Chapter 222: Ying Xuanzhi's Shock, Using the Core Spirit-Nurturing Essence!
Under the guidance of Chen Zhen and Wudao, the three of them soon arrived before a grand hall.
"When you meet the Sect Master, don't try to play tricks," Wudao warned Lin Fan as they descended before the hall entrance.
Lin Fan smiled. "I've always been very honest, Vice Hall Master."
Wudao rolled his eyes in response.
Chen Zhen chuckled, "Let's go in."
With that, he pushed open the doors to the hall and stepped inside first. Lin Fan and Wudao followed closely behind.
The interior was not lavish or gilded. As Lin Fan walked in, he found a narrow path of broken stone leading to the depths of the hall.
On either side of the path were clear pools of water, shrouded in a faint mist. Occasionally, gentle ripples spread across the surface as if something had passed beneath.
The three continued along the path until their footsteps slowed and finally stopped.
The view widened—those clear pools had merged into a vast lake.
At its center, a large green lotus leaf floated silently. Atop it sat a figure, still and composed, like a meditating monk. The tranquil aura emanating from him seemed to stabilize and refine the very space around them.
Lin Fan's gaze narrowed the moment he laid eyes on the figure.
Though the man looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, Lin Fan felt an invisible pressure just from looking at him.
"Greetings, Sect Master."
Chen Zhen and Wudao both bowed respectfully toward the figure.
"Disciple Lin Fan greets the Sect Master," Lin Fan said, bowing deeply to the man atop the lotus leaf.
The figure opened his eyes slowly. Within them seemed to lie the sun and moon.
As those eyes opened, Lin Fan felt a momentary blur in his consciousness.
The man stood up and walked calmly across the lake toward them.
Soon, he stood before the three of them.
Now, Lin Fan could clearly see the face of the Dao Sect Sect Master, Ying Xuanzhi.
He wore cloth shoes and a simple, well-fitted white robe. He looked no older than forty, his features warm and refined, like jade.
His gentle smile was like the vast stars and seas, able to soothe even the most restless of hearts.
"So, young one, I hear you know the reason why the Great Desolation Stele has fallen silent?"
Ying Xuanzhi smiled as he looked at Lin Fan.
Lin Fan nodded. "Yes. It's not that the stele wants to remain silent—rather, it's because it's struggling on its own right now."
Chen Zhen and Wudao were both visibly startled by this.
"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Ying Xuanzhi's calm expression showed the faintest shift.
"May I ask if the Sect Master and the Hall Masters have ever heard of the 'War of Heaven and Earth'?" Lin Fan asked.
Chen Zhen and Wudao looked confused, but Ying Xuanzhi's expression darkened slightly. "You learned of the Heaven and Earth War… from the Vermilion Bird King's inheritance?"
Although he hadn't experienced it personally, as Sect Master, Ying Xuanzhi knew far more than most.
"Yes," Lin Fan nodded, then continued, "The Great Desolation Stele is one of the top three ancient divine artifacts. In ancient times, it too participated in the Heaven and Earth War…"
Without beating around the bush, Lin Fan quickly explained everything he knew about the stele to the three of them.
In the end, he warned, "The stele is suppressing a powerful Yimo, which has been constantly corroding the seal. If it breaks free, Dao Sect may face total annihilation."
Chen Zhen and Wudao paled at his words.
Even Ying Xuanzhi's expression grew grim, though he remained composed.
"Lin Fan, are you sure of what you're saying? Don't exaggerate in front of the Sect Master," Wudao said sternly, clearly shaken.
But Ying Xuanzhi raised a hand to stop him. "You mentioned earlier that you have a way to awaken the Great Desolation Stele's spirit?"
Lin Fan nodded. "There are eight Ancestral Symbols in the world. Each possesses terrifying divine power, with strong suppressive effects against the Yimo."
"If you can find two of them and use them to communicate with the stele's spirit, you may be able to reinforce the seal—or even obliterate the Yimo entirely."
"Ancestral Symbols…" Ying Xuanzhi murmured, his thoughts drifting to a certain disciple from a hundred years ago.
After a long silence, he finally said, "I understand. All of you may leave for now. Remember—this matter must remain secret. Not a word to a fourth person."
"Yes!" Chen Zhen and Wudao responded immediately, and Lin Fan nodded as well.
Then the three turned and exited the great hall, heading back toward the Desolate Hall.
"You can come out now."
Once they were gone, Ying Xuanzhi's voice rang out with gentle indulgence.
"Daddy!"
A beautiful girl in a red dress, bright-eyed and mischievous, stepped out from the corner of the hall. It was none other than Ying Huanhuan—the same girl who had once bickered with Lin Fan.
Ying Xuanzhi spoke seriously, "Huanhuan, you must not speak of what you heard just now. Do you understand?"
Ying Huanhuan hesitated. "Daddy, do you think what he said is true?"
Ying Xuanzhi replied, "Most likely, yes."
"Then tell me about the Heaven and Earth War!" she said playfully, tugging on his sleeve.
As he looked at her, a faint trace of sorrow flashed deep in Ying Xuanzhi's eyes.
...
"You little rascal. All it took was a few words to get a Dan River Baptism slot," Wudao grumbled on the way back to the Desolate Hall.
Lin Fan shrugged. "I said from the start—I only know the reason. Solving it is up to the Sect's top experts. And didn't you already promise me that reward back on Hundred Dynasties Mountain?"
Wudao was momentarily speechless.
"Enough. Let's not bring this up again," Chen Zhen said sternly. "Lin Fan, you too. Now that you're back, focus on your cultivation."
"I understand." Lin Fan nodded. He had no objections.
Soon, the three returned to the Desolate Hall.
Chen Zhen and Wudao left after dropping Lin Fan off.
Shaking his head slightly, Lin Fan returned to his own courtyard.
"Brother Lin Fan, you're back!"
Lin Dong was already waiting in the courtyard. When he saw Lin Fan return safely, he visibly relaxed.
Lin Fan smiled. "Don't worry. I just passed on some intel to the Sect. The matter's a bit sensitive, so it's best kept under wraps for now."
Lin Dong nodded. "Good. I'll return to cultivating then."
"I'd better get back to training too," Lin Fan murmured as he watched Lin Dong leave.
Then, with a flip of his hand, he took out the Core Spirit-Nurturing Essence...
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