Chapter Seventeen: Reunion with Yunxi

“Who would have thought I’d reach the sixth stage of the Physical Realm, my strength soaring to fifty thousand pounds.” Lin Fan took a deep breath. He could sense the power coursing through him; with a single punch, he could crush a typical eighth-stage cultivator. Yet there was not a hint of joy in his heart.

“Sister Lan had shown me kindness, but I ended up killing her with my own hands. The path of cultivation is arduous, harder than ascending to the heavens. I never wished to kill, but others sought to kill me. Such is fate, such is destiny.” With a low sigh, Lin Fan was filled with emotions. He would never show mercy to his enemies; otherwise, he would have died by someone else’s hand long ago.

“What exactly is this token? Sister Lan said it had something to do with demons, but how could a demon’s object appear on Sister Yunxi?” Lin Fan could not unravel its origin, and in the end, he could only abandon the thought. He believed that as long as the token remained in his hands, its secrets would eventually be revealed.

“I don’t understand. If Sister Lan could leave Tiandu Sect on her own, why did she need me to take the token out? Strange.” Questions filled his mind. The more Lin Fan pondered, the more extraordinary the situation seemed. Sister Lan was likely just a pawn, a grand net closing in on him.

“First the Divine Child and the Cheng family, now another mysterious force. Unknowingly, I’ve become the center of the storm.” Lin Fan laughed at himself. Who could have imagined that a small figure at the Physical Realm would become entangled in so many grand affairs? It was truly incredible.

After some contemplation, Lin Fan quickly made up his mind. He would hurry back to Tiandu Sect and return the token to Yunxi. He wanted nothing to do with this hot potato. Besides, he needed to undergo the outer disciple examination. Although his current strength meant it would be effortless, he still had to go through the motions.

“With matters here settled, I’ll head back to Tiandu Sect for the examination. But I must remain cautious of Li Renfu on Yunzhu Peak.” After careful thought, Lin Fan rose and set off directly for Tiandu Sect.

The journey back was much swifter than the way there. There were fewer malignant obstacles, and Lin Fan’s rapid increase in strength meant most wild beasts were no match for him. Still, it took him half a month, and the outer disciple examination was now only ten days away.

“There it is—Tiandu Sect, the greatest power in the Tianwu Domain.” Lin Fan gazed into the distance, his heart shaken. He had left in haste, traveling by secret paths, and this was his first time seeing the mountain gate.

In the distance, mountain ranges stretched endlessly, peaks thrusting skyward, shrouded in clouds that blanketed the horizon like an immortal realm. Occasionally, magnificent palaces could be glimpsed. Waterfalls hung like silver rivers, ancient trees twisted like dragons, everywhere exuding the grand, boundless aura of Tiandu Sect.

Thanks to the token from Yunzhu Peak, Lin Fan faced no questioning, further proof of the confidence true disciples possessed—completely above the sect’s rules. Yunxi had only recently become a true disciple, so Yunzhu Peak was not far from the mountain gate, yet it still took Lin Fan nearly half an hour to reach.

“So this is what it means to be a great clan. It took me half an hour just to reach Yunzhu Peak; who knows how long to reach Tiandu Peak. To command such a power must be one of life’s greatest joys.” Lin Fan shook his head and ascended Yunzhu Peak. Along the way, he encountered a few servants, but his usual low profile meant hardly anyone recognized him.

Yunzhu Peak rose a thousand feet, not particularly prominent among the many true disciple peaks of Tiandu Sect. Yet no one would underestimate it, for it produced Yunxi.

Lin Fan did not return to his own dwelling. Instead, he climbed straight to the palace atop the peak where Yunxi resided. After being announced, Yunxi granted him an audience.

Bathed in radiant light, Yunxi sat afar, untouched by the mundane world. Seeing that ethereal, peerless face again, Lin Fan felt a surge of emotion, involuntarily comparing her to the illusion created by Sister Lan.

“The appearance is identical, but the temperament differs vastly. Sister Lan imitated well, but it was mere mimicry, not even close.” Lin Fan reflected that those who step into the Condensed Vein Realm develop an aura unique to themselves. Yunxi possessed that otherworldly grace, impossible for others to duplicate.

“Lin Fan, you should be cultivating in your own quarters. What brings you here?” Yunxi spoke, her voice as melodious as silver bells, refreshing and pure.

“So Sister Yunxi truly had no idea I left Yunzhu Peak.” Lin Fan understood, but he made no attempt to hide it. “I traveled to Huxia City some time ago and just returned. There’s something I’d like you to examine.”

Lin Fan took the token from his spatial pouch, his actions open and unguarded.

“This token!” Yunxi exclaimed, instantly rising to her feet. It was the first time Lin Fan had seen her express emotion. “It’s indeed mine. Sister Lan must have given it to you.”

Yunxi’s spirit was stirred; beams of light shot from her eyes, enveloping Lin Fan. “Mid-sixth stage of the Physical Realm, your strength vast as the sea. What fortune have you gained? You are so exceptional, even some inner disciples pale in comparison.”

Yunxi was stunned. Only three months had passed since she’d rescued Lin Fan, and yet his strength had transformed dramatically, rivaling the eighth stage. It was unfathomable; even in her younger days, her advancement was nowhere near this rapid.

“I did find some opportunities, but before you, it’s far from enough. Sister Lan gave me this token, and now I return it to its rightful owner.” Lin Fan acknowledged his strength, knowing he could never conceal it from a Condensed Vein Realm master like Yunxi. It was better to explain frankly.

“Everyone has their own fortunes. I won’t ask. But don’t you want to know the origin of this token?” Yunxi was puzzled, sensing Lin Fan’s indifference to the token.

“If it becomes necessary, I trust you’ll tell me. There’s no need for me to inquire otherwise.” Lin Fan drew a clear line, signaling his unwillingness to become involved in these secrets.

“Very well. Gaining it is my fortune; losing it is my fate. The human heart is insatiable, greed its greatest flaw. I never thought you’d see through this. Because of that, I feel your future is limitless, perhaps even surpassing mine. Prepare well for the outer disciple examination. Rumor has it this assessment is tied to the Abyssal Demons—survival is nearly impossible.”

Yunxi closed her eyes, her aura growing ever more ethereal. She slipped into cultivation once more; unless she awoke of her own accord, no one could rouse her.