14: Willing to be a pawn

Hongtian Holy Land, Inner Sect.

The courtyard with the thinnest Spiritual Qi and most secluded location in the entire Inner Sect.

Lin Fan sat cross-legged on the damp bedboard, his face so gloomy it looked like water could drip from it.

Ever since returning from Dragon-Severing Cliff, he had become the laughingstock of the entire Inner Sect.

He had trespassed into the Forbidden Ground at night, been severely injured, and his Cultivation had regressed.

Everyone said he didn't know his place and brought humiliation upon himself.

Walking on the road, some Disciples who used to greet him with smiles now looked at him with disdain and mockery.

“Jiang Chen!”

Lin Fan punched the wall, drawing a trace of blood.

That handsome yet mocking face was like a nightmare, tormenting him day and night.

It was Jiang Chen who had stolen the Opportunity that should have been his, crushing all his dignity and hope.

This resentment, this towering hatred, gnawed at his heart and sanity every moment.

“Calm down, kid!” The old man's voice, tinged with weakness, rang out from the ring, “Your mental state is unstable right now; if you force yourself to Cultivate, you’ll only suffer Qi Deviation.”

“Calm down? Teacher, how can you tell me to calm down!” Lin Fan roared, “Everything I had was destroyed by him! I’m almost back to being that good-for-nothing I once was!”

“That Jiang Chen is cunning and ruthless, definitely not someone to trifle with. We… we should plan for the long term.” The old man also felt a bit disheartened.

He had witnessed Jiang Chen's terror and, even more so, the power of that mysterious black-robed person.

He knew that, in their current state, seeking revenge was nothing short of a fool's dream.

“Plan for the long term? Am I just supposed to be a coward for the rest of my life?!” Lin Fan roared unwillingly.

Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open with a creak.

A Disciple in an attendant's uniform walked in, a fake smile on his face.

“You must be Junior Brother Lin Fan, right?”

Lin Fan looked at him warily: “Who are you? What do you want with me?”

The attendant Disciple didn't mind his attitude, merely smiling, “Senior Brother Xu Ying wants to see you; please come with me.”

Xu Ying?

Xu Ying, one of the True Disciples?

Lin Fan's heart jolted; how could such an important figure seek him out?

“Be careful, kid; this person is probably up to no good.” The old man warned him mentally.

Thoughts raced through Lin Fan's mind, but in the end, he nodded.

He had nothing left now, so what was there to be afraid of?

Following the attendant Disciple, Lin Fan traversed most of the Inner Sect and arrived before a magnificent palace.

The palace's luxury, in stark contrast to his dilapidated courtyard, stung Lin Fan's heart once more.

Entering the grand hall, he saw the legendary figure.

Xu Ying was sitting in the main seat, smiling as he looked at him.

“Junior Brother Lin Fan, no need for formalities, sit.” Xu Ying's voice was gentle, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

Lin Fan did not sit, merely bowing and saying, “May I ask Senior Brother Xu what your instructions are for seeking me out?”

“I wouldn't dare give instructions.” Xu Ying waved his hand, “I merely heard about Junior Brother's experience at the assessment grounds and felt quite indignant, so I specifically sought Junior Brother out for a chat.”

He stood up, walked in front of Lin Fan, and patted his shoulder.

“Jiang Chen, relying on being the Saint's son, has always acted domineeringly, oppressing fellow Disciples.”

“He made Junior Brother suffer.”

These words were like a warm current, instantly striking the softest spot in Lin Fan's heart.

Since entering the Inner Sect, all he had heard was mockery and disdain; when had anyone ever said such words to him?

Lin Fan's eyes instantly turned red, wishing he could fiercely hug Xu Ying right now, then cry his heart out and tell him about the difficulties he had faced over the years.

“Senior Brother Xu…”

“We Cultivators, fighting against heaven and earth, seek nothing more than a clear Dao Heart.” Xu Ying watched Lin Fan's reaction, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening, “Jiang Chen humiliated you, destroyed your Dao Heart. This enmity, this profound hatred, does Junior Brother intend to let it go just like that?”

“To just swallow your anger and move on?”

“Of course, I don't!” Lin Fan blurted out, his voice trembling with excitement, “But I… I am not his opponent.”

“You alone are naturally not his opponent.”

“But what if you add me?” Xu Ying's voice carried a hint of temptation, guiding Lin Fan.

He flipped his palm, and a jade bottle appeared in his hand.

“This is a nine revolutions yang returning pill. Not only can it completely heal your injuries and restore your Cultivation to its Peak, but it can also help your Cultivation advance further.”

Lin Fan looked at the jade bottle in Xu Ying's hand, his breathing instantly becoming rapid.

nine revolutions yang returning pill!

That was a legendary Medicinal Pill, worth a fortune!

“Senior Brother Xu, you…”

Lin Fan spoke tremblingly, but Xu Ying smiled and interrupted him.

“Three months from now is the Holy Land Grand Competition.” Xu Ying tucked the jade bottle into Lin Fan's hand, “Although Jiang Chen is currently at the Seventh Realm, his Foundation is unstable; he must have used some secret method to forcibly increase it. At the Grand Competition, you and I will join forces. You will go first to deplete his strength.”

“If you can defeat him, that would be best, but if Junior Brother Lin Fan falls short by a move, I can also defeat him in one fell swoop when he is exhausted!”

“By then, Junior Brother Lin Fan, you will redeem yourself, and I will win the Saint position. That Jiang Chen will become the laughingstock of the entire Eastern Region!”

The picture Xu Ying painted made Lin Fan's heart pound.

“Kid, don't agree to him! He's using you!” The old man frantically shouted in the ring.

Lin Fan's body trembled slightly.

Of course, he knew Xu Ying was using him.

However, this was his only Opportunity!

The thought of personally witnessing Jiang Chen being trampled underfoot, the thought of returning the humiliation he had suffered a thousandfold, completely consumed his sanity with frenzied hatred.

“Good!” Lin Fan raised his head, a mad glint flashing in his bloodshot eyes, “I agree!”

“As long as Jiang Chen can be disgraced, I, Lin Fan, am willing to serve Senior Brother as a loyal subordinate!”

“Good! Good! Good!” Xu Ying laughed heartily, patting Lin Fan heavily on the shoulder, “Junior Brother truly is a man of passion! Don't worry, after it's done, I will certainly not treat you unfairly!”

Lin Fan took the nine revolutions yang returning pill and turned to leave Xu Ying's palace.

Returning to his dilapidated small room, he swallowed the Medicinal Pill without hesitation.

Boom!

A massive surge of medicinal power exploded within his body!

His damaged Meridians were rapidly repaired, his dry Dantian was refilled, and his Cultivation began to climb steadily.

Fifth Realm Core Formation Early Stage… Middle Stage… Late Stage… Peak… Sixth Realm Nascent Soul Early Stage!

In just half an hour, his Cultivation not only fully recovered but even became stronger than before!

Power returned to his body.

Lin Fan felt the Spiritual Qi surging within him, a smile appearing on his face.

“Jiang Chen, just you wait!”

“The Holy Land Grand Competition will be your death day!”