist!

Although many cultivators suspected Lin Qi of killing Elder Wang, he didn't blame anyone. Lin Qi had vowed to find the true culprit for Elder Wang's death; after all, Wang had been with the City Lord Mansion for over fifty years.

Lin Qi held deep respect and fondness for Elder Wang, who wasn't just his right-hand man but also a wise, old friend who advised him on many decisions. The development of Dancheng was heavily attributed to Elder Wang's significant contributions in Lin Qi's mind.

Though Lin Qi meticulously managed and developed Dancheng into what it is today, Dancheng in return brought him countless honors and cultivation resources, ultimately leading to Lin Qi being revered by many. Even the Great Gate Sect's Master would show respect by addressing him as Lord Lin!

Obviously, Dancheng is not inferior to any sect and many sects even rely on Dancheng. After all, Dancheng is famous for its alchemists and medicine pills.

Alchemists and medicine pills are extremely important to any cultivator or sect!

Clearly, no sect would easily offend Dancheng, and naturally, they wouldn't want to offend Lin Qi either, many would even rush to flatter and curry favor with him…

Lin Qi knew in his heart that all of Dancheng's achievements could not be separated from Elder Wang's contribution. Without Elder Wang's advice and help, obviously, he himself wouldn't have the status he has today, and Dancheng wouldn't have developed into what it is so quickly!

Therefore, though Lin Qi didn't speak it out loud, he took Elder Wang's death very seriously. The murderer must be executed! With Elder Wang gone, obviously, no harm must come to Ding Fan in Lin Qi's eyes. Elder Wang always valued Ding Fan highly, after all, Elder Wang was a Grade Eight Alchemist.

Lin Qi knew that Elder Wang no longer had the chance to reach the level of a Grade Nine Alchemist. But he certainly knew that Elder Wang would be proud to have discovered a Grade Nine Alchemist like Ding Fan in Dancheng, and even one so young. Not to mention Elder Wang, Lin Qi was already very proud in his heart.

One must know that an alchemist like Ding Fan at Grade Nine was unparalleled in the entire Cultivation World, whether in talent or age. Lin Qi knew that such a Ding Fan was surely thrilling to an alchemist of Elder Wang's caliber.

Lin Qi still remembered the excitement and thrill when Elder Wang discovered Ding Fan during the first round of the Great Alchemy Competition!

For a moment, Lin Qi thought of many things, and couldn't help but feel a bit sad in his heart, but then he looked coldly at Sun Long. Lin Qi now suspected Sun Long the most, but there was apparently no evidence against Sun Long, and Ding Fan had already stood up for him and reported Sun Long before.

However, evidence was necessary, and it was obvious that just Ding Fan saying it lacked persuasiveness!

But now the people from the Wild Wolf Gang had already appeared, and Lin Qi knew that what Ding Fan had said before was likely true, but there was still some lack of evidence. At this time, not only did Lin Qi think so, but many elders in the City Lord Mansion also became very suspicious of Sun Long after hearing Ding Fan's words and then seeing the appearance of Wild Wolf Gang cultivators.

Especially the elders who always stood by Elder Wang's side. These elders were most concerned about identifying the murderer of Elder Wang, and they would definitely not let the other party be!

At this moment, everyone watching Ding Fan was somewhat worried for him, considering that the attack from the Spirit Severing Elder was extremely terrifying, and for a time, these elders couldn't help but gather True Qi around themselves for protection, evidently being cautious of the whirlwind from the elder.

Ding Fan was in a very dangerous situation for a moment, but he felt a sort of inexplicable excitement. Obviously, amid the battle with the other party, Ding Fan had completely grasped the key to the Fourth Chapter of the "Wind-like Sword Technique," and now he was confident in performing that unique swordsmanship.

But now was not the time. At present, Ding Fan was passive against the elder's attack, and even if he avoided it, he would still receive the elder's attack, so Ding Fan steadied his hand, and a Spring Thunder Pill, flickering with lightning, instantly appeared in his hand. The Pure Thunder Pill's thunder capability was extremely fearsome, and in an instant, Ding Fan took out the Pure Thunder Pill.

The aura of heaven and earth was stirred by the Pure Thunder Pill, and suddenly dark clouds gathered heavily.

Ding Fan knew that his Pure Thunder Pill was no ordinary item, and the moment he took it out, he immediately launched it toward the Spirit Severing Elder!

Rumble!

Ding Fan's action was fluid and smooth, and in an instant, the Pure Thunder Pill had appeared in front of the elder. There was only the sound of rumbling, but nothing visible.

At this moment, everyone watching Ding Fan was very surprised, as they didn't know what sort of thing had caused such a massive change in the weather. Just a moment ago, it was clear skies, and in the blink of an eye, ominous clouds had gathered, and lightning was brewing among the clouds.

The Spirit Severing Elder obviously saw this series of changes too, but before he could make sense of what was happening, Ding Fan's Spring Thunder Pill was already upon him. Then a fierce flash of lightning made the elder stop his giant axe, clearly showing that even if the elder's whirlwind was powerful, it was merely martial arts, and could not contend with the heaven-moving power Ding Fan had triggered!

Pff…

The Black-Robed Elder then spat out another mouthful of blood, looking at Ding Fan with an incredible mixture of shock and bewilderment in his eyes!