Chapter 657

Chapter 657: Invitation

“The key is if you merge your soul with the puppet core.”

“In the future, you might end up stuck at the Great Ascension stage.”

“With your talent, if you focus on understanding the Dao, you can go much further down this path,” Xu Fan advised.

Following Shadows remained silent for a long time, then slowly bowed to Xu Fan.

“I understand, Grand Elder.”

“Different paths lead to the same goal; in cultivation, you must avoid pride and impatience.”

Hearing Xu Fan’s words, Following Shadows bowed and took his leave.

Not long after, Wang Linger appeared next to Xu Fan.

“Uncle Xu, you didn’t agree to Following Shadows, did you?” Wang Linger asked, somewhat anxiously.

“Did you think I’d forget Linger after being in seclusion for 1,000 years?” Xu Fan said with a smile.

“Following Shadows has strong talent and shouldn’t be stuck at the Great Ascension stage.”

“Thank you, Uncle Xu, for persuading Following Shadows.”

Hearing Xu Fan’s words, Wang Linger sighed with relief.

At that moment, Xu Fan looked at Wang Linger with a smile.

“Do you want me to teach you a few tricks? After all this time, you haven’t even managed to win over a man, which honestly worries me a bit,” Xu Fan teased.

Wang Linger instantly blushed at Xu Fan’s words.

“Following Shadows is someone who seems cold but is warm inside; he’s let go of the past and is now completely focused on cultivation,” Wang Linger defended.

“But that’s 1,000 years,” Xu Fan continued.

“For someone as talented as Following Shadows, it’s normal to cultivate for 1,000 years,” Wang Linger replied.

“That’s 1,000 years.”

“Focusing on cultivation and battles, he has no time for romance…” Wang Linger’s tone softened.

Then she asked a bit dejectedly, “Uncle Xu, should I just give up?”

“Haha, don’t worry; just follow your heart.”

“Your efforts over these thousands of years will surely pay off.”

Hearing Xu Fan’s words, Wang Linger instantly became excited and wrapped her arm around Xu Fan’s.

“Uncle Xu, is what you said true?” Wang Linger asked eagerly.

“Whether it’s true or not, just act according to your heart.”

Wang Linger, after a thousand years, was as happy as a young girl, soaring into the sky with a heart-shaped trajectory.

“The matter of love is truly hard to grasp,” Xu Fan said.

Above the Ten Thousand-Mile Giant Lake, Wang Yulun and his family of three were fishing.

A spirit turtle with a red turtle shell carried Wang Yulun, Murong Qianer, and Xing.

A person was quietly fishing with a fishing rod.

The chubby Xing also held a specially made small fishing rod to fish.

While fishing, he kept stuffing fish food into his mouth.

Xu Fan saw this heartwarming scene and curled his lips.

He knew he had lost a fishing companion.

“Sigh.”

After sighing, Xu Fan found a spot where they couldn’t see him and started fishing.

Just as Xu Fan got into the rhythm, he suddenly felt something unusual beside him.

Turning his head, he saw Xing sitting next to him.

“Why aren’t you with your godfather?” Xu Fan asked, looking at the chubby little face and almost reaching out to pat it.

But he pulled his hand back halfway.

“Godfather and godmother are so lovey-dovey that they don’t have time for me anymore.”

“Especially their sweet talk; I can’t even stand it,” Xing pouted.

“How old are you, Xing?” Xu Fan suddenly asked curiously.

“I’m not sure~” Xing thought for a moment and replied.

“My mother told me in my dreams that I haven’t reached one era yet.” Then Xing added, “One era~”

Indeed, as an ancient creature, even their lifespan is measured in eras.

Xu Fan glanced at Xing beside him and casually waved his hand.

A giant squid emerged from the water, and its ten tentacles were severed at the base.

After cleaning, marinating, and brushing with sauce, he grilled it over spirit fire.

Soon, a large plate of charcoal-grilled squid tentacles appeared beside Xing.

Xing’s small hand grabbed a tentacle that was ten zhang long and started munching on it.

“Thank you, Uncle Xu,” Xing said, squinting her little eyes with a look of pure delight.

“No need to be so polite with Uncle Xu,” Xu Fan said warmly.

As long as someone’s mind is sound, who wouldn’t treat Xing like a little treasure?

At that moment, a beam of light streaked across the distance.

“Your godmother has left; you can go back and let your dad fish,” Xu Fan said with a smile.

Xing nodded, holding the giant plate of squid tentacles, and instantly vanished before Xu Fan.

“……”

Xu Fan began to ponder a serious question: is the gap between normal people and protagonists really this huge?

“Master, Ning Dao is here,” Grape’s voice rang out.

“Call him here; it’s been a long time since I last saw Brother Ning.”

Not long after, Ning Dao appeared before Xu Fan.

By now, Ning Dao had already advanced to the Great Ascension Master.

“Brother Ning, it’s been a while,” Xu Fan greeted with a smile.

“When the Grand Elder came out of seclusion, I was at the Elder Council headquarters. As soon as I returned, I came to see you.”

“I haven’t congratulated you yet on becoming a Great Ascension Master.”

“What’s there to congratulate? My advancement to the Great Ascension stage is all thanks to the Grand Elder,” Ning Dao said with a smile.

During his Overcoming Tribulations stage, Ning Dao had been in seclusion at the Hidden Spirit Sect.

Avatar Number Two had set up a grand formation to withstand the thunder calamity, while also absorbing a significant amount of energy.

“Brother Ning has great talent; you would’ve made it through the Overcoming Tribulations stage with or without us,” Xu Fan said.

“Don’t flatter me, Grand Elder. I know my own limits.”

“I’m here this time on behalf of the Elder Council headquarters.”

“They’ve specially invited the Grand Elder to visit the Elder Council headquarters, saying they have a request for you,” Ning Dao explained.

“The Elder Council headquarters?” Xu Fan asked, puzzled.

“Before I left, I met with Elder Number One, who personally asked me to deliver this message to you.”

“Elder Number One!” Xu Fan exclaimed, understanding the weight of that title.

This was the battle template of the entire cultivation world.

“Do you know what it’s about?” Xu Fan asked.

“I’m not sure, but it’s likely related to your status as an artifact great master.”

“When do we leave?”

“The sooner, the better. We can teleport directly to Upper Zun Fairy City through the teleportation formation in Lin Sen Fairy City, and then head to the Elder Council headquarters.”

“Alright, I’ll prepare and we’ll leave for the Elder Council headquarters tomorrow,” Xu Fan said, glancing at the setting sun.

He wasn’t fond of traveling in the afternoon.

“Understood. I’ll wait for you in Lin Sen Fairy City.”

In the underground space, Xu Fan turned to Avatar Number One, who was busy crafting an artifact, and said, “I’m heading to the Elder Council headquarters tomorrow. Do you want to go to Upper Zun Fairy City to catch up with your elder brother?”

“Sure, it’s been a while since I last spoke with him,” Avatar Number One replied.

“But why are you going to the Elder Council headquarters?”

“I’ve been invited by Elder Number One. I’m not sure what it’s about, but I’ll find out when I get there,” Xu Fan said.

“An invitation from the battle template of the cultivation world? It sounds like a trip worth making. There might be some unexpected benefits.”

“Are you planning to transfer your essence to Avatar Number Two this time?”

“Of course. Safety comes first in everything.”

“As long as I’m here, you’ll be fine,” Xu Fan said matter-of-factly.