Chapter 39

Breaking the formation by force would not have been difficult, but it could easily alert Laozi. Naturally, Lin Fan would not resort to such an inferior method. Divine light flowed through his eyes, and in an instant, he saw through the formation's essence. His fingers condensed profound mysteries as they tapped the void several times, and the surrounding rules shifted accordingly.

The grand formation silently opened a passage, allowing Lin Fan to enter as if no one were there.

The moment he set foot in the daoist grounds, a rich medicinal fragrance filled his senses. Looking around, he saw rare spiritual plants everywhere around the halls—lingzhi exuded auspicious light, immortal herbs carried delicate scents, divine trees swayed with radiance. The sight was so dazzling that it was breathtaking.

The spiritual roots constantly absorbed the pure spiritual energy between heaven and earth, displaying all manner of wondrous forms.

Even the most ordinary of these spiritual plants could be considered mid-grade Acquired Spiritual Roots.

Lin Fan was secretly astonished.

This Laozi, hailed as the supreme figure of the daoist sect, always acted as though he stood above worldly matters. Who would have thought he possessed such substantial wealth?

Those two fools, Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi, bore the title of Heavenly Emperor and ruled heaven and earth.

They were figures admired by all living beings.

I had thought their collection was already astonishing, but compared to Laozi's, it was simply pitifully shabby.

It was said that Laozi was highly skilled in alchemy and was the ancestor of pill refinement in the Primordial World.

Since taking form, no one knew how many spirit pills and wondrous medicines he had refined.

Those pills were naturally extraordinarily profound. In particular, the legendary Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir was said to allow an ordinary mortal to reach the realm of a Great Luo Golden Immortal instantly after consuming a single pill.

And there would be no hidden danger whatsoever.

Laozi had only two outstanding disciples beneath him: Xuandu and True Person Du'e. His resource consumption was extremely limited.

If Lin Fan could loot Laozi's cave dwelling this time, he would immediately become rich beyond measure.

At that thought, Lin Fan grew even more excited.

This trip had truly been worthwhile.

Looking at the vast patches of rare spiritual roots before him, a smile appeared on Lin Fan's face.

These treasures would soon change owners.

To prevent Laozi from perceiving him, Lin Fan immediately activated the Primordial Pearl to conceal the heavenly secrets of this place.

With a wave of his hand, countless spiritual roots disappeared into his possession.

Afterward, Lin Fan summoned the Primordial World's strange beasts, Xiong Batian and Xiong Aotian.

The moment Xiong Batian landed, he respectfully asked, "Big Brother, what are your orders?"

Meanwhile, Xiong Aotian slowly took out his favorite fresh bamboo shoots and offered them to Lin Fan. "Big Brother, would you like to try these freshly picked bamboo shoots?"

Xiong Batian felt that his younger brother was truly slow-witted and said helplessly, "Stop being foolish. Big Brother doesn't like that."

Xiong Aotian chewed on a bamboo shoot without concern and seriously retorted, "How do you know Big Brother doesn't like them?"

"Big Brother once said that great minds think alike."

"Big Brother and I are both peerless heroes, brimming with the bearing of kings."

"Since I like them, Big Brother definitely likes them too."

Xiong Batian helplessly curled his lips.

"Stop flattering yourself. I've known you for so long, yet I've never seen even a trace of kingly dignity in you. Besides, what kind of tortoise is as greedy as you?"

"What business is it of yours? Out of ten spirit bamboo shoots, you swallowed six all by yourself..."

Xiong Aotian grumbled indignantly.

"Both of you, quiet down."

Lin Fan impatiently interrupted the pair of amusing fools. If left alone, these two idiots could bicker for an entire day. No wonder Chi You had lost while riding an Iron-Eating Beast into battle back then—winning with such dimwits would have been stranger.

Xiong Aotian suddenly became serious. "Boss, what exactly are we doing?"

Lin Fan jerked his chin toward the golden hall ahead. "See that? Today, we're going to turn that place upside down."

The light in their two pairs of dark eye rings instantly flared. Looting a home? They had not enjoyed themselves at all last time on the Solar Star. Who would have thought such a wonderful dream would come true so soon?

"What delicious food is inside?" Xiong Batian even forgot to keep chewing his bamboo shoot.

"There's plenty. Some of it smells even better than bamboo shoots." Lin Fan was referring to the golden elixirs and spiritual medicines.

Upon hearing there was even more delicious food, the two foodies immediately could not sit still. Before good food, even heaven and earth mattered less than satisfying their cravings. They took off at once and charged toward the palace.

At that moment, True Person Du'e, who had remained behind at Eight Views Palace, was meditating when he was suddenly startled awake by the disturbance. He had barely rushed out of his quiet chamber when he saw two black-and-white round creatures crashing toward the main hall, followed by a familiar figure.

True Person Du'e immediately changed expression.

Why had he suddenly appeared here? This was a place where sages cultivated in peace.

True Person Du'e immediately sensed that something was wrong.

He at once wanted to send a voice transmission warning his Master, Taishang Laojun.

He knew full well that with his meager cultivation, he was no match for Lin Fan.

Those two black-and-white bear spirits appeared adorably foolish, yet extraordinary auras lingered around them. Their cultivation was clearly several realms higher than his own.

Just as he was about to cast a spell, the sound of something tearing through the air suddenly rang out beside his ears.

At some unknown point, Xiong Batian and Xiong Aotian had already flanked him from both sides.

Two lengths of green bamboo carried the force of wind and thunder as they smashed viciously toward the crown of his head.

How could True Person Du'e, with merely Golden Immortal cultivation, possibly withstand it?

In an instant, his true essence scattered, his divine sense froze, and his seven orifices fell into chaos.

Amid a thunderous crash, the daoist collapsed limply to the ground like mud.

His primordial spirit was completely shattered, and whether he would live or die was uncertain.

Xiong Aotian waved his bamboo pole and asked Lin Fan for credit.

"Boss, were our methods clean enough?"

"Very good. Quickly empty this daoist ground."

Lin Fan nodded approvingly.

He secretly thought that he should equip these two capable subordinates with proper magic treasures.

Using bamboo poles as weapons all the time was truly beneath their status.

Upon hearing this, the black-and-white bears' eyes burst with brilliant light.

They immediately pounced toward the halls, pavilions, and jade towers, beginning their great looting operation.

Lin Fan, meanwhile, entered the pill chamber directly. With a flick of his sleeves, he swept away every precious item.

He found only three Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs, while the six- and seven-revolution elixirs filled several gourds each.

The remaining low-grade pills were piled up like mountains, numbering no fewer than several hundred gourds.

All of these had been personally refined by Laojun, so their quality was naturally beyond question.

As his gaze shifted, Lin Fan locked onto a forbidden area deep within the pill chamber.

After a brief deduction, he broke through layer upon layer of restrictions.

Within the billowing auspicious glow stood the Eight Trigrams Treasure Furnace, towering majestically.

Various exotic treasures were displayed beside it:

The Yin Yang Banana Fan, Wind Fire **, the Pure Jade Bottle of Ram's Fat...

There were also quite a few ordinary Acquired Spiritual Treasures.

With a wave of his hand, Lin Fan took them all into his possession.

When he turned around—

Xiong Batian and Xiong Aotian were still working busily inside the hall.

However, they were not gathering rare treasures or spiritual roots, but eating with great relish.

Yin and yang energy flowed around them, and the Devouring Law manifested as they digested at an astonishing speed.

Lin Fan could not help rubbing his forehead.

These two fools truly could not be relied upon.

At critical moments, he still had to do things himself.

With a sweep of his sleeve, the treasures within the hall poured into the Primordial Pearl like a flood.

Seeing the appearance of the two bears, an idea suddenly struck him.

"How can one travel the Primordial World without a nickname? Today, I'll grant you one."

"Please bestow us with a name, Big Brother!" Xiong Aotian swallowed a spiritual root and foolishly raised his head.

"Since you are black and white, from now on you shall be called the Black and White Twin Fiends."

The two bears looked at each other, confusion filling their eyes.

"Black and White Twin Fiends?"

It did not seem imposing or domineering at all, nor did it match their aura.

But since it had been bestowed by Big Brother, how could they dare say more?

Besides, with delicious food before them, what did a name matter?

After devouring all the immortal lingzhi and spiritual herbs in the hall, the two bears burped contentedly again.

This meal had been even more satisfying than the last.

At this point, Laozi's daoist ground had been completely emptied.

Xiong Batian looked back around him. He no longer felt the guilt he had last time and instead looked eagerly at Lin Fan.

"Big Brother, when are we coming back next time?"

The corner of Lin Fan's mouth twitched slightly.

This fool had truly let himself go completely.

He then quietly departed with the two bears.

At the East Sea Coast—

Laozi, who was battling Nuwa, suddenly perceived something unusual.

The Eight Trigrams Furnace and the other Innate Spiritual Treasures had long been refined by him. Now that they had changed owners, he naturally sensed it.

His vast divine sense spread outward, and only then did Laozi discover that Lin Fan had long since vanished. His face immediately darkened.

Laozi had personally experienced Lin Fan's method of moving soundlessly while completely concealing the heavenly secrets.

Had this brat slipped into his daoist ground amid the chaos?

After making a brief calculation, Laozi immediately perceived a flaw in the Innate Two Elements Grand Formation.

He was both furious and anxious, but Nuwa's divine abilities continued to rain down upon him, leaving him utterly unable to withdraw.

"Junior Sister Nuwa, there have been many misunderstandings in today's matter. Why not stop here?"

Laozi lowered his stance, and compromise was already evident in his tone.

He knew clearly that if Lin Fan had truly infiltrated the daoist ground, the consequences would be unthinkable. After all, when Lin Fan had caused havoc in the Heavenly Court, he had directly looted the Solar Star. It was not as though he had never done such a thing before.

At the thought of the many treasures in his daoist ground, Laozi became frantic with worry.

Hearing this, Nuwa slowed her offensive and said coldly:

"You incited ** to slander the Human Teachings and even sought to harm my younger brother. Now you want to let it pass so easily? Dream on!"

Laozi froze.

He had indeed struck first today, yet not only had he failed to gain any advantage over Lin Fan, he had instead lost all face.

Nuwa refused to relent, and though rage burned in his heart, he could only suppress it and say, "Then how does Junior Sister Nuwa wish to settle this?"

Nuwa casually glanced at him and said indifferently:

"Simple. Hand over the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda, and this matter will be settled."

Laozi had schemed against Lin Fan many times, and she had long since reached the limit of her patience. She deliberately set an impossible condition.

"Wishful thinking! Absolutely impossible!"

Laozi's face turned ashen.

The Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda was one of his most important supports. If he handed over this treasure, would Nuwa not be free to manipulate him in the future?

Nuwa remained expressionless. "In that case, let us continue."

Taiqing daoist's face was dark as water.

The situation was critically dangerous. Every moment of delay brought further variables.

There could not be the slightest hesitation.

He gritted his teeth and, disregarding the danger of damage to his Dao body, transformed into a rainbow and fled into the distance.

The moment he left the protection of the Mysterious Yellow Pagoda,

Saint Nuwa's Starry Sky Dao Arts crashed down upon him.

Endless starlight condensed into swords of heavenly punishment, shattering his Dharma body in an instant. When the bloody light reformed, Laozi was already speeding toward Kunlun.

Confusion flashed through Nuwa's eyes. Why was this tranquil and detached Taiqing in such a panic? Could something have happened in Kunlun?

Only after sweeping the area with her divine sense did she realize that Lin Fan had already vanished, and she could not help laughing.

That little rascal must have stirred up trouble behind This Palace's back again.

Though she sounded reproachful, her tone was filled with affection.

To force Taiqing, whose heart had remained unmoved for ten thousand years, into such a state—

This younger brother of hers was truly unprecedented throughout all time.

Seeing the mountain-protecting formation in ruins, Laozi's heart tightened sharply.

Upon entering the Grotto-Heaven, the devastation before him shook his Dao heart.

What had once been a pure land filled with myriad rays of auspicious light and countless streams of good fortune,

Now looked as though it had been ravaged by a gluttonous beast.

The Innate Spiritual Plants accumulated since the Creation of Heaven and Earth had all vanished without a trace.

Only countless pits remained in the spiritual fields, as though they were mocking him.

With frost covering his face, Laozi teleported into the hall.

There, True Person Du'e lay sprawled across the jade steps, his breath as faint as a thread.

The rage churning in Laozi's chest nearly burst through the heavens.

He flicked his sleeve and strode straight into the inner courtyard.

Everywhere he passed, the four walls were bleak and desolate.

His steps quickened as he reached the alchemy chamber door—

The Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir, refined through countless tribulations,

was gone without even half a pellet remaining.

Chapter

The Eight Trigrams Furnace, Wind Fire Wheels, Yin Yang Banana Fan, and other spiritual treasures had all vanished without a trace.

Laozi, usually serene and detached, now wore a grim expression. Fury churned in his chest, and his daoist robe stirred despite the absence of wind.

After failing to divine the heavenly secrets, he swept his sleeve and appeared beside True Person Du'e. Holy power entered him, and True Person Du'e awakened. Seeing the empty hall and his Master's expression, he immediately collapsed into tearful lamentation:

"Master! Lin Fan slipped into the sacred grounds and stole the treasures. It happened too suddenly!"

"Useless fool!"

Jade dust fell rustling from Laozi's sleeve as he shouted sternly:

"Since you knew the thief had entered the hall, why did you not send word to me?"

True Person Du'e trembled as he prostrated himself on the ground:

"That fiend struck viciously. Before I could react, he..."

Before he could finish, a bloody sweetness surged up Laozi's throat. Gazing over the devastated sacred grounds, their spiritual roots destroyed and holy marks shattered, he finally threw back his head and howled—

"Lin Fan, you brat! I will surely destroy your primordial spirit!"

As his holy voice shook the nine heavens, tribulation clouds suddenly spread across millions of miles above Kunlun. Yuanshi and Tongtian emerged from seclusion, and when they saw that this place, once brimming with spiritual splendor, had become a wasteland, both were too shocked for words. The Sanqing shared the same origin; none knew their elder brother's sacred grounds better than they did.

Tongtian brushed his fingertips over the scorched soil of the Mysterious Garden, his low voice filled with disbelief:

"This... is truly Eldest Brother's sacred ground?"

Recalling Laojun's thunderous roar just now, strange feelings welled up within both of them.

Could it be... Lin Fan was behind all this?

Sect Master Tongtian's expression turned subtle, and he remained silent.

"This Lin Fan is truly lawless. He even dared lay hands on Senior Brother Taiqing's sacred grounds."

Such conduct was simply unheard of.

Since the beginning of chaos until now, this was likely the first time.

Watching Laojun fly into a rage, a trace of doubt flashed through Venerable Yuanshi's eyes.

If Lin Fan had secretly infiltrated Laojun's sacred grounds just now, why had he sensed nothing at all?