"Te, your words are incorrect. We are not despicable cultivators."
As for Te Snake accusing them of being despicable, Lin Fan would never admit it. Lin Fan conducts himself with integrity, never stooping to underhanded deeds. If he decides to deal with soone, he definitely won’t do it secretly or sneakily.
"Hmph, stealing my Divine Ability Fruit while I was cultivating—does that not count as despicable?" Te Snake said angrily.
Recently, many cultivators had entered the Forbidden Land, making him feel increasingly agitated. The once tranquil Forbidden Land had turned restless.
And what is the purpose of Human Clan cultivators entering the Forbidden Land?
Of course, it’s for Divine Artifacts.
Truly greedy beings.
"He is indeed the one who took your Divine Ability Fruit. But, Te, look closely—what is his cultivation level compared to yours? Venturing into danger to seek treasures, and to manage to take a Divine Ability Fruit right under your nose—this suggests he has extraordinary fortune and capability. To speak philosophically, it is Heavenly Destiny at work."
"What does Te think of this reasoning?"
Lin Fan did not engage Te Snake in fierce combat.
One should reason calmly when in the right, and act only when there is no other recourse.
Most importantly, Lin Fan was still trying to figure out the intricacies of the Forbidden Land—especially the terrifying creatures here, and why they exist. Among them, the fire-red suckling pig repeatedly ntioned it was suppressing a certain being.
What exactly was being suppressed?
If the creatures were suppressing a threat for the sake of everyone, wouldn’t provoking them harm potential allies?
Te Snake rolled his enormous eyes, glancing at Li Daode, whose weak aura showed he was a re mortal who could be killed with a sneeze. Yet, this weakling had stolen the Divine Ability Fruit from right under him.
Outrageous!
Truly a sneaky bastard.
Lin Fan laughed, "Te, I an no harm. I want to strike a deal with you; what do you think?"
Te Snake roared angrily, "Cultivator, don’t push your luck! You stole my Divine Ability Fruit, I haven’t even settled the score with you, yet you want to trade with ? What kind of sches are brewing in your head—trying to snatch even more Divine Ability Fruits from ?"
"Let tell you—it’s impossible!"
Ah!
Lin Fan sighed. Between humans and beasts, there always remains an unbridgeable chasm: the issue of trust.
Suddenly.
A mystical aura flowed from Lin Fan’s palm.
"Te, take a look—this is a bloodline I stumbled upon by chance. It belongs to the Ancient Fierce Beast, Qiong Qi, though diluted. Qiong Qi might no longer exist, but if Te can rge with this bloodline, it should help you advance, perhaps growing wings and edging closer to the Divine Dragon."
Lin Fan possessed many treasures.
This wisp of Qiong Qi bloodline, extracted long ago from killing a low-level beast, had been stored unused until now.
Mainly because Lin Fan himself couldn’t use it.
For humans, rging with beast bloodlines often results in death by explosion or partial beastification.
Thus, such items should be utilized where they have value.
Te Snake was highly sensitive to bloodlines and could feel the power within. Though diluted, it was enough for him. His own snake bloodline was already strong, making replacent unnecessary.
Yet, this wisp of bloodline could still significantly enhance his abilities.
However, Te Snake remained cautious; sothing seed off.
"What do you an by this?"
Te Snake stared at Lin Fan, trying to discern his intentions.
"I an no harm. I rely want to trade a few Divine Ability Fruits with Te."
Lin Fan needed more Divine Ability Fruits; three were insufficient. He needed enough to successfully cultivate a Great Divine Power, which would fetch a higher auction price.
Refining the Mixed Elent Golden Gourd required an excessive number of spirit stones, and Lin Fan didn’t want to slowly refine it—the pace was unbearably slow.
"Hmph, who knows what you cultivators are plotting? Do you really think I’d trust you?" Te Snake coveted the bloodline but seed to harbor scars from past betrayals.
Then, unexpectedly, Lin Fan threw the bloodline toward Te Snake.
"Te, there’s no need to think so despicable. Take the bloodline first—you can use it imdiately. After absorbing it, just give the Divine Ability Fruits. What else wouldn’t you trust?" Lin Fan reasoned calmly.
Te Snake was visibly stunned, "You’re not afraid of betraying you?"
Lin Fan responded with a smile, "Te, you clearly despise dishonorable people, so naturally, you yourself are not one. Why would I not trust you, Te?"
"As cultivators, our lifespan is long but uncertain. I am more than willing to make a friend out of Te."
"What do you say, Te? Would you give this chance?"
This unexpected maneuver left Te Snake bewildered and caught off guard.
The best way to counter sches is to face them sincerely.
Te Snake’s impression of Lin Fan prompted his willingness to proffer the bloodline.
Of course.
If Te Snake reneged on the deal, Lin Fan had his ways of making him regret it.
Te Snake looked at the floating wisp of bloodline before him, then back at Lin Fan.
"Well, who would have thought among cultivators, there would be soone like you—so entertaining. I’ll count you as a friend. For the Divine Ability Fruits, I can only give you ten. It’s enough for cultivating one Great Divine Power and saves you a thousand years of effort."
"Do you accept?"
Lin Fan’s sincerity moved Te Snake, who agreed to give him ten Divine Ability Fruits.
"Thank you, Te."
Lin Fan clasped his hands in gratitude.
Not all terrifying creatures were as magnanimous as Te Snake.
Te Snake wasn’t inherently malicious. His temperant was peaceful, much like Lin Fan’s. "You don’t bother , I don’t bother you. But if you provoke , I’ll roast you alive."
Soon.
Te Snake released ten Divine Ability Fruits from his mouth, sending them toward Lin Fan.
"Rember, when consuming Divine Ability Fruits, you must be in a safe, secluded location. After consuming them, all consciousness is concentrated inward, leaving you unaware of external stimuli. If you are interrupted, the effects of the fruit will be nullified."
When Te Snake said this, he naturally cast a glance toward Li Daode.
Though Li Daode hadn’t interrupted Te Snake’s cultivation before, stealing his Divine Ability Fruit face-to-face had left a sour taste.
Li Daode didn’t dare utter a word.
The oppressive aura Te Snake exuded was terrifying.
He felt no more significant than an ant.
"Thank you, Te, for the warning. But I do have one question for Teng. What exactly exists within the Forbidden Land?"
Lin Fan was deeply curious, still unable to grasp the secrecy surrounding the Forbidden Land.
The intrigue gnawed at his heart.
Te Snake didn’t answer, simply advising Lin Fan not to ask further. He wouldn’t reveal anything.
Lin Fan was helpless—the mystery ran deep. He couldn’t pry into Te Snake’s mind to uncover secrets and could only uncover the truth slowly.
Additionally.
Lin Fan asked about Ao Wudi but regrettably learned Te Snake hadn’t encountered him.
Everything required independent discovery.
Ao Wudi seed to be utterly elusive; Lin Fan speculated about his whereabouts. If he couldn’t find Ao Wudi soon, he might have to declare him a missing person—or worse, assu he had perished and send him offerings annually.
"Lin, are we still looking?" Gong Mo asked cautiously.
His heart raced wildly.
Initially, he had intended to exhaust all ans of locating Ao Wudi.
But as events unfolded, Gong Mo felt circumstances were growing increasingly dire and dangerous—an accident seed eerily close.
"We’re searching, without question. How could I let Brother Gong suffer?" Lin Fan replied decisively.
anwhile, Gong Mo himself entertained thoughts of quitting.
The risks were overwhelming.
Worst case, if they failed to locate Ao Wudi and returned to the Sacred Land empty-handed, Gong Mo might suffer so wrath—but that was manageable. Losing his own life, however, wouldn’t be.
Yet now.
Hearing Lin Fan’s words, was he touched?
Absolutely. If not, could he even call himself human?
"Lin, actually..."
Just as Gong Mo began to speak.
He was interrupted by Lin Fan.
"Brother Gong, it’s unnecessary to say more—leave everything to ." Lin Fan reassured him, calming his nerves. "Why panic? There’s nothing to worry about."
"With here, fear nothing."
"Lin, thank you for your assistance. Without you, facing Te Snake alone, I’d surely have died," Li Daode said.
He was filled with uncertainty.
Was eting Lin Fan fortune or misfortune?
Fortunate, perhaps, because Lin helped him in tis of need.
Misfortune, though, seed to follow Lin—and therefore Li—to the brink of disaster.
Distressing.
Lin Fan waved it off calmly, "Li, your gratitude is unnecessary. We cultivators uphold justice and assist where we can—that is simply our way."
"Lin, your righteousness is admirable." Li Daode clasped his hands, expressing his gratitude. "This life-saving grace, I will never forget."
Ah, so tireso.
Another debt of gratitude incurred.
The last one was repaid, but this—how to repay?
Lin Fan smiled, "Li, what are your plans going forward? Will you join , or act alone?"
"Lin, I think I shall leave. This place is too perilous; I’m not suited to linger here. I’ll depart for now and et you again soday outside," Li Daode replied.
He truly wanted to leave the Forbidden Land.
After spending so ti there, taking a break seed urgently necessary.
"Alright, I won’t hold you back."
Lin Fan smiled, readying himself to continue his journey. His strength was formidable, and perhaps he would find rewarding gains—obtaining a Divine dicine would be an outstanding achievent.
As for encountering terrifying creatures?
It would depend on their sense of discernnt.
If they lacked recognition, he’d simply crush them.
"Let’s go."
Lin Fan set forth with Gong Mo once more.
The road to finding Ao Wudi stretched endlessly before them, but Lin wasn’t in a hurry. Only one question bothered him—was Ao Wudi still inside the Forbidden Land?
Hopefully, he hadn’t escaped through another route.
...
Outside the Forbidden Land.
Yun Shouzuo hadn’t returned to the Great Thunder Heavenly Dragon Buddhist Temple. Instead, he had gone to restore a dilapidated monastery, ensuring it was watertight and weatherproof, to reside there alongside the Spider with the Human Face.
He lived as a mortal monk would, chanting sutras in the Buddha’s Light to purify the Spider, and took on mundane tasks like hunting for food as ordinary mortals do.
At that mont.
Yun Shouzuo chanted Buddhist scriptures but suddenly paused, calmly remarking, "Do not be mischievous. Listen to the Buddhist Law—it will benefit you."
The Human-Face Spider could not speak but crawled about him incessantly. It stopped on his tattered robes, nding the holes there, even stitching a small spider pattern onto the repaired sections.
Following this, the spider rolled around in his palm, playful and unrestrained.
Yun Shouzuo gazed at the nded robe, closed his eyes, and resud chanting sutras.
His Buddha’s Heart trembled in recent days.
The calamity had yet to pass.
This ordeal remained perilous.
Even though he sought to undergo it on behalf of Lin Fan, it was also a trial for himself.
However, the ordeal was in many ways insurmountable.
Reviews
All reviews (0)