Let's put the map fragment away for now. I'll assemble it later when I have the time.
"Right now, I should absorb this attribute-less spirit ring and break through to Rank 96."
Lin Fan stored the final map fragment and shifted his gaze to the soft, milky-white glow of the ring hovering in front of him.
As before, he summoned his Slaughter Sword and carefully set the glowing ring onto the blade. Energy surged, and the spirit ring began its orderly transformation—white for ten years, yellow for a hundred, purple for a thousand...
As the ring aged and its color deepened, the room became saturated with spiritual power.
Thankfully, Lin Fan had already sealed off his room with an aura-blocking formation in advance, preventing anyone outside—especially Bibi Dong—from detecting the disturbance.
Not long after, a bright scarlet light illuminated the entire room. The once milky-white ring had now matured into a 100,000-year spirit ring, its energy radiating at full capacity.
"Another 100,000-year ring… not bad. Guess it was worth bullying some kids in that dumb tournament."
Lin Fan looked at the deep crimson glow with satisfaction.
From an outside perspective, it was shameless—a Title Douluo joining a junior tournament. It looked like disgraceful behavior.
But in the system's eyes, he was just a 15-year-old youth.
Lin Fan didn't dwell on it long. Compared to his first time absorbing a 100,000-year ring, he was much more composed now.
Still wary of being within Spirit Hall's territory, he began absorbing the spirit ring immediately—better safe than sorry.
By midday, a powerful burst of energy erupted from Lin Fan's body. On the Slaughter Sword's blade, two crimson spirit rings now pulsed in unison.
"As expected, absorbing this 100,000-year ring directly pushed me to Rank 96. I now have the power to protect myself on the Douluo Continent."
"And these spirit abilities... damn, they're amazing. Especially the second one—practically a divine technique."
Lin Fan dismissed the Slaughter Sword, newly bestowed with two powerful abilities: one offensive, one supportive.
Hurricane Blood Sword (Attack Type): Launches a rapidly spinning blood-red sword at the enemy, forming a cone-shaped hurricane with suction properties.
Blood Cocoon (Support Type): When mortally wounded, the caster can activate a cocoon that restores them to peak condition. After emerging, all attributes are temporarily enhanced by 50%.
"This Blood Cocoon skill… gives me another life."
In a battle where both sides were evenly matched and heavily injured, he could pop Blood Cocoon and reset himself to full strength. Victory would be inevitable.
After experiencing the enhancements from the second 100,000-year ring, Lin Fan had fully calmed down.
He pulled out the final map fragment, along with the previously collected pieces, and began assembling them.
As for the reward that boosted him to Spirit Emperor, Lin Fan simply chuckled.
"This system of mine… always so extra."
The map, once assembled, formed a rectangular shape. In the center was a dilapidated cabin built of wood and stone. To the left was a withered tree, and the surroundings were barren, tinted in dark red hues.
...That was it.
"Seriously? This is it? This is the entrance to the so-called secret realm? You better not be messing with me, system."
Just then, the system responded:
[Congratulations! You have acquired the entrance map to the Asura Secret Realm.]
[The first step toward becoming a Supreme Deity begins. The host must reach the entrance within 15 days.]
"I knew it! It's Slaughter City!"
Lin Fan wasn't surprised. After all, he wielded the Slaughter Sword Martial Spirit, which originated from the divine Asura Sword. It was only natural that this so-called secret realm would be tied to the God of Asura.
"But system, even if you're leading me to inherit the Asura God position, I wouldn't exactly call that a Supreme Deity. The Evil God King, the Kindness God King—aren't they all higher tier?"
Lin Fan felt that the system had taken advantage of him a little.
[Please proceed to the secret realm as soon as possible.]
"Ugh… stubborn system." Lin Fan knew how the system operated, so he wisely shut his mouth.
[Please proceed to the secret realm as soon as possible.]
"…"
The Next Morning
Bibi Dong arrived at the courtyard with Hu Liena carrying a tray of breakfast.
Lin Fan sensed their approach. Already seated in the living room, he had discarded his "Lin Xuan" disguise.
"Teacher, is Lin Xuan not up yet? I'll knock," Hu Liena said.
"Mhm," Bibi Dong responded calmly.
Soon, Lin Fan heard Hu Liena knocking on the door—but he didn't move.
After a few knocks with no answer, Hu Liena assumed he had run off. At Bibi Dong's signal, she pushed open the door.
"You—who are you!?" Hu Liena exclaimed, alarmed to see a stranger calmly sitting in the main room.
In a flash, Bibi Dong appeared behind her.
"Lin Fan?! What are you doing here!?" she asked, clearly surprised.
"Bibi Dong, isn't it a little underhanded to detain my nephew Lin Xuan?" Lin Fan replied calmly.
"So this is Lin Fan… Lin Xuan's uncle!" Hu Liena realized in her heart.
"Hmph, just in time. I thought you forgot our agreement," Bibi Dong said coldly.
"Where's Lin Xuan? Still asleep?" Hu Liena asked cautiously.
"I sent that rascal away last night. Got three spirit bones and didn't even think of giving me one—can you believe that?" Lin Fan huffed jokingly.
"Oh? You brought me breakfast? Perfect, I'm starving." He snatched the tray from Hu Liena and started eating, deliberately changing the subject.
"Who knows what kind of trickster Bibi Dong is—better to say less than more," he thought.
Hu Liena was stunned. "He's even more casual than his nephew…"
"Nana, go back to your training," Bibi Dong said evenly as she watched Lin Fan devour breakfast.
"Yes, teacher," Hu Liena nodded, turning to leave.
Once alone, Bibi Dong sat across from him.
"Lin Fan… I'm very curious. How did you manage to slip past all our defenses and silently reach the rear of Spirit Hall?"
"If Tang Hao can fly above your sacred temple and strut around like he owns the place, why can't I sneak in quietly?" Lin Fan replied between mouthfuls.
"Hah. So it's true—you've broken through to Rank 96," Bibi Dong smiled slightly. "Very well. After you eat, I'll take you somewhere… interesting."
"Oh?" Lin Fan raised an eyebrow.
But Bibi Dong simply smiled mysteriously and said nothing more.
After finishing his breakfast, Lin Fan followed her to a larger courtyard nearby.
As soon as he stepped through the doorway, a fragrant aroma hit him.
"This scent… It's the same as Bibi Dong's perfume. This must be where she lives."
Sure enough, Bibi Dong confirmed it. "Yes. Come with me."
She led him into the house—not toward the master bedroom, thankfully—but to a side room, which turned out to be a study.
There, Bibi Dong pulled open a hidden passage behind a bookshelf, revealing a dimly lit tunnel.
"A secret chamber?" Lin Fan blinked in surprise.
"That's right. What, scared?" Bibi Dong gave him a playful, disdainful smile before stepping inside.
Uhhh…
Who wouldn't be scared! This woman's planning something! Lin Fan thought as he hesitated outside the entrance.