Chapter 168: Reunion With Old Friends, A Suggestion to Separate
Lin Fan raised his eyebrows slightly as he spotted a familiar figure among the approaching group—it was the woman named Mu Hongling, whom he had previously encountered during the battle for the Ancient Secret Key.
The people with Mu Hongling didn't seem weak at all.
"Giggle~ Lin Fan, little brother, you're just as impressive as ever after all this time,"
Mu Hongling said flirtatiously, her voice soft and captivating.
She still wore her fiery red dress, as dazzling and eye-catching as ever.
The leader of her group was a man in white robes, handsome and refined, with a gentle temperament that didn't carry the usual arrogance of high-tier dynasties. His calm demeanor naturally inspired goodwill.
As Lin Fan studied him, the white-robed man also observed Lin Fan. After a moment, their eyes met. The man smiled and said,
"Lin Fan, I've heard a great deal about you."
Lin Fan cupped his fists casually. "And you are?"
"Liu Bai," the man replied with a slight smile.
Lin Fan didn't react much to the name, but beside him, Lin Dong's heart suddenly jolted.
In the northwestern region, there were four overlord-level figures—and Liu Bai, the Spear Demon, was one of them.
"I've heard the name 'Spear Demon Liu Bai' many times myself," Lin Fan said with a polite smile.
"So, you've also come for the inheritance of this sect ruin?"
"Qianyun Sect's legacy is decent, but not essential," Liu Bai chuckled, his gaze falling calmly on Lin Fan.
"I'm mostly here to make your acquaintance."
"That's an honor," Lin Fan replied, his tone still light.
After a few more words of small talk, the group showed signs of leaving.
"Brother Lin Fan, I imagine we'll meet again deeper in the Ancient Treasury. Who knows? Maybe we'll even join forces."
With that, Liu Bai smiled and led Mu Hongling and the others away.
Above the floating island, a few hidden observers had remained, waiting to see how things would unfold. But when they saw even Liu Bai choose to withdraw, they quickly dispersed as well.
The area finally fell silent and empty.
"I thought that after reaching the half-step Nirvana stage, we'd be a little closer to catching up to you. But now… the gap just keeps growing,"
Mo Ling said with a bitter smile as he approached Lin Fan.
Lin Fan gave a faint smile. "Everyone has their own path and opportunities. There's no need to force it. For now, with the others gone, you can enter the ruins in peace."
Du Yun chimed in, "If you're interested in the Qianyun Sect, we can take you inside and see if you can claim the inheritance too."
Mo Ling and Man Shan also nodded in agreement.
They all knew—if Lin Fan hadn't shown up, not only would they have lost the sect imprints, they might've lost their lives as well.
"No need. We're heading deeper into the treasury. There should be better things waiting for us inside."
Lin Fan declined with a smile.
Mo Ling's group thought about it and agreed—someone with Lin Fan's strength would naturally benefit more from heading further in.
"Lin Dong and I will escort you into the sect. Once you begin the inheritance trial, we'll leave," Lin Fan said after a brief pause.
"Thank you!"
Mo Ling, Du Yun, and Man Shan were genuinely touched and expressed their gratitude.
They then walked to the energy barrier surrounding the ancient sect hall. Each of them extended a hand, and their sect imprints transformed into beams of light that shot toward the barrier.
A tear opened in the energy field.
Seeing the opening, the group didn't delay and immediately entered the ruins.
Inside, they arrived at a vast, ancient plaza.
At its center stood the slightly dilapidated yet majestic Qianyun Sect hall.
Buzz!
Suddenly, three beams of light shot out from the hall, enveloping Mo Ling, Du Yun, and Man Shan. A powerful suction force erupted, pulling them toward the building.
The three gave Lin Fan and Lin Dong a respectful bow before allowing themselves to be pulled in.
The red glow surged once more, sealing the hall.
With the three drawn inside, the plaza fell silent.
Lin Fan glanced around and soon noticed an ancient stone stele.
Upon it were carved records about the Ancient Treasury.
Lin Dong and Xiao Yan gained a deeper understanding of the place from this.
As for Lin Fan, he already knew everything written there.
"Sixteen Guardian Sects… and the Four Profound Sects," Lin Dong murmured, staring at the stone.
"The Four Profound Sects must be the highest authorities in the alliance. The most valuable inheritances must be theirs."
Lin Fan nodded with a smile. "Exactly what I thought. Let's go—we're heading deeper. Xiao Diao needs the Life and Death Reincarnation Pill, and it should be somewhere in the depths."
"Mm," Lin Dong nodded in agreement.
Xiao Yan didn't say much. He only knew to follow Lin Fan and Lin Dong wherever they went.
The three left the Qianyun Sect ruins and continued their journey into the Ancient Treasury.
Along the way, they didn't stop at any of the sect ruins they passed. Nothing piqued their interest.
After half a day of swift travel, they noticed that the surrounding elemental energy was growing significantly denser.
The number of other people decreased as well—anyone who reached this deep had to be at least One Yuan Nirvana level.
After a bit more travel, the trio suddenly noticed the sky ahead turning a deep crimson. It looked like fiery clouds were burning across the horizon, completely blocking the path forward.
As they approached, the fiery clouds came into clearer view.
It was a massive sea of Nirvana flames. The surrounding space, already unstable, was being warped even further by the burning heat.
"This must be the Nirvana Flame Prison Array recorded on the stone,"
Lin Dong said in a low voice, eyes narrowing at the sight.
"Stay close. I'll take us through," Lin Fan said after a quick glance at the array.
"Brother Lin Fan, do you have a plan?" Lin Dong asked, eyes lighting up.
"Just follow me," Lin Fan said with a small smile. Without further explanation, he stepped into the flaming array.
Lin Dong and Xiao Yan exchanged glances but didn't hesitate to follow.
Lin Fan activated the Flame Ancestor Symbol. At his command, the Nirvana flames parted before them, revealing a safe path.
"What the…"
Lin Dong and Xiao Yan stared in disbelief.
Xiao Diao reappeared on Lin Dong's shoulder, eyes gleaming as he watched the flames split open—clearly understanding something.
With Lin Fan easily guiding them through the Flame Prison Array, the group reached the other side without incident—and without encountering the two cultivators from the Western Profound Region who were supposed to be guarding the path.
What greeted them next was a vast, dim gray space.
Dozens of floating islands hovered in the air, interconnected—like suspended continents in the sky.
"From here, let's split up for now," Lin Fan said, scanning the islands and turning to Lin Dong and Xiao Yan.
"Huh?" Lin Dong blinked in surprise.
"Why?"
Xiao Yan scratched his head, confused as well.
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