Top-tier Unruly Master

The skin between Ding Fan's thumb and forefinger had been pierced by the opponent's short axe, clearly indicating the extraordinary power on the other side. Indeed, they were of the Nascent Soul Stage. This was the first time Ding Fan felt such formidable force; evidently, this was Ding Fan's first.

At this moment, the elder continued his attack on Ding Fan, swinging the short axe in his hand like a beast, clearly indicating that being hit by it meant death! The elder would definitely not give Ding Fan any chance to catch his breath and was utterly outraged, knowing that his opponent was just a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, while he himself was at the Nascent Soul Stage. Yet, after such a long time, Ding Fan still hadn't died at his hands. It was clearly an abnormality!

The elder's heart was filled with indignation as his authority had been challenged. Knowing that a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator entangling with a young man at the Nascent Soul Early Stage for such a long time was simply laughable!

The elder reached his boiling point, determined to resolve this swiftly. At that moment, the short axe in his hand viciously hurled towards Ding Fan, spinning at high speed and rapidly striking at Ding Fan!

Seeing this, Ding Fan was quite terrified, clearly needing to instantaneously move at the earliest opportunity. The imposing strike of that axe was not easy to defend against.

But just as the short axe was about to reach Ding Fan, it suddenly transformed into countless short axes, completely overwhelming the space, making it impossible for Ding Fan to execute an instant move. Given Ding Fan's instantaneous movement relied solely on the martial arts from the stele, providing a limited range, he could succeed if it was just one short axe.

However, it wasn't a matter of a single short axe. Clearly, there were many axes, completely overpowering the place, a sight ordinary cultivators simply couldn't block.

Feeling a sense of alarm, Ding Fan couldn't have expected such trickery from a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator. Ding Fan immediately made a judgement — among the swarm of short axes, only one was real. Ding Fan knew the rest were illusions, figuring thus, Ding Fan came up with a plan.

Ding Fan grabbed his flying sword to defend himself and kept shifting positions, as earlier the single axe aimed directly at his location. Though Ding Fan couldn't determine which axe was real among the many, he had to leave his spot to reduce the potential damage.

Yet, even though Ding Fan's judgement was correct — there indeed was only one real axe — Ding Fan hadn't anticipated that the illusory axes still possessed substantial attack power!

Boom, boom, boom...

A series of explosions ensued, leaving the ground where Ding Fan stood devastated, riddled with pits from the axe impacts. Despite dodging the assault from the most aggressive real axe, Ding Fan was still hit by the striking illusions, and ended up being blasted down. Ding Fan truly hadn't expected such power even from mere illusions!

Whoosh!

Another mouthful of blood spewed from Ding Fan's lips, clearly indicating severe injuries. Yet, within Ding Fan's heart, there was a thrill, for the sensation of being beaten hadn't been felt in quite some time. Doubts crept into Ding Fan's mind regarding his odd thoughts, but everyone in the Cultivation World knows the simple truth — enduring such beatings is essential to overcoming the heights others cannot achieve.

The elder gazed upon the heavily injured Ding Fan with satisfaction, believing this was the proper scene to see. Knowing Ding Fan was merely a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, yet entangled with him for so long was exceedingly disgraceful!

Witnessing Ding Fan's situation, He Qianyao couldn't help but feel anxious, knowing Ding Fan was heavily injured this time, considering the opponent was a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator and Ding Fan only an early Nascent Soul cultivator. Even if Ding Fan broke through, he'd merely be at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, clearly no match.

He Qianyao watched Ding Fan and felt intense concern, never having seen Ding Fan in such a state before, clearly his most severe injury yet. Simultaneously, He Qianyao felt regret on Ding Fan's behalf, knowing that had Ding Fan fled immediately, avenging his father and the Dayang Sect remained a possibility.

Knowing Ding Fan's cultivation had immense potential, given time, he would certainly not remain ordinary. Yet, now Ding Fan faced dire circumstances against this Nascent Soul Stage elder, leaving He Qianyao helpless. Although always confident in Ding Fan, this was undeniably different, for the opponent was indeed a Nascent Soul Stage elder.

Possessing such cultivation could make one an elder in sects and even a sect leader in smaller ones might lack such power. Ding Fan was indeed in grave danger this time.

He Qianyao was extremely worried about Ding Fan. At this point, it was clear that Ding Fan was already seriously injured, but the elder continued to aggressively attack Ding Fan. Ding Fan was in critical danger, and He Qianyao was determined; she couldn't just watch Ding Fan be slain. For her, the greatest regret would be not having the chance to be with Ding Fan again if she died.

But Ding Fan was different. As long as he was alive, He Qianyao believed Ding Fan would definitely avenge her. Although her cultivation talent was good, it paled in comparison to Ding Fan's. She almost had no capability to avenge Ding Fan herself. Besides, Ding Fan bore significant responsibility; he was the new generation Sect Leader of the Dayang Sect, even if the Dayang Sect was destroyed.

The heritage and continuity of the Great Gate Sect couldn't just be cut off like that. At this moment, He Qianyao gripped her longsword, ready to rush up and assist Ding Fan. But just as she was about to charge forward, a powerful hand held her back. It was the innkeeper, who was clearly shocked by what he saw regarding Ding Fan.

He never expected that Ding Lin was not only gifted in alchemy but also exceptionally talented in cultivation! Despite being only at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, he forced Elder Zhao to such an extent. The innkeeper knew well that Elder Zhao's short axe technique was incredibly formidable, one of his trump cards rarely employed against other cultivators!

Yet, Ding Lin managed to compel him to use it, showing the sheer strength of Ding Lin. Despite this, it seemed unlikely that Ding Lin could be a match for Elder Zhao now, who had already unleashed his trump card. Ding Fan's situation was grim, and the innkeeper was deeply worried about Ding Lin.

The innkeeper had witnessed Ding Lin's excellence again. If the City Lord were to learn about this, they would certainly hurry over right away. The innkeeper knew Ding Fan couldn't die. When he saw the female cultivator rushing in, he decisively stopped her, understanding that with her Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivation, she stood no chance against Elder Zhao at the divine division stage.

The innkeeper imagined that the moment the female cultivator charged, Elder Zhao would mercilessly kill her without even flinching. Charging in was akin to courting death. The innkeeper had already sent for reinforcements, so he couldn't let this female cultivator die in vain. He knew she held great importance to Ding Lin and might be his lover.

So even if he couldn't save Ding Lin, he had to save the female cultivator.

He Qianyao was indignant as she watched the innkeeper block her; she couldn't just stand by and watch Ding Fan be slain. What was the innkeeper's intention, especially after he saved her earlier?

"Rushing in would only mean death! What's the point?"

The innkeeper looked into her eyes, feeling a mix of sympathy and helplessness, as he spoke. He had no ill intentions, just wished to prevent the female cultivator from making a pointless sacrifice.

He Qianyao understood his sincere gaze but it was unbearable to just watch Ding Fan be killed. It was absolutely cruel!

She wanted to plead with him to save Ding Fan, but as a Nascent Soul cultivator herself, she also realized the innkeeper wasn't as strong as the elder. The elder had divine division stage power, far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.

"Our reinforcements will arrive soon. I hope Ding Lin can hold on a bit longer!"

The innkeeper understood what He Qianyao was worried about and spoke reassuringly. Since he already called for help, Ding Fan would be safe if he could last a bit longer. The innkeeper said this knowing that his words were mainly to comfort the female cultivator.

After all, Ding Fan had little time left, being seriously injured. Once the elder got close, Ding Fan would be killed instantly!

He Qianyao felt pain in her heart upon hearing this. Ding Fan was in grave danger, gravely injured. But she knew that charging in would lead to her own immediate death by the elder's hand, accomplishing nothing for Ding Fan. Why do something so foolish?

She nodded reluctantly to the innkeeper, convinced that while Ding Fan was wounded, he could hold on a while longer. She was no match for the elder and would only die before Ding Fan if she charged in. If the reinforcements arrived soon as the innkeeper said, it would be a sheer waste for her to rush in!

After much deliberation, He Qianyao remained deeply worried for Ding Fan, but she wouldn't act recklessly any longer…