The setting sun painted the sky in hues of crimson and gold, as if foreshadowing the blood yet to be spilled.
Lin Fan rode atop the Shadowfang Leopard, its muscles coiled like steel beneath his legs. With each step, it radiated pressure—a Rank 2 spirit beast tamed with nothing but dominance.
He was no longer the weak, forgotten disciple.
He was death reborn.
As the massive gate of Black Rain Sect came into view, outer sect disciples rushed to stop him.
"Who goes there?! Disciples must dismount—!"
But the moment they saw Lin Fan, mounted atop a beast that looked ready to devour them whole, their voices died in their throats.
"Is that… Lin Fan?"
"Impossible. He was dead!"
"And that's a Shadowfang Leopard. How is he—?!"
Lin Fan didn't speak.
He simply looked at them—and they stepped aside, driven back by a force they couldn't name.
System Notification:
[Fear Resonance Activated] – Your presence now causes dread in enemies of lower cultivation.
He rode through the gates like a conquering general returning from war.
Inside the sect square, chaos broke out. Some recognized him, others only stared at the beast under him. But soon, a sharp voice cut through the murmurs:
"Lin Fan!"
A young man strode forward—Zhou Yang, a senior inner disciple and one of the lackeys who had once thrown Lin Fan's body into the ravine.
He sneered. "So the trash returns. I don't know what trick you used, but beasts or not, this is the Black Rain Sect—not a zoo!"
The crowd laughed, tension easing slightly.
Lin Fan finally spoke. "You're right."
He dismounted slowly, step by step, his aura growing heavier.
"And I'm not here for the zoo."
"I'm here for your blood."
Zhou Yang's smile faded. "You dare—?!"
Skill Activated: Spiritstep Phantom Strike
Before Zhou Yang could finish, Lin Fan appeared before him—one step, one punch, and the air exploded.
Zhou Yang flew across the square, crashing into the stone wall with a sickening crunch. Blood spilled from his mouth as he slumped, unconscious.
Gasps rippled through the sect. Even elders watching from afar narrowed their eyes.
"He's… stronger than before."
"Wasn't he only Qi Tempering before?"
"No. That punch… was Foundation Realm level!"
Lin Fan turned to the crowd.
His voice was cold. Clear. Certain.
"Tell Zhao Tian…"
"I'm back."
"And I won't die alone next time."