Chapter 282
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Chapter 282: The Talent of the Cloud Flower Deer
“Right now, Xiong Li isn’t in any immediate danger. The one sent to chase him is Zhuang Ling’s sister.”
“She’s fought him a few times, but her goal is just to bring Xiong Li back to the Joyful Union Sacred Land,” Grape added.
“What’s Zhuang Ling’s sister’s cultivation level?” Xu Fan asked.
“Nascent Soul Stage. She’s the top genius of the Joyful Union Sacred Land.”
Hearing she was only at the Nascent Soul Stage, Xu Fan felt relieved.
“Increase the guard around Xiong Li. As long as they can save him at critical moments, that’s enough,” Xu Fan instructed.
“Understood.”
Three days later, when Zhang Xueling stepped out of the Mystical World, the first thing he said to the puppet was,
“Can I go back in for another two years?”
The longing in his tone completely changed Xu Fan’s view of this disciple.
In a lakeside pavilion on Hidden Spirit Island, Xu Fan looked at Zhang Xueling and asked, “You spent twenty-four years in the Mystical World, comprehending the Dao and practicing techniques. Did you really not feel even a hint of impatience?”
“Not a bit. That place is my greatest desire. I want to spend all my lives there, comprehending the Dao and practicing techniques,” Zhang Xueling said, his eyes filled with a zeal that reminded Xu Fan of a devout believer gazing upon their Divine Nation.
A teacher appreciates a student who loves learning, but Zhang Xueling had clearly taken it to an extreme.
“You can’t go back to the Mystical World. From now on, you’ll stay in the sect’s Sutra Pavilion. You’re free to study any techniques and methods there,” Xu Fan said.
Maintaining the Mystical World requires time-space sand, and it wasn’t that Xu Fan was stingy with it. He was worried Zhang Xueling might lose track of time and suffer from the side effects of being in a place with a different flow of time.
Frequent exposure to such environments can lead to serious consequences.
This was based on Xu Fan’s own experience when he exploited the time chamber’s loophole.
“Thank you, Grand Elder,” Zhang Xueling bowed, his expression calm, but Xu Fan noticed a flicker of regret in his eyes.
“Go on. Don’t just focus on comprehending the Dao and practicing techniques. Make sure to step out and take breaks when you can.”
“I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Grand Elder.”
With that, Zhang Xueling respectfully took his leave.
After their conversation, Xu Fan turned his gaze to the surface of the Ten Thousand-Mile Giant Lake.
“Grape, how long has Xiong Li been out exploring?” Xu Fan asked.
“Eight years and seven months.”
“Finally, it feels like time is flying by,” Xu Fan said with a smile.
“How’s the Iron Mischief Monkey base in the Demon Spirit Realm coming along?”
“The infrastructure and puppet production line are complete. We’re now looking for suitable trade partners.”
“We’ve already identified a newly established Tree Fox clan.”
“Good. Keep things moving forward.”
“When trading, prioritize spirit stones,” Xu Fan added.
Since he didn’t have to manage it personally, he was content to let it run its course. The only thing Xu Fan cared about was when those resources would start flowing back to him. Lately, he’d been feeling the pinch.
“Grape understands.”
As Xu Fan sipped tea and gazed at the lake from the pavilion, the Tianji Turtle slowly crawled by, its eyes filled with a hint of melancholy.
“Don’t leave! Come over and chat for a bit,” Xu Fan called out to the Tianji Turtle.
Hearing Xu Fan’s words, the Tianji Turtle slowly made its way up to the pavilion, joining Xu Fan to watch the lake.
‘Uuuu~~~’
The Tianji Turtle let out a low hum, and Xu Fan immediately grasped its meaning.
“You’re saying the sect’s fortune is barely enough to suppress those six Dragon Eggs, but to hatch and raise them, we’ll need more auspicious beasts or treasures to stabilize the sect’s fortune.”
A flicker of concern crossed Xu Fan’s eyes. He recalled recently taking in a protagonist grandson—could that be the reason for this?
“U-la-la~~~”
“How could I possibly return the Dragon Eggs to the Endless Sea? Do you know how much our sect has suffered to get them?” Xu Fan said, his tone tinged with frustration as he addressed the Tianji Turtle.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let others reap the benefits of our hard work,” Xu Fan reassured, giving the Tianji Turtle’s shell a gentle pat.
Just then, three little deer darted past the pavilion.
“Come here~”
A hand formed of spiritual energy reached out and scooped up the three little deer, bringing them to Xu Fan’s side.
“Fire Spirit Deer, Little Flower Deer, where did you bring these from?” Xu Fan asked sternly.
The Cloud Flower Deer lifted its head proudly, as if expecting praise from Xu Fan.
“Ying-ying~~”
“Where’s the volcano you mentioned? Little Flower Deer, if you’re lying to me, you’re in big trouble,” Xu Fan said, his expression darkening.
Xu Fan wasn’t worried about having more auspicious beasts in the sect. What concerned him was the mark of another sect on the neck of one of these beasts.
With a wave of his hand, the fire jade pendant on the Fire Spirit Deer’s neck appeared in his palm.
“Flame Mountain Sect,” Xu Fan muttered, his brow furrowed.
The Flame Mountain Sect was a neutral sect located within the territory controlled by the Demon Sect. Xu Fan saw them as the type to avoid trouble—but if provoked, they’d fight to the death.
“Little Flower Deer, can you return this Fire Spirit Deer?” Xu Fan asked.
“Ying-ying~~”
“You can bring them here, but you don’t know how to send them back?” Xu Fan said, his frown deepening.
Little Flower Deer nodded, then vanished from sight.
Not long after, a small, jade-white elephant appeared, led by Little Flower Deer.
“White Spirit Elephant!” Xu Fan exclaimed. This was clearly a spirit beast from the Demon Sect.
“Ying-ying~~”
“Alright, I get it. Just don’t bring any more back,” Xu Fan said, rubbing his temples.
“Woo~~”
At this, the Tianji Turtle seemed to chuckle.
“This is already too much trouble. It’s only getting worse,” Xu Fan said, glaring at the Cloud Flower Deer. He felt that if things got any more chaotic, he might just stew Little Flower Deer to vent his frustration.
Meanwhile, the entire Flame Mountain Sect was mobilizing to search for the little deer born from their treasured auspicious beast. The same was happening in the Demon Sect.
Xu Fan felt two thick strands of karmic threads closing in on him.
“Looks like I’ll have to take some measures,” Xu Fan said through gritted teeth.
A Five-Spirit Enlightened Monkey appeared above the Hidden Spirit Sect, its hands forming intricate seals. A blue light of spiritual energy began to envelop the sect.
Xu Fan pricked his fingertip, drawing a drop of blood, which he then shot toward the blue light above the Hidden Spirit Sect.
Streaks of crimson light intertwined with the blue glow.
Once the blue light had swept over the entire Hidden Spirit Sect, Xu Fan felt the two karmic threads carrying detection powers dissipate. He finally let out a sigh of relief.
“Good at nothing but causing trouble,” Xu Fan muttered, shooting a glare at the Cloud Flower Deer.
“Alright, go play with your friends now,” Xu Fan said. He had long known about the Cloud Flower Deer’s peculiar talent. He’d thought having a child bride would be enough, but it seemed this one was never satisfied.
Xu Fan crushed the fire jade in his hand, reducing it to ashes with spirit fire to ensure no one could trace it back to him.
“Old Turtle, how did Little Flower Deer manage to bring you here in the first place?” Xu Fan asked curiously.
“Woo~~”
“From the Elder Council’s Heavenly River Spirit Pool!”
Xu Fan was utterly stunned.
