Chapter 29: Gu Ningxiang

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“As expected, the easiest method is also the least efficient.”

Three days later.

Lin Fan gazed at the bracelet, which had finally turned red, and shook his head helplessly with a sigh.

For the past three days, he had been slaughtering demonic beasts in the dense forest. No fewer than fifteen sixth-tier demonic beasts had already fallen beneath his hand.

Yet even with the essence of so many demonic beasts, he had only managed to change the bracelet’s color to red.

One had to remember that, before this, the bracelet had already changed color after absorbing the energy of that Divine Elixir youth.

And now, after absorbing the essence of more than a dozen sixth-tier demonic beasts, it had only barely changed color.

It was obvious that relying on hunting demonic beasts to complete its final transformation was simply impossible.

“看来百宗也是在暗示考核者们，要想拜入百宗，必须得抢掠他人能源。”
“It seems the Hundred Sects are also hinting to the candidates that, if they wish to join them, they must seize other people’s energy.”

Lin Fan could understand the reasoning.

The disciples recruited through the examination grounds would all become inner disciples of the Hundred Sects. Anyone capable of fighting their way through such a brutal environment would inevitably be an outstanding figure among those of the same realm, even if their innate talent was lacking.

Rustle, rustle, rustle…

Just as Lin Fan was considering whether to continue hunting in the forest, a panicked figure suddenly appeared before him. A colossal creature pursued her from behind.

“Look out! Run! This giant ape has gone berserk!”

The fleeing figure immediately warned him upon seeing Lin Fan.

Behind her, the black ape was as large as a small hill. Its face was twisted into a savage grimace, and its entire body radiated a violent aura, as though it possessed the strength to shatter mountains and crush boulders. An ordinary Divine Elixir cultivator might not have been able to deal with it.

What surprised Lin Fan, however, was that the person being pursued clearly had a youthful face, yet possessed cultivation at the peak of the Divine Elixir Realm.

She was obviously capable of using her own strength to contend with the sixth-tier Berserk Demon Ape behind her, and yet she was still running for her life.

Lin Fan instinctively tried to move aside. But just as the girl was about to rush past him, she stumbled and fell to the ground. Behind her, the Berserk Demon Ape had already raised its enormous palm high into the air and brought it crashing down.

Alas.

Lin Fan sighed inwardly. He had not intended to save her, but the compassion in his heart had ultimately dictated his actions.

Seeing that the ape’s enormous palm was about to descend, Lin Fan’s heart stirred. His body flashed forward like lightning, and he appeared instantly in front of the girl.

His long sword left its sheath. With a flash of sword light, a terrifying sword aura slashed directly toward the Berserk Demon Ape’s palm.

The ape let out a pained roar. Its huge body was sent flying backward by the sword aura, while the raised palm was severed beneath the blade’s cutting force, spraying blood in every direction.

Lin Fan did not stop. Sword aura surged through the air as he struck again, this blow aimed straight at the ape’s throat.

The Berserk Demon Ape had no way to resist. It could only watch helplessly as the sword aura pierced its throat, killing it instantly.

Lin Fan sheathed his sword and turned toward the girl lying on the ground. Her bright eyes were fixed on him, filled with shock.

He smiled faintly, extended a hand, and helped her to her feet.

“You’re safe now.”

The girl stared at the young man before her. Her delicate face suddenly froze, and then, with a loud sob, she burst into tears.

Lin Fan was momentarily stunned. He had never expected that this girl, whose cultivation was even higher than his own, would suddenly start crying.

He stood awkwardly where he was, his hand still suspended in midair, unsure what to do.

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He gently comforted her. “Don’t be afraid. It’s all right now. I’ve already dealt with the Berserk Demon Ape.”

At those words, the girl suddenly threw herself into his arms and began sobbing even louder, her tears soaking the front of his robe.

Helpless, Lin Fan could only pat her lightly on the back, allowing her emotions to settle somewhat.

After a while, the girl’s sobs gradually subsided. She raised her head and looked at Lin Fan, her eyes filled with gratitude.

“Thank you. If it weren’t for you, I might have…”

Lin Fan interrupted her. “There’s no need to thank me. I’m simply surprised that, despite having cultivation at the peak of the Divine Elixir Realm, you were chased by a sixth-tier Berserk Demon Ape.”

The girl sniffed and answered softly, “That’s because I’ve been hungry for several days. I originally wanted to pick some fruit to eat. Who could have guessed that the moment I picked it, that giant ape would suddenly go mad and chase after me?”

Two dark lines appeared on Lin Fan’s forehead.

This girl had actually lost her ability to fight because she was hungry. Just how starving had she been?

“Don’t tell me you’ve been going hungry ever since entering this region?”

At Lin Fan’s question, the girl’s pretty face flushed slightly. She stammered as she explained, “Not exactly. After I came in, I suddenly felt very hungry, so I ate the food Mother had prepared for me.

“I never imagined that some young beasts would be attracted by the smell of the food, so I fed it all to those little fellows.

“But by the time they were full, I discovered that all my food was gone.”

Lin Fan was stunned.

He truly had not expected the girl before him to possess such an innocent mind. Feeding young beasts was not something a normal person would ever think of doing.

“Um… Big Brother, could you give me something to eat?”

The girl rubbed her flat, growling stomach and asked pitifully.

At that, Lin Fan nodded. He took some dry rations and water from his pack and handed them to her.

Chomp, chomp, chomp…

Lin Fan stared speechlessly as the girl wolfed down the food.

This girl possessed astonishing cultivation and extraordinary talent. She looked no older than fourteen or fifteen, yet she had already reached the peak of the Divine Elixir Realm.

Such talent was even greater than his own had once been.

Unfortunately, she seemed to have extremely little practical combat experience. Judging from her clothing, she was probably the cherished daughter of some wealthy family, a young lady who had been pampered all her life.

What surprised him was that, with such a temperament, her parents had actually been willing to let her participate in the Divine Sect examination.

If she had not encountered him today, she might truly have died beneath the Berserk Demon Ape.

After a long while, the girl patted her now-swollen belly with satisfaction and casually wiped the corner of her mouth, as though she had come back to life.

“Thank you, Big Brother. Not only did you save me, you also gave me food.”

Seeing her innocent appearance, Lin Fan smiled.

“What’s your name?”

“My name is Gu Ningxiang. I’m from the Tiandu Imperial Dynasty.”

The Tiandu Imperial Dynasty?

Lin Fan was slightly taken aback as he looked at the girl before him. No wonder she possessed such cultivation at such a young age. So she was from the Tiandu Imperial Dynasty.

Though it lay millions of miles away, he had heard of that empire. It was far more powerful than the Tianfeng Empire.

It was said that a Divine Sect stood behind the Tiandu Imperial Dynasty, and that its foundations were extraordinarily deep.

“My name is Lin Fan. I’m from the Tianfeng Empire.”

The Tianfeng Empire?

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The girl wore a blank expression. Clearly, she had never heard of the Tianfeng Empire.

Lin Fan smiled and explained, “It’s only a small empire, several million miles from your imperial dynasty. It’s perfectly normal that you’ve never heard of it.

“What are you planning to do next?”

“Hmm… I’m planning to find my elder sister. I can sense that she’s in that direction.”

“You can sense your sister?”

Lin Fan stared at the girl in astonishment and asked incredulously.

Did this girl possess such extraordinary perception?

He could not detect the slightest fluctuation of another human presence within a hundred meters.

“This thing is guiding me. Father gave one to my sister and one to me. With it, we can sense each other’s general direction.”

The girl lifted her wrist and shook the small bell hanging from it, smiling as she spoke.

Lin Fan was left speechless.

Did having a powerful background really mean one could do whatever one pleased?

This was outright cheating.

Everyone who entered the examination grounds was randomly sent to a different location. In the early stages, gathering companions was clearly extremely difficult.

But with an item like this, one could assemble a team in a short period of time. Whether hunting demonic beasts, gathering heavenly treasures, or plundering others, they would be able to crush their opponents with ease.

It was terribly unfair to people like them, who came from small empires.

Yet when he recalled what his aunt, Lin Qiuyan, had told him before his departure, Lin Fan immediately became resigned.

There was no such thing as absolute fairness in this world.

“Big Brother Lin Fan, could you come with me to find my sister?”

Gu Ningxiang lifted her hopeful eyes toward Lin Fan, her voice carrying a trace of pleading.

Lin Fan was slightly taken aback. He had not expected Gu Ningxiang to make such a request.

He hesitated. Although he had no fixed plans, he was not someone who liked relying on others.

However, when he saw the expectation in Gu Ningxiang’s eyes, his heart softened.

He knew that, to Gu Ningxiang, finding her sister was extremely important.

Moreover, he was genuinely curious about the elder sister who could help his bracelet reach purple.

“All right. I’ll accompany you to find your sister.”

Lin Fan finally agreed. He smiled faintly and added, “However, I don’t like traveling in groups. Once I deliver you to your sister, I’ll leave.”

When Gu Ningxiang heard him agree, a delighted smile first spread across her face. Then she wrinkled her little nose and said, “Big Brother Lin Fan, you have to trust me. My sister is truly amazing. She’ll definitely be able to help you!”

Lin Fan smiled but paid little attention to her words. Instead, his curiosity only deepened.

He wanted to know what sort of person the sister who could turn his bracelet purple truly was.

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