The world was bleak and desolate. Although this battle did not result in many deaths, for the Holy Sect, it had lost someone of immeasurable importance.
Sighing deeply, the Sect Leader Yan seemed to have aged decades in an instant. With a flick of his sleeve, a radiant crystal coffin emerged onto the ground, shimmering with flowing light.
“This crystal coffin was originally prepared for myself, yet I never thought it would be used like this…” The Sect Leader shook his head, his expression filled with sorrow.
Although the ancient great demon had been sealed, it was far from a joyous occasion for the Holy Sect.
The Sect Leader gazed at Lin Fan, lying silently within the crystal coffin. His pale face brought tears to the old man’s eyes. Why did he suddenly feel like crying?
The ancient demon Quqi, head lowered, stepped forward and hoisted the crystal coffin onto his back. Two chains of cosmic law wrapped tightly around him, securing the coffin in place.
“You can store the coffin in a spatial ring,” the Sect Leader suggested.
Quqi shook his head. “No, Leader. He dislikes the dark. As his disciple, I should carry his body back to the sect.”
The Sect Leader said nothing further. With a wave of his sleeve, he tore open space and led his disciples across the void.
As for the warships, they had long been destroyed in the battle against the ancient demon.
…
Inside the crystal coffin, Lin Fan’s brows furrowed tightly. That chicken, Jizi, had also pretended to die. Thinking back, it made sense—Jizi’s personality was quite similar to his own.
He must have known there would be benefits, so he faked his death to share the burial.
The experience gained from slaying the ancient demon was staggering—six hundred billion points. It was an unimaginable amount, something never thought possible.
Mid-Heavenly Ascendant.
High-Heavenly Ascendant.
Heavenly Ascendant Perfect Completion.
The heavenly barriers, which had long restricted cultivation in Dongling Continent, shattered instantly under the overwhelming surge of experience, collapsing under the system’s force.
In an instant, Lin Fan felt as if he had entered a surreal realm.
In the void of his consciousness, a towering gate loomed, sealing off heaven and earth.
Lin Fan floated before it, slowly extending his hand. With a gentle push, the gate thunderously swung open.
It was a new world, a new realm.
Gradually, Lin Fan’s divine consciousness was drawn into the gate.
His essence, energy, and spirit drifted away, entering an indescribable state of existence.
…
At the Holy Sect, countless disciples stood vigil within the sect grounds. They had already learned the terrifying news—the return of the ancient demon.
The Sect Leader had led all the elders out to confront it, their fates uncertain.
Especially when the Sect Leader left, speaking to them as if bidding a final farewell, how could they not be filled with worry?
At that moment, the void trembled gently, like a stone dropped into water, rippling outward and tightening the hearts of countless disciples.
Eager eyes gazed into the sky, hoping for the safe return of their elders, hoping to hear the exhilarating news.
The ancient demon had been sealed.
Though everyone wished for this, they still feared the worst. From the crack in the void, only a few figures emerged.
“It’s the Sect Leader… He’s safe!”
“It’s Elder Wuya!”
“It’s Elder Lü Mingyang!”
…
Seeing each familiar figure, the disciples’ hearts gradually lifted.
Mu Bingshan, the current peak master of Jiulan Peak, clenched her fists tightly. When the Sect Leader had left with the elders, he had entrusted her with the sect’s affairs.
Perhaps to the Sect Leader, such words were unnecessary. If the ancient demon had not been eliminated, none of them would escape their fate in the end.
It would only be a matter of time—early death or late death.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, the disciples noticed something odd. Everyone had returned, yet the expressions of the Sect Leader and the others were unusually grim. Had something serious happened?
When Zhang Ergou and others saw Quqi returning safely, they finally exhaled in relief.
Originally, they had not wanted Quqi to join the mission—it was far too dangerous.
But Quqi had ignored their warnings, choosing to follow the Sect Leader into battle.
“At least he returned safely,” Zhang Ergou murmured. Yet he couldn’t help but wonder—why was Quqi carrying a coffin on his back?
When the Sect Leader and the others landed, the disciples rushed forward joyfully.
“Leader, was the ancient demon defeated?” they eagerly asked.
“Yes,” the Sect Leader nodded.
The disciples were overjoyed—until they noticed that their elders wore no smiles, only deep sorrow.
Had something happened?
Or had one of the elders perished in battle?
They looked carefully. A few elders were indeed injured, but nothing serious.
So why did the Sect Leader and the others look so grim?
“Junior brother, you’re back, that’s all that matters,” Zhang Ergou and others approached Quqi, patting his shoulder.
“Junior brother, why are you so gloomy? The ancient demon is gone!” Zhang Ergou asked in confusion.
Though Quqi had always been cold, he had never shown such sorrow.
“What’s with this coffin?” Zhang Ergou was utterly perplexed.
Tianyu was also curious and peeked into the crystal coffin. The moment he saw what was inside, he froze completely.
“Senior brother…” His voice trembled as he called out, his body unsteady.
“What’s wrong?” Zhang Ergou frowned, puzzled. What had his junior brother seen?
He walked over and nudged Tianyu, but the latter didn’t move. Then, following his gaze, he looked into the coffin.
Zhang Ergou collapsed to the ground, his face paling instantly.
“Se… Sect Leader…” he whispered in disbelief. Then, with a scream, he lunged forward.
“SECT LEADER!!”
Inside the crystal coffin, Lin Fan lay still, with Jizi beside him. But Lin Fan had already sunk deep into the void of consciousness, unaware of the world outside.
“Quqi, what happened?!” Zhang Ergou grabbed Quqi’s collar, roaring in fury.
He had never imagined that after months of separation, the next time he saw the Sect Leader would be only his cold, lifeless body.
“To seal the ancient demon, the Sect Leader sacrificed himself in battle,” Quqi said, his fists clenched tightly.
“Kuh…”
Zhang Ergou spat out a mouthful of blood, as if struck hard in the chest.
How… could this be?
The Sect Leader was dead…
And if Lin Fan were conscious now, he would surely be utterly stunned.
This time, he might have gone too far.
In their hearts, was he really that important?
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage