Stone Village, Before the Charred Willow
The villagers stood in stunned silence, overwhelmed by the vastness of the cosmos Lin Fan had described. Countless races, billions of beings—it was beyond imagination, utterly unheard of.
They'd believed the Eight Domains were the entirety of existence, never suspecting they were mere frogs at the bottom of a well, gazing at a sliver of sky, unqualified to step beyond their world.
The little red bird's emotions churned, its heart unable to settle. It pondered, shocked, lost in thought for a long while.
Lin Fan seized the moment, his voice smooth and persuasive. "Don't let this realm confine you. In the Upper Realm, Venerables are counted in billions, Divine Flame experts are beyond number, and above them are True Gods, Heavenly Deities, Void Dao, Self-Severing, Self-Release, Supreme Beings, and even immortal beings who live forever."
The crowd gaped, mouths forming perfect "O"s. Some of these realms were entirely new to them; they'd thought ancient Heavenly Deities were the pinnacle.
"With your talent, in this barren Lower Realm, you might reach True God at best. But follow me, and I'll give you a grander stage. Becoming a Sect Master isn't out of reach," Lin Fan continued, his words weaving a tantalizing vision. "Forget being a mere Fire Nation sacrificial spirit—imagine being the spirit of a divine dynasty, or even an immortal dynasty. It's not impossible."
He whispered in the bird's ear, his voice like a devil's chant, tempting and sly, his face alight with cunning. Painting grand visions? I'm a master.
"Give me time to think…" The little red bird wavered, its wings fluttering, eyes gleaming with longing.
"Picture it: you, soaring through the Nine Heavens, wings unfurled, all tribes bowing before you, the world at your feet. What glory!" Lin Fan urged, painting a vast, majestic world for it to dream of.
Not just the bird, but the village children were swept up in the vision. Little Dot, especially, silently vowed to one day see the worlds Fan Gege described.
What child doesn't dream of heroism, of exploration? To stand at the pinnacle, gazing over the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, probing the highest skies and deepest abyss, subduing all foes—such a thought was thrilling beyond words!
Even Yue Chan felt her blood stir, imagining herself as an immortal, eternal and serene, watching the tides of time ebb and flow.
But she quickly patted her flawless cheeks, snapping out of it. This guy's tongue is deadly. He should be recruiting prodigies for the sect!
"Can I really achieve that?" the little red bird asked, lifting its head, dizzy with the possibility but lacking confidence in reaching such heights.
"Of course! You're a Vermilion Bird descendant, with supreme treasure blood in your veins, boundless potential. Once you reach the Upper Realm and undergo nirvana, you'll soar to the heavens, surpassing even your Divine Flame-ignited ancestor," Lin Fan assured, promising treasures to aid its transformation, restoring the ancient Vermilion Bird's divine might.
"I… I'll think it over and give you an answer next time we meet," the bird said hesitantly, still wary of this enigmatic boy.
Lin Fan's mystery ran deep. Despite his youth, his cunning was profound, his motives unclear.
The bird feared he coveted its primal rune bone, luring it into a trap. Once it left the Wilderness Domain, its fate might no longer be its own.
With a nod to the crowd, it erupted in radiant light and soared away without looking back.
"Little Red, come back to play!" Little Dot shouted, waving eagerly, reluctant to see it go.
Mid-flight, the bird nearly stumbled, glaring back at Little Dot with indignation. That wretched name's stuck for good, isn't it?
After the scarlet sparrow departed, Lin Fan sighed, his face a mask of mock despair, as if he'd lost something precious.
"Don't be sad, Fan Gege. If Little Red won't follow you, you'll find an even better bird!" Little Dot consoled, his innocent, rosy face as endearing as a porcelain doll.
"Little Dot's right. You'll encounter mightier fowls," Shi Yunfeng added kindly.
"No! I'm grieving the Vermilion Bird Technique slipping away! My Vermilion Bird mount, my divine art…" Lin Fan wailed, feigning regret. "Ugh, wasted all that sweet talk. Shouldn't have healed it!"
The villagers blinked, utterly lost, unable to keep up with his theatrics.
Little Dot, however, took mental notes. Catch a ferocious beast to guard the village? First, paint a grand vision. If that fails, use force.
"Milk Hao, take this feather too," Lin Fan said, tossing the little red bird's plume as if it were trash, his face full of disdain.
"Thanks, Fan Gege!" Little Dot caught it, undeterred by Lin Fan's attitude. This feather might come in handy—like pulling a tiger's skin or using a chicken feather as a command arrow.
"Grandpa Village Chief, I'll be staying longer to search for the Mountain Treasure. Hope that's not a bother," Lin Fan said.
"No trouble at all! Stay as long as you like," Shi Yunfeng replied warmly.
He secretly hoped Lin Fan would linger, teaching the children runes and broadening their horizons.
He also trusted Lin Fan's kindness, certain the village held nothing to tempt him.
Lin Fan: Heh…
The middle volume of the Primal True Solution, five elixir recipes, Liu Shen, the future Desolate Heavenly Emperor—each a priceless treasure.
Then, with care, Lin Fan healed Shi Yunfeng's lingering injuries, rejuvenating the elder's spirit.
"My… my old wounds are gone?!" Shi Yunfeng marveled, noticing a few black strands among his white hair, his appearance younger.
His body surged with power, his flesh radiant, runes shimmering. His Heavenly Passages opened and closed, naturally drawing in the world's essence.
"Grandpa Village Chief, you're healed!" The villagers cheered. The elder's full strength meant greater security in the perilous Great Wilderness.
"Thank you, young friend…" Shi Yunfeng and the villagers expressed heartfelt gratitude, declaring Lin Fan their most honored guest.
"Just a small gesture," Lin Fan said, waving it off.
But to Little Dot, this was no small favor. Clutching Lin Fan's hand, his eyes misty, he said, "Fan Gege, you're the best, healing my family. When I grow up, I'll repay you!"
"Alright, I'll hold you to that. Grow up quick, okay?" Lin Fan said, ruffling Little Dot's hair, deeply pleased.
All this effort paid off—Stone Village's friendship is mine. Now, only Liu Shen remains. He grinned, delighted.
Nearby, Yue Chan watched silently, unconvinced Lin Fan's kindness to this unremarkable village was selfless.
There had to be secrets she hadn't uncovered. Little Dot, for one, stood out—too extraordinary for a village like this to produce.
Then there was the willow at the village's edge. It appeared lightning-struck, sprouting new branches, but as the Heaven Mending Pavilion's saintess, Yue Chan's discernment was keen. The willow exuded an unfathomable aura, surpassing even Divine Flame sect masters. It was undoubtedly a supreme powerhouse in the past.
Most intriguing was Lin Fan himself. How did he know all this?
What a mysterious man, shrouded in enigmas. I can't help but want to peel back the veil and uncover his hidden truths…
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