Dashing Student Chapter 1451 - 1444: Facing Taiyin Directly

Chen Nan's cultivation level surged from the Fifth Layer Perfection of the Golden Core Realm to the Sixth Layer Golden Core Realm.

Following the demise of Lin Qingfeng and Jiang Caixian, two esteemed True Inheritors, Chen Nan had departed the island. He subsequently discovered an Immortal Cultivation Market situated on a neighboring isle.

Navigating the unpredictable environment of the market, he managed to evade detection, making his way into the Time Domain within the Immortal Palace Space. This sanctuary allowed him to accelerate his recovery and cultivation, ultimately eradicating the final vestiges of Yin Qi Threads from his physical form.

Remarkably, defying all expectations, his cultivation broke through the established limitations, propelling him directly into the Sixth-Layer Golden Core Realm!

Upon achieving this breakthrough, Chen Nan made haste to return. While his cultivation prowess remained significantly inferior to that of Guo Qing and his companions, he harbored a firm belief in his ability to successfully escape alongside Yun Ying.

As he reappeared, his Divine Sense detected an ominous black entity attempting to assimilate with Yun Ying. Unable to countenance such an action, he intervened decisively, repelling the entity with a single, swift kick.

Zhang Sen, shaking his head in Chen Nan's direction, took a draught from his wine gourd and lamented, "What a lamentable waste. Your skills in Alchemy are exceptional. Had you been willing to align with us, your future position would have been secured. Why resist us?"

Witnessing Zhang Sen's disingenuous display of concern, Chen Nan was overcome with revulsion. "You old cur," he spat, "Cease this charade. You are nothing but a lunatic, and I shall end your life!"

Zhang Sen, utterly taken aback by Chen Nan's insolent outburst, felt his face flush crimson with rage. Squeezing the words through gritted teeth, he declared, "Excellent, most excellent!"

"Who precisely are you, and why do you insist on interfering?" Qiao Que demanded, his gaze fixed coldly upon Chen Nan as he cautiously shifted his stance.

Swiftly, Guo Qing's cohort coalesced, effectively encircling Chen Nan.

"Me? Merely a wandering cultivator who cannot abide seeing a young maiden harassed," Chen Nan replied with outward nonchalance, though internally, his resolve hardened, his mana churning in anticipation of imminent conflict.

Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Yun Ying gradually regained a measure of composure. While deeply grateful for Chen Nan's intervention, she was also plagued by the fear of becoming his burden.

"Chen Nan, you must depart. I implore you, I cannot bear for you to be drawn into this perilous situation..." she pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.

Observing her profound distress, Chen Nan moved closer, gently assisting her to her feet. He unbound the restraints binding her, his touch tender as he wiped away her tears.

"Fear not. Now that I am here, no one shall lay a hand upon you."

At this moment, an unshakeable warmth permeated Yun Ying's heart.

Lord Taiyin, having been repelled by Chen Nan's strike, began to re-emerge from the dissipating dust cloud. Its expression remained impassive, as if the forceful expulsion had registered no impact.

"Mortal, your audacity is to be commended, yet your decision to return alone is profoundly reckless. Such foolish bravery is beyond my comprehension."

Chen Nan's gaze lifted to meet the entity's, a slight furrow appearing on his brow. After a moment of contemplation, he finally inquired, "What are you?"

His question held no trace of mockery, only a pure, unadulterated curiosity.

To Chen Nan's surprise, Lord Taiyin responded with unexpected candor: "I am an embodiment of heaven and earth’s favor, Taiyin, a being of spiritual intelligence born from the annals of time. Now, much like yourself, I exist as a living entity."

This revelation struck Chen Nan with profound astonishment. "You... you are Taiyin?!"

Could the very Taiyin he had been seeking manifest in such a form?

"You appear taken aback?" Taiyin queried. "Why? Have you prior knowledge of me?"

Chen Nan affirmed with a nod. "Indeed, I have heard of you. In fact, I came here specifically for you."

"You wish to join forces with me?"

"Nay, my intention is to refine you."

"Insolent wretch!"

Upon hearing Chen Nan's audacious declaration, Guo Qing and his assembled followers erupted in outrage. Taiyin represented their sole hope for achieving the Nascent Soul Realm, and Chen Nan brazenly spoke of refining it?

Such an act was utterly beyond the pale!

"Lord Taiyin, permit us to dispatch this presumptuous brat!" Qiao Que demanded, his voice sharp.

Taiyin offered a slow nod. "Enough. While I sense a hidden power within you, you clearly have no intention of aiding me. Should you persist in obstructing my path, termination shall be your fate."

"Leave this to us."

With those words, Guo Qing moved without hesitation. Opening his mouth, a miniature sword emerged, rapidly expanding as it flew, transforming into a formidable blade nearly a meter in length. It descended with lethal intent towards Chen Nan's head!

The blade was wreathed in an aggressive Sword Qi, which seemed to tear apart the very fabric of the surrounding air.

Chen Nan himself felt a searing pain across his skin, as if it were on the verge of being ripped asunder.

"Great Compassion Buddha Palm!"

He bellowed fiercely, the relic adorning his chest erupting with radiant Buddha Light. Thrusting a palm forward, the golden palm met the colossal sword in a violent collision, the resulting shockwave forcing Qiao Que and his associates to stagger back several paces.

However, the formidable Buddha palm could only withstand the onslaught for a few fleeting breaths before a distinct cracking sound signaled its demise. The palm shattered, disintegrating into nothingness.

Chen Nan's eyes ignited with fierce determination. His body suddenly expanded, demonic energy surging around him. He slammed his foot upon the ground, launching himself skyward. His fists rained down upon the immense sword like a relentless torrent of raindrops.

Clang, clang, clang...

The deafening clashes echoed incessantly as a colossal sword, struck by countless blows in mere moments, had its entangled Sword Qi blasted away, sending the weapon hurtling through the air.

Guo Qing and the others' faces contorted in shock; they hadn't anticipated such immense power from an unknown, independent cultivator.

At this precise instant, Chen Nan surged forward, his Demon Qi churning the air into a tempest, blinding onlookers.

"Not good, protect Lord Taiyin!"

Guo Qing bellowed, launching himself at Chen Nan, the rest of his companions following suit in alarm.

The reason these individuals remained stagnant at Golden Core Perfection wasn't an inability to reach Nascent Soul, but rather the limitations of their innate aptitude.

With their current potential, Golden Core Perfection represented their absolute pinnacle; barring extraordinary circumstances, they were destined to remain in this stage for their entire lives.

However, their encounter with Taiyin changed everything. Taiyin had pledged to augment their aptitudes and pave their way to Nascent Soul, earning their unwavering loyalty.

Taiyin was their sole beacon of hope for breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm, a hope they fiercely guarded against any threat.

Consequently, Chen Nan's sudden assault on Taiyin sent them into a state of panic.

Meanwhile, a subtle smirk played on Chen Nan's lips.

"A weakness has been exposed!"

Zhang Sen, lagging behind, was the weakest among them due to his identity as an Alchemist; therefore, Zhang Sen had been Chen Nan's intended target from the very beginning!

Suddenly, crackling lightning erupted across Chen Nan's form. He pivoted with incredible speed, rocketing back towards Zhang Sen at the rear.

"You dare underestimate me, brat?"

Zhang Sen roared, his fury ignited as he grasped Chen Nan's true intentions, a realization that stung his pride.

Yet, before he could unleash any incantations, an overwhelming Divine Soul Power descended upon his own, plunging his mind into a fleeting blankness, his eyes wide with vacant bewilderment.

Silken white threads shot forth from Chen Nan, piercing the surrounding void as if freezing the very flow of time within that pocket of space!