Chapter 77: Return to the Sect

“Stop at once.”

Just as Lin Fan was about to engage his senior brothers in combat, a voice rang out, halting the commotion.

“Is that you, Lin Fan?” A familiar and memorable voice reached Lin Fan’s ears.

Lin Fan turned his head toward the voice, a slight smile forming on his lips. Senior Brother Ni was just as he always was, and his cultivation had even advanced to the innate realm.

Lin Fan recalled that when he had left, Senior Brother Ni had only been at the eighth stage of the acquired realm. According to the usual logic, advancing from the eighth stage of the acquired realm to the innate realm involved two major hurdles. Yet, after Lin Fan had left, Senior Brother Ni’s cultivation had progressed rapidly. Lin Fan couldn’t help but wonder what kind of extraordinary fortune his senior brother had encountered.

“Senior Brother Ni, could there be someone else who looks exactly like me?” Lin Fan stood there, smiling.

Ni Mingyang, seeing the person he could scarcely believe was actually standing before him, trembled with shock. That annoyingly familiar vibe—only Lin Fan could give it.

“Lin Fan, you’re not… I never thought I’d see you again,” Ni Mingyang said, excitedly stepping forward and grabbing Lin Fan’s shoulders.

He had personally buried Lin Fan alongside Junior Brother Yin, and had been absolutely certain that Lin Fan was dead. Yet now, Lin Fan stood before him, alive and full of energy. It was hard for him to believe.

What had happened? Why had Lin Fan returned from the dead?

Ni Mingyang couldn’t make sense of it all, but regardless, Lin Fan’s safe return was the greatest joy he could imagine.

“Junior Brother Ni, do you know this person?” At that moment, the inner sect disciples around them asked in confusion.

“Yes, brothers, this is Lin Fan, a disciple of the outer sect of the Holy Demon Sect. However, due to certain circumstances, he has only just returned today,” Ni Mingyang explained.

“Oh, if he’s one of our own, then he should follow the rules. Anyway, forget it. Everyone, disperse,” one of the inner sect disciples nodded, slightly displeased at the junior brother’s forceful entry into the sect, but since it was a misunderstanding, he let it slide.

Looking at the two of them, it was clear they hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Perhaps this junior brother had experienced some misfortune and lost his identification token.

At that moment, Han Lu, standing among the crowd, furrowed his brows in disbelief. Wasn’t this guy already dead? How could he return?

When Lin Fan had been accidentally killed, Han Lu had been secretly thrilled. After all, this guy was simply too annoying.

But now, this damned pest had miraculously come back to life, and Han Lu felt a surge of displeasure. Heaven must be blind—such a nuisance should have died long ago.

With the help of the Jade Purifying Vase, Han Lu’s cultivation had skyrocketed. What took others years, he could achieve in a month. His cultivation had risen from the fourth stage of the acquired realm to the eighth stage, drawing ever closer to the innate realm. With the current power of the Jade Purifying Vase, Han Lu was confident he could break through to the innate realm within half a month.

After the onlookers had dispersed, Ni Mingyang remained excited—Lin Fan had come back to life.

“Lin Fan, let me take you to find Junior Brother Yin. Since your death, he’s been acting like a completely different person, locking himself in his room all day to cultivate. We only see him during meals, and the rest of the time, it’s nearly impossible to catch a glimpse of him. Also, you must honestly tell me what’s going on. Back then, you were truly dead!” Ni Mingyang said.

Lin Fan scratched his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed. He hadn’t expected his return to have such an impact on Junior Brother Yin.

In Lin Fan’s mind, Yin’s transformation was entirely his fault. Yin had witnessed Lin Fan’s accidental death at the hands of an inner sect senior brother but had been powerless to stop it. He must have been overwhelmed with guilt ever since.

“Senior Brother Ni, I also have something important to discuss with you two. I need your advice,” Lin Fan said. As an outer sect disciple, meeting the sect leader was practically impossible. Moreover, Lin Fan feared most that the sect leader wouldn’t believe him.

…

“What? Lin Fan, are you telling the truth?” Inside Yin Mochen’s room, after hearing Lin Fan’s story, both brothers wore expressions of disbelief.

The Great Yan Empire, together with other sects, was planning to attack the Holy Demon Sect? That couldn’t be possible.

The sects across the land had always kept their distance from one another. Why would they suddenly attack the Holy Demon Sect without reason?

“Lin Fan, did you misunderstand?” Ni Mingyang asked.

Lin Fan shook his head. “Senior Brother, I heard it with my own ears. Every word is true.”

“Lin Fan, the Yan Emperor’s cultivation is formidable. You say you heard it yourself, but… even if we go to the sect, no one will believe us,” Ni Mingyang said.

“Exactly, Lin Fan. This kind of thing can’t be a joke,” Yin Mochen said. Seeing Lin Fan return from the dead had completely stunned him.

“Senior Brother, do I look like I’m joking? If I hadn’t heard it with my own ears, I wouldn’t have traveled all the way from the Great Yan Empire to come back here,” Lin Fan replied.

Ni Mingyang and Yin Mochen were helpless about Lin Fan’s previous antics—pretending to be dead and sneaking out to travel to the Great Yan Empire. This junior brother had gone to great lengths just to get out.

“Lin Fan, of course we believe you. But if what you say is true, then it’s truly terrifying,” Ni Mingyang said anxiously.

“Senior Brother Ni, I want to ask Senior Brother Meng Yangquan to help me and introduce me to the sect leader. Senior Brother, you know that if it were just one sect, I’m sure the Holy Demon Sect could handle it. But the real problem is that it might not be just one or two sects. If we don’t inform the sect leader, when the day comes, no one in the sect will survive,” Lin Fan said.

“Alright, I’ll take you to Senior Brother Meng right away,” Ni Mingyang said seriously. He understood the gravity of the situation. If Lin Fan’s words were true, then the consequences would indeed be horrifying.

Although Meng Yangquan was an outer sect disciple, he was a hidden powerhouse, concealing his true cultivation at the sixth stage of the Divine Realm while remaining in the outer sect.

…

Qingxin Pavilion.

The most luxurious residence within the outer sect, and also where Meng Yangquan lived.

At that moment, Meng Yangquan was gently watching a junior sister practicing sword techniques outside the courtyard, gradually becoming entranced.

“Senior Brother, I’ve mastered the sword technique you taught me, the Startling Crane Sword Art,” Mu Chenyu said, a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead, making her look even more radiant.

“Junior Sister, your talent is exceptional. You’ve already grasped this Xuan-tier sword art. With continued effort, your cultivation will surely improve,” Meng Yangquan said with a smile.

Mu Chenyu smiled, gazing at Senior Brother Meng, a flash of reluctance in her eyes.

“Senior Brother, I want to see the outside world. Will you take me with you?” she asked.

Meng Yangquan was momentarily stunned. His usually calm heart stirred. This was the first time Junior Sister had ever invited him to leave the sect and travel the world.

Although outer sect disciples were forbidden from leaving the sect, Meng Yangquan was no ordinary disciple. He was a hidden powerhouse among the outer sect disciples. Taking an outer sect disciple outside would be no problem at all.

“Alright, wherever you want to go, Senior Brother will accompany you,” Meng Yangquan said affectionately.

“Ni Mingyang requests an audience with Senior Brother Meng,” a voice suddenly called from outside.

“Come in, Mingyang,” Meng Yangquan said softly.

When Lin Fan followed Ni Mingyang inside, Meng Yangquan was momentarily taken aback. “You’re Lin Fan?”

“Greetings, Senior Brother,” Lin Fan bowed respectfully.

“Senior Brother Meng, Lin Fan was just being playful. That day, he faked his death and left the sect for a little adventure,” Ni Mingyang explained.

Meng Yangquan slightly frowned. Faked his death? How was that possible? He had been there himself that day, personally confirming Lin Fan’s death. His life force had vanished completely. How could he have faked it?

“Mingyang, what’s the matter?” Meng Yangquan asked.

“Senior Brother, Lin Fan has an urgent matter to report to the sect leader and hopes Senior Brother Meng will introduce him,” Ni Mingyang said. If they wanted to meet the sect leader, only Senior Brother Meng could help.

Otherwise, with their status, they would never have the chance to see the sect leader.