Chapter 728
by fanqienovelChapter 728: Retreat
Xu Fan snapped his fingers, and the purple flames slipped into another space crack.
“Using such a basic locking method, especially from someone at the top of the demon race, really doesn’t do you any favors,” Xu Fan remarked.
Hearing this, the Purple Jade Flood Dragon chuckled.
“Did you really think my life-or-death divine technique would be so easy to dodge?”
The area locked by the Purple Jade Flood Dragon was now completely shattered, leaving both Xu Fan and the dragon stranded among the space cracks.
A small flame ignited in Xu Fan’s heart, growing stronger until it engulfed his entire body.
As the flames consumed him, another Xu Fan emerged from the void.
“You might have misunderstood what I meant by ‘basic.’”
Xu Fan raised his hand slightly, and a purple lotus blossomed in his palm.
In an instant, the shattered area was transformed into a serene landscape filled with birdsong and floral scents.
The Purple Jade Flood Dragon, now horrified, realized its powers had been completely sealed.
“What do you think of my Return to Ordinary Void Technique?” Xu Fan asked with a smirk.
He approached the sealed dragon, yanked hard, and a purple Dragon Scale appeared in his hand.
“Human grandmaster, I admit I underestimated you this time. Next time we meet, I won’t hold back,” the Purple Jade Flood Dragon said before disappearing.
Xu Fan returned to the real world, where the shattered space had been restored. Aside from the ruins on the ground, it was as if nothing had happened.
“No wonder it felt so weak—its true form never showed up. This just got more interesting.”
“Seems like Little Loach is a bit tougher than I thought,” Xu Fan mused as he stepped through the Void Teleportation Portal back to Hidden Spirit Island.
On the main peak, the people and beast race were still deep in meditation, their faces still glowing with the same rapture as when Xu Fan had left.
“I might’ve overdone it. They won’t wake up for at least a year.”
“Grapes, make sure the spiritual energy here is abundant. Open the five elemental origins and add a touch of celestial energy,” Xu Fan instructed.
“Understood, master.”
In the underground space, First Clone and Second Clone glared at Xu Fan with resentment.
“Ten years turned into two months—can’t you act like a decent person for once?”
“Now that you’ve reached the Great Ascension stage, why not keep the origins for yourself? Why share them with us?” Second Clone snapped.
“He just hates seeing us idle. While we were gone, he’s been itching to work us to the bone,” First Clone added.
“I’m just trying to help you recover faster! You’re treating my kindness like it’s worthless,” Xu Fan said, rolling his eyes.
“Nonsense. You just want us back to work sooner,” Second Clone shot back.
“Isn’t work what we’re here for? Everyone has a purpose in life,” Xu Fan said matter-of-factly.
“So our purpose is to work?”
“Of course not! Your purpose is to master the wide road of artifact crafting and create the most powerful celestial tools in the Thousand Worlds,” Xu Fan declared, trying to inspire them with his grand vision.
Second Clone rolled his eyes at Xu Fan, showing his disdain.
“Just kidding. I’ve already reached the Great Ascension stage; in this cultivation world, I’m practically unbeatable. A little more training, and I’ll be invincible here.”
“Your main task is to turn the entire Hidden Spirit Island into a set of celestial tools before we ascend,” Xu Fan said with a smile.
Honestly, Second Clone had been with him for years. They might bicker when busy, but they never slacked off, always doing their work well.
Xu Fan teased them just to relive old times, not to give them more work.
“That makes sense,” Avatar Number One nodded.
“But now that you’re at the Great Ascension stage, you need some impressive celestial tools. Basic ones don’t suit your status anymore.”
“Gather some high-quality celestial tool-level spirit ore, and I’ll help you craft a few,” Avatar Number Two said.
“Got it, I’ll have Pang Fu look for more of this spirit ore,” Xu Fan said with a smile.
Xu Fan knew how to handle Avatar Number One and Avatar Number Two well.
……
In Small Sword Fairy City, Xu Fan strolled through the busiest street.
It felt refreshing, like a city person stepping into a country market.
He watched a Qi Training stage cultivator haggle with a shopkeeper over a Spirit Iron Sword all morning.
“Is 150 spirit stones really not enough?” the young cultivator pleaded, looking sincere, as if his life depended on that sword and he only had 150 spirit stones.
The shopkeeper, clearly annoyed, held up the magical spirit sword.
“I’ll give you this sword, but tell me, where did you get the nerve to drop the price from 1,000 to 150 spirit stones?” the shopkeeper fumed.
“Because that’s all I can afford.”
“And from the moment I saw this sword, I knew I couldn’t live without it,” the young cultivator said, reaching for the Spirit Iron Sword as if it was already his.
The shopkeeper slapped his hand away.
“Shopkeeper, you said you’d give it to me,” the young cultivator said, acting like the sword was his.
“Nothing’s free. Agree to my condition first, and then I’ll give it to you,” the shopkeeper said.
“Shopkeeper, whatever you say, I’ll brave any danger!” the young cultivator said boldly.
The shopkeeper pointed across the street. “The association has a Spirit-Collecting Gourd for 5,000 spirit stones. Go negotiate it down to 750, and the sword is yours.”
“Shopkeeper, that’s impossible!”
“Only a fool would take that deal,” the young cultivator said.
The shopkeeper’s eyes turned cold, and a hint of murderous intent leaked out.
Feeling the tension, the young cultivator quickly said, “Shopkeeper, I just remembered something. I’ll come back tomorrow.”
With that, he dashed out of the association.
Only then did the shopkeeper notice Xu Fan.
“Elder, what can I get for you?” the shopkeeper asked.
“Just show me some of your specialty magical tools,” Xu Fan said casually.
After watching the scene, it felt wrong not to buy something.
Xu Fan bought a few mysterious magical tools and continued wandering the lively street.