Chapter 168: Meeting Yunxi

"Such overwhelming momentum, such magnificent ambition. Ever since his return, it seems as though he has undergone a heaven-shaking transformation."

Watching Lin Fan depart, Gu Renfeng shook his head and smiled bitterly. There was no trace of Lin Fan's previous cautiousness; he now possessed an aura capable of swallowing rivers and mountains, entirely like a different person.

"He must have experienced countless trials and encountered unique fortunes. That is likely the reason for such a dramatic change."

Zhuge Tai, who had remained silent all along, finally spoke. An eccentric gleam flashed across his eyes as vague suspicions took root in his mind.

"He is no longer just Lin Fan; he is the God Lord."

Chen Daolin murmured softly after a long period of contemplation. Yet, no one responded to his words, for they all shared the exact same thought.

"Very well. The Heaven Capital Sect is bound to experience profound turbulence this time. The return of the God Lord will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the sect. We must make preparations in advance."

With a final warning to the others, Chen Daolin leaped into the air and departed. He intended to inform the higher-ups of his clan about Lin Fan's return, suspecting that everyone shared this same mindset. If things unfolded precisely as Lin Fan had claimed, the entire sect would tremble to its core.

Setting aside the preparations of Chen Daolin and the others, Lin Fan had already arrived above Cloud Bamboo Peak. However, he had no intention of flying straight up and instead touched down at the foot of the mountain.

This was an attitude Lin Fan deliberately displayed, a demonstration of his respect for Yun Xi.

Whether it was the grace of saving his life in the past or Yun Xi's continued patronage of the Divine Court, both were worthy of such treatment. Lin Fan was not someone who forgot a kindness; in fact, he firmly believed that a drop of water received in need should be repaid with a gushing spring.

Furthermore, this was a deliberate stance on Lin Fan's part, signifying that he had no intention of wresting power away from Yun Xi.

It was true that he had founded the Divine Court, but Yun Xi was the one who actually controlled it, and this remained Lin Fan's greatest concern.

First, he was uncertain of Yun Xi's current perspective and whether she would harbor resentment toward his reappearance. Second, this was a subtle test on Lin Fan's part. The current Divine Court only recognized the Saintess, not the God Lord. Aside from the few individuals in the council chamber, perhaps no one else would readily acknowledge his status. Thus, he hoped to leverage Yun Xi's prestige to consolidate his own authority as the God Lord.

There was simply no other choice. The Divine Court of today was no longer the Divine Court of the past. Had it not been for the fact that it was his own painstaking creation, Lin Fan would scarcely have been willing to take it back.

Cloud Bamboo Peak remained unchanged, still resembling the ethereal paradise it had been a year ago. The former head of the handymen had long since been replaced, and for reasons unknown, the grandfather of Li Hua had never appeared again, as though the Netherworld elder slain by Lin Fan back then truly was Li Renfu.

At that moment, a small courtyard came into view before Lin Fan. He stood there quietly for a long while before letting out a soft laugh and turning away.

This was precisely the dwelling place assigned to him by Yun Xi when she first brought him to Cloud Bamboo Peak. Yet, things had changed and people had departed; the courtyard of the past was already covered in dust, and the young maid Xiaolan had long since perished.

"Sister Xiaolan."

At the memory of Xiaolan, Lin Fan's brows furrowed once more. He had never imagined that Xiaolan would be a member of the Demon race, and that she would have attempted to harm him back then. The thought brought to mind a certain ancient bronze token, adding a fresh layer of perplexity to his mind.

It was only after reaching the Celestial Realm that Lin Fan began to harbor profound doubts about the events of the past. What on earth was that ancient bronze token? Why were Xiaolan and the others desperate to steal it? And the final words Xiaolan had spoken to him before her death had left him utterly bewildered.

"Sister Xiaolan's last words told me to be careful. What did she mean? She must not have finished what she wanted to say. Whom was she warning me to be cautious of?"

Lin Fan muttered to himself as he drew closer to the mountain peak, ultimately abandoning the train of thought as he failed to crack the profound mystery.

The small pavilion remained unchanged, retaining its fairy-tale-like serenity. A faint smile touched Lin Fan's lips as he saw that a peerless beauty was already seated within.

"You've returned?"

Yun Xi spoke indifferently, though Lin Fan still caught a trace of a smile at the corner of her lips.

"I'm back."

Lin Fan smiled and nodded, walking straight over to take the seat opposite Yun Xi without the slightest trace of constraint.

"Your cultivation has progressed tremendously."

Yun Xi said softly. Two brilliant rays of divine light flashed within her eyes before turning into an expression of sheer astonishment.

"I went through a few trials and acquired some fortuitous opportunities, which allowed me to attain my current realm."

Lin Fan did not hinder Yun Xi's probing gaze, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor just as he had in the past.

Secretly, however, he deployed the Qi-Observing Technique, discovering that Yun Xi had indeed reached the late stage of the second decay of the Celestial Realm and was on the verge of a breakthrough. He surmised that she had refrained from taking the final step only because she lacked absolute confidence in surviving the impending Celestial Decay tribulation.

"It is truly no small feat that you were able to reach today's heights entirely on your own. What are your plans now that you have returned?"

Yun Xi nodded in approval before deftly steering the conversation toward the topic at hand.

"That is precisely why I have come to see Senior Sister."

Lin Fan turned serious, his smile fading away.

"I intend to purge the Divine Court first, driving out any unstable elements, and then annex the Son of God Alliance."

Lin Fan spoke casually, rivers of blood flowing effortlessly through his lighthearted words as if he were discussing trivial matters of no consequence.

"And have you considered the consequences of such an action?"

Yun Xi's expression did not shift, as though everything remained well within her grasp, and she had already anticipated whatever Lin Fan wished to say.

"Nothing much. At worst, it will provoke the fury of the higher-ups. Besides, I suspect that Duanmu Ci has already alienated a portion of the sect's higher-ups."

Lin Fan remained as unruffled as still water. Neither of them was an ordinary person, and both held their own strategic calculations.

Lin Fan was not speaking without foundation. Duanmu Ci was never truly a member of the Heaven Capital Sect, but rather the offspring of a powerful figure in Poluo County. His motives for coming to the Heaven Capital Sect were likely impure. While the sect's higher-ups usually held great dread toward that influential figure—allowing Duanmu Ci to act with impunity—everything had its limits.

However, Duanmu Ci's recent actions had encroached upon the interests of too many people and were bound to invite resentment. Therein lay the source of Lin Fan's confidence.

"What you say is true. However, Duanmu Ci also commands a considerable faction of supporters. If a large-scale conflict erupts, it will deal a heavy blow to the Heaven Capital Sect."

Yun Xi's face remained expressionless; from beginning to end, she maintained complete poise.

"That will not cause any significant trouble. To capture the bandits, one must first capture their leader. As long as Duanmu Ci is slain, everything else will fall into place easily."

Lin Fan took a sip of tea, yet the words rolling off his tongue outlined a heaven-shaking scheme.

Sure enough, a flicker of change appeared on Yun Xi's face for the very first time.

"You wish to kill Duanmu Ci?"

"Indeed. He has made attempts on my life time and time again. If I were to remain passive, it would only make me appear cowardly. Those who violate me shall be executed, no matter how powerful they may be."

Since he had already spoken the words, Lin Fan no longer bothered to conceal his killing intent. A formidable aura swept outward, causing the winds and clouds to change color.

It was impossible to discern his thoughts from his expression, yet even Yun Xi found herself unable to meet his piercing gaze directly.

"Do you realize the consequences of executing him?"

Yun Xi lost her previous composure, evidently deeply shaken by Lin Fan's words.

"Nothing more than a tremor among the higher-ups, and the intervention of that influential figure from Poluo County."

Lin Fan appeared utterly indifferent, as though the person who had just spoken those chilling words was not him at all.