Chapter Eighty-One: Shock and Suspicion

"I once heard that the Great Jin Kingdom was a sacred land in ancient times," Lin Fan spoke, a hint of confusion in his voice. Could there be some earth-shattering secret hidden in this place?

"Yes, and no," Yi Xiaoxian revealed a secret, her words startling enough to stop the heart. "In the distant past, the Great Jin Kingdom was not a sacred land, but an imperial dynasty of gods."

As expected, Lin Fan was utterly shocked upon hearing this.

"An imperial dynasty of gods?! How could that be possible? Such an existence held supreme power over the world, ruling above several sacred lands without issue. How could such a formidable force ever fade away?" Lin Fan exclaimed, barely able to believe it. He had only heard fragments about the imperial dynasty from the tales of Prison Heaven, and it was said that the ruler of such a dynasty would command absolute obedience from all under heaven.

"It seems you know a thing or two about ancient matters, Young Master Lin," Yi Xiaoxian's gaze grew distant, as if recalling memories. "But believe it or not, the Great Jin Kingdom was indeed an imperial dynasty of gods."

"How did they come to such decline, to the point they're not even considered a sacred land anymore?" Lin Fan muttered, still unable to accept the truth.

"In fact, the fall from grace wasn't due to external forces, but their own doing. They became blasphemers of the gods, transformed into fallen immortals," Yi Xiaoxian revealed, her words filled with terms Lin Fan had never heard before. Clearly, she was privy to secrets that could not have originated from the Yi family.

"Fallen immortals? Blasphemers of the gods? What does all this mean? I've never heard any of it," Lin Fan shook his head, his mind a fog, unable to grasp these concepts.

"I've only heard rumors, nothing more than street gossip. What I truly want to discuss with you concerns Sealing Heaven City," Yi Xiaoxian pursed her lips, hesitating to speak further.

"Alright, the affairs of ancient times are beyond my imagination. If I don't know them, so be it. But Sealing Heaven City is closely related to me. My elder once said that the fate here is chaotic, and change may occur," Lin Fan nodded, setting aside wild thoughts to focus on the present.

"Sealing Heaven City spans ten thousand miles, vast beyond compare. It is considered part of the Ancient Buddha Domain, but that's not entirely accurate. Massive upheavals here are quite normal, for this region was the land of fallen immortals in ancient times, though now it has been forgotten," Yi Xiaoxian continued, clearly knowledgeable.

"Fallen immortals?" Lin Fan pondered, hearing those words again from Yi Xiaoxian. He could sense an unprecedented terror lurking in his mind.

"That is a taboo, forbidden to speak of. I know that outside Sealing Heaven City lies Wangwu Mountain, atop which stands a temple. It is rumored that immortal blood exists there. If an ordinary person were to obtain a single drop, they could ascend and reach the Condensed Pulse realm without difficulty. For cultivators like us, it is even more precious," her voice came softly as Yi Xiaoxian rose, stretching her limbs after sitting for so long.

"Miss Xiaoxian, are you implying...?" Lin Fan frowned, his mind stirring with ideas.

"I wish to obtain immortal blood, for only it can awaken my bloodline," Yi Xiaoxian stated directly, hiding nothing. In truth, her words were a request for Lin Fan to accompany her.

"In that case, let us depart. I, too, am curious to see what the land of fallen immortals truly holds," Lin Fan did not hesitate. As a cultivator, he should fear nothing, forging ahead to overcome all obstacles. Besides, he, too, desired immortal blood.

"Thank you, Young Master Lin. I will surely reward you. Were it not for the urgency, I would not trouble you," Yi Xiaoxian bowed gracefully, her gratitude profound. The importance of immortal blood was something only she understood.

"There's no need for such words. I will help you, for you once saved my life," Lin Fan shook his head, indicating she needn't be so formal. That was simply his nature—if someone treated him genuinely, he would respond with sincerity.

After further conversation, the two parted ways. Yi Xiaoxian departed gracefully, while Lin Fan found himself restless, unable to calm his mind, so he left the small courtyard to wander outside.

"I hope things aren't as I suspect," Lin Fan murmured, a mysterious glimmer flickering in his eyes. He sensed something amiss, though he kept it to himself.

"Young man, your brow is darkened. I fear a great calamity awaits you,"

At that moment, an aged voice sounded. Lin Fan realized his garment had been tugged.

"Old sir, what do you mean by this?" Lin Fan frowned, embarrassed. Distracted by his worries, he'd lowered his guard—had this been an enemy, he would already be dead.

Before him stood an elderly Daoist in long robes, holding a horsetail whisk. He appeared quite the immortal sage, though his robe was patched and his gaze clouded, giving him a forlorn look.

"Young man, you face a great calamity. The calamity of love is one, but there is a greater calamity of life and death—surviving by the skin of your teeth. Beneath this life-and-death ordeal lies another, less noticeable tribulation. It may seem nothing now, but in the future, there will surely be reckoning," the old Daoist mused, nodding as if he'd truly divined something.

"I don't believe in fate. Sometimes, I find myself more reliable than destiny itself," Lin Fan laughed, shaking his head. He didn't believe the old Daoist's words, and had already branded him a charlatan.

"One cannot disregard fate, for sometimes you can't even trust yourself. I'm old, but I've seen countless storms. You are still young, with a long road ahead. Here is a heart-protecting mirror; it will help you survive one deadly tribulation. Its protection is only once. Ultimately, your path must be walked by yourself. If we meet again, I will teach you and solve your doubts," the old Daoist was not offended, speaking earnestly before producing an ancient, copper-rusted mirror from his robe—the heart-protecting mirror he'd mentioned.

"Thank you, sir. I'll accept your gift and your goodwill. If a great calamity truly comes, I doubt anyone else can help me," Lin Fan could sense the old Daoist's sincerity, so he didn't refuse. As he reached for the heart-protecting mirror, he saw that the old Daoist had vanished. The people around him began to disperse, until he found himself in a strange place.

"Hello, young man. Did you see him?"

A disembodied voice descended from above. Lin Fan looked closely and saw a fat Buddha before him, a brazier at his feet roasting a wild chicken.

"What... what is this place?" Lin Fan frowned. Even his composure could not withstand the succession of bizarre events; they were simply beyond comprehension.