Before the jade-like skeleton lay a meditation cushion.
In front of the jade-like skeleton lay a meditation cushion.
The scene felt all too familiar to Lin Fan. At that moment, he noticed some tadpole-like characters carved on the stone bed beside the skeleton.
These tiny characters were no challenge for Lin Fan.
“Those who come are destined. Kneel on the cushion and kowtow 18,800 times to inherit my legacy.”
Lin Fan read the inscription, glanced at the jade-like skeleton, and chuckled.
“Haha, no wonder this feels so familiar. Isn’t this the same trick from the novel ‘Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils’? Honestly, if it weren’t for the little brother on your skeleton, I’d have thought you were Li Qiushui’s sister.”
Lin Fan was well-versed in such schemes. Kowtowing 18,800 times would surely drive anyone mad. The trick was simply to destroy the cushion, which concealed a treasure. How hard could that be?
Lin Fan tore open the cushion with force, and sure enough, a golden booklet lay quietly inside.
The material of the booklet was likely the silk of the Golden Silkworm King, resistant to the ravages of time.
Beside the booklet, Lin Fan found a piece of paper. Its contents left him stunned, and he looked at the skeleton in disbelief.
“The world is never short of geniuses. If you kowtow the full 10,000 times, my skeleton, imbued with my lifelong power, will transform into a torrent and infuse you. If you force your way, your heart will remain impure, and this ‘Seven Saints Radiant Record’ will be your only reward for the journey.”
After reading this, Lin Fan stood dumbfounded, blinking in astonishment.
At that moment, all he could think of was begging the heavens for another chance.
As for whose scheme was deeper, Lin Fan had to admit that among the Seven Saints, this one’s trick was truly profound.
“Sir, please give me another chance,” Lin Fan wailed, his inner torment known only to himself.
The prize he had almost grasped had slipped through his fingers.
“Boom…”
In an instant, the small chamber began to tremble.
Behind the jade-like skeleton, a void rift suddenly appeared, and before Lin Fan’s eyes, the skeleton vanished into it, disappearing without a trace.
“Sir, don’t do this…”
But it was too late. Lin Fan noticed the void in the chamber distorting. The stone table and bed seemed to twist into nothingness, dissolving into the void.
“Cluck, cluck, cluck…” The chick on Lin Fan’s shoulder flapped its wings and crowed.
“Shut up!” Lin Fan tossed the chick into his backpack, along with the ‘Seven Saints Radiant Record,’ and desperately ran toward the exit.
But the pulling force of the distorting void grew stronger, and Lin Fan couldn’t move an inch.
“Damn it…”
In that instant, Lin Fan’s vision went black, and he was once again adrift.
…
At the entrance of the Holy Sect.
A convoy of carriages, weathered by endless trials, appeared at the gates of the Holy Sect.
“Miss, we’ve arrived,” said Wang Hu, the steward of the Gong family, responsible for the young lady’s safety.
He had opposed her decision to move to the Holy Sect, as the sect was not to be trifled with. But faced with her resolute expression, Wang Hu could only sigh in resignation.
From Mo City to the Holy Sect, there was a shortcut that could be traversed in a few days if one hurried. But the path was fraught with danger, teeming with ferocious beasts.
They had no choice but to take a safer, albeit longer and more arduous, route.
It had taken them over a month to reach this point.
A delicate hand emerged from the carriage, followed by a woman of unparalleled beauty.
Her face bore a trace of sorrow and hesitation.
Gong Bingye possessed extraordinary beauty. As a woman, she had two choices: either attach herself to a powerful figure or cultivate absolute strength herself.
For Gong Bingye, only the first option seemed viable.
Though the Gong family was prosperous, it couldn’t sustain her cultivation needs. Moreover, she knew her own limitations—she wasn’t cut out for martial arts.
Reaching the innate realm had already drained much of the family’s resources. Continuing this endless investment might not lead to any significant progress.
“Miss, please reconsider. The sect isn’t as idyllic as we imagine,” Wang Hu urged, knowing her decision was firm but still feeling compelled to remind her.
Gong Bingye smiled like a blooming flower. “I’ve made up my mind. The Gong family isn’t something a woman like me can uphold.”
Wang Hu clenched his fists, feeling his own inadequacy. He gazed at the towering peak—the sacred land of the sect that everyone yearned for.
“Let’s go up,” Gong Bingye said.
“Alright,” Wang Hu nodded.
They had brought along some loyal followers, guards cultivated by the Gong family over the years.
…
“Who are you?” When Gong Bingye and her party reached the mountain, they were stopped by the sect’s gatekeepers.
“Sirs, I am Gong Bingye, the head of the Gong family from Mo City. I’ve come to seek Lin Fan,” Gong Bingye explained.
The gatekeepers were momentarily stunned. “Why are you looking for our Elder Lin? He’s been away from the mountain for two months and hasn’t returned.”
Gong Bingye had harbored some doubts about Lin Fan’s identity, but the gatekeepers’ words eased her mind.
“I am Lin Fan’s concubine. He told me I could find him here at the Holy Sect,” Gong Bingye said.
The gatekeepers exchanged glances. Elder Lin’s concubine? How could that be? But then they looked at Gong Bingye.
They had to admit, even the female disciples of the Jialan Peak might not compare to her beauty. Only the senior disciple, Mu Bingyan, could rival her.
They say beauty is skin-deep, but who can truly see through it?
Thinking about it, Elder Lin was a man. It wasn’t impossible for him to have left some romantic entanglements during his travels.
“Wait here. I’ll go and inform the elders.”
“Thank you.”
…
The gatekeeper hurried to inform Elder Wuyi. Since Elder Lin’s departure, Elder Wuyi had searched for him multiple times but to no avail. Now, with someone claiming to be his concubine showing up, it was indeed peculiar.
For the past two months, Elder Wuyi had been restless, constantly wondering where that rascal had gone.
He had scoured a radius of thousands of miles but found no trace. Especially since the boy left no aura, completely withdrawn, making it impossible to track him down. Eventually, he had given up.
“Elder, there’s a woman at the gate claiming to be Elder Lin’s concubine…”
Elder Wuyi was startled and instantly appeared at the gate in a flash of light.
As he appeared, he carefully observed the woman before him. Though he was over a hundred years old and his heart had long been calm, he couldn’t deny her captivating aura, even if her talent was lacking.
As for whether she was really the boy’s concubine, Elder Wuyi couldn’t say for sure. After all, such a beauty might have even captivated him in his youth.
As for that boy, though he showed no interest in romance within the sect, one look at him suggested he wasn’t exactly a saint. It wasn’t impossible for him to have indulged in some mischief during his travels and left behind some romantic debts.
Even the sect leader and others had their share of romantic entanglements in their youth.
But for someone to come knocking like this was a first.
That boy sure had some nerve. When he returns, we’ll have a serious talk.
These ancient characters posed no difficulty for Lin Fan.
“Whoever arrives here is destined to receive my legacy. Kneel on this cushion and bow 18,888 times, and you shall inherit my teachings.”
Lin Fan read the inscription, then glanced at the jade-like skeleton, finally chuckling.
“Hehe, no wonder this all feels so familiar. Aren’t you pulling the exact same trick as in that old novel, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils? Honestly, if it weren’t for that little something on your skeleton, I’d have thought you were Li Qiushui’s younger sister.”
In front of the jade-like skeleton lay a meditation cushion.
This scene always felt familiar to Lin Fan. At that moment, Lin Fan noticed some tadpole-like characters carved on the stone bed beside the skeleton.
These small characters didn’t pose a challenge for Lin Fan.
“Those who come are destined. Kneel on the cushion and kowtow 18,800 times, and you shall inherit my legacy.”
Lin Fan read the characters, then glanced at the jade-like skeleton and chuckled.
“Heh, no wonder this feels so familiar. Isn’t this the same old trick from the novel *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*? Honestly, if it weren’t for the little brother on your skeleton, I’d have thought you were Li Qiushui’s sister.”
Lin Fan was well-versed in such tricks. Kowtowing 18,800 times would surely drive someone mad. The real secret was to tear open the cushion, which undoubtedly hid a treasure. It wasn’t difficult at all.
Lin Fan forcefully ripped open the cushion, and sure enough, a golden booklet lay quietly inside.
The material of the booklet was likely made from the silk of the Golden Silkworm King, resistant to the ravages of time.
Beside the booklet, Lin Fan also found a piece of paper. The content on it left him stunned, and he looked at the skeleton in disbelief.
“The world is never short of geniuses. If you kowtow the full 18,800 times, this skeleton, imbued with my lifelong cultivation, will transform into a torrent and infuse you with its power. If you force your way through, your heart will remain impure. This volume, *The Seven Saints’ Radiant Record*, is the reward for your perseverance.”
After reading these words, Lin Fan stood dumbfounded, blinking his eyes.
At that moment, Lin Fan had only one thought: he begged the heavens for another chance.
When it came to who had the deepest tricks, Lin Fan had to bow to one of the Seven Saints. The scheme was indeed profound.
“Old man, give me another chance!” Lin Fan wailed in despair, the pain in his heart known only to him.
The prize he had almost grasped had slipped through his fingers.
“Boom…”
At that very moment, the small chamber began to tremble.
Behind the jade-like skeleton, a void rift suddenly appeared, and before Lin Fan’s eyes, the skeleton vanished into it, disappearing without a trace.
“Old man, don’t do this…”
But it was too late. Lin Fan noticed the void in the chamber twisting. The stone table and bed seemed to dissolve into nothingness, twisting into a void.
“Cluck cluck cluck…” The chick on Lin Fan’s shoulder flapped its wings and crowed.
“Shut up!” Lin Fan tossed the chick into his backpack, then threw the *Seven Saints’ Radiant Record* in as well, desperately running toward the exit.
But the suction from the twisting void grew stronger, and Lin Fan couldn’t move an inch.
“This is a scam…”
In that instant, Lin Fan’s vision went dark, and he was once again adrift.
…
At the entrance of the Holy Sect.
A caravan, weathered by endless trials, appeared at the gates of the Holy Sect.
“Miss, we’ve arrived,” said Wang Hu, the steward of the Gong family, responsible for the young lady’s safety.
He had opposed the young lady’s decision to move to the Holy Sect, as the sect was not something they could afford to provoke. But faced with her resolute expression, Wang Hu could only sigh in resignation.
From Mo City to the Holy Sect, there was a shortcut that could be traversed in a few days if one hurried. However, this path was fraught with danger, teeming with ferocious beasts.
In the end, they had to choose a safer route, though it was long and rugged.
It had taken them over a month to reach this point.
A delicate hand emerged from the carriage, followed by a woman of unparalleled beauty.
Her face bore a trace of sorrow, mingled with hesitation.
Gong Bingye possessed extraordinary beauty. As a woman with such looks, she had only two choices: either attach herself to a powerful figure or cultivate her own strength.
But for Gong Bingye, only the first option seemed feasible.
Though the Gong family was not without wealth, it was insufficient to support her cultivation. Moreover, she knew her own talent was limited; she was not cut out for martial arts.
Reaching the innate realm had already consumed a significant portion of the family’s resources. Continuing down this path would likely yield little return.
“Miss, please reconsider. The sect is not as idyllic as we imagine,” Wang Hu urged, though he knew her mind was made up.
Gong Bingye smiled like a blooming flower. “I’ve made up my mind. The Gong family is not something a woman like me can sustain.”
Wang Hu clenched his fists, feeling his own inadequacy. He gazed at the towering peak ahead, the sacred land of the sect that everyone yearned for.
“Let’s go up,” Gong Bingye said.
“Yes,” Wang Hu nodded.
They had brought along some loyal servants, all guards nurtured by the Gong family over the years.
…
“Who are you?” When Gong Bingye and her party reached the mountain, they were stopped by the sect’s gatekeepers.
“Sirs, I am Gong Bingye, the head of the Gong family from Mo City. I’ve come to seek Lin Fan,” Gong Bingye explained.
The two gatekeepers were momentarily stunned. “You’re looking for our Senior Uncle Lin? He’s been away from the mountain for two months and hasn’t returned.”
Gong Bingye had harbored some doubts about Lin Fan’s identity, but hearing this from the gatekeepers eased her mind.
“I am Lin Fan’s wife. He told me to come to the Holy Sect to find him,” Gong Bingye said.
The gatekeepers exchanged glances. Lin Fan’s wife? That seemed unlikely. But then they looked at Gong Bingye.
They had to admit that even the female disciples of the Jialan Peak might not compare to her beauty. Only the senior sister of Jialan Peak, Mu Bingyan, could rival her.
They say beauty is but a fleeting illusion, but few can see through it.
Thinking about it, Senior Uncle Lin was a man. It wasn’t impossible for him to have left some romantic entanglements during his travels.
“Wait here. I’ll go and report this.”
“Thank you.”
…
The gatekeeper hurried to inform Elder Wuyi. Since Lin Fan’s departure, Elder Wuyi had searched for him multiple times but to no avail. Now, a woman claiming to be Lin Fan’s wife had appeared at the gates, which was indeed peculiar.
For the past two months, Elder Wuyi had been restless, wondering where that rascal had gone.
He had scoured a radius of thousands of miles but found no trace of him. Lin Fan’s ability to conceal his aura made it impossible to track him, so Elder Wuyi had eventually given up.
“Elder, a woman at the gate claims to be Senior Uncle Lin’s wife…”
Elder Wuyi was startled and instantly appeared at the gate in a flash of light.
As he appeared, he carefully observed the woman before him. Though he was over a hundred years old and his heart had long been unmoved, he had to admit that she was captivating, though her talent seemed lacking.
As for whether she was truly Lin Fan’s wife, Elder Wuyi couldn’t say. After all, such a beauty might have even captivated him in his youth.
As for Lin Fan, though he showed no interest in romance within the sect, he didn’t seem like a virtuous man. It wasn’t impossible for him to have indulged in some romantic escapades during his travels.
Even the sect leader and others had their share of romantic entanglements in their youth.
But this was the first time someone had come knocking at the gates.
That boy had some nerve. When he returned, they would have a serious talk.
Without hesitation, Lin Fan ripped the cushion open forcefully, and sure enough, a golden booklet lay quietly inside.
The material of this booklet was likely woven from the silk of the golden silkworm king, capable of resisting the erosion of time.
Then Lin Fan noticed another slip of paper beside the booklet. The content of this note shocked him, and he stared at the skeleton with disbelief.
“The world is not short of geniuses. Completing 10,000 prostrations will channel my entire lifetime cultivation into you through this skeleton. But if you forcefully tear it open, your mind will be irreparably damaged. This ‘Seven Saints Radiant Sun Manual’ is merely the fruit of your arduous journey.”
After reading these words, Lin Fan stood frozen in place, blinking his eyes.
At this moment, Lin Fan had only one thought: Please, dear heavens, give me another chance!
Before the jade-like skeleton lay a meditation cushion.
The scene felt eerily familiar to Lin Fan. As he gazed at the stone bed beside the skeleton, he noticed some tadpole-like characters carved into it.
These peculiar characters posed no challenge to Lin Fan.
“Those who come are destined. Kneel on the cushion and kowtow eighteen thousand eight hundred times to inherit my legacy.”
Lin Fan read the inscription, glanced at the jade-like skeleton, and chuckled.
“Haha, no wonder this feels so familiar. Isn’t this the same trick from the novel ‘Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils’? Honestly, if it weren’t for the little brother on your skeleton, I’d have thought you were Li Qiushui’s sister.”
Lin Fan was well-versed in such schemes. Kowtowing eighteen thousand eight hundred times would surely drive one mad. The real trick was to destroy the cushion, which concealed a treasure. It was no big deal.
Lin Fan tore open the cushion with force, and sure enough, a golden booklet lay inside.
The material of the booklet was likely the silk of the Golden Silkworm King, resistant to the ravages of time.
Beside the booklet, Lin Fan found a piece of paper. Its contents left him stunned, and he stared at the skeleton in disbelief.
“The world is not short of geniuses. If you kowtow ten thousand times, my skeleton, imbued with my lifelong power, will transform into a torrent and infuse you. If you force your way, your heart will remain impure. This volume, ‘The Seven Saints’ Radiant Record,’ is the fruit of your labor.”
After reading this, Lin Fan stood dumbfounded, blinking in astonishment.
At that moment, he had only one thought: to beg the heavens for another chance.
When it came to cunning schemes, Lin Fan had to admit that this one of the Seven Saints was truly masterful.
“Sir, please give me another chance,” Lin Fan wailed, his heartache known only to himself.
The prize he had almost grasped had slipped through his fingers.
“Boom…”
In an instant, the small chamber trembled violently.
Behind the jade-like skeleton, a void rift suddenly appeared, and before Lin Fan’s eyes, the skeleton vanished into it, disappearing without a trace.
“Sir, don’t do this…”
But it was too late. Lin Fan noticed the void in the chamber twisting. The stone table and bed seemed to dissolve into nothingness, twisting into a void.
“Cluck, cluck, cluck…” The chick on Lin Fan’s shoulder flapped its wings and crowed.
“Shut up!” Lin Fan tossed the chick into his backpack, along with the ‘Seven Saints’ Radiant Record,’ and sprinted toward the exit.
But the suction from the twisting void grew stronger, and Lin Fan found himself unable to move.
“This is a disaster…”
In that instant, Lin Fan’s vision went black, and he was once again adrift.
…
At the entrance of the Holy Sect.
A caravan, weathered by endless trials, appeared at the gates of the Holy Sect.
“Miss, we’ve arrived,” said Wang Hu, the steward of the Gong family, responsible for the young lady’s safety.
He had opposed her decision to move to the Holy Sect, as the sect was not to be trifled with. But faced with her resolute expression, Wang Hu could only sigh in resignation.
From Mo City to the Holy Sect, there was a shortcut that could be traversed in a few days if one hurried. However, it was fraught with danger, teeming with ferocious beasts.
They had no choice but to take a safer, albeit longer and more arduous, route.
It had taken them over a month to reach their destination.
A delicate hand emerged from the carriage, followed by a woman of unparalleled beauty.
Her face bore a hint of sorrow and hesitation.
Gong Bingye possessed extraordinary beauty. As a woman with such looks, she had two choices: to rely on a powerful protector or to possess absolute strength herself.
For Gong Bingye, only the first option seemed feasible.
Though the Gong family was prosperous, it could not sustain her cultivation needs. Moreover, she knew her own limitations; she was not cut out for martial arts.
Reaching the innate realm had already drained much of the family’s resources. Continuing down this path seemed futile.
“Miss, you must reconsider. The sect is not as idyllic as we imagine,” Wang Hu urged, though he knew her mind was made up.
Gong Bingye smiled like a blooming flower. “I’ve made up my mind. The Gong family is not something a woman like me can sustain.”
Wang Hu clenched his fists, feeling his own inadequacy. He gazed at the towering peak, the revered sanctuary of the sect.
“Let’s go up,” Gong Bingye said.
“Alright,” Wang Hu nodded.
They had brought along some loyal retainers, guards nurtured by the Gong family over the years.
…
“Who are you?” As Gong Bingye and her party reached the mountain, they were stopped by the sect’s gatekeepers.
“Sirs, I am Gong Bingye, the head of the Gong family from Mo City. I’ve come to seek Lin Fan,” Gong Bingye explained.
The gatekeepers were taken aback. “You’re looking for our Uncle Lin? He left the mountain two months ago and hasn’t returned.”
Gong Bingye had harbored some doubts about Lin Fan’s identity, but the gatekeepers’ words eased her mind.
“I am Lin Fan’s wife. He told me I could find him here at the Holy Sect,” Gong Bingye said.
The gatekeepers exchanged glances. Uncle Lin’s wife? Impossible! But then they looked at Gong Bingye.
They had to admit, even the female disciples of the Jialan Peak might not compare to her beauty, except perhaps for the senior sister, Mu Bingyan.
The saying goes, “Beauty is but skin deep,” but few can see beyond it.
Thinking about it, Uncle Lin was a man. It wasn’t impossible for him to have left some romantic entanglements during his travels.
“Wait here. I’ll go and inform the elders.”
“Thank you.”
…
The gatekeeper hurried to report to the Supreme Elder Wuyu. Since Uncle Lin’s departure, Wuyu had searched far and wide but found no trace of him. Now, a woman claiming to be his wife had arrived, which was indeed peculiar.
For the past two months, Wuyu had been restless, wondering where the rascal had gone.
He had scoured a radius of ten thousand miles but found nothing. The boy left no trace, his aura completely concealed, making it impossible to track him down. Eventually, Wuyu had given up.
“Elder, a woman at the gate claims to be Uncle Lin’s wife…”
Wuyu was startled and instantly appeared at the gate in a flash of light.
As Wuyu appeared, he scrutinized the woman before him. Though he was over a hundred years old and his heart was long undisturbed, he had to admit she was captivating, albeit lacking in talent.
As for whether she was truly the boy’s wife, Wuyu couldn’t say. Such beauty might have even captivated him in his youth.
As for the boy, though he showed no interest in romance within the sect, one look at him suggested he was no saint. It wasn’t impossible for him to have indulged in some dalliances during his travels, leaving behind some romantic entanglements.
Even the sect leader and others had their share of romantic trials in their youth.
But this was the first time someone had come knocking.
That boy had some nerve. Upon his return, a serious conversation was in order.
“Grandfather, give me another chance!” At this moment, Lin Fan wailed in agony, his inner torment known only to himself.
The duck that was already in his grasp had flown away right before his eyes.
“Boom…”
At that instant, the small secret chamber began to tremble violently.
Behind the jade-like skeleton, a rift in space suddenly appeared. Before Lin Fan’s very eyes, the skeleton slipped into the rift and vanished without a trace.
“Grandfather, don’t do this to me…”
But it was already too late. Lin Fan noticed that the space within the secret chamber was beginning to distort. The stone table and bed seemed like illusions, twisting into a chaotic mass and dissolving into nothingness.
“Wo wo wo…” At this moment, the little chick on Lin Fan’s shoulder spread its wings and crowed.
“Stop crowing!” Lin Fan grabbed the chick and threw it into his backpack, then tossed the ‘Seven Saints Radiant Sun Manual’ in as well, and began sprinting desperately toward the exit.
But the suction force from the distorted space grew stronger and stronger, and Lin Fan found himself unable to move even an inch.
In front of the jade-like skeleton lay a meditation cushion.
This scene always felt familiar to Lin Fan. At that moment, he noticed some tadpole-like characters carved on the stone bed beside the skeleton.
These small characters didn’t pose a challenge for Lin Fan.
“Those who come are destined. Prostrate on the cushion 18,800 times, and you shall inherit my legacy.”
Lin Fan read the inscription, glanced at the jade-like skeleton, and then chuckled.
“Haha, no wonder this feels so familiar. Isn’t this the same trick as in the novel *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*? Honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that your skeleton has a little brother, I’d have thought you were Li Qiushui’s sister.”
Lin Fan was well-versed in such tricks. Prostrating 18,800 times would surely drive someone mad. The real secret was to tear open the cushion, which undoubtedly hid a treasure. It wasn’t difficult at all.
Lin Fan forcefully ripped open the cushion, and sure enough, a golden booklet lay quietly inside.
The material of the booklet was likely made from the silk of the Golden Silkworm King, resistant to the erosion of time.
Beside the booklet, Lin Fan also found a piece of paper. The content on it left him stunned, and he looked at the skeleton in disbelief.
“The world is never short of geniuses. If you complete the 10,000 prostrations, my skeleton, infused with my lifelong cultivation, will transform into a torrent and pour into you. If you force your way, your heart will remain impure. This *Seven Saints Radiant Record* is the reward for your journey.”
After reading these words, Lin Fan stood dumbfounded, blinking his eyes.
At that moment, Lin Fan had only one thought: he begged the heavens for another chance.
When it came to who had the deepest schemes, Lin Fan had to admit that this one of the Seven Saints had outsmarted him. The trick was indeed profound.
“Old man, give me another chance!” Lin Fan wailed, the pain in his heart known only to him.
The prize he had almost grasped had slipped through his fingers.
“Boom…”
At that very moment, the small chamber began to tremble.
Behind the jade-like skeleton, a rift in the void suddenly appeared. Before Lin Fan’s eyes, the skeleton vanished into it, disappearing without a trace.
“Old man, don’t do this…”
But it was too late. Lin Fan noticed that the void in the chamber was distorting. The stone table and bed seemed to dissolve into nothingness, twisting into a void.
“Cluck cluck cluck…” The chick on Lin Fan’s shoulder flapped its wings and crowed.
“Shut up!” Lin Fan tossed the chick into his backpack, along with the *Seven Saints Radiant Record* he had just obtained, and desperately ran toward the exit.
But the suction force from the distorting void grew stronger, and Lin Fan couldn’t move an inch.
“This is a disaster…”
In an instant, Lin Fan’s vision went dark, and he was once again adrift.
…
At the entrance of the Holy Sect.
A caravan, weathered by endless trials, appeared at the gates of the Holy Sect.
“Miss, we’ve arrived,” said Wang Hu, the steward of the Gong family, responsible for the safety of the young lady.
He had not approved of the young lady’s decision to move to the Holy Sect, as the sect was not something they could afford to provoke. But faced with her resolute expression, Wang Hu could only sigh in resignation.
From Mo City to the Holy Sect, there was a shortcut that could be traversed in a few days if one hurried. However, this path was fraught with danger, teeming with ferocious beasts.
They had no choice but to take a safer, albeit longer and more arduous, route. It had taken them over a month to finally arrive.
A delicate hand emerged from the carriage, followed by a woman of unparalleled beauty.
Her face carried a hint of sorrow, mingled with hesitation.
Gong Bingye possessed extraordinary beauty. As a woman with such looks, she had only two choices: either attach herself to a powerful figure or cultivate absolute strength herself.
For Gong Bingye, only the first option seemed suitable.
Though the Gong family was not insignificant, it could not sustain her cultivation needs. Moreover, she was well aware of her own limitations—she was not cut out for martial arts.
Reaching the innate realm had already consumed a considerable amount of the family’s resources. Continuing to pour resources into her cultivation might not lead to any promising future.
“Miss, please reconsider. The sect is not as idyllic as we imagine,” Wang Hu urged, knowing her decision was firm but still feeling compelled to remind her.
Gong Bingye smiled like a blooming flower. “I’ve made up my mind. The Gong family is not something a woman like me can sustain.”
Wang Hu clenched his fists, feeling his own inadequacy. He gazed at the towering mountain peak, the sacred land of the sect that everyone yearned for.
“Let’s go up,” Gong Bingye said.
“Yes,” Wang Hu nodded.
They had brought along some loyal followers, guards cultivated by the Gong family over the years.
…
“Who are you?” As Gong Bingye and her group reached the mountain, they were stopped by the sect’s gatekeepers.
“Honored guardians, I am Gong Bingye, the head of the Gong family from Mo City. I’ve come to seek Lin Fan,” Gong Bingye explained.
The two gatekeepers were momentarily stunned. “Why are you looking for our Senior Uncle Lin? He left the mountain two months ago and hasn’t returned.”
Gong Bingye had harbored some doubts about Lin Fan’s identity, but hearing this, she felt a wave of relief.
“I am Lin Fan’s concubine. He told me to come to the Holy Sect to find him,” Gong Bingye said.
The gatekeepers exchanged glances. Lin Fan’s concubine? That seemed unlikely. But then they looked at Gong Bingye.
They had to admit that even the female disciples of the Jialan Peak might not compare to her beauty. Only the senior sister of Jialan Peak, Mu Bingyan, could rival her.
The saying goes that beauty is but a fleeting illusion, but how many can truly see through it?
Thinking about it, Senior Uncle Lin was still a man. It wasn’t impossible that he had left behind some romantic entanglements during his time away.
“Wait here. I’ll go and report this.”
“Thank you.”
…
The gatekeeper hurried to inform Elder Wuyi. Since Senior Uncle Lin’s departure, Elder Wuyi had searched for him multiple times but to no avail. Now, a woman claiming to be his concubine had appeared at the gate. This was indeed peculiar.
For the past two months, Elder Wuyi had been restless, constantly wondering where that rascal had gone.
He had searched within a radius of ten thousand miles but found no trace. Lin Fan had left no aura, no clues—it was as if he had vanished into thin air. Eventually, Elder Wuyi had given up.
“Elder, a woman at the gate claims to be Senior Uncle Lin’s concubine…”
Elder Wuyi was startled. In an instant, he transformed into a streak of light and appeared at the gate.
As he arrived, he carefully observed the woman before him. Though he was over a hundred years old and his heart had long been calm, he couldn’t deny that this woman was radiant, though her talent seemed lacking.
As for whether she was truly Lin Fan’s concubine, Elder Wuyi couldn’t be sure. After all, such a beauty might have captivated even him in his youth.
As for Lin Fan, though he had shown no interest in romance within the sect, one look at him suggested he wasn’t exactly a saint. It wasn’t impossible that he had indulged in some affairs during his time away, leaving behind some romantic entanglements.
Even the sect leader and others had their share of romantic trials in their youth.
But for someone to come knocking like this was a first.
That boy had some nerve. When he returned, they would have a serious talk.
In front of the jade-like skeleton lay a meditation cushion.
This scene always felt familiar to Lin Fan. At that moment, he noticed some tadpole-like characters carved on the stone bed beside the skeleton.
These small characters were no challenge for Lin Fan.
“Those who come are destined. Kneel on the cushion and kowtow 18,800 times to inherit my legacy.”
Lin Fan looked at the characters, then glanced at the jade-like skeleton, and finally chuckled.
“Heh, no wonder this feels so familiar. Isn’t this the same trick from that old novel ‘Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils’? Honestly, if it weren’t for the little brother on your skeleton, I’d have thought you were Li Qiushui’s sister.”
This kind of trick was something Lin Fan knew all too well. Kowtowing 18,800 times would drive anyone insane. The real secret was to destroy the cushion, which surely hid a treasure. How hard could that be?
Lin Fan tore open the cushion with force, and sure enough, a golden booklet lay quietly inside.
The material of the booklet was likely made from the silk of the Golden Silkworm King, resistant to the ravages of time.
Beside the booklet, Lin Fan also found a piece of paper. The content on it left him stunned, and he looked at the skeleton in disbelief.
“The world is never short of geniuses. If you kowtow the full 18,800 times, my skeleton, infused with my lifelong cultivation, will transform into a torrent and pour into you. If you force your way, your heart will remain impure. This volume, ‘The Seven Saints’ Radiant Record,’ is the reward for your perseverance.”
After reading this, Lin Fan stood dumbfounded, blinking his eyes.
At that moment, Lin Fan had only one thought: he begged the heavens for another chance.
When it came to who had the deepest tricks, Lin Fan had to bow to one of the Seven Saints. The scheme was indeed profound.
“Old man, give me another chance,” Lin Fan wailed, the pain in his heart known only to him.
The prize he had almost grasped was slipping through his fingers.
“Boom…”
In that instant, the small chamber began to tremble.
Behind the jade-like skeleton, a void rift suddenly appeared, and before Lin Fan’s eyes, the skeleton vanished into it without a trace.
“Old man, don’t do this…”
But it was too late. Lin Fan noticed the void in the chamber twisting. The stone table and bed seemed to dissolve into nothingness, twisting into a void.
“Cluck cluck cluck…” The chick on Lin Fan’s shoulder flapped its wings and crowed.
“Shut up!” Lin Fan tossed the chick into his backpack, then threw the ‘Seven Saints’ Radiant Record’ in as well, sprinting desperately toward the exit.
But the suction from the twisting void grew stronger, and Lin Fan couldn’t move an inch.
“This is a scam…”
In that moment, Lin Fan’s vision went black, and he was once again adrift.
…
At the entrance of the Holy Sect.
A convoy of carriages, weathered by endless trials, appeared at the gate of the Holy Sect.
“Miss, we’ve arrived,” said Wang Hu, the steward of the Gong family, responsible for the young lady’s safety.
He had opposed her decision to move to the Holy Sect, as the sect was not something they could afford to provoke. But faced with the young lady’s resolute expression, Wang Hu could only sigh in resignation.
From Mo City to the Holy Sect’s gate, there was a shortcut that could be traversed in a few days if one hurried. However, this path was fraught with danger, teeming with ferocious beasts.
In the end, they had to choose a safer, albeit longer and more rugged route.
It took them over a month to finally arrive.
A delicate hand emerged from the carriage, followed by a woman of unparalleled beauty.
Her face bore a trace of sorrow, mingled with hesitation.
Gong Bingye possessed extraordinary beauty. As a woman with such looks, she had only two choices: either attach herself to a powerful figure or cultivate her own strength.
For Gong Bingye, the first option was the most suitable.
Though the Gong family was not without wealth, it was insufficient to support her cultivation. Moreover, she knew her own talent was not suited for martial arts.
Reaching the innate realm had already consumed a significant portion of the family’s resources. Continuing to pour resources into her cultivation might not yield any promising future.
“Miss, you must reconsider. The sect is not as idyllic as we imagine,” Wang Hu said, knowing her decision was firm but still feeling compelled to remind her.
Gong Bingye smiled like a blooming flower. “I’ve made up my mind. The Gong family is not something a woman like me can sustain.”
Wang Hu clenched his fists, feeling his own inadequacy. He gazed at the towering peak, the sacred land of the sect that everyone yearned for.
“Let’s go up,” Gong Bingye said.
“Yes,” Wang Hu nodded.
They had brought along some retainers, all of whom had been trained by the Gong family over the years.
…
“Who are you?” When Gong Bingye and her party reached the mountain, they were stopped by the sect’s gatekeepers.
“Esteemed sirs, I am Gong Bingye, the head of the Gong family from Mo City. I’ve come to seek Lin Fan,” Gong Bingye said.
The two gatekeepers were momentarily stunned. “You’re looking for our Senior Uncle Lin? He’s been away from the mountain for two months and hasn’t returned.”
Gong Bingye had harbored some doubts about Lin Fan’s identity, but hearing this from the gatekeepers, she felt a wave of relief.
“I am Lin Fan’s wife. I’ve come to find him. He said I could come to the Holy Sect to seek him out,” Gong Bingye explained.
The gatekeepers’ expressions shifted slightly. They exchanged glances. Senior Uncle Lin’s wife? How could that be? But then they looked at Gong Bingye.
They had to admit, even the female disciples of the Jialan Peak might not compare to her. Only the senior sister of Jialan Peak, Mu Bingyan, could rival her beauty.
It’s said that beauty is but a fleeting illusion, but how many can truly see through it?
Thinking about it, Senior Uncle Lin was still a man. It wasn’t impossible for him to have left behind some romantic entanglements during his time away.
“Wait here. I’ll go and inform the elders.”
“Thank you.”
…
The gatekeeper hurried to report to Elder Wuyi. Since Senior Uncle Lin’s departure, Elder Wuyi had searched for him multiple times but to no avail. Now, with a woman claiming to be his wife showing up, it was indeed peculiar.
For the past two months, Elder Wuyi had been restless, constantly wondering where that rascal had gone.
He had scoured a radius of ten thousand miles but found no trace. Especially since the boy left no trace of his aura, making it impossible to track him. Eventually, he had given up.
“Elder, there’s a woman at the gate claiming to be Senior Uncle Lin’s wife…”
Elder Wuyi was startled, then transformed into a streak of light, appearing at the gate in an instant.
As Elder Wuyi appeared, he carefully observed the woman before him. Though he was over a hundred years old and his heart had long been unshaken, he had to admit that this woman was strikingly beautiful, though her talent was lacking.
As for whether she was really that boy’s wife, Elder Wuyi couldn’t say for sure. After all, such a beauty might have captivated even him in his youth.
As for that boy, though he showed no interest in romance within the sect, one look at him suggested he wasn’t exactly a saint. It wasn’t impossible for him to have indulged in some affairs during his time away, leaving behind some romantic entanglements.
Even the sect leader and others had their share of romantic trials in their youth.
But this was the first time someone had come knocking on the door like this.
That boy sure had guts. When he returned, they’d have to have a serious talk.
…
At the entrance to the Sacred Sect’s mountain.
At this moment, a procession of carriages, looking as though they had endured endless hardships, appeared at the entrance to the Sacred Sect.
“Miss, we’ve arrived.” Wang Hu, as the head steward of the Gong family, bore the responsibility of protecting the young miss’s safety.
Wang Hu had been against the young miss’s decision to relocate to the Sacred Sect, after all, sects were not something ordinary families could trifle with. But faced with the young miss’s determined expression, Wang Hu could only sigh helplessly in the end.
From Mo City to the Sacred Sect’s mountain entrance, there was a shortcut. If one traveled with full effort, one could arrive in just a few days. However, this shortcut was fraught with danger, teeming with fierce beasts.
In the end, they had to choose a relatively safe route, though this road, while safer, was long and arduous.
It had taken them over a month to reach here.
At this moment, a delicate jade-like hand extended from the carriage, followed by a woman of peerless beauty stepping out of the horse-drawn carriage.
This woman’s beautiful face bore a trace of sorrow, mingled with hesitation.
Gong Bingye possessed peerless beauty. For a woman to possess such beauty, there were only two choices: either rely on a powerful protector, or cultivate supreme strength herself.
But for Gong Bingye, only the first option was suitable for her.
Although the Gong family had considerable wealth, it was insufficient to support her cultivation. Moreover, she was well aware of her own mediocre talent for martial arts.
Before the jade-like skeleton lay a meditation cushion.
The scene always felt familiar to Lin Fan. At this moment, he noticed some tadpole-like characters carved on the stone bed beside the skeleton.
These small characters were no challenge for Lin Fan.
“Those who come are destined. Kneel on the cushion and kowtow 18,800 times to inherit my legacy.”
Lin Fan read the inscription, glanced at the jade-like skeleton, and then chuckled.
“Haha, no wonder it feels so familiar. Isn’t this the same trick as in the novel ‘Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils’? Honestly, if it weren’t for the little brother on your skeleton, I’d have thought you were Li Qiushui’s sister.”
This kind of trick was all too familiar to Lin Fan. Kowtowing 18,800 times would surely drive anyone insane. But the real secret was to destroy the cushion, which likely hid a treasure. That was no big deal.
Lin Fan forcefully tore open the cushion, and sure enough, a golden booklet lay quietly inside.
The material of the booklet seemed to be made of golden silkworm silk, resistant to the erosion of time.
Beside the booklet, Lin Fan also found a piece of paper. The content on it left him stunned, and he looked at the skeleton in disbelief.
“The world is never short of geniuses. If you kowtow the full 18,800 times, the skeleton containing my lifelong cultivation will transform into a torrent and infuse into you. If you forcibly break it, your heart will not be pure, and this volume of ‘The Seven Saints’ Radiant Record’ will be your only reward for the journey.”
After reading these words, Lin Fan stood dumbfounded, blinking his eyes.
At this moment, Lin Fan had only one thought: to beg the heavens for another chance.
When it came to who had the deepest tricks, Lin Fan had to admit that this one of the Seven Saints was truly unmatched. The trick was deep indeed.
“Old man, give me another chance,” Lin Fan wailed, the pain in his heart known only to him.
The duck he had in his hands had flown away right before his eyes.
“Boom…”
In that instant, the small chamber shook violently.
Behind the jade-like skeleton, a void rift suddenly appeared, and before Lin Fan’s eyes, the skeleton vanished into it, disappearing without a trace.
“Old man, don’t do this…”
But it was too late. Lin Fan noticed that the void in the chamber was distorting. The stone table and bed seemed to dissolve into nothingness, twisting into a void.
“Cluck cluck cluck…” The chick on Lin Fan’s shoulder flapped its wings and crowed.
“Shut up!” Lin Fan tossed the chick into his backpack, then threw the ‘The Seven Saints’ Radiant Record’ in as well, and began desperately running towards the exit.
But the suction from the distorting void grew stronger, and Lin Fan couldn’t move an inch.
“This is so messed up…”
In that moment, Lin Fan’s vision went black, and he was once again adrift.
…
At the entrance of the Holy Sect.
A line of carriages, weathered by endless trials, appeared at the entrance of the Holy Sect.
“Miss, we’ve arrived,” said Wang Hu, the steward of the Gong family, responsible for the safety of the young lady.
He had not agreed with the young lady’s decision to move to the Holy Sect, as the sect was not something they could afford to provoke. But faced with her resolute expression, Wang Hu could only sigh in resignation.
From Mo City to the Holy Sect, there was a shortcut that could be traversed in a few days if one pushed hard. However, this path was fraught with danger, teeming with ferocious beasts.
In the end, they had to choose a relatively safer route, though it was long and the road was rugged.
It took them over a month to finally arrive here.
A delicate hand extended from the carriage, followed by a woman of unparalleled beauty stepping out.
Her face carried a trace of sorrow, mixed with a hint of hesitation.
Gong Bingye possessed extraordinary beauty. As a woman with such looks, she had only two choices: either attach herself to a powerful figure or possess absolute strength herself.
But for Gong Bingye, only the first option seemed suitable.
Although the Gong family was not small, it could not support her cultivation needs. She also knew her own talent was not suited for martial arts.
Reaching the innate realm had already consumed a significant amount of the Gong family’s resources. Continuing to pour resources into her would not necessarily lead to any promising future.
“Miss, please reconsider. The sect is not as wonderful as we imagine,” Wang Hu knew the young lady’s mind was made up, but he couldn’t help but remind her.
Gong Bingye smiled like a blooming flower, “I’ve already made up my mind. The Gong family is not something a woman like me can support.”
Wang Hu clenched his fists, feeling his own inadequacy. He gazed at the towering peak, the sacred land of the sect that everyone yearned for.
“Let’s go up,” Gong Bingye said.
“Yes,” Wang Hu nodded.
They had brought along some servants, all guards cultivated by the Gong family over the years.
…
“Who are you?” When Gong Bingye and her group reached the mountain, they were stopped by the sect’s guardians.
“Honored guardians, I am Gong Bingye, the head of the Gong family from Mo City. I’ve come to seek Lin Fan,” Gong Bingye said.
The two guardians were slightly taken aback, “You’re looking for our Uncle Lin? He’s been away from the mountain for two months and hasn’t returned yet.”
Gong Bingye had previously harbored some doubts about Lin Fan’s identity. Hearing the guardians’ words, she felt a sense of relief.
“I am Lin Fan’s wife. I’ve come to find him. He said I could come to the Holy Sect to look for him,” Gong Bingye said.
The guardians’ expressions changed slightly. They exchanged glances. Uncle Lin’s wife? How could that be? But then they looked at Gong Bingye.
They had to admit, even the female disciples of the Jialan Peak might not compare to her. Except for the senior sister Mu Bingyan, who could rival her, there was no one more beautiful.
They say beauty is but skin deep, but how many can truly see through it?
Thinking about it, Uncle Lin was a man. It wasn’t impossible for him to have some romantic entanglements after leaving the mountain.
“Wait here, I’ll go and report this.”
“Thank you.”
…
The guardian hurriedly went to inform the Supreme Elder Wuyan. After Uncle Lin left, Supreme Elder Wuyan had searched for him multiple times but to no avail. Now that a woman claiming to be Uncle Lin’s wife had come, it was indeed strange.
For the past two months, Wuyan had been unable to eat or sleep, constantly wondering where that rascal had gone.
He had searched within a radius of ten thousand miles but found no trace. Especially since the boy left no trace of his aura, it was impossible to track him down, so he eventually gave up.
“Elder, there’s a woman at the mountain gate claiming to be Uncle Lin’s wife…”
Wuyan was startled, then transformed into a streak of light and appeared at the mountain gate in an instant.
As Supreme Elder Wuyan appeared, he carefully observed the woman before him. Although he was a hundred years old and his heart had long been unperturbed, he had to admit that this woman was captivating, though her talent was lacking.
As for whether she was really that boy’s wife, Wuyan couldn’t be sure. After all, such a beauty, if he were younger, might have captivated him too.
As for that boy, although he had no romantic entanglements in the sect, at first glance, he didn’t seem like a good person. It wasn’t impossible that he had some romantic escapades after leaving the mountain.
Even the sect leader and others had their romantic trials when they were young.
But someone coming to the mountain like this was a first.
That boy had done well. When he returned, they would have to have a serious talk.
“Miss, please reconsider. The sect is not as wonderful as you imagine.” Wang Hu knew the young miss had made up her mind, but still couldn’t help but remind her.
Gong Bingye smiled slightly, like a blooming flower. “I’ve made up my mind. The Gong family is not something a mere woman can support.”
Wang Hu clenched his fist, feeling his own helplessness. He gazed at the towering mountain peak ahead, the holy land of the sect that all aspired to reach.
“Let’s go up.” Said Gong Bingye.
“Alright.” Wang Hu nodded.
This journey had brought along some attendants, all guards cultivated by the Gong family over the years.
…
“When Gong Bingye and her party reached the mountain summit, they were immediately stopped by the Sacred Sect’s mountain guardians.
“Who are you people?” asked the two guardians.
“Esteemed sirs, I am Gong Bingye, head of the Gong family from Mo City. We have come here today to seek out Lin Fan.” Gong Bingye replied.
Upon hearing this, the two mountain guardians were slightly taken aback. “You’re looking for our Senior Disciple Lin? He descended the mountain two months ago and hasn’t returned yet.”
Previously, Gong Bingye had harbored some doubts about Lin Fan’s identity. Now, hearing the mountain guardian’s words, she felt a sense of relief.
“I am Lin Fan’s concubine. I have come to find him. He said I could come to the Sacred Sect to look for him.” Gong Bingye explained.
Upon hearing this, the mountain guardians’ expressions changed slightly. They exchanged glances. Lin Fan’s concubine? How could that be? But then they looked at Gong Bingye.
They couldn’t deny that this woman’s beauty even rivaled that of the female disciples from the Jialan Peak, except perhaps the Jialan Peak’s senior apprentice sister Mu Bingshen could match her.
They say beauty is but a painted skeleton, but how many truly see through it?
Thinking about it, Lin Fan was just a man after all. After descending the mountain, it wasn’t impossible that he had incurred some romantic entanglements.
“You wait here, I’ll go report immediately.”
“We appreciate your help.”
…
Then the mountain guardian hurriedly went to inform Elder Wuya, the supreme elder. Since Lin Fan had left, Elder Wuya had repeatedly descended the mountain searching for him, but in vain. Now, someone claiming to be Lin Fan’s concubine had shown up, which was quite strange.
For the past two months, Elder Wuya had been unable to eat or sleep properly, constantly wondering where that little rascal had run off to.
He had searched every inch within a ten-thousand-li radius, but couldn’t find a trace. Especially since that kid didn’t emit the slightest bit of aura, making him completely undetectable. Eventually, he had given up.
“Elder, there’s a woman at the mountain gate claiming to be Senior Disciple Lin’s concubine…”
Upon hearing this, Elder Wuya was startled, then transformed into a streak of rainbow light, instantly appearing at the mountain gate.
At the moment Elder Wuya appeared, he carefully observed the woman before him. Although he was over a hundred years old and his heart had long been calm like still water, he couldn’t help but admit that this woman was indeed enchanting, though her talent was somewhat lacking.
As for whether she was really that kid’s concubine, Elder Wuya couldn’t be sure. After all, with such beauty, even in his youth, he might have been captivated.
As for that kid, though he hadn’t shown any interest in romance within the sect, a single glance revealed he wasn’t exactly a trustworthy character. It wasn’t impossible that after descending the mountain, he had gotten himself into some romantic entanglements and incurred some debts of passion.
After all, even the Sect Leader and others had experienced similar emotional trials in their youth.
But this was the first time someone had actually come looking for him like this.
That kid, good job! When he comes back, we must have a serious talk.
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