By now, more and more passersby had gathered around. Lin Fan knew that he was nearing the Great Yan Empire, which was a vassal state under the jurisdiction of the Holy Demon Sect. Each year, the Yan Empire paid tribute to supply the internal needs of the Holy Demon Sect.
The Great Yan Empire had once been a dominant force, flourishing with powerful cultivators and outstanding talents. Even other vassal kingdoms affiliated with sects had experienced their own golden ages.
However, as various sects rose in strength, the royal dynasties gradually declined, eventually seeking protection by submitting to the sects.
For any sect, this situation was actually beneficial—it meant a larger pool of disciples without the need for excessive effort in recruitment.
Along the journey, Lin Fan had learned some things he wanted to know from Zang Tianhao and the others.
These travelers were students from Tianfu Academy. This trip had been a group expedition to hunt ferocious beasts, all of which possessed at least the Foundation Establishment cultivation stage—far beyond the capabilities of ordinary humans.
Fortunately, humans had strong learning abilities and often produced individuals with extraordinary talent.
Tianfu Academy was the only academy in the Great Yan Empire. While it included both geniuses and the ordinary, it still fell far short when compared to sects like the Holy Demon Sect.
This academy had been established by wandering cultivators who had allied themselves with the Great Yan Empire. Though lacking in deep-rooted heritage compared to the sects, it was still a place that couldn’t be underestimated.
“Senior, this is the capital of the Great Yan Empire. Would you consider joining us back to Tianfu Academy? I believe our teachers would be honored to meet someone as accomplished as you,” Zang Tianhao said, his tone filled with anticipation.
Zang Tianhao truly hoped to bring the senior into Tianfu Academy.
“In the future, if fate allows, we shall meet again. Thank you all for your help along the way. I, Lin Fan, am truly grateful,” Lin Fan replied with a respectful bow, preparing to part ways.
“Senior, you flatter us. If not for your intervention, we likely wouldn’t have survived,” Zang Tianhao replied.
At this moment, Lin Fan took out a longsword he had previously crafted. “Earlier, I destroyed your Floating Reed Sword. I apologize for that. This mid-grade sword is my compensation to you.”
Han Mengmeng felt reluctant to see the senior leave, but when Lin Fan handed her the mid-grade sword, she was both delighted and surprised.
“Thank you, Senior,” Han Mengmeng said joyfully as she accepted the sword.
“Mengmeng, such a precious weapon—how can you accept it?” Zang Tianhao said sternly. To them, a mid-grade sword was already an extremely valuable weapon.
“But Senior offered it to me. Of course I should accept it, otherwise I would be offending the Senior,” Han Mengmeng replied happily, hugging the sword tightly.
“It’s nothing. Just a mid-grade sword. Not particularly valuable,” Lin Fan said with a calm smile, waving it off.
The top-grade Tiger Gate Blade belonging to Qu Xiangge had broken into three pieces. Lin Fan had collected the fragments and reforged them into three mid-grade swords, one of which was given as compensation.
“Thank you, Senior Lin,” Zang Tianhao said gratefully.
Indeed, a true senior cultivator—offering a mid-grade weapon as compensation without hesitation.
Realizing it was getting late, Lin Fan waved goodbye to Zang Tianhao and the others and entered the city, heading eastward.
Unfamiliar with the Great Yan Empire, Lin Fan wandered aimlessly, simply wanting to observe what this empire was truly like.
Yet even with a casual glance, Lin Fan couldn’t help but marvel at the grandeur and vitality of the imperial capital of Yan.
Watching Lin Fan’s figure gradually disappear into the distance, Zang Tianhao and the others snapped out of their thoughts.
“I wonder when we’ll meet the Senior again,” Zang Tianhao murmured. Though their acquaintance was brief, he had been deeply moved by Lin Fan’s noble demeanor.
“Senior Han, you were so lucky to receive a mid-grade sword from the Senior! What will you name the sword?” Others looked on enviously at Han Mengmeng’s blade.
Han Mengmeng cradled the mid-grade sword in her arms like a treasure, her eyes curving into a smile. “I wish to be as righteous as the Senior. I’ll name it Justice Blade.”
…
Meanwhile, in the Sunset Forest.
Qu Xiangge and the others lay unconscious on the ground, while a hunting eagle soared high above, seemingly checking whether its prey was truly dead.
“Ugh…”
Qu Xiangge stirred slightly and opened his eyes, his expression instantly changing.
“Not dead…”
Looking around, Qu Xiangge realized he was still in the same place. But as he spoke those words, his face suddenly turned to one of disbelief.
His voice… how could it be like this?
High-pitched and soft—was this still his voice?
He reached up and touched his face. The rough skin he once had was now smooth. His fingers trembled as they reached his throat.
Flat… completely flat.
Where was his Adam’s apple? What had happened?
Sweat poured from Qu Xiangge’s forehead as a wave of fear surged through him.
At that moment, he suddenly felt something strange in his crotch area—as if something was missing.
Could it be…
He dared not imagine it, but still, suppressing his fear, he pulled open his pants. One glance was enough to send him into a rage. He spat out a mouthful of blood.
Gone… it was all gone. How could this happen?
…
“Have you seen a person in black pass by?”
At this moment, a panicked Qu Xiangge heard someone ask beside him, and he immediately roared in anger, “Get lost!”
Just then, a cold snort rang out.
Qu Xiangge’s mind trembled violently. He spat out another mouthful of blood and turned pale.
He looked up at the figure approaching—a figure clad in black robes, floating in midair, face obscured, but radiating an aura of extreme danger.
“Senior…” Qu Xiangge tried to speak.
The black-robed figure let out a sharp sound of surprise, and Qu Xiangge’s body suddenly lifted into the air, completely out of his control, floating toward the figure.
“Senior, please spare me…” Qu Xiangge cried out, nearly losing his mind. How had he encountered someone even more terrifying than before? He was a Foundation Establishment Fourth Stage expert, yet now he was being handled like an ant.
“Yin-Yang Karma Body… a Yin-Yang Karma Body unseen for ten thousand years… and it was discovered by me, Zong Hentian! Hahahaha…” The black-robed figure threw his head back in laughter. The surrounding sand and stones swirled violently, trees toppled, and a terrifying aura erupted, expressing his exhilaration.
“Senior…” Qu Xiangge was nearly urinating in fear. This person was definitely a madman. What Yin-Yang Karma Body? Let me go, damn it…
“This kind of demonic body has finally been found by me. This journey was not in vain. Since that’s the case, you’re coming with me. As for these insects, better to reduce them to dust.” Without waiting for Qu Xiangge to respond, Zong Hentian muttered to himself.
Just as Zong Hentian was about to act and eliminate Qu Xiangge’s subordinates, he suddenly froze.
“One…”
“Two…”
“Eight…”
“Twenty-four…”
“This can’t be… twenty-four Yin-Yang Karma Bodies? How is this possible?” Zong Hentian trembled with excitement. Even with his high cultivation, witnessing this scene before him, he could no longer remain calm.
“Hahahaha! My opportunity has finally come… all of you, come with me!”
“Senior, please have mercy!” Qu Xiangge cried, tears streaming down his face. He had barely escaped one tyrant, only to be captured by an even crazier one.
Why must Qu Xiangge suffer such a tragic fate?
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage