The Unforeseen Danger

As the Heavenly Emperor's entourage, the ceremony was naturally extraordinary.

Nine divine dragons pulled the chariot as it traversed the clouds.

The aura of the Great Dao enveloped the sky, accompanied by celestial music, triggering endless auspicious phenomena.

Traveling west for thirty million miles, they finally saw Lin Fan's figure.

Lin Fan stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm.

Xiong Batian, however, was stunned by the scene before him.

The bamboo shoot in his hand stopped halfway to his mouth, unbitten.

It wasn't for any other reason than the sheer magnificence of the spectacle.

Wherever the Nine Dragon Treasure Chariot passed, golden flowers rained down, and auspicious clouds shone brilliantly. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of Great Luo Golden Immortals accompanied them, their pressure shaking heaven and earth.

Only now did he realize his elder brother possessed such might.

As expected, he was an extraordinary and transcendent being.

East Prince slowly descended from the Heavenly Emperor's chariot, stood in the void, and respectfully bowed to Lin Fan.

"I have long heard of Daoist Friend Lin Fan's reputation and admired you for a long time, but alas, we have never had the chance to meet.

Daoist Friend Lin Fan, greetings."

This bow sent ripples of shock through the immortals and gods of Purple Mansion Prefecture.

Emperor Donghua, as the ruler of a celestial realm and a top Great Power in the Great Desolation, had only a handful of individuals in this era who could make him bow.

Let alone such a solemn, deep bow.

Not only that, but Emperor Donghua also led a welcoming party thirty million miles out. Such courtesy was unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated.

It clearly showed how much His Majesty valued Lin Fan.

The immortals and gods of Purple Mansion Prefecture looked at Lin Fan with reverence, their hearts filled with emotion.

So young, yet already achieving so much.

Their future heights were simply immeasurable.

Of course, they all understood that Lin Fan deserved such treatment.

Lin Fan's strength was formidable, not to mention that she had Nuwa as a backer. No one in the Great Desolation dared to underestimate her.

East Prince personally welcomed her into the Purple Mansion Immortal Palace. Seated before a golden jade table, East Prince produced two rare treasures: the Sky-Shaking Hammer and the Pure Yang Bell.

"Daoist Priest," he said, handing over the treasures, "Thanks to your rescue, Chen Xuan managed to keep his life. Please accept these magic treasures as a token of my gratitude."

Lin Fan accepted without hesitation. "It was a small matter, there's no need to worry about it." Although these two Acquired Spiritual Treasures were nothing to her, they were rare treasures for ordinary cultivators.

Seeing Lin Fan accept the gifts, a look of satisfaction flashed in East Prince's eyes. He changed the subject and said, "Your feat of single-handedly storming the Heavenly Court and crushing the Demon Emperor's Palace that day was truly admirable. I hope you will visit Purple Mansion more often in the future. If you don't find it beneath you, I wish to appoint you as Purple Mansion's Supreme Guest Official, sharing power with me."

Chen Xuan, who was standing by, changed his expression upon hearing this. Being on equal footing with the Heavenly Emperor meant commanding all immortals, a lifelong aspiration for many cultivators.

"No need," Lin Fan refused outright. The so-called title of Supreme Guest Official was insignificant in her eyes. What truly mattered was strength.

East Prince was somewhat anxious. He had intended to use this to strengthen his ties with the Saint's lineage, gaining assistance at a critical moment. Seeing Lin Fan unmoved, he could only change his approach...

"To be frank, the Demon Race has long coveted our Purple Mansion Prefecture, and they will eventually launch an invasion. I wish to ask for your help during this crisis."

Lin Fan had long seen through East Prince's intentions and chuckled upon hearing this.

"That's easily handled. If you fear the Demon Race, why not have Purple Mansion Prefecture join my Human Religion? With my Sister's protection, even the Demon Race wouldn't dare to act presumptuously."

East Prince's face immediately showed embarrassment.

He naturally had other plans.

Having founded Purple Mansion Prefecture, gathered the immortals of the Great Desolation, and proclaimed himself Heavenly Emperor, he harbored ambitions of vying for control of the world.

Just like Di Jun, he wished to rule the heavens and ascend to the supreme throne.

East Prince gave a few dry laughs.

"Little friend, you jest. I wish to form an alliance with your sect, to watch each other's backs."

"If you help Purple Mansion Prefecture overcome this difficulty, the immortals within the Prefecture will also protect the Human Race and jointly resist the Demon Race. This is mutually beneficial."

Lin Fan smiled faintly. "Daoist Priest, I have noted your words."

"If Purple Mansion Prefecture is in trouble, I will naturally lend my aid."

He had originally intended to bring Purple Mansion Prefecture under the Human Religion to bolster its influence.

But seeing that East Prince's ambition had not waned, he could not force the issue.

However, he did not refuse the request for help.

After all, Purple Mansion Prefecture could still tie down the Demon Race for now, and it could not be allowed to perish.

Hearing this, East Prince felt a little relieved. This roundabout effort had finally yielded some results.

Lin Fan then took her leave.

To this day, East Prince remains stubbornly misguided.

Lin Fan pondered inwardly. The Demon Race's stirrings were obvious and easy to see, their aim being to annex the Purple Mansion Continent to strengthen themselves.

But East Prince was still immersed in his dream of being the Heavenly Emperor.

Such stubbornness would ultimately yield no good fruit.

From the moment of his birth, East Prince had fallen into Hongjun's schemes.

Back then, during the sermon in Zixiao Palace, Hongjun had personally appointed him the leader of male immortals.

This was precisely to ignite his ambition, make him contend with the Demon Race, and thus bring the Witch-Demon Tribulation to completion.

Even now, after all this planning, East Prince still hadn't woken up.

He was truly deeply poisoned.

Lin Fan mused for a moment, then stopped thinking about it.

He immediately summoned Xiong Batian and Xiong Aotian.

"Big Brother, what do you need us for?" Xiong Batian asked, tilting his head up.

Xiong Aotian was stuffing chopped Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir into a bamboo shoot, taking a large bite with a goofy grin, his round face filled with satisfaction.

"As the Human Religion's guardian divine beasts, the Black and White Twin Fiends, your travels across the Great Desolation represent the face of the Human Race. You must have matching weapons to maintain appearances," Lin Fan said, hands behind his back.

As he spoke, he tossed out two Acquired Spiritual Treasures—the Sky-Shaking Hammer and the Pure Yang Bell.

The two bears' eyes lit up. Xiong Aotian even dropped his bamboo shoot and lunged forward, hugging the Pure Yang Bell tightly. The Sky-Shaking Hammer was clasped in Xiong Batian's palm.

"Good hammer! It suits my mighty Batian!"

"Good bell! It matches my Aotian's spirit!"

Lin Fan secretly put his hand to his forehead.

"Big Brother, you should teach us some Spiritual Powers now, right?" Xiong Batian suddenly asked. Xiong Aotian eagerly added, "We want those earth-shattering ones, to match our might!"

Lin Fan closed his eyes and deduced. Then, he pointed his fingers together.

Two streams of light entered the two bears' foreheads respectively.

In their sea of consciousness, the Tiangang Divine Abilities—Move Stars and Change Constellations and Shake Mountains and Tremble Earth—instantly appeared.

"Perfect match!"

"So domineering!"

Lin Fan then took them to tour the East Sea.

As the thirty-six Sea Calming Divine Pearls floated and sank in his spiritual platform, the system notification rang out:

Ding! Fusion of the laws of all heavens and the Dao Charm of the sea, comprehended Hunyuan-level Spiritual Power: World in the Palm!

World in the Palm was a powerful spatial technique that could seal all things, making even Zhenyuanzi's Universe in the Sleeve inferior. This method could create a complete world within one's palm, and those who entered could never escape.

With a raise of his hand, Lin Fan activated the Spiritual Power. Laws instantly intertwined in his palm, constructing the framework of a new world. Earth, wind, water, and fire rotated and churned within. Even a slight leakage of its aura would make a Quasi-Saint expert's expression change.

Suddenly, killing intent surged through the world. Lin Fan looked intently and saw a ten-thousand-zhang Black Flood Dragon soaring into the sky, its demonic energy surging like waves, sweeping across thousands of miles of sea. The Black Flood Dragon was attacking a heavily wounded red dragon with its Black Water Divine Art.

The red dragon was young but had nine claws, and the aura of the Ancestral Dragon faintly flowed through its body. Lin Fan recognized it as a descendant of the primordial Dragon Race, and couldn't help but sigh at how the once powerful Dragon Race had fallen to such a state.

"Ao Yue, you won't escape!" the Black Flood Dragon roared, launching another assault. At the critical moment, the little dragon let out a clear, melodious child's voice: "Save me!"

Lin Fan waved his hand casually, and the roaring Black Flood Dragon instantly turned to dust. The little red dragon immediately hid behind Lin Fan, revealing its **cute true form.

Its snow-white dress was stained with blood, and the girl's breath was faint.

Lin Fan looked at the small dragon, which was entirely crimson, and his heart suddenly softened.

A glazed light rippled from his palm, enveloping the dragon girl.

In an instant, her wounds vanished, and color returned to her pale cheeks.

The little dragon girl's eyelashes trembled, her golden eyes filled with surprise:

"Thank you, Brother." Her voice carried a childish sweetness.

She suddenly leaned close to Lin Fan's neck, her nose twitching slightly:

"Brother smells like pine needles warmed by the sun..."

She innocently snuggled up to him, like hugging a warm plush toy.

Lin Fan gently tapped the lotus flower on her forehead with a finger:

"You were being chased by a Black Flood Dragon just now, and now you're not afraid of me?"

"Brother's palm can make flowers bloom," the dragon girl said, prying his fingers open to examine them closely.

Her scales reflected tiny golden rays under the sunlight: "And..."

She suddenly buried her face in Lin Fan's sleeve: "It smells nice."

The roar of collapsing mountains echoed from the distance.

The Xiong brothers were beating the Black Flood Dragon like a drum.

Each heavy punch they landed created the visual effect of exploding stars.

Where did everyone go? Lin Fan smoothed her messy braid.

Her embrace suddenly grew heavy. The Dragon Girl clutched his collar, trembling.

"Brother... Brother was taken by the Black Flood Dragon..."

Tears like pearls fell onto his dark robes, blooming into dark flowers.

"I'll be your brother," Lin Fan wiped the moisture from her chin, his fingertip resting on her trembling dragon horns. "Let's call you... Lin Xiao Chi?"

The little dragon girl sobbed, pressing her dragon horns into his palm.

The little red dragon nodded gently and nestled against Lin Fan's shoulder. It took a long time before her tears stopped.

"Do you have any other family? Do you want to see the Dragon Clan again?" Lin Fan asked softly.

"No," Ao Yue tightly hugged his arm, her eyelashes fluttering. Unease flickered in her eyes. "Wherever Brother is from now on, I will be there."

Lin Fan smiled and ruffled her hair. "Alright, then stay with Brother. I won't let you suffer any grievances again."

This girl had extraordinary talent, but unfortunately, she was trapped by karma, making her cultivation progress difficult. She was only at the Golden Immortal realm now. To help her advance further, he needed to find an opportunity to sever her karmic ties with the Dragon Clan.

Ao Yue nuzzled his cheek happily upon hearing this. Lin Fan gazed at her for a moment, his mood sinking slightly.

This lineage of little red dragons had likely been slaughtered by the Demon Race, leaving only this orphaned little girl. If the Ancestral Dragon knew the state of his bloodline, how heartbroken he would be.

"Big Brother, how should we deal with this Black Flood Dragon?" Xiong Batian and Xiong Aotian had subdued the Black Flood Dragon and brought it to the Pure Yang Pagoda. They stepped forward to ask for instructions.

Ao Yue looked at the Black Flood Dragon, and a fiery hatred ignited in her clear eyes. The Black Flood Dragon met Lin Fan's gaze and instantly felt its liver and gall rupture—it had actually run into this malevolent star today!

"Immortal Master, spare me! I am willing to be your slave and serve you!" the Black Flood Dragon pleaded hoarsely.

Lin Fan's palm circulated the law of confinement, descending from the air. As the laws intertwined, the Black Flood Dragon's form shrank rapidly, becoming palm-sized. It discovered in terror that its magic power was completely lost, its Primordial Spirit sealed, and it could no longer sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, like a mortal ant.

"It's yours," Lin Fan placed the Black Flood Dragon into Ao Yue's palm.

"Thank you, Brother," the little girl held her enemy, her eyes glistening.

It's alright, don't be sad. I'll teach you the most powerful magic later, and one day you'll be able to avenge your kin.

"Mhm! Thank you, Brother."

Ao Yue nodded gently, crystalline tears rolling down her cheeks. She tightly wrapped her arms around Lin Fan's arm.

A golden light emanated from her palm, transforming into countless sharp blades of light that shredded the Black Flood Dragon's body and annihilated its Primordial Spirit.

The shrill screams gradually faded, and the Black Flood Dragon was finally utterly destroyed, body and soul.

Lin Fan stroked the top of Ao Yue's head, a hidden worry in his heart. This little girl, having suddenly experienced family tragedy and bearing deep-seated hatred, might face obstacles in her future cultivation.

"Little Yue'er, are you tired? Why don't you rest in the magic treasure space for a while?"

"No~" Ao Yue hugged his arm and shook her head. Her tender face had regained some of its spirit. "I want to be with Brother."

Lin Fan didn't insist and took her to wander leisurely in the East Sea.

Ding! Host observed the origin Dao Charm of a Nine-Clawed Divine Dragon. Comprehension of Wind and Water laws has improved. Learned innate Spiritual Powers: Call Wind and Rain, Soar Through Clouds and Ride Mist.

Ding! Host comprehended the Great Dao of the Sea and merged with Divine Dragon Dao Patterns. Created a Quasi-Saint level body-refining technique: Ancestral Dragon Sacred Body Art.

Lin Fan's lips curved upwards. Although this technique was useless to him, it was perfect for Ao Yue's cultivation.

"I'll teach you some minor spells. Sense them carefully."

As he spoke, he lightly tapped her forehead, imparting all the insights he had deduced.

Ao Yue closed her eyes and concentrated for a moment, then her eyes suddenly widened, and she exclaimed excitedly, "Brother is too amazing!"

She happily circled Lin Fan, bouncing on Xiong Batian's back. The technique resonated with her bloodline, and the profound sense of compatibility filled her with joy.

Looking at the little girl's bright smile, a gentle ripple appeared in Lin Fan's eyes.

Lin Fan's face showed a look of relief.

This smile indicated that hatred had not left too deep a mark on the little Fire Dragon's heart, and seeing this, he no longer worried.

Purple Mansion Immortal Domain

The sky above Penglai Immortal Island suddenly became overcast, and a killing aura permeated heaven and earth.