"This..."
Uncle Jiu's brows furrowed slightly as he pondered in silence.
Ren Fa had no choice but to remain quiet and wait for Uncle Jiu to speak.
Ren Tingting suddenly stood up and said softly, "Dad, you discuss your business. I'm going to buy some rouge first."
"Go ahead." Ren Fa waved her off, then immediately said gloomily to Uncle Jiu, "Uncle Jiu, do you think there's something wrong?"
Uncle Jiu nodded slightly and said seriously, "If Master Ren is worried, once I choose a suitable place to relocate the grave, how about my three disciples and I come to Ren Manor tonight to perform a ritual?"
"I couldn't ask for anything more. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Ren Fa was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.
Uncle Jiu called out, "Lin Fan, you should get moving too. Go notify your two junior brothers. Meet at Ren Manor later."
"Yes, Master."
Lin Fan immediately rose and headed toward the mortuary.
That night, at Ren Manor.
Wen Cai and Qiu Sheng neatly arranged the ritual implements on the altar.
Then they stood on either side of the altar, turned their heads, and nodded to indicate that Uncle Jiu could begin.
Holding incense in his left hand, he used his foot to point the incense tips downward and lit them.
Then he waved them from side to side to extinguish the flames before standing in the center of the altar.
Uncle Jiu began the ritual, with Lin Fan assisting beside him.
He raised two fingers in a sword gesture and swept them from bottom to top over the Peachwood Sword.
Then he raised the sword as well.
"Heaven and earth are natural; bright and vast is the Great Origin. The gods of the eight directions lend me their might and empower my talismanic command. I hereby proclaim this to the Nine Heavens, the profound and mysterious Dipper. Slay demons, bind evil, and save countless people! Urgent as the law commands!"
Uncle Jiu skillfully recited the [Purifying Heaven and Earth Divine Incantation].
Afterward, the four masters and disciples pasted talismans all around Ren Manor.
The entire manor, from top to bottom—even the main gate—was covered in talismans.
This made everyone inside feel exceptionally reassured.
Uncle Jiu said, "Master Ren, there's no need for you to worry too much."
As the night sky grew increasingly dark,
the night interwove depth and silence, as calm as a lake, without the slightest ripple.
In the profound darkness, there were no noisy sounds, only an atmosphere of tranquility.
It made people feel deeply peaceful and content.
After a long wait, everyone in Ren Manor seemed to be on the verge of falling asleep.
Drowsiness followed close behind.
"Master, I think that demon was probably scared away by you."
Qiu Sheng yawned casually as he spoke.
"Yeah, yeah. Why don't we rest early?"
Wen Cai was already exhausted and immediately agreed.
Seeing that the night had grown late, Ren Fa no longer dared disturb them. "Uncle Jiu, it seems I was just overthinking things. Look, it's been so long, and everything's still this quiet."
Uncle Jiu nodded at Master Ren and remained silent.
"There are side rooms inside. The three of you can stay here."
Ren Fa gave the order, and the servants in the manor were also sent away one by one.
"I'm dead tired. Come on, come on."
Wen Cai and Qiu Sheng immediately answered and turned to leave with the servant leading the way.
Uncle Jiu was leading Lin Fan away as well.
Suddenly.
Ren Tingting's eyes flickered as she said softly to Lin Fan, "Lin Fan, walk me back. It's frighteningly quiet tonight."
"Go ahead."
Uncle Jiu gave Lin Fan a sidelong glance and waved his hand.
"All right, Tingting, lead the way."
Lin Fan could not be bothered with unnecessary words. He nodded in agreement; it was only a few steps away.
Since nothing had happened at Ren Manor, he would finish this quickly and go back to spend his Skill Points.
"Right this way."
Ren Tingting was delighted and hurried ahead to lead him.
The two of them took several turns for a few minutes before entering a large courtyard decorated in an antique style.
"Ren Manor is really huge."
Lin Fan swept his gaze across the entire courtyard and sighed.
So this was what it meant to be the richest family in Ren Family Town?
This courtyard alone was almost as large as the entire mortuary.
And as for the decorations, dismantling just one section would probably be enough to build several mortuaries.
"Brother Lin, you're joking. This is just my own courtyard. Feel free to look around."
Ren Tingting calmly introduced it with a smile.
"Your own..."
Lin Fan suddenly choked.
What did it mean for wealth to know no bounds?
One day, he would have to get some silver and properly renovate and expand his master's mortuary too.
"We're here~"
Ren Tingting pushed open the door. As soon as she entered, she turned around and waved at Lin Fan.
Lin Fan's eyes flickered. He waved his hand and said, "Tingting, get some proper rest. Leave the rest to my master and fellow disciples."
"Since you're already here, have some tea and rest before you go."
Ren Tingting made as if to walk toward the table, urging him along the way. "All right, stop dawdling. Come in."
"All right."
Lin Fan had no choice but follow her inside.
"Come on, sit down. This is my finest Dragon Well tea. Ordinary people don't get to drink it."
Ren Tingting was delighted at the sight of him.
She had just picked up the teapot when a chilly breeze suddenly blew in from outside!
"Why is it so cold at this time of year?"
Ren Tingting shivered and looked toward the doorway.
She saw that Lin Fan had already spun around and slammed the door shut!
"Get back!"
Lin Fan urged her, then moved behind Ren Tingting to shield her!
"What... what's wrong..."
Ren Tingting was confused, but obediently backed away.
Seeing Lin Fan's expression, she could not help growing nervous.
Before Lin Fan could reply,
the tightly closed door suddenly began to creak and shake!
It was as though a wild beast were ramming into it from outside!
"This..."
Ren Tingting's face went pale with fright. She pressed tightly against Lin Fan's back, afraid to move.
"The aura of the peak of the Houtian Ninth Level. There's no mistake!"
Feeling the surging demonic aura outside the door, Lin Fan's gaze sharpened.
At present, he was only at the Houtian Seventh Heaven, a full two levels behind!
An ordinary Daoist would definitely be trying to escape right now!
But...
This demon had picked the wrong person to mess with!
"Lin Fan, wh-what do we do?"
Seeing that Lin Fan did not move, Ren Tingting's expression grew increasingly troubled as she asked in a lowered voice.
"Miss Ren, didn't you invite me to drink some of your finest Dragon Well tea?"
Lin Fan remained calm. He sat down with his back to the door, raised his hand, and said leisurely, "Sorry for the trouble."
"You..."
Ren Tingting froze, somewhat at a loss.
Lin Fan gave her a meaningful look, and she immediately forced down her fear.
She picked up the teapot, placed a purple-clay teacup in front of Lin Fan, and slowly began pouring the tea.
Suddenly!
The door's frenzied creaking abruptly stopped!
Ren Tingting was delighted and said softly, "Little Daoist Lin, you're amazing—"
Before she could finish,
a thunderous boom rang out!
The door burst open!
A fierce wind howled in!
Rolling demonic aura swept inside!
"You're only a little Daoist. Why are you pretending to be calm?"
A cold laugh rang out as a Flower Demon covered in alternating red and green emerged!
It shot forward, aiming straight for Lin Fan's back!
It had hidden itself for an entire night, waiting for a chance to emerge!
Having run into you, brat, I'll kill you to vent my anger!
"Lin Fan! Look out!"
Ren Tingting was so frightened that she stood dumbfounded and staggered backward several steps.
She watched helplessly as that figure pounced straight at Lin Fan's back, only inches away!
It was over. Something was going to happen to Little Daoist Lin!
Buzz~
A faint tremor sounded!
A talisman appeared behind Lin Fan!
Its aura instantly spread out like a giant net!
"A Soul-Suppressing Talisman? You brat..."
The Flower Demon cried out in alarm and hurriedly retreated!
This brat had been prepared all along!
But how could it retreat in time?
Strands of aura wound around it, instantly binding the Flower Demon!
"So you were a Flower Demon hiding in the flower bushes. No wonder I couldn't find you all night!"
Lin Fan flipped backward and landed. With one glance, he immediately saw through his opponent.
He exerted a little force with his foot, then flashed forward!
"Brat, you're only at the Houtian Seventh Heaven. You think you're worthy of challenging me?"
The Flower Demon's gaze turned cold as it sneered!
The red portions of its upper body flashed with streaks of red light, like glittering spots!
The next moment!
The Soul-Suppressing Talisman suddenly shattered!
Streaks of star-like red sparks shot toward Lin Fan like meteors!
Before you continue