The dreadful black thunder claw squeezed and the ice dragonâs claws exploded to pieces. The thunderflame made sure to burn them to nothing before they got back to its body.
The ice dragon shook from fear, looking terrified.
The guy was simply standing at the side, without a care, till now and gave off no indication it wielded such godly power, incapable of even being sealed.
It flicked its tail and the scared dragon withdrew as he absorbed the cold icy sword waves from the sky and repaired the damage. Its claws were soon good as new.
Zhuo Fan was not about to let it go. Since he had to get involved, he would finish it too.,
Zhuo Fanâs eyes shone and the huge thunderflame claw shot forth to clutch the ice dragonâs head, bursting it with a squeeze.
The ice was blown away, even if formed from the worldly power, ended up burned to nothing from the thunderflame.
The thunderflame claw grabbed further, at the body, and took seconds to turn the three-hundred-meter large ice dragon to pieces, pieces that had no chance of returning, sizzling and gone from this world.
The thunder claw grasped one last time and drew a person next to Zhuo Fan.
Because of the seal placed on him, Ye Linâs mind was hazy, his body wobbling around. Yet he managed to catch some glimpses through the haze, âThank you, elder brother. After all these years I still canât catch up to you.â
âItâs fine, just be more careful next time.â
Releasing the claw, Zhuo Fan looked calm as before, still sitting with Chu Qingcheng leaning on his shoulder having felt nothing of what transpired. Even with all the chaos that went on, along with the ruckus and destruction, Zhuo Fan made sure to keep Chu Qingcheng shielded from even the slightest tremor.
Everyone else though was too shellshocked to react.
Ouyang Changqing was gaping even. It was beyond his âexpertâ comprehension how the merchant he asked to come watch turned into a world expert himself.
The divine move used to crush the ice dragon was beyond sublime. With the ice dragon using sealing, only a divine sword could touch it, but even his dad would have a hard time doing it.
[Just who the hell is that freak?]
Shangguan Qingyan looked on with adoration. But seeing Zhuo Fan and Chu Qingcheng hand in hand, with the pretty face leaning on his shoulder, her joy plunged into confusion.
[Who is she to him? Why is he so caring with her? Iâve never seen him act like this with anyoneâŚ]
âGu Yifan!â
A sudden cry entered her confused mind and saw Murong Xue frowning with a complex gaze at Zhuo Fan.
Shangguan Qingyan looked around and rushed to whisper, âSister Xue, are you sure? How can he be that Gu Yifan?â
âHe might wear a mask, but Iâll never forget the child next to him!â
Murong Xue was convinced, âI also know the black thunderflame he used as well. Black flames are a rarity across the world. It is him, beyond any doubt!â
Clenching her fists, Shangguan Qingyan lowered her head.
[How am I supposed to turn this around when sister Xue is dead set on her suspicion?]
[Curses, sister Xue is too much of a stickler for righteousness and will definitely tell others. What to do?]
Shangguan Qingyan was anxious while looking from Zhuo Fan to Murong Xue.
Murong Xue picked on her cues and whispered, âYanâer, did you already know him?â
âEh, no way. Only what I heard from you, ha-haâŚâ Shangguan Qingyan flinched and forced a straight face on.
Murong Xueâs hard stare was unnerving, âYanâer, you donât then? Then why were you so nervous seeing him about to get hurt? Fess up, did you know he was here?â
Shangguan Qingyan caved under Murong Xueâs hard stare, squeezing a helpless nod.
âYet you still covered for him? Do you have any idea how dangerous he is?â
âSister Xue, he said he came here to save his son. Heâs no threat to our lands.â
âAnd you believed him?â
âOf course I did. He helped get our Soaring Sword back!â Shangguan Qingyan turned defiant under the assault, speaking with conviction, âAnd I saw how much he cared for his son. He wonât ever use his son as an excuse, especially when his life is on the line.â
Murong Xueâs eyes shook and frowned in thought.
Shangguan Qingyan was anxious, âSister Xue, I beg of you, donât tell on him, please. Heâs not bad.â
âIf heâs so nice, then thereâs no good left in the world!â
Murong Xue rolled her eyes, then sighed as she looked at Zhuo Fan, âI donât need to say anything. His attack painted a target on him. The Sea Bright Sect will place a high value on him and itâs just a matter of time before heâs found out.â
âThen let him⌠fake for a while longer.â Shangguan Qingyan sighed as looked at Zhuo Fan with deep concern.
Murong Xue sighed and shook her head.
One guard saw everything that had happened and whispered to Zhuo Fan, âSir, I fear weâre now the center of attention. Our cover will be blown.â
âI know.â
Zhuo Fan glanced at the peaceful Chu Qingcheng and smiled, âBut it was all worth it. Qingcheng shouldnât have been like these for so many years and should close her eyes and get well. Itâs what I owe her, what IâŚâ
Zhuo Fan looked lost and the guard understood as he retreated.
Shui Ruohua stared into Zhuo Fanâs expressive eyes with astonishment, âSir, why do I find you familiar? Have we met?â
Zhuo Fan remained silent.
Whoosh~
Exalted Hei Ran suddenly landed before them.
Giving a long look to Zhuo Fan, he helped Ye Lin from the ground and cupped his hands, âThank you, sir, for your help. How may I address you?â
âSteward Qian Fan.â Zhuo Fan replied.
Exalted Hei Ran started, âQian clan, from the northern landsâŚâ
âYes.â
âOh, northern lands have such amazing talent!â Exalted Hei Ran gave him one last look then cursed inside.
He thought Ye Lin and Zhuo Fan from western lands were the peak of what was humanly possible in terms of talent. Now he found that there was one more obscene genius, from northern lands.
[Talent comes in all sizes in every generation and from anywhere.]
[The world will change.]
Exalted Hei Ran inspected Ye Linâs weak body then said to Shui Ruohua, âTake Qingcheng, Iâm taking you back to look after your wounds.â
âHold!â
Shui Ruohua rushed to obey and take Chu Qingcheng, but Zhuo Fan intervened.
Zhuo Fan looked at Chu Qingcheng with her eyes closed and said, âOnly brother here is wounded. Senior can just take him. Miss needs peace to get well, donât disturb her. You can all mind yourself, since he is far more important to you, sir. Itâs best if you donât delay his healing.â
Ugh!
Exalted Hei Ran knew sarcasm when he heard it. A clear criticism for abandoning them over Ye Lin. He sighed and cupped his hands again before leaving with Ye Lin.
Shui Ruohua was stumped as to what to do.
Whoosh~
Ouyang Lingtian came next, on the stage and raised his hand at the uncaring son, who was now shaking in fear at his dadâs presence.
âYou fool, you almost sent us all to oblivion, you know that?â
âI know, the elders told me.â He held his head with a guilty look, quickly changing topics, âBut shouldnât we be tending to the world channel and seal it first? We need to stop the power from flowing in. Uh, why is there no more sword energy in the sky?â
Ouyang
Lingtian huffed in anger, âThereâs no need to seal it, not when it closed itself.â
âHow peculiar, thenâŚâ
âWerenât you saying that you were clueless and that the elders had to fill you in?â Ouyang Lingtian railed it on him, âDamn brat, listen up! The worldly power needs to be drawn into the secular world to be controlled. To simplify, your art did that. The world went berserk because you changed the target of the drawing. Like before, the ice dragon became the target, making it so the worldly power focused on him. Once the ice dragon is no more, then thereâs no one drawing it. Of course the world will return to normal!â
It was Ye Lin who was now carried away by Exalted Hei Ran.
âHumph, just a fight. Next time Iâll just use one art to beat you again. Let me tell you, the best in the alliance will one day be yours truly, ha-ha-haâŚâ
Bam!
Ouyang Lingtian had enough of his boasting and cuffed him over the head, âYouâre fighting nothing! Havenât you caused enough trouble? And I thought the best in the four lands had been settled already.â
Ouyang Lingtianâs eyes shone as he looked at Zhuo Fan.
Everyone stared as well in realization.
[Maybe not only the best disciple in the allianceâŚ]
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