Chapter 452: Aggressive and Overbearing

"What?"

The six people were all startled. They immediately became alert, surveying their surroundings.

However, the area was a vast expanse of white, with no signs of any living creatures.

Yet, Jian Linyuan seemed to see through everything, fixing his gaze on Jiang Fan.

"You don't need to hide anymore."

"The demonic aura on you is almost solidifying."

Jiang Fan was surprised. His Turtle Breath Cloak had actually been seen through! Even powerful figures like Fan Xingkong and Xuan Jia couldn't see through it.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Fan decided not to hide any longer. He took out his Shadow Guard Mask No. 1, put it on, and then removed the Turtle Breath Cloak. His true form was revealed.

"There really is someone?"

"Who are you, and what is your intention in approaching us so stealthily?"

All six, to varying degrees, displayed hostility.

Jiang Fan's expression was calm as he said, "I've been pursuing this group of beast kings all the way here. Since you've already intercepted and killed them, that's even better. I'll take my leave."

*Whoosh*—

Just as he was about to depart, a woman with a graceful figure, whose ample curves were not hidden even by her loose black robe, forcefully leaped over and blocked Jiang Fan's path. Her peach blossom eyes, visible beneath the mask, held a hint of suspicion.

"Trying to leave before explaining yourself?" She scrutinized Jiang Fan from head to toe as she said, "You pursued this group of beast kings? You, by yourself? That excuse is hard to believe. I'll give you one last chance to explain yourself. Why were you following us?"

They were disciples of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. They had come to the battlefield secretly this time and did not want their identities discovered by anyone. Yet, Jiang Fan had been hidden, lurking suspiciously nearby. And then he offered such an absurd excuse about pursuing beast kings.

How powerful were these beast kings? Not one of the six of them would dare to pursue them alone. The person before them, though masked, appeared to be a youth not much different in age from themselves. How could he possess such strength? He was clearly lying!

Jiang Fan clasped his hands behind his back, remaining composed as he said, "How can I make you believe me then?"

The curvaceous woman detected a hint of provocation. Her crystal eyes narrowed. "Simple!" she declared. "Just take one of my palm strikes!" She wanted to see what extraordinary strength this person possessed to challenge someone from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion!

As soon as she finished speaking, she decisively made her move. The surging spiritual energy of a Core Formation Stage 3 cultivator gathered in her palms, striking fiercely towards Jiang Fan.

"Dragon Hand!"

A low-grade Earth-tier palm technique, it struck powerfully towards Jiang Fan's chest.

Jian Linyuan watched silently, saying nothing. The other five wore expressions of amusement.

"This guy has some nerve acting tough in front of Junior Sister Shang."

"You know, Junior Sister Shang's temper is as big as her chest."

"I'd say this guy is a disciple from one of the Nine Sects, wouldn't you?"

"Aside from a few, like Xia Chaoge, Jin Zhongming, and Liang Feiyan, no one else can withstand Junior Sister Shang's attack."

They chatted and laughed with relaxed expressions. In their minds, they had already pictured Jiang Fan being sent flying and spitting blood from the palm strike.

However!

With a resounding crack, their eyes reflected a completely opposite scene. Shang Shiqiu coughed up blood, her delicate body sent flying backward like a butterfly.

"Junior Sister Shang!"

A tall man in black changed his expression and quickly leaped forward. He firmly braced her back. Even so, he was still jolted by the immense force, staggering back several steps. The two of them nearly stumbled to the ground together.

Everyone was stunned. Even Jin Zhongming might not have handled Shang Shiqiu's attack with such ease, would he? The Dragon Hand technique she employed was a very formidable and well-known low-grade Earth-tier palm art. How could it have been so easily broken? And she was even injured?

Yet, looking at Jiang Fan, not a trace of spiritual energy was exposed from him. He relied solely on his physical strength.

Jiang Fan impassively withdrew his fist and said lightly, "Are you convinced now?" When faced with someone deliberately seeking trouble, he never went easy!

"You!" Shang Shiqiu bit her bloody teeth, overwhelmed with shame and anger! She had initially thought that, as a Heavenly Secret Pavilion disciple, dealing with a Nine Sects disciple would be effortless. To her surprise, she had instead ended up in an embarrassing situation.

"Hmph!" The man supporting her revealed a hint of annoyance, unreservedly releasing his Core Formation Stage 4 cultivation. "Kid, you're quite arrogant! Do you dare to act arrogant like that again?"

Core Formation Stage 4? From their voices, this group seemed very young. When did such a powerful group of individuals emerge from the Nine Sects? Jiang Fan was a little puzzled.

Faced with the man's provocation, he felt little interest.

"What is wrong with you people? I came here tracking demonic beasts, but you presumed that I was following you and wanted to test my strength. Now that you've tested me and found out I really was just tracking demonic beasts, you still won't let it go. What exactly are you trying to do?"

Jiang Fan shook his head. He found their behavior somewhat incomprehensible. If they had simply wanted to rob Jiang Fan, it would have been easier to understand. But that clearly wasn't the case.

The man was instantly speechless. How could he possibly say that Jiang Fan's attack had wounded the pride of a Heavenly Secret Pavilion disciple?

"Hmph! Stop talking nonsense! I find you displeasing to the eye, so I want to exchange blows with you. Is that a problem?" With that, he immediately made his move.

"Heart Shattering Finger!"

A low-grade Earth-tier finger technique, it unleashed considerable power. A faint white finger force could be seen, piercing through the air towards Jiang Fan. Unfortunately, it was only the first stance. He had not cultivated the more profound finger techniques.

Jiang Fan, however, was different. For the same Earth-tier finger technique, the *Heavenly Maiming Finger*, he had already cultivated it to the final stance.

"Arrogant Dragon Regrets!"

He casually pointed a finger. Multicolored light condensed at his fingertip. It then transformed into a colorful beam of light that pierced through the air, heading towards the man's finger force.

With a *poof*. The white finger force, like mist before the multicolored beam, was instantly dispersed.

"What?" The man was startled. He quickly dodged away.

*Bang*—

The beam struck the corpse of the demonic beast where the other four Heavenly Secret Pavilion disciples were standing. With a loud crash, the beast's back exploded on the spot. The four Heavenly Secret Pavilion disciples who reacted quickly were in a disheveled state. Those who were slower were splattered with blood and mud. This completely infuriated them.

"How outrageous!" A woman, her long robe drenched and splattered with blood and mud, let out an exasperated shriek. Her soaked black robe clung stickily to her body, clearly outlining her slender waist and ample bosom.

"I'll take you on!" She suddenly erupted with the terrifying aura of a Core Formation Stage 5 cultivator.

"Enough." Jian Linyuan, hands clasped behind his back, said calmly, "You might not be his match." As he spoke, his gentle gaze, tinged with curiosity, appraised Jiang Fan.

"Previously, I only knew of a few famous prodigies from the Nine Sects territories. I never expected there would be a hidden dragon and crouching tiger like you. Truly a surprise."

Jiang Fan looked at him. Among this group, the only person Jiang Fan felt threatened by was him. But there was nothing to fear either. In a true fight to the death, it was still uncertain who would emerge victorious.

"What exactly do you want?" Jiang Fan asked indifferently.

Jian Linyuan replied, "Junior Sister Shang merely wanted to test your strength just now; there was no malice intended. It's just a small misunderstanding, please don't take it to heart."

He said it lightly. Jiang Fan had sufficient strength, but if he hadn't, wouldn't he have been injured by Shang Shiqiu for no reason? Their arrogance was almost etched onto their faces.

"This is not a misunderstanding!" The woman covered in blood and mud, however, refused to let it go. How dare he say she might not be a match for the person before them? How could she accept that? Annoyed, she pointed to her blood-splattered clothes and demanded, "Fight me, and I won't make you pay for these clothes. Otherwise..."

Jiang Fan couldn't help but chuckle. "Otherwise what? I'll wash them clean for you?"

The woman's face flushed red, and she retorted angrily, "How dare you! I'm just asking if you'll fight or not!"

Being continuously pushed to fight, Jiang Fan was starting to get annoyed.