Chapter 319: The Demon Subduing Seal

Zhuang Xiao felt a surge of discontent.

As a descendant of the Zhuang clan, arrogance was practically in his blood.

The newcomer's blatant arrogance from the moment he arrived was truly obnoxious. Who could tolerate such behavior?

Zhuang Xiao certainly couldn't. After some internal struggle, he slowly exhaled, releasing his frustration. It wasn't cowardice, but rather respect for his elders. The newcomer was an elder of the clan, and even Zhuang Yun's older cousin. A respectful attitude was necessary.

"The situation isn't as simple as you think. The natives here have a true expert among them. Extremely powerful. Not only are we no match, but even the other great clans are struggling," Zhuang Xiao explained.

He could only say this much, and it was the truth. Whether the elder believed him or not was his own affair. Even as a clan elder, such arrogance was unwarranted.

His current attitude mirrored Zhuang Xiao's initial arrogance. He hadn't taken the planet's natives seriously, assuming their cultivation levels were low. But gradually, he realized things weren't so simple. He discarded his careless attitude, replacing it with cautious vigilance.

This clan elder was named Zhuang Tianxing, a formidable figure whose cultivation had long surpassed the Three Radiance Realm.

The great clans treated this planet as a training ground for their younger members, intending for them to hone their skills. They hadn't anticipated such a swift turn of events, with their disciples being soundly defeated.

It was a disgrace to the great clans.

"What's that?"

Suddenly, Zhuang Xiao looked up at the sky. A point of light was approaching. Due to the vast distance, it was impossible to discern its nature, but the light grew larger with each passing moment.

Zhuang Ming and Zhuang Yun also looked up, puzzled.

For them, residing in the Changbai Mountains meant that nothing was truly surprising. What could possibly draw their attention now?

"Hmm?"

Zhuang Tianxing furrowed his brow, focusing his gaze. He couldn't make out what it was, but his heart remained filled with arrogance. He hadn't given the local matters much thought.

"It's here," Zhuang Xiao said gravely.

Finally, the point of light expanded dramatically, resembling a brilliant meteor streaking across the sky. It crashed into the ground with a resounding boom, sending a powerful shockwave rippling outwards, scattering countless fragments of rock.

Zhuang Xiao and the others raised their arms to shield their faces, not only from the flying debris but also from the force of the shockwave.

What could it be, to cause such a terrifying impact?

Gradually, the force dissipated, and everything returned to calm. When they saw the scene before them, their faces registered shock. A massive crater scarred the ground.

"Jumping is definitely faster."

A voice emerged from the crater.

Soon, Lin Fan walked out. He had indeed jumped from Yanhai City to the Changbai Mountains. Although airplanes were comfortable, they were undeniably slow.

If he were traveling with friends, he would gladly take a plane. It would provide an opportunity to chat and share stories.

That would be quite enjoyable.

Now, everyone present, except for Zhuang Tianxing, knew exactly who he was.

"Elder, he's the strongest human on this planet. Don't underestimate him. He's incredibly powerful," Zhuang Xiao warned.

Seeing Lin Fan's youth, Zhuang Tianxing felt a sense of dismissal. He hadn't taken Lin Fan seriously. However, with Zhuang Xiao's warning, he decided to exercise some caution. Someone capable of suppressing Zhuang Yun couldn't be weak.

Even so, his attitude remained unchanged.

"Who are you?"

Zhuang Tianxing stared directly at Lin Fan, his sharp gaze designed to exert pressure.

However, his attempt at intimidation had no effect on Lin Fan. Instead, as he looked at Zhuang Tianxing, Lin Fan sensed a deep animosity emanating from him.

A rather unsettling look.

Lin Fan introduced himself with a smile, "My name is Lin Fan. This is our first meeting. I've met them before. I was watching a movie with my good friend, Old Zhang. The movie was called 'Iron Fist无双 (Wúshuāng - Unparalleled)'. It was getting good, but suddenly I sensed a powerful aura, so I got curious and came to see who it was."

"Now that I've found you, I was hoping to have a match with you, a friendly spar. Would you be agreeable?"

The Zhuang clan disciples were stunned by Lin Fan's words. They gaped at him, shocked and bewildered. They hadn't expected him to say so much.

Zhuang Tianxing glared at Lin Fan, his voice filled with anger. "Insolent! Are you mocking me?"

Clearly, the situation was ripe for misunderstanding.

Lin Fan's words were sincere, but to Zhuang Tianxing, they sounded like mockery. Movies, Iron Fist Unparalleled, friends…it all seemed like nonsensical rambling.

"I'm not mocking you. I simply respect a worthy opponent like yourself. I don't know what you're thinking, but I certainly didn't mean any disrespect," Lin Fan explained.

He found the elder's reaction strange.

Utterly uncommunicative.

Making a big deal out of nothing. Truly bizarre.

"Hmph! Silence! I consider your actions a provocation," Zhuang Tianxing snapped, asserting his authority as a clan elder. This native was far too presumptuous.

Zhuang Xiao wanted to warn the elder that Lin Fan wasn't so simple. Such arrogance could lead to undesirable consequences.

Silence.

Lin Fan, initially excited at the prospect of facing a strong opponent, was silenced by the elder's words. He realized the elder wasn't interested in a friendly exchange. It felt as if he was extending an olive branch, only to have it swatted away.

Lin Fan didn't say anything more.

"Since you seem to misunderstand and think I'm not qualified to challenge you, please, grant me a spar. Afterwards, you'll realize that sparring with a strong opponent is an exhilarating experience."

"May I ask for your name?"

Lin Fan clasped his hands respectfully as he addressed Zhuang Tianxing.

Zhuang Tianxing had never encountered such audacity from a native. He hadn't even sought them out, and this native had the nerve to approach him with such an impudent attitude, clearly showing no respect.

Such behavior demanded a severe price.

"You're not worthy of knowing my name," Zhuang Tianxing declared.

Zhuang Xiao frowned. The elder was being overly arrogant. He didn't seem to grasp the situation. The person standing before him wasn't as simple as he thought. If he were, Zhuang Yun wouldn't have been suppressed, and they wouldn't have returned empty-handed.

"You're very rude. Fighting a strong individual like you was supposed to be an honor, but now I don't want to fight you. It feels like a disgrace," Lin Fan stated.

He had learned this from movies. True experts had a certain demeanor. When encountering someone lacking martial virtue, they would often say something like, "Sparring with you would sully my hands."

Of course, he didn't say those exact words.

After all, he never resorted to hurtful language. In such situations, he preferred to remain silent and simply walk away.

Lin Fan was disappointed.

He had initially thought the elder was a virtuous and powerful warrior, but he was mistaken.

He could forgive such behavior, but he wouldn't engage in a spar.

"Coming and going as you please? Do you think I, Zhuang Tianxing, am a soft persimmon you can squeeze at will?" Seeing Lin Fan turn to leave, Zhuang Tianxing erupted in fury. He soared into the air like a great roc spreading its wings, a halo of light radiating from his back. He clenched his fist, lunged forward, and unleashed a powerful punch towards Lin Fan.

"Earth-Shattering Rotating Fist!"

This was a secret technique of the Zhuang clan, and Zhuang Tianxing had honed it to an incredibly high level. If One-Eyed and the others were present, they would surely exclaim, "That fist technique's name…it sounds like something from ancient myths and legends!"

"The elder is actually using such a terrifying fist technique!"

Zhuang Xiao was astonished. As a clan member, he naturally knew of this technique. It was a secret technique among secret techniques. Legend had it that when cultivated to its peak, it could even manipulate reincarnation. Whether this was true or not remained unknown, as the stories were passed down through generations.

The truth was unclear.

Several powerful figures within the clan also practiced the Earth-Shattering Rotating Fist, but even as a clan member, he had never witnessed anyone use it. Now, as the elder unleashed the technique, the resulting phenomenon was truly awe-inspiring.

Lin Fan, with his back to his attacker, sensed the approaching force. He frowned, and two words surfaced in his mind…

"Sneak attack!"

He despised those who resorted to sneak attacks.

A fair and open fight was a true battle. The elder's underhanded tactic lowered his standing in Lin Fan's eyes, to the point of non-existence.

BOOM!

Zhuang Tianxing's fist landed on Lin Fan's back. A terrifying force swept through the surroundings. It was no exaggeration to say that such a blow would cripple, if not kill, any ordinary person.

Zhuang Xiao and the others, aware of Lin Fan's strength, were curious about the outcome. They doubted the elder was a match for Lin Fan, but they hoped the sneak attack had been effective. Taking such a blow without any defense, no matter how strong one was, would surely result in some injury.

"Hmph!"

Even Zhuang Tianxing hadn't expected Lin Fan to emerge unscathed from his ultimate move.

This was the price of arrogance.

"Arrogance comes at a price. A native is just a native. How dare you act so presumptuously without understanding the situation? I wonder who gave you such courage."

Zhuang Tianxing stood with his hands clasped behind his back, arrogant and domineering. His demeanor radiated an aura of overwhelming power.

But at that moment, a voice filled with anger rang out.

"Despicable! You're truly despicable!"

Lin Fan was genuinely furious. He had chosen not to fight due to the elder's lack of martial virtue, only to be met with a sneak attack.

Zhuang Tianxing's face registered disbelief. He seemed utterly taken aback.

But he quickly regained his composure.

Then, he attacked again.

If one strike couldn't finish the job, he would see how Lin Fan handled the next.

Zhuang Tianxing unleashed his fist technique once more.

The force was even fiercer than before.

Clearly, Lin Fan's resilience had enraged him, and with his anger surging, his power amplified.

Lin Fan faced him fearlessly, raising his hand. A familiar technique surfaced in his mind. He had never practiced it, yet it felt innate.

It was a technique he had acquired in his century-long dream.

"Demon Subduing Seal!"

Lin Fan extended his palm, his fingers forming a peculiar gesture. He seemingly swatted at Zhuang Tianxing with a casual motion, yet the world around them churned. A terrifying power surged forth.