209: A huge misunderstanding, a kind heart

The air was dead silent.

The mountain-like heavy pressure belonging to a Void Refining Realm expert had vanished without a trace.

As if it had never appeared.

Every wisp of twisted hot wind, every suspended speck of dust, returned to their original trajectories, yet due to this abrupt change, they seemed even more bizarre.

Elder Liu's murderous intent had completely faded from his face.

The greed that had almost materialized was extinguished instantly, as if doused with a bucket of ice water from head to toe.

In its place was a bone-deep fear.

A horror that made his Divine Soul tremble.

His steps towards Lin Fan had long since stopped.

Now, he stood frozen, looking at the young man who had sat up from the ground, his face still showing a hint of bewilderment and innocence.

There was no longer any cruelty in his hawk-like eyes, only unconcealable terror.

"Kid, your act was very good."

"Now, it's time for the curtain call."

"I can... give you a quick death."

The words he had just spoken echoed in his mind like a curse, over and over again.

Then, he had personally shattered Lin Fan's heart.

But why was he still alive?

Not only alive, but he had resurrected right in front of him.

Not only resurrected, but he had also casually used a bizarre method he couldn't comprehend to completely wipe Junior Brother Zhang, who was a hundred zhang away, from this world.

Now, he was asking him innocently if he had a nightmare.

Nightmare?

This was a million times more outrageous than the most terrifying nightmare!

Liu Qingqing was completely stunned.

Her tear stains were still wet as she stared blankly at the utterly absurd scene before her.

One second, Elder Liu was overwhelmingly powerful, intending to kill Lin Fan.

The next second, Lin Fan revived from death and counter-killed Senior Brother Zhang on the Flying Sword.

And now, Elder Liu stood there as if his bones had been removed, not even daring to breathe loudly.

She didn't understand.

She completely didn't understand what had happened.

Why would the Elder she respected most be so afraid of a Transformation Initial Stage Cultivator?

Just as Liu Qingqing's worldview was about to completely collapse.

Elder Liu moved.

His face, twisted and stiff from fear, twitched wildly, desperately squeezing.

Finally, a smile uglier than crying, filled with fawning and terror, was forcibly pulled from the corner of his mouth.

He took a deep breath, and that breath trembled.

Then, facing Lin Fan, from a distance of over ten zhang, he bowed deeply, deeply.

His waist was bent ninety degrees.

His posture was humble to the dust.

"Lin... Young Friend Lin!"

His voice, due to intense emotional fluctuations, became sharp and high-pitched, even carrying a hint of a sob.

"Misunderstanding! A huge misunderstanding!"

This shout made Liu Qingqing shiver.

Elder Liu, however, completely ignored her. He almost scrambled on all fours, quickly rushing to Lin Fan's side.

He didn't dare to get too close, stopping three zhang away, maintaining his bowed posture, not even daring to lift his head.

"This old man... this old man merely wanted to play a joke with Young Friend!"

"Yes! Just a joke! To test Young Friend's body-protecting Divine Ability!"

He explained incoherently, his voice thick with an undeniable fawning tone.

"I never, never expected that Young Friend's Sect Legacy would be so earth-shattering, so unfathomable!"

"It has truly... truly opened this old man's eyes! I admire you! I admire you wholeheartedly!"

As he spoke, he frantically started overthinking.

Loose Cultivator?

What kind of Loose Cultivator?! This was clearly a major figure from some reclusive Holy Land, or even from the Upper Realm, disguised to experience the Mortal World!

Every item on him was an unimaginable treasure.

That shield was not some "Substitute Death Green Wood Shield" at all, but a triggered defensive Immortal Artifact!

Chen Hu's death wasn't from poison, but from touching some Restriction on this great figure, incurring heavenly wrath!

He had killed him once, triggering that terrifying counterattack, which was why Junior Brother Zhang died!

That was Karma-based obliteration!

If he were to strike again... Thinking of this, Elder Liu's back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.

The next one to die would definitely be him!

He had poked a huge hornet's nest!

He must make amends!

At all costs, he must rectify this mistake and appease the wrath of this great figure and the terrifying existence behind him!

Lin Fan sat in the pile of rocks, continuing his act.

He looked at the Void Refining Elder, who was arrogant moments ago and now humble and subservient, and appropriately showed a look of "overwhelmed by favor" and "sadness" on his face.

His gaze passed Elder Liu and landed on the spot where the green light points had dissipated not far away.

That was where his "Master's relic" used to be.

He spoke softly, his voice carrying the weakness and confusion of surviving a disaster.

"Elder Liu, what... what are you doing?"

"This Junior is merely a Loose Cultivator, I cannot accept such a grand gesture."

The more "humble" he appeared, the more terrified Liu Kun became.

Listen!

Listen to that tone!

How was this humility? This was clearly a reminder to himself!

Reminding himself that he had shattered his "Master's relic," reminding himself that he had just tried to kill and seize treasure!

This was waiting for him to make a statement!

Liu Kun's heart trembled, and he bowed even lower.

"Young Friend, you overstate it! It is this old man who was blind, it is Cuiyun Sect who was blind!"

He gritted his teeth and completely cut off Chen Hu and Junior Brother Zhang.

"That beast Chen Hu had an evil heart, offended heavenly might, and deserved to die! After I return, I will certainly report to the Sect Master and expel all his direct relatives from the Sect!"

"Junior Brother Zhang... he was destined to be so! To be a sacrifice for Young Friend's supreme Divine Ability is his good fortune cultivated over eight lifetimes!"

These words were spoken with absolute resolve and extreme ruthlessness.

Not far away, Liu Qingqing's delicate body trembled violently, her face ashen.

She simply couldn't believe her ears.

Was this still the Elder Liu who was usually majestic and just, respected by all Disciples?

To curry favor with someone, he could actually say such heartless words.

Liu Kun, however, felt this was not enough.

He suddenly reached out, tore off the Storage Pouch from his waist, and holding it with both hands, respectfully offered it to Lin Fan.

"Young Friend, this old man was previously deluded and almost made a huge mistake."

"This is a little of this old man's lifelong savings. Although they are all worthless mundane items, please, Young Friend, be sure to accept them, as... as compensation for the loss of Young Friend's... that Sect heirloom!"

His tone was extremely sincere.

As if being able to exchange his Storage Pouch for Lin Fan's forgiveness was his greatest honor.

Lin Fan looked at the Storage Pouch, his heart already blooming with joy.

Faking an accident, eh?

Not only did he have to fake it, but he also had to make the other party voluntarily deliver the compensation.

This wave, not a loss.

But on his face, he still maintained a look of "alarmed and uneasy."

"This... how can this be?"

"Senior's generous gift, this Junior absolutely dare not accept."

As he spoke, he struggled to stand up from the ground, staggering slightly, as if his injuries had not yet healed.

Seeing him like this, Liu Kun's heart was in his throat.

Dare not accept?

Not daring to accept meant he thought it was too little! That he was still not satisfied!

It's over, the wrath of this great figure has not yet subsided.

Liu Kun was sweating profusely, his mind racing.

Right!

He must invite him back to the Sect!

Apologize with the entire Sect's resources!

Only then could he show his sincerity!

"Young Friend!"

Liu Kun's address had changed from "Young Friend" to "Your Excellency," with a hint of respect.

"If Your Excellency does not accept, then you are still unwilling to forgive my Cuiyun Sect's offense!"

With a "thud," he actually knelt down on one knee.

This startled not only Liu Qingqing but also Lin Fan.

This old man, his act was a bit over the top.

"My entire Cuiyun Sect sincerely repents!"

Liu Kun's voice was pleading.

"Please, Your Excellency, do us the honor of returning to Cuiyun Sect as a guest! This old man will certainly sweep the floor to welcome you, and offer all the best Immortal Caves and most generous resources within the Sect!"

"Only asking... only asking for Your Excellency's forgiveness!"

He raised his head, his eyes filled with hope and pleading.

He now completely regarded Lin Fan as a walking plague god, an Old Ancestor who must be served well and absolutely not offended.

He must invite him back and enshrine him.

Otherwise, who knew if the terrifying existence behind him would, in a fit of rage, directly wipe the entire Cuiyun Sect from the Spirit Realm.

Lin Fan looked at his appearance, then at Liu Qingqing, who was completely petrified and whose worldview was repeatedly reshaped, not far away.

He knew that the timing was about right.

Any more acting would be overdoing it.

He showed a look of difficulty on his face and pondered for a moment.

"Since... since Elder is so hospitable."

"Then this Junior... will respectfully obey rather than decline."

Hearing these words, Liu Kun felt as if he had received a great pardon.

He instantly relaxed, as if he had just been pulled out of water.

"Good, good, good! Excellent!"

He quickly scrambled to his feet, a trace of genuine joy finally appearing on his face.

"Young Friend, quickly! No! Your Excellency, quickly!"

He frantically waved his hand, and the door-panel Flying Sword immediately flew over.

He personally stepped forward, wiped the sword body again and again with his sleeve, and after ensuring it was spotless, he smiled broadly and made a "please" gesture towards Lin Fan.

His posture was so respectful, it wasn't like inviting someone onto a Flying Sword.

But like inviting his own Old Ancestor onto an altar.

Liu Qingqing stared blankly at all this.

Watching Lin Fan ascend the Flying Sword under Elder Liu's almost fawning escort.

Her mind was still a mess.

However, her gaze towards the white-robed young man had completely changed.

From initial gratitude and guilt, it had transformed into awe, curiosity, and a hint of... worship that she herself had not even noticed.