Chapter Seventy-One: Sisters

Time slipped by like a fleeting white colt passing through a gap; in the blink of an eye, seven days had already gone by.

Inside a wooden hut in the Five Peaks Ravine of the Taiwu Mountains.

“No wonder everyone schemes and forms alliances—it’s all for resources. Without nearly a thousand Yin-Yang Pills, my injuries would have taken at least another five or six days to fully heal, even with the crushed stone. The pills made all the difference.”

Lin Fan opened his eyes, glowing with brilliance in the darkness like lanterns in the night.

He stood up, bones cracking audibly, and his cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the tenth stage of physical refinement—only one final step remained before entering the Condensed Vein Realm.

The wooden door creaked open, and a figure entered.

“It seems you’ve recovered well,” Yi Xiaoxian said, setting down a stone bowl, its pale liquid swaying within.

“Thank you, Miss Xiaoxian, for your care. Without you, I wouldn’t have recovered so quickly.” Lin Fan smiled, deftly taking the bowl and drinking its contents in one gulp.

In truth, Lin Fan had no idea what the bowl held, but he’d been drinking it for seven days and sensed it was more than ordinary. After each dose, his mind felt clear and his thoughts sharper.

Yi Xiaoxian gave a noncommittal smile. “There’s no need for such courtesy between us. I can see you harbor great ambition and won’t be content with the status quo. Do you have plans for what comes next?”

“Is Miss Xiaoxian trying to drive me away?” Lin Fan joked—a rare occurrence. Only in her presence could he let go of his inner burdens. This woman seemed naturally gifted at putting others at ease. Though she lacked stunning beauty, people were drawn to her; in this, she differed greatly from Yunxi.

“That’s not it. It’s just that Xiao Nu and I have secluded ourselves here for certain reasons. We don’t wish to bring calamity upon you.” Yi Xiaoxian frowned, troubled by something unsaid.

Lin Fan’s expression showed he understood. No one would willingly live in a beast-infested mountain unless forced by special circumstances.

“If you trust me, Miss Xiaoxian, tell me what troubles you,” Lin Fan offered. He already carried many debts; what could be worse than being hunted by powerful figures of the Voidbreaking Realm?

Yi Xiaoxian shook her head in silence, her brow furrowing with worry.

Suddenly, a thunderous explosion echoed from afar, shaking the heavens and earth. Two vast auras swept over, their roar deafening.

“What’s happening?!” Lin Fan’s face changed—it was the pressure of the Celestial Realm. Two great powers were clashing.

Yi Xiaoxian darted out the door, her eyes dark with concern.

Lin Fan followed, looking toward the sky. Two columns of divine light pierced the heavens, blotting out the sun.

“Today, you cannot escape. Hand over the sisters, and I’ll spare your life,” a figure stood proudly in the heavens, draped in radiant light. His terrifying aura surged like stormy waves, sweeping through the nine skies.

He was a burly middle-aged man, imposing and dignified, his body brimming with boundless power that made hearts tremble.

“Yi Ming, must you be so ruthless? They are your own daughters!” a voice rang out like clashing metal, echoing from afar. Next, golden light flooded the skies as a giant Golden-Winged Roc, nearly a thousand feet across, soared upward to confront him.

“Daughters? I have no daughters like them. Their mother is a demon; I am a man. The paths of man and demon are irreconcilable. Today, even you cannot escape death. I was blind not to see the true nature of that wretch,” Yi Ming’s face was icy, his words dripping with murderous intent, devoid of any other emotion.

“Haha, I finally see your true nature. She never stopped thinking of you, but you turned out to be this kind of person. Let’s see if you can kill me today. As for capturing Xiaoxian and her sister, don’t even think about it. As long as I live, you have no chance!” The Golden-Winged Roc burned with rage, its divine light blazing like fire, its golden eyes lantern-like and filled with boundless killing intent.

“Hmph, then I’ll kill you. Someone will hand them to me,” Yi Ming sneered, his giant hand covering the sky as his energy surged. His attack shattered the void.

“Never!” The Golden-Winged Roc roared, unleashing its full power. Burning its bloodline, it transformed into a bolt of lightning and charged straight at Yi Ming.

Heaven and earth trembled; the two powers clashed, light raining down, divine patterns filling the sky. Distant mountains exploded, as if the world were ending and all things returned to dust.

“Miss Xiaoxian,” Lin Fan spoke gravely. He could guess the hidden truth, but now was not the time to discuss it.

“Lin Gongzi, we must leave at once. The Yi family is a major clan in the Ancient Buddha Domain, deeply rooted, with more than one Celestial Realm overlord. Their Condensed Vein experts are countless. I suspect the Five Peaks Ravine is already surrounded by their clan,” Yi Xiaoxian was no longer as calm as before, anxiety showing in her demeanor.

“Then let’s depart now.” Lin Fan didn’t ask further; he was used to wandering alone and was ready to go at a moment’s notice.

“Wait! Xiao Nu went out today and hasn’t returned!” Suddenly, Yi Xiaoxian’s face changed, her composure gone. With a flash, she sped toward the distance.

Only then did Lin Fan sense her power—she was already at the second level of the Condensed Vein Realm. If she were in the Heavenly Capital Sect, she’d be a top genius, on par with Chen Daolin, scion of a noble house.

“There are many talents in this world. Who knows what secrets you harbor? But I don’t care; you saved me, so I will give you my wholehearted loyalty,” Lin Fan murmured, unleashing a surge of mighty power. He charged forward like an ancient war chariot, snapping ancient trees and raising clouds of dust.

Though Lin Fan’s movement appeared wild, his speed was unmatched. Soon, he spotted Yi Xiaoxian’s figure ahead.

“Lin Gongzi, you need not have involved yourself in this,” Yi Xiaoxian said, shaking her head, though Lin Fan could see gratitude in her eyes.

“To me, this is no muddy water. Xiao Nu is your sister, and mine as well. As her brother, how could I stand idly by? The Yi family may be strong, but I refuse to believe they can dominate the sky alone,” Lin Fan replied without hesitation. For others, he would never intervene, but the Yi sisters were different.

“Thank you, Gongzi. I can see you are powerful. If we find Xiao Nu, take her away first,” Yi Xiaoxian said, lacking much confidence. She knew the terror of the Yi family; in the Ancient Buddha Domain, aside from the Buddhist sects, they were the uncrowned kings.