Chapter 135: The Mohist School

"I hear the Mo family has a daughter named Mo Die. Though she is only twenty-five, she is already a powerhouse at the Heaven-Human Realm."

Lin Fan spoke through a telepathic transmission. Although everyone knew this carriage belonged to the pride of the Mo family, Lin Fan chose to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

"It seems Young Master Lin has done his research on the Mo family. Yet, you are even more impressive, Young Master. It is rumored that you were already capable of defeating those in the third decline of the Heaven-Human Realm before you had even reached twenty."

Mo Die chuckled softly, her true thoughts unreadable.

Lin Fan’s expression grew grave at these words; he realized this woman would not be easy to deal with. But he was no ordinary man. "Miss Mo is too kind. However, I wonder what business you have with me? Using two Heaven-Human level spirit beasts as a show of force is hardly a sophisticated gesture."

Standing with his hands behind his back, Lin Fan spoke with effortless grace, a confident smile lingering on his face. Though the two beasts were fearsome, they were merely equivalent to cultivators in the second decline of the Heaven-Human Realm; they would not last a single blow from him.

"You jest, Young Master Lin. My ancestor has been waiting for quite some time."

A slender, jade-like hand reached out from behind the silk curtains, gesturing for him to enter. Lin Fan smiled and stepped into the carriage without a hint of hesitation. He believed the Mo family had no intention of killing him—otherwise, they would not have bothered with such theatrics and would have simply sent their ancestor to intercept him directly.

What Lin Fan did not realize was how many jaws he had caused to drop with that single action.

In Earth-Martial City, there was no one who did not know the carriage of the Mo family’s princess, and the identity of the person within was now clear to all. Mo Die was the dream of every young man in Earth-Martial City, and no one had ever heard of anyone being allowed into her carriage.

"Who on earth is that? To think he actually boarded Miss Mo's carriage! Could he be the heir to some great power?" someone asked, burning with jealousy and staring with unconcealed envy, wishing they could trade places with Lin Fan.

It was as if a spark had been struck; a wave of clamor rose from the crowd near the tavern. Everyone was speculating about Lin Fan's identity, though he remained blissfully unaware, as the carriage had already begun to pull away from the tavern, heading toward the Mo estate.

"What is the reason for this invitation, Miss Mo? Could it be regarding the kill orders from the Yi family and the Purple Garment Pavilion?" Lin Fan looked at the veiled woman before him, his tone laced with intrigue.

"While the Purple Garment Pavilion and the Yi family are formidable, the Mo family is not to be trifled with either. If you think we would act merely because of their kill orders, Young Master Lin, you underestimate us far too much."

Mo Die smiled faintly, dismissing his suggestion. It seemed this invitation indeed held deeper significance.

"The Mo family has an ancestor at the peak of the five declines, while I have, at best, only just stepped into the Heaven-Human Realm. Surely there is nothing I could help you with? Once an ancestor takes the field, few can stand against them," Lin Fan said, shaking his head noncommittally.

"The enemy of an enemy can be a friend. Young Master Lin need not worry. I have said all I can; everything else will be discussed in detail by my ancestor."

Mo Die knew that saying too much often led to errors, so she ceased the conversation. The Mo estate was located in the heart of Earth-Martial City, and before long, the carriage pulled into the grounds.

*An enemy of an enemy? Could it be that they have a grudge against the Purple Garment Pavilion or the Yi family? My guess would be the Yi family—otherwise, they wouldn't have brought me to the Mo estate so brazenly.*

Lin Fan’s mind was sharp as a blade. He had pieced together the situation from Mo Die’s few words; it wasn't hard to deduce. The Purple Garment Pavilion possessed a Void-Breaking ancestor, and the Mo family, lacking such a powerhouse, would naturally be wary of them. The Yi family was different—with their Nine-Section Whip lost at Mount Wangwu, they had effectively lost their top-tier fighting strength and would be no match for the Mo family without their forbidden artifacts.

The Mo estate was less of a residence and more of a small city, partitioned off from the rest of Earth-Martial City—a testament to the Mo family's power, capable of building a city within a city.

Lin Fan and Mo Die alighted. They walked in silence, Lin Fan ignoring the beauty beside him to focus entirely on the Mo family's true agenda.

Yet, wherever Mo Die went, she remained the center of attention, and even within the Mo estate, this was no exception. Countless eyes followed them, full of curiosity and, in many cases, open hostility toward the man walking by the young mistress's side.

Lin Fan smiled bitterly but paid it little mind, letting the hostility slide. He knew well enough that most of it was directed at him simply for being near Mo Die.

"A beauty is a curse," Lin Fan muttered to himself, rubbing his nose before turning his focus inward, refusing to dwell on it further.

The estate was vast, and since the ancestor resided in its deepest reaches, the journey took some time. Lin Fan, preoccupied with his thoughts, did not mind the distance.

"We have arrived, Young Master Lin. My ancestor is just ahead."

Half a quarter-hour later, Mo Die stopped before a small, humble courtyard. It looked plain and unadorned, yet this was the residence of the Mo family's ancestor.

"Ah... oh," Lin Fan blinked, startled, finally snapping out of his deep contemplation.

The courtyard was tiny, containing only a small hut and a few patches of crops. It was the sort of place an ordinary peasant might live, vastly different from what Lin Fan had imagined.

In his experience, whether it was the sect leader of the Heaven Capital Gate or other high-ranking powerhouses, their residences were always incredibly luxurious. That was his impression of an ancestor’s home, which was why he was so surprised.

"Your ancestor is formidable," Lin Fan murmured, his expression turning grave as he began to perceive the truth.

The Heaven-Human Realm emphasized the unity of man and nature, and the return to simplicity. This was the true manifestation of that return. It seemed the rumors of the Mo ancestor being at the peak of the five declines were no lie; perhaps, even higher.

"If they are even stronger, that would mean..." Lin Fan’s eyes flickered, his thoughts racing.

"Haha, since you have arrived, young friend, come in and talk. Standing at the door is hardly your style. Die’er, you may leave; I wish to speak with Young Master Lin alone."

A voice, old yet brimming with vitality, rang out. It was clear the speaker had not yet reached the twilight of his life.

A powerhouse at the fifth decline of the Heaven-Human Realm could live at least five hundred years, and if they succeeded in breaking through to the next stage, a thousand-year lifespan was well within reach. Thus, Lin Fan found nothing strange about the voice.

Mo Die bowed respectfully and departed, leaving Lin Fan alone outside the small courtyard.

"Since the senior has invited me, it would be rude to decline."

Lin Fan smiled, pushed open the small gate, and stepped into the yard. Inside, he found a stone table where an elder with white hair and a white beard sat, watching him with a gentle smile.

"Tell me, young friend, are you a member of the Heaven Capital Gate in the Heaven-Martial Domain?"