Chapter 704: It is a Day of Sorrow.

The next day!

Lin Fan opened his eyes groggily, but the moment he did, he was startled. That annoying bald monk was lying right next to him, one fat hand resting on Lin Fan’s chest.

“What the hell!” Lin Fan was shocked and immediately kicked the monk hard, sending him flying off the bed.

“Ouch! Master Lin, why so angry so early in the morning?” The monk, Zunzhe Sakyamuni, rubbed his eyes, still appearing half-asleep.

“Bald monk! Didn’t I tell you last night to sleep on the floor while I take the bed? How did you end up in my bed?” Lin Fan shuddered at the thought of sleeping all night beside this bald fool.

Who knew what inappropriate things this monk might have done during the night?

“Ah! How could I possibly sleep on the bed? Don’t falsely accuse me, Master Lin.” Zunzhe Sakyamuni replied solemnly, as though deeply offended by the accusation.

“You… you…”

“Master Lin, I just woke up and I’m clearly on the floor. How could I be on the bed? You must’ve been dreaming.” The monk spread his hands helplessly.

“Whatever, I’m not arguing with you.” Lin Fan waved his hand dismissively.

“Knock! Knock!”

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted them.

“Bald monk, go open the door.” With a helpless shake of his head, Zunzhe went to answer the door and soon returned.

“Master Lin, the innkeeper’s servant is asking if we’ll be renewing our stay. Otherwise, we need to vacate the room.” Zunzhe informed him.

“What? Time’s already up?” Lin Fan was taken aback. He glanced outside, where the morning sun had barely risen. It was still early.

“Excuse me, sirs. Our rooms are rented for twelve hours only. After that, we ask guests to either renew their stay or vacate the premises. Would you like to extend your stay?” The inn servant politely inquired.

“This is a robber’s den, a real rip-off!” Lin Fan cursed inwardly. But since he was unfamiliar with this place, he couldn’t afford to make a scene. He waved his hand. “No, we won’t be staying.”

“Understood.”

…

“Master Lin, are we really leaving?” Zunzhe asked after the servant had gone.

“Where’s the Saint Yang Pill? Can you afford to renew our stay?” Lin Fan shot back with a glare.

“No…” Zunzhe shrugged helplessly.

“Exactly. Let’s go. We need to form a team first. It seems like nothing here can be done without being part of a team.” Although Lin Fan didn’t fully understand the situation, even staying at an inn required team membership for discounts.

A mighty seventh-stage Divine Heaven expert reduced to such a miserable state.

Eventually, the two freshened up and inquired around until they finally found where one could register a team.

“I’m sorry, sirs, but since your combined contribution points total less than ten thousand, you cannot form a team.” A sweet-looking receptionist smiled brightly as she explained.

“What kind of ridiculous place is this? Forming a team requires ten thousand contribution points? Are there seriously this many rules?” Lin Fan nearly cried out in frustration. Was this some kind of joke?

Still, he maintained a calm expression and whispered, “Sweetheart, my buddy and I are really strong. How about we owe you the ten thousand points for now? Just help us register the team, and we’ll bring the points later. Deal?”

“Miss, could you do us a favor?” Zunzhe smiled ingratiatingly.

“I’m sorry, sirs. Forming a team does require ten thousand contribution points. However, you could join another team and earn some points first.” The girl patiently explained.

“Not even giving your big brother some face?” Lin Fan glanced around and leaned in closer, his tone turning threatening.

“No.” The girl shook her head firmly, unafraid.

Looking into her fearless eyes, Lin Fan finally gave up.

“Alright, miss. You win. Once we’ve earned ten thousand points, we’ll come back.” Lin Fan didn’t want to waste more words. Everyone here was too rigid, with no flexibility at all. Truly terrifying.

“Great! I hope you two can earn ten thousand points soon.” The girl smiled brightly, showing off her dazzling white teeth.

“Bald monk, let’s go.” Lin Fan hadn’t expected so many rules in this Guardian Realm. He could only sigh in resignation.

“Master Lin, what should we do now? Where can we earn ten thousand contribution points?” Zunzhe looked at Lin Fan helplessly.

Lin Fan placed one hand on his hip, gazed at the sky, and smirked. “Hmph! Ten thousand points? Do you really think that can stop me?”

“Oh! Master Lin has a plan?” Zunzhe’s face lit up with hope.

“Hehehe!” Lin Fan didn’t speak but grinned mischievously.

“Bald monk, tell me, what’s the fastest way to gain wealth in this world?” Lin Fan asked.

Zunzhe looked at Lin Fan, thought for a moment, and shook his head. “I don’t know, Master Lin.”

“Thought so. But you’ll find out soon enough.” Lin Fan smiled and led Zunzhe away.

…

In a quiet alley.

“Master Lin, is this really the right thing to do?” Zunzhe looked around nervously.

“What’s wrong with it? It’s just a little robbery. Follow my lead, and everything will be fine.” Lin Fan covered his face with a black cloth, leaving only his sharp eyes visible.

“Master Lin, I can’t do this.” Zunzhe shook his head again.

“Do you want to keep suffering and sleeping outside every night?”

“Look around you. Gold and points are everywhere. Look at those people feasting in the restaurants, enjoying themselves. With our strength, we should be top-tier experts, yet here we are, held back by ten thousand points. How can we let such a trivial thing stop us?” Lin Fan argued.

Zunzhe was silent for a moment before sighing. “Fine. If I must fall into hell to help you, then so be it. I’m sure the Buddha will understand.”

“Good man! Now go. I’ll wait here.” Lin Fan held up his large red brick, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

…

The corridor was busy with passersby.

Zunzhe watched carefully, recalling Lin Fan’s instructions to look for someone who looked particularly clueless.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He stepped forward.

“Amitabha, good sir. I see a divine light shining from the top of your head, reaching straight to the heavens. I have an item here that can help you ascend to the heavens. Would you kindly follow me so I may bestow this treasure upon you?” Zunzhe spoke sincerely, as if it were the truth.

Lin Fan watched from the shadows, a grin forming on his face. The bald monk was doing great. With an opening like this, surely someone would fall for it.

Standing before Zunzhe was a fat man, short and chubby, blinking his big eyes rapidly.

“You want me to follow you into that alley so you can rob me of my contribution points, right?” the fat man stammered.

“What? How did you know?” Zunzhe was shocked. Could this man read minds?

“I… I know because I used to do the same thing when I first came here. But I got caught by the inspectors and locked up for a whole year. Bald monk, I beg you, turn back while you still can. Here, take these hundred points as a gift. You must live honorably and not engage in… such despicable deeds.” The fat man stammered, then transferred a stream of contribution points to Zunzhe from his storage ring.

“Thank you, kind sir, for your wise words. I understand now.” Zunzhe sighed deeply and watched the fat man walk away.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan, hiding nearby, could only stare in silence at what had just unfolded.

“Sigh…”

…