Chapter 492: Chapter 492

Luo Fairy and the others looked into the distance.

One headstrong prodigy, believing his own strength was not weak and determined to showcase his capabilities before the observing crowd, decided to make his move. He wanted to let the surrounding prodigies know—your excessive fear is frankly disappointing.

Let me show you how true power confronts challenges.

However, just as he stepped inside, a shocking transformation occurred. The surrounding Void surged violently, accompanied by lightning flashes and crackling arcs of electricity, their momentum awe-inspiring.

Each lightning arc seemed to contain the power equivalent to a Daluo Golden Immortal or even an Immortal Monarch.

A lightning arc, as though imbued with sentience, directly obliterated the prodigy into fragments.

Not even a trace remained.

"This place is rather dangerous; even prodigies can’t preserve their lives here." Lin Fan sighed.

Luo Fairy’s beautiful eyes revealed a look of horror. She hadn’t expected the danger to be so terrifying; if she had entered, the outcome might have been the same.

Qin Yang exclaimed in amazement, "Brother Lin, your foresight is truly remarkable. Let’s stay here and observe. Such dirty and tiring tasks are best left to them."

Xiang Fei frowned. The strength of the prodigy who just entered was far from weak.

Yet the situation he encountered inside was truly too horrific. Even after wielding Immortal Treasures to defend himself, the treasures were shattered, which was staggering.

Lin Fan and his group were chatting.

Some of the nearby prodigies overheard them.

Their gazes toward Lin Fan’s group were less than friendly, but given the current circumstances—truly beyond anyone’s imagination—even if they couldn’t prevail, they should at least avoid dying so miserably.

No one acted rashly. The source of this content ɪs novel·fıre·net

Instead, they silently waited.

Xiang Fei softly asked, "Brother Lin, do you think the phenomena inside are caused by an Array?"

Lin Fan shook his head and said, "It’s not an Array. I saw no traces of an Array whatsoever. It’s naturally occurring, with terrifying momentum. Whoever wants to enter must forcibly push through. Trying to safely navigate through—that’s simply impossible."

Xiang Fei nodded, understanding the situation.

Forcibly push through?

From the earlier occurrence, it was clear that many of the prodigies present couldn’t hope to get through.

A man walked forward boldly and dominantly. His figure was imposing, like a small giant. His eyes burned brightly like twin suns, radiating an intense flame. One glance made it clear this man was extraordinary.

His demeanor alone revealed his identity.

Several people recognized him immediately.

"Does any fellow Taoist wish to join me in breaking through?" Hong Sijing’s voice boomed like thunder, shaking everyone’s ears. His tone was invigorating, inspiring confidence in all who heard him.

It was clearly a Divine Skill, one mastered to the point of imbuing casual speech with such power. Few could achieve this.

A red-haired man turned into a streak of red light, landing beside Hong Sijing. "If we combine our strength, entering should pose no problem."

Hong Sijing grinned. "Ah, it’s Chang Hong, heir to Fire Cloud Cave’s Fire Cloud Old Immortal. With both of us joining forces, breaking through should indeed be no issue."

These two were recognized as strong contenders among the prodigies.

"Anyone else willing to come along?" Hong Sijing asked.

Another prodigy stepped forward, believing that the combined power of the pair gave them genuine potential.

Hong Sijing led the pair toward the mysterious mountain.

"Brother Lin, what do you think of their chances?" Qin Yang asked.

Lin Fan pondered briefly before replying, "Uncertain. But if they succeed in going through, then I surely can as well. Let’s not rush; keep watching. With so many people here not taking action, why should we hurry?"

"Having others pave the way is certainly a good thing."

Qin Yang’s greatest fear was someone else seizing their opportunity within, leaving them empty-handed afterward.

That would be truly upsetting.

Everyone fixated their gaze on the trio.

They were the vanguard. If the group succeeded, they’d inspire hope for others. But if they failed, it would underscore the place’s deadly danger.

Perhaps it truly wasn’t meant for them.

Hong Sijing and his companions ventured inside, with all eyes glued to them.

More than anything, they hoped for the trio’s success.

As soon as the group entered, they promptly deployed Immortal Treasures to withstand the surrounding turbulence. Lightning arcs snapped and crackled like whip lashes, striking at the invaders.

Under the barrage of the arcs, one Immortal Treasure immediately shattered.

After a long while, a cry of agony pierced the air.

A bolt of lightning shot down, shattering the last prodigy to join the group into fragments. Despite carrying valuable treasures, they offered little defense and were destroyed in no time.

The burden grew heavier for Hong Sijing and Chang Hong.

Though they were immensely powerful.

They deployed numerous Immortal Treasures, but these treasures couldn’t withstand the drain caused by their grievous circumstances.

Counter-currents surged.

Sharp, blade-like currents sliced through everyone’s flesh.

Hong Sijing’s aura soared. A titanic phantom giant stomped forward as he unleashed astonishing Divine Skills, punching the skies and stamping the earth, violently hewing a path.

Their journey surpassed that of the earlier prodigy, their figures slowly vanishing into the distance.

Perhaps they’d soon disappear altogether.

A wail echoed from afar, as a fiery glow illuminated the heavens before abruptly extinguishing, as though it had never existed.

A beam of light erupted from within. Upon closer inspection, it was Hong Sijing, gravely injured, flying out. His flesh was charred, riddled with wounds, and dripping blood.

Several prodigies immediately rushed forward to inquire.

Hong Sijing, terror-stricken, said, "It’s impassable. Absolutely impassable. The place is too horrifying. We tread far enough to glimpse a path, but the surrounding momentum is overwhelming. The lightning arcs are especially catastrophic. Chang Hong deployed innumerable Immortal Treasures, but they were destroyed in one strike."

"Were it not for my timely retreat, I’d have perished as well."

"There are indeed treasures here, but they are beyond us."

His words sent shockwaves among the crowd.

They shivered inwardly.

Could it truly be as terrifying as Hong Sijing described?

Qin Yang stared in astonishment. "Holy crap! If this’s the case, then we truly have no shot, Brother Lin! What do we do now? My suggestion is to bail."

"Wait. Don’t rush," Lin Fan said.

Qin Yang replied exasperatedly, "What choice is left? Three are already dead. Regardless, Hong Sijing’s prowess is commendable; even he couldn’t endure. I can’t imagine how perilous the interior must be."

Xiang Fei asked, "Brother Lin, are you suggesting he’s lying?"

Lin Fan rubbed his chin thoughtfully, saying, "I have that suspicion, but it’s hard to say for certain. It’s possible he’s telling the truth. But think about it—you reach deep within, encounter insurmountable dangers, yet still manage to retreat along the same path? Seems a bit fishy, doesn’t it?"

"Huh?" Xiang Fei was baffled.

Qin Yang, looking equally perplexed, stared at Lin Fan. Frankly, he didn’t quite understand his meaning either.

Lin Fan elaborated, "Imagine this: A river. If you prepare ample supplies to cross, by the time you’re close to the finish line, those supplies should be spent. Yet somehow, you survive and return? Doesn’t quite add up."

"Based on this, I think there’s a reasonable chance he’s bluffing."

Hearing Lin Fan’s analysis.

Qin Yang suddenly understood. "Oh, that’s it!"

Xiang Fei contemplated Lin Fan’s words and found them surprisingly plausible. Perhaps things were indeed as Lin Fan suggested.

"Observe him carefully. If he continues hyping the dangers within, then it’s likely all true," Lin Fan added.

Luo Fairy remained silent.

She had been listening to Lin Fan’s words as well.

But honestly speaking.

She didn’t believe him.

Steadying his nerves, Hong Sijing proclaimed, "Fellow Taoists, this place is not somewhere we can enter. My Immortal Treasures have been destroyed, my essence form unable to withstand even a single lightning strike. Based on my assessment, each lightning arc inside carries the power of an Immortal Monarch’s attack."

Immortal Monarch-level attacks?

That level of power was unimaginable.

Under such conditions, how many of the prodigies could endure? The slightest misstep could mean certain death.

"Brother Lin, your prediction was spot-on. He actually said it!" Qin Yang exclaimed.

Lin Fan smiled knowingly.

With that level of discernment, he had long seen through Hong Sijing’s behavior. Stories from long ago had taught him—sometimes marvels existed simply because reality was peculiar.

Luo Fairy gazed at Lin Fan in astonishment.

She hadn’t expected him to guess correctly.

Xiang Fei whispered cautiously, "Brother Lin, what’s the next move? Should we expose his lies?"

"No need. His actions have their advantages. Let’s follow the crowd when they leave, and later revisit the site. I suspect we’ll find something different," Lin Fan said.

In truth, he refrained from exposing Hong Sijing because he wasn’t entirely certain.

If Hong Sijing were truthful.

And Lin Fan raised objections publicly, Hong Sijing might retort with, "If you don’t believe, then go in." Facing such provocation in front of everyone, Lin Fan would have no choice but to bite the bullet and step inside.

Then, should he encounter Hong Sijing’s described peril...

Well, that would spell disaster.

When there was no definitive certainty, he would never make his suspicions known.

Someone proposed aloud, "Let’s go. Since this place is so dangerous, why risk it further? It’d be better to explore other locations. The Heavenly Secret Realm is brimming with treasures; surely we’ll find something elsewhere."

The suggestion gained widespread support.

It was better to search somewhere else.

"We’re leaving too," Lin Fan waved, smiling. He always liked to join in the fun.

The Young Emperor observed Lin Fan’s departure.

Falling into deep contemplation.

Had he misjudged Lin Fan?

An elder beside him remarked, "Young Emperor, it seems this individual isn’t particularly exceptional."