"What? The aura of the third level of the Xiantian realm? No, the fifth level too!"
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes hurriedly put down the Soul-Capturing Bell in his hand, completely ignoring the zombies behind him.
He strode forward, with Wen Cai following close behind.
When he reached the entrance to the main hall and looked up, he saw several people gathered inside.
"What happened? Why is it so chaotic outside?"
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes saw Lin Fan and Uncle Jiu sitting inside the hall.
Only then did he relax and ask,
"Why don't you explain yourself first? How did you end up traveling with Wen Cai? Do you know what time it is?"
Uncle Jiu spoke irritably.
Could it be that this irresponsible junior uncle had taken Wen Cai out to swindle people?
"Master, the glutinous rice in town was sold out."
"I ran into Junior Uncle while buying glutinous rice in the neighboring town, so we came back together."
Wen Cai noticed Uncle Jiu's displeasure and hurriedly explained.
"What's the matter? I'd just finished a business deal."
"I was worried my junior grand-nephew might run into danger coming back alone."
"It happened to be on the way. Can't I, as his junior uncle, protect him a little?"
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes replied righteously.
"Fine, fine, fine. Whatever you say, you're always right."
Uncle Jiu answered casually without even looking properly at Daoist Priest Four-Eyes, as if he were talking to the air.
Did he not know his junior brother? He had simply found it boring to travel with the zombies alone.
He had grabbed Wen Cai as company. Otherwise, why would it have taken him so long to return?
"Hey, you old geezer. You still haven't told me what happened outside."
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes suddenly felt a flare of anger.
"There. Can't you see for yourself?"
Uncle Jiu lifted his tea and took a sip, pointing toward a person and a zombie in the corner of the courtyard.
"Damn, it's as black as charcoal."
"Not bad, Senior Brother. One's at the third level of the Xiantian realm, and the other's at the fifth."
"You actually had the few of you deal with them so thoroughly."
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes raised his chin playfully at Uncle Jiu.
A sly grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
As soon as he finished speaking,
Uncle Jiu raised his hand and pointed toward Lin Fan.
"You old scoundrel, say what you want, but stop pointing around. Why are you trying to take a jab at my junior grand-nephew?"
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes lightly slapped his palms together.
He spread both arms and stepped in front of Lin Fan.
"Lin Fan dealt with them. As a teacher, you should conduct yourself with a little more dignity."
Uncle Jiu spoke lightly.
"Huh? Are you joking with me, Senior Brother? I think you're the one who's being improper."
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes' body shook, as though he were about to collapse at Lin Fan's feet.
How could he not know his junior grand-nephew's cultivation and abilities?
Let alone an expert at the fifth level of the Xiantian realm.
Even that Purple Zombie lying there could reduce him to scattered bones and ashes.
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes thought to himself.
"That's right, that's right. Master, how could Senior Brother possibly be stronger than you?"
Wen Cai sounded as though he were trying to mediate.
Uncle Jiu rose to his feet and slowly walked through the crowd toward the door.
He held his head high, his chest puffed out, his face full of pride, and said, "This evening, I was lured away from Ren Manor."
"An enemy controlled a Purple Zombie and launched an attack. Lin Fan and Qiu Sheng were no match for it."
"At the critical moment between life and death, our ancestor possessed Lin Fan."
"He used the supreme Daoist Magic [Purple Heaven Divine Thunder] to kill both the man and the zombie."
"Alas, what can I do? My disciple is exceptionally talented and so diligent."
"He entered the first level of the Xiantian realm in a mere ten-odd years."
"Even our ancestor couldn't bear to see such a monstrous genius cut down in his formative years."
"Looking back on my decades of cultivation, having such a disciple is enough. More than enough!"
After finishing, Uncle Jiu still remembered to cup his fists toward the sky.
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes and Wen Cai
stared at him in shock, their eyes widening as if they were larger than copper bells.
"Junior grand-nephew, you broke through? You're at the first level of the Xiantian realm?"
"Senior Brother, you..."
One of them raised Lin Fan's arm and examined it up and down, left and right.
"Tch, so what if our ancestor possessed him? What's there to be proud of?"
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes lowered Lin Fan's arm.
Only then did he realize how pleased Uncle Jiu was.
"If it were me and our ancestor possessed me..."
"Forget the fifth level of the Xiantian realm—even someone at the eighth level would be beaten flat."
"But what about your disciple? Ah, did I just forget whether he..."
Before Daoist Priest Four-Eyes could respond, Uncle Jiu continued.
Uncle Jiu had become carried away with pride, revealing a rare mischievous look.
Seeing this, Lin Fan wanted to step forward and stop him.
On one side was his master, and on the other was his junior uncle.
No matter whom he helped, he would only offend the other.
All he could do was shake his head helplessly, sit there blankly, and smile bitterly.
"You... How boring. How boring."
"I think it'll be more interesting to take care of my customers and return to the funeral home."
"I can't be bothered with you. Of course, I'm not talking about you, Junior Grand-Nephew Lin Fan."
With that, Daoist Priest Four-Eyes walked out of the hall with a displeased expression.
"Master Ren, now that everything here is settled, my disciples and I should return as well."
He cupped his fists toward Master Ren and spoke.
After Daoist Priest Four-Eyes left,
Uncle Jiu finally looked as though he had won.
"We truly have you and your disciples to thank this time."
"Please don't hesitate to visit my humble home often in the future, Uncle Jiu."
Master Ren replied politely.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, they finished their conversation.
Uncle Jiu then took Lin Fan, Wen Cai, and Qiu Sheng back to the funeral home.
Funeral home, late at night.
The master-and-disciples group of four returned to the funeral home with Daoist Priest Four-Eyes.
"Wen Cai, help your junior uncle take this group of customers over."
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes threw the Soul-Capturing Bell in his hand toward Wen Cai.
Wen Cai caught the Soul-Capturing Bell.
He walked toward the morgue, the bell's ringing swaying through the night.
"Hey, Junior Grand-Nephew. Do you want to come back with your junior uncle for a visit?"
"That boy Jia Le has been terribly lazy lately. His cultivation hasn't improved at all."
"His Daoist Magic is a complete mess too. As his senior brother, you should help your junior uncle whip him into shape."
Lin Fan had been about to return to his room when Daoist Priest Four-Eyes dragged him back.
"Don't even think about taking my disciple. Hurry up and go do whatever you should be doing."
Uncle Jiu pulled Daoist Priest Four-Eyes' hand away and spoke in a tone that allowed no argument.
Lin Fan thought it over carefully.
It seemed he really had to go.
According to the movie's plot, Daoist Priest Qian He was supposed to appear around this time.
If he did not go, Daoist Priest Qian He might be killed.
That would also lead to a whole string of events afterward.
Setting Jia Le aside, ensuring that Daoist Priest Qian He did not die was more important.
Not to mention the Merit Points.
Merit Points were extremely scarce right now.
They were something he could seek but not obtain.
He did not yet know how many Merit Points he would need for the Daoist Magic he learned in the future.
Saving up more was always better and ensured he would be prepared.
As for Skill Points, they came whenever he lazed around, so they were nothing to worry about.
"Master, it's fine. There's nothing else going on recently anyway."
"Ren Manor has settled down, and I haven't seen Jia Le in a long time."
"I'll set out with Junior Uncle tomorrow and be back soon."
Lin Fan agreed immediately.
"I knew my junior grand-nephew Lin Fan was obedient."
"You're so well-behaved and considerate. Your junior uncle will be waiting for you tomorrow."
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes was delighted. After speaking, he headed toward his room.
"Junior Uncle, don't rush!"
Lin Fan raised the corners of his mouth and narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Daoist Priest Four-Eyes.
"What... You brat!"
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes had just turned around.
When he saw Lin Fan's expression, he immediately sensed that something was wrong.
This brat was no kind-hearted saint!
That look definitely meant he wanted something.
"Junior Uncle, you needed my help, and I agreed to help, right?"
Lin Fan slightly raised his chin, his smile becoming even brighter.
"Just say it. Don't beat around the bush!"
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes felt a chill run down his back, sensing more and more strongly that something was off.
"I heard that my junior uncle's Spirit Invocation Technique is unparalleled. Your junior nephew also has a little..."
Lin Fan stopped speaking and smiled as he cupped his fists and bowed toward Daoist Priest Four-Eyes.
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