Chapter 958: Chapter 958

Gui Sen, who always thought highly of himself, was now visibly more solemn.

Upon first meeting Ding Fan, he didn't even regard Ding Fan as worth his notice. Confident in his Quick Blade, he assumed he would surely kill Ding Fan beneath his Longsword.

But what Gui Sen didn't expect was that a youth like Ding Fan, standing before him, not only survived his attacks but now forced him to retreat repeatedly. In that moment, he found himself only able to defend, without any chance to strike back.

The previously arrogant disciples of the Ghost Sect were now all silent.

Watching Ding Fan's fierce offensive pushing back Gui Sen, the fighting spirit of the Ghost Sect disciples had already been suppressed.

At that moment, Ding Fan swung his Longsword sharply, and a stream of blood shot straight up.

When everyone looked again, Gui Sen was already standing there in a daze.

"You... you..." Asura propped himself up with his Longsword, trying not to fall. He initially wanted to walk forward a couple of steps.

But just as he leaned forward with his upper body, he suddenly realized that his legs no longer obeyed his commands.

In that moment of surprise, he was astonished to find that when his upper body fell toward the ground, his legs were still standing there.

He instantly understood: he had been directly sliced in half by Ding Fan!

With a thud... Gui Sen's body fell to the ground on the spot!

After Gui Sen's body fell, the scene went dead silent, and everyone around seemed a bit doubtful of what they saw.

Gui Sen's Quick Blade had terrified everyone present. Even someone as formidable as Zhang Shanlian was injured by Gui Sen in the end.

Yet, such a formidable opponent was directly slain by Ding Fan.

In contrast to the quiet Ghost Sect, the Spirit Sect erupted with cheers as loud as mountains and seas.

The Spirit Sect had been stifled by the Ghost Sect, nearly unable to breathe, and Ding Fan's victory restored significant honor for the Spirit Sect.

Gui Zhen slightly curled the corners of his mouth. He wasn't angry that Ding Fan killed Gui Xing; on the contrary, there seemed to be a smile on his face.

Gui Zhen had faced Ding Fan many times, the first being outside Yanjing City when Ding Fan was once reduced to a score of hits by Gui Zhen.

However, by the time they reached the Upper Xuan Sect, Ding Fan's cultivation had clearly improved.

And now, it hadn't been long since they last met, yet Ding Fan easily killed a Gui-named Ghost Sect disciple...

In such a short time, Ding Fan had made remarkable progress. Stroking his chin, Gui Zhen thought that when it came to talent, no one could surpass him in this world.

"Just a defeated opponent..." At this time, Gui Xing coldly said. "I'll go kill him then." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝕟𝕖𝕥

After saying this, Gui Xing prepared to leave the formation to kill Ding Fan.

At that moment, Gui Zhen pulled Gui Xing aside. "Did you fight him?"

Gui Xing nodded. "In the forbidden area outside Yisu City, it was him who stopped me and let that female disciple of the Immortal Sect escape."

Gui Zhen was slightly surprised.

Previously, he was puzzled about who in the world could hold Gui Xing back.

One must know that Gui Xing's cultivation was definitely ranked among the top three in the Ghost Sect. Even the Immortal Sect's Sect Master had lost to Gui Xing before.

Upon hearing that it was Ding Fan, Gui Zhen understood.

In this world, apart from Ding Fan, there was really no other young person who could hold back Gui Xing.

"I'll kill him!" Gui Xing then walked out of the formation.

For Gui Xing, Ding Fan was nothing short of a huge disgrace. Gui Xing had run rampant across the world, revered for his prowess.

Yet, a young brat of twenty-two or twenty-three like Ding Fan managed to escape from his hands. How could Gui Xing possibly come to terms with that?

"Boy, the last time you ran away, this time, I'll see how you run." Gui Xing roared.

Previously, when facing Gui Xing in battle, Ding Fan had barely withstood the attacks to avoid being killed, and if it weren't for throwing that Grade Nine Magic Artifact of Attack, Ding Fan might have already been slain by Gui Xing.

The situation was truly dire at the moment.

However, Ding Fan was now tightly gripping his Longsword, eyes full of determination.

Behind Ding Fan were the disciples of the Spirit Sect. If he, Ding Fan, were to fall, the Spirit Sect would either be annihilated or be forever sealed by the Ghost Sect in their domain.

Therefore, in this battle, Ding Fan had no room to retreat.

Within the Spirit Sect formation...

Zhang Shanlian struggled to stand and, with the help of two disciples, arrived at Luv Shanqi's side.

"Gui Xing has profound cultivation... even the Sect Master of the Immortal Sect wasn't a match, let alone our Sect Master... The Spirit Sect is in peril, and there's no chance to turn things around. However..." Zhang Shanlian's gaze became resolute. "But if we leave the Sect Master as a flicker of hope, ten, a hundred years later, the Sect Master will surely restore the Spirit Sect's prestige..."

Luv Shanqi glanced at Zhang Shanlian. His gaze also became fervent.

"You mean we switch the Sect Master?"

Zhang Shanlian smiled slightly. "Senior Brother, let all the Spirit Sect disciples retreat to the Spirit Sect. If the Ghost Sect wants to seal our passage, let them seal it. I'll use this useless body to block Gui Xing, while you take the Sect Master and leave quickly..."

"You're gravely injured; how can you hold back Gui Xing? I'll go!" Luv Shanqi said decisively.

Zhang Shanlian smiled faintly. "At this moment, surviving is the hardest part. You need to think about when the Spirit Sect can see the light of day again. You must endure humiliation... and for those who die, it's peace, once and for all..."

Luv Shanqi's gaze grew more solemn.

"Senior Brother, this is about the Spirit Sect's survival; say no more. Go have Zhao Shanhe arrange for everyone to retreat to the Spirit Sect. When the time is right, I'll substitute the Sect Master. You must make sure to take the Sect Master away..." Zhang Shanlian said.

Luv Shanqi knew it was no time for sentimental hesitation.

"Alright... Junior Brother Shanlian... I will certainly not fail in this task..." Luv Shanqi said gravely.

Zhang Shanlian smiled calmly and then said no more. He sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes to rest his mind.

Luv Shanqi knew Zhang Shanlian was making his final preparations...

After this, it would be a farewell forever...

Boom... At that moment, in the Arena, Ding Fan was already fighting Gui Xing.

Luv Shanqi knew there was no more time to waste and left without another word to make arrangements.

In the Arena, Ding Fan and Gui Xing were entangled in a fierce struggle.

Gui Xing relied on his formidable cultivation, not dodging or avoiding, adopting a brute force fighting style. His strong Inner Strength kept crashing out with pounding booms echoing repeatedly.

Ding Fan had no means to match Gui Xing's direct force.

He could only rely on his agility, weaving through the gaps in Gui Xing's techniques, and could only counterattack strategically while preserving himself.

However, judging by their battle, Gui Xing was overwhelmingly pursuing Ding Fan.

Meanwhile, within the Ghost Sect formation...

"It seems the Spirit Sect won't hold for much longer. That boy will eventually be killed by Gui Xing." A white-haired, dark-faced elder walked up to Gui Zhen and said coolly.

This white-haired, dark-faced elder had a high rank within the Ghost Sect, even higher than the Gui-named generation... he was Ban Qu.

Ban Qu had a significant connection to Gui Xing.

Gui Xing was, in fact, Ban Qu's Closed-door Disciple... At the moment, seeing Gui Xing suppressing the Spirit Sect Sect Master on the field, Ban Qu's words as he approached Gui Zhen had an air of manipulation.

"I don't think so," Gui Zhen replied calmly.

Ban Qu snorted softly. "You don't think that boy has any chance of defeating Gui Xing, do you?"

Gui Zhen didn't even glance at Ban Qu, his eyes fixed on Ding Fan in the Arena. "The two have just begun their fight. It's too early to say who will win."

"Gui Zhen, could it be that you think Gui Xing's prominence among your Gui-named is too prominent, so you're jealous?" Ban Qu said.

Gui Zhen chuckled lightly. "No, I'm just stating the facts..."

"Oh? Stating the facts? You say so; look, that Spirit Sect boy is already running across the Arena from Gui Xing, and you tell me, what's his chance of winning?"

Ban Qu's voice raised a bit, drawing the attention of the surrounding Ghost Sect members.

Ban Qu was a big shot in the Ghost Sect, and Gui Zhen was not insignificant either, so their argument naturally caught attention.

Gui Zhen's lips curled slightly, indifferent as he spoke. "Right now, Ding Fan is indeed being suppressed by Gui Xing, but observe Ding Fan's footwork closely..."

Following Gui Zhen's words, everyone present began to focus on Ding Fan's steps.

Gui Zhen continued to explain. "Although repeatedly pushed back, his steps are steady, and his breath is stable. This isn't the posture of defeat; he is clearly seeking an opportunity, waiting for one decisive blow..."

The Ghost Sect members took a look.

In the Arena, though Ding Fan was being pressed by Gui Xing, his footsteps remained steady, and in Gui Xing's attacks, he always managed to find the best positions to dodge...

Ban Qu snorted softly. "Just from these aspects, you think the Spirit Sect boy can win against Gui Xing?"

Previously Gui Zhen simply said it wasn't certain.

But now Ban Qu claimed that Gui Zhen said the Spirit Sect boy could win!

Gui Zhen didn't mind; he calmly replied, "And another point... Gui Xing is already using his full strength, but that Ding Fan... hasn't yet."

In the Arena, Gui Xing was launching various attacks with full force, whereas, when observing Ding Fan again, he was mostly on the defensive, occasionally making a slanted strike with a sword, yet still dodging. Just as Gui Zhen said, Ding Fan indeed hadn't used his full strength...

The surrounding Ghost Sect disciples began discussing among themselves.

"It seems the Spirit Sect Sect Master isn't simple either..."

"If that's the case, it's hard to say whether Gui Xing can win."...

Listening to the discussions around, Ban Qu frowned slightly. He was here to help his disciple Gui Xing establish authority, and now that there were questioning voices, it was unacceptable.

"Gui Zhen, since you're so confident in the Spirit Sect, how about we make a bet?" Ban Qu said coldly.

"If Gui Zhen wins, you'll willingly go to Serpent Island to guard the Immortal Sect passage for ten years. During those ten years, you can't return to the mainland... If the Spirit Sect wins, Gui Xing and I will go to Serpent Island, under the same condition, guarding the Immortal Sect passage, we also won't return to the mainland for ten years..."