The air inside the Healing Pavilion suddenly froze. The spiritual pressure from Elder Han, a Spirit Transformation cultivator at the Early Stage, felt like a collapsing mountain crushing down on Lu Fan's shoulders.
Within the hierarchy of the Mortal Domain, Spirit Transformation marked the boundary between mortal and demi-god. If Qi Refining was gathering vapor, and Foundation Establishment was turning it into water, then Spirit Transformation was the stage where one's soul could begin separating from the physical body.
"Elder Han!" Su Yan stepped forward, releasing the aura of her Peak Golden Core cultivation to offset part of the pressure. "Lu Fan is a disciple of this sect. You cannot act recklessly without judgment from the Council of Elders!"
"To hell with the council!" Elder Han roared, his beard trembling. "My grandson, Han Bing, is a future asset of our clan! Now he can only mutter 'smell… so smelly…' while eating dirt! Lu Fan will pay for this!"
Lu Fan, whose face had turned pale as paper, whispered inwardly, System! Give me something! Otherwise I'll turn to ashes before I even get a harem!
[Ding! Displaying World Data to provide perspective for this unfortunate Host.]
A gigantic virtual map suddenly unfolded within Lu Fan's mind.
Mortal Domain Archive: Eastern Cloud Continent
In this world, there are over 1,000 Sects and 5,000 Cultivator Clans. However, only 100 Top Entities are recognized by the Hall of Heaven.
3 Great Peak Sects: Immortal Sword Sect, Holy Radiance Sect, and Heavenly Cloud Sect (Host's current location).
10 Ancient Clans: Including the Han Clan, the Long Clan, and the declining Phoenix Clan.
90 First-Rate Sects: Organizations that control major cities and Spirit Stone mines.
[Ding! Warning: Host's current status is merely 'Ant' in Elder Han's eyes. You require 10,000 Points to withstand a single strike from him.]
Ten thousand?! I'm already in debt to you! Lu Fan screamed internally in frustration.
"Cough! Cough! Elder Han, why be so rash…" Lu Fan suddenly spoke, his voice trembling but loud. "By the way, if you kill me now, you will never obtain the antidote!"
Elder Han stopped mid-step. His bloodshot eyes narrowed. "Antidote? So you admit you poisoned him with some demonic technique?"
"It's not a demonic technique. It is… the Nine Heavens Soul Severing Poison!" Lu Fan blurted, inventing the coolest name he could think of. "Only I know its composition. Kill me, and Han Bing will continue smelling that stench until his soul collapses and he goes insane forever!"
Su Yan shot Lu Fan a look that clearly said, What nonsense are you spouting?, but she was smart enough to remain silent.
Elder Han hesitated. In the cultivation world, soul poisons were the most feared. If one's soul was damaged, they would never advance to Void Severing or Body Integration, let alone ascend to the Immortal Domain.
"Give me the antidote now, or I will torture you in the dungeon!" Elder Han threatened.
"Give me seven days!" Lu Fan shouted recklessly. "I need rare ingredients. And during those seven days, I must remain under Senior Sister Su Yan's protection. If anything happens to me… your grandson will remain a 'Filth Cultivator' forever!"
Elder Han clenched his fists, spiritual energy exploding around him. "Fine. Seven days. If Han Bing is not cured within seven days, I will slaughter your entire family and erase the name Lu from this city!"
After the elder stormed out in a fury, Lu Fan immediately collapsed onto the floor, cold sweat soaking his entire body.
"You're insane, you idiot," Su Yan whispered, staring at him. "You just lied to a Spirit Transformation expert. Do you understand what happens if he discovers the truth?"
Lu Fan looked up at her and forced a smile despite his trembling lips. "Well… at least I get seven more days to look at your beautiful face, Senior Sister."
Su Yan froze, her cheeks flushing briefly before returning to their usual cold composure. "You still have the mood to joke. Now tell me… where exactly are you planning to find an antidote for a poison that doesn't even exist?"
[Ding! New Mission Detected!]
[Objective: Enter the 'Forbidden Forest of Death' and obtain the 'Soul-Purifying Spirit Flower.']
[Reward: Advancement to Early Foundation Establishment & 5,000 System Points.]
[Warning: The area serves as the headquarters of the Blood Shadow Sect (Ranked 45 among the Top 100 Sects).]
Lu Fan let out a long breath.
"It seems… our next date will be somewhere extremely dangerous, Senior Sister."