Chapter 495: Reunion with an Old Friend, Return to the Desolate Monument!
In the end, both Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan accepted Lin Fan's invitation. The two women followed him out of the Ancestral Palace, heading toward the Lin Clan estate.
As for Lin Dong, naturally, he wouldn't miss the chance to return home.
When Lin Xiao and Liu Yan saw Lin Dong return, they were overjoyed—especially Liu Yan, who immediately began fussing over him affectionately.
Qing Tan, meanwhile, was quick to notice Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan behind Lin Fan. Her dark eyes sparkled mischievously as she stepped forward. "Brother Lin Fan, who is this sister?"
Back in the Demonic Domain, Qing Tan had met Ying Huanhuan, but she'd had no interaction with Ling Qingzhu.
Lin Fan smiled. "She's Ling Qingzhu. You can just call her Sister Qingzhu."
"Sister Qingzhu, Sister Huanhuan," Qing Tan greeted warmly, then the three women quickly began chatting in hushed voices.
As they spoke, they occasionally glanced toward Lin Fan. For some reason, a faint blush rose on both Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan's faces.
After chatting with Lin Dong for a while, Liu Yan finally noticed the two unfamiliar women. She blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Fan'er, you brought guests home and didn't even introduce them?"
Lin Fan chuckled, then properly introduced Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan, and in turn introduced Lin Xiao and Liu Yan to the two women.
"Junior Ling Qingzhu greets the elders."
"Junior Ying Huanhuan greets the elders."
Both women bowed respectfully and spoke in gentle tones.
Qing Tan leaned close to Liu Yan and whispered something. Liu Yan's smile deepened, and she warmly took the two girls by the hands and began chatting with them affectionately.
Next, Lin Fan introduced the Burning Sky Elder to Lin Xiao, informing him that the elder would be serving as a guest elder of the Lin Clan.
Upon learning of the Burning Sky Elder's identity and strength, Lin Xiao was instantly respectful and deeply honored.
A figure of such power could easily lead a great sect in the Eastern Xuan Region. To have him serve as a guest elder for the Lin Clan was a tremendous blessing.
Thanks to Lin Fan's presence, the Burning Sky Elder was also quite polite toward Lin Xiao, and the two got along very well.
With Lin Fan and Lin Dong's return, the Lin Clan became livelier than ever. Even the heads of various factions from within the Great Yan Dynasty came forward to pay their respects.
The younger generation of the Lin Clan felt an overwhelming sense of pride and admiration for Lin Fan.
During this time, Lin Fan leisurely strolled through Lin City with Ling Qingzhu, Ying Huanhuan, and Qing Tan, enjoying several peaceful and relaxing days.
But before long, the Lin Clan received a request for aid from the Eagle Sect of the Great Desolate Province.
Lin Xiao informed Lin Fan and the others of the matter, and Lin Fan promptly set off with Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan toward the Great Desolate Province.
As for Lin Dong and Qing Tan, since they had been away from home for a long time, they chose to stay and keep Lin Xiao and Liu Yan company.
...
Lin Fan and the two women quickly arrived within the Great Desolate Province.
As they neared the central region, Lin Fan noticed that many cities displayed a giant banner fluttering in the wind. The banners bore the image of a soaring eagle, its fierce gaze striking fear into the hearts of those who saw it.
This was clearly the emblem of the Eagle Sect.
With a thought, Lin Fan brought the two women directly to the barren plains where the Desolate Monument stood, landing in front of it.
The massive stone monument had now become a sacred relic of the Eagle Sect, and ordinary people were not permitted to approach.
Thus, the moment the trio appeared before the monument, sharp alarm bells rang out from within the Eagle Sect.
The current Sect Leader of the Eagle Sect, Jiang Xue, received the alert and swiftly arrived at the stone monument. Upon seeing the three figures who had suddenly appeared, she frowned. "Who are you? Why have you trespassed on the Eagle Sect's sacred grounds?"
"It's been a long time, Miss Jiang Xue. I hope you've been well," Lin Fan said with a calm smile as he turned to face her.
Jiang Xue stared at the young man's familiar face. Her body froze for a moment before she regained her senses. "You… You're Lin Fan?!"
"Lin Fan?"
The disciples of the Eagle Sect behind her all trembled at the name, their eyes filled with shock.
This was a name now known to every soul in the Great Yan Dynasty!
"Heh, seems Miss Jiang Xue still remembers me," Lin Fan chuckled. "These two here are Ling Qingzhu of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, and Ying Huanhuan of Dao Sect. We're here to help the Eagle Sect with your current trouble."
"Greetings, Miss Ling, Miss Ying," Jiang Xue quickly composed herself and offered a respectful salute. "I'm sorry for the trouble you've had to go through."
After the war in the Eastern Xuan Region, the names of the Eight Great Super Sects had become even more renowned. Jiang Xue, naturally, knew of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace and Dao Sect.
The two women nodded slightly in acknowledgment, saying little. Their purpose here was simply to accompany Lin Fan and witness the place where he once began to rise.
Soon after, the former head of the Eagle Martial Hall, Jiang Lei, also arrived. Upon seeing Lin Fan, he was overjoyed.
After some catching up, Lin Fan turned to Jiang Lei and Jiang Xue. "Tell me about the problem with the Desolate Monument."
Jiang Xue nodded and began her explanation. "The Desolate Monument has changed. It's not the same as before..."
As she spoke, Lin Fan and the two women learned that the monument had begun to leak demonic energy. In addition, Jiang Xue mentioned that Jiang Yinyin had managed to suppress most of the demonic energy and was currently in a standoff with the entity sealed beneath the monument.
"Activate the Desolate Monument. We'll go inside and take a look," Lin Fan said with a wave of his hand after hearing the explanation.
"Alright." With Lin Fan present, Jiang Xue felt reassured and didn't hesitate. She raised her jade hand lightly.
In the next instant, the Desolate Monument erupted with radiant light and enveloped the four of them. When the light faded, the four figures had vanished without a trace.
When Lin Fan opened his eyes, the scene before him had changed. They now stood within a desolate realm, filled with ruins—remnants of a long-lost glory.
A quick glance revealed wisps of black mist leaking from the depths of the ground.
Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan noticed the same and narrowed their eyes, speaking softly, "Demonic energy…"
"Yes. Beneath this Desolate Monument, a demon must have been sealed. The leakage of demonic energy likely means that the seal is weakening and the creature inside is trying to break free," Lin Fan nodded.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, a mournful and furious howl echoed from the distant horizon, shaking the skies.
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