Before and behind. Left and right. Above and below.

In an instant, thirty-six ethereal figures descended, their sharp claws enveloping Qin Fan’s entire body. Amidst the shifting, illusory shadows, it was impossible to distinguish which one held the elder’s true killing blow.

However, facing the assault of the thirty-six claws, Qin Fan first smiled, then shook his head in disdain.

Quicker than words could describe, he ignored the attacks from the front and spun around like a phantom, playfully reaching for the very claw aimed at his spine!

SNAP!

A crisp sound echoed through the room.

As he struck, Qin Fan nonchalantly passed through the claws of the ethereal figures, simply and directly slapping the old man’s withered hand. It must be said that meeting an attack with such composure was a true testament to his supreme skill and courage.

Had Qin Fan’s aim been off, he would have undoubtedly been met with the elder’s killing blow, and the consequences would have been unimaginable. But "if" was just "if." For Qin Fan, who had returned with the might of a Shura Venerable forged over five hundred years, to capsize in a gutter like this was laughable. If he could fail so easily, he would have already died countless times over.

"Old devil, if this is the extent of your strength, then you’re one step closer to becoming a Sky Lantern," Qin Fan sneered, his grip tightening on the old man’s frail hand. With that, he raised his arm and flung the elder away, sending him flying directly toward the rows of Spiritual Tablets flickering in the candlelight.

"Good lad! I underestimated you!"

As the Guardian of the Worship Room, the elder was not so weak as to be utterly defeated by a single, simple move. Just as his body was about to crash into the Spiritual Tablets, he let out a guttural shout. His body immediately halted in mid-air and descended gently to the floor.

"It doesn’t matter if you underestimated me. You overestimated yourself," Qin Fan retorted.

"Hmph! A newcomer already showing his fangs. It seems Huaxia has not produced such a prodigy in a long time. For someone of your young age to possess such a level of Cultivation, you are undoubtedly a chosen one, born from the great fortune of Huaxia’s Martial Arts! But unfortunately for you, you should never have come to Tokyo—never have come here! If I let you leave alive, you will surely become a disaster for Japan in the future! Therefore, young man, you have just missed your only chance to go home alive! Today, I shall slay you before these many heroic spirits as a tribute!"

Although his initial attack had not only failed but also resulted in him being thrown, the elder seemed unfazed, his voice dripping with unabashed murderous intent.

"Can you stop spouting so much crap?" Qin Fan said impatiently.

To be honest, if Hua Xiaotian hadn’t yet called for help, he wouldn’t be wasting his time on this clown. But since there was no signal for support, Qin Fan didn’t mind playing along with this little Japanese imp to kill some time.

"You’re courting death!"

With another grunt, the elder leaped into the air, and in an instant, his entire body vanished.

Fucking Invisibility again? Doesn’t he worry I’ll take this chance to burn this place down?

Within Qin Fan’s Divine Sense, even the most skilled Ninja had nowhere to hide. Yet, facing the elder’s disappearance, Qin Fan didn’t immediately expose him. Instead, he gazed toward the Spiritual Tablets, shrouded in oppressive candlelight, and snorted coldly.

"You won’t get the chance!"

Silence descended for a moment after Qin Fan’s words. Then, a shockingly powerful wave of energy slammed down from above, aiming directly for the crown of his head. In that same moment, the elder’s voice thundered with killing intent.

"Is that so?" Qin Fan chuckled.

Despite clearly sensing the elder’s imminent attack, he still chose not to counter immediately. Instead, he activated his Prison Suppressing Body. As an azure light enveloped him, the hidden elder widened his eyes in shock. A vague sense of unease bloomed within him, and with that feeling, the hand hurtling toward Qin Fan’s head held nothing back.

BANG!!!

The moment the invisible hand struck down, a violent boom erupted. Within the azure light, the elder’s palm stopped, a mere hair’s breadth from Qin Fan’s skull. But alas, that minuscule distance had become an impassable chasm.

"Vile creature, reveal yourself!"

With a cold and arrogant smirk, Qin Fan stomped his foot and bellowed.

VMMMM!

At his shout, the Prison Suppressing Body trembled. The elder, his hand now stuck fast to the azure light, was instantly forced out of his Invisibility, with nowhere left to hide.

"Damn it! How is this possible! You... you’re not a Martial Artist! You’re not a Huaxia Martial Artist!" he shrieked. He tried to yank his hand free from the azure light, but no matter how hard he struggled, it wouldn’t budge, as if locked tight by powerful magnets.

The look of disbelief on his face warped into one of utter panic.

He had never encountered anything like this in his entire life. Having lived in Huaxia for thirty years, he was confident he understood its ways inside and out. But how could he possibly explain what was happening to him now? He was completely clueless.

"Did I ever say I was a Martial Artist?" With a harsh laugh, Qin Fan shot his hand upward, gripping the elder’s forearm, held immobile by the Prison Suppressing Body. He then roared, "Now, smash!"

As his command fell, his True Qi surged.

Wielding its majestic force, Qin Fan viciously grabbed the elder’s arm and hurled him once more toward the rows of Spiritual Tablets.

This time, the elder was powerless against the immense, invisible Vast True Qi. No matter what tricks he tried in that split second, he couldn’t dissipate the force and land safely as he had before.

"No! No! NO!"

Facing the sacred symbols of his faith, the elder screamed hysterically as his body was about to collide with the Spiritual Tablets. But it was futile.

Amidst his wretched shrieks, a chaotic clatter erupted. More than half of the Spiritual Tablets were sent tumbling to the ground by the impact, and the offering altar was shattered into smithereens.

Oil lamps were knocked over and shattered, their oil spilling rapidly across the floor. Sparks from the fallen candles touched the fuel.

SIZZLE!

With a hiss, flames erupted, roaring to life.

"Damn it! No, no, no!"

Seeing the leaping flames, the elder scrambled up from the dusty floor, ignoring his injuries. With a desperate cry, he tore down a blood-red silken banner and lunged toward the fire to smother it.

These Spiritual Tablets were his faith. This Worship Room was the place he had sworn to protect with his life.