Chapter 250: Borrowed or Stolen? Brothers Reunited!
The two moved swiftly through the vast Heaven Hall, and after about ten minutes, they reached the deepest part of the sect.
The defenses here were incredibly tight, but with Ying Huanhuan leading the way, the two encountered no obstacles.
"We're here."
Ying Huanhuan stopped in front of a grand hall. A bowl-shaped barrier of light enclosed the building like a dome.
She raised her jade-like hand, and a piece of white jade shot out from her palm. When it touched the barrier, waves rippled across it before opening into a glowing portal.
"Come on."
Ying Huanhuan cautiously glanced around, then slipped inside and opened the grand doors.
Lin Fan followed closely behind.
The interior of the hall was vast and lined with towering pillars, each covered in ancient runes—likely part of a powerful formation.
Lin Fan scanned the area and quickly found it—the fire-red guqin resting atop a jade pedestal at the center of the hall.
The zither's body was carved with a phoenix spreading its wings. From a distance, it looked like flames were dancing along its surface.
A powerful aura pulsed from the instrument, distorting the very air around it.
"That's the Phoenix Zither, right?" Lin Fan said with a pleased expression.
"Yep."
Ying Huanhuan nodded. "We'll just sneak it out, use it for a bit, then bring it back."
"So… you're saying we're stealing it?" Lin Fan raised an eyebrow, pretending to be shocked.
"Did you really think you could just ask Elder Qi Lei to borrow it? No way he'd agree!"
She rolled her eyes, then waved her hand nonchalantly. "Relax. If anything happens, I'll take the blame. No need for someone to get all grumpy and misunderstood again."
"Thanks." Lin Fan nodded, then added, "For the record, I wasn't mad."
"Tch, sure."
Ying Huanhuan laughed like a cunning little fox, waving her hand dismissively.
As she turned her head slightly, her bright eyes landed on Lin Fan. With a teasing smile, she said,
"Also, my sister told me to tell you… the way you handed over the command rights that day? Super cool."
Eighty percent sure that's your own opinion, Lin Fan thought but didn't expose her. He just smiled and said,
"I'm no good with command. Didn't want to drag anyone down. Xiaoxiao's much more suited for it."
Ying Huanhuan giggled, then formed a hand seal. The Phoenix Zither floated down from the pedestal and gently landed in her arms.
"Let's go—quick in, quick out," she said.
"You're coming too? It might be dangerous," Lin Fan warned.
She smiled sweetly. "The Phoenix Zither has my father's imprint. I'm the next heir. No one else can use it unless they erase the imprint."
"Looks like I have no choice but to bring you along," Lin Fan sighed, feigning helplessness.
"Hmph. I'm only going because I feel like it." Ying Huanhuan beamed, enjoying having the upper hand.
"Then let's go, little miss."
Lin Fan smiled and turned toward the exit.
Ying Huanhuan watched his back, her eyes glittering with mischief before she skipped after him.
Once the two had left, the grand hall returned to silence.
A few minutes later, the space above a nearby stone pillar rippled—and the figures of Sect Master Ying Xuanzhi and Elder Qi Lei slowly emerged.
Qi Lei muttered a few complaints, but in the end, he could only watch the pair vanish into the distance with resignation…
…
At the edge of Dao Sect's protective barrier, a ripple spread through the air.
Three figures slipped out silently—Ying Huanhuan, Lin Fan, and Lin Dong, who had been summoned to join them.
"Hehe, we made it out without being caught!" Ying Huanhuan hugged the Phoenix Zither, smiling brightly.
"They probably already know," Lin Fan said, shaking his head. "They just didn't stop us."
He turned and respectfully bowed toward Dao Sect.
Lin Dong quickly caught on and followed suit.
Ying Huanhuan blinked, then stuck out her tongue and did the same.
"Let's go." Lin Fan suddenly scooped her into his arms.
"W-what are you doing?!"
She panicked, clutching the zither tightly, her cheeks flaming red.
"I'm faster. Carrying you saves time. The Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range is far."
As he explained, crimson wings burst from his back—Vermilion Bird Wings.
With a flap, a fiery windstorm howled through the air.
"Try anything funny, and I'm taking the zither back to Dao Sect!" she grumbled under her breath.
"Relax."
Lin Fan chuckled and took off as a red streak of light.
Behind them, Lin Dong spread his Azure Dragon Wings and followed closely.
[Ding! You touched Ying Huanhuan and acquired the Sonic Skill: Soul-Hunting Brahma Tune!]
As the system's familiar voice rang out, Lin Fan absorbed and comprehended the skill mid-flight.
…
The Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range lay in the southwest of East Xuan Region.
Normally, it would take half a month on a flying beast to reach it from Dao Sect.
But Lin Fan and Lin Dong were incredibly fast. In less than a week, they hovered above the sprawling forest range.
In fact, Lin Fan had deliberately slowed down to match Lin Dong's speed.
"That direction," Lin Dong said, sensing the demonic brand connection from Xiao Diao and Xiao Yan.
"You lead." Lin Fan nodded.
With a flap, Lin Dong shot forward.
Lin Fan followed closely behind, still carrying Ying Huanhuan.
A dozen minutes later, they spotted two familiar figures on a nearby peak.
"Big Bro! Second Bro!"
Before they even landed, a booming voice greeted them from afar. One of the figures—built like a tower—leapt up with excitement.
Lin Fan released Ying Huanhuan and looked ahead.
There stood two people: one in green robes, more beautiful than many women; the other huge, covered in scars, radiating savage power.
They were none other than Xiao Diao and Xiao Yan.
The four brothers reunited, catching up joyfully. Lin Fan then introduced Ying Huanhuan.
"Hehe, looks like this little lady treats you well," Xiao Diao teased when he heard about her bringing the Phoenix Zither.
Ying Huanhuan blushed but smiled sweetly at him.
Lin Fan couldn't help but chuckle.
Women really are born actresses…
"Enough small talk. Tell me what's going on. What did Xiao Yan find?"
He gave Xiao Diao a look, ready to get down to business.
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