Volume 1, Chapter 12: The Divine Artifact Emerges, Victory Decided in a Single Thought

The black sphere suddenly erupted with brilliant light, resembling a miniature black hole as it greedily devoured the surrounding radiance. A suffocating pressure swept across the area, and the very space seemed to distort and warp under the strain of this power. The air was thick with a strange energy fluctuation that made it difficult for everyone to breathe.

"What is this?!" Elder Qingfeng’s expression changed drastically; he felt a sense of crisis unlike anything he had ever known.

"A divine artifact... it's actually a divine artifact!" the Academy Dean exclaimed in shock. This black sphere was, without a doubt, a divine artifact of terrifying power.

The spirit of the artifact let out a silent roar that shook the heavens and the earth. The power it exuded caused the surrounding space to twist, forming visible ripples. The mysterious leader wore a twisted grin. "Taste the power of a divine artifact!"

He held the artifact high, and the black sphere glowed even more intensely. A horrific surge of energy erupted from within, transforming into a pillar of black light that shot straight into the clouds.

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion echoed as the ground shook violently, as if an earthquake had struck. The pillar of black light, like a roaring dragon, swept toward the academy members with destructive force.

"Get back!" Elder Qingfeng roared, diving out of the way first. Lin Fan and the others hurriedly channeled their spiritual power, doing their utmost to evade the lethal strike. Yet, the power of the divine artifact was too overwhelming; even with their best efforts to dodge, they were still caught in the wake of that terrifying energy.

"Bang! Bang! Bang..."

A series of explosions rang out as the buildings within the academy were reduced to rubble. Lin Fan and his companions were sent flying, their blood churning, and their bodies covered in wounds.

"Cough, cough..." Lin Fan clutched his chest, coughing violently as a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. Xuanyuan Hong’s condition was even worse; having taken the brunt of the artifact’s power, he was flung backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground, his fate uncertain.

Lin Wan’er cried out in anguish, "Xuanyuan Hong!"

The mysterious leader looked at the battered group and laughed wildly. "This is the power of a divine artifact! You ants are completely incapable of resisting it!" He raised the artifact once more, preparing to launch an even more ferocious attack.

"Stop!" The figure of the Spirit Venerable suddenly appeared before them. His gaze was like a torch as he stared at the mysterious leader, his voice deep and stern. "You dare to use a divine artifact? Do you not fear the retribution of the heavens?"

The mysterious leader sneered. "Retribution? As long as I can obtain what I desire, what is a little divine retribution?"

The light from the artifact in his hand surged again, and an even thicker pillar of black light blasted toward the Spirit Venerable...

"No!" Lin Fan roared...

***

Xuanyuan Hong was once again thrown aside by the black energy beam like a broken doll. He landed heavily in a pile of debris, his body twitching a few times before he went completely still. The scarlet blood, like a garish flower blooming amidst the ruins, was a shocking sight.

Lin Fan’s pupils contracted violently. A wave of fury surged to his head; his chest felt as though it were burning with a fierce flame, threatening to reduce him to ashes. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain.

A sense of helplessness flooded over him like a tide. He hated his own weakness at this moment; he hated that he could only watch his comrades fall before him while being unable to do anything. It felt as though he were trapped in a bottomless abyss, his limbs bound by invisible chains, making even breathing feel like an arduous task. Everything around him seemed to mock his powerlessness, and the heavy scent of blood in the air stimulated every nerve in his body.

Just as everyone believed they were facing total destruction, a stoic and elderly figure stood before them like a towering mountain. The Spirit Venerable, with his white hair and beard, possessed sharp, piercing eyes. He walked toward Lin Fan with steady, measured steps, radiating an aura of awe.

"Child, do not give up." His voice resonated in Lin Fan’s ears like a booming bell, carrying a calming power.

The Spirit Venerable raised a withered palm and gently pressed it onto Lin Fan’s shoulder. A warm and potent energy flowed into his body like a babbling brook. This energy was not mere spiritual power, but something far more ancient and mysterious, making Lin Fan feel powerful and invigorated as never before. He could clearly feel his meridians being cleared, and his dry reserves of spiritual energy beginning to flow like a spring.

This transformation shocked the mysterious leader. He narrowed his eyes, his tone filled with suspicion and dread. "You... who are you? How dare you stand in my way?!" He gripped the divine artifact tightly but dared not act rashly, sensing the powerful aura emanating from the Spirit Venerable and the unsettling power he possessed.

As Lin Fan felt the power filling him, he slowly lifted his head. His eyes seemed to ignite with two flames as he stared intently at the mysterious leader.

"You..." Before the mysterious leader could finish, Lin Fan’s form vanished from his spot like an arrow released from a bow.

Lin Fan’s speed was astonishing; like a black bolt of lightning, he arrived instantly before the mysterious leader. He swung his fist with overwhelming momentum, slamming it directly into the leader’s face. The mysterious leader was caught off guard and hit by the blow, sent flying backward to crash heavily into a giant boulder. The rock shattered instantly, sending shards flying.

"How is this possible?!" The mysterious leader looked at Lin Fan in disbelief. He had not expected this youth, whom he had previously regarded as an ant, to possess such immense power.

Lin Fan ignored his shock and lunged forward again. His fists and feet descended like raindrops, each strike imbued with potent spiritual power, leaving the mysterious leader with no room to counter. The leader was forced into a retreat, and the divine artifact in his hand began to fluctuate, its black light dimming and brightening as if it were about to extinguish.

"Damn it!" The mysterious leader roared, pouring all his spiritual energy into the artifact. The black sphere flared with blinding light, and an even more terrifying surge of energy erupted from it.

Lin Fan sensed the powerful energy fluctuation and dared not be careless. He immediately channeled his internal spiritual power, forming a protective shield around his body. The two mighty forces collided, creating a violent explosion that caused the surrounding space to distort and warp. The immense shockwave sent everyone nearby flying; even Lin Wan’er was knocked to the ground, yet she kept her eyes locked on Lin Fan, filled with concern.

***

The battle between Lin Fan and the mysterious leader reached a fever pitch. Their attacks were like a storm, clashing back and forth with neither side willing to yield. After a particularly violent collision, both men were forced back several paces.

Lin Fan wiped a trace of blood from his mouth, yet his gaze remained fixed on the leader. The leader’s situation was even worse; his clothes were in tatters, blood dripped from his lips, and the divine artifact in his hand had become dull and lackluster.

"You... exactly what are you?" The mysterious leader’s voice trembled. He felt that he was not facing a man, but an ancient, ferocious beast.

Lin Fan did not answer. He charged forward again, his fist whistling through the air as he struck toward the leader. Just then, Lin Fan suddenly sensed a strange energy fluctuation emanating from the artifact in the leader’s hand. This fluctuation resonated with the Star Map within his own body.

"This..." Lin Fan was startled. He felt a mysterious connection forming between himself and the divine artifact.

"What is happening?" The mysterious leader also noticed the anomaly and looked at Lin Fan in terror.

Lin Fan felt a powerful suction pulling from the black sphere. The Star Map in his body spun wildly, and brilliant starlight surged along his meridians, echoing the spirit of the artifact. He felt an unprecedented power filling his entire being, as if he could command all things under heaven.

The mysterious leader was terrified and tried to reclaim the artifact, only to find that the black sphere had attached itself to Lin Fan’s hand as if it had taken root. No matter how much spiritual energy he channeled, it was to no avail.

"No! This is impossible!" The mysterious leader screamed, watching helplessly as the power of the divine artifact backfired upon him.

The pillar of black energy reversed direction, slamming into him with destructive force. He was flung away like a kite with a broken string, crashing onto the ground, vomiting blood, and gasping for his final breaths.

Lin Fan held the artifact, and the black sphere now felt as docile as a lamb in his palm, emitting a soft, gentle glow. He felt the submission of the artifact’s spirit, and a vast ocean of information flooded his mind—the origins of the artifact, how to use it, and the supreme power contained within it, all washing over him like a tide.

Seeing that Lin Fan had turned defeat into victory and subdued the mysterious leader, the others erupted into deafening cheers. Lin Wan’er wept with joy, Xuanyuan Hong struggled to his feet, and Elder Qingfeng and the Academy Dean were overwhelmed with excitement. They had not expected Lin Fan to possess such immense potential, capable of mastering the power of a divine artifact.

The Spirit Venerable walked to Lin Fan’s side and nodded with satisfaction. "Child, you have done well." His gaze fell upon the black sphere in Lin Fan’s hand.

"This divine artifact..." Lin Fan looked at the sphere, his heart filled with questions.

The Spirit Venerable pondered for a moment before saying slowly, "This artifact has an extraordinary origin. The power it contains is enough to destroy the heavens and the earth; it must be handled with great care."

The group gathered around the artifact, and the atmosphere suddenly became grave.