“It seems the Water-Fire Secret Realm is becoming restless,” Lin Fan murmured, gazing into the distance where ripples of energy surged and columns of power shot into the sky from multiple locations.
It wasn’t just one place—battles had already erupted across the entire secret realm.
“Water-Fire Secret Realm”—a previously untouched treasure trove—had clearly drawn the attention of those with ulterior motives.
Such a precious location, no matter how abundant its treasures, would never be enough to share among so many. With dangers lurking everywhere, caution was definitely necessary.
Lin Fan then pursued the direction in which Hongyun Fairy and the others had departed.
Moments after Lin Fan left, the void trembled, and several men appeared at the spot where he had stood just moments ago.
One of them furrowed his brows, his finger as massive as a mountain, lightly hooking the void.
“The Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor was actually slain—who could possibly have that kind of power?”
The man’s expression shifted slightly, revealing a hint of confusion. Although the Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor wasn’t the strongest, his cave heaven was filled with strange and profound mysteries, making him extremely difficult to defeat.
“Brother Luo, the Water-Fire Secret Realm contains unimaginable wealth. The Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor, driven by his insatiable greed, must have encountered someone even more powerful—his elimination was only natural,” said another man with a cold demeanor, his eyes—one yin, one yang—circulating yin-yang energy, as if capable of overturning the world and shifting dimensions.
“The Water-Fire Emperor was an ancient powerhouse, leaving behind immense wealth, especially the Water-Fire True Essence, which is the most precious of all. Obtaining it would grant the Emperor’s inheritance. We cannot linger here, or someone else might snatch it away,” said a third man, holding a paper fan. Though refined in appearance, he exuded a hidden yet chilling aura of murder, subtle yet capable of plunging one into endless bloodshed.
“Murderous Scholar, the three of us have already agreed—we travel together, our fates intertwined by destiny. Betrayal will not be tolerated,” Luo Yi said coldly.
“Of course. Now, let’s move. This time, the Yun Sect has sent many elders, their strength is formidable and troublesome. We must be cautious,” said the man with black-and-white eyes, smiling calmly.
…
At this moment, Lin Fan observed the Water-Fire Secret Realm. As he ventured deeper, he increasingly sensed the Water-Fire Emperor’s extraordinary power. This dimensional secret realm he had created was filled with dense spiritual energy, rivaling even the Ancient Sage Realm.
Moreover, the ground was littered with spirit herbs. Though some were of low grade, they were still somewhat useful to Lin Fan.
As he flew along, he harvested the spirit herbs scattered across the land.
Others might overlook them, but to Lin Fan, a master alchemist, even the humblest herb could be refined into divine pills.
At this moment, Lin Fan looked ahead and saw Hongyun Fairy, Tianyun, and Mu Qing standing there, surrounded by a group of people resting and regrouping.
“Everyone, be alert—someone is approaching.”
Suddenly, a man among the group sensed the disturbance in the void and immediately changed expression, instantly going on high alert.
He hadn’t expected anyone to bypass his detection until the moment they arrived, only then sensing the tremors in the void.
The disciples of the Yun Sect stiffened, their hearts pounding.
Since entering the Water-Fire Secret Realm, they had become separated from their elders. They had been proceeding with extreme caution, fearing encounters with powerful beings.
Seeing the newcomer, Hongyun Fairy’s face lit up with joy as she quickly stepped forward. “Everyone, don’t panic. He’s a friend of mine.”
Hearing Hongyun’s words, the group relaxed slightly.
When Tianyun and Mu Qing saw Lin Fan, they were also delighted. Though Tianyun had once felt some resentment toward Lin Fan for being close to Hongyun, he had long since gotten over it, finding Lin Fan to be a decent person.
“Are you alright?” Hongyun Fairy was surprised at how quickly Lin Fan had arrived. They had just reunited with their sect members.
“Yeah, I’m fine. The Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor was a bit of a problem, but it’s all settled now,” Lin Fan replied, glancing at the surrounding group.
Their auras varied, and their races were different, but their cultivation levels were decent—some at the Divine Heaven Stage, others at the Desolate Heaven Stage.
However, against someone like the Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor, their strength would likely not be enough.
“The Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor is dead?” Hongyun gasped in disbelief.
“Yeah, I’ve already killed him. Although his techniques were unusual, they were merely underhanded tricks,” Lin Fan said calmly. Although the Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor was at the Cave Heaven Realm, his power wasn’t that formidable—his only advantage lay in his ability to regenerate endlessly.
But once Lin Fan uncovered that secret, the Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor was no longer a threat.
Hongyun Fairy was deeply shocked. Even the elders of her sect had failed to kill the Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor, yet Lin Fan had done it effortlessly. His skill and strength were truly astonishing.
Though Lin Fan was still far from matching the sect elders, they had simply failed to uncover the Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor’s secret. When the elders had slain him before, they hadn’t realized the Ancestor could revive through the Black Heaven Bat King.
That previous battle had left the Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor severely weakened.
All the Black Heaven Bat Kings within his cave heaven had been wiped out, leaving only one to escape.
It had taken years for that last one to recover.
“Red Cloud, who is this friend of yours?” The group’s current leader, a senior disciple of the Yun Sect, asked with a sneer upon seeing Lin Fan.
“This is Lin Fan, a prodigy of the Human Race. When I was pursued by the Evil Alliance, he saved me. And when we encountered the Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor, he opened a path for me to escape with my seniors. Since this Water-Fire Secret Realm has opened, I invited him to come along,” Hongyun Fairy explained.
“Lin Fan, this is my senior brother, Fang Weifeng,” she introduced.
“Pleased to meet you,” Lin Fan politely greeted, showing proper respect as he recognized the man’s status as Hongyun’s senior.
Fang Weifeng glanced at Lin Fan before turning back to Hongyun. “The Water-Fire Secret Realm is of utmost importance. Without knowing his background, how could you bring him in? Good and evil cannot be judged by appearances alone.”
Lin Fan’s brows slightly furrowed, displeased. What was this guy’s problem? Lin Fan hadn’t even offended him, yet he was already radiating hostility.
“Senior Brother, Lin Fan saved our lives and killed the Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor. With him, we have better protection,” Tianyun stepped forward to say.
“What a bold claim—better protection with him? Tianyun, have you grown arrogant enough to no longer respect Senior Brother Fang?” a disciple standing beside Fang Weifeng stepped forward to rebuke.
“Senior Brother Wei, that’s not what I meant,” Tianyun replied.
“Enough! If even the elders couldn’t kill the Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor, how could he? Who’s to say he didn’t conspire with the Ten-Thousand Bat Ancestor and send you away on purpose?” Wei Tian accused harshly.
“How can you say such things, Senior Brother Wei?” Tianyun retorted.
“Reckless and disrespectful!” Wei Tian’s face darkened as he suddenly attacked.
Fang Weifeng stood there, expression unchanged, making no move to stop him. Clearly, this was a show of dominance, a warning to Lin Fan.
A clear message: this was who truly held authority here.
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