Chapter 203: The Temple of Tuodi

Inside the room.

Gong Bingye’s delicate face flushed slightly as she allowed Lin Fan to hold her arm. Her heart pounded with anticipation. Was *that* about to happen soon?

Though Gong Bingye had never experienced it herself, she had heard whispers—maids sometimes spoke in hushed tones, and out of curiosity, she had secretly listened in.

It would hurt. There would be blood. And it could even lead to new life.

At this thought, her already fair complexion deepened into a more charming red, her eyes glistening with a soft, flowing light.

“We’re alone now, no one will disturb us,” Lin Fan said as he led Gong Bingye into a room. Though it was a shop, there were resting quarters as well. Here, whatever he needed to ask wouldn’t be overheard.

Hearing this, Gong Bingye’s delicate frame trembled slightly, a mix of nervousness and hesitation in her heart.

Undressing, revealing fair skin and beauty—would he be captivated by her?

Gazing at Lin Fan’s back, she gently extended her slender hand, ready to help him remove his clothes. This man before her held a lofty status. For her own happiness and the future of the Gong family, she should take the initiative.

“This fragment—where did you get it?” Lin Fan suddenly pulled out the Zunzhi Fragment and asked.

Fully prepared, Gong Bingye was momentarily stunned. Her outstretched hand quickly retracted, and the romantic mood vanished instantly.

So it was all just her imagination.

At that moment, Gong Bingye felt so embarrassed she wished she could vanish into a crack in the ground. At least he hadn’t noticed.

“Lord, this fragment was left behind by my ancestor. As for where it originally came from, I don’t know,” Gong Bingye composed herself and replied casually.

Lin Fan sighed helplessly. Truth be told, he hadn’t held much hope coming here. If the Gong family had known its origin, they would have already gathered all the pieces of the token.

“Fine, I’ll keep this fragment for now. But I’m not the kind of person who takes things without reason. If you ever need help, come find me at the Holy Sect,” Lin Fan said solemnly, his expression calm, as if everything he said was perfectly justified.

Gong Bingye couldn’t help but laugh softly. She found his personality amusing. After all, he had practically taken the fragment by force, yet now he claimed not to take others’ belongings so casually—it sounded odd.

“What? You don’t believe me?” Lin Fan caught the laughter and immediately felt she was doubting him. Who was he? The sixth Patriarch of the Wuming Peak of the Holy Devil Sect! Every word he spoke was like a nail driven with spit—serious and never a joke.

“I believe you, my Lord,” Gong Bingye replied gently, her hair slightly undone, exuding a soft femininity. Her eyes, like flowing spring water, gazed at Lin Fan with affection.

With each blink, she exuded an irresistible charm.

“I’m not someone who speaks without thought. Keeping this fragment on you brings no good. I’m just helping you keep it safe. If anything happens in the future, come to the Holy Sect. I always keep my word,” Lin Fan continued.

“I’ll remember your words, my Lord,” Gong Bingye replied. She knew this matter couldn’t be rushed—she’d have to take it slowly.

“Alright then, I’ll be off. No need to see me out,” Lin Fan waved his sleeve and walked proudly out of the room, hands behind his back.

Gong Bingye watched his back disappear, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Touching her body and then just walking away? Not so fast.

And not only did he swindle away a family heirloom—no, he wouldn’t escape so easily.

Gong Bingye was perceptive. From his actions and words, she could already tell much about his character.

If Lin Fan had been a ruthless killer, she wouldn’t have dared to provoke him, no matter how confident she felt. But now, things were less certain.

Outside, many cultivators were still gathered. When they saw Lin Fan emerge, their expressions were stunned, hardly believing their eyes.

How could it be over so quickly? And judging from his satisfied expression, something must have happened. But the speed—was it really that fast?

Right, it must be that Gong Miss, with her naturally seductive charm and peerless beauty. Any man would find it hard to hold back in front of her alluring figure.

When Gong Bingye stepped out of the room, she had already made up her mind. As she approached the door, she gently pinched her fair cheeks, giving them a faint blush.

She let down her long, silky hair, cascading like a waterfall behind her, and then stepped outside.

“Gong Miss is coming out!” someone in the crowd exclaimed.

Seeing Gong Bingye’s current appearance, the crowd became even more convinced of their assumptions. They looked at the already departed figure with envy and jealousy.

Another peerless beauty had lost her innocence.

Gong Bingye gazed affectionately into the distance, her slender hand resting gently on the counter, her pitifully charming expression even more captivating.

…

Lin Fan felt a bit disappointed at not obtaining useful information, but he wasn’t in a hurry. There was still plenty of time. If he had to tour the entire Dongling Continent, he would find the remaining fragments eventually.

Sha Dulong and the others had already prepared the carriages. Though not luxurious, they were practical.

Lin Fan took out the leather map he had taken from Liu Yi Yuan and showed it to Sha Dulong.

“Move out. Head in this direction,” Lin Fan commanded with a wave of his hand, embarking on the journey ahead.

Three days later.

“My Lord, we’ve arrived,” Sha Dulong’s distinctive voice came from outside.

During these three days, Lin Fan had mostly been in deep cultivation, beginning to comprehend the skill “One Finger Annihilation.” There was still much to deeply understand, and his experience with the skill had increased significantly, though it was still far from leveling up.

It seemed that powerful techniques all required a long time to improve.

Lin Fan stepped out of the carriage. The journey had been smooth, aside from a few foolish beasts that had crossed their path.

Before him lay the ruins marked on the leather map.

Thick trees surrounded the area, blocking out the sky, making the place seem eerie and desolate.

“My Lord, this is the Tuo Di Temple. It’s been abandoned for centuries,” Sha Dulong explained. Having lived in the area for a long time, he was familiar with many local legends.

The temple was strange—only a single eave was visible above ground, the rest seemingly buried beneath, as if the temple had tilted into the earth. No one knew how vast it was inside.

Lin Fan examined the ruins. At the entrance lay fallen stupas, and beyond, darkness swallowed everything, revealing nothing.

“Sha Dulong, you’re coming with me. The rest of you, stay outside and guard the perimeter,” Lin Fan ordered.

“Prepare torches.”

…