Lin Fan stood like a sovereign in the void, gazing down upon the world. His silhouette was profound, his dark hair swaying, each strand shimmering, exuding a grandeur far beyond his years.
Whoosh!
With another step, the world seemed to shift—stars wheeled, mountains and rivers transformed—as he returned to his starting point.
"No wonder it's a supreme human speed technique," Old Yu marveled. "In the sect, only a select few qualify to cultivate it. For Young Sir to cover four or five hundred zhang in a single step—it's astounding."
"His talent is the true terror," Granny Cherish-Flowers added, awestruck. "Without using techniques, he slays Spirit Transformation cultivators with his physique alone. Even the Western Sect's prodigies can't compare… Fearsome indeed!"
She now understood why Lin Fan dismissed Shi Yi. He had no need to care—his own prowess outshone all rivals!
"Still some rats lurking?" Lin Fan glanced toward a distant corner, but paid it little mind, withdrawing his gaze without acting.
"Such keen instincts…" Shi Zi Teng's heart raced, his brows twitching.
He exhaled in relief, grateful he hadn't joined those reckless fools in attacking, merely observing from afar.
"I thought Yi'er's talent was monstrous, but to think there's a greater prodigy in this world!"
"Princess, those kids arrived in the capital today. They're likely not from the Desolate Region—probably from an immortal sect beyond the domain," the bronze-skinned man whispered.
"All the better," the Ninth Princess of Stone Country smiled, rising gracefully. "With such talent and backing, befriending them could tip the scales in my favor!"
Meanwhile, Lin Fan stretched, waving at the stunned Yue Chan with a cheeky grin. "Wife, dazzled by your husband's heroic charm?"
Yue Chan rolled her eyes, exasperated. Serious for barely three seconds before reverting to a scoundrel.
Yet she couldn't deny his strength. Compared to him, she was far behind—still at eight Cave Heavens, the pinnacle of the Heavenly Passage Realm. Reaching Spirit Transformation would take another seven or eight months.
"Where to now?" she asked, her white robes pristine, her veiled face lending an air of mystique.
"Training, of course," Lin Fan replied. As he spoke, two familiar figures approached down the street.
The Ninth Princess, clad in vibrant red, was a blazing flame, turning heads on the bustling thoroughfare.
Her long, fair legs, smooth and radiant, peeked tantalizingly from her skirt, flawless and captivating.
"Well, if it isn't our little brother and sister! We meet again," the princess said sweetly, her voice warm, devoid of the auction's haughtiness, now resembling a friendly neighbor.
"Eh, Little Chili Pepper, had a personality swap? That… syrupy tone's throwing me off," Lin Fan teased, aware she'd been watching from the pavilion.
"You…" Black lines creased the princess's fair forehead.
If not for avoiding her rival princes' notice, she wouldn't bother playing the spoiled brat daily.
But she quickly composed herself, her smile unwavering. "That was a misunderstanding. I apologize. May I have the honor of treating you both to a drink?"
Lin Fan didn't hesitate. "No time. I prefer your feisty side—way more fun."
The princess ground her teeth, her pert nose flaring, veins nearly popping on her forehead. This kid's words are infuriating!
"Pfft!" Yue Chan stifled a laugh. It's not just me—he's this maddening to everyone.
"Not mad, not mad!" The princess patted her modest chest, calming herself. She'd offended him earlier, after all. "Little brother, I sincerely want to treat you and apologize. I can cover your auction losses."
"I accept your apology, but the drink's a pass. Got things to do. Bye!" Lin Fan said, grabbing Yue Chan and striding off without pause.
To him, someone he'd likely never see again wasn't worth entangling with. Besides, the princess was clearly scheming—he had no patience for it.
The princess stomped her foot, fuming. No one's ever rejected me so bluntly!
Having played the willful princess so long, she'd internalized the role, her temper flaring easily.
Seeing her rebuffed, the bronze-skinned man ventured, "Princess, shall I—"
A sudden, overwhelming pressure struck, his heart pounding as if plunged into an icy abyss. He clamped his mouth shut, silenced.
The princess noticed his distress. "What's wrong?"
The pressure faded, and he exhaled heavily, wiping cold sweat. "I felt a presence as terrifying as His Majesty's."
Her eyes widened. "You mean…"
"They're guarded by a powerhouse, warning me to drop any schemes," the man said, wary.
Outside Stone Country's Capital
"Young Sir, that girl's clearly up to no good. Shall I teach her a lesson? Even with the Human Emperor in the capital, I'm confident I can seize her," Granny Cherish-Flowers said, her eyes glinting.
"No need. A Lower Realm princess? Beneath my notice," Lin Fan said, waving her off. His pride wasn't so petty.
Besides, such encounters would be common in the future. He couldn't fight everyone—that'd be exhausting or, worse, annoying!
Granny Cherish-Flowers sighed. "Young Sir, you're too kind."
Yue Chan was speechless. Kind? Granny's blind flattery is shameless.
Hadn't she seen him tear foes apart? He was more ruthless than anyone.
Lin Fan took her praise in stride, unmoved. "Enough. Granny, Old Yu, explore the Desolate Region on your own. The saintess and I don't need you for our training."
The protectors were stunned, protesting, "Young Sir, that's reckless! If anything happens, we can't bear the responsibility…"
"What could happen? Even if a Venerable comes, I can blast them with a forbidden artifact. Divine Flame Realm? Same deal," Lin Fan scoffed.
Exasperated by their insistence, he threatened, "Keep following, and I'll use a forbidden artifact on you. I'll make sure you wear tiny shoes forever!"
The two froze, torn between laughter and tears, and reluctantly departed.
Crack!
The void shattered as Lin Fan activated a spatial artifact, whisking himself and Yue Chan through the ether, heading straight for Stone Country's western frontier.
The Supreme Hall's inheritance was a secret he intended to keep close.
After they left, Granny Cherish-Flowers grumbled, "Old Yu, why didn't you back me up? Letting Young Sir and the saintess go alone—what if something happens?"
Old Yu sighed. Granny's too stubborn to see the bigger picture. "Young Sir clearly has matters he doesn't want us privy to, so he took only the saintess. Plus, it's a chance for them to bond alone. Us tagging along—what would that look like?"
"What's the issue? We could just pretend to be blind and deaf," she retorted.
Old Yu fell silent. Talking to this eternal spinster is pointless. Explaining's like playing the lute to a cow.
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