Chapter 43: Joining Forces

Chapter 43: Joining Forces

Mo Fan deflected the spiritual energy aimed at Ning Kun and even offered a word of thanks. Ning Kun was a decent man; his performance at the Peak of the Undead had made that clear. Mo Fan rarely referred to others as "brother," but Ning Kun was the first to earn that title.

It was a pity.

Ning Kun did not appreciate the sentiment. Having witnessed Mo Fan’s plight, coupled with the actions taken by the Wang and Shangguan families, he felt deeply conflicted. However, they had come with explicit orders from their family head: kill Mo Fan to seek justice for Ning Wuyu. Even though Ning Wuyu had pleaded with him before they left not to harm Mo Fan—insisting he was a friend—Ning Kun could not suppress his resentment.

Clang.

Before Mo Fan could retaliate against the others, a powerful surge of spiritual energy struck from behind. It was vast and overwhelming.

Boom!

Mo Fan crossed his arms, fists clenched, to block the sweeping broadsword. He was horrified. Looking into the eyes of the youth before him—which held a cold yet helpless expression—he instantly understood the situation.

"I’m sorry, Mo Fan!"

"I cannot defy the family head’s orders. If there is an afterlife and we meet again, I will surely acknowledge you as my brother, but for now, I..."

"I’m sorry!" Ning Kun whispered, increasing the pressure of his spiritual power.

"Why haven't you attacked yet!" Wang Baobao roared, glaring fiercely at his own guards, as well as Shangguan Yue, who stood to the side, and the Ning siblings.

Cling!

The sound of weapons being drawn echoed through the area. The three great families of Dongyang County had reached a consensus to strike the boy together. None dared to defy it, lest they face the combined wrath of the other two families. Therefore, none dared to hesitate.

Ning Hongluan and Shangguan Yue drew their bows and blades, charging toward Mo Fan in unison.

"That brat is finished this time!" The Dou brothers gloated, their expressions insufferable. Back at the tavern, Mo Fan had accidentally ruined their plans, leaving the three brothers without any allies. They had been seeking an opportunity for revenge; had the three families not acted, they would have done so themselves.

It seemed they wouldn't need to lift a finger now; with the three families involved, the boy’s death was imminent.

"Hmph, brat, let’s see you be arrogant now." Duan Jiutian smiled, snapping his folding fan open with a smug look on his face.

"I’m sorry, Mo Fan!"

"A father’s command is hard to defy!"

Shangguan Yue and Ning Hongluan attacked simultaneously, both whispering their apologies. The longbow was drawn to a full crescent, firing without mercy, while the scimitar unleashed a crescent wave of spiritual power, aiming to cleave the youth in two. They both knew that after today, they would have no further connection to him. He had to die here today. It was the primary mission of their journey.

"It’s fine! I understand you."

Mo Fan replied coldly. He did not wish to have any further ties with these people, as it would only weaken his resolve and lead to his death at their hands.

He exerted force, and a terrifying power erupted from within his body, as if a boundless reservoir of strength flooded his limbs. With an explosive boom, he sent Ning Kun flying. His feet shifted in a blur as he leaped high, shattering an incoming arrow from Ning Hongluan with a single punch.

Mo Fan’s agile movements left everyone present stunned. No one expected that a youth dismissed as a "useless wastrel" could dismantle the combined attacks of the Ning family in mere seconds. He continued to advance, his footwork too fast to track, his fists erupting with rapid strikes that sent Wang Baobao’s subordinates flying.

Mo Fan’s combat style was terrifying. In a single exchange, he had neutralized the attacks of the three great families and taken the lives of two of Wang Baobao’s men.

"This guy... he was holding back when he sparred with me! Is he really the legendary wastrel who couldn't even open his own wilderness realm?" Hua Youyou’s heart was no longer calm. She had considered herself a prodigy, yet here was someone even more monstrous.

"Is he even human?" Qiu Yehong’s small eyes darted around. She felt an inexplicable attraction toward the youth, but the way she looked at him was tracked by a pair of eyes behind her—eyes burning with such rage that they seemed to freeze the air, wishing to erase Mo Fan from existence.

Among them, the most shocked was Xiao Yimo, the kitchen maid. The moment Mo Fan’s power erupted, she clearly sensed a familiar scent—the aura of the Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix from her dreams.

"Could it be that the figure from before was him?"

"And this Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix... he brought it. But why is there another power within him? What could that be?" Xiao Yimo wondered, astonished. She could never see through this boy; how many secrets did he hide?

"Join forces! Kill him!"

Ning Huangyan and Wang Baobao exchanged glances; they were ready to move. The three families, the four top experts, and the remaining lackeys brought by Wang Baobao surrounded Mo Fan, preparing for a lethal blow.

Boom!

On the bluestone stairs, the other experts were locked in a fierce struggle, the intensity of their battle threatening to collapse the very void above them. They were well aware of the changes occurring on the stairs, but no one was willing to yield. Who wouldn't want to claim a peerless divine weapon for themselves?

"Auntie from the Flower Realm, hold them off while I seize the weapon!" Mu Qingfeng spoke, hoping to leverage their past connection, knowing the old woman fighting alongside him hailed from the Flower Realm. He wasn't sure if it would work, given the complicated history between the Flower Realm and the Siyin Pavilion.

"Very well!"

The old woman agreed without a moment’s hesitation. Mu Qingfeng was startled by her promptness. Since he had her consent, he didn't hold back. With a flick of his folding fan, he broke away from the combat, glanced contemptuously at the trio still fighting, and dashed toward the summit.

"Don't even think about it!"

Seeing Mu Qingfeng rush up the stairs, the Ghost Rakshasa’s handmaiden, Hua Yao, threw herself forward to intercept him. The glory of reaching the peak and claiming the Nine-Dragon Fan belonged to her young master; she would not let anyone take it.

"Overestimating yourself!"

No sooner had she charged up than she was struck by a wave of origin power, blasted violently into the bluestone stairs, and vanished instantly. She had entered the trial of the stairs; who knew what opportunities awaited her?

Seeing this, everyone below finally understood: the stairs did not pull you in the moment you stepped on them. You had to be willing, or be forced in by a powerful external blow. Realizing this secret, everyone rushed toward the stairs. This time, there was no resistance; everyone had come for opportunity and was eager to enter.

Hum, hum!

Everyone pushed forward with their own strength, climbing step by step until they reached their limit, at which point they vanished, led toward the fated opportunities they dreamed of.

The three great families had Mo Fan surrounded, which seemed to deny him any chance to enter the stairs. However, this also meant they were being dragged down by him. Mo Fan might be a "wastrel" whose lack of opportunity didn't matter, but they were the genius youths of their families. If they missed this chance, they would be left behind and scorned by others. Moreover, the recruitment trials for the major sects were approaching; they could not afford to lose.

They exchanged looks and struck simultaneously, a combined, lethal blow intended to kill Mo Fan instantly.