Chapter 146: Deliberations

Yi Ming was straightforward, lacking the chilling, deep-seated cunning of the Mo family patriarch, and Lin Fan nodded in understanding.

"I assume your change of heart is due to the combat prowess I displayed just now," Lin Fan said softly, remaining non-committal.

"Precisely. That is indeed the case."

Yi Ming did not seem to think there was anything improper about this. Isn't that how the world works? If you lack sufficient strength, you are merely a lamb waiting for the slaughter, with no right to discuss terms or cooperation.

"Since things have come to this, let me offer an apology. My previous considerations were inadequate."

The Mo family patriarch was a slippery character, yet it was precisely this demeanor that made Lin Fan even more wary of him.

"In that case, we might as well sit down and talk."

Lin Fan smiled faintly, showing no trace of the murderous aura he had exuded moments before. Both men before him were old foxes; Lin Fan even suspected that Yi Ming’s straightforward manner might be a calculated facade meant to deceive him.

"Very well, let’s go."

Yi Ming spoke, gesturing with a wave of his hand to open a passageway, assuming the posture of a host ready to negotiate.

Seeing this, Lin Fan hesitated only for a moment before stepping through, appearing completely unguarded. In reality, however, he was fully prepared for a final showdown. Should Yi Ming or the Mo family patriarch make any untoward moves, he would strike them down with lethal force. Conversely, if the two men did not make a move, it was not necessarily a good sign; it could only mean they were plotting something much larger.

"This must be the Yi family ancestral grounds. Truly extraordinary. Even an average Void-Breaking Realm expert would find it impossible to escape death here," Lin Fan remarked. Using his qi-observing techniques, nothing within the Yi family grounds could hide from him; everything appeared complete and clear before his eyes.

The entire ancestral ground was enveloped in a massive formation that typically refined the energy of the heavens and earth to nourish those within, but would transform into a grand killing array if attacked by outsiders.

"This is a formation established by the ancestor of the Nine-Section Whip; naturally, it has its extraordinary aspects."

Yi Ming cast a surprised glance at Lin Fan, knowing that the latter had already discerned the truth of the array, otherwise, he would not have spoken of the impossibility of a Void-Breaking Realm expert surviving here.

"As expected of an ancestral artifact."

Lin Fan spoke with genuine admiration, feeling a hint of envy. If he possessed such a formation himself, it would be enough to establish his own sect. The formation left behind by the Nine-Section Whip could not be that simple; it might even be capable of erupting with power comparable to that of a titled expert, though the members of the Yi family likely did not know this, or perhaps Yi Ming was deliberately concealing it.

"It is a pity that Lord Nine-Section Whip has fallen."

Yi Ming gave Lin Fan a meaningful look before falling silent. The three moved quickly, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived at a place resembling a council hall.

"Please sit, both of you."

Yi Ming took the main seat, his authority as the family head clearly evident.

"I trust that the Patriarch did not bring me here for nothing. If there is something to say, please be direct."

Lin Fan went straight to the point. The borrowed power he had been channeling had already dissipated, meaning only ninety percent of the mysterious entity's energy remained. However, Lin Fan felt no regret; if he had not borrowed that external strength earlier, he likely would have been slaughtered by these two men. He felt once more the vital importance of personal strength; otherwise, one is merely fodder for others.

"Very well. I will not hide it from you: we wish to borrow the Bodhi Seed."

Seeing Lin Fan's directness, Yi Ming did not hold back.

"The Bodhi Seed? I am sorry, but I do not possess such an item. What I obtained was merely a Sarira."

Lin Fan’s heart skipped a beat, but he denied it immediately. The Bodhi Seed was a divine object with too many implications; he could not let it be exposed, and thus he wove a lie. A Sarira, being the remains left behind after a Buddha attained nirvana, contained significant energy, which could explain why Lin Fan was able to exert combat power far exceeding his own.

"A Sarira?"

The Mo family patriarch looked at Lin Fan with suspicion, though it was impossible to tell how much he believed.

"So that is it. It seems we were mistaken."

The Mo family patriarch muttered to himself, his eyes flickering. A divine object like the Bodhi Seed was almost impossible to find in the world, while a Sarira was a much more plausible possibility.

"What?!"

Yi Ming’s expression darkened, and he once again revealed a murderous intent.

"Enough. Even if it is not the Bodhi Seed, it does not matter much. With three of us at the Void-Breaking Realm here, it should be sufficient."

The Mo family patriarch understood Yi Ming's thoughts and frowned slightly. Hearing this, Yi Ming said no more, seemingly agreeing with the patriarch's assessment.

"What exactly do the two of you want? Can we speak openly now?"

Lin Fan remained calm from beginning to end, showing no sign of feeling trapped in a tiger's den.

"It is like this, and I will not conceal it from you," the Mo family patriarch said, organizing his thoughts. "Beneath the Mo family ancestral grounds, we discovered an underground palace shrouded by an ancient formation. Neither he nor I could enter it alone, which is why we wished to enlist Brother Lin."

Upon hearing this, a look of realization dawned on Lin Fan; everything suddenly made sense. The Yi and Mo families had likely been coveting his Bodhi Seed, hoping to use it to enter the palace. However, they had been cautious and decided to join forces, even setting a trap for him, only to change their strategy when Lin Fan displayed Void-Breaking Realm power.

Yet, Lin Fan’s expression remained grave. An underground palace that could stump two Void-Breaking Realm experts was clearly extremely dangerous. If he were to enter...

"I am indeed interested in the palace you speak of, Brother. But it must be incredibly dangerous. My strength is insufficient, so I think I would rather not muddy these waters."

Lin Fan shook his head, unwilling to be involved. Knowing when to retreat for self-preservation was also a skill.

"I had already guessed you would think this way, Brother Lin. But I believe you still remember what my soul projection said to you."

The Mo family patriarch smiled faintly, as if everything were under his control.

"A teleportation array?"

Lin Fan stood up abruptly, his eyes brightening. He had come here specifically for a teleportation array in the first place.

"Correct. The Patriarch and I have not penetrated deep into the palace, but we have seen it from afar. There is indeed a teleportation array."

The Mo family patriarch nodded, making no attempt to conceal the truth. Lin Fan fell into a deep silence. The Mo family patriarch and Yi Ming did not disturb him, sitting there with an air of profound composure, lost in their own thoughts.

*The palace is undoubtedly dangerous,* Lin Fan pondered, his eyes dark. *Setting aside the palace itself, Mo Liuguang and Yi Ming are not easy to deal with. If they didn't have reservations, they would have attacked long ago. Furthermore, the palace is located within the Yi family grounds. Entering it is a gamble with my life. But the problem is the teleportation array.*

*Without the array, I have no idea how long it would take me to reach the Heaven Martial Domain. I cannot wait. I must take the risk!*

Lin Fan finally made his decision. He would head to the palace. If he insisted on refusing, he would likely be hunted down immediately.

"In that case, I will accompany you to explore the underground palace."