Celestial Heart Continent, Southern Domain Thirteen States, on the border of Linyuan State.
Upon a nameless, barren mountain bordering the chaotic southwestern territories, a figure seemed to be sitting cross-legged.
The nameless mountain had long shed its autumn colors. As far as the eye could see, only desolation remained.
Though the snowing depths of winter had not yet arrived, the entire barren mountain was exceptionally cold. The frigid wind, carrying the turbid miasma unique to the southwestern territories, howled like a razor's edge as it ravaged the mountain ravines.
Yet, in such a harsh environment, the thin figure faced the cold wind, sitting cross-legged atop the peak as steady as a great bell.
The young man's face was a bit boyish, yet it held a trace of unwavering resolve.
"HUUU!"
Suddenly, the young man slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air, shattering the silence on the barren mountain.
The young man rose and kowtowed respectfully before the grave in front of him.
"Master's great kindness, Mu Fan will never forget! When I recover, I will surely restore the glory of our Profound Bright Peak!"
Mu Fan murmured, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Three years ago, his master had returned, covered in blood. The first thing he did upon his return was to order Mu Fan to shatter his Dantian and guard his grave for three years.
Ignoring the strange looks from others, Mu Fan had shattered his own Dantian without hesitation, his years of hard cultivation vanishing in an instant.
From then on, the sect's young genius became a laughingstock.
But now, there wasn't a trace of dejection on Mu Fan's face. Instead, he looked faintly excited and thrilled!
All of this was because of the Heaven-Mending Fruit that had been successfully nurtured within his body.
That's right, the Heaven-Mending Fruit. It was a heaven-defying treasure formed by a Venerable Wenda of the Profound Sect before his passing, using his own lifeblood essence as a catalyst and his Dao Fruit as nutrients.
And Mu Fan's master, Yunzhouzi, had just barely stepped into the Inquiry Realm before he passed.
However, that alone was not enough. It also required a person to use their Dantian's aura as a crucible, nurturing it continuously every day.
Only after three years would the Heaven-Mending Fruit mature. After being absorbed and refined, it could completely repair a shattered Dantian!
And this was one of the reasons Yunzhouzi had Mu Fan shatter his Dantian—to use the Heaven-Mending Fruit to help him reconstruct it.
Because while Mu Fan's original talent was considerable, no one knew his true strength lay in his comprehension, not his Dantian. His Dantian had been congenitally flawed!
One could only imagine what kind of monster Mu Fan would become once his Dantian was made whole.
"You must be Mu Fan?"
Just then, a cold voice came from behind Mu Fan.
Mu Fan turned to see an elegant and beautiful figure slowly walking up from the mountainside.
"Can I help you?"
Mu Fan looked at the newcomer, a flash of confusion in his eyes.
"My name is Lu Xueqing. I came here today for one reason: to inform you that the engagement between us is void!"
Lu Xueqing's expression was cold, but she couldn't hide the disdain in her voice.
'The Mu Fan before me is just as the rumors say—a piece of trash with a shattered Dantian!'
'This kind of trash isn't worthy of who I am today!'
"Whether you're willing or not, this engagement is hereby annulled."
Before Mu Fan could speak, Lu Xueqing took out the marriage agreement. With a light flick of her delicate hand, it turned to fluttering fragments.
Having done this, Lu Xueqing seemed unwilling to spare Mu Fan another glance and turned to leave.
"Stop!"
Seeing this, Mu Fan's eyes narrowed. He retrieved a wooden box from nearby and found his own copy of the so-called marriage agreement within it.
"Lu Xueqing, if I recall correctly, it was your master who begged my master to arrange this engagement for you! Now, if anyone is going to cancel it, it should be me! You don't have the right!"
With that, Mu Fan tore the marriage agreement to shreds right in front of Lu Xueqing.
"You!"
In the past three years, Lu Xueqing's power had grown by leaps and bounds. She was the chosen maiden of the sect. When had she ever suffered such an insult, especially from the piece of trash before her!
A vicious glint flashed in her eyes. She took a step forward, and a tide-like pressure spread across the mountaintop, so oppressive that Mu Fan's legs couldn't stop trembling.
After all, Mu Fan had no cultivation now. How could he withstand such tyrannical pressure? It seemed he was about to be forced to his knees.
"Stop!"
At that critical moment, a voice suddenly called out from the distance.
"Lu Xueqing, you're the proud chosen maiden of the sect. What's so great about attacking someone who doesn't even have the strength to truss a chicken!"
Hearing the voice, a look of pleasant surprise flashed in Mu Fan's eyes. He turned his head to see a slender figure slowly emerge from the miasma.
"Wei'Er!"
Mu Fan's gaze softened as he looked at the newcomer, but a hint of anxiety crept in as well.
"Senior Brother, as long as I'm here today, I won't let anyone bully you!"
Ying Weiwei gritted her teeth, putting on a brave front as she continued to address Lu Xueqing. "Senior Sister Lu, if you attack us today, it probably won't be good for your reputation if word gets out, right?"
Hearing this, Lu Xueqing's expression faltered. Her earlier anger gradually subsided. She let out a cold snort, shot Mu Fan a hateful glare, and turned to leave.
Only after Lu Xueqing was far away did the two of them breathe a sigh of relief.
Mu Fan turned to Ying Weiwei and said, "I was coming down the mountain today anyway. You didn't have to make another trip up."
"Hee hee, I was worried about you, Senior Brother. Besides, if it weren't for me today, you would have been in deep trouble."
Ying Weiwei giggled, grabbing Mu Fan's arm and shaking it playfully.
"Besides, don't you forget, you need to absorb the Heaven-Mending Fruit. Someone has to act as your Dharma Protector, right?"
Hearing this, Mu Fan's heart softened even more.
Ying Weiwei was the junior sister who had grown up with Mu Fan. For the past three years, she had frequently come up the mountain to visit him.
Mu Fan was also the one who had told Ying Weiwei about the Heaven-Mending Fruit. In his eyes, he and his junior sister would become cultivation partners sooner or later, so there was no need to hide it from her.
"But Senior Brother, will the Heaven-Mending Fruit really finish maturing today?"
Ying Weiwei asked curiously, batting her big, watery eyes.
"It's already mature!"
Mu Fan made no attempt to hide his joy, but he failed to notice the fleeting darkness in Ying Weiwei's eyes.
"It's mature already?"
Upon hearing this, Ying Weiwei immediately looked up. Her expression suddenly changed as she raised her hand and viciously struck Mu Fan's chest with her palm.
"BANG!"
Mu Fan's body flew backward uncontrollably, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
"THUMP!"
"Junior Sister! What are you doing?!"
Without even time to check his injuries, Mu Fan stared at Ying Weiwei in disbelief.
"Tsk tsk, isn't it obvious what I'm doing? My dear Senior Brother!"
Ying Weiwei sneered, all her previous innocence and cuteness gone, replaced by a look of sinister cruelty.
"Hahahaha, finally! I've finally waited for this day!"
Before Mu Fan could ask any more questions, a burst of wild laughter rang out, and a figure appeared before his eyes.
"Feng Yuan?"
Seeing the newcomer's face, Mu Fan's expression instantly changed.
"You two!"
"Ying Weiwei! You actually betrayed me!"
How could Mu Fan not understand what was happening now? He immediately roared in fury.
"Betrayal? You piece of trash, you didn't actually think Weiwei liked you, did you? If it weren't for the Heaven-Mending Fruit, do you think you're worthy of her treating you like that?"
Feng Yuan raised his hand and struck Mu Fan's chest with his palm. Flames swirled in his palm, scorching the surrounding air until it warped.
"BANG!"
With a muffled thud, Mu Fan crashed heavily to the ground, once again spitting up blood. His chest was now a patch of scorched black.
"You'll die a horrible death! I'll kill you!"
Mu Fan let out a bloodcurdling cry and struggled to his feet, about to charge at the two of them.
"You piece of trash, how dare you act tough!"
"SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!"
As if provoked by the look in Mu Fan's eyes, Ying Weiwei raised her hand and sent slashes of Sword Qi flying, leaving a series of gashes on his body that were deep enough to show bone.
"He was the chosen one of his generation, after all. His life force is much more tenacious than an ordinary person's."
Feng Yuan watched Mu Fan with a mocking expression.
"I'd like to see if you can still be so stubborn after I take out the Heaven-Mending Fruit."
With that, Feng Yuan stepped forward, reaching his hand toward Mu Fan's Dantian.
"PFFT!"
After all, Mu Fan had no cultivation now. Though his physical body was strong, it was like a rootless duckweed. Feng Yuan easily pierced his flesh and reached in to pull out the Heaven-Mending Fruit that had been nurtured within his shattered Dantian.
With the Heaven-Mending Fruit stolen, Mu Fan lost all ability to struggle. The gaping wound in his lower abdomen continued to bleed profusely. He was taking in less air than he was letting out, on the verge of death.
"So this is the Heaven-Mending Fruit!"
Gazing at the Heaven-Mending Fruit in his hand—shining brightly and covered in profound, mystical patterns—Feng Yuan's eyes filled with ecstasy.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother Feng, on obtaining this opportunity! You will surely shine brightly in the future!"
Ying Weiwei hurried forward to offer her congratulations, completely ignoring the dying Mu Fan lying to the side.
"This is all thanks to you, Junior Sister. Don't worry, I'll definitely keep my promise. As for this piece of trash, let's just leave him here to fend for himself."
Feng Yuan said with a smile, then turned and walked away indifferently.
A delighted look appeared on Ying Weiwei's face, and she quickly followed, not even glancing at Mu Fan!
However, they failed to notice that the blood soaking the ground around Mu Fan was now, as if summoned and guided, converging toward the grave.
"SHIING!"
A faint glimmer of light, accompanied by a soft hum, broke through the earth from the grave and shot into Mu Fan's body in a flash.
"Alas, Fan'Er, you are too sentimental and too quick to trust others. I hope that after this, you will understand that in the world of the Profound Sect, mercy will only bring harm to yourself."
In a daze, Mu Fan seemed to see his master's figure. Then, his sea of consciousness trembled, and he was pulled into a dim, silent world.
"Chaos Realm! Open!"
...
"I... I'm not dead!"
An unknown amount of time passed before Mu Fan slowly regained consciousness.
The moment his awareness returned, excruciating pain wracked his body. His limbs felt as if they were being torn apart, and Mu Fan couldn't help but grit his teeth.
Enduring the agony that swept through him, Mu Fan forced himself to sit up. He scanned his strange surroundings, a look of bewildered suspicion flashing in his eyes.
'Is this the Chaos Realm?'
He recalled that just before his consciousness faded to black, he had faintly heard his Master's voice.
'Could this be the real opportunity Master left for me?'
Mu Fan muttered to himself as he began to carefully examine the small world he was in.
The ground before him was riddled with sword scars. In the distance, a colossal mountain had its peak sheared off. A terrifying aura lingered beneath the sky. Every detail proclaimed the extraordinary nature of this place.
'Hm? What's that!'
However, when Mu Fan strained his eyes to look into the distance, he noticed a massive, shadowy silhouette looming indistinctly in the sky.
When he finally saw the silhouette clearly, Mu Fan's jaw dropped, his eyes filled with utter shock.
"The Chaos Tripod!"
In an instant, legends of the Chaos Tripod flooded Mu Fan's mind!
No one knew the origin of the Chaos Tripod, but tales of its miraculous powers were widespread throughout the continent. It was said that whoever obtained the Chaos Tripod could reign supreme over the lands. Both the Profound Sect and the demonic sects believed this without a doubt!
And now, the Chaos Tripod wasn't just appearing before him—Mu Fan was stunned to find that he could feel a faint connection to it.
At this thought, Mu Fan no longer hesitated. He tentatively tried to communicate with the behemoth before him.
HUMMM!
With a mere flicker of his will, the Chaos Tripod trembled violently. Ripples spread through the surroundings, and the entire world showed signs of imminent collapse.
WHOOSH!
Before Mu Fan could retract his thoughts, the Chaos Tripod released a primordial aura, then abruptly shrank, transforming into a streak of azure light that shot into his body.
As the Chaos Tripod entered him, Mu Fan felt as though he could control this entire world.
'Master, so this is the real opportunity you left for me!'
Mu Fan clenched his fists, overcome with emotion.
Only now did Mu Fan truly understand his Master's intentions. The Heaven-Mending Fruit was merely a diversion his Master had deliberately left. The real opportunity was this small world, and even more so, the Chaos Tripod inside his body!
Now that the Chaos Tripod had accepted him as its master, Mu Fan understood its miraculous properties even more clearly. The artifact contained nine layers of worlds, each holding its own unique opportunities!
Of course, with his current level of cultivation, Mu Fan couldn't explore the deeper layers yet.
'In that case, I can't let Master's good intentions go to waste.'
Mu Fan smiled calmly, his eyes filled with unprecedented anticipation and excitement. With a thought, the Chaos Tripod inside him began to turn slowly. Then, a drop of ink-black blood flew out from within it.
A drop of blood essence left behind by the Demon Ancestor Luo Hou!
And this!
This was the opportunity contained within the first layer of the world!
HUUU!
Heavily exhaling a breath of turbid air, Mu Fan solidified his resolve. He sat down cross-legged, and the Chaos Tripod flew out from his body to hover above his head. It continuously released streams of profound light, helping him refine the blood essence within him.
"URGH!"
The expected, excruciating pain arrived, and Mu Fan still couldn't stop himself from crying out. The wounds all over his body were torn open again, and streams of fresh blood flowed down his body and into the earth below.
Meanwhile, the sinister Demonic Qi released by the blood essence caused a chilling cold to spread through Mu Fan's body, faintly suppressing the unbearable agony.
At this moment, Mu Fan's body was constantly being torn apart and repaired in a repeating cycle. Inside him, his once-shattered Dantian was slowly mending itself.
Above his head, the azure profound light released by the Chaos Tripod seemed to join in remodeling his physical body, directly confronting the black demonic light radiating from the blood essence.
The two forces treated Mu Fan's body as a battlefield, constantly clashing with each other.
Mu Fan felt as if two giant beasts were savagely fighting inside him, a tearing sensation spreading throughout his entire body.
'Hold on!'
Mu Fan knew how dangerous this moment was. The slightest mistake could lead to his body exploding, killing him instantly. However, he could also clearly feel his physical strength increasing at an unbelievably ferocious rate!
It was becoming far more formidable than even that of a pure Demon Cultivator!
Along with it, Mu Fan's cultivation base was also rising continuously!
First level of the Spirit Absorption Realm!
Second level of the Spirit Absorption Realm!
Third level of the Spirit Absorption Realm!
In just a few moments, Mu Fan's cultivation had risen to the third level of the Spirit Absorption Realm. But it wasn't over. Torrents of Spiritual Qi began to converge on Mu Fan like a vortex.
HUMMM!
Above his head, the Chaos Tripod let out another soft hum, and a wisp of azure profound light flashed into Mu Fan's Dantian.
HISS HISS HISS!
Inside his Dantian, which was now fully repaired and its flaws mended, the azure profound light acted like a millstone. It drew in the already dense Spiritual Qi and ground it down relentlessly, making it even more concentrated.
Several hours passed in a flash. Mu Fan had long since adapted to the pain in his body, and his tightly knitted brows had finally relaxed.
'It's finally over.'
Mu Fan gently exhaled a breath of turbid air and slowly opened his eyes. A flash of azure and a flash of black light vanished from the depths of his pupils. Sensing the immense changes in his body, he couldn't help but look overjoyed.
'The blood essence of Demon Ancestor Luo Hou is truly formidable!'
'And this Chaos Tripod, it can even help me condense my Spiritual Qi!'
Mu Fan's heart settled. 'With these two, my cultivation in both physical body and Spiritual Qi will far surpass that of ordinary people!'
'Back then, you kicked me out of Profound Bright Peak. You never would have imagined I'd receive such an opportunity, would you? Just you wait. Before long, I will return to the Inner Sect and bring Master's wife back to Profound Bright Peak with me!'
Mu Fan's eyes reddened as he recalled the past, and his fists clenched tightly.
A moment later, Mu Fan took a deep breath and stood up. The scabs of dried blood covering his body immediately fell away, revealing a physique as tough as bronzed iron.
BANG!
With a single punch, Mu Fan didn't use any of the Spiritual Qi in his body, yet the power was immense.
'I'm afraid anyone below the eighth level of the Spirit Absorption Realm wouldn't be able to withstand that punch.'
Mu Fan couldn't help but grin. He was now more like a savage beast that specialized in physical cultivation!
At this thought, however, a mist began to form in Mu Fan's eyes.
From the destruction of his cultivation three years ago until today, the agony and torment Mu Fan had endured were beyond what an ordinary person could imagine. Now, finally, his suffering had turned to sweet reward.
"Chaos Realm, withdraw!"
With a thought, Mu Fan reappeared on the desolate mountain.
"Master, rest assured. With me here, Profound Bright Peak will not remain in decline. I will also respect Master's wife as my own mother and take good care of her!"
Mu Fan turned and kowtowed once more before his Master's grave as he spoke.
However, before Mu Fan could get up, the Jade Pendant he wore on his chest shattered with a CRACK.
"Master's wife!"
Mu Fan shot to his feet, a vicious glint in his eyes. This was a communication Jade Pendant he had given to his master's wife. It was connected to her life force; if she were ever in danger, the pendant would shatter as a warning!
Master's wife was just a mortal who had never cultivated in the slightest. If someone in the sect was deliberately targeting her, how could she possibly resist!
"I don't care who you are! If you dare to touch my master's wife, I'll make you regret ever being born!"
Mu Fan's heart burned with anxiety, his eyes turning bloodshot. Without a moment's hesitation, he bolted down the mountain.
No one could know the towering rage that consumed Mu Fan's heart, just as no one could know the depth of his feelings for his Master and his master's wife.
An orphan since childhood, Mu Fan had long considered his Master and master's wife to be his only family. How could he possibly stand by and watch her come to harm!
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Mu Fan had sprinted to the foot of Profound Bright Peak. In a flash, he landed inside his master's wife's courtyard.
THUD!
"You damn wretch! Hurry up and hand over Yunzhouzi's belongings!"
As soon as he entered the courtyard, Mu Fan heard a dull thud, followed by a voice dripping with greed coming from the main house.
"I don't have them. I really don't."
Then came his master's wife's voice, full of grievance and fear.
Hearing this, Mu Fan's heart felt as if it were being twisted by a knife. Since he was young, his master's wife had treated him as her own son, caring for him meticulously. Whenever his Master scolded him, she would protectively shield him like a mother protecting her calf.
When had his bright and gentle master's wife ever suffered such humiliation?
"Bitch! It seems you won't shed a tear until you see your own coffin!"
The man's voice came from the main house again, faintly accompanied by the soft ring of a blade being drawn from its sheath.
"Stop!"
Without a second thought, Mu Fan surged forward in a rage and kicked the door open. An azure gleam flashed from his hand as a strand of Sword Qi, condensed from Spiritual Qi, shot toward the man.
SWOOSH!
The man hastily dodged. The Sword Qi instantly pierced through the wall behind him before vanishing without a trace.
"What the hell are you? How dare you interrupt my business?"
Seeing Mu Fan, the man's eyes flashed with suspicion as he demanded sharply.
Mu Fan ignored him. His gaze swept over the now-disheveled room and landed on his master's wife.
He saw her lying on the floor, a trickle of blood leaking from the corner of her mouth.
"You dare! You dared to lay a hand on my master's wife... You deserve to die!!"
The Profound Sect strictly forbids harming mortals without reason, and this man had hurt his most beloved master's wife!
Mu Fan's heart was overflowing with uncontrollable, towering rage. He took a step forward, and a Longsword suddenly appeared in his hand. The blade's cold glint radiated killing intent as he pointed it at the man.
...
"Well, look at this. A piece of trash at the third level of the Spirit Absorption Realm dares to glare at me?"
The man shot Mu Fan a contemptuous look before turning to the men behind him.
"Hahaha! The third level of the Spirit Absorption Realm? Even the stray cats and dogs on the peaks could probably reach that level after a few years of cultivation."
"I was wondering which senior brother was acting so high and mighty. Turns out it's just a piece of trash."
"Trash? You're insulting trash. This guy is worse than trash!"
Everyone immediately chimed in, their gazes fixed on Mu Fan, each one filled with mockery and disdain.
"If you don't die today, nothing will quell the hatred in my heart!"
Mu Fan took a deep breath, struggling to contain his fury, his voice thick with killing intent.
"You're courting death!"
The man's eyes narrowed at his words, as if he'd just been gravely insulted. He whipped his head around and roared at the men behind him.
"What are you waiting for? Kill him!"
The men jolted at his command. They immediately drew their weapons, their auras flaring—all of them were at the fifth level of the Spirit Absorption Realm.
"Heh heh... Kid, you're the one courting death. Don't blame us for what happens next."
The men chuckled menacingly, weapons in hand, as they closed in on Mu Fan.
SWISH!
The words had barely faded when the men flickered into motion. Their longswords showed no mercy, each strike aimed at Mu Fan's vital points.
"Hmph!"
Mu Fan snorted. To him, their seemingly flawless assault was riddled with flaws.
With a tap of his foot, Mu Fan shot forward. His blue-black longsword radiated an indescribable, terrifying might as he swept it toward the men in front of him.
CRACK!
The two men in front saw the terrifying speed of Mu Fan's longsword and hastily raised their own to block. However, with a sharp crack, their blades instantly shattered into two pieces. The Sword Qi then passed through their chests unimpeded.
THUD!
A flicker of shock crossed the two men's eyes as the mockery in them vanished, leaving only the emptiness of death. They then toppled to the ground, stiff as boards.
Mu Fan didn't spare them a glance. Tapping his toes again, he spun around, his longsword once more unleashing a chilling Demonic Qi. A ray of sword light shot straight for the last man's forehead.
The man had no time to dodge. A look of terror flashed in his eyes as he watched, helpless, as the ray of light pierced his forehead.
PFFT.
The last of the grunts was dead.
"You!"
"How dare you attack us!"
The lead youth had lost all of his earlier composure. His face was now a mask of shock and disbelief.
The cultivation Mu Fan revealed was clearly only the third level of the Spirit Absorption Realm. How could he possibly fight three disciples at the fifth level of the Spirit Absorption Realm and win, and so cleanly at that—as if he were just slicing vegetables!
"Do you have any idea who we work for? We're Senior Brother Feng Yuan's men! Aren't you afraid he'll come after you to settle this score?"
'Feng Yuan? It's that bastard again!'
'Stealing the Heaven-Mending Fruit my master left for me wasn't enough, now he dares to covet my master's relics!'
'And how did Feng Yuan find out where Madam lives? Ying Weiwei must be behind this!'
"Settle the score? Good. I have a score of my own to settle with him!"
After speaking, Mu Fan sheathed his longsword and charged the youth. He had no intention of letting him die so easily.
THUD!
With a single punch, the youth, completely unable to defend himself, was sent flying. Blood sprayed from his mouth as if it cost nothing.
Mu Fan was relentless. He closed the distance again, raising his foot to stomp down on the youth's right hand.
CRACK!
"ARGH!"
The youth howled in agony, terror flashing in his eyes. He finally had a clear understanding of Mu Fan. This was a monster whose strength couldn't be judged by his cultivation realm!
"Shut up!"
Mu Fan swung his hand, slapping the youth across the face.
Instantly, the youth's cheek swelled up. His teeth scattered across the ground, and all he could do now was whimper in pain.
Mu Fan kicked three more times, breaking the youth's other limbs. Then, with a flash of cold light from his fingertip, he shattered the youth's Dantian, destroying his cultivation completely!
"You... you crippled my cultivation! I'll never forgive you! I'll never forgive you!"
With his cultivation destroyed, the youth's eyes filled with utter terror.
"Kneel!"
Mu Fan flicked his right hand, dislocating the youth's jaw, then threw him down in front of his Madam.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
The youth was now completely powerless to resist. Though his eyes seethed with miserable, venomous hatred, he was entirely at Mu Fan's mercy.
"Madam, Madam, please wake up! It's Fan'Er! It's me, Fan'Er!"
Having dealt with the men, Mu Fan finally stepped forward, gently cradling his Madam in his arms as he called out to her.
He recalled her gentle, serene bearing from long ago. *"Fan'Er, I am your master's dao companion. My name is Wen Yue. From now on, I'll be like a real mother to you, alright?"* Looking now at her haggard, weathered face, Mu Fan's heart felt like it was being twisted by a knife.
Feeling the weak aura of the Madam in his arms, Mu Fan's eyes filled with rage. 'How could these bastards bring themselves to harm a kind woman with no cultivation!'
"Fan'Er?"
As if sensing his urgency, Wen Yue slowly opened her weary eyes.
"Fan'Er! You... you're back!"
Seeing the face before her, Wen Yue felt a sting in her eyes, and tears instantly welled up.
"As long as you're back, everything is fine. As long as you're back."
"Madam, rest assured. I'm here now. No one will ever be able to bully you again!"
Mu Fan could truly feel the love and care the woman before him held for him, and tears began to fall from his own eyes.
"Madam, let me heal you first!"
With that, Mu Fan mobilized the Spiritual Qi in his body, slowly channeling it into his Madam.
A short while later, her breathing steadied, and some color returned to her face.
"Phew."
Seeing that his Madam's condition had stabilized, Mu Fan helped her get comfortable before turning to cast a cold glare at the youth.
"You should consider yourself lucky. I didn't want my Madam to see anything too gruesome."
A cruel sneer touched Mu Fan's lips. He reached out, dragged the youth closer, and brought his palm down on the man's head.
THUMP!
With a dull thud, the fear in the youth's eyes slowly faded. He was dead silent.
"Madam, please rest. I'll take care of this garbage."
Glancing at the chaotic mess in the room, Mu Fan turned back to his Madam with a smile, his voice gentle and completely lacking the brutal decisiveness he'd shown moments before.
"Alright."
Wen Yue's eyes followed Mu Fan's every move, a gratified smile unconsciously touching her lips.
Although she had no cultivation, she could sense that Mu Fan was back to his former self. At this, her heart finally felt at ease.
...
"Fan'er, won't killing those people bring you trouble?"
After Mu Fan finished tidying the room, Wen Yue finally spoke, her voice laced with concern.
"Aunt, please don't worry. I know what I'm doing. You must have noticed that my cultivation has been restored. The sect assessment is just around the corner. Once I reveal my true strength, all these problems will resolve themselves!"
Mu Fan offered a faint smile, his eyes brimming with confidence and determination.
Meanwhile, as Mu Fan was reassuring his aunt, a different scene was unfolding on the Taiqing Sect's Earth Gate Peak, outside a residence near the summit.
"Senior Sister Lu, are you here to see Senior Sister Shen?"
A serving girl in green robes asked Lu Xueqing quietly, as if afraid to disturb the person inside the residence.
"Yes. I'll go in myself. You don't need to attend to me."
Lu Xueqing nodded and walked into the residence, her calm and composed expression showing she was clearly familiar with the place.
Inside the residence, Lu Xueqing navigated the familiar path to a specific room. Without a word, she pushed the door open and went straight inside.
A wave of heat washed over her the moment she opened the door. Lu Xueqing frowned instinctively and strode quickly to the side of the bed.
On the bed, a mysterious figure was partially visible through a gauze canopy. She writhed as waves of heat radiated from her body, her every movement accentuating her seductive figure.
"Mu Yao!"
Lu Xueqing frowned. Her naturally cool disposition made her despise the waves of heat.
"Mmm…"
Hearing Lu Xueqing's voice, the beautiful woman sleeping on the bed let out a soft moan and opened her drowsy eyes.
"Qingqing, you're here!"
The woman, Shen Muyao, brightened at the sight of Lu Xueqing. She rose from the bed, letting the gauze dress slip away, shamelessly revealing her stunning nude figure.
This was none other than Shen Muyao, a prodigy of the sect whose talent rivaled Lu Xueqing's. One of ice, the other of fire, they were known together as the Ice and Fire Beauties of the Taiqing Sect.
Unlike Lu Xueqing, however, Shen Muyao possessed a special constitution despite her equally extraordinary talent—the exceedingly rare Phoenix Yang Body.
The Phoenix Yang Body contains a trace of the Phoenix True Flame. While the flame is incredibly powerful, it comes with significant drawbacks. Shen Muyao's current improper behavior, for instance, was a direct result of its influence. The Phoenix True Flame causes one to become extremely 'lustful'!
Furthermore, the more one cultivates with the Phoenix True Flame, the greater its influence becomes. If the 'lustful' energy within the flame is not purged, its wielder will eventually be consumed by it and burn to death.
Even without active cultivation, the True Flame could erupt unpredictably, plunging Shen Muyao into a state of helpless delirium. In that state, she would have no ability to resist. Should someone with malicious intent find her then, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Therefore, for Shen Muyao, it was impossible to say whether possessing the Phoenix Yang Body was a blessing or a curse.
"Qingqing, are you here to warm my bed?"
Shen Muyao was clearly in the throes of the Phoenix True Flame. A coquettish glimmer appeared in her eyes as she pulled Lu Xueqing down onto the bed without warning. Then, her pliant, boneless body coiled around Lu Xueqing like a water snake.
"Mu Yao! Stop it! I have something important to talk to you about."
But Lu Xueqing simply batted away Shen Muyao's questing hands, her voice tinged with resignation.
Clearly, even Lu Xueqing, known throughout the sect as the "Ice Beauty," couldn't bring herself to get angry with Shen Muyao.
"Hmph! Qingqing, you've changed. How could you be so mean to me?"
Shen Muyao pouted, a look of playful resentment flashing in her seductive, silk-lashed eyes.
Anyone else, faced with such a display from Shen Muyao, would have probably offered up their very heart and soul with glee.
However, she was facing Lu Xueqing.
"Right. And you haven't changed at all."
Lu Xueqing's voice was as cool and detached as ever.
"Do you remember that five years ago, you and I were both betrothed to the same person?"
Lu Xueqing asked, putting a little distance between herself and Shen Muyao.
"Hmm? An engagement? When was I ever engaged to anyone?"
Shen Muyao blinked in surprise. She wrinkled her delicate, jade-like nose, a charmingly clueless expression on her face.
"Yes, you were. Both of us were betrothed to him. It was likely arranged by your Master, so it's normal for you to have forgotten."
Lu Xueqing affirmed with a decisive nod.
"So, you're saying…?"
Thinking back, Shen Muyao vaguely recalled her Master mentioning something of the sort.
"The man we are both betrothed to is named Mu Fan. He was once considered something of a prodigy in the sect, but three years ago, he foolishly dispersed his cultivation, destroyed his Dantian, and completely severed his own path. Now, he's become the laughingstock of the entire sect, even more useless than the trash in the Outer Sect. So, if you don't want that good-for-nothing latching onto you, you'd best go and annul the engagement as soon as possible. Don't delay!"
Lu Xueqing said all this in a rush, making no effort to hide her disgust and contempt for Mu Fan.
"Tsk, tsk. I never imagined our Ice Beauty, who usually treasures her words like gold, would say so much at once! Hearing you talk like that actually makes me more interested in this Mu Fan, you know?"
Shen Muyao said with a flirtatious smile.
With that, she rose and draped the fallen gauze over her shoulders. The sheer fabric only served to accentuate her stunning curves, making her even more alluring.
"So where is this fiancé of mine? Want to come with me and check him out?"
Shen Muyao made no attempt to hide the interest in her eyes as she looked at Lu Xueqing expectantly.
"Fine... I'll go with you."
Lu Xueqing hadn't wanted to go, but when she remembered Shen Muyao's condition and how the Phoenix True Flame could erupt at any moment, she had no choice but to agree with a reluctant nod.
"Yay! I knew my Qingqing was the best!"
Hearing this, Shen Muyao's face lit up with joy, and she planted a huge kiss on Lu Xueqing's cheek.
Lu Xueqing sighed in resignation, then theatrically wiped the spot on her cheek before rising to follow Shen Muyao out the door.
Meanwhile, halfway up Earth Gate Peak, a look of astonishment flashed across Feng Yuan's face.
"Is that Mu Fan really still alive?"
"It's absolutely true! The men we sent to that damned old crone's place hadn't returned for hours, so I sent another. The report came back that Mu Fan is there with her right now! And apparently, he's completely unscathed!"
Ying Weiwei said, a flicker of worry in her eyes.
Upon hearing this, a vicious glint flashed in Feng Yuan's eyes. He pondered for a moment before saying, "It seems Mu Fan had another stroke of luck! Damn it, we should have finished the job when we had the chance! But no matter. Once I absorb this Heaven-Mending Fruit, even if Mu Fan truly recovers his former cultivation, he won't be able to do a thing to me!"
...
Only now did Feng Yuan have a clear understanding of just how powerful the Heaven-Mending Fruit was. He had absorbed less than half of it, yet his dantian had already grown to a level he once would not have dared to imagine. It was hard to fathom just how formidable he would become once he finished absorbing it completely!
"However, even if I can't act personally right now, I can't let him live too peacefully. This is the perfect opportunity to probe his limits!"
"Liu Yang!"
With that, Feng Yuan called out.
A sharp, piercing voice came from outside. Through the gap in the door, a gaunt figure could be seen. He was hunched over, his face a mask of sycophantic eagerness as he spoke.
"Senior Brother, you called?"
"Go and probe the limits of Mu Fan from Profound Bright Peak. If the opportunity arises, take his life."
Feng Yuan spoke with an indifference befitting a titan who held the world in his palm, one whose every word could decide matters of life and death.
"Rest assured, Senior Brother. I'll make sure that Mu Fan doesn't live to see tomorrow!" Upon hearing his orders, Liu Yang's expression grew even more reverent, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. He then ran down the mountain, unable to wait a moment longer.
On the other side, Mu Fan, after making sure his master's wife was settled, set off for Wood Source Peak.
Wood Source Peak was where disciples of the Taiqing Sect went to cultivate and acquire resources like Spirit Pills. It was a place of extreme importance to the entire sect.
Mu Fan had come for one reason only: to collect his monthly cultivation allowance.
It consisted of two mid-grade Spirit Stones and a Tier Two Spirit Pill.
The Spirit Stones assisted in cultivation, as the Spiritual Qi they contained could be absorbed directly without refinement. The Spirit Pill, on the other hand, helped a cultivator condense the Spiritual Qi within their own body.
A short while later, Mu Fan arrived at the foot of Wood Source Peak. It was a vast area, sprawling across several interconnected peaks, and it was the central hub for disciples to receive their provisions.
Mu Fan made his way to the South Pavilion and collected his cultivation resources.
Although he was now considered a cripple, the staff at the South Pavilion didn't give him any trouble.
With his resources in hand, Mu Fan turned to leave, only to come face-to-face with Shen Muyao, who had clearly been looking for him.
Shen Muyao was dressed in a red robe. A few strands of black hair had escaped to frame her cheeks, the dark silk making her skin seem all the more radiant and fresh. Her movements were as graceful as a willow swaying in a soft breeze.
A shimmering gloss on her red lips gave them a captivating, seductive allure.
Her long, slender neck was fair and delicate, an invitation one could barely resist, and her waist—so thin it was barely a handful—was utterly captivating. And with every sway of her hem, there was a tantalizing glimpse of her perfectly formed, pale feet.
The disciples standing near Mu Fan seemed to have their very Divine Souls captivated by her. They stared unabashedly, undisguised longing in their eyes.
Mu Fan, however, was struck by her beauty for only a fleeting moment before averting his gaze and paying her no further mind.
Shen Muyao, of course, noticed his reaction, and it only served to pique her interest.
Indeed, Shen Muyao had recognized him. From a distance, she had overheard him announce his name to the disciple at the South Pavilion. A playful impulse struck her. After telling Lu Xueqing to stay hidden, she made a beeline for him.
"Senior Brother, could you tell me how to get to Beiyue Tower?" Shen Muyao stepped in front of Mu Fan, her red lips parting slightly as she spoke, her breath a fragrant whisper.
Mu Fan gave her a surprised glance but didn't dwell on it. He casually pointed in a direction behind him before turning to leave once more.
Seeing this, Shen Muyao's expression froze. In all her years in the sect, this was the first time she had ever met a man who seemed completely uninterested in her.
She had seen not a single trace of desire in his eyes. For a split second, it made her doubt her own charms. But the thought was fleeting. He must be playing hard to get!
*Hmph. Playing hard to get, are we?* Shen Muyao thought, her body a blur as she once again blocked Mu Fan's path.
"Is there something else?" Mu Fan stopped, frowning at the woman before him. They were very close now, so close that he could feel a distinct, scorching heat radiating from her.
Instantly, the Demonic Qi within him surged out of his control, as if repulsed by the intense heat emanating from her.
Before Mu Fan could suppress it, the aura erupted from him.
Shen Muyao bore the brunt of it. She felt a bone-deep chill radiating from Mu Fan, and her body trembled involuntarily. In response, the Phoenix True Flame inside her stirred.
"Ngh!" The agitation of the Phoenix True Flame sent a blush creeping up her cheeks, and a soft moan escaped her lips.
Seeing this, Mu Fan hurriedly retracted his aura. He frowned at Shen Muyao, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.
It might have been better if he hadn't. The moment he withdrew the Demonic Qi, the Phoenix True Flame inside Shen Muyao erupted with unrestrained force, sending a wave of searing heat blasting outwards.
As the Phoenix True Flame surged through her meridians, Shen Muyao's eyes glazed over. Her hands reached out unconsciously, grasping at Mu Fan for support.
In the distance, Lu Xueqing, who had been watching, saw this and her expression changed drastically. She rushed over at once.
"What did you do to her?!" Lu Xueqing pulled Shen Muyao into her embrace, glaring at Mu Fan as she snapped.
She, too, had felt the strange aura emanating from Mu Fan a moment ago and naturally assumed he had done this on purpose.
"My apologies, I didn't mean for that to happen. What's wrong with her?" Mu Fan asked, not recognizing the newcomer as the same Lu Xueqing he had encountered on the desolate mountain.
She had been deliberately using her cultivation to conceal her true features to avoid unwanted trouble.
Lu Xueqing shot him a vicious glare before moving to seal Shen Muyao's meridians. But with the True Flame running rampant, how could she possibly suppress it on her own?
"Get over here and help me!" Glancing around and finding no one else suitable, Lu Xueqing grit her teeth. Her eyes locked onto Mu Fan and, after a moment's hesitation, she spoke.
"Hm?" Mu Fan was taken aback, unsure of what she meant.
"Help me suppress the Spiritual Qi in her body!" Lu Xueqing repeated. There was no time for propriety. Their only option was to get Shen Muyao to Pill God Peak and have Elder Danqiong intervene!
In the entire Taiqing Sect, only the Liangyi Heart Cleaning Pill refined by Elder Danqiong could even begin to suppress the backlash from the Phoenix True Flame.
"Oh." Mu Fan hesitated for a second. Considering the woman's current predicament was, in a way, his fault, he had no choice but to agree.
Once the two of them had managed to temporarily suppress the erupting Spiritual Qi in Shen Muyao's body, they hurried towards Pill God Peak.
"If anything happens to Mu Yao, I will never forgive you!" Lu Xueqing shot a hateful glare at Mu Fan over her shoulder.
...
On the summit of Pill God Peak, within Elder Danqiong's residence.
"Elder, how is Mu Yao?"
After Mu Fan and Lu Xueqing carried Shen Muyao into the healing chamber, Lu Xueqing anxiously turned to Elder Danqiong, who stood nearby.
"Quiet!"
Elder Danqiong's expression was grave as she looked at Shen Muyao, whose body was now an abnormal shade of crimson. She gestured for the two of them to remain silent.
Then, Elder Danqiong extended a hand. Spiritual Qi extended from her fingertips like silken threads before sinking into Shen Muyao's body.
"Nngh!"
Sensing the intrusion of foreign Spiritual Qi, the Phoenix True Flame within Shen Muyao grew even more rampant, relentlessly battering her consciousness.
A moment later, Elder Danqiong withdrew her hand, her expression grim. She let out a long sigh. "The Phoenix True Flame inside Mu Yao has erupted completely. There's nothing I can do."
"What!"
Hearing this, Lu Xueqing cried out in shock, all traces of her usual cold pride gone.
"What about the Liangyi Heart Cleaning Pill? Elder Danqiong! Does even the Liangyi Heart Cleaning Pill not work?"
Lu Xueqing frantically grabbed Elder Danqiong's arm, her eyes filled with desperate hope.
"Its effect would be negligible. The Liangyi Heart Cleaning Pill only worked before because the Phoenix True Flame hadn't fully erupted. Mu Yao was able to stay conscious and, with the pill's power, just barely resist the flame's corrosion. But…"
Elder Danqiong shook her head, her eyes filled with helplessness. "You've seen Mu Yao's condition for yourself. Even I am powerless to help."
"That can't be! Elder Danqiong! You must have a way, right? Your skill in the Alchemy Dao is unparalleled in the entire Taiqing Sect! I'm begging you, you have to find a way to save Mu Yao! If even you give up, then Mu Yao…"
Lu Xueqing didn't dare to let her thoughts continue down that path, the sorrow in her eyes completely unconcealed.
"I watched Mu Yao grow up. If there were really a way, how could I just stand by and do nothing?"
A flicker of sorrow also crossed Elder Danqiong's eyes.
Watching from the side, Mu Fan saw the genuine sorrow in their eyes and couldn't help but be moved. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face.
'Phoenix True Flame?'
'The legendary flame of ultimate yang… Perhaps…'
Mu Fan's expression turned thoughtful. He thought of the Luohou Essence Blood lying dormant within him. 'I wonder if I can use its extreme yin energy to forcefully suppress the Phoenix True Flame.'
'If it works, I might even be able to use the Phoenix True Flame's extreme yang energy to refine more of the Essence Blood!'
'More importantly, the eruption of the Phoenix True Flame in Shen Muyao's body might genuinely be my fault. I can't just stand by and do nothing!'
At this thought, Mu Fan stopped hesitating. "Maybe I can give it a try."
"You? Do you know anything about the Alchemy Dao?"
Hearing this, Elder Danqiong's gaze turned slightly scrutinizing as she sized up Mu Fan.
"I don't know anything about the Alchemy Dao, but I have a way to temporarily suppress the Phoenix True Flame!"
Despite Elder Danqiong's skepticism, Mu Fan remained remarkably composed.
"Just you?"
Lu Xueqing, who was standing nearby, shot Mu Fan a look of disgust. It was as if all her pent-up frustration had found an outlet. "Elder Danqiong is an expert at the Half-step Dao Yi Realm and even she wouldn't dare make such a claim. Where do you get the nerve? From your third-level Spirit Absorption Realm cultivation?"
At these words, Elder Danqiong's gaze grew even more skeptical.
"Let him… try!"
Before Mu Fan could explain, Shen Muyao suddenly regained a sliver of consciousness. Her voice was still faint and weak, but for some reason she couldn't explain, she felt a flicker of trust in him.
"Mu Yao, but he—!"
Lu Xueqing was about to protest, but when she met Shen Muyao's eyes and considered her current condition, she could only nod in resignation.
"You'd better not have any funny ideas, or I swear I won't let you off!"
Lu Xueqing stared intently at Mu Fan, as if trying to read his true intentions on his face.
"Why don't you two step outside and wait?"
Mu Fan seemed unfazed by the threat. He simply looked at the two of them and spoke.
"Let's go. We'll give the young man some space."
Lu Xueqing started to object, but Elder Danqiong cut her off, pulling the reluctant young woman out of the room.
"Elder, how could you let that waste be alone with Mu Yao?"
Outside the room, Lu Xueqing's face was a mask of worry. She kept glancing back toward the door.
"That young man has his secrets, and he doesn't want us to know them. Since that's the case, we'll just have to watch closely and see if he can truly stabilize Mu Yao's condition."
Elder Danqiong offered a small smile. She had taken note of Mu Fan's behavior. Though his cultivation was low, he didn't seem like a despicable person.
"Besides, I'm right here. If there's any unusual activity in the room, I'll intervene at the first sign of it."
Elder Danqiong reassuringly patted Lu Xueqing's hand as she spoke.
Inside the room, Mu Fan looked at Shen Muyao lying on the soft couch. 'My apologies,' he thought, before reaching out and placing his hand over her lower abdomen.
"Ngh?"
Feeling the coolness spreading from her lower abdomen, Shen Muyao let out a soft moan. Her watery eyes fluttered open and landed on Mu Fan.
"Don't move. This is the only way I can even hope to suppress the Phoenix True Flame!"
Shen Muyao was just about to stop Mu Fan when she heard him speak.
'This had better be all it is!'
Shen Muyao thought to herself, 'If he dares try anything else, I'll drag him down with me, even if it costs me my life!'
Seeing that Shen Muyao had finally settled down, Mu Fan began to circulate the bone-chilling Demonic Qi within his body. The Demonic Qi flowed from his palm and into her Dantian.
The moment the Demonic Qi entered her, Shen Muyao couldn't help but let out a soft moan, her body trembling uncontrollably. The fire blazing within her eyes seemed to burn even brighter.
SHHHHK!
A powerful suction suddenly erupted from Mu Fan's palm, drawing the Phoenix True Flame toward his body.
At that moment, deep within Mu Fan's Dantian, the once-dormant Luohou Essence Blood began to stir, releasing fine threads of energy that once again set about tempering his physical body.
And just as Mu Fan had predicted, the bone-chilling Demonic Qi—which he had previously been unable to absorb any more of—could now be absorbed once again, albeit with some difficulty, thanks to the aid of the Phoenix True Flame.
As Mu Fan continued to release the Demonic Qi, the searing heat that threatened to incinerate Shen Muyao's body slowly receded. In its place came an indescribable, pleasurable sensation that made her tremble from head to toe.
Shen Muyao couldn't help but let her eyes drift shut, completely surrendering to the exquisite pleasure, a feeling so intense it was as if she were hovering between life and death. Yet, just as this sensation—one she would be too ashamed to ever speak of—was about to reach its zenith, Mu Fan abruptly pulled his hand away. The intoxicating feeling vanished along with his touch.
"Hm?"
A look of displeasure crossed Shen Muyao's face as she turned to Mu Fan, ready to demand why he had suddenly stopped. But when she saw his current state, she froze.
