Chapter 247: Lin Fan, Indifferent to Fame and Fortune

“Oh…”

A soft sigh carried infinite helplessness from Lin Fan. Watching the meat that was almost in his grasp fly away—who could feel comfortable inside?

Why won’t you believe me? I really just wanted to say one word to you.

Lin Fan stood in the wind, holding a brick in his hand, disoriented by the turn of events. Eventually, he returned the brick to his backpack. Although the beast had escaped, he hadn’t completely lost out. After months of effort, his physical strength had finally reached the peak of the Xiao Tianwei realm. From now on, he could finally indulge in reckless abandon.

Looking at the ground, cracked wide open into a fissure dozens of feet across, Lin Fan hesitated. Should he chase down into the depths and capture that creature? But as soon as he saw the floating, pitch-black curtain of light within the crevice, he abandoned the idea.

He had no idea what lay beneath that dark curtain or what dangers might await inside.

Lin Fan then tossed the severed leg of the humanoid beast into the abyss and turned to leave.

At that moment, the cracked ground slowly sealed itself shut, as if nothing had ever happened.

…

Qingling Prefecture.

Chirpy, full and content, lazily sprawled on the chair with wings spread wide, letting out a small belch. His cute eyes sparkled with the lingering image of a hen that had passed before him moments ago.

After a meal, thoughts turn to romance—this was Chirpy’s current state of mind.

“Lord, Divine Chicken Chirpy seems to have thoughts and feelings like us,” Xiao Lie softly whispered, standing behind his leader.

“Of course. Divine Chicken Chirpy is the pet of a great cultivator. How could it be compared to those vulgar beasts?” Xiao Li Hai replied, still astonished at how much Chirpy could eat.

An entire table full of dishes had been completely devoured—not even a single crumb remained. No one could figure out what Chirpy’s stomach was made of.

Such a small body, yet possessing such an incredible appetite.

Meanwhile, grateful citizens, having survived the chaos and regained their lives, brought their most precious belongings to personally thank the Divine Chicken at the Prefect’s mansion. They had heard that a great cultivator had left behind a powerful pet. Although the master himself had not appeared, the simple-hearted people still wished to express their deepest gratitude to the legendary Divine Chicken.

“General Xiao Lie, please let us in to thank the Divine Chicken personally!” the citizens called out, carrying their offerings.

Xiao Lie looked down at the crowd and raised his hand to calm them. “Your kind intentions have been received by Divine Chicken Chirpy. However, the Divine Chicken is currently resting. Please return for now and do not disturb its rest.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd quietly dispersed and placed their offerings down.

“Lord Xiao Lie, the defense of Qingling Prefecture was only possible thanks to the brave soldiers. We don’t have much to offer, but please accept these humble gifts,” the citizens said.

Xiao Lie nodded with satisfaction. Although the soldiers hadn’t played a major role, the people remembering their efforts was reward enough.

The spirits of the fallen defenders could finally rest in peace.

Just then, a voice seemed to pierce through layers of space and time, exploding into everyone’s ears.

“Chirpy, let’s go…”

Everyone was startled—who was this speaker? Could it be the great cultivator himself?

At that moment, Chirpy, who had been daydreaming on the chair, immediately stood up upon hearing the voice, spread his wings, and dashed outside in a frenzy.

Xiao Li Hai followed closely behind, rushing out. The citizens outside, upon seeing a featherless chicken running out, were shocked.

Whose chicken had all its feathers plucked?

But when they saw the Prefect calling out behind him, everyone froze in stunned silence.

Could it be that the legendary Divine Chicken… was this featherless bird?

“Xiao Lie, quickly prepare a welcoming party. We must go out of the city to greet the great cultivator,” Xiao Li Hai said, his expression filled with excitement.

“Yes…”

Outside the city.

Lin Fan walked along the path, and with a flick of his sleeve, collected the countless droplets of essence blood floating in the air into his backpack.

This blood essence was more than enough to advance the “Blood Sea Cultivation Method” to its fourth level.

Indeed, Chirpy was truly a descendant of an ancient ferocious beast, possessing unmatched might.

At that moment, the city gates opened. Chirpy, dashing forward with both claws, sprinted toward Lin Fan, who stood in the distance with his back turned. With a leap, he landed on Lin Fan’s shoulder.

“Ooooo-kaaa!” Chirpy crowed proudly, though his full belly made him a bit unsteady as he perched there.

At the city gate, Xiao Li Hai and the others gazed at the distant figure with reverence.

That long, flowing hair, the white robes fluttering in the wind—so ethereal and otherworldly. Yet they couldn’t see his face, which filled Xiao Li Hai with regret.

“Please, stop for a moment! You have saved millions of lives in Qingling Prefecture. Allow us to express our deepest gratitude!” Xiao Li Hai hurriedly called out.

Countless citizens gathered at the city gates and along the walls, eyes filled with anticipation, gazing at that extraordinary back figure.

They truly hoped that this divine figure, like a god, would step into Qingling Prefecture as their honored guest, so they could express their utmost respect and thanks.

“There’s no need. It was merely a small favor,” Lin Fan replied lightly, his tone as calm as a breeze. Then, his body transformed into a streak of rainbow light, vanishing into the horizon.

He came in a flash and left in a flash, without even revealing his face.

Xiao Li Hai stared at the fading silhouette, his mind still echoing the words he had just heard.

A small favor… a small favor.

“Lord, we…” Xiao Lie hadn’t expected the great cultivator to leave so suddenly. A sense of disappointment filled his heart, and the waiting citizens also felt a pang of letdown.

“Xiao Lie, this is a true great cultivator. I have met countless cultivators from various sects, yet never have I encountered someone so indifferent to fame and fortune. He saved millions of lives yet described it as merely a small favor. Did you see the bloodstains on the edge of his robe?” Xiao Li Hai’s deep eyes overflowed with boundless respect.

“Lord must have been injured. For hundreds of years, Qingling Prefecture has stood on the brink of destruction. It was that great cultivator who saved us. Therefore, I have decided—we shall erect a hundred-meter-tall statue of him in the city center, commemorating this day and allowing future generations to admire and remember,” Xiao Li Hai declared, his gaze fixed ahead.

“Yes…” Xiao Lie nodded, having no objection to the Prefect’s decision.

The great cultivator loved the people and never indulged in extravagance. Although building a hundred-meter statue might seem burdensome, Xiao Lie believed it was worth every effort.

“But Lord, we didn’t see his face clearly. How shall we proceed?” Xiao Lie asked.

“No, we saw him clearly. That graceful back figure, the white robes flowing in the wind—unparalleled in this world… I will paint that image, and you shall issue an order for all citizens to support this endeavor,” Xiao Li Hai said, deeply moved by Lin Fan’s elegant silhouette.

“Yes.” Xiao Lie nodded.

…

Unbeknownst to Lin Fan, his very first statue, meant for the admiration of future generations, was thus erected in Qingling Prefecture. And on that statue, the image of a featherless chicken left an even deeper impression on the hearts of the people.