CHAPTER 423: CHAPTER 0420: DIVINE ARTIFACT? I DON’T HAVE A DIVINE ARTIFACT

He had just finished praising the other side.

It was meant to prove one thing.

That anyone Qin Yang associates with is either a prodigy or an eccentric, completely different from the others.

But now, isn’t this a bit too casual?

Just died like that?

Even seeing it with his own eyes, he still couldn’t believe it.

The Ancestral Jiao was an ancient creature that had existed for a long time. Its descendants in the Immortal Realm were all fearsome beasts in their own right.

At this moment.

The Ancestral Jiao charged into the crowd. These powerful cultivators, naturally daring not to be careless in the face of such a foe, fought back fiercely. Divine Skills and Immortal Treasures unleashed dazzling radiance, and the heavens roared. Before such overwhelming might, the Void shattered like a mirror.

The Immortal Treasures were profound.

The Divine Skills were unparalleled.

But before the Ancestral Jiao, they all fell to a disadvantage. Some spat blood, others sought opportunities to escape, completely unprepared for the Ancestral Jiao’s tremendous strength emerging from the pool.

"Our chance has arrived."

Lin Fan seized the moment, activated his Divine Skills, and, with incredible speed, lunged straight for the Divine Artifact at the center of the pool.

But at this moment.

A previously slain genius, whose half-body had seemed lifeless, suddenly began regenerating as if it were alive. Taking advantage of the moment when the Ancestral Jiao’s attention was elsewhere, he too launched himself toward the pool.

It was intentional.

He had purposely allowed the Ancestral Jiao to tear him apart.

No one knew what kind of Supreme Divine Power he had employed, but astonishingly, he had revived.

What a scheming mind.

His plan was to have the others distract the Ancestral Jiao so he could snatch the Divine Artifact in the chaos.

You have to admit, those otherworldly geniuses from other families certainly excel in craftiness.

In an instant.

The two converged, one approaching from the east, the other from the west, locking eyes as they clashed.

The genius frowned, puzzled, unable to make sense of it. But with the Divine Artifact so close, how could he let someone else take it? He immediately summoned an Ancient Mirror, which emitted a buzzing sound as a streak of light burst forth from it.

Lin Fan waved his hand in a counterattack, unleashing the Chaotic Void Slash that tore across the heavens, slicing through the Void. At the same time, his brow opened to reveal a third eye, from which emanated the Heavenly Eye Golden Light that cascaded outward in radiant beams.

Now it was a battle over life and death.

Whoever prevailed would claim the Divine Artifact.

The genius was filled with disdain. The light from his Ancient Mirror could destroy all in its path, but what he hadn’t anticipated was that this rival, with a third eye on his forehead, was continuously firing golden beams that eventually coalesced into a pillar of light.

His hand holding the Ancient Mirror began to tremble, and while he struggled to maintain his hold, the opponent seized the opportunity to accelerate even further.

Lin Fan reached the Divine Artifact, grabbed it in one swift motion, and immediately leapt back, distancing himself from the genius. The genius, in contrast, arrived at the Artifact’s previous location only to find it empty, his expression utterly devastated.

"Ancestral Jiao, your Divine Artifact has been stolen!" Lin Fan yelled toward the Ancestral Jiao.

The Ancestral Jiao, entangled in battle, turned its head upon hearing this. It saw the genius standing where the Divine Artifact had been growing, but the Artifact was missing. Letting out a furious roar, it lashed its tail ferociously toward him.

"You bastard..."

The genius cursed in rage but didn’t dare to directly withstand the tail strike. He activated his Divine Skills to retreat, narrowly avoiding the ferocious attack.

Lin Fan yelled to Qin Yang and the others to run quickly.

With the Divine Artifact in hand, staying any longer would be unwise.

"Qin Yang, it’s you..." The genius recognized Qin Yang instantly, his expression twisting into utter fury.

"Damn it!"

Qin Yang cursed inwardly, astonished by the genius’s sharp eyes. He thought, *Even in this mess, he can spot me?*

"You’ve got the wrong person, Left Immortal! I’m not Qin Yang, I’m... I’m your dad!"

He fumbled and faltered in his rebuttal, unable to come up with a convincing name in his panic.

No time for explanations now.

Taking advantage of the chaos with the Ancestral Jiao, Qin Yang opted to flee. Now was certainly not the time for pleasantries or conversations with anyone!

They transformed into streams of light, running headlong without concern for what lay ahead.

Who knew how long they ran?

Eventually, they stopped to rest in a mysterious mountain range.

"Whew!"

They panted heavily, out of breath.

"That was exhilarating! The rewards are incredible. I can’t even begin to describe it," Lin Fan said with a smile, pulling out the Divine Artifact. It was as crystal-clear as jade, glowing softly. He hadn’t expected the Divine Artifact to take such a form.

Qin Yang leaned closer. "Wow. So this is the Divine Artifact? It’s massive! It’s my first time seeing one this big. Brother Xiang, do you know what it is?"

Xiang Fei shook his head. "I can tell it’s a Divine Artifact formed by heaven and earth, but the specifics, I cannot say."

Lin Fan continued observing it closely.

Suddenly, knowledge about the Artifact flooded his mind.

[Immortal Source Divine Artifact: The only one of its kind in existence, formed under extremely rare and stringent conditions. During ancient times, several ancient powerhouses perished in battle, and their life essence and Immortal Bodies fused together. Under specific circumstances, this Divine Artifact was born. Consumption allows one to inherit a random Immortal Body from twelve absolute Immortal Bodies.]

"Twelve Immortal Bodies, one randomly inherited..." Lin Fan murmured to himself.

It felt overwhelming.

The description was crystal clear.

Ancient powerhouses.

Absolute Immortal Bodies.

"Brother Lin, what does that mean?" Xiang Fei asked.

Qin Yang, equally curious, was drawn to the Artifact’s allure. If he could obtain one and bring it back, even his elders would have to revere him as a superior.

And just as Lin Fan was about to explain...

Suddenly, a voice echoed around them.

"Young friend, this treasure is extraordinary. Why don’t you give it to me instead?" The voice was ethereal, coming from all directions.

Lin Fan was stunned upon hearing this. Without hesitation, he shoved the Divine Artifact into his mouth, chewing vigorously. The sound of crunching rang out as he swallowed it down.

"Divine Artifact? What Divine Artifact? I’ve got nothing," Lin Fan said nonchalantly, spreading his hands.

What Divine Artifact?

I don’t have one.

Never had one to begin with!

The mysterious voice faltered, seemingly dumbstruck by Lin Fan’s sudden and decisive action.

Completely dazed.

*What the hell!? Are you messing with me?*

The peculiar voice unnerved Lin Fan, making him jump. *Where the hell did this come from? How did they find us even after we fled here?*

But just as he was about to question it.

He suddenly felt his entire body wracked with pain.

Letting out an anguished cry.

Lin Fan collapsed onto the ground, trembling all over. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as if he were enduring unbearable torment.

"Brother Lin, what’s happening to you?" Xiang Fei exclaimed, panic-stricken. Brother Lin had been perfectly fine moments ago—what had caused this sudden turn?

Qin Yang was dumbfounded. "He swallowed that Divine Artifact just now—don’t tell me it was poisonous?"

Even though Xiang Fei was experienced and knowledgeable, he had never encountered such a bizarre scene before.

When he tried to check Lin Fan’s condition by touching him, he recoiled in pain as an intense heat scorched his hand, charring it black.

For Xiang Fei to suffer burns with his level of cultivation—what kind of terrifying temperature could achieve that?

Lin Fan curled up, his knees on the ground, fists clenched tightly. Veins bulged across his body like writhing serpents, grotesque and fearsome.

"Senior, what’s happening to my friend?" Qin Yang asked desperately.

Soon, the mysterious voice responded. "He has been poisoned by consuming that item. What seemed like a Divine Artifact was actually not. If you want to save him, you must endure the pain and throw him into that pitch-black cave over there. I will save him."

"Alright." Qin Yang, panicked, braced himself to endure the scorching pain and carry Lin Fan into the cave.

But Xiang Fei stopped him. "Don’t act rashly. While I don’t know exactly what’s happening to Brother Lin, I am certain that the item he consumed was a Divine Artifact—the intentions of this mysterious voice are highly suspect."

"Are you sure?" Qin Yang pressed.

Xiang Fei nodded firmly. "I’m sure. Trust me."

Qin Yang then shouted angrily, "You think I’m some gullible fool you can trick? Let me tell you, Qin Yang hails from the direct bloodline of the Immortal Venerable—we’re not so easily deceived!"

Suddenly.

A terrifying pressure swept over them.

It was dreadful.

Shocking beyond words.

"Brother Xiang, let’s take Brother Lin and get out of here. This mysterious guy is no joke," Qin Yang said. He no longer dared to be careless, realizing the terrifying strength of the mysterious being’s aura.

He roared, activating his Mana Protection and preparing to carry Lin Fan despite the risk.

However, the moment he touched Lin Fan.

He shrieked terrifyingly.

"Oh my god! This is hotter than the blazing sun itself!" One of Qin Yang’s arms was instantly burned down to bare bones. Fortunately, as an immortal with an Immortal Body, he quickly circulated his mana to regenerate it in an instant.

Poof!

At that moment, white steam burst forth from Lin Fan’s pores. From a glance, it was clear that the mist was scalding hot—anything caught in it would be incinerated into ashes.

With the intense pressure mounting...

Xiang Fei summoned an Immortal Emperor’s Holy Weapon, letting it hover above his head to form a protective barrier around them.

"Oh? An Immortal Emperor’s Holy Weapon! Quite extraordinary. But young friend, your comprehension of this weapon is lacking," came the mysterious voice, sounding surprised. It hadn’t expected to encounter three individuals with such extraordinary fortunes.

Qin Yang wailed, "Brother Lin, why did you insist on hogging the Divine Artifact? Look at the trouble you’ve caused! Quit spewing that steam already and wake up—we need to run!"

Xiang Fei’s forehead glistened with sweat. The unknown entity’s oppressive aura was overwhelming, and he was beginning to falter. He quickly clasped hand seals, channeling essence blood into his Holy Weapon, which radiated golden brilliance.

Buzz!

The Holy Weapon’s golden light intensified, faintly revealing a ghostly figure, seemingly an echo of the ancient Immortal Emperor that once wielded it.

The pressure eased significantly.

However, using essence blood for such an act visibly drained Xiang Fei.

Within the protective barrier, Qin Yang shouted furiously, "You sneaky bastard! If not for the True Dragon Tree treasure I lost, I’d be hurling my arsenal of Immortal Treasures to crush you, along with a slap from an Immortal Venerable’s will to teach you a lesson!"

The mysterious voice suddenly asked, "True Dragon Tree? Where did you encounter it?"

"Where your mom—uh, I mean, I, as a refined descendant of the Immortal Venerable, wouldn’t stoop to vulgarity! It was in your dad’s dark hole; if you want it, go lick it up yourself!" Qin Yang shot back venomously, his sharp tongue unleashing the brazen battling spirit emblematic of a true Immortal Venerable Family.

You don’t rise through the ranks of such a family without possessing such verbal prowess.

If not for staying sharp-tongued, you’d end up crushed in every encounter.

"Silence!" The mysterious being condensed its oppressive aura into the form of a massive slap, which descended on the Holy Weapon’s protective barrier.

Boom!

The Holy Weapon trembled violently.

Xiang Fei looked like he wanted to strangle Qin Yang. "Why provoke it further?!"

But he understood—regardless of provocation, the entity intended harm nonetheless. Judging from the current situation, it seemed the mysterious being couldn’t manifest fully but only exert its pressure.

If they could escape with Brother Lin, they might get away safely.

But how to move Brother Lin in his current state?

They had no choice.

All they could do was wait.