Stone Village, Before the Charred Willow
In that moment, Lin Fan's treasure technique dazzled the onlookers. Divine light burst forth, flowing like a celestial river, radiant and mesmerizing.
Countless runes streamed from his chest, scattering like radiant petals, drifting down in a vibrant, colorful cascade. The glow was gentle and warm, not fierce or overwhelming, yet it carried an undeniable vitality.
The little red bird, bathed in this light, reveled in comfort. The gash across its chest and the claw marks on its head began to heal, while the destructive runes sapping its life force were gradually erased under the glow's purifying touch.
"Wow, so magical! Big Brother's chest is glowing, and Little Red's wounds are healing!" Little Dot exclaimed, his big eyes sparkling with pure wonder.
Even the villagers were stunned, their faces etched with disbelief.
Simply standing nearby, they could feel a surge of life energy, as if all things were springing forth in renewal. Their bodies and minds relaxed, invigorated by the aura.
Shi Yunfeng sighed in awe. "This young man is extraordinary! To rival an ancient ferocious beast, he must bear a sacred bone, birthing an innate primal treasure technique!"
Yue Chan, however, was unfazed. She'd long known Lin Fan was a First Generation, his divine talent tied to healing. The memory of an earlier, embarrassing incident involving his healing powers brought a flush to her cheeks.
Unbeknownst to all, as attention fixed on Lin Fan and the little red bird, a single branch of the charred willow stirred, emitting a faint green glow, as if quietly observing.
"Hey, why'd you stop? My wounds aren't fully healed!" the little red bird chirped, startled, its human-like voice tinged with surprise.
It fixed Lin Fan with a stare, its eyes not red but strikingly black and white, gleaming like gemstones, urging him to continue.
"I'm only in the Spirit Transformation Realm. How can I fully heal a Venerable Realm injury in one go? Let me rest, and I'll keep going," Lin Fan said, rolling his eyes at the bird, panting slightly.
The fiery sparrow seemed abashed, its scarlet feathers ruffling as it mimicked a human gesture, rubbing its head with a wing.
Its condition had improved dramatically. Vibrant and spirited, its pain had eased, the wounds mostly closed, and its life essence no longer drained.
With a flash of firelight, the palm-sized bird glowed brilliantly, flapping its wings to hover. Its voice, clear and melodious, rang out. "Thanks, kid."
"No big deal. Even without me, Stone Village's sacrificial spirit could've saved you," Lin Fan said, waving dismissively. His gaze drifted to the blackened, lightning-struck willow—Liu Shen.
Who could imagine that this humble village hides the Immortal Ancient's foremost ancestral spirit? An unrivaled Immortal King, a fierce warrior who stormed the Foreign Realm nine times and returned each time. Were it not for injuries and an ambush by those three shameless Immortal Domain foes, how could Liu Shen be in this nirvana state?
Or perhaps… Liu Shen came here deliberately, seeking the young Desolate Heavenly Emperor, all part of a grand plan.
"Little Red, are you all better?" Little Dot asked, beaming with a sweet, innocent smile. He spread his arms, eager to scoop the bird into a hug.
"Hmph!" The Vermilion Bird bristled at the nickname, its eyes glaring fiercely. Were Little Dot not so young, it might've set him ablaze.
"Little Red, got a question. The Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow, Zhu Yan, and Qiong Qi you fought—any idea where they went?" Lin Fan interjected.
The bird's brow furrowed, its fiery aura flaring, nearly exploding with indignation. This milk-drinking kid calls me 'Little Red,' and now you're doing it too?
It restrained itself, mindful that its recovery depended on Lin Fan. A noble bird doesn't squabble with brats.
"What, you're after the Mountain Treasure too?" it asked, its tone sharp with disdain. A mere nine-year-old, so weak, daring to covet the treasure?
Sure, Lin Fan's talent was remarkable—a born Supreme—but he was far from grown.
"To be honest, the Mountain Treasure is an inheritance left in this realm by an elder of my sect. I'm here to retrieve it," Lin Fan said solemnly, his words ringing with truth.
The Supreme Divine Treasury, he suspected, was hidden by a previous Supreme Hall Master to keep it from falling into the hands of powers like the Immortal Hall, cast into the Lower Realm before their death.
As the heir of the Supreme lineage, reclaiming it was his rightful duty.
"That treasure belongs to your sect?" The little red bird's eyes widened in disbelief, though Lin Fan's earnestness gave it pause.
Yue Chan, listening silently, felt a flicker of doubt. An elder of our sect left an inheritance here? Why haven't I heard of this? Still, she held her tongue, watching closely.
"Tell me, what's your sect called?" the bird asked, probing, still skeptical.
"The Supreme Hall. The Mountain Treasure contains an ancient heavenly art for mastering myriad divine abilities and treasure techniques!" Lin Fan declared, his voice resolute, no trace of deception.
The little red bird gaped, its eyes nearly popping out. It stumbled midair, barely catching itself.
It had never heard of the "Supreme Hall," but the name alone suggested grandeur. More startlingly, Lin Fan's description of the treasure matched its own knowledge perfectly.
If I didn't know only Zhu Yan, Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow, Qiong Qi, and I were there, I'd think this kid was at the battle!
Is he really here in the Wilderness Domain for the Mountain Treasure? Yue Chan thought, marveling at his convincing act. For a moment, even she wondered if he truly hailed from the Supreme Hall, not the Heaven Mending Pavilion.
But then the bird's eyes narrowed. "Wait a second. Your clothes—they're like the Heaven Mending Pavilion's. You're one of theirs, not some Supreme Hall!"
Its feathers flared with irritation, convinced Lin Fan was spinning lies.
Lin Fan sighed, his expression heavy with lament. "The Supreme Hall is a solitary lineage, passed down through single successors. By my time, it's fallen into ruin. I had no choice but to join another sect to grow…"
"So that's how it is," the little red bird said, nodding thoughtfully, its skepticism giving way to sympathy.
"So, Little Red, since I helped heal you, please tell me where the Mountain Treasure went," Lin Fan said gravely.
"Well…" The bird scratched its head, hesitating. "Honestly, I don't know where Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow, Zhu Yan, or Qiong Qi are. We were all badly wounded, too busy saving ourselves. I only know Zhu Yan ended up with it, heading west, I think."
"Is that so?" Lin Fan mused, stroking his chin, eyes half-lidded in thought.
Suddenly, a war halberd appeared in his hand, pristine white as jade, its runes shimmering, causing the air to tremble. With a forceful swipe, he slashed at the void.
Crack!
The space split open, exuding an ancient, primal aura. A passage formed, and Lin Fan leapt inside, vanishing.
"Wow, Big Brother's gone!" Little Dot cried, his cherubic face alight with astonishment. He scampered to the spot, but the passage had already sealed, leaving him baffled.
"A supreme artifact that can tear space?" The little red bird froze, muttering, "Didn't he say the Supreme Hall was in decline? How does he have such a treasure?"
"And hold on—his spirit's still brimming with energy, not drained from using a treasure technique!"
Realization dawned, and the bird squawked in fury. "Argh! That brat tricked me!"
Its piercing cry shook the air, divine radiance surging across its body, dazzling and majestic, its aura overwhelming.
The villagers nearly collapsed under the pressure, saved only by Liu Shen's awakening, its radiant halo neutralizing the divine might.
"Despicable! Kids these days are so cunning!" The little red bird reined in its aura but fumed, sulking bitterly.
While the bird raged, the villagers stifled laughter, marveling at Lin Fan's audacity to dupe such a formidable being.
Yue Chan smirked, barely containing her amusement. I knew he'd pull something like this.
"Don't be mad, Little Red. Big Brother's a good guy—he healed you!" Little Dot said, consoling with innocent sincerity.
"Hmph, you're another sneaky little imp!" The bird turned away haughtily, ignoring him.
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