"Tang Xing, why have you returned alone?" an elder asked.
Tang Xing replied, "I quite like that friend. We had a great conversation. As for the matter between him and the Yaochi Fairy, it was purely an accident. Let’s just let it go."
"The Yaochi Fairy has always been held in high regard by countless people. If she suffers even a slight grievance and we always step in to solve it, wouldn’t that make her useless?"
"If she wants revenge, she’ll have to do it herself."
Tang Xing spoke truthfully and decided to let it slide.
The elder frowned. "This concerns the reputation of the Yaochi Sacred Land. If that young girl finds out, she might throw a tantrum again."
"Trust me, I’m doing the right thing. Can you not interfere?" Tang Xing said seriously. He valued his friendship with Lin Fan and didn’t want anyone to ruin it. If he didn’t go himself and sent someone else, it might lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.
The elder was momentarily stunned, then shook his head and said, "You... you... it seems you’re off forming good ties again. But look at how many ties you’ve made already, and how many of them have truly borne fruit. Sigh..."
"Fine, fine, do as you please."
Lin Fan arranged Immortal Stones all around and simultaneously set up auxiliary formations to absorb the Dragon Energy from the Imperial Mausoleum. He even discovered that a Dragon Vein lay beneath, continuously providing Dragon Energy.
Though the Dragon Vein wasn’t of high grade,
it was still a rare treasure. Dragon Veins were uncommon and not widely utilized, as the need for their Spiritual Energy was limited.
He decided to first refine the World Suppressing Tripod.
This item appeared exceptionally domineering. Although the Top Treasure Gold Rake was decent, it was ultimately cumbersome to wield effectively.
Lin Fan formed a spell with his fingers, causing ripples to form around him. Countless Immortal Stones floated into the air and then shattered with a bang. Immortal Energy condensed into a vortex and simultaneously drew the Dragon Energy from the mausoleum.
a drop of Essence Blood hovered at Lin Fan’s fingertip. With a whoosh, it merged into the vortex and, guided by Lin Fan, was infused into the World Suppressing Tripod.
The World Suppressing Tripod, currently a Holy Weapon, still contained traces of Dao Rhythm within it.
Refining it would take considerable time.
Fortunately, with enough Immortal Stones for him to squander and the Dragon Vein for him to draw upon, the refining process would be exceptionally swift.
A child pointed excitedly at the golden glow emanating from a distant mountain peak. Innocently, the child exclaimed, "Mother, the Ancestor is manifesting his power again!"
The woman beside the child, noble and graceful, looked toward the mountain and displayed a hint of worry.
She knew what was going on there.
But she couldn’t say.
Because she couldn’t shatter the belief in the child’s heart.
"Your Majesty, the Ancestor is cultivating to protect the Great Yun Dynasty and also to safeguard you. But you must diligently cultivate yourself so that the Ancestor can rest someday," the woman said softly.
Ever since the dynasty’s fate had shifted to this child, certain Immortals had begun to disregard the Great Yun Dynasty. Over the years, there had been multiple instances of Immortals trespassing into the mausoleum to search for treasures.
Sometimes, Immortals also used the mausoleum’s Dragon Energy for cultivation.
In the past, such acts would have been considered grave offenses.
they could only turn a blind eye and hope that those cultivating in the mausoleum would leave when they were done, without causing undue trouble for the dynasty.
The child, still innocent, said in a soft voice, "Mhm, I’ll work hard."
As it turned out, Lin Fan and his companions’ intrusion into the Imperial Mausoleum hadn’t gone unnoticed. But the dynasty was too weak to act even though they were aware. What could they do? They dared not provoke trouble with the intruders.
Inside the Imperial Mausoleum.
A young girl squatted on the ground, staring intently at Lin Fan’s face, completely entranced. The longer she looked, the redder her cheeks became, until finally, she giggled foolishly and began her cultivation.
Just like Qin Yang had said earlier.
The little girl harbored improper thoughts about Lin Fan. It wasn’t scary if someone wanted to kill you; it was scary if someone coveted your pure physical form.
No one knew how much time had passed.
A young lady holding a candied hawthorn stick strolled down the street. Bystanders couldn’t help but feel that she looked like she had stepped out of a painting—tall, cute, beautiful, and captivating.
At her side stood a burly man.
He held a chicken leg in hand, devouring it in large bites without any concern for his image, oil smearing all over his face.
"Jiu Er, it’s not that your Master Uncle wants to chastise you, but you’re already a grown girl. How can you still love eating candied hawthorns?"
Huang Jiujiu replied with a bright smile, "Master Uncle, don’t you feel ashamed? You’re a sect elder, yet you’re eating so messily in public, with oil all over your mouth."
Chen Zhiyu rubbed his ever-growing belly. "Your Master Uncle is just being true to himself."
"Master Uncle, you really should lose weight. I’ve never seen anyone else cultivating Immortality who’s as chubby as you," Huang Jiujiu teased.
Feigning anger, Chen Zhiyu retorted, "You little ingrate! Why do you think I’m this fat? It’s because you were so gluttonous as a child, making me cook all those delicious dishes. You didn’t gain a pound, but I got fatter and fatter."
"When your Master returns, I’m definitely going to complain to him."
Hearing the mention of her Master, Huang Jiujiu’s smile faded into longing. "I wonder when Master will return. I miss him so much."
Chen Zhiyu sighed softly. His junior brother had left so abruptly, with barely a word.
Who knew what the Immortal Realm was like?
Was he faring well there?
What’s more galling was that Jiu Er’s cultivation progress had surpassed his own. Thinking about it was somewhat disheartening.
Senior Sister Xi once told him that Junior Brother Lin had mentioned Jiu Er had a unique physique, though its specifics were unclear. It was apparently the reason her cultivation had progressed so rapidly.
The two of them arrived in front of an estate.
The guards at the gate recognized them immediately, quickly opening the door to let them in.
Inside, there were people already present.
Huang Jiujiu entered and greeted the two middle-aged men, "Hello, Uncle Wang Zhou and Uncle Wang Baoliu."
"Jiu Er, you’re here!"
Seeing Jiu Er, both Wang Zhou and Wang Baoliu beamed with joy.
Now in his middle years, Wang Baoliu sported a shiny bald head. It gleamed like a light bulb and stood in stark contrast to his younger years. Physically, he had undergone quite a transformation.
He exuded an aura of toughness.
Although he still seemed a bit silly at times, his strength was undeniable. He had gained considerable fame as an undefeatable iron head who could shatter rocks and crush people. Truly fearsome.
It had been decades since Lin Fan had left, and the cultivation world had undergone significant changes.
Everyone’s appearances had aged, but their progress in Martial Arts and Immortal Cultivation had been monumental.
"Jiu Er, is there any news today?" Wang Zhou asked.
This place being where the Martial Ancestor hailed from had become a sacred site in the hearts of numerous Martial Artists. However, this recognition remained unofficial due to the ongoing friction between Martial Arts and Immortal Sects.