Chapter 21: Demanding an Explanation

"Lady Yue, I thought..."

A voice suddenly resonated in Lin Fan’s mind. He was startled for a moment, an odd expression crossing his face as he whispered, "Thought what? That I had left? Hmph, keep dreaming. What I attached to you was merely a sliver of my consciousness. The sword intent in that place is exceptionally pure; if I were to release even a hint of my aura, that intent would inevitably annihilate this remnant."

So that was it. Lin Fan nodded in realization and continued, "Earlier, Lady Yue said that if the master of that cottage dared to claim godhood, he would be tired of living. Is it possible that gods truly exist in this world?"

Hearing his question, the witch giggled. "Boy, with your current strength, the more you know, the worse it is for your cultivation. There is always someone better, and heavens beyond the heavens. Once you reach that level, all unknowns will be resolved. Your goal right now is to cultivate diligently and strive to reach that stage."

That was as good as saying nothing. Lin Fan scratched his head in silence. Since she refused to divulge more, he could only let it go. He fiddled with the sword token in his hand and asked, "Do you have any insights regarding this sword token, Lady Yue?"

"Boy, are you treating me like an encyclopedia?"

Sensing the impatience in her tone, Lin Fan quickly added, "I’ve broken through to the Heavenly Dan Realm. Don't you want to test the power of the Heavenly Dan Realm?"

"Tch, do I not know the extent of your little tricks? However, you have a point. Being cooped up inside your body was stifling. I do need to vent."

No sooner had she finished speaking than the witch manifested. She cast a light screen over the desert, seemingly capable of blocking any external gaze, before flipping herself onto Lin Fan.

...

After the whirlwind of exertion, Lin Fan gasped for air, looking at the witch’s unsatisfied expression, a wave of pale helplessness rising within him. *When will I ever truly be a man...*

"A little better than before, but just that... Still, since you let me vent, I suppose you deserve a reward. You wanted to know the use of this sword token, right?"

Hearing her voice, Lin Fan flipped up from the ground and nodded eagerly. "Please enlighten me, Lady Yue."

"This token is incomplete, containing only a smattering of insights into the Way of the Sword. But for you, it is more than enough. Integrate this token into your body; in the future, it will help you quickly grasp the true essence of any sword techniques you study. However, I suspect the truths contained within this token are limited to techniques below the Earth Grade. Once you reach the Earth Grade and above, it will no longer suffice."

*So powerful?*

Upon learning its function, a spark of joy filled Lin Fan’s eyes. His talent for spiritual arts was already remarkable; with the aid of this token, he would surely be able to master sword techniques to perfection. Moreover, since this was only a fragment, if he could obtain the complete version, might he inherit the legacy of that sword master? It seemed he would have to focus on the Way of the Sword from now on.

"Don't get ahead of yourself; someone is coming."

Just as Lin Fan was preparing to refine the token, the witch’s voice sounded in his mind. The light screen they had erected earlier had already dissipated. Observing the figure approaching from the distance, Lin Fan frowned slightly. The build felt familiar, but the swirling yellow sand obscured his sight, preventing him from making out the stranger's face.

"Ah, Young Master Lin? You’re actually not..."

As the person drew closer and recognized Lin Fan’s face, they gasped, staring at him in utter disbelief.

"City Lord Lu, what is this?"

Lin Fan finally recognized why the figure seemed so familiar—it was Lu Qianshan, the Lord of Yellow Sand City.

"Wonderful, truly wonderful! Young Master Lin, your fortune is indeed profound."

Lu Qianshan’s words made Lin Fan frown. He understood the implication immediately. It seemed that after the battle at Luoshan Canyon, everyone had assumed he was dead.

"Ever since you were ambushed at Luoshan Canyon, over two months have passed. Because you were hunted by a master of the Divine Dan Realm and went missing, the Lin family was enraged. They have been at war with the Luo family, demanding an explanation. We were entrusted by the Second Prince to search the vicinity for your 'corpse.' It seems you haven't perished after all; you are alive and well. You must leave quickly—the Imperial Capital of Tianfeng has descended into chaos because of you. The two great families are locked in a bitter struggle, and even His Majesty the Emperor is at a loss."

*What?*

Lin Fan’s expression tightened. He had not expected that while only a few hours had passed in that idyllic sanctuary, so much time had elapsed outside.

*No, the flow of time should be the same in both places. If there is an explanation, it must be that I spent a significant amount of time on the mountain climbing stairs.*

Even the Divine Abyss Secret Realm could not alter the flow of time; how could a sword master, whom even the witch looked down upon, possess such an ability? He never imagined that in two months, the Tianfeng Empire would have undergone such a crisis.

The Lin family had gone to war with the Luo family for his sake. One had to realize that the Luo family was currently at the height of its power. Luo Qingyi had broken through to the Yuanfu Realm, triggering a celestial phenomenon, and was soon to be accepted as a personal disciple by the Sect Master of the Yuanchu Sect, one of the eight great sects. She had even been granted the title of Imperial Princess, a status equal to royalty. For the Lin family to go to war with the Luo family at such a time was clearly unwise. Yet, Lin Fan knew this was all because of him.

"I must trouble you to lead the way, City Lord Lu."

...

"Lin Jingtian, do you truly intend to fight my Luo family to the death?"

In the Imperial Capital of Tianfeng, before the Luo family estate, the Luo family head, Luo Xiu, glared coldly at the Lin family head, who had been blocking his gates for days.

Ever since news broke that Luo Qingyi would enter the Yuanchu Sect, the Luo family had never suffered such indignity. Yet, the Lin family, relying on two Yuanfu Realm masters, had surrounded the Luo estate so tightly that even when the Emperor intervened, the Lin family demanded justice. The Luo family, meanwhile, steadfastly refused to admit any involvement in Lin Fan’s supposed death.

The standoff had lasted for two full months, escalating from verbal disputes to physical skirmishes, and finally to this siege.

"Hmph, if not for the fact that Qingyi needs to consolidate her cultivation, I would never let your Lin family be so arrogant!"

Luo Xiu’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. The Lin family's actions had made the Luo family a laughingstock in the capital. If they did not eliminate the Lin family, they would have no standing left in the Tianfeng Empire. Unfortunately, the Lin family possessed two Yuanfu masters. Who could have guessed that the Lin family’s Supreme Elder, who had been in seclusion for a decade, would actually manage to break through?

"Luo Xiu, today is the final deadline I give your family. If you do not hand over the culprits, even if it costs the Lin family everything, we will ensure the Luo family is crippled! I swear upon the Martial Dao Heavens—you, Luo Xiu, will die!"

"You..."

Luo Xiu’s face turned livid. Being threatened to his face was intolerable for a man of his standing. But he had to endure—he had to wait until Luo Qingyi emerged from her seclusion.

"Disciple of the Yuanchu Sect, Zhong Cheng, is here to escort Junior Sister Qingyi to the sect."