Han Ye and Zhan Li conversed aside.
Though Chen Fan was far away, he could clearly feel the energy fluctuations emanating from Han Ye.
They were intense, with a sense of explosive power.
It was as if a volcano on the verge of eruption was nurturing world-destroying strength.
The night grew darker, as if ink were flowing and spreading.
In the boundless darkness, predatory beasts lay hidden, eager to devour.
As for Pang Tong, he was even more pathetic.
His body trembled uncontrollably, his gaze unfocused, constantly darting towards the surrounding night.
He felt fear.
"Snap."
The sound of a snapping finger echoed.
The hidden sense of danger vanished with the snap: "Don't be afraid."
Looking at Pang Tong, this fellow... was a bit of a coward.
Pang Tong's face flushed, tinged with embarrassment.
It was too awkward.
The two figures in the distance continued their conversation.
About half an hour later, Zhan Li glanced at Chen Fan and nodded slightly.
"Whoosh."
His figure transformed into snowflakes and vanished from the spot.
He was gone.
He hadn't taken the infant, so it seemed the deal with Han Ye was settled.
Han Ye's gaze also turned towards them.
He began to walk, slowly approaching.
Pang Tong's body trembled more violently.
Chen Fan, however, remained unfazed, calmly watching the approaching figure.
Han Ye was tall, his true appearance hidden by a black veil. Darkness spread from his feet like water.
The moonlight was repelled by the darkness, leaving only an endless night in this ruin.
"Brother..."
Pang Tong was reaching the peak of his terror.
"Hush."
The familiar voice brought Pang Tong relief.
He was blind, but thankfully not deaf; the voice was right beside him.
Otherwise, he would have been scared to death.
Han Ye's aura was more terrifying than death itself.
"Fellow Daoist."
Chen Fan spoke first: "It was wrong of me to use your name. I can compensate you."
"Compensation?"
A voice, laced with a hint of coldness, echoed from all directions.
This space had completely transformed into Han Ye's domain, his home ground.
He could appear anywhere at will.
"What can you offer me as compensation?"
This time, the voice was very close: "If my name, Han Ye, is stolen, and you think a word of compensation will settle it, where does that leave my reputation?"
Though no one else knew, Han Ye himself couldn't let this matter rest.
The strong possessed their dignity.
Chen Fan's actions were tantamount to trampling on his dignity.
"Screech."
Within the dark domain, a sound of tearing air arose.
Killing intent rained down from all directions.
Darkness was Han Ye's limbs and his weapon.
"Puff."
A spark of fire bloomed, dispelling the darkness.
The encroaching flames met the attacks of darkness from all sides.
Bang, bang, bang.
Inside the darkness, a continuous series of collision sounds could be heard.
The two were exchanging blows from afar.
"Your strength is not bad."
Han Ye's tone carried a hint of surprise: "With such strength, it's not entirely an insult to my name, but... you will still have to pay a price."
"Roar."
A beastly roar echoed from within the darkness.
A maw, like that of a taotie, swallowed the flames whole.
Simultaneously, a whistling sound tore through the air, striking Chen Fan.
*Bang.*
A massive beast tail lashed out, hitting Chen Fan's body.
Yet, Chen Fan stood as firm as Mount Tai.
The mountain-like impact failed to shake him in the slightest.
"Is that enough?" Chen Fan asked again.
"No."
Han Ye refused to reconcile.
Chen Fan's holding back felt like an insult to him.
"Still not enough?"
In silence, Chen Fan's aura began to boil.
Violent silver lightning arcs split the darkness: "Don't push your luck."
Stepping back two steps was Chen Fan's bottom line.
He hadn't retaliated in the first two instances, as he was in the wrong.
But the other party didn't seem intent on letting it go.
"Dual attributes?"
Han Ye chuckled: "No wonder you're so confident."
Upon hearing this, the trembling Pang Tong couldn't help but inwardly grumble: "Dual attributes, my ass."
He had witnessed Chen Fan's methods firsthand.
I know, but I won't say.
At this moment, Pang Tong decisively shut his mouth and remained silent.
If Chen Fan won, he might live.
If Han Ye won, given his reputation, he certainly wouldn't spare Pang Tong's life.
None of these rogue cultivators were soft-hearted.
"Crackling."
Lightning arcs, like threads, tore through the darkness.
The beasts hidden within the darkness disintegrated under the lightning arcs.
The purest, most potent lightning possessed unparalleled offensive power.
"Hum."
The darkness writhed again.
The lightning arcs were being swallowed by the darkness.
"Kill."
Han Ye's voice was filled with killing intent.
Suddenly, countless tentacles seemed to appear from the darkness, severing the lightning arcs one by one.
At the same time, attacks descended from all directions, giving Chen Fan a sense of being bogged down.
It felt like being trapped in a swamp.
Sticky and unmovable.
Even breathing became suffocating, as was the flow of spiritual energy within his body.
"Impressive."
Chen Fan sighed.
Han Ye's reputation in this land was well-earned.
His ability to control the night alone was incredibly powerful.
A dark palm appeared behind Chen Fan, aiming for his back.
"Today, I will not kill you."
Han Ye was supremely confident: "But I will teach you a lesson. Henceforth, do not impersonate others so casually."
The palm exerted force, its chilling aura covering it as it struck Chen Fan's back.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Han Ye froze.
The sensation of the tentacles felt wrong.
"Not good."
A sudden, ominous premonition surged from his heart.
His palm, the chilling power he controlled, seemed to melt upon contact with Chen Fan's body.
No, it wasn't melting, it was being absorbed.
The chilling power was absorbed by the other party.
"Three attributes?"
As Han Ye's shocked cry rang out, familiar attacks surged along his palm.
"Boom."
The chilling attribute, carrying his power and Chen Fan's power.
With the superposition of dual forces, with a *bang*, Han Ye was sent flying.
*Clang.*
At the same moment, a brilliant sword light erupted.
The sword light blazed, instantly tearing through the dark domain.
Chen Fan turned calmly, facing Han Ye, and said, "Since you harbored no killing intent, your life is spared."
If Han Ye had truly intended to kill him just now, Chen Fan would not have held back.
Han Ye had saved himself.
"You..."
While Han Ye was shocked, he also felt insulted.
A blatant insult.
He owed his survival to the other party's restraint.
"Who are you?"
Han Ye wanted to know who this person was.
"Chen Fan."
He spoke no lie.
"Chen Fan?"
Muttering the unfamiliar name, his confusion grew: "Why have I never heard of you? Where... do you come from?"
An incredibly powerful being appearing out of nowhere, he refused to believe it.
"A wanderer."
Chen Fan didn't wish to explain.
He stopped talking to Han Ye and gestured to Pang Tong to hand over the infant: "The child is yours. I was in the wrong for using your name. If you ever need anything in the future, I will help you once."
No matter what, he was in the wrong.
What was owed, Chen Fan would never shirk.