24.1 - A Farewell to Mr. Luo

## Chapter 24 Bai Fan flexed her limbs, feeling a unique sensation from the newly reattached meridians. It was as if her former limbs had never felt so real, as though this was the true union of bone and flesh. Moreover, her punches and kicks now carried more force, slicing through the air with a distinct, sharp sound. Indeed, dragon tendons made all the difference. Satisfied, Bai Fan reverted to her original form. Maintaining a human shape consumed too much of her demonic energy, especially after throwing a few punches, which had nearly drained her already meager reserves. Huo Qilin watched Bai Fan happily testing out her limbs. It scrutinized the four dragon tendons before finally speaking, "Try running your cultivation technique." Bai Fan understood immediately that Si Bu Xiang was referring to a fundamental human cultivation technique she had already learned to introduce qi into her body. She hadn't dared to circulate the qi before, but now that her meridians were repaired, it was time to seize the opportunity to cultivate. Sitting cross-legged, she absorbed the faint spiritual energy around her. The energy seeped into her skin, then entered her meridians, circulating throughout her body. After twelve cycles, the spiritual energy gathered in her abdomen, forming a faint white mist. This cultivation seemed particularly rapid. Bai Fan felt like she had merely closed her eyes and then reopened them, only to find Si Bu Xiang had fallen asleep in front of her. Since she lacked a demon core and was practicing a human cultivation method, the white mist in her abdomen turned out to be spiritual energy rather than demonic energy. Feeling the new changes within her, Bai Fan was exhilarated. This meant she had finally embarked on the path of cultivation, becoming the world's only demon capable of cultivation. Huo Qilin moved its eyelids and, seeing Bai Fan's joyful expression, knew she had succeeded. Its task was nearly complete. Calculating the days, it seemed that Wan Feng Tai would close soon. Before that happened, it needed to send this little snake out. "How do you feel?" Si Bu Xiang's voice asked. Bai Fan, wagging her tail excitedly, thumped the ground on either side of her. "Hey, not bad, it's really powerful. I feel so sturdy now, I could smash a stone with a single tail swipe." Saying this, she was about to swing her tail at a nearby rock when Huo Qilin hurriedly stopped her. "Hold on, don't smash those rocks." Bai Fan's tail narrowly missed the stone statue, giving Huo Qilin quite a scare. Those stones were the bones of their ancestors. "What happened?" "Those stones are the remains of my ancestors." Huo Qilin explained, nudging the stone farther away with its head to prevent any accidental damage from Bai Fan. Embarrassed, Bai Fan retracted her tail, puzzled by Si Bu Xiang's strange obsession with collecting so many fossils. Wouldn't urns be more space-efficient for a resting place? "Alright, Wan Feng Tai will close soon. You should leave now; otherwise, you'll be stuck with me here for fifty years." Bai Fan shuddered at the prospect. Hadn't only a day passed since she arrived? How had time flown so quickly? And she hadn't eaten yet. "I don't want to stay here for fifty years." Huo Qilin stomped its hoof, causing a door to manifest in the void, pulsating with a blinding white light. "Go on, quickly." "Aren't you leaving?" Just as Bai Fan was about to step through, she turned back to ask Si Bu Xiang, "Isn't Wan Feng Tai boring?" "I'm not leaving." Even if Huo Qilin wanted to leave, it couldn't. Though Wan Feng Tai offered it safety, it was akin to imprisonment. "Why not?" "I'll tell you once you transform into a divine being." "What does that mean?" Tired of Bai Fan's incessant questions, Huo Qilin simply sent her away. Bai Fan's vision darkened momentarily. When she reopened her eyes, she found herself in a dense thicket, unable to discern the direction. "Where did Si Bu Xiang send me?" She sniffed around, searching for familiar scents. Eventually, she stumbled upon a red flute. "Huh, how did this get here?" Bai Fan picked up the red flute, recognizing it as belonging to a mortal woman. How had it ended up here? She twirled it in her palm before deciding to give it a try. Have you ever seen a snake playing a flute? Bai Fan did just that. But using her original form, with no cheeks to keep the air in, resulted in her spitting out her forked tongue and leaking air. The flute produced no sound at all. Exasperated, Bai Fan's mouth dried out. In her frustration, she thought the instrument was faulty. Unable to produce any sound, she exited the thicket, finally breathing easy upon seeing familiar mist outside. To avoid misunderstandings, she returned to her human form, with the four golden bands on her limbs remaining conspicuous. She casually swung the red flute in her hand like it was disposable, an action that would undoubtedly provoke a fight with He Yi Man if she saw it. Determined not to return empty-handed after being separated from Lian Sheng and the others for so long, Bai Fan recalled the scarlet fruits, despite them having grown in filth. Deciding to take some for their burn-healing properties, she retraced her steps to the trees she hadn't yet harvested. Most of the fruits were already picked, but she found some on the last tree. Using a branch to avoid touching them, she knocked the fruits down, feeling akin to picking through feces. Holding her nose with one hand, she used leaves to gather the fruits, keeping them at a distance. Bai Fan then found a rock near the valley entrance to lie on, placing the scarlet fruits beside her. She crossed her legs and hummed a tune, content in her newfound ability to cultivate. She idly imagined overthrowing the sect master one day. Her wait paid off when someone finally appeared, though it wasn't Lian Sheng and the others but Li Zhen Shang and his daughter, Li Xiao Yan. They had waited for a beast to find them, growing impatient and hungry, and had eventually decided to return. Dejected after finding no more scarlet fruits along the way, they were thrilled to spot Bai Fan and the bright red fruits she had. Li Xiao Yan's eyes were glued to them. "Father," she said. "What is it, Yan'er?" "Look at that." Following her gaze, Li Zhen Shang's heart skipped a beat. They had thought the fruits were out of reach, but now someone had brought them within grasp. And wasn't that the snake demon from their sect? Li Xiao Yan spotted Bai Fan too. Their previous anxiety vanished upon seeing her. How could they ignore such a gift from heaven? Especially when it was useless to a demon like Bai Fan, who couldn't cultivate. "Snake demon," they called out, startling Bai Fan from her daydream. She opened her eyes in annoyance, recognizing the faces. Neither of these people were to her liking—Li Xiao Yan with her petty demeanor and Li Zhen Shang, who had previously punished her with kitchen duties. "What do you want?" Seeing them approach, Bai Fan quickly stood. Their cultivation level was much higher, and she stood no chance against them, being just a novice at the Qi Condensation stage. "Give us your scarlet fruits," Li Xiao Yan demanded, pointing at the fruits by Bai Fan's feet. Bai Fan glanced at the scarlet fruits on the ground. She didn't particularly care for them herself and would have given them away readily, but Li Xiao Yan's demanding tone irritated her. Why should she hand over something to someone who spoke to her so rudely? Was she indebted to Li Xiao Yan from a past life or something? But then, Bai Fan remembered clearly that she'd never known anyone named Li Xiao Yan in her previous life. "Why should I give them to you?" Bai Fan asked, cocking her head dismissively, feigning disinterest. Li Xiao Yan's face twisted with fury, her teeth grinding audibly. Thankfully, Li Zhen Shang was more tactful. He knew that taking someone's possessions without reason was overstepping, even if they belonged to the same sect. Besides, he was aware of his daughter's temperament. The scarlet fruits held no real use for a snake demon like Bai Fan and bringing them back would ultimately benefit Qingxu Sect. "May I trade something for your scarlet fruits? I don’t wish to take them from you without compensation," he asked. "Father!" Li Xiao Yan protested. She believed they could just take the fruits without any fuss. After all, when someone had snatched their scarlet fruits earlier, no one had offered to trade. Li Zhen Shang began to pull out items from his person. Bai Fan watched the old, frail man produce various objects—bottles, jars, talismans, and even a small iron ball. However, nothing seemed particularly valuable. "You can take anything you need from these," he offered. Bai Fan glanced over the assortment, unimpressed. She had seen far superior items in the sect's library; none of what he presented held much value. "Is this all?" she asked skeptically. "What more do you want?" Li Xiao Yan snapped, looking as if she was about to pounce. They had spent years in Qingxu Sect without gaining a single advantage, all to maintain a clean image before the elder patriarch, hoping for the position of the young master. Li Zhen Shang pulled his daughter back. With a resigned sigh, he reached into his sleeve and took out a small, exquisite box. It was beautifully crafted, and even without opening it, one could sense the energy emanating from within. "Father, we can't trade this!" Li Xiao Yan exclaimed, horrified, as she recognized the box. Li Zhen Shang looked at his offering. What he had brought out earlier was insufficient to trade for the scarlet fruits. The most valuable thing he carried now was this sword pill. The sword pill was forged from extremely precious materials, manufactured by cultivators typically at the Nascent Soul stage. After creation, it needed to be nurtured with one's spiritual energy for a hundred years before it could be used effectively; premature use could harm both the user and the target. This particular sword pill had been a gift from the old sect leader to Li Xiao Yan’s mother as part of her dowry. Since his wife's passing, he had carried it, intending to pass it on to his daughter when she ascended in the sect. However, the position of young master had already been designated to someone else. Without a drastic change, it wouldn’t fall to Li Xiao Yan. "Yan'er, don’t be attached to this. It’s just a sword pill. While valuable, it’s of no use to us if our cultivation doesn’t advance," Li Zhen Shang said soothingly. "But it's something Mother left behind," Li Xiao Yan protested tearfully, clutching her clothes. "I believe your mother would have wanted you to exchange it for something like the scarlet fruits," Li Zhen Shang said, handing the box to Bai Fan. Still somewhat stunned, Bai Fan accepted the box, curiosity piqued. She opened it, revealing a gleaming white sphere. "So this is the sword pill?" she thought. Though unfamiliar with its use, she could tell it was valuable from the way the father and daughter clung to it. Realizing she had harvested many scarlet fruits, Bai Fan generously handed half of them over, delighted with her new acquisition. Relieved, Li Zhen Shang took the scarlet fruits, his earlier reluctance now a distant thought. Only Li Xiao Yan stood there simmering with anger, feeling the sting of losing her mother's keepsake. Li Lian Sheng and his group had multiple skirmishes with other sects, constantly on the run and rarely gaining the upper hand. Exhausted and dejected, they arrived back at the valley entrance, relieved to see surviving members from Qingxu Sect, including Li Zhen Shang and a severely injured Li Er Huai. "Uncle Er Huai, Uncle Zhen Shang," Li Lian Sheng greeted, noting their injuries and fewer numbers. Li Er Huai motioned briefly, having shed much weight and lost an eye. Though still stern, the air of joviality was gone. Li Zhen Shang, though wounded, looked pleased, indicating some success despite the challenges. Li Lian Sheng spotted Bai Fan lounging casually, her four golden rings easily recognizable. Her pristine appearance suggested she had found refuge and his concerns for her dissipated. "Da Bai," he called out. Bai Fan, hearing her name, turned to see him approaching with a tired group of disciples. Many of these disciples greeted the elders with tearful reunions, their ordeal finally at an end. Bai Fan stood up awkwardly, waiting for Lian Sheng to scold her. To her surprise, he said nothing. However, sharp-eyed Bai Fan quickly noticed He Yi Man approaching from behind Lian Sheng. Startled, she thought to herself, "Not her again!" Seeing Bai Fan's gaze, He Yi Man glanced her way, making Bai Fan feel as though her eyes were burning. She remembered wanting to eat He Yi Man back then, and now she had He Yi Man’s flute in her pocket. "What's wrong, Da Bai?" Lian Sheng asked. "Nothing, just my eyes hurt." "Da Bai, you can talk now! Are your eyes alright?" "It's fine, just some sand got in. It's better now." Bai Fan lied through her teeth. Her snake pupils wouldn’t actually let sand in, thanks to a protective membrane over her eyes. She was thankful she had been in her original form back then, or she might have been recognized now. The time for the valley gate to open finally arrived. The pervasive white mist dispersed, revealing a line of elders outside, all seasoned Jindan-stage cultivators from the sect. Following Lian Sheng, Bai Fan quickly spotted the old patriarch of Qingxu Sect among them. The relief on his face was evident, and Bai Fan lazily stretched. She then noticed a middle-aged woman approaching He Yi Man, seeming to scold her while frequently touching her belt area. Bai Fan couldn’t hear their conversation due to the distance but it wasn’t her concern now. There was no time to observe further as the old patriarch hurried them onto the ship, the same giant vessel from the upper sect. Word had it that their harvest this time was impressive. Bai Fan, holding her wrapped bundle of scarlet fruits, handed it to Lian Sheng. "Here, take this." "What is it?" "Scarlet fruits." Lian Sheng was taken aback and quickly unwrapped them, finding a substantial quantity of scarlet fruits. "How did you find so many?" "I just picked them here and there. Don’t make a big deal out of it. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have bothered picking these things." Secretly, she thought about how they grew in filth, wiping her hands on her clothes afterwards. Lian Sheng was deeply moved. In the valley where everyone fought fiercely for these fruits—some even losing their lives—Da Bai was selflessly giving him all she had gathered. He decided he must speak to his grandfather about granting Bai Fan the same treatment as the other disciples. However, Bai Fan no longer wanted to stick around Lian Sheng. The more she understood the importance of strength, the less she wanted to be subordinate to the old patriarch. She decided she would tell Lian Sheng about leaving Qingxu Sect once they returned. Moreover, she needed to help Si Bu Xiang visit the wild frontiers and explore this world. After twenty years together, it was time Lian Sheng learned to walk his own path. The journey back felt quicker. At a fork in the river, they disembarked from the upper sect’s ship, watching it sail away. The old patriarch retrieved the jade boat they had arrived in. With the surviving disciples onboard, the formerly crowded vessel was now half-empty, some senior cultivators missing too. During the journey, Bai Fan sat meditating, with the spiritual energy along the way richer than at Qingxu Sect, not to be wasted. Gradually, the accumulated energy made her body feel lighter. By the time she reached the Foundation Establishment stage, all her meridians would be filled with spiritual power. Before she knew it, they were back at Qingxu Sect. The place felt deserted; of over two hundred disciples, less than half returned. Usually, groups of disciples could be seen together, but now they were all in seclusion, reflecting on the importance of cultivation after the experience at Wan Feng Tai. One day, Bai Fan hovered at Lian Sheng’s door, then knocked. "Who’s there?" "It’s me." When the door opened and Lian Sheng saw Bai Fan, he smiled warmly, "Why are you standing outside? When did you start being so polite to me?" Bai Fan carried a small bundle on her back, looking all set for a journey. "Lian Sheng, I’m leaving." Lian Sheng was stunned. "Where are you going?" "I don’t know. I’ve been with you for too long. You’ve grown up now and have your grandfather. But I don’t want to stay here anymore." "Is Qingxu Sect not good?" Bai Fan shook her head. It was quite good here, with food and lodging provided, but she was on a divergent path now, and the future was uncertain. She needed to go out and explore. "Wait a moment," Lian Sheng said, realizing that Da Bai was serious about leaving. He couldn't hold her back for his own sake, so he went to prepare something for her. Bai Fan waited obediently. After about half an hour, Lian Sheng came out with a large bundle. "Carry these with you," he said with resolve. "What’s in it?" Curious, Bai Fan peeked inside, finding clothes, gold, and three small stones among other things. "They’re for emergencies. The gold is for when you’re in the mortal world. These three are spirit stones which will come in handy. There are also some—" Before he could finish, Bai Fan interrupted, picking out the gold and spirit stones. "Alright, just these two. Carrying such a big bundle would attract too much attention." Lian Sheng had more to say, but Bai Fan was already out of sight, like a wild horse breaking free. Passing by the spirit spring, Bai Fan quickly filled a small gourd, muttering to herself, "Might get thirsty on the road, so better take some water." Once out of Qingxu Sect, she bounced down a small path, a blue cloth bundle on her back, and a blade of wild grass in her hand, singing to herself. "Come on, be happy; we’ve got plenty of time." Bai Fan sang words that made no sense to anyone else, looking like a carefree girl, but her true nature as a beast was undeniable. Not a single rabbit could be seen on her path, as even small animals sensed her presence and fled. Her loud, off-key singing marked her presence until she finally reached the road outside the mountains, finding a dusty, muddy path. A gust of wind made her cough, making her nostalgic for the concrete roads of her past life. Bai Fan ventured into a human city, filled with mundane folk. The street vendors’ shouts, children’s cries, and people’s quarrels felt like echoes from centuries ago. She decided to stay overnight and found a decent-looking inn. The innkeeper, busy with his abacus, greeted her cheerfully. "Hello, young lady. Are you here to eat or to stay?" Bai Fan blinked at the ingratiating clerk, thinking this must be the legendary innkeeper. "I'm staying." "Please, follow me. Do you want a single room or...?" "A single room." "Would you like hot water for a bath?" "Of course, and bring me a basin of meat." "A basin?" Bai Fan nodded. A basin was her minimal restraint for food, compared to her usual seven or eight buckets. To avoid suspicion, she was limiting herself. The clerk led her to a room, which smelled damp and musty, typical for such transient lodgings, but Bai Fan didn’t mind. Bathing in the rare hot water and gnawing on meat, she mused that such comfort couldn't be found at Qingxu Sect. The bath was so relaxing that Bai Fan fell asleep in the tub. In the middle of the night, she was awakened by footsteps on the roof. Her eyes snapped open, glowing with a sinister red, like a beast awakened. Dressing quickly, she followed the intruder. Under the dark, windy night sky, Bai Fan quietly stood on the rooftop, easily capturing the would-be thief. As she peered closer, she saw the face was covered. She pulled away the cloth. "What are you doing on the roof at night, dressed in black? What were you planning?" "I-I-I just wanted to steal some money." Bai Fan grabbed the thief by the scruff of his neck and hauled him to the ground, causing him to yelp in fear. "Ah! Have mercy, hero!" "Why all this screaming in the dead of night like a rat? I haven't done anything to you." The thief, who was trembling like a tiny chick, was dragged into the room by Bai Fan. Lighting a candle, she leaned in to examine him. It turned out he looked exactly like a thief, with shifty eyes and even a slightly crooked front tooth. "Have mercy, heroine." "I'm not going to kill you. I want you to take me on an adventure." Bai Fan's eyes sparkled with excitement. She was imagining herself as a gallant martial hero, riding a white horse, wearing a bamboo hat, and leaving only an enigmatic silhouette behind. "What do you want to do, heroine?" "Take me to become a chivalrous martial arts hero." "Huh?" "What’s the matter?" "Nothing, heroine. Being a martial hero doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be chivalrous." The thief was terrified. The young girl before him had the strength of an ox and had caught him, now demanding he take her on some wild adventure to become a martial hero. He feared he'd end up being chased by authorities the minute he showed his face. This was something he absolutely didn’t want to do. "Then what do you suggest?" Bai Fan asked. "If you want to become a martial hero, you should go to the Heroes’ Summit. That's where all the top martial artists gather. If you can defeat them all, you’ll be the greatest hero in the world." "Pfft, do you take me for a fool? I don’t believe you." Bai Fan scrutinized the thief, whose eyes were darting around shiftily. He was clearly full of tricks and likely trying to mislead her. She grabbed some rope and tied him up tightly, leaving no gaps and nearly strangling him. The next morning, Bai Fan ate a basin of meat while staring at the thief. She munched loudly and relishably, the sound of her gnawing on bones making the thief swallow hard in hunger and shock. What baffled him more was her flat stomach despite the enormous quantity of food she consumed. Once Bai Fan finished eating and wiped her hands, she pulled the thief outside. The innkeeper, seeing the roped-up thief, looked concerned and asked, "Miss, do you want me to report this to the authorities?" "No need. Where do I pay?" The innkeeper led Bai Fan to the counter to settle the bill. After paying, Bai Fan dragged the thief out of the city, attracting many curious glances. The thief wished he could disappear into the ground, bound and exposed as he was. Bai Fan, with her thick skin and bare feet, walked everywhere without care, but the thief, being human, suffered the consequences. Whenever Bai Fan got lazy and chose the shortest route, be it across water or jumping from heights, the thief was scared out of his wits. "Please, heroine, spare me! I can’t take this anymore. Just kill me and be done with it. This torture is unbearable," the thief cried, plopping down and refusing to move. Bai Fan also sat down, unsure of their next destination. She asked the thief, "Do you know where the wild frontiers are?" "No clue." The thief had never even heard of such a place. "I overheard people talking about the Heroes’ Summit when I was on a rooftop. It’s supposed to be full of great martial artists," he offered, trying to avoid trouble. "Don’t try to fool me." Bai Fan glanced at the thief. She had initially wanted to have some fun with him, but her desire to be a martial hero had waned. After resting for a while, they continued their journey. With a rope tied to the thief, Bai Fan led him like a dog. Their path grew increasingly remote until they reached a small town by a river, where most residents made their living by fishing. The sight of such a beautiful young girl like Bai Fan caught the attention of several village women. Bai Fan had come this way because a small temple caught her eye. It reminded her of Wan Yue Temple, which she had encountered upon first coming out of the mountains, making her feel a sense of nostalgia. Just as she approached, she saw a Dao Chang about to leave, carrying a bundle similar to hers. The large lock on the door signaled he was clearly going on a journey. "Excuse me, Dao Chang!" she called out. The Dao Chang, a clean-looking young man not yet thirty, dressed in a tidy navy-blue robe, responded politely, "What can I do for you, young lady?" "Oh, nothing. I was hoping for a drink of water." "I’m sorry, but I’m about to leave, so I cannot offer you that." "No problem, no problem. I just wanted to ask where you are heading." Surprisingly, the Dao Chang, being kind-hearted, didn’t dismiss her question. "I’m going to the Immortal Ascension Valley." "And what is that place?" "It’s where itinerant Daoists gather once every ten years to exchange their experiences." Bai Fan’s interest was piqued upon learning about this place. She had thought all cultivators were like those in Qingxu Sect. The thief, following behind, couldn’t fathom the girl’s capricious nature—one moment wanting to be a martial hero, the next seeking the Dao. "Dao Chang, could you take me with you? I’d like to go too." The Dao Chang shook his head, "To attend the Immortal Ascension Gathering, you need an invitation. Without it, you cannot enter." "I see. Sorry to have bothered you. We’ll be going now," Bai Fan said, turning around and pulling the thief with her. But at the corner, she stopped and peeked back, watching the Dao Chang leave. Once he had gone a distance, she sneakily followed him. "Heroine, if you follow like this, he still won’t let you in," scoffed the thief. "Shut up! If you talk any more, I'll feed you to the wolves," Bai Fan threatened, causing the thief to shiver and quickly fall silent. They trailed the Dao Chang covertly, crossing mountains and rivers. They traveled so far that the thief endured immense hardship, barely eating or sleeping, and even eating raw meat. He was on the verge of living like a wild man, but thankfully, no wild animals approached them at night—probably because Bai Fan herself was a fearsome predator. As they followed, two men suddenly appeared and confronted the Dao Chang. Unable to hear their conversation, Bai Fan quickly realized the men intended to kill him. Worried about losing her guide to the Immortal Ascension Gathering, Bai Fan rushed forward with the thief in tow, kicking up a cloud of dust as she ran to the Dao Chang. "Who is this girl?" one of the assailants said, surprised. "A companion of this Daoist, perhaps," the other suggested. The two men, resembling rugged bandits with dark skin, beards, and large knives, seemed used to such confrontations. "Young lady, how did you get here?" the Dao Chang asked, still unaware she had been following him. Bai Fan grinned, showing a neat row of small, white teeth, "Dao Chang, what a coincidence!" "Ridiculous! She doesn't even know she's about to die," one bandit grumbled as he swung his knife towards Bai Fan, only to be shocked when it couldn't penetrate her forehead. His hands went numb from the vibration. His eyes widened in disbelief. What kind of person was this girl? "Now it’s my turn," Bai Fan said casually, rubbing her slightly sore forehead. With a swift kick to each chest, she sent both assailants flying over ten meters, knocking them out cold. The Dao Chang and the thief were left speechless with astonishment. --- Thank you to everyone who voted for me or nourished me with their support! Thank you to the angel who threw [landmines]: Sui Yi 1; --- ## Chapter 24 (Continued) Bai Fan picked up the thief with one hand by the scruff of his neck and tossed him to the ground. The thief was so terrified that he immediately begged for mercy. "Ah! Please spare me, great hero!" "Why are you screaming like a rat in the middle of the night? It's not like I've done anything to you." The thief, trembling like a tiny chick, was dragged into the room by Bai Fan. She lit a candle and leaned in to take a good look at him. His face, just as one would expect, was shifty with crooked teeth, resembling a mouse. "Please spare me, fair hero." "I'm not interested in your life. I want you to take me on an adventure," Bai Fan said eagerly, imagining herself as a valiant martial hero, riding a white horse, wearing a bamboo hat, and leaving behind an enigmatic silhouette. "What kind of adventure?" the thief asked nervously. "Take me to be a chivalrous warrior," Bai Fan declared, her eyes shining with excitement. "What?" the thief stammered, completely caught off guard. "What's wrong with that?" Bai Fan asked, stepping closer ominously. "Well, to be a martial expert, you should go to the Heroes' Summit. It's the gathering place for all top martial artists. Just defeat them, and you'll be the greatest hero," the thief quickly concocted, hoping to throw her off. "Don't take me for a fool,” Bai Fan said, seeing through him. As his eyes darted around shiftily, she surmised he was full of tricks. Tie him up tightly with no room for escape, she nearly strangled the poor man. The next morning, Bai Fan sat eating a basin of meat, scrutinizing the thief as he drooled at the sight. Despite the massive amount of food, her stomach remained flat, astonishing the thief. Once finished, Bai Fan wiped her hands and yanked the thief out of the inn. The innkeeper, noticing the bound man, looked concerned. "Miss, should I report this to the authorities?" he asked hesitantly. "No need. Just show me where to pay." The innkeeper led her to the counter. After paying, Bai Fan dragged the thief out of town, attracting several curious glances. The thief wished he could vanish underground as his tied-up, exposed state drew much attention. Unfazed, Bai Fan walked barefoot, unbothered by the terrain. In contrast, the thief, being human, struggled. Whenever Bai Fan took a shortcut, be it across water or down steep slopes, the thief suffered heart-stopping moments. "Please, fair hero, just kill me quickly. I can't take this anymore. This torture is unbearable," the thief pleaded, collapsing in exhaustion. Bai Fan also sat down, uncertain of her next destination. "Do you know where the wild frontiers are?" "No idea," the thief replied, having never heard of such a place. "I heard people talking about the Heroes' Summit. It’s supposed to be full of great martial artists," he suggested, hoping to avoid further trouble. "Don’t try to fool me," Bai Fan glanced at him skeptically. She initially thought to have some fun with the thief, but her desire to be a martial hero had waned. After resting, they resumed their journey. Tethered like a dog, the thief followed Bai Fan as they wandered through increasingly remote areas until they reached a small town by a river. The locals, mostly fishermen, noticed the pretty young girl, with several women turning to stare. Bai Fan was drawn here by a small Daoist temple, reminiscent of Wan Yue Temple. She felt a sense of nostalgia. However, as she reached the temple, she saw a Dao Chang leaving with a bundle on his back, likely setting off on a journey. "Excuse me, Dao Chang!" she called. The Dao Chang, a clean-looking young man in his late twenties wearing a tidy indigo robe, turned to her. "How can I help you, young lady?" "Nothing much, I was hoping for some water." "Sorry, I’m about to leave and can’t accommodate you," he politely declined. "No problem, just curious, where are you heading?" Not minding her curiosity, the Dao Chang replied, "I’m going to Immortal Ascension Valley." "What is that? Bai Fan asked, intrigued. "It’s a gathering place for itinerant Daoists, where we exchange experiences once every ten years," he explained. Bai Fan was surprised such a place existed. She had always thought cultivators were limited to large sects like Qingxu Sect. "Dao Chang, could you take me with you? I’d like to go too," Bai Fan asked. The Dao Chang shook his head, "One needs an invitation to enter the Ascension Gathering." "I see. Sorry to have troubled you. Goodbye," Bai Fan said, pulling the thief along. As they turned a corner, she stopped and peeked back, watching the Dao Chang. Once he was far enough, she began following him stealthily. "Heroine, sneaking behind him won't get you in,” the thief muttered. "Shut up, or I’ll feed you to the wolves," Bai Fan snapped, making the thief shiver and fall silent. They trailed the Dao Chang covertly for a long journey across mountains and rivers. The thief endured immense hardship, living almost like a wild man due to lack of proper food and rest. He even had to eat raw meat. However, thanks to Bai Fan’s presence as a fearsome beast, no wild animals dared approach. One night, as they continued following the Dao Chang, two men suddenly attacked him. Bai Fan, worried about losing her guide, rushed forward, dragging the thief along. The two assailants, rugged bandits wielding large knives, immediately noticed her arrival. "Who’s this girl?" one asked. "A companion of this Daoist, perhaps," the other suggested. The Dao Chang, unaware he was being followed, was surprised. "Why are you here, young lady?" "Dao Chang, what a coincidence!" Bai Fan grinned, her small, white teeth gleaming. "Ridiculous! She doesn’t even know she’s about to die,” one bandit grumbled, swinging his knife at her. To his shock, the blade didn’t penetrate her forehead. His hands went numb from the vibration. Wide-eyed in disbelief, he wondered what kind of person she was. "Now it’s my turn," Bai Fan said, casually rubbing her forehead. In one swift move, she kicked each bandit, sending them flying over ten meters. They lay on the ground, unable to get up. The Dao Chang and the thief stared in stunned silence. --- Thank you to the little angels who nourished me with nutrient solutions: 先取個名字吧 10 bottles; Thank you for your support! I will continue to work hard! --- < Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter >