Chapter 389: The Thunder Battle Begins!
"First it was those three from Yuan Gate, now this Hua Chen has appeared... seems Yuan Gate is neck-deep with the Yi Mo," Lin Fan said casually, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"That sect is indeed rather suspicious…" Mo Luo's voice grew heavy. It was clear he knew more than most.
"Unfortunately, Yuan Gate is located in the Eastern Xuan Region. Flame God Temple can't easily reach that far, and the super sects over there aren't exactly friendly."
Lin Fan smiled.
"No rush. Let's start by pulling out the thorns they've planted here."
Mo Luo's expression grew stern as he looked at Lin Fan and Tang Xinlian.
"Don't underestimate this Hua Chen. I don't know much about him, but Yuan Gate wouldn't send him to fight for the Thunder Ancestral Symbol if he weren't capable. The Yi Mo's methods are especially unpredictable—stay alert."
"Understood," Lin Fan nodded calmly.
"The Thunder Battle begins in five days. You three will stay here in Flamefire City for now. If anything comes up, go to Xinlian," Mo Luo said, relaxing slightly now that the serious matters had been addressed.
"She's in charge of the city's enforcement division. So try not to cause trouble. If she catches you, I won't save you."
Lin Fan smiled.
"Miss Tang is indeed not to be underestimated."
Tang Xinlian glanced at him, expression neutral.
"I don't play favorites. Anyone in Flame God Temple territory follows the rules."
"I don't go looking for trouble," Lin Fan said with a shrug.
"As long as no one provokes me first, I won't cause problems."
Tang Xinlian suddenly smiled sweetly and patted Lin Fan's shoulder.
"Then behave and stick close to me. In this city, no one would dare touch you."
With that, she flicked her fiery red hair and walked away, her figure radiating bold confidence and strength.
Lin Fan watched her leave, a smile playing on his lips.
"Haha!" Mo Luo laughed from the side, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"What do you think? My chief disciple's not bad, right? You're both young, strong, mysterious... why not make a match of it? She's more than worthy of someone like you."
Lin Fan rubbed his chin and grinned.
"I don't mind. Maybe I'll go pass your message to Miss Tang right now."
With that, he turned and strode out of the hall.
Lin Dong and Mu Lingshan laughed, said their farewells to Mo Luo, and followed after him.
"Hey, you little rascal, don't go spouting nonsense!" Mo Luo called out after him, laughing and shaking his head.
He couldn't help but worry—if Tang Xinlian knew he was playing matchmaker again, she might come and lecture him personally.
…
Outside the great hall, the three exited to see Tang Xinlian sitting calmly on the stone steps. Her slightly curled fiery red hair cascaded down her back, and her beauty—so poised and powerful—drew the attention of many armored guards around her.
As they passed, even the most battle-hardened warriors slowed their steps, their eyes glimmering with admiration beneath their helmets.
"Come sit," Tang Xinlian said, raising her hand slightly.
Lin Fan chuckled and walked over, sitting down beside her.
At that moment, the tough, valiant air she usually carried seemed to fade a little. Instead, a rare gentleness surfaced, making her seem more approachable—and more breathtaking.
"My master's plan this time… it's dangerous," Tang Xinlian said softly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Those Yi Mo are terrifying."
Lin Fan nodded.
"They're not to be underestimated. But I don't think they'll go all in this time. Mo Luo's plan will work."
"Those bastards... they deserve to be wiped out," she muttered.
She then quietly told Lin Fan how the Yi Mo had destroyed her clan in the past.
Afterward, she clenched her fists, her tone steely.
"No matter what, I'll protect Flame God Temple. If they come here, I'll fight them to the death!"
Lin Fan patted her shoulder with a smile.
"Don't worry. One day, they'll all be wiped out."
As he spoke, the familiar sound of the system rang in his mind.
[Ding! You patted Tang Xinlian's shoulder. You've obtained: 1x Death Spirit Fruit. Note: This spiritual fruit is born in regions filled with death energy and contains vast death power!]
A Death Spirit Fruit?
Its energy was dense with death essence—a perfect resource for him at this stage.
This would be even more useful than the Death Cores, he thought, pleased.
He wondered just how much progress he could make by refining it.
Back in the moment, Tang Xinlian heard Lin Fan's promise and nodded firmly. She smiled, patted his shoulder back, and stood up gracefully.
"If you get into trouble in Flamefire City, just mention my name… and during the tournament, let's work well together."
Lin Fan shook off his thoughts about the reward and looked at her radiant form, smiling as he nodded.
…
Five days passed in the blink of an eye.
When the fiery red sun broke through the horizon and bathed the sea in its warm glow, Flamefire City erupted with life.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Countless beams of light shot into the sky from across the city and from hundreds of kilometers around it. The skies filled with cultivators surging toward the center of Flamefire City like a rising tide.
Today marked the official opening of the Thunder Battle—and it was shaping up to be the greatest event the Devil Chaos Sea had seen in decades.
The sheer scope of the tournament alone was enough to stir the blood.
In a pavilion near the city center, Lin Fan, Lin Dong, Mu Lingshan, and Gu Mengqi were gathered.
All of them gazed toward a towering, majestic palace in the distance—the heart of Flame God Temple. From within, terrifying auras flickered intermittently.
The skies above the palace were so packed with people that clouds were blown away by the sheer force of the noise.
As everyone watched in anticipation, Tang Xinlian appeared with a thousand Flame Temple Guards, their formation swift and overwhelming.
BOOM!
A massive wave of red light exploded outward.
From within that crimson tide, a tall man in a fiery cloak appeared—Mo Luo, the master of Flame God Temple.
The moment he appeared, the noise across the entire city abruptly fell silent.
All eyes turned toward him, their gazes filled with awe and fear.
Mo Luo stood above a sea of fire, his crimson eyes scanning the crowd.
Then, his voice—like a bell ringing through the sky—announced the rules of the tournament in detail.
Finally, his thunderous voice echoed once more:
"I hereby declare—the Thunder Battle begins!"
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