Sect Master Daoxuan nodded slowly, then suddenly changed his mind.
"I want to see the full extent of this boy's potential. Pass down the order—Zhang Fan will face Xueqi. If he wins, he'll go on to battle Qi Ritian."
Xueqi was the strongest disciple of Xiaozhufeng, and Qi Ritian the favored champion of the competition.
Now that Zhang Fan had revealed such overwhelming strength, Daoxuan decided to skip the remaining matchups entirely and treat this as the final.
Not only would it save time, but it would also allow the whole sect to witness the terrifying might of Zhang Fan's divine technique firsthand.
At that moment, Jingyu knelt on one knee.
He was still in shock from what had just happened.
The flaming sword technique Zhang Fan had unleashed had terrified him.
If that blow had been aimed at him…
He might not be standing now.
"Jingyu… Jingyu…"
"Ah—Xiao Fan…"
"Phew, you're okay. I was worried—ha…"
Zhang Fan looked down at his dazed friend, still gripping his plain hatchet. His eyes sparkled with sincerity.
But Jingyu's expression was complicated.
He had always been the one praised as a genius.
Yet today, he'd been defeated in three moves.
The gap between them—it was too hard to accept.
Jingyu even began to suspect that Zhang Fan had been hiding his strength all this time… just to humiliate him.
"I concede," Jingyu said coldly.
Zhang Fan tucked the hatchet back into his belt and extended a hand to help him up.
Unexpectedly, Jingyu slapped it away.
Zhang Fan froze, startled by the gesture.
"Thanks… but I don't need your help."
And with that, Jingyu stood up and walked away.
Before Zhang Fan could react, a voice boomed from the sky:
"Zhang Fan advances to the final round. Xueqi will now face Zhang Fan. Should he win again, he will battle Qi Ritian!"
The disciples of Qingyun Sect all exchanged glances.
The sect leader had suddenly changed the rules.
Many of those who hadn't yet fought were displeased, but when they looked again at the scorched arena left behind by Zhang Fan…
They fell silent.
Let's be honest… if we went up there, we'd just be cannon fodder.
Better to enjoy the show.
"Dazhufeng really pulled a dark horse this time. The headmaster himself recognized him—what strength!"
"So what if he holds the Dragon-Slaying Sword? He still lost! Genius? Pfft. Guess he was just having it easy all these years."
"Yeah. No one expected it. But hey, now we get to see some real battles."
Jingyu heard the murmurs and felt a burning shame in his chest.
So this is all revenge…
Back then, he lost face in front of Master after I used sword flight—and now he's getting even.
Damn you, Zhang Fan. I never thought the honest, humble you could turn out to be so cunning.
Back in the rest area, Qi Ritian approached him.
"Jingyu, don't let a minor defeat cloud your heart. These things don't matter."
"Thank you, Senior Brother…"
Zhang Fan, still surprised, looked up toward the mountaintop platform.
He spotted Sect Master Daoxuan—flanked by his own Master and Madam.
So they know I've cultivated divine magic…
For the sake of peace, for the honor of my sect, for my senior sister…
Today, I will show them the power of a divine envoy!
He calmed his breathing, suppressing the power surging inside him.
I can only use the divine technique ten times.
I'll need to time it perfectly—no waste.
Meanwhile, across the arena, Xueqi received a spiritual transmission from her master, Shuiyue.
"Xueqi, be careful. Word just came that Zhang Fan has cultivated a divine spell. He's no longer at a normal level. The attack he used earlier was on par with Super Qing-level. Fight him seriously."
Xueqi's gaze sharpened.
Divine spell?
She hadn't even heard of such a thing before.
Still, her pride as the top of Xiaozhufeng swelled.
If he wants to come at me, I'll show him just how strong we are.
Moments later, the girl in white floated onto the stage, a sky-blue longsword in her hand.
Fairy Sword: Tianya.
The two locked eyes across the dueling platform.
In terms of looks, Xueqi far outshone Zhang Fan's senior sister.
But love runs deeper than appearances—and in Zhang Fan's heart, his affections had long been set.
Even as he faced the beautiful and composed Xueqi, his thoughts were focused on one thing:
How can I defeat her swiftly?
Only then can I display the power of a divine envoy.
The match began.
Xueqi took to the skies and unleashed her Imperial Sword Technique.
Thousands of sword beams rained down from above, blanketing the arena in deadly brilliance.
Disciples watching the match gasped in horror.
If I were up there, I'd be defeated in an instant!
This was the strength of Xiaozhufeng's top talent.
Su Ru, watching from the stands, frowned.
"I don't recall you ever teaching Zhang Fan how to counter this…"
She turned to Tian Buyi.
The old man's face flushed with guilt.
"I… I didn't. I didn't think he'd get this strong. If I had known, I would've taught him something better!"
Nearby, Sect Master Daoxuan and the Law Enforcement Elder, Cang Song, both raised their eyebrows in surprise.
So… Zhang Fan had no formal sword training?
All of his power came from brute strength—and that terrifying fire magic?
How was he even keeping up?
Xueqi matched him in realm.
She had a divine-grade sword.
Zhang Fan? A rusty hatchet.
On technique? Cough... well, let's not talk about that.
As the sword winds howled above him, Zhang Fan felt his nerves tighten.
The pressure was immense.
But then—his gaze drifted toward the audience.
There, his senior sister sat… watching, anxious, eyes filled with worry.
She's worried about me.
She really cares.
With his heart steadied by that thought, Zhang Fan whispered:
"God of Eternity… lend me your strength."
His hand rose—
And with it, the faint golden glow of divine power flickered once more.
That's enough.
Burn—Flame!
BOOM.
From Zhang Fan's hatchet, a dazzling flame erupted. The terrifying blaze shot into the sky like a silver serpent, tearing through the heavens.
Xueqi's intricate sword formation crumbled instantly—completely overwhelmed.
Gasps rippled through the audience.
It was flame again—but this time, even more powerful than before.
Dao Xuan inhaled sharply.
"That's already at the level of the second tier of Shangqing!"
Does this child have no limit?
Or is it that divine law is truly superior to immortal law?
If martial arts techniques sit at the bottom…
And immortal arts tower above them…
Then divine law must be above even immortality.
—
High in the air, Xueqi's expression didn't even flicker. The moment her move was broken, she immediately launched her ultimate technique—without hesitation.
Thunder surged in the sky.
"Nine Heavens Profound Temple, summon divine thunder. Mighty will of heaven—strike down with my blade!"
Everyone watching the match was shocked.
She'd actually unleashed the true form of the Divine Sword Thunder Art?
Was she insane?!
Once this technique was activated, it couldn't be stopped.
It was incredibly powerful—and equally dangerous to the user.
BOOM!
As divine thunder crackled and split the clouds, Xueqi charged downward, her fairy sword slicing through the sky, heading straight for Zhang Fan's flame.
In the next instant—
A violent explosion erupted.
The energy shockwave hurled Xueqi backwards like a ragdoll.
Zhang Fan, meanwhile, remained standing in place, completely unaffected.
When the smoke cleared—
Everyone froze.
Xueqi was bleeding from the mouth. Her face pale.
She had clearly lost the strength to continue fighting.
Zhang Fan… hadn't moved.
Victory was decided.
The match was over.
Cang Song stared at the result and slowly shook his head.
"No suspense left. Even Qi Ritian won't be able to beat Zhang Fan."
The difference was too stark.
It wasn't just about cultivation level—it was the difference in class between their techniques.
No matter how refined or powerful an immortal art might be…
It couldn't compete with divine law.
Quality simply trumped everything else.
A strange light flickered in Daoxuan's eyes. He smiled faintly.
"Well, it's the final round. Let's watch it through… Qi Ritian is at the seventh level—almost the eighth."
Among the younger generation, Qi Ritian was recognized as the strongest.
Not only in raw strength—but also in mastery of high-level techniques.
—
Meanwhile, Shuiyue quietly carried her disciple off the field. She said nothing.
From the moment Zhang Fan's flame clashed with her student's divine thunder, the match had stopped being a contest.
Back in the resting area, she comforted Xueqi softly.
"Don't feel disheartened. That boy isn't ordinary."
The girl in white nodded quietly, though a storm brewed in her heart.
Not ordinary?
He's still human, isn't he?
She bit her lip.
If I lost, then I lost. He was stronger. Simple as that.
—
"Zhang Fan!!!"
Tian Ling'er waved to him from the distance, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Zhang Fan grinned, heart full.
"Senior Sister, I'm almost champion!"
"Yes!! Go for it!"
Their connection, forged through divine meditation, had only grown stronger.
Now, they were practically flirting in front of everyone.
On the high platform, Su Ru pursed her lips when she saw it, but didn't say anything.
It's fine… childhood sweethearts, destined companions. What a good boy.
—
Moments later, Qi Ritian approached Zhang Fan with a polite smile.
"Zhang Fan, would you like a short rest?"
He had a point.
Zhang Fan had fought several rounds already. To go straight into another fight felt unfair, possibly like a deliberate setup. Even if he won, it wouldn't be a glorious victory.
But Zhang Fan simply shook his head.
"Thank you, Senior Brother, but my remaining strength is enough to defeat you."
Zhang Fan stood against the wind, hatchet at his side, a calm smile on his face.
The crowd fell silent.
That… was audacious.
He'd already fought six battles—and now he was rejecting rest, claiming he had enough energy left to beat the strongest disciple in the sect?
People stared in disbelief.
Then Qi Ritian's followers started shouting:
"Crush him, Brother Ritian!"
"Who does he think he is? So arrogant!"
"Show him the difference in class!"
The air buzzed with tension.
Qi Ritian's eyes narrowed, his expression cooling.
"You're quite bold, Junior Brother. Very well… allow me to test your strength."
"This isn't arrogance," Zhang Fan replied calmly. "Among the younger generation—no one can defeat me."
"When I received this power, I already understood—divine law is above all."
This was just the beginning.
The time would come when even heaven would tremble at his name.
He remembered what Da She Wan had once said:
"As a divine messenger, you are destined to be invincible. If you lack the heart for it—step aside. Let someone else serve God."
"I won't lose my senior sister… I won't let the world fall into ruin… so forgive me, Senior Brother—today, I won't hold back."
Qi Ritian said nothing more.
But suddenly, a wave of frigid air spread from his body, coating the entire platform.
Even shards of ice formed in the air, and his sword aura crackled with frozen death.
This was the strength of the eighth tier of Yuqing.
—
But then—
Six fireballs rose into the sky.
They spun in orbit around Zhang Fan, blazing like six miniature suns.
The searing heat scorched the clouds.
Frost melted in an instant.
And the so-called strongest disciple—
Stripped of his advantage—
Now looked… laughably weak.