As the Netherworld Emperor's reincarnation and the true master of the Underworld, Duan De was a Peerless Grandmaster in the art of tomb raiding. He had already reached a realm where his mastery rivaled Fortune itself, and his sensitivity toward great tombs was practically instinctual.
Without anyone pointing it out, he would still have been muddleheaded, deceived by the methods of Wan Qing, a Great Emperor.
But with Lin Xian's reminder, the tomb-raiding grandmaster's instincts kicked in, and Duan De instantly sensed that something was off.
"Limitless Heavenly Venerable, damn it! There's a problem—there's definitely a huge problem! One yin, one yang, embracing Tai Chi..."
Duan De flew back and forth through the sky in utter excitement, his mouth never stopping while his hands moved just as quickly. His five fingers formed seals, leaving behind afterimages as he surveyed the feng shui and traced the great tomb.
While Duan De worked above, Lin Xian trained Ye Fan below.
He had some methods, but back when they were aboard the Nine Dragons Pulling a Coffin, Ye Fan had not yet begun cultivating or opened his Sea of Bitterness. Though he had a university education, he was illiterate on the path of cultivation and could not understand scriptures, making it difficult to teach him any techniques.
Now, although Ye Fan's realm was not high, he was a proper cultivator. His ability to endure had improved considerably.
"Ye Fan, how long have you been in the Big Dipper?" Lin Xian asked.
"Time passes unnoticed in the mountains. I only remember the flowers blooming and falling, and the wild fruits ripening once." Ye Fan narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, then shook his head. "It should have been a year."
"You've cultivated for a year, and your Sea of Bitterness has taken shape. It's time you learned some divine techniques." Lin Xian's Divine Sense manifested as he said leisurely, "Although you possess the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body and an invincible physique, you have more than enough ability to protect yourself but lack offensive means. Come here. I'll teach you a few methods."
Ye Fan froze, then instinctively replied, "Can this grant Immortality?"
Lin Xian blanked for a moment, then burst into laughter. Teasingly, he said, "It is like fishing for the moon in water. The moon hangs high in the sky, and its reflection lies in the water. Though you can see it, there is nothing to grasp. In the end, it is all empty."
Ye Fan's delicate face flushed red as he finally realized the foolish thing he had just said.
"Come, come, come." Lin Xian raised a hand and patted Ye Fan's head three times in succession.
His Divine Sense connected to Ye Fan's Sea of Bitterness, and he imprinted Qi-State Origin-Flow, the Tranquilizing Mind Divine Spell, the Five Thunder Righteous Method... all of it into him at once. He paid particular attention to teaching Spirit Summoning and Dispatching.
"Heavenly Master... I can't fit any more in!"
"Don't talk. Hurry up and digest it."
Ye Fan began circulating the profound method of the Dao Scripture. Strands of golden light overflowed from his Golden Sea of Bitterness and flowed throughout his body, nourishing his flesh, organs, and bones, filling him with strength.
The bronze fragment flew into the Golden Sea of Bitterness, which was only the size of a soybean. Like a brilliant moon suspended in darkness, it occupied the center and actually pushed the golden book of the Dao Scripture aside.
The golden book radiated light, the bronze fragment intertwined with Dao resonance, and the Bodhi Seed in his embrace stirred warmly. A flash of enlightenment arose in Ye Fan's mind, allowing him to comprehend each divine ability and technique. His strength increased at a visible pace.
When he opened his eyes again and saw Lin Xian smiling at him, warmth filled Ye Fan's heart. Ever since arriving in the Big Dipper, most of what he had encountered had been schemes and deception. Genuine care had been rare.
He had only a handful of true friends and family.
Ye Fan clasped his fists gratefully. "Thank you, Master Lin, for teaching me these techniques."
"It's nothing. Keeping all these Dao techniques on me would only be casting pearls before swine." Lin Xian sighed softly but said no more. He merely shook his head, three parts bitterness and seven parts helplessness appearing in his clear eyes.
Ye Fan was startled and asked in confusion, "Why do you say that, Master Lin?"
"I was merely a Mortal Body. By chance, I glimpsed a few pages of a fragmented scripture and was fortunate enough to embark on the path of cultivation. I thought that after coming to the Big Dipper, I could continue my broken path."
Lin Xian sat cross-legged atop a bluish stone, his expression melancholy. He sighed. "But after arriving in the Big Dipper, I realized that the heavens were high and the road was long, with endless tribulations ahead. The Great Dao was as vast as the heavens, the realms lofty and distant. There were countless prodigies in this world, talents emerging one after another. I was nothing more than an ordinary man."
"Even if I was fortunate enough to enter the halls of cultivation, how far could I go? Setting aside physique, I did not even possess a volume of an Emperor Scripture. How could I speak of comprehending the Dao?"
"Ye Fan, you possess the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body. Though cultivation is difficult for you, there is ultimately still a sliver of hope. You may yet attain the Dao, unlike me, who will remain mediocre and accomplish nothing."
"Climb the road to heaven, tread forth in song, and with a flick of the finger shroud the heavens. There are so many magnificent sights in this world. Go and see them in my stead."
Lin Xian rose and walked slowly away, gazing at the setting sun. He left Ye Fan with only a lonely silhouette.
He looked up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, and faint crystalline tears actually glimmered at the corners of his eyes.
"Master Lin..." Ye Fan was struck speechless. Remembering how Lin Xian had supported and guided them along the way, his heart could not help aching.
If he ignored Lin Xian now, he would surely regret it for the rest of his life. He would probably have to slap himself whenever he woke up in the middle of the night.
"Host, doesn't your conscience hurt?"
Even System 10086 could not stand it anymore. It spoke up in condemnation, "Try acting like a human being."
"Sincerity is the ultimate killing move. I was only speaking the truth. What did I do wrong?" Lin Xian looked utterly innocent. Everything he had said was true; the rest had all been imagined by Ye Fan himself.
No matter how precious scriptures and divine treasures were, they could not compare to people. One's own family and friends were what mattered most.
Perhaps it was the bloodline inheritance of the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body, the genetic legacy of the ancient Great Accomplished Saint Physique.
Ye Fan possessed perseverance and determination, along with a strong sense of responsibility.
How could I still call myself human if I refused to help even my own benefactor? Ye Fan's eyes became firm in an instant. He said solemnly, "Please wait, Master Lin. I have a page of the Complete Dao Scripture."
"The Dao Scripture is inside my Sea of Bitterness and cannot be lent out. If Master Lin wishes to read it, you may use your Divine Sense to observe my Sea of Bitterness."
"The Sea of Bitterness is the foundation of one's life." Lin Xian shook his head and said righteously, "Am I, Lin Xian, the sort of petty man who spies on others' secrets?"
"I might not trust others, but if Master Lin wanted to kill me, I would have died countless times already." Ye Fan spoke sincerely. In his eyes, Lin Xian had always been unfathomable.
If Lin Xian had wanted to make a move, he could have killed and robbed him back on the Nine Dragons Pulling a Coffin. Why would he wait until now?
Ye Fan was not stupid. He had keenly noticed certain essential things.
Lin Xian bore him no ill will and had shown him kindness. That was the true reason Ye Fan trusted him.
"I couldn't possibly." Lin Xian displayed the same spirit as refusing red envelopes during the New Year. After declining three times and being urged three times, he finally agreed to enter Ye Fan's Sea of Bitterness.
"Host, you really seem like a scumbag," System 10086 complained. It had only seen this kind of approach in the romance novels next door, and the routine felt strangely familiar.
Master Lin's kindness could never be repaid. Lin Xian's kindness was accruing interest upon interest, and he was truly shearing Ye Fan alone like a sheep.
"Whether it's a male-oriented story or a female-oriented story, getting benefits earns good reviews." Lin Xian smiled slightly and extended his Divine Sense into Ye Fan's Sea of Bitterness.
Ye Fan's body trembled. The Desolate Ancient Sacred Body instinctively repelled all techniques, but under its master's deliberate restraint, it did not target Lin Xian's Divine Sense.
That golden blood surged and roared like rivers, as though questioning Ye Fan, "Your subjects are ready to fight to the death. Why has Your Majesty surrendered first?"