Chapter 22: First Encounter with the Ten Heroes of the Southern Wilderness

Zhong Cheng, disciple of the Yuan Chu Sect!

As that magnetic voice echoed across the firmament, all eyes were drawn to the sudden spectacle. People looked up to witness a flying beast, reminiscent of the legendary Great Peng, its massive wings seemingly capable of blotting out the sun and moon, casting the world into darkness.

Atop the beast stood a young man in white, his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze pierced through the clouds to survey the Imperial Capital of Tianfeng, his demeanor so composed that he appeared like a divine sovereign from the nine heavens descending into the mortal realm. His robes fluttered in the wind like a celestial being, his refined aura evoking profound awe in all who beheld him.

The Yuan Chu Sect!

Hearts trembled. While some present might not have heard of Zhong Cheng, the name of the Yuan Chu Sect was thunderous to the ears. As one of the eight great divine sects, it was indisputably ranked among the foremost of them.

The members of the Luo family were overjoyed, especially Luo Xiu, who acted as if a savior had arrived. He hurriedly beckoned, "Luo Xiu, head of the Luo family, leads the entire clan in warmly welcoming the young master."

*Swish!*

The young man in white atop the firmament glanced at Luo Xiu, a smile blossoming on his calm face. His figure flickered, and he descended from the heights. Unlike a common freefall, his descent was slow and graceful, landing as lightly as a feather before the Luo family estate.

"You are too kind, Uncle Luo."

Spirit Soul Realm!

If anyone present failed to recognize this, they would have no place in the Imperial Capital of Tianfeng. Only those of the Spirit Soul Realm possessed the ability to traverse the sky. Who could have imagined that this youth, who appeared to be only in his twenties, was a powerhouse of the Spirit Soul Realm capable of dominating the entire Tianfeng Empire? In the vast expanse of the empire, only the current Emperor himself had reached such a pinnacle.

"Uncle, what is happening here?"

The address of "Uncle" brought a look of immense pride to Luo Xiu's face, instantly sweeping away the resentment he had harbored after being besieged by the Lin family. He cast a hostile glare at the members of the Lin family and said with a faint smile, "Just a group of wretches attempting to challenge the dignity of the Luo family. Young Master Zhong, Qingyi is still in seclusion consolidating her cultivation. Would you mind waiting a short while?"

"Oh?"

Zhong Cheng raised an eyebrow, glanced at the Lin family, and waved his hand dismissively. "I care not what grievances you have with the Luo family. From this day forth, the Luo family is under my protection. If any of you dare to harass them again, I shall show no mercy."

As he spoke, Zhong Cheng’s aura surged violently. The entire Imperial Capital of Tianfeng seemed to fall into the eye of a silent storm. The pressure of the Spirit Soul Realm swept out like an invisible, colossal wave, shaking every martial artist present. The spiritual energy between heaven and earth trembled before this power, as if bowing to the majesty of an emperor.

Before the Luo estate, the members of the Lin family were struck as if by lightning. Their faces turned pale, and the blood in their veins churned, unable to withstand the sudden pressure. Even Lin Jingtian and the Lin family’s Supreme Elder, who had broken through to the Yuan Mansion Realm, appeared frail and powerless against this force. Their eyes were filled with disbelief, and trails of fresh blood spilled from the corners of their mouths.

This scene was etched into the hearts of all present like a shocking tapestry, making them deeply realize the terror of a Spirit Soul Realm powerhouse. In the Tianfeng Empire, such power was enough to sweep across the land, invincible and unmatched.

Zhong Cheng’s gaze was cold, his eyes like blades of ice in winter as they swept over the Lin family. He parted his lips, and only a single word was uttered coldly: "Begone!"

The word was simple and direct, yet it carried an unquestionable command. His voice was not loud, yet it exploded in everyone’s ears like a thunderclap, causing their spirits to tremble.

The Lin family members looked at one another, realizing that the situation had spiraled completely out of control. Before a Spirit Soul Realm expert like Zhong Cheng, all their resistance seemed insignificant. Lin Jingtian clenched his fists tightly, a flicker of determination in his eyes. Enduring the immense pressure exerted by Zhong Cheng—one of the Ten Prodigies of the Southern Wilderness—he said, "The Luo family must give the Lin family an explanation!"

"You court death!"

As one of the Ten Prodigies of the Southern Wilderness, Zhong Cheng felt an unprecedented humiliation. His eyes narrowed sharply, shooting two beams of cold light directly at Lin Jingtian, and he shouted in a low, murderous voice.

However, just as the Luo family expected Zhong Cheng to strike Lin Jingtian down and the tension reached its peak, a thunderous roar erupted from outside: "Stop!"

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice, seeing a youth in black robes rushing toward them. His arrival was like a stone cast into a calm lake, stirring ripple after ripple and instantly capturing everyone's attention.

The Lin family members’ faces lit up with joy and excitement upon seeing the youth. They knew this boy was their hope—the young master of the Lin family, Lin Fan. Luo Xiu, the head of the Luo family, revealed a look of astonishment, a trace of disbelief flashing deep in his eyes, as if he had not expected the boy to return to the Imperial Capital alive.

"Young Master!"

"Little Fan!"

"It is him, the young master of the Lin family, Lin Fan!"

The Lin family members present called out excitedly, their voices filled with anticipation and trust. The black-robed youth who had suddenly appeared was indeed Lin Fan, who had hurried back from Yellow Sand City. Upon hearing of his family’s crisis, he had not stopped for a moment, traveling day and night for fear that the Lin family would meet with disaster before his arrival.

Zhong Cheng frowned, his gaze as sharp as a blade as he stared at Lin Fan and asked coldly, "Who are you? How dare you meddle in this?"

His voice carried an unquestionable authority, attempting to suppress the youth with his presence. Lin Fan stood before the crowd, his eyes resolute; he did not retreat an inch in the face of Zhong Cheng’s pressure.

"I am Lin Fan, the young master of the Lin family."

Lin Fan’s voice rang clearly throughout the scene, every word filled with confidence and determination. "I must intervene in today’s affairs, and I will not be stopped."

"A mere Heaven-Dan Realm ant, daring to meddle in my affairs! You seek death!"

Zhong Cheng’s voice was filled with contempt and rage. The moment his words fell, his aura surged violently once more. Clearly, he had no intention of wasting more breath on these people, whom he viewed as nothing more than ants; he prepared to finish them off in one blow.

He extended his right hand and gripped the void. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathered abruptly, transforming into an enormous fist print that seemed capable of tearing the sky as it bore down upon Lin Fan and the others. The fist print condensed in the air, emitting a dazzling radiance—it was the peerless power of a top disciple from the Yuan Chu Sect, a terrifying strike from a Spirit Soul Realm expert.

Zhong Cheng clearly intended to show no mercy; if this punch landed, Lin Fan and the others would likely not even have bones left. Yet, facing this cataclysmic blow, the Lin family members did not retreat. Lin Fan appeared remarkably calm; if he were to die with his kin, his life would not have been in vain. It was only a pity that he would have to break his promise to the Demoness.

"Kid, you’re quite resigned to your fate, aren't you? Unfortunately, you shouldn't be dying today."

The Demoness’s teasing voice echoed in Lin Fan’s mind. Just as the youth was filled with confusion, a sharp, commanding cry resounded from the heavens.

"Zhong Cheng, the Lin family is not for you to lecture!"

Accompanying the voice was a golden, radiant palm print.

*Boom!*

A massive explosion occurred as the palm and fist collided, shaking the heavens and earth. The fist print shattered, and the palm print dissipated; beyond the tremors felt throughout the Imperial Capital, no one was harmed.

"Divine Firmament Soul-Splitting Palm! Someone from the Divine Firmament Sect?"

Zhong Cheng narrowed his eyes, staring at the regal woman descending from the firmament, his brows furrowed with chilling murderous intent as he spoke sharply.

Unlike Zhong Cheng, the members of the Lin family felt a surge of joy upon seeing this person, and Lin Fan was no exception.

"Third Aunt!"

"Third Sister!"

"Third Miss!"