Chapter 12: Guardian of Dragonspine Pass, General Ironbattle

The next day.

After completing his tasks, Ge Yan hurried to Lin Fan’s residence. Accompanying him was a tall, burly middle-aged man wearing a golden helmet.

The man exuded an imposing presence, his sharp gaze like a soaring eagle surveying the battlefield below.

“Young Master Lin, this is the highest-ranking executor of Dragon Spine Pass, General Tie Zhan. He returned to the Pass just before dawn last night. Knowing you were greatly exhausted, he delayed his visit until now.”

Though Ge Yan introduced him, Lin Fan had already guessed the man’s identity. At Dragon Spine Pass, only one person could carry such formidable aura—the Iron-Blooded General, Tie Zhan.

This man’s cultivation had reached the peak of the Divine Pill realm, with the threshold to the Yuan Mansion realm not far ahead.

What truly impressed Lin Fan was the terrifying aura Tie Zhan carried—though restrained, it still gave the impression of a fierce tiger lurking nearby.

“I have long heard of the Imperial Capital’s foremost prodigy, Lin Fan, and your unparalleled talent. Your undefeated record yesterday truly lives up to your reputation,” Tie Zhan said, his eyes sharp as he carefully appraised Lin Fan. As soon as Ge Yan finished the introduction, he stepped forward and clasped Lin Fan’s hand in greeting.

With his strength and status, such a gesture was unnecessary, but Lin Fan’s deeds the previous day had won his admiration, prompting this show of respect.

At the peak of the Earth Pill realm, Lin Fan had slain an equal, cut down a Heaven Pill peak cultivator with one sword, and crushed a Divine Pill master with a single palm.

In just three battles, Tie Zhan’s perception of this young scion from the Imperial Capital had changed completely.

This was no pampered, selfish young noble.

He was a true man with a heart for his country.

Daring to challenge a Divine Pill master with Earth Pill cultivation alone was enough to command respect.

Moreover, he had slain a Divine Pill master.

“General Tie Zhan flatter me. Even in the Imperial Capital, I have heard of your astounding exploits.

‘Iron armor and mighty wind guard Dragon Pass, battle flags dance alone beneath blood-red skies.’

Even toddlers can recite those lines.

Since childhood, we have grown up hearing stories of General Tie Zhan. Now, I finally see the man himself.

Words alone cannot capture your bravery,” Lin Fan said with a hearty laugh.

Who doesn’t enjoy praise? Even a battle-hardened iron-blooded general could not help but relish such compliments, especially when they came from the Imperial Capital’s top prodigy. It lifted Tie Zhan’s spirits and made him quietly thankful his life was not in vain.

“I hear you are heading to the mine vein?”

Lin Fan scratched his head and replied, “His Majesty the Emperor ordered it. I dare not disobey.”

“If it were another’s order, I might intercede for you.

But since the Emperor commands it personally, even I am powerless.

Here’s the plan: the commander guarding the mine is my former subordinate. I will write him a letter for you. Once you arrive, give it to him.

He’ll know what to do.”

Lin Fan accepted the general’s kindness without refusal—not due to unwillingness to go to the front lines, but because he deemed it unnecessary.

He had not truly come to the Western Regions merely to mine.

“Good, good. Let’s go have a drink. Later, I’ll personally see you off.”

Seeing this, Lin Fan did not decline. Flanked by Tie Zhan and Ge Yan, he made his way to the general’s residence.

After several rounds of wine, Lin Fan felt his cheeks flush and intoxication deepen, so much so that he barely recalled how he left the residence.

Just as he lay down on the bed arranged by Ge Yan, a beautiful figure suddenly appeared. Gazing at the handsome, deeply sleeping youth, the stunning woman bit her lip and raised a greedy brow.

“This foolish boy, drunk yet still radiating pure Yang energy.

Hmm, what a waste that would be!”

With that, her garments suddenly fell away, and she settled herself firmly atop him. The room blossomed with spring’s vitality, though outside, no one noticed the stir within.

Lin Fan dreamt a beautiful dream—journeying with a peerless celestial maiden to the mystic Mount Wu. His entire being felt weightless, as if his soul had left his body—an exquisite sensation that made him reluctant to wake.

No, something was wrong!

Suddenly, he snapped awake and sat up sharply. Seeing himself completely naked, a look of disbelief crossed his face.

“Witch, you actually…”

“So what?

You’re mine, are you not? What’s wrong with me using you?

Hmph, brat, don’t act innocent after taking advantage.

Haven’t you noticed the changes in your body?”

The witch’s sultry voice echoed in his mind. Lin Fan paused, then checked himself. To his astonishment, the Divine Pill condensed in his dantian was losing its silver glow, replaced gradually by a golden radiance that seemed to envelop the pill, tinting it pure gold.

Could it be…

My cultivation is about to break through?

Lin Fan knew well that although he had reached the peak of the Earth Pill realm, normally it would take at least two months to break through.

This was why he was eager to seek the Beast Fire.

He might miss the Tianfeng Grand Competition because of this, but he had to take part in the Divine Sect’s assessment.

The witch had bestowed upon him the transcendent technique, the Flame-Devouring Qi Refining Art, granting him the chance to reach the pinnacle of martial arts.

Yet, the witch seemed ill-suited to understand human cultivation; her help in his martial path was limited.

In martial cultivation, the triad of wealth, partners, and method forms the foundation.

“Partners” here did not mean lovers or spouses, but mentors and comrades who could assist or guide one’s cultivation.

Among the Southern Wilderness’s hundred sects, the Eight Great Divine Sects were the strongest. Gaining entry into one of these was akin to a carp leaping over the dragon gate.

The Luo family’s recent rise to power—even threatening to become the Imperial Capital’s foremost clan after the royal family—owed largely to Luo Qingyi’s position as the official disciple of the Primordial Sect, one of the Eight Great Divine Sects.

Now that Luo Qingyi had broken into the Yuan Mansion realm and triggered a celestial phenomenon, she was destined to become the Primordial Sect’s direct successor.

When that happened, the Luo family’s status would soar again. Even the royal family would hesitate before provoking them, fearing the wrath of the Primordial Sect’s head.

Whether among the four great clans or the royal family, their roots lay in cultivation within the Eight Great Divine Sects. This legacy secured their lasting dominance and stability.

To pursue higher martial realms and forge more powerful flames, one had to rely on the resources of these great sects.

A lone cultivator?

Perhaps Lin Fan could carve out a path with the witch’s guidance, but his efficiency would be far lower.

It might take years without encountering a single flame.

As for fulfilling the witch’s demand to become the Southern Wilderness’s Top Ten leader—that was nearly impossible.

Lin Fan was not arrogant. He understood clearly that to leap in rank and rapidly advance cultivation, backing from a great sect was essential.

“Brother Lin, rested well?

I’ve made all necessary arrangements; you can set out at once.”