Translator: CinderTL
Praying to the Gods Method...
Xu Sanyan glanced at the text. The script was virtually identical to that used in the outside world, unsurprising given the Secret Realm World's intricate connections to the outside world.
Suddenly, Xu Sanyan felt the world rejecting him, signaling that his time here had expired.
Xun Ancai had just received the Praying to the Gods Method and was searching for Xu Sanyan when he vanished into thin air.
Xun Ancai froze, realizing that three days had already passed.
Xun Shitou, also witnessing Xu Sanyan's disappearance, tugged Xun Ancai into the cave. Several clan elders followed, and after a moment's hesitation, Xun Hua joined them.
Xu Sanyan pushed aside the massive boulder and leaped out of the underground passage. The sky was bright, and the surroundings were eerily silent.
He pulled out a handful of spirit stones to replenish his spiritual power. Once it was restored to about seventy or eighty percent, he began walking toward Thousand Autumns City.
At the city gate, a disheveled man blocked Xu Sanyan's path. The man's hair was matted and filthy, and tears streamed down his face as he lunged forward, shouting, "Holy Son!!"
"Whoa~"
Xu Sanyan's heart skipped a beat. He dodged the man's lunge and quickly raised a hand to stop him. "Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?"
"Holy Son, I've finally found you!"
Xu Sanyan frowned slightly, his tone hesitant. "Who is this beggar...?"
The disheveled man glanced down at himself, hastily smoothed his tangled hair, revealing a gaunt, dark-skinned face. "Holy Son, it's me! Lin Fan!" he said urgently.
"Hmm?" Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. "If you're Lin Fan, then who am I?"
Lin Fan froze, then explained, "I only entered the Chaotic Cloud Mountains recently. I encountered the Chang Family, who mentioned a Young Master Lin passing through not long ago. After inquiring about his appearance, I immediately guessed it was you and rushed here. I've been waiting at the city gate for two days, and finally, I've found you!"
Xu Sanyan tugged at the corner of his mouth. "How did you end up looking like this?"
He had recognized Lin Fan immediately. That pitch-black longsword was unmistakable. But how could a Dao Seeking Realm cultivator be so disheveled?
Wait a minute!
Dao Seeking Realm?
Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Lin Fan for a moment, sensing the aura radiating from him. It was unmistakably the Initial Stage of the Dao Seeking Realm.
How could he have advanced so quickly?
Xu Sanyan remembered when the Hundred Saints Secret Realm had opened, Lin Fan had only just reached Foundation Establishment. How could he have reached the Dao Seeking Realm in such a short time?
"You... broke through?" Xu Sanyan circled him, maintaining a cautious distance, his eyes brimming with curiosity.
Lin Fan stood obediently in place. "Yes, after avenging my family, my heart felt clear and unobstructed, allowing me to break through a minor realm. Later, I encountered some fortuitous encounters along the way, and by sheer luck, I reached the Dao Seeking Realm."
"Tsk, tsk. 'Sheer luck'? That's some impressive luck."
Xu Sanyan curled his lip. Lin Fan, with his mere Foundation Establishment cultivation level, had traveled ten thousand miles alone to return home, avenged his family, and then "luckily" broken through to Foundation Establishment Mid Stage.
Then, hearing of Xu Sanyan's predicament, he had ventured alone into the Chaotic Cloud Mountains, where he "luckily" encountered more fortuitous encounters, allowing him to consecutively break through to the Initial Stage of the Dao Seeking Realm.
To think that with mere Initial Stage Dao Seeking Realm cultivation, he had "luckily" wandered through the Chaotic Cloud Mountains unscathed and even managed to find him.
That's some damn lucky luck, Xu Sanyan thought, secretly curling his lip. "What do you want with me?"
Lin Fan clasped his hands in a sincere bow. "This disciple owes his current achievements entirely to the holy son's guidance. I recently learned of the holy son being hunted, with rumors claiming your fate was sealed..."
Lin Fan hesitated, glancing at the still-unfettered and dashing Xu Sanyan. He couldn't see any sign of impending doom.
As expected, rumors can't be trusted.
"So you rushed here?" Xu Sanyan continued.
Lin Fan nodded emphatically. "Yes, this disciple wishes to offer his meager assistance."
Xu Sanyan stopped behind him, his tone leisurely. "Do you know who's hunting me?"
"I've heard whispers: the Heaven's Will Demon Subduing Temple, Harmonious Mountain Praying Dao Sect, Source Worship Sect, and even our own Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect. All five great sects of the Central Region have sent forces, except for Shangyin Mountain."
Xu Sanyan grinned, baring his teeth. "Heh, knowing that, you still dared to come?"
Lin Fan showed no guard toward Xu Sanyan behind him. "This disciple is deeply grateful for the holy son's kindness, which I can never repay. Upon hearing of your plight, my heart burns with anguish," Lin Fan declared, his voice ringing with conviction. "To fear their power would damage my dao heart. To hesitate would mean the end of my pathway. At worst, death awaits—what is there to fear?"
Xu Sanyan felt a strange unease. He found it hard to believe that such a loyal and righteous person could truly exist.
Could someone truly value loyalty and righteousness above their own life?
Would they sacrifice their precious life for some illusory sense of justice?
Knowing full well that tigers lurked in the mountains, would they still venture into the tiger's lair?
Xu Sanyan couldn't comprehend it, but he didn't refuse. After a moment's thought, he stepped toward the city gates.
"Follow me."
"Yes," Lin Fan replied, trailing closely behind.
Xu Sanyan twitched his nose, wrinkling his brow in distaste. "Stay back. Why are you in such a disheveled state?"
"Uh..." Lin Fan scratched his head sheepishly. "I ran out of money. The spirit stones you gave me, holy son, were all spent on the journey. Without funds for a spirit boat, I had to travel on foot."
"Tsk tsk..."
Xu Sanyan shook his head, feeling a mix of pity and amusement at Lin Fan's naivety. If you're broke, just rob someone! Kill them, and their money becomes yours.
That's always been Xu Sanyan's way.
With that thought, he tossed a storage pouch over his shoulder. "Keep this. Take some time to bathe and change your clothes."
"Thank you, Holy Son!" Lin Fan happily pocketed the pouch.
As they walked, Xu Sanyan continued, "Oh, right, my name is Lin Fan now. You should change yours too. How about... Lin... Xiaofan!"
Xu Sanyan recalled a novel from his previous life where the protagonist was named Zhang Xiaofan. He simply changed the surname and let Lin Fan use it for now.
"Yes, Master."
"And stop calling me 'Holy Son.' I'm no longer that. From now on, I'm an elder of the Vast Origin Sect, and you're my younger brother. Understand?"
Lin Fan replied solemnly, "This disciple... I understand."
"Mm."
Xu Sanyan intended to keep Lin Fan by his side for the time being, for two reasons:
First, Lin Fan already knew Xu Sanyan was hiding here. If he were released and someone forced him to reveal this information, Xu Sanyan would be in danger. It was safer to keep him close and keep an eye on him, plus he could help with errands.
Second, while killing Lin Fan would indeed eliminate all future threats, the problem was Lin Fan's uncanny luck.
If he somehow managed to escape again and later declare, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river! Don't underestimate a young man in poverty!" Xu Sanyan would never know peace again.
Weighing the pros and cons, keeping Lin Fan close seemed the best option. Xu Sanyan even hoped to borrow some of that "uncanny luck" for himself.
At the inner city gate:
"Young Master Lin," the Wang Family disciple guarding the gate greeted with a respectful bow.
Xu Sanyan nodded in acknowledgment and strode through, Lin Fan following closely behind.
Once the pair had moved out of earshot, the Wang Family disciple muttered under his breath, "Where did Young Master Lin pick up that beggar?"
(End of the Chapter)
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