Chapter 871: Chapter 871

Ding Fan and Gui Zhen were immersed in fierce battle.

All those present, especially those from Upper Xuan Sect, were dumbfounded. This was, after all, a Profound Level battle. Not to mention others, even the Sect Leader of Upper Xuan Sect, Fang Yuanshan, had never witnessed a fight of this caliber.

Ye Tianshi watched the contest between Ding Fan and Gui Zhen in the arena, shaking his head constantly.

"This kid really is a monster. A month ago, I beat him up badly, and now he can actually fight with someone from the Hidden Sects..."

Previously, Ye Tianshi had thought about taking Ding Fan as his disciple and then sending him to the Immortal Realm to retrieve the Divine Power Herb for himself. But in just a month's time, seeing Ding Fan battling Gui Zhen with no clear winner, Ye Tianshi understood that Ding Fan's growth rate was accelerating. Ye Tianshi had originally thought it would take Ding Fan many years to surpass him, but now it seemed he had been exceeded by far...

Zhang Shanlian, watching this, had a flash of brightness in his eyes. Since Wen Yizhou, the Spirit Sect had been in a chaotic state.

As Zhang Shanlian watched Ding Fan's intense duel, he pondered whether Ding Fan receiving Wen Yizhou's legacy was not only Ding Fan's opportunity but also an opportunity for the Spirit Sect?

Meanwhile, not far away, Fang Yuanshan, the Sect Leader of Upper Xuan Sect, frowned deeply.

He was well aware of who Gui Zhen was – a formidable figure from the Ghost Sect of the Hidden Sects. Even if the entire Upper Xuan Sect combined their strength, they might not be his match.

Yet such a formidable being was now in a deadlock with a young man.

Everyone knew that Ding Fan was only in his early twenties. If Ding Fan were to grow further, when he reached his sixties or seventies...

Thinking of this, Fang Yuanshan couldn't help but tremble. Ding Fan already possessed the power to challenge a strong figure from the Hidden Sects. In forty or fifty years, who in the world could possibly be Ding Fan's match?

"Jiu Shan, were you the one who kidnapped his wife?" Fang Yuanshan called for Jiu Shan, who had an arm severed by Ding Fan.

"Sect Leader, it was this person who foiled our Upper Xuan Sect's plans, and he also killed Fang Butong, so..."

Before Jiu Shan could finish, Fang Yuanshan interrupted him bluntly. "This time, you have truly brought disaster upon Upper Xuan Sect."

Jiu Shan wanted to say more, but Fang Yuanshan paid him no attention. In a moment, Jiu Shan looked at Ding Fan in the arena with a worried expression.

The two elders that came with Ding Fan both had strong cultivation. Just one Ding Fan was already battling Ghost Sect to a standstill, and if the other two joined in, Upper Xuan Sect would truly be in danger...

Standing beside Fang Yuanshan, Fang Zhiyao wasn't focusing on Ding Fan. Her ruthless gaze was firmly fixed on Fang Ruohan across the way.

Fang Zhiyao was truly infuriated. How could Fang Ruohan be so lucky to find such a young and talented cultivator to be her husband?

To know that such exceptional individuals are rare under the heavens, numbered one or two at most. Fang Ruohan's good fortune made Fang Zhiyao extremely envious at that moment.

"Fang Ruohan, even if you're lucky, I definitely won't let you have a good time," Fang Zhiyao glared venomously at Fang Ruohan and, after dropping this sentence, she took advantage of the distraction to turn and leave.

Boom... Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩

Above the arena, the True Qi of Ding Fan and Gui Zhen violently collided and both figures were sent flying once again.

"Truly someone I, Gui Zhen, have taken note of." Gui Zhen had traces of blood at the corner of his mouth. Apparently, in the recent fray, he had also sustained significant injuries. "Ding Fan, if you agree to join my Ghost Sect, I guarantee to make you a protector, equal to me. How about it?"

Blood also traced Ding Fan's mouth as he bluntly wiped it away. "Not interested."

Despite Ding Fan's response, Gui Zhen evidently hadn't given up hope. After all, not many people in their early twenties have such cultivation within the Hidden Sects.

Thus, if Gui Zhen could recruit such a talented individual to the Ghost Sect, he clearly saw that this person could potentially lead the Ghost Sect to great accomplishments in the future.

"Ding Fan, if you're willing to join the Hidden Sects, I can help you annihilate Upper Xuan Sect," Gui Zhen said indifferently.

Gui Zhen's tone was as if he was just chatting, completely unconcerned with what Fang Yuanshan and others behind him thought.

Fang Yuanshan's brow furrowed tightly at this point, this was an outright disdain for their Upper Xuan Sect, but now, he didn't dare let out a peep.

The combat power of Gui Zhen, even if all of Upper Xuan Sect's forces were united, would certainly not be a match for him.

"Elder Gui Zhen, we of Upper Xuan Sect are your allies, are you not just joking?" Fang Yuanshan did not say anything, but the mother of Fang Zhiyao stood up to speak.

Gui Zhen didn't even glance at the mother of Fang Zhiyao. Now, Ding Fan was the only one in his sight.

It was evident to all, as long as Ding Fan agreed, Gui Zhen would indeed be able to wipe out Upper Xuan Sect in minutes.

"The matter with Upper Xuan Sect, I can handle it myself. To resolve a matter like Upper Xuan Sect, I'm still capable of doing it," Ding Fan didn't say it outright, but anyone with clear eyes could see that he was declining Gui Zhen's offer.

People from Upper Xuan Sect, like Fang Yuanshan, secretly sighed with relief upon hearing Ding Fan's refusal to join Ghost Sect, as it would have been truly terrifying if Gui Zhen had taken action.

Upper Xuan Sect could have turned into an Asura hell in an instant.

But Ding Fan's rejection also made the members of Upper Xuan Sect feel humiliated. 'To resolve a matter like Upper Xuan Sect, I'm still capable of doing it.'...

It was as if he was saying that Upper Xuan Sect was not a significant sect and that he could resolve it in minutes.

However, even though the people of the Upper Xuan Sect were dissatisfied, not a single one dared to speak out.

On one hand, there was Gui Zhen, known for his cruel methods; on the other, there was Ding Fan, whose cultivation was not weaker than Gui Zhen's. These two individuals were not ones that the Upper Xuan Sect could afford to provoke at the moment.

"Gui Zhen, you should leave now." At this moment, Zhang Shanlian stepped forward.

Whoosh... A tremendously peerless Inner Strength surged forth directly spreading wide.

Zhang Shanlian's cultivation was also above the Profound Level, and such formidable Inner Strength suddenly made the surrounding air feel oppressive.

At this time, Gui Zhen cast a cold glance at Zhang Shanlian beside him. "I didn't expect someone from the Spirit Sect to intervene. Heh... interesting, very interesting..."

Zhang Shanlian stepped forward, intending to drive Gui Zhen away.

After all, Zhang Shanlian came to the Upper Xuan Sect to aid Ding Fan in rescuing his wife, Zhou Ruoran. Now with Gui Zhen interfering, the situation became harder to resolve.

At this moment, Ding Fan and Gui Zhen had comparable cultivations; it would be difficult for either to secure a victory quickly, and the emergence of Zhang Shanlian was certain to alter the current situation. Gui Zhen would inevitably be forced to retreat.

Although the Ghost Sect and the Spirit Sect had enmity, today was not the day to settle their disputes.

By now, Gui Zhen clearly understood the situation. His strength was on par with Ding Fan's, and now with the added presence of Zhang Shanlian, he was facing an inevitable loss.

"Kid, we will meet again in the future," Gui Zhen said, then his figure flickered, disappearing from the scene in an instant.

"Elder Gui Zhen!... Elder Gui Zhen!"

Fang Zhiyao's mother originally wanted to stop Gui Zhen, but by then he had already gone far away, seemingly not hearing her at all.

"What are these people from the Ghost Sect doing? Don't they know how to help their allies in trouble?" Fang Zhiyao's mother spoke with bitter resentment as she saw that the other party had indeed left.

Fang Yuanshan's brows were tightly knit at this time.

The three individuals before him were existences that even Gui Zhen dared not provoke. How could his Upper Xuan Sect afford to provoke them now? If they turned hostile, the end of the Upper Xuan Sect could arrive today.

"Hand over my wife," Ding Fan said indifferently while holding the Nine Profound Iron upside down.

Fang Yuanshan was at a loss for a moment, not knowing how to resolve the current situation.

"Ding Fan... do you want your wife? She is right here!"

At that moment, Fang Zhiyao's voice came from afar.

Ding Fan immediately turned towards the source of the sound.

At this time, dozens of meters away from Ding Fan and the others, Zhou Ruoran was paralyzed by sealed acupoints, standing on the spot, while Fang Zhiyao's longsword was pressed against Zhou Ruoran's neck.

"Fang Zhiyao, if you dare to touch a single hair on Ruoran, I will make sure the entire Upper Xuan Sect joins her in burial!" Ding Fan's tone was cold and foreboding, not bothering to conceal the murderous aura emanating from him.

The disciples of the Upper Xuan Sect present, faced with Ding Fan's intense killing intent, involuntarily stepped back.

"Fang Zhiyao, quickly release Ding Fan's wife," Fang Yuanshan suddenly seemed to realize something, and hurriedly said to Fang Zhiyao.

Fang Yuanshan understood that Ding Fan came for Zhou Ruoran. As long as Zhou Ruoran was returned to Ding Fan, there shouldn't be any more trouble.

After all, Fang Ruohan is his daughter, and Fang Yuanshan did not believe that when the Upper Xuan Sect's existence was at stake, Fang Ruohan would not say a word on behalf of the Sect.

"Father, don't be deceived by this little thief. Even if we hand over Zhou Ruoran, he will not let our Upper Xuan Sect go," Fang Zhiyao spoke out loudly.

"Fang Zhiyao, let Zhou Ruoran go, and I assure you Ding Fan will not make things difficult for the Upper Xuan Sect once he rescues his wife..." At this moment, Fang Ruohan by the side yelled out.

"Fang Ruohan, what right do you have to speak to me? If it weren't for you bringing these people here, how could the Upper Xuan Sect have possibly reached this moment of life-and-death crisis?" Fang Zhiyao rebuked coldly.

"Fang Zhiyao, release Zhou Ruoran. I command you now as the Sect Leader of the Upper Xuan Sect," Fang Yuanshan projected his voice with Inner Strength at that moment.

Fang Yuanshan saw clearly that Ding Fan was like a lion; should anything happen to Zhou Ruoran, it would enrage the lion, and then perhaps the entire Upper Xuan Sect would be torn apart, not even a single bone left.

"Father, you are truly confused. Zhou Ruoran is our only bargaining chip right now. If we have no leverage, wouldn't we be just lambs to the slaughter?" After saying this, Fang Zhiyao looked towards Ding Fan. "Ding Fan, if you want me to release Zhou Ruoran, it's fine. As long as you agree to two conditions, I will let her go."

"Speak!" Ding Fan said coldly.

"I will be waiting for you at Wind Valley. Come there, and I will tell you the conditions," Fang Zhiyao dropped these words, and then immediately grabbed Zhou Ruoran, disappearing from everyone's sight in an instant.

"This Fang Zhiyao is going to doom my Upper Xuan Sect," Fang Yuanshan said with displeasure.

"Sect Leader, I don't think it's necessarily so. We all know what the situation is like inside Wind Valley. I think Fang Zhiyao must be planning to use Wind Valley as a means to fight the enemy," Fang Zhiyao's mother said as she stepped forward.

Fang Yuanshan pondered for a moment before speaking. "Now I'm afraid that's the only way left."