Chapter 748: Let’s share a hug.

“Jie, you see that, right? Sheng and this You are humiliating you. Especially Sheng—he’s truly despicable! How could he say you’re a burden? Can you actually tolerate this?” Lin Fan pointed outward beyond the Celestial and Terrestrial Furnace.

“Hmph, hearing this, I can’t tolerate it either. If you die like this, you’ll gain nothing and suffer such humiliation. Even I feel pity for you,” another voice lamented.

“Shut up.” Inside the Celestial and Terrestrial Furnace, Jie glared outward through the furnace walls. Every word spoken by Sheng reached Jie’s ears.

To Jie, this humiliation was absolutely intolerable.

At this moment, Lin Fan was somewhat astonished. He would never forget the image of that Female Emperor, nor the man who called himself Nanwu Holy Emperor.

Thinking of them, Lin Fan felt a sharp pang in his gut.

He had once severely humiliated these two in the lower realms, leaving them utterly devastated.

He had directly struck the Female Emperor’s divine consciousness with the “Black Tiger掏心,” nearly causing her chest to explode. Her once-beautiful face was now grotesquely swollen and unrecognizable.

Now, Lin Fan was much more considerate toward women and couldn’t even understand why he had been so brutal back then.

But none of that mattered anymore—after all, the Female Emperor had once tricked him.

As for Nanwu Holy Emperor, Lin Fan had always considered him an enemy, though in hindsight, he might have been mistaken.

When Lin Fan had first ascended to the higher realms, Nanwu hadn’t come looking for him or crushed him underfoot, so Lin Fan hadn’t been too angry.

Well then.

Everything had passed like smoke in the wind.

As for the current situation outside, Lin Fan didn’t want to dwell on it for now. The biggest problem before him was Jie. If Jie refused to release his grip on the Celestial and Terrestrial Divine Pill, then everything would be in vain.

“Jie, although we are enemies, I’ve never admired any ancient clans before. But you are the first. If you let go, I’ll help you escape. We’ll call it even. Once we’re out, you can do whatever you want. What do you think?” Lin Fan said gently.

This was both a discussion and a negotiation.

At this point, continuing to fight would benefit neither side.

Jie looked at Lin Fan. “You help me escape first, and then I’ll let go.”

Lin Fan sighed helplessly. “Jie, after fighting for so long, do we really have no trust between us at all?”

“Just as you said, you should trust me,” Jie replied.

For Jie, the moment he left the furnace, he would crush the Celestial and Terrestrial Divine Pill without hesitation.

Initially, Jie had been determined to fight Lin Fan to the death, unafraid of dying. But now, Sheng’s words had stirred a sense of resentment in him.

If he died like this, all his achievements would only benefit others.

“Ah, actually, you and I are alike—we’re both pitiful souls. In the lower realms, I was lonely and had no family or friends from childhood. As a kid, I had to fight dogs for scraps of food just to survive. I was humiliated countless times just to stay alive. Even after entering the sect, I was bullied and beaten day and night…”

Lin Fan sighed slightly, his heart filled with indescribable bitterness.

Every word he spoke was a lie, yet he almost convinced himself of their truth.

“And you?” Lin Fan asked.

“Silence! Either release me or perish together!” Supreme Jie roared furiously.

“Jie, don’t be like this. We’ve ended up here by fate. Whatever happens, we must either live or die. I can sense that you also carry much pain. Why not share it? Talking might bring you some relief. Don’t be fooled by Sheng’s current glory—he won’t live much longer,” Lin Fan said.

“…” Jie looked at Lin Fan, his fierce expression gradually softening, seemingly influenced by Lin Fan’s remark about Sheng’s impending doom.

“Now that we’re here, we can’t reach an agreement quickly. Besides, your hand is still inside my inner world. Tell me, what can you possibly do to me?” Lin Fan continued.

Jie closed his eyes briefly, then slowly opened them, as if recalling events from a distant past.

Normally, Jie spoke in a dark and terrifying tone, killing without hesitation. To him, the myriad races were like meat on the chopping block, and even his own kind were mere ants.

Now, his voice was slightly calmer, almost normal, and he no longer sounded like a vicious brute.

But Lin Fan knew this was merely an illusion. If Jie got the chance, he would bare his fangs in an instant.

“I was born ten thousand years ago as the lowest member of the ancient race, enduring countless hardships. From a common soldier to a ten-man leader, a hundred-man leader, and finally a thousand-man leader, I survived countless battles and countless brushes with death. My life during those ten thousand years was dark. In the ancient race, the weak were devoured by the strong, and the feeble were treated like ants…”

As Jie recalled his story, Lin Fan listened in astonishment.

Jie’s tale was far more tragic than his own.

Because of his weakness, even his fellow ancient race had nearly devoured him.

Lin Fan found it hard to believe that someone so pitiful could still be alive today—perhaps protected by sheer divine fortune.

But Lin Fan didn’t show any disbelief. Instead, he sighed. “Ah, what a pitiful soul. I never expected your life story to be even more tragic than mine.”

“That’s all I have to say. Now release me, and I’ll let go of your Celestial and Terrestrial Divine Pill.” Jie’s eyes flashed with a murderous gleam.

“No. We’ve just opened our hearts to each other. You should trust me—I’m an honest man who never lies. As soon as you let go, I’ll definitely help you escape,” Lin Fan shook his head.

“You still don’t trust me?” Jie’s voice turned sharp, his face once again twisting into a hideous grimace.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you—it’s a matter of principle,” Lin Fan replied.

“Hmph, principle. If that’s the case, then dare me to keep refining you. Let’s see who can last longer!” Jie roared with menace.

“What the hell? You’re threatening me? Fine! Refining you it is—who’s afraid of whom?”

Without another word, the refining power surged again.

Two shrieks of agony echoed once more, even more miserable than before.

“Ding! Congratulations, the Eternal Body has gained 150,000 experience points.”

“Ding! Congratulations, the Eternal Body has leveled up—Level 8.”

“Physical strength: Divine Heaven Ninth Rank.”

In an instant, Lin Fan’s heart was filled with joy. At such a painful moment, his physical strength had finally improved.

Lin Fan gently closed his eyes, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes. This painful effort had finally paid off.

But what should he do now?

What good was reaching Divine Heaven Ninth Rank anyway?

Before him stood Jie, a Supreme who had attained Eternal Position.

Jie was panting heavily, drenched in sweat. His body was severely damaged, and he didn’t know how much longer he could endure.

But he knew that if he released his grip on Lin Fan’s Celestial and Terrestrial Divine Pill here, he would likely perish.

“Jie, let’s stop hurting each other. You’re the most resilient ancient race I’ve ever encountered. I truly admire your willpower.”

“Hmph! Then release me,” Jie replied defiantly, still maintaining a fierce demeanor despite his weakened state.

“Alright, I can release you, but encountering a warrior like you has truly impressed me. So, may I give you a hug?” Lin Fan felt like the sky was about to collapse.

“You dare insult me? Embracing like an ant—where would my dignity be?” Jie refused furiously.

Lin Fan: “…”.