Chapter 230: High Energy Ahead

The next day.

In the luxurious carriage of the Zhang family’s traveling party, Lin Fan sat with several young lords and ladies, raising their cups, composing poetry, and drinking heartily.

“Master Lin, your talent is truly admirable beyond words,” said the eldest son of the Zhang family. Handsome and refined, he was clearly impressed by Lin Fan’s poetic brilliance.

“Brother, how did you meet Master Lin?” asked Miss Zhang softly, puzzled about how the two had become so close after only one night, as if they had been lifelong friends.

“A secret. Can’t say, can’t say,” the young master smiled mysteriously and shook his head.

At that moment, Lin Fan smiled as well. The previous day, after wandering around the city, he had grown a little bored and decided to visit a pleasure house. There, he saw a man trying desperately to impress the courtesan of the house with his talents, spouting poetry and spending lavishly without flinching. Lin Fan was utterly amazed.

The man’s arrogant demeanor especially impressed Lin Fan, who felt an urge to challenge him.

So Lin Fan, feigning melancholy, raised his cup high, exuding an air of solitude. His poetic inspiration surged, and he composed a verse on the spot, creating a tale that would echo through the Qin Shen Dynasty.

With every three steps, he paused, exuding charm and elegance unmatched in the pleasure house.

The surrounding young lords and ladies were all moved by Lin Fan’s subtle sorrow.

“Beneath my bed, moonlight glows.”

“It looks like frost upon the ground.”

“I raise my cup to toast the moon.”

“With my shadow, we’re three together.”

…

Lin Fan wasn’t much of a reader and only remembered this one poem, which he felt was deeply emotional.

Sure enough, after reciting it, all the young lords and courtesans were completely captivated by Lin Fan’s talent.

Applause thundered without end. Yet, indifferent to fame and fortune, Lin Fan waved his hand, unwilling to compete for attention. He then burst forth with more poetic inspiration and recited another verse.

“The next two lines could be: lifting my head, I gaze at the bright moon; lowering it, I think of home.”

…

This revision earned even more enthusiastic applause, especially from the courtesans who sent him flirtatious glances. But to Lin Fan, who held fame and fortune in contempt, these were mere distractions, unworthy of mention.

…

By stealing the spotlight from the eldest Zhang son, Lin Fan had not only avoided offending him but had also won his friendship. Lin Fan immediately noticed that the young master suffered from a hidden ailment, so he casually handed him a “Brother Fan” pill.

With just those words, Lin Fan completely won over the young master’s heart.

“With this pill, a hundred beauties in one night will be no problem.”

And from that point on, the young master was utterly captivated by Lin Fan, treating him as an honored guest and a kindred spirit.

The next day, the Zhang family was heading to their ancestral home over a hundred miles away to pay respects at the graves, and naturally, Lin Fan joined them. Why wouldn’t he take advantage of such a luxurious ride?

“Fine, I won’t ask. I’m not curious at all,” Miss Zhang said while glancing at Lin Fan, her bright eyes carrying a hint of flirtation.

This flirtatious charm made Lin Fan’s heart race like a ghost seeking vengeance.

To Lin Fan, his spirit had already reached the highest realm.

In his eyes, all worldly matters amounted to nothing more than a handful of earth after death.

Such great wisdom and composure at his age marked him as a rare genius. No matter how stunning a woman might be, she could not shake Lin Fan’s tranquil heart.

But the key point was that Miss Zhang was just too damn terrifying to look at, rivaling even Zhang Erdou. Seeing her reminded Lin Fan of Zhang Erdou back at the sect, and he wondered how everyone was doing.

He missed them dearly.

At that moment, Lin Fan gently lifted the curtain of the carriage and peeked outside. They had just passed the city gate when he saw a soldier holding a thick stack of notices, pasting them onto the city wall.

Looking at the portrait on the notice, Lin Fan chuckled. Whoever was so poorly dressed and hideously ugly, looking like a ghost? Yet, the facial features bore a slight resemblance to his own.

…

Dozens of miles away.

“Brother Zhang, let’s part ways here,” Lin Fan said, bowing to the eldest Zhang son.

“Master Lin, will we meet again someday?” the young master asked with slight reluctance. It was rare to meet someone so compatible.

Once kindred spirits meet, they become lifelong friends, regardless of how short the time together.

Lin Fan smiled. He and the young master would likely never cross paths again, as their worlds were different. It was better to keep their distance.

“Fate brings people together across a thousand miles, while absence makes even faces strangers. Farewell,” Lin Fan turned to leave. Though they had met only for one night, to him, a friend of one night was worth ten years of companionship.

“Master Lin…” the young master gazed at Lin Fan, repeating his words, his eyes gradually lighting up.

“Oh, by the way, Brother Zhang, I’ll leave you this little trinket. I’ll visit you someday,” Lin Fan said with a smile, tossing the young master a small jade pendant he had casually crafted.

“Master Lin, travel safely,” the young master waved him off, carefully keeping the jade pendant close to his heart.

That parting marked the last meeting between them for thirty years.

Lin Fan had already avenged the grudge from Yan Village. As for the “Seven Sacred Treasure Map,” he had to admit that the person who had angered him was truly asking for it. In this world, only Lin Fan was allowed to plot against others. He never expected someone would dare to scheme against him.

If it weren’t for the protection of the system, he might have been tricked.

“Destiny-Defying Divine Pill to Change Fate”? To hell with changing fate—it was nothing but a scam.

Now, Lin Fan looked at the black dog in his backpack and took it out, tying it with a rope.

As soon as the black dog came out, it began barking loudly.

What amused Lin Fan was that after taking the Destiny-Defying Divine Pill, the dog’s fur had changed, becoming smoother and sharper.

A black dog with supreme talent was indeed rare in this world.

“You damn dog, I know you can hear me, but don’t worry, I will definitely train you to become the saint among dogs.”

“As for the Seven Sacred Treasures, don’t worry. From now on, you will be my Black Dog Saint of the Seven, and I will visit the other caves one by one. Let’s see whose schemes are more powerful, yours or mine.” In a dense forest, Lin Fan spoke mysteriously to a dog, a strange sight indeed.

“Woof woof…” The black dog glared fiercely, trying to bite Lin Fan, but Lin Fan simply flicked his sleeve, sending the dog back into his backpack to lie quietly.

Then Lin Fan released the chick. Possibly suffocated in the backpack, as soon as it came out, it flapped its wings, circling around Lin Fan, crowing loudly.

“Crow all you want, get up here, we’re leaving.”

The chick spread its wings, trying to fly high, but no matter how hard it tried, it couldn’t take off. Finally, with a leap from its feet, it jumped onto Lin Fan’s shoulder.

“Truly shameful. A phoenix that can’t fly. I don’t even know what you are—neither phoenix nor chicken.”

“Woof woof woof…”

“If you crow one more time, I’ll kill you.”

“Woof woof woof…”

Unaware of how long they had flown, suddenly a powerful aura erupted ahead, shaking the sky as if it would shatter.

Flying, Lin Fan immediately landed, cautiously moving forward.

“High energy ahead.”