Lin Fan's Path as a Peacemaker

The dawn did little to warm the cramped rental room. Instead, it illuminated the heavy, oppressive, and even blood-scented historical dust from the previous night with even greater clarity.

The air seemed to still carry the despairing wails of Gong Gong and the icy sword intent of Tong Tian. An invisible barrier and the weight of history made this small space feel like a powder keg ready to explode. Lin Fan held his breath, and in an atmosphere of extreme caution, began his new day.

He first glanced at the gravekeeper in the corner. Still curled up there, clutching three broken artifacts, he was asleep, but his brow was furrowed, and his body twitched unconsciously from time to time, as if still battling the collapsed Mount Buzhou and the raging floods in his dreams. Goddess Nüwa sat not far from him, holding a ball of Creation Qi radiating gentle life, as if weaving an invisible veil to gently cover the gravekeeper, soothing his broken and restless soul. Her face was a little pale, clearly indicating that maintaining such delicate comfort for a long time was a significant burden on her current state.

On the other side, Master Tongtian sat cross-legged on the yoga mat, like a cold stone statue. His aura was contained to the extreme, but the aloofness that kept people at a distance and the sharpness that faintly emanated from him were stronger than ever. He closed his eyes, but Lin Fan felt that every nerve in this man's body was like a taut bowstring, capable of unleashing world-destroying power at any moment. Yuanshi Tianzun stood by the window, hands behind his back, gazing at the awakening city outside. His back was straight and solemn, and Lin Fan wondered what he was deducing.

No one spoke. The silence felt heavy as a thousand pounds, pressing down on everyone's hearts, and making Lin Fan, the only "mortal," feel tormented.

He knew this couldn't go on. The resentment between the two Sages was already deep. If he, the "landlord" and "hub," didn't find a way to ease the atmosphere, let alone find a new base or explore the path back, this makeshift "home" might completely fall apart from within at any second.

Lin Fan felt bitter, but looking at the dead silence, he had no choice but to brace himself and try to find a solution. He remembered what Yuanshi Tianzun had mentioned yesterday about finding a new base as soon as possible and exchanging resources for Goddess Nüwa's works. Perhaps... he could start with these relatively "practical" matters to shift everyone's attention?

He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound as natural as possible, breaking the suffocating silence:

"Um... esteemed seniors, what would you like for breakfast? I'll prepare it." He chose the most mundane and safest entry point – food.

No one acknowledged him.

Tong Tian acted as if he hadn't heard. Yuanshi continued to gaze out the window. Nüwa was fully focused on comforting the gravekeeper.

Lin Fan awkwardly touched his nose but wasn't discouraged. He walked to the kitchen area (which was really just a corner with an induction cooker and a small refrigerator), rummaging through the meager remaining ingredients, and continued talking to himself, "There are still some eggs and instant noodles in the fridge. Should I make egg noodles? Or... order takeout? The steamed buns and soy milk from yesterday were pretty good..."

He deliberately emphasized the word "takeout" and subtly glanced at Tong Tian. He remembered that this Sword Dao supreme seemed to have a "love-hate" preference for the "turbid" but stimulating flavors of modern food.

As expected, upon hearing "takeout" and "steamed buns," the stone-statue-like figure of Tong Tian moved almost imperceptibly. Although he still didn't open his eyes, Lin Fan keenly felt that the invisible pressure focused on him had lessened by an infinitesimal amount.

There's hope!

Lin Fan rejoiced inwardly and immediately struck while the iron was hot. He took out his phone, opened the takeout app, and "talked to himself" in a voice loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, "Hmm... definitely need a few servings of steamed buns, and soy milk and fried dough sticks are good too. Master Tongtian seems to really like the broth of that spicy beef noodle soup, should I order another portion? Senior Yuanshi has a lighter palate, pumpkin porridge and stir-fried vegetables should be fine... Goddess Nüwa seemed interested in those bunny-shaped custard buns... Oh, and the gravekeeper... Senior," he hesitated, adding the honorific, "he just recovered a bit, so something light and easy to digest would be better, preserved egg and lean meat congee?"

This seemingly casual "menu planning" was actually carefully thought out. It not only catered to everyone's potential taste preferences (which he had silently observed and noted) but, more importantly, it naturally included the newcomer, Gong Gong, whose identity was sensitive, into the scope of daily care for "family members." It was an attempt to pull him into this temporary collective in the most ordinary way, diluting his label as a "historical sinner."

Nüwa was the first to respond. She looked up at Lin Fan, a tired but genuine smile on her face, "Thank you for your trouble, Lin Fan. Simple is fine." Her response implicitly approved Lin Fan's arrangement and provided a way out of the stalemate.

Yuanshi Tianzun also slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over the phone in Lin Fan's hand, then to Tong Tian, who remained silent with his eyes closed, and finally resting on the curled-up Gong Gong. He nodded slightly, "Agreed."

With the endorsement of the two Sages, Lin Fan's heart settled. He quickly placed the order, deliberately ordering a few extra portions, especially the heavy-flavored dishes that Tong Tian might like.

The wait for the takeout was still difficult. But with "breakfast" as a shared anticipation (even if it was just a trivial craving), the atmosphere seemed less tense than before.

Lin Fan decided to push the "real business" forward again. He cleared his throat and said to Yuanshi and Nüwa, "Senior Yuanshi, Goddess Nüwa, regarding finding a new base, I looked online yesterday afternoon. There are a few places in the suburbs that look quite good. Some are detached villas with yards, relatively private; others are near a forest park, with a serene environment and low population density. I've saved all the information on the tablet. After breakfast, could the two of you take a look and give me some advice?"

He took out the tablet and opened the pictures and information he had prepared beforehand. This was a concrete task that required cooperation and could effectively draw everyone's attention away from historical grievances and back to the current predicament.

Yuanshi heard him and walked over, his gaze falling on the tablet screen as he began to browse the property listings. Nüwa also temporarily stopped comforting the gravekeeper and leaned over to look.

"This place is too noisy, and the surveillance is strict. We indeed need to relocate soon," Yuanshi said gravely as he browsed. "The choice of location needs to consider concealment and independence. It would be best to have enough space to set up a simple formation to block prying eyes. Furthermore, transportation cannot be too inconvenient, to facilitate Lin Fan's comings and goings for supplies, and... for potential future contact with other forces."

He considered it thoroughly, taking into account both security and cultivation needs, as well as the convenience of daily life.

Nüwa pointed to a picture of a villa with a large courtyard near the foot of a mountain and said, "This place seems nice. The courtyard could be used for planting flowers and grass."

Lin Fan quickly nodded, "Your words are wise, Your Highness. I also think this place is good, but the price... might be quite high," he added sheepishly. This was the most realistic problem.

At this moment, Tong Tian, who had been silent, suddenly spoke coldly, his voice carrying a hint of mockery, "It seems that Junior Sister Nüwa's 'creations' need to be realized soon. Otherwise, we won't even be able to find a decent place to stay."

Although his words were still barbed, this was the first time he had commented on the plan to "sell paintings for money," and it sounded... like he approved? Or rather, he acknowledged it as a necessary measure for the current situation.

Lin Fan's heart stirred, and he immediately followed up, "Master Tongtian speaks the truth! I was just planning to contact that Jiade Art Gallery auction house today to inquire about the specific procedures. Goddess Nüwa, do you think... we should select one or two less conspicuous works that still showcase your Dao rhythm to test the waters?"

He steered the conversation towards practical operations, turning Tong Tian's barbed remark into a driving force for the plan.

Nüwa pondered for a moment and nodded, "Very well. My casual works, if they can truly exchange for resources, are also meritorious. Lin Fan, you choose them." She didn't have much concept of the value of her own paintings and entrusted the matter entirely to Lin Fan.

"No problem!" Lin Fan patted his chest in response, feeling the burden on his shoulders grow heavier, but also filled with energy. Having something to do and a goal to pursue was better than everyone sitting around reminiscing about bloody history.

Just then, the takeout arrived.

Lin Fan felt as if he had been granted amnesty and quickly ran to open the door to get the food. When he laid out the steaming, fragrant breakfast items on the table, the rich atmosphere of mortal life finally dispelled much of the solidified historical dust in the room.

The steam from the steamed buns rose, the fried dough sticks were golden and crispy, the red oil of the spicy beef noodles was appetizing, the pumpkin porridge was sweet and soft, the bunny custard buns were lifelike, and the preserved egg and lean meat congee exuded a savory aroma...

The power of food was immense, especially for these supreme beings who had fallen into another world and were temporarily unable to subsist on dew and wind.

Yuanshi and Nüwa took their seats elegantly and began to eat, their movements still graceful but not slow.

Only Tong Tian remained seated.

Lin Fan's heart sank, fearing that this lord would cause trouble again. He picked up the bowl of spicy beef noodles with rolling red oil that he had specifically ordered, walked up to Tong Tian, and put on a fawning smile, "Master Tongtian, try this? I specifically ordered the spicy flavor, the broth is very potent."

Tong Tian's eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened them. He didn't look at Lin Fan, but his gaze fell on the tempting, richly fragrant bowl of beef noodles. His Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly.

After a few seconds of silence, just as Lin Fan thought he was going to refuse, Tong Tian finally reached out, took the bowl of noodles, picked up the disposable chopsticks, and skillfully (he must have practiced in secret) stirred it, picked up a large clump of noodles, and slurped them up with gusto. His movements still retained a residual elegance, but his speed was noticeably faster than Yuanshi and Nüwa's.

Lin Fan watched Tong Tian's "truly delicious" eating posture, and the stone hanging in his heart finally fell. He was almost moved to tears. As long as he could eat! Being able to eat meant he wouldn't flip the table for now!

A breakfast that was slightly awkward in atmosphere but finally concluded smoothly temporarily eased the tension in the room.

After the meal, Lin Fan cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks and immediately took out Goddess Nüwa's sketches and sculptures (small ones). These works were piled in another corner of the room. Although they were just casual practice pieces by Nüwa, the Dao rhythm of creation and transcendent artistic conception contained within them still made this corner appear full of spiritual energy.

"Senior Yuanshi, Goddess Nüwa, which ones do you think would be suitable?" Lin Fan humbly asked for advice. He didn't dare to choose randomly; if he picked one that contained profound meanings of the Great Dao and was too shocking, it would lead to unnecessary trouble.

Yuanshi and Nüwa came over and began to examine the works. Yuanshi's gaze was sharp as he scanned each painting, sometimes nodding, sometimes shaking his head.

"This Starry Grass, its artistic conception is ethereal, containing the Dao of the rise and fall of stars. It is too profound and might attract prying eyes, not suitable."

"This Stream Fish, full of vitality, its Dao rhythm is too outwardly displayed, easily attracting trouble."

Finally, he selected an Ink Bamboo Painting and a Mountain Mist Painting. The Ink Bamboo Painting featured vigorous brushstrokes and swaying bamboo, embodying a spirit of "unbending resolve" and serene elegance. The Mountain Mist Painting, on the other hand, was filled with misty ink, blending the void and the tangible, evoking a sense of tranquil distance and ethereal transcendence. Both paintings possessed understated Dao rhythm and refined artistic conception. They were neither too ordinary nor excessively unconventional, the kind that "those in the know would recognize as extraordinary, while laymen would still find beautiful."

"Let's test the waters with these two," Yuanshi made his decision.

Goddess Nüwa naturally had no objections.

Lin Fan carefully put away the two paintings and then looked at the small clay sculptures. The little animals Nüwa had casually sculpted, such as the endearingly clumsy Iron-Eating Beasts and the lively, seemingly ready-to-fly larks, were all lifelike, imbued with a faint Dao rhythm of vitality.

"What about these sculptures... should I take one or two as well?" Lin Fan asked tentatively. He felt that three-dimensional works might be more appealing than flat paintings.

Yuanshi scrutinized them for a moment, then shook his head. "Sculptures carry Dao rhythm more directly, and their materialized forms are more likely to attract attention. It's not suitable for now."

Lin Fan understood and carefully placed the sculptures back.

With the works for his "seed capital" decided, Lin Fan felt his plan had taken a significant step forward. He checked the time and prepared to head to Jiade Art Gallery for consultations.

However, just as he was packing his things and preparing to say goodbye to the Sages before leaving, the gravekeeper, who had been quietly curled up in the corner, suddenly showed signs of activity again!

He seemed to awaken from his slumber, lifting his head abruptly. His eyes were no longer vacant but filled with primal, beast-like vigilance and ferocity! The fragment of the Soul-Devouring Axe in his arms once again emanated a dangerous aura of blood and malevolence!

"Water... I sense it... defiled water... approaching!!!" the gravekeeper growled hoarsely, his gaze fixed intently in a certain direction outside the window!

Almost simultaneously, Tong Tian, Yuanshi, and Goddess Nüwa, the three Sages, also changed their expressions!

"It's the same origin as the demonic entity from last night!" Yuanshi said in a deep voice, his gaze sharp as a blade. "And... there's more than one! They are moving through the city's sewer system... their target... seems to be the city's water source?!"

Tong Tian shot to his feet, sword intent soaring in his eyes. "Persistent fiends! How dare they plot against this realm's water source!"

Goddess Nüwa's expression grew grave. "If the water source is contaminated, millions of lives in this city will be in danger!"

Lin Fan's scalp tingled upon hearing this! The other party was so malicious, directly targeting the city's lifeline?!

"Seniors! What should we do?" Lin Fan asked urgently. This was no longer a simple conflict; it was a crisis concerning the survival of the entire city!

Yuanshi and Tong Tian exchanged a look. At that moment, the animosity between them seemed to be temporarily set aside, replaced only by coldness and decisiveness in the face of a common threat.

"Tong Tian, your sword intent is sharp and excels at attacking and dispelling evil. Stay here to protect this residence and the gravekeeper, lest they lure us away by feigning an attack!" Yuanshi quickly made his deployment, his tone carrying an irrefutable command, yet Tong Tian did not object.

"Nüwa Shimei, accompany me! Your Creation Qi and vitality might be able to purify the defilement!" Yuanshi looked at Goddess Nüwa.

Goddess Nüwa nodded solemnly. "It is my duty!"

"Lin Fan!" Yuanshi finally looked at Lin Fan. "You must immediately try to contact that woman named Chen Jing from this realm's government! Inform her that the water source may be contaminated by supernatural means, have them initiate emergency measures, evacuate the populace, and... find a way to cooperate with our actions! This matter requires the use of mortal power!"

Lin Fan's heart pounded, but he knew this was no time for fear. He nodded forcefully. "I understand! I'll make the call right now!"

In an instant, the situation, which had only just begun to ease, became tense once more due to the arrival of a new, even greater crisis! Lin Fan, the "peacemaker," hadn't even had a moment of peace before being thrust into the eye of a larger storm!

His "Way of the Peacemaker" seemed so insignificant in the face of true disaster. But now, he had to step forward, not just as a "hub," but as a member of this city!