Trouble Comes One After Another

The woman's desperate, helpless cries from the other end of the phone were like a cold needle, instantly piercing the air of the rental apartment, which had only just relaxed after fending off the official inquiry. Lin Fan, holding the phone, froze.

Master? Very effective? Save my daughter?

The combination of these words made him instantly realize—the trouble wasn't over. Instead, it had found him in another, more direct and troublesome way!

Zhou Wenyuan's arrival had been like a stone thrown into a still pond, its ripples spreading to corners he couldn't have imagined. Clearly, through some channel (likely gossip circulating in Zhou Wenyuan's circle), someone had "deified" Goddess Nüwa, treating her as a "living goddess" capable of bringing the dead back to life!

"You... you don't rush, tell me slowly, what's going on?" Lin Fan steadied himself, trying to keep his voice even. He glanced at Nüwa and Tong Tian. Nüwa frowned slightly, as if sensing something, while Tong Tian remained expressionless, as if all the outside disturbances had nothing to do with him.

The woman on the phone sobbed, speaking incoherently. Her surname was Wang, and her daughter was only six years old. She suffered from an extremely rare congenital genetic defect that had caused her immune system to nearly collapse, leading to multiple organ failures. Top hospitals at home and abroad were helpless and had issued multiple critical illness notices. She had heard from a friend familiar with Zhou Wenyuan in a private group that there was a mysterious "female master" whose works contained magical life force, capable of calming the mind, and perhaps even... healing. In despair, clinging to the last sliver of hope, she had gone to great lengths to find Lin Fan's number.

"Mr. Lin, please! Even if there's only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, I have to try! I'll pay any amount! As long as the master is willing to help, I'll give up my fortune!" Ms. Wang's voice was filled with the madness of despair.

Lin Fan's heart felt heavy. Another pitiable soul pushed to the brink. He could understand her feelings, but... Goddess Nüwa was not a doctor, nor a goddess (though in a sense, she was more than a goddess). Could she cure a terminal illness that modern medicine couldn't touch? Moreover, if they opened this door, how many similar situations would come knocking later? Wouldn't their "Shelter" turn into a hospital?

"Ms. Wang, I understand how you feel, but..." Lin Fan tried to refuse tactfully, "Ms. Nüwa is not a doctor; she is merely an... artist. Her works might have some calming effect, but healing people, I'm afraid..."

"No! There must be a way!" Ms. Wang interrupted excitedly. "I heard that the master's works are divine objects! They can make people feel the power of life! Please, let me see the master! Even if the master just looks at my daughter and gives her a blessing! Please!" By the end, she was sobbing uncontrollably.

Lin Fan held the phone, torn. He couldn't bear to refuse the plea of a desperate mother, but agreeing could have unpredictable consequences.

Just then, Nüwa, who had been silently sensing, suddenly spoke softly. Her voice entered Lin Fan's ears directly (not through the air, but a mental transmission): "Her words are sorrowful, her feelings sincere, not feigned. The child's aura... is as faint as a candle in the wind, yet her will to live, her mother's protective love, are pure and strong."

Lin Fan looked at Nüwa in surprise.

Nüwa's gaze seemed to penetrate the walls, looking into the distance, a hint of genuine pity in her eyes: "Heaven and Earth are not benevolent; they treat all things as straw dogs. However, life itself, born towards death, its struggle, its desire, is also part of creation. This young girl's illness originates from a deficiency in her innate origin, making it difficult for her acquired vitality to sustain. Ordinary medicine cannot cure it."

"Then... does Your Highness have a way?" Lin Fan couldn't help but ask in his mind (he tried to respond mentally).

Nüwa was silent for a moment, then replied: "I am not a deity specializing in healing, and the laws of this realm suppress my powers, rendering my spiritual abilities ineffective. However... I can try. Using my Dao rhythm of creation to nourish her remaining vitality and stimulate her own potential might extend her lifespan and improve her condition. But whether it can be completely cured also depends on her own destiny, and... whether she can withstand the baptism of my Dao rhythm."

Her words were cautious. Even a Sage, with their power greatly suppressed, would not dare to claim absolute certainty when facing such an illness affecting the very origin of life. Moreover, forcing the issue might burden the frail child.

Lin Fan understood Nüwa's meaning. There was hope, but it was uncertain, and there were risks.

He took a deep breath and said to Ms. Wang on the phone, "Ms. Wang, please don't rush. How about this: send me the detailed information about your daughter and the hospital address. I need to... I need to consult Ms. Nüwa's opinion. I can't promise anything, but I will do my best to convey your request."

Upon hearing this, Ms. Wang grasped at the straw of hope, thanking him profusely and tearfully agreeing to send the information immediately.

After hanging up, Lin Fan explained the situation in detail to Nüwa and Tong Tian.

Tong Tian listened and coldly uttered, "Entangled by karma, seeking trouble for oneself." He said no more, continuing his "surfing" endeavor, seemingly indifferent to the life and death of mortals. In his view, since Lin Fan had chosen to follow him, these troubles were tests he had to face.

Nüwa, however, mused, "Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. This is a good deed, and it aligns with my Dao of creation. However, as Senior Brother said, once this begins, subsequent troubles will surely be endless. Lin Fan, you need to be prepared."

Lin Fan nodded heavily. "I understand. But since we've encountered it, we can't just stand by and do nothing. Your Highness, if you are willing to help, do you need any preparations?"

"No special preparations are needed," Nüwa shook her head. "When the time comes, I will accompany you to take a look."

As they spoke, Lin Fan received a message from Ms. Wang, which detailed the little girl's condition (a string of obscure medical terms) and the hospital—the city's best children's hospital, in the intensive care unit.

Lin Fan looked at the message, contemplating how to arrange the hospital visit, when another knock sounded at the door.

This time, the knock was impatient, even a bit rude.

Lin Fan frowned and looked through the peephole. Three thugs stood outside, dressed flashily with brightly dyed hair, cigarettes dangling from their mouths, their eyes arrogant. The one in front, with a lip piercing, was idly kicking the doorframe with his foot.

"Damn it, open up! We're here to check the water meter!" the man with yellow hair shouted impatiently, his voice hoarse.

Check the water meter? Lin Fan sneered inwardly. What a cliché excuse. Besides, in his old residential complex, the water meters were in the common area of the hallway; there was no need to enter the apartment. These people were clearly up to no good.

Were they accomplices of the previous thugs coming for revenge? Or... other trouble stirred up by Zhou Wenyuan? Or... had the enemies of the amnesiac old man found their way here?

Lin Fan's mind raced, his scalp tingling. It was one thing after another, trouble piling up!

He glanced back into the room. Tong Tian was still with his back to the door, but Lin Fan could feel his aura momentarily freeze. Nüwa also looked up, her gaze calm as she looked towards the door.

"Who is it?" Lin Fan asked through the door, not opening it immediately.

"Stop the crap! Open the door quickly! We need something!" the yellow-haired man's tone grew more hostile. He slammed his hand against the door, making a "bang" sound.

Lin Fan knew he couldn't avoid it any longer. He took a deep breath, opened the door a crack, and looked warily at the three outside. "Who are you looking for? What do you want?"

As soon as the door opened, the yellow-haired man immediately wedged his foot in the gap to prevent Lin Fan from closing it. He then looked Lin Fan up and down, tilted his head to peer inside, and mumbled through his cigarette, "Just you! Kid, we heard you have two pretty awesome 'masters' visiting? Can do magic tricks? We guys are a bit short on cash lately and want to ask the 'masters' where we can find some easy money?"

The two thugs behind him chuckled in agreement, their eyes scanning Lin Fan and the interior of the room with ill intent.

Lin Fan's heart sank. Not the thugs' accomplices, nor Zhou Wenyuan's or the old man's enemies. Judging by their tone, they seemed to have heard some rumors from who-knows-where and were treating him as a "fat sheep" to be extorted? Perhaps they were idle local hoodlums who had caught snippets of information from some source (like the building security, or perhaps observed by someone with an agenda when the officials visited) and decided to try their luck.

These low-level thugs could sometimes be more troublesome than organized forces because they didn't play by the rules and acted with impunity.

"You've got the wrong place, there are no masters here," Lin Fan said with a grim face, trying to close the door. "Please leave, or I'll call the police."

"Call the police?" the yellow-haired man scoffed, pushing the door hard. "Go ahead! See if the police arrest us or your two 'undocumented' visitors!" He was clearly prepared, possibly even aware that Tong Tian and Nüwa lacked identification.

Lin Fan's expression changed slightly. These people were more difficult than he had imagined.

"Kid, be smart," the yellow-haired man said, seeing Lin Fan's change in expression, becoming even more smug. He lowered his voice and threatened, "We're not asking for much. Give us fifty thousand yuan, consider it our 'consultation fee,' and we'll leave immediately, promising not to bother you again. Otherwise... hehe, we'll sing outside your door every day and have a good chat with the neighbors about the origins of your two 'masters'!"

Blatant extortion! And it exploited Lin Fan's biggest concern at the moment—not wanting the presence of the two Sages to attract wider attention and trouble.

Lin Fan trembled with anger, his fists clenched. Fifty thousand yuan? He might not have been able to afford it before, but he did have it in his stock account now. But why should he give it to these scumbags?

Just as his rage was boiling, and he was about to lose control, a flat, cold voice, as if from the deepest abyss, suddenly resounded in the room, clearly audible to everyone at the door:

"Noisy."

Just two words, yet they carried an invisible, immense pressure! The smug grins on the faces of the three men at the door instantly froze, replaced by extreme terror! They felt as if a cold, sharp sword hung over their heads, a bone-chilling coldness rising from the depths of their souls. Their blood seemed to freeze! They opened their mouths, but no sound came out. They could only stare blankly, their bodies stiff, unable to move even a finger!

It's Tong Tian!

He didn't even turn his head. With just two words, carrying a sliver of his supreme sword intent's spiritual pressure, it was enough to scatter the souls of these mortals with weak willpower!

Lin Fan stood at the doorway and could feel the chilling, sharp edge that made his heart palpitate. Although it wasn't directed at him, it still sent a shiver down his spine.

He watched as the three punks with dyed hair remained frozen in their stiff postures, their faces pale, their pupils dilated. After a few seconds, they all rolled their eyes back and collapsed to the ground without a sound, unconscious! White foam even seeped from the corners of their mouths, clearly indicating their minds had suffered a massive shock.

The hallway instantly fell silent, with only the dull thuds of the three people falling to the ground remaining.

Lin Fan gasped, looking at the scene before him. He knew Tong Tian was powerful, but he hadn't expected him to be this powerful! Did his words become reality? No, this was just the mildest form of spiritual deterrence!

He quickly poked his head out to look down the hallway. Fortunately, no one else was there for the moment. He hesitated, should he drag these three away, or...

"No need to bother," Tong Tian's voice came again, with a hint of annoyance. "They'll wake up on their own in a moment. If they dare come again, it won't be as simple as fainting."

Hearing this, Lin Fan no longer hesitated. He quickly closed the door and locked it. He leaned against the door, his heart still pounding. What was going on today? People asking for help, people trying to extort him, all at once!

He looked at Tong Tian and said sincerely, "Thank you for your help, Senior."

Tong Tian didn't respond, as if he had merely swatted away a few flies.

Goddess Nüwa sighed softly, "The mortal world is full of endless troubles. Lin Fan, since you've entered this path, you must have the awareness and ability to deal with all of this. Being strong yourself is the fundamental key."

Lin Fan nodded solemnly. He once again deeply understood the importance of possessing strength, not just to deal with these troubles, but to avoid becoming a burden on the path of following the Sages.

He walked to the window, lifted a corner of the curtain, and looked down. After a while, he indeed saw the three hooligans stumbling and scrambling out of the residential complex, their faces still showing lingering fear. They disappeared around the street corner without daring to look back.

It seemed Tong Tian's "warning" had been very effective.

However, Lin Fan's heart did not relax. The trouble with the hooligans was temporarily resolved, but at the hospital, a dying little girl and a desperate mother were still waiting.

He looked at Goddess Nüwa, "Your Grace, the hospital..."

Goddess Nüwa stood up, tidied her clothes, and said in a calm yet firm tone, "Let's go, take me there. Life is precious and should not be easily discarded."

Her eyes were filled with respect and compassion for life.

Lin Fan's heart settled, and he nodded, "Alright, let's go now."

He knew that once they took this step, they would truly begin to intervene in the trajectory of this world's operations, and the impact would far exceed the ripples caused by a few pieces of art.

What they didn't know was that outside the hospital's intensive care unit, besides Ms. Wang waiting in despair, there was another pair of eyes, hidden in the shadows, watching everything with curiosity and calculation. The ripples brought by Zhou Wenyuan were spreading into more dangerous territory.

Trouble, indeed, was coming one after another. And a greater storm was gathering in the clouds.