Chapter 263: Ying Huanhuan's Change, A Lucky Find in the Treasure Zone!
In the slightly hushed treasure zone, Lin Fan's clear and composed voice spread out calmly.
Many people stared blankly at the hand he extended toward Ling Qingzhu.
Did this guy not know who was standing in front of him?
That was one of the brightest stars among the younger generation of the Eastern Xuan Region!
Countless geniuses from top sects had gone all-out just to win a smile from her—and yet not a single one had succeeded.
And now this guy just... casually held out his hand like that? Too bold!
Even Wang Yan, Xiao Xiao, and the others were caught off guard by Lin Fan's move.
If she ignored him in front of all these people, wouldn't that be a massive embarrassment?
But Lin Fan didn't care at all about the strange gazes around him. He simply looked quietly at the beautiful, even colder young woman in front of him—colder than she had been five years ago.
Ling Qingzhu's calm eyes gazed at Lin Fan. His young face had lost its immaturity, and those bright eyes met hers evenly, without fear.
She blinked slowly. To reach this seemingly simple point, she knew Lin Fan must have paid an unimaginable price over the past five years.
"Ling Qingzhu, Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace."
Her calm voice finally rippled slightly. And then, under countless stunned eyes, she extended her slender hand and lightly placed it in Lin Fan's.
Her hand was cool like jade, as smooth as ice. The chill seemed to seep into his bones.
Above them, the sky was vast and blue, sunlight pouring down like golden pillars, wrapping the two of them in a gentle glow. The moment felt dazzling.
Their hands remained together only briefly. A second later, both pulled back at the same time.
Right then, Lin Fan heard the system's voice in his mind once more.
[Ding! You patted Ling Qingzhu and obtained one Divine Infant Pill!]
Lin Fan didn't check the item's effects just yet. As he withdrew his hand, he could feel countless gazes around them turning scorching hot, as if trying to burn holes into him.
"Congratulations," Ling Qingzhu said softly, retracting her hand into her sleeve. Her palm was faintly damp. "It seems you really did accomplish what you said back then."
"I'm keeping my promise—for now, I won't say it publicly," Lin Fan replied with a faint smile.
"If you did, you probably wouldn't make it to the Sect Competition alive," Ling Qingzhu said coolly, though a slight ripple in her eyes betrayed her calm demeanor.
Their conversation baffled everyone around them, but Lin Fan and Ling Qingzhu knew exactly what they were talking about.
If Lin Fan spoke that sentence aloud now, the resulting uproar would be unimaginable.
It wouldn't just be the young elites from all sects—it might even draw the wrath of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace Master.
"Show what you're capable of in the Sect Competition. Yuan Gate isn't easy to deal with."
Ling Qingzhu clearly wasn't comfortable talking with a man in public for too long. After her quiet remark, she turned to leave.
"I'll find a time to say it," Lin Fan called after her, watching her retreating figure.
"Then you'd better make sure you've got the strength to survive afterward."
She paused, tapped her foot lightly, then transformed into a streak of rainbow light and disappeared.
As she left, all eyes immediately fell on Lin Fan.
Though most didn't understand the exchange, it was obvious now—he and Ling Qingzhu were not strangers.
There was something between them.
"He actually knows Ling Qingzhu?" Even Wang Yan couldn't help but mutter in disbelief.
Xiao Xiao gave Lin Fan a peculiar look, then turned toward the young girl beside her—who had suddenly gone quiet.
"You okay?" she asked gently.
She sighed inwardly. Standing before someone like Ling Qingzhu, who excelled in every way, would make many women feel a pang of inadequacy.
The girl beside her merely shook her head and looked up, her eyes fixed on the spot where Ling Qingzhu had disappeared. Then she turned to Xiao Xiao and said seriously:
"I'll surpass her."
Xiao Xiao blinked.
Looking at the determined face of the young girl, she saw a trace of icy-blue light ripple within her eyes.
In that moment, Xiao Xiao suddenly had a strange feeling.
This girl... might really transform someday.
And when she did, her brilliance might even outshine Ling Qingzhu.
"I believe in you," Xiao Xiao said, ruffling her hair with a soft smile.
Ying Huanhuan beamed, though the icy-blue glow in her eyes quietly faded.
What she didn't notice was that, deep within her pupils, the black and icy-blue colors were slowly beginning to merge.
After watching Ling Qingzhu leave, Lin Fan calmed himself and turned his attention back toward the gray-robed vendor behind the glowing barrier.
His eyes swept toward a dimly lit corner—there, tucked away, was a dull red glow.
Within it sat a palm-sized, weathered crimson bronze furnace.
Lin Fan's eyes flashed. He stepped forward and picked it up, then looked at the vendor and asked with a smile, "How much for this?"
The gray-robed vendor looked momentarily surprised, then peered at the worn furnace in Lin Fan's hand and chuckled, "Oh? Why are you interested in that?"
"I like the look of it," Lin Fan replied calmly.
The man narrowed his eyes slightly, then gave the furnace a sharper look.
After a long pause, he withdrew his gaze and said hesitantly, "Ten million Nirvana Pills."
The Dao Sect disciples behind Lin Fan instantly gasped, glaring at the man in anger.
That was daylight robbery!
Lin Fan didn't bother arguing. Without hesitation, he took out a pouch and handed it over.
"Pleasure doing business," the man said cheerfully after confirming the contents.
"Let's head back," Lin Fan said with a smile to Ying Huanhuan and the others.
He turned and walked off first.
The Dao Sect disciples quickly followed behind.
Ying Huanhuan bit her lip slightly as she watched Lin Fan's back, a trace of emotion flickering in her eyes before she was pulled along by Xiao Xiao.
When they returned to their lodging area, they were surprised to see Qi Lei, Chen Zhen, and the other two Hall Masters waiting solemnly.
A large number of Dao Sect disciples stood behind them.
Seeing Lin Fan's group return, many visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Qi Lei's face was stern as he questioned them about what happened.
But after hearing that Lin Fan had crushed Lei Qian, he broke into laughter, clearly delighted.
He gave a few words of encouragement, then dismissed the group.
Back in his room, Lin Fan threw the furnace into the flames and extracted a hidden crimson jade talisman, committing the ancient Burning Heaven Treasure Trove map to memory.
Dao Sect was in high spirits.
But over at Yuan Gate's camp, faces were dark. Their hatred for Lin Fan—and the Dao Sect—had reached a boiling point.
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on February 2, 2026.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1