Immortal Divine Tribulation

Chapter 184: Clash with the Soaring Dragon Dynasty

Who in today’s world would dare to lay hands on the master of one of the Holy Lands? Undoubtedly, it could only be Tian Fan, for even those of the same level would not dare to do so.

A group of people stared wide-eyed, nearly spitting blood, all retreating in unison, afraid of being associated with him in any way.

This was absolutely a monster; how could he dare to attack the master of the Holy Land within the Soaring Dragon Dynasty? Many cultivators felt their hearts racing in fear. Who in this world had such audacity? Even the master of the Sword Immortal Sect, the foremost immortal sect, would not dare to act this way, right?

“Damn it!”

These were the three words that all cultivators wanted to shout out.

“He… he, he, he…”

The two men beside Murong Qiu were wide-eyed, nearly losing their minds. This was truly a demon king, disregarding even the master of the Holy Land and attacking directly. What else in this world would he not dare to do?!

“To dare to act wild here, even a divine son must die!”

Long Aotian was somewhat surprised; he did not expect the person below to actually withstand his momentum. His expression darkened, and his cold words echoed, instantly appearing here, surrounded by a golden light, exuding immense pressure.

How many could withstand such a momentum? Everyone retreated in fear, their faces pale, all bowing their heads, not daring to meet the gaze of the middle-aged man in front of them.

Tian Fan stood calmly in place, meeting Long Aotian’s gaze. His physical body had long surpassed the Immortal Ascension Realm, comparable to a deity. If he could not withstand even the pressure of the Initial Stage of Primordial Unity, then his battle body would truly be nothing more than a decoration.

“Initial Stage of Primordial Unity, very good. You resemble one of my useless sons. Today, I might just have to crush this genius!”

The master of the Soaring Dragon had his hands behind his back, deliberately calling him useless to humiliate Tian Fan. Little did he know, the person before him, renowned throughout the world as the divine son, was indeed that very waste he had once looked down upon.

“Hahaha, Long Aotian, I didn’t expect you to remember. I thought you would forget.”

Tian Fan spoke mockingly, a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown on his face, causing the middle-aged man’s expression to change drastically. The crowd behind him felt a mix of ecstasy and fear; how could someone dare to directly call the name of the master of the Soaring Dragon Dynasty? This was truly a peerless demon king! If given a golden staff, he would dare to poke a hole in the sky, and many felt an impulse to spit blood.

“You, it’s really you! How is this possible!?”

Long Aotian’s face was filled with disbelief, a stark contrast to his earlier terrifying aura. He never imagined that the so-called “waste” from back then had survived and reached such heights, creating one myth after another on the Divine Martial Continent.

“It’s me.”

Tian Fan replied calmly, his expression serene, showing no signs of emotional fluctuation, and he did not salute the imposing middle-aged man, merely maintaining eye contact with him.

“Is this how you treat your father!?”

Long Aotian retracted his surprised expression and coldly addressed Tian Fan. The people present were instantly petrified, dumbfounded. Father? What was going on?

“He… he, he… he is… the prince!?”

Murong Qiu’s beautiful eyes widened, her mouth agape in disbelief, and the two men beside her trembled as they spoke.

The crowd erupted like a boiling pot; several guards who had fallen to the ground revealed terrified expressions, enduring excruciating pain as they knelt and begged for mercy.

Two months ago, one of their brothers had been executed by Ling Chi (death by a thousand cuts) just for dirtying the Second Prince’s clothes, a tragic fate. They knew well that these people were not to be offended, and at this moment, they were filled with terror, their bodies shaking.

“Long Aotian, I think you seem to have misunderstood something. I do not share the surname Long, have no connection to the Soaring Dragon Dynasty, and I certainly am not your kin.”

Calm words flowed from Tian Fan’s mouth. After saying this, he felt a great weight lift from his heart, as if a massive stone had been set down.

“Presumptuous! You dare to defy your superiors? Are you not afraid that I will deal with you according to family law!?”

A terrifying pressure emanated from Long Aotian once more; at this moment, he resembled an enraged dragon, causing many cultivators to hold their breath, stepping back in fear.

“Family law? That kind of thing shouldn’t be applied to me, right? You should prepare it for your First Prince and Second Prince instead. I, as an outsider, have no fortune to enjoy that.”

“Ba$tard! You are merely at the Initial Stage of Primordial Unity; do you believe I can’t cripple you!?”

Long Aotian was thoroughly enraged, his immense pressure shaking the very heavens and earth, the void rumbling, and cracks appearing in some places.

“Hahaha, Long Aotian, you seem to have forgotten something. I still have a divine dragon by my side. If I wish, do you believe I can uproot the Soaring Dragon Dynasty?”

Tian Fan stood quietly in place, his terrifying battle body blocking all external pressure. A mocking smile adorned his face, and his calm words exploded like thunder above everyone’s heads. Uproot the Soaring Dragon Dynasty!? This was truly defying the heavens.

At the same time, a little dragon flew over from a distance, wobbling as it landed on his head, tugging at his hair with its golden little claws.

To others, Tian Fan was undeniably arrogant, daring to face the master of the Soaring Dragon Dynasty in such a manner. However, the little creature shared a deep connection with him, clearly sensing a hint of sorrow in his heart.

“Ba$tard, oh bastard, this is your home. Do you want to rebel against the royal family?”

Long Aotian could not help but take a step back; the faint dragon might made him feel immense fear, his whole body trembling.

“Home?”

Tian Fan looked somewhat confused, murmuring this word, then his eyes turned cold as he said:

“Long Aotian, listen clearly. From today onward, I, Tian Fan, have no further connection with the Soaring Dragon Dynasty. You are you, and I am I, just like this piece of white cloth!”

The sound of tearing fabric echoed as two pieces of white cloth fell from the air, quietly lying on the ground, witnessing the end of the relationship between a youth and the emperor of the Soaring Dragon Dynasty.

“You!”

Long Aotian trembled, pointing at Tian Fan, unable to speak.

“Young man, this seems a bit excessive?”

The old National Teacher appeared at this moment. Though his hair was white, he was full of spirit, resembling a peaceful and kind old man. He said, “Aotian, although your past actions were inappropriate, he is still your son. You should forgive him.”

“National Teacher!”

Long Aotian shouted angrily. As the master of the dynasty, when did he need others to forgive him?

“Shut up!”

The old National Teacher’s face turned serious for the first time.

Everyone around felt dizzy. Who was this old man? His status seemed terrifyingly high, daring to reprimand the master of the Soaring Dragon, who clearly feared him and did not dare to speak further.

“Young man, what do you think?”

The old man turned his head, a kind smile on his face.

“Senior, you are a great person, and I truly respect you. However, some things cannot be mended. I have never felt a sense of belonging here; how can I forgive? How can I co-exist?”

“I once thought that if I could not cultivate, perhaps I could live alone in the countryside, with a piece of fertile land and a thatched cottage; that would be enough. But even that nearly timid thought was far from my reach.”

“In a vast family, if even a group of servants can mock and ridicule you, would you not feel that this is a very strange land, a different world?”

“When you face death, if your father remains indifferent, then this relationship is forever severed. Who do you think can mend it?”

Tian Fan’s words were light and soft, as if he were speaking of something very ordinary, yet they made everyone present feel a sense of desolation and sorrow.

Murong Qiu looked at his back, her eyes gradually misting over. She truly did not expect that aside from that woman, this man’s heart hid such scars. Being ignored by his own biological father, even witnessing death without rescue—what a great sorrow! How had he managed to endure all these years without breaking down?!

The old National Teacher finally sighed softly. Faced with such clear-cut questioning, what more could he say?

“Young man, it is the Soaring Dragon that has wronged you. I hope you can remember the past a little, and when the dynasty is in crisis, lend a hand.”

The old National Teacher turned and walked away, seeming to age several years in an instant, his back appearing slightly hunched.

Tian Fan bowed to the old National Teacher’s back; within the Soaring Dragon Dynasty, only this old man could earn his heartfelt respect.

Long Aotian glared at him in anger, ultimately waving his sleeve and leaving with the old National Teacher.

“Brother, don’t be sad. I will always be by your side; we are family.”

The little creature wobbled over to him, softly comforting him. 

Murong Qiu stepped forward, speaking gently, urging him not to think too much. If he wished, he could move into her home and treat it as his own. Even the usually cold Xiang Yufei came over and patted his shoulder.

Hearing the little creature’s somewhat mature words and seeing the concerned expressions of those before him, Tian Fan couldn’t help but smile. 

Shadows of familiar figures slowly surfaced in his heart. 

The innocent and adorable little dragon, the little phoenix who always called him a bad person, the warm and united Tai Fu Sect, the mischievous Holy Son of the Demon Palace, Murong Qiu, Xiang Yufei, and the Shangguan brothers—he had family, he had brothers, he had friends; that was enough.

“It will be alright soon, Zi Ying, wait for me…”

He smiled at the others, expressing his gratitude, then raised his head to look into the distance, gazing through the endless void, falling into an unknown realm, his eyes filled with tenderness.

“Little one, don’t sleep; wake up!”

He shook the little phoenix in his arms. The little creature had actually fallen asleep in his pocket, which was quite a feat, managing to sleep so soundly in such a harsh environment.

“Damn it, bad person, why did you disturb my sleep?!”

The little phoenix woke up, rubbing its sleepy eyes with its colorful wings and expressing its dissatisfaction. Seeing the palm-sized colorful bird in Tian Fan’s hand, Murong Qiu gasped in excitement, even more so than when she saw the little dragon. She took the little phoenix from Tian Fan’s hands, her joy uncontainable, and immediately pulled out a Spirit Fruit from her bosom, exuding a fragrant aroma.

“It’s dangerous inside; you all stay outside. Little one, don’t be naughty with them.”

Tian Fan explained some situations to the others, then instructed the little phoenix, who nodded vigorously.

He nodded slightly to the others, and with the little dragon, transformed into a beam of golden light, instantly shooting into the dark cave ahead.