Chapter 214: Wudao's Shock, Huanhuan's Complaint!
Lin Fan smiled faintly. "What if I know why the Great Desolation Stele has gone silent?"
"If you secure a Dan River Baptism for both me and Lin Dong, I'll tell you the reason behind it. As for negotiating with the other three halls, that'll depend on your ability, Deputy Hall Master."
"What did you say?" Wudao was stunned upon hearing that.
"You didn't mishear," Lin Fan said calmly. "But this matter is sensitive—the fewer who know, the better. Once Lin Dong and I finish the Dan River Baptism, I'll tell you everything."
"If the issue can be resolved, Dao Sect disciples will have a much easier time comprehending the Great Wilderness Sutra."
Wudao hesitated. "How do I know you're telling the truth? And how did you come to know this?"
"You should already know I inherited the legacy of the Vermilion Bird Hall from the Ancient Secret Treasury. To be exact, it was the inheritance of the Vermilion Bird King," Lin Fan said, smiling without directly answering.
"So you learned this from the Vermilion Bird King?" Wudao's tone softened as he began to believe him.
Lin Fan remained silent—neither confirming nor denying it.
Wudao pondered for a while before saying, "I'll speak to the Hall Master. You two rest here in the Desolate Hall for now."
"Then I'll wait for your good news," Lin Fan replied with a smile.
Without another word, Wudao arranged accommodations for Lin Fan and the others with the help of senior disciples, then left to report to Desolate Hall's Hall Master—Chen Zhen.
After settling into a quiet courtyard, Lin Fan turned to Lin Dong. "You're about ready to face your fourth Nirvana Tribulation, right? And the Wind Lightning Tribulation should be coming soon too."
Lin Dong scratched his head. "Heh, I guess I can't hide anything from Brother Lin Fan."
"Go ahead and undergo the Nirvana Tribulation first," Lin Fan said with a smile. "You can save the Wind Lightning Tribulation for later. It might come in handy if some senior disciples come causing trouble before the Dan River Baptism."
"Understood," Lin Dong nodded, then added, "Also, thank you. Without you, I wouldn't have a shot at the Dan River Baptism at all."
Lin Fan patted his shoulder and smiled. "No need to thank me, we're brothers."
[Ding! You patted Lin Dong and received one Desolation Pearl!]
A Desolation Pearl—now that was a nice reward!
Lin Fan felt a surge of delight at the system notification.
The Desolation Pearl, formed from the essence of the Great Desolation Stele's spirit, was filled with immense power. In the original story, Lin Dong used it to shatter the defensive formation of 540 Yuan Gate disciples—a formidable force indeed!
After that, Lin Fan began his sixth Wind Lightning Tribulation while Lin Dong began his fourth Nirvana Tribulation.
Xiao Diao and Xiao Yan stood nearby to protect them.
Their simultaneous tribulation immediately attracted attention throughout the Desolate Hall, making them well-known among its disciples.
Especially Lin Fan, the seven-stage Nirvana Realm champion of the Hundred Dynasties War—his presence sent the entire Desolate Hall into a frenzy.
...
Meanwhile, in the eastern part of Dao Sect stood towering peaks even more majestic than those in the Desolate Hall.
This was Heaven Hall—the strongest of Dao Sect's four halls.
Above the peaks floated the Heaven Hall's Dan River, even larger than that of the Desolate Hall. It stretched so far into the distance that its end couldn't be seen.
The rich Nirvana Qi radiating from the river distorted the very air.
Countless cultivation platforms floated above the river, where disciples sat in meditation.
The closer to the river's center, the fewer the platforms—and the fewer the disciples. But those who were there were of a much higher level.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind split the sky, carrying with it a melody of musical notes as crisp as the ringing of divine instruments. Many cultivating disciples opened their eyes, watching the figure streaking across the sky with dazed admiration.
The red-dressed figure ignored the stares, flying directly to the deepest part of the Dan River and landing gracefully on a secluded platform.
The figure was none other than Ying Huanhuan—who had just argued with Lin Fan.
The moment she landed, she looked ahead at a woman sitting silently at the platform's edge, surrounded by a thick mist of Nirvana Qi.
The woman wore black, her graceful body seated upright. Her long hair was tied back with a green ribbon.
Her hands rested on her knees, fingers joined in a seal, and between them lay a green longsword. Even the ambient Nirvana Qi was being cut apart by the thin blade of its invisible sword intent.
"Sis..." Ying Huanhuan pouted the moment she saw the woman.
The woman before her was the number one of Dao Sect's younger generation—Heaven Hall's senior disciple, Ying Xiaoxiao.
Hearing her sister's voice, Ying Xiaoxiao slowly opened her eyes, her cold demeanor softening slightly.
"Weren't you accompanying Elder Wei to choose new disciples? Why are you back looking like this?" she asked gently, standing up with elegance as she gripped her sword.
"Don't even get me started," Ying Huanhuan grumbled, pouting. "I wanted to see what kind of talent won the Hundred Dynasties War… turns out he's just an arrogant idiot."
"Oh?" Ying Xiaoxiao turned her gaze to the Dan River, her tone calm.
"That guy actually turned down Heaven Hall and ran off to Desolate Hall," Ying Huanhuan huffed. "And he even said he wants to train in the Great Wilderness Sutra..."
While Ying Huanhuan vented her frustration, in the Desolate Hall, Wudao had already found Hall Master Chen Zhen and reported Lin Fan's claim.
After hearing Wudao out, Chen Zhen raised his eyebrows slightly. "How much do you believe what he said?"
Wudao stroked his beard thoughtfully. "That kid is cunning, but I don't think he'd lie about something this serious."
"Besides, don't you think there's been something odd about the Great Desolation Stele? In the early years, the Great Wilderness Sutra was difficult to comprehend, but not impossible. It's only become harder with time."
Chen Zhen nodded. "Let's go take a look at this Hundred Dynasties War champion for ourselves."
Wudao didn't argue. He immediately brought Chen Zhen to Lin Fan's residence.
When they arrived, Lin Fan was in the final stage of his tribulation.
Endless silver lightning filled the sky, but instead of harming Lin Fan, it was drawn into his body, strengthening him from within.
"He's got some real skill," Chen Zhen couldn't help but nod in praise.
"Deputy Hall Master Wudao, who is this?" Lin Fan asked, sensing their arrival.
"This is the Hall Master of Desolate Hall—address him as Hall Master Chen Zhen," Wudao replied with a smile, introducing the man beside him.
"Greetings, Hall Master Chen Zhen," Lin Fan said with a cupped fist salute.
Chen Zhen nodded, smiling. "Wudao tells me you might have a way to reduce the difficulty of comprehending the Great Wilderness Sutra. Is that true?"
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