Do not rejoice in things, nor sorrow in self.
No matter how the seas churn or the world shifts, nothing could deter Lin Fan's unwavering commitment to cultivation.
The path is forged by one's own steps, each footprint laid with purpose. Those who achieve greatness possess an unyielding heart of the Dao.
To taste the myriad flavors of the mortal world, to endure its trials and shed its superficial glories—only by maintaining a steadfast heart could one ascend to the pinnacle.
Unknowingly, nearly three years had passed since Lin Fan joined the Heaven Mending Sect. Now approaching nine years old, he had grown noticeably, his demeanor more composed and introspective, exuding a refined aura of returning to simplicity.
With this growth came a surge in strength, his presence carrying a natural, unpretentious charm.
Boom!
A resounding roar erupted, shaking the earth's veins and causing the surrounding peaks to resonate, as if an immortal palace had crashed from the heavens.
Lin Fan sat cross-legged on the Black Stone Platform, nine Heavenly Passages forming a radiant ring around him, humming with power. Torrents of vital essence surged from the heavens and earth, a breathtaking spectacle.
"Open!" he shouted, exhaling a burst of auspicious mist. Above his head, a tenth Heavenly Passage began to form, wisps of vibrant red light shimmering into existence, radiant and serene.
In that moment, it was as if a celestial realm had been unveiled. Light rained down, divine radiance soared, and chains of orderly runes materialized in the void, weaving a tapestry of cosmic law.
Boom!
With a final, earth-shaking tremor, Lin Fan successfully opened his tenth Heavenly Passage. The process was smooth, far less daunting than ancient texts or his own imagination had suggested.
"Finally done. Two years to open ten Heavenly Passages—not slow, right on schedule," Lin Fan said with a smile, gazing at the newest passage above his head. It stood out distinctly from the others.
Not only was it larger, exuding grandeur and majesty, but its vital essence surged like a cascading waterfall, far more potent than the other nine. With a slight stir, the ten passages rotated, autonomously drawing in life essence, blazing with unparalleled brilliance. They shone like ten suns in the sky, dimming even the true sun's light.
Yet, ten Heavenly Passages were not his limit. His goal was to transcend this boundary, continuously shattering existing limits.
This was the path of the Modern Method. After reaching godhood, the road ahead was severed, requiring cultivators to revisit and refine past realms to reconnect the broken path. The alternative was to fuse with a seed and follow the Ancient Immortal Method.
Lin Fan, however, wanted to pursue both paths. He wasn't certain he could succeed with the "Body as Seed" approach or obtain a supreme treasure seed. For now, the Modern Method was his best option.
But the Modern Method demands immense resources—precious blood, rare herbs, and at least Supreme-level beast blood. That's a problem… Lin Fan mused.
If he recalled correctly, the little milk baby—Shi Hao—had surpassed the Heavenly Passage limit thanks to the essence bestowed by Liu Shen, an Immortal King. What do I have to rely on? A rich patron?
The issue was that his "rich patron" wasn't that wealthy. She might suffice in the Three Thousand Provinces, but beyond this region, her resources fell short.
I wonder if Pretty Sister has any precious blood. Otherwise, I'll have to seek my own opportunities to reforge my foundation later, he thought with a sigh.
With his task complete, Lin Fan concealed his ten Heavenly Passages, letting them fade into the void. He wasn't ready to attempt breaking the limit yet—not without proper preparation.
Standing, his gem-like eyes sparkled with clarity, his face delicate yet resolute. Though only nine, he looked closer to ten, a common trait among cultivators who matured quickly. In some Great Wilderness tribes, twelve- or thirteen-year-olds were already marrying and starting families. By their standards, Lin Fan was practically a young adult.
"Hmph, today I will defeat you!" a haughty voice declared, clear and melodious as a lark's song.
In the distance, a figure in white approached, young but radiant, like an elf descended to the mortal realm. Her skin glowed with a soft, crystalline sheen, reminiscent of a luminous moon.
It was Yue Chan, now two years older. At eleven or twelve, her beauty was beginning to blossom, her figure subtly curvaceous, exuding flawless elegance.
"You've said that seven times already," Lin Fan replied with a teasing smile. Every time Yue Chan made a breakthrough, she'd challenge him, stubborn as a mule.
Yet she lost every time, only to defiantly shout, I'll be back!
Over the years, these encounters had brought Lin Fan no small amount of amusement—and a hefty haul of treasures from her.
"I won't lose again. I've opened nine Heavenly Passages, and I'm stronger than ever. Plus, I've found a way to counter your supreme technique," Yue Chan declared confidently, lifting her proud chin with unshakable assurance.
Lin Fan rubbed his chin, amused. "Same rules as always—did you bring the goods? No treasures, no fight."
"Of course," Yue Chan said, patting a small mirror at her waist. "This is a forbidden artifact crafted by my granduncle. It can be used three times to kill any cultivator below the Heavenly Deity Realm."
Lin Fan's eyes lit up, his interest piqued. Such artifacts were incredibly rare and difficult to forge, requiring precious materials and immense effort. Their power was unleashed regardless of the user's cultivation level, making them highly coveted but rarely created due to the cost.
Clearly, Yue Chan's granduncle doted on her to craft such a treasure.
She continued, "If you lose, you return everything you took from me. And from now on, you'll call me Senior Sister with respect and follow my every command."
"Alright, alright, you've said this a million times. Let's get started—I can't wait to play with that mirror," Lin Fan said impatiently.
Every challenge began with Yue Chan's bold proclamations, as if defeating him had become an obsession, perhaps even a heart demon.
Is she trying to emulate that ancient emperor, forging a demonic embryo through a hundred defeats? Lin Fan thought, amused. Too bad she's not from the Chaos Ancient Era, and I'm no ordinary opponent. Her dreams are doomed to fail.
"Even if I only use my physical strength and no treasure techniques, I, Lin Fan, am invincible under the heavens. Come on, Little Yue Yue!" he bellowed, his eyes sharpening, shedding his lazy demeanor for an aura of unmatched dominance.
For a moment, Yue Chan was stunned by his overwhelming presence, frozen in place.
"Hahaha! Are you awestruck by my majesty? Tremble, little girl! Chant my true name, and you'll glimpse eternity in the cycle of reincarnation!" Lin Fan roared with laughter, instantly reverting to his carefree, roguish self.
Yue Chan's brows twitched, her aura flaring with radiant light. This junior brother is hopeless, she thought, itching to smack him with a brick. His antics far outweighed his serious moments.
"Come fight!" Yue Chan struck, her jade-like hand unleashing a torrent of blazing runes, dazzling and radiant, amplified by her nine Heavenly Passages. The blow was powerful enough to topple mountains and shatter ranges, terrifying in its might.
Lin Fan's lips curled into a smirk. He didn't dodge, meeting her attack with a divine fist. Behind him, ten Heavenly Passages materialized, their divine glow outshining all else, eclipsing her light.
In their presence, Yue Chan's nine passages seemed small and insignificant.
Bang!
With a single strike, Lin Fan relied on raw power, no techniques or runes, clashing head-on. The impact sent Yue Chan flying hundreds of meters, unable to withstand even one blow.
"Ten Heavenly Passages! You opened ten before me?!" Yue Chan gasped, her shock giving way to disbelief. I must look like a clown right now.
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