Chapter 703: The Annoying Old Man

Everything witnessed in the plaza left a deep impression in Lin Fan’s heart.

It seemed that in this “Land of Guardianship,” most people formed small teams, going out together to train and slay ancient race warriors.

“Master, where are we headed now?” Elder Sakyamuni now followed Lin Fan as the leader. In this unfamiliar place, he dared not act recklessly.

Just moments ago at the plaza, that man from the Seal Heaven Squad had formidable strength, whose powerful aura made Sakyamuni feel a sense of pressure.

“I want to find a place to rest well. Haven’t you noticed this place is run like a city? Look ahead, there’s an inn,” Lin Fan pointed forward.

“Right, right, we should rest well. But this place is really lively. I never expected such a place to exist in the Ancient Holy Realm,” Sakyamuni remarked.

Sakyamuni had always focused on cultivation, rarely experiencing such environments. He was filled with boundless curiosity about everything here.

Now Lin Fan and others were staying in the first layer, unaware of what the other eight layers held. Even just the first layer had broadened the horizons of both Lin Fan and Sakyamuni.

“Offering myself for rent for three days at the price of one million Saint Yang Pills for a sixth-level Divine Heaven Realm expert.”

At this moment, on both sides of the wide road, many people hung signs around their necks offering themselves for hire. In Lin Fan’s eyes, these beings had excellent business sense.

“Selling an ancient race weapon smith who can forge low-grade spiritual artifacts for only thirty million Saint Yang Pills.”

…

“Master, this place is indeed bustling. I wonder if anyone would rent me if I offered myself,” Sakyamuni, dazzled by the surroundings, curiously remarked.

“You can go try,” Lin Fan replied calmly, though inwardly shocked. To avoid appearing like a naive outsider, he maintained a composed demeanor, as if all this were perfectly normal to him.

However, what pained Lin Fan the most was recalling his former wealth—his Saint Yang Pills had once been counted in the millions. Now, he was penniless.

Thankfully, the Wutong Divine Tree could still produce some Saint Yang Pills daily.

Everything witnessed in the square left a profound impression on Lin Fan’s heart.

It seems that in this “Sanctuary,” most people form small teams to venture out together, honing their skills and slaying ancient races.

“Benefactor, where shall we go now?” Venerable Shakyamuni now regarded Lin Fan as the leader. In this unfamiliar and strange place, he dared not act recklessly.

Just moments ago in the square, the man from the Sealing Sky Squad was no weakling. His formidable aura even made Venerable Shakyamuni feel a sense of oppression.

“I want to find a place to rest properly. Don’t you see this place operates like a city? Look ahead, there’s an inn,” Lin Fan pointed forward.

“Yes, yes, we must rest properly. But it’s so lively here. I never expected such a place could exist in the Ancient Saint Realm,” Venerable Shakyamuni remarked.

Venerable Shakyamuni had always been immersed in cultivation, rarely experiencing such things. Everything here filled him with boundless curiosity.

Currently, Lin Fan and the others were on the first level. They had no idea what the eight levels above were like. Yet, even the first level opened their eyes to many new sights.

“Sixth Heavenly Law Realm, one million Saint Sun Pills to rent myself for three days.”

On both sides of the broad road, many people hung signs around their necks, offering themselves for rent. To Lin Fan, it seemed the inhabitants here had a keen business sense.

“Selling an ancient race blacksmith who can forge low-grade spiritual artifacts, only thirty million Saint Sun Pills.”

…

“Benefactor, it’s so lively here. I wonder if anyone would rent me if I offered myself,” Venerable Shakyamuni said, his eyes dazzled by the surroundings.

“You can give it a try,” Lin Fan replied, though inwardly shocked. To avoid appearing like a country bumpkin, he maintained a calm demeanor, as if nothing here was out of the ordinary.

However, what pained Lin Fan the most was remembering how wealthy he once was, with Saint Sun Pills counted in trillions. Now, he was as poor as a church mouse.

Fortunately, the Divine Phoenix Tree could still condense some Saint Sun Pills daily.

But the amount was pitifully small, insufficient even for the cultivation needs of the beings within his pocket dimension. It seemed he needed to find a way to earn more Saint Sun Pills.

Before long, Lin Fan and Venerable Shakyamuni arrived at the inn. However, upon hearing the room rates, Lin Fan was dumbfounded.

“Gentlemen, since you haven’t formed a squad, you’re not eligible for any discounts. You can only stay in the lower-tier rooms, which cost one hundred thousand Saint Sun Pills per night,” the innkeeper said.

Lin Fan looked at the innkeeper, feeling somewhat helpless. Staying a night here was exorbitantly expensive.

Yet, the innkeeper’s cultivation level was no joke—he was at the Fourth Heavenly Immortal Realm.

Being new here, Lin Fan didn’t want to make a fuss. With a wave of his hand, he summoned the Saint Sun Pills condensed by the Divine Phoenix Tree. A small river of Saint Sun Pills flew out, and the innkeeper collected them with a gesture.

“Gentlemen, please,” the innkeeper said warmly after confirming the payment.

Inside the room.

“Benefactor, why is there only one bed?” Venerable Shakyamuni asked, looking around the room with a pitiful expression.

“You’re asking me? Who should I ask? What kind of place is this, with so many ridiculous rules?” Lin Fan’s head was about to explode. “Bald monk, I paid all the Saint Sun Pills, and you didn’t contribute a single one. So tonight, you sleep on the floor, and I’ll take the bed.”

“Please, Benefactor, we’re both grown men. We can squeeze in together. The floor is so cold; I’ll get sick,” Venerable Shakyamuni said, on the verge of tears.

“Stop whining. If you don’t contribute, you have no rights, understand?” Lin Fan retorted.

Hearing this, Venerable Shakyamuni deflated. He knew exactly how poor he was—penniless, in fact.

“Fine. But Benefactor, shouldn’t we divide the spoils now?” Venerable Shakyamuni suggested.

“You bald monk, not only are you lustful, but you’re also greedy. How many times have you thought about dividing the spoils along the way?” Lin Fan was exasperated. Bringing this monk along was a curse.

A real burden, indeed.

“Benefactor, I’ve only severed four of my six roots; I haven’t reached the limit of my cultivation yet,” Venerable Shakyamuni shamelessly admitted.

“Alright, I’m done with you. Let’s divide the spoils now, but don’t move. Let me see what we’ve got first,” Lin Fan said.

“Good, I promise not to move,” Venerable Shakyamuni said, his face lighting up with excitement. The moment of dividing the spoils had finally arrived.

Lin Fan sat on the bed, his heart racing with anticipation. Ever since obtaining the storage rings, he hadn’t looked inside. Now, he had to prepare himself, ensuring he wouldn’t be overwhelmed by what he found.

A vast fortune lay before him, and the thought made him giddy with excitement.

“Benefactor, hurry up. I can’t wait any longer,” Venerable Shakyamuni said, his impatience palpable.

“What’s the rush? Can’t you see I’m savoring the moment?” Lin Fan glanced at the bald monk, then carefully opened one of the storage rings.

“Treasures, here I come,” Lin Fan thought, his heart ablaze with excitement.

But when he looked inside the storage ring, his expression turned grave.

Seeing Lin Fan’s reaction, Venerable Shakyamuni’s heart skipped a beat. “This must be something extraordinary. It’s even stunned Benefactor Lin.”

Lin Fan took a deep breath, his face pale, and with trembling fingers, he picked up the second storage ring.

He was almost afraid to look, but he forced himself to open it.

Clatter!

Both storage rings fell onto the bed. Lin Fan tilted his head back, tears streaming down his face.

“Master, I was wrong. I’m willing to return the storage rings to you,” Lin Fan thought, his heart filled with regret. “That old man tricked me.”

“Benefactor, what’s wrong?” Venerable Shakyamuni asked, bewildered by the sudden turn of events. He was once again shocked.

Could the contents of these storage rings truly be that extraordinary?

Meanwhile, in a distant, mysterious place.

Feng Qingzi leisurely played with two storage rings in his hand, a faint smile on his lips.

“The old ginger is still the spiciest.”

…

“Old man, I’m thoroughly convinced this time. From start to finish, you’ve been acting,” Lin Fan thought, not wanting to say more.

“Benefactor, what exactly happened?” Venerable Shakyamuni pressed.

“See for yourself,” Lin Fan said, tossing the storage rings to him.

Venerable Shakyamuni eagerly opened the storage rings, but in an instant, his face filled with disbelief.

“How can there be nothing inside?” Venerable Shakyamuni stared at the empty storage rings, completely dumbfounded.

All his treasures had turned to dust.

Lin Fan sighed, the vast disparity leaving him speechless for a while.

That old man, if he had any conscience, should have left at least something. Now, with nothing, how could they even begin?

The promised pinnacle of life still required starting from scratch.

Before long, Lin Fan and Sakyamuni arrived at the inn. But when he heard the room fee, Lin Fan was momentarily stunned.

“Gentlemen, since you are not part of a team, you won’t receive any discounts and can only stay in the lowest-grade room, which costs ten thousand Saint Yang Pills per night,” the innkeeper said.

Lin Fan looked helplessly at the innkeeper. Staying for just one night was too expensive.

Yet the innkeeper’s cultivation was no weakling either—he was at the fourth level of the Divine Heaven Realm, the Immortality Stage.

Not wanting to cause trouble upon their arrival, Lin Fan reluctantly took out some Saint Yang Pills refined by the Wutong Divine Tree. A small river of Saint Yang Pills shot forth, and with a wave of his hand, the innkeeper collected them.

“Please come in,” the innkeeper warmly said after confirming the payment.

Inside the room.

“Master, why is there only one bed?” Seeing the room’s condition, Sakyamuni wore a bitter expression.

“You’re asking me? Who should I ask then? What a terrible place, too many ridiculous rules,” Lin Fan was nearly exploding with frustration. “Bald monk, I paid for all the Saint Yang Pills, and you didn’t contribute a single one. So tonight, you sleep on the floor, and I’ll take the bed.”

“No way, Master! We’re both grown men—we can squeeze together. The floor is so cold, I might catch a chill,” Sakyamuni tearfully pleaded.

“Don’t argue. No contribution means no rights, got it?” Lin Fan snapped.

Hearing this, Sakyamuni deflated. He knew exactly how broke he was—truly destitute.

“Fine. But Master, shouldn’t we divide the loot now?” Sakyamuni asked.

“Are you kidding me? Not only are you lustful, but greedy too. How many times have you been thinking about dividing the spoils on the way here?” Lin Fan sighed helplessly. Bringing this monk along was truly a burden.

A drag, a complete drag.

“Master, I’ve only severed four of the six roots. I haven’t reached the peak of cultivation yet,” Sakyamuni said shamelessly.

“Alright, I give up on you, bald monk. Let’s divide the loot now. But don’t move—you stay put while I check what we’ve got,” Lin Fan said.

“Great! The monk promises not to move,” Sakyamuni’s face lit up with joy. Finally, the moment had come—he was excited just thinking about it.

Sitting on the bed, Lin Fan was equally excited. Since acquiring this storage ring, he hadn’t had the chance to check its contents. Now, he needed to prepare himself carefully, determined not to be shocked.

Tremendous wealth lay before him—just thinking about it made him giddy.

“Master, hurry up! The monk can’t wait any longer,” Sakyamuni impatiently urged.

“What’s the rush? Can’t you see I’m building up the mood?” Lin Fan glanced at the monk and cautiously opened one of the storage rings.

“My treasures, here I come!” Lin Fan’s heart burned with excitement.

But the moment he looked inside the storage ring, his expression froze, turning very serious.

Seeing Lin Fan’s expression, Sakyamuni’s heart pounded. “This must be something incredible. Even Lin Fan has been stunned.”

Lin Fan took a deep breath, his face pale, his fingers trembling as he picked up the second storage ring.

He hesitated to look but forced himself to open the second one.

Plop!

Both storage rings dropped onto the bed. Lin Fan tilted his head back, tears streaming down his face.

“Master, I was wrong! I’m willing to return the storage rings to you!” Lin Fan’s heart was filled with sorrow. “That old man tricked me!”

“Master, what’s wrong?” Sakyamuni asked worriedly, unsure what had happened, his heart once again shocked.

Could the items inside really be that extraordinary?

At that moment, far away in a mysterious location.

Feng Qingzi leisurely played with two storage rings in his hand, a faint smile creeping across his lips.

“Experience still beats youth every time.”

…

“Old man, this time I truly admit defeat. I never expected that from beginning to end, you were just playing a role,” Lin Fan thought bitterly, not wanting to say another word.

“Master, what exactly happened?” Sakyamuni urgently asked.

“You can see for yourself,” Lin Fan said, tossing the storage rings over.

Eagerly, Sakyamuni opened the storage rings, but in an instant, he wore an expression of disbelief.

“How come there’s absolutely nothing inside?” Looking at the empty storage rings, Sakyamuni was completely stunned.

His treasures—gone, all for nothing.

Lin Fan sighed deeply. The shock was too great for him to speak for a while.

Old man, if you had even a little conscience, at least leave something behind. Now with nothing, how am I supposed to start over?

This so-called promised path to glory still required starting from scratch.