Chapter 92: Minor Blessed Land

When Ye Xiaoshu learned about his situation from Lin Fanyun, he was utterly shocked.

He was a child of fortune? He had always known his luck was exceptionally strong, but he never imagined his identity would be so extraordinary.

His originally cautious heart began to swell with pride.

But seeing Lin Fanyun’s indifferent expression, he felt a chill. Lin Fanyun clearly did not place much importance on the status of a child of fortune. He instantly realized that while being a child of fortune might be significant, it might not be so useful in the face of true strength.

In an instant, the words “obedient and sensible” reappeared on his face, and his cautious nature dispelled any swelling pride.

Lin Fanyun nodded secretly, admiring his temperament.

Being a child of fortune from a blessed land was not the same as being a child of fortune from the Great Wilderness.

Besides, being a child of fortune was just that. Before it manifested as real strength, it was best not to be too presumptuous.

He took out a thin book and handed it to Ye Xiaoshu.

“Take this and study it. It’s not difficult, but you only have at most half a month. When we go to your homeland, we’ll inevitably encounter Law Manifestation stage experts from the ten major sects. If you haven’t mastered this martial technique by then, I may not be able to protect you.”

Ye Xiaoshu accepted the book with a serious expression.

He understood the gravity of the situation. With this martial technique in hand, he began to practice diligently, even to the point of exhaustion. His eyes ringed with dark circles by the time he had barely grasped the basics.

Fortunately, that was enough. It allowed him to conceal his extraordinary aura.

Half a month later, the rock-solid fortune above Ye Xiaoshu’s head was hidden. Unless someone had the appropriate techniques or specifically focused their attention, it was hard to detect.

The divine light emanating from his innate divine ability was also retracted into his body.

Thanks to the booklet Lin Fanyun had given him, Ye Xiaoshu even gained some control over his ability to foresee calamities and blessings.

“What a formidable talent!” Lin Fanyun marveled.

He thought this talent was even slightly better than Li Zhi’s before she apprenticed to his true self.

The reason it was before was that after becoming his disciple, Li Zhi had consumed numerous rare treasures, read countless martial arts manuals and classical texts, gained wisdom, and tempered her mind through various experiences. Her talent had greatly increased, far surpassing the ordinary.

Otherwise, Li Zhi wouldn’t have had the ability to follow Zhang Shen’s path of enlightenment.

Outside the Luofeng Sect, Lin Fanyun, Ye Xiaoshu, and Wang Luo watched as Grand Elder Huang Luo led a group away. This aging Law Manifestation expert was making a final effort for his sect.

Ye Xiaoshu glanced surreptitiously at Wang Luo. 

When Lin Fanyun had shown his deep knowledge of the ascenders’ situation, Ye Xiaoshu suspected that Lin Fanyun had an ascender in his grasp. But he hadn’t expected it to be Wang Luo.

And judging by Wang Luo’s demeanor, following Lin Fanyun’s lead so closely.

He couldn’t help but secretly ridicule. No wonder he was the top expert back home—he defected faster than anyone else!

Wang Luo noticed Ye Xiaoshu’s gaze but pretended not to see it.

What could he do? With his soul held in Lin Fanyun’s grasp, should he refuse to submit and wait for death? He wasn’t ready to die yet.

“Let’s go.” Lin Fanyun waved his hand, lifting the two of them into the air as they flew toward Mount Wanqiu.

That area had long been sealed off by the ten major factions, preventing outsiders from approaching. The exact location of the spatial passage had also been found by the ten major factions and was still constantly moving.

In about three months, it would move from the True Martial Continent to the Sea of Mist.

This meant that the ten major factions only had ten months to plunder.

“According to the agreement, our factions can only plunder within their designated areas and must not interfere in others’ territories. Any violation will be met with force.”

Among the ten major factions, there were strong and weak ones. If looting were done without rules, it would be too dangerous for the weaker factions.

Weaker factions like the Luofeng Sect had subtly formed alliances to guard against the stronger factions.

The ten major factions entered the spatial passage one after another. They sent not only their Law Manifestation elders but also some True Core and Innate experts. Relying solely on the Law Manifestation elders would be too slow. More people meant a more thorough harvest.

Following them were the two Law Manifestation rogue cultivators. These two entered alone, relying on their own abilities to claim as much as they could.

However, the True Core experts of the ten major factions left outside didn’t notice three people brazenly walking in front of them.

Ye Xiaoshu and Wang Luo followed behind Lin Fanyun. They were striding confidently. Yet those around them acted as if they were invisible.

This deepened Ye Xiaoshu and Wang Luo’s understanding of Lin Fanyun’s capabilities.

With such stealth, they could truly act with impunity.

Originally, Lin Fanyun planned to wait a bit longer to see if the peculiar Li Donglai would show up. But after a moment’s thought, he decided against it. He had a premonition that Li Donglai was already waiting behind the spatial passage.

***

In the spatial passage.

Lin Fanyun suddenly said, “Don’t stray too far from me. If you get lost in this space, I won’t be able to save you.”

Ye Xiaoshu and Wang Luo were puzzled. What did he mean?

Lin Fanyun produced a jewel, which faintly emitted spatial energy.

Lin Fanyun’s current cultivation hadn’t yet reached the level to control spatial power. But he had acquired many treasures in the explored regions, including several spatial items.

No one knew what awaited behind the spatial passage. If the ten major factions and the two rogue cultivators hadn’t dispersed immediately upon arrival, he would expose himself by going in now.

Although he wasn’t afraid, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Lin Fanyun was confident in his modified flesh-concealing technique “Shadowless,” which he had developed from the Hidden God manual and other techniques. Still, he preferred not to test if any of the incomplete, diluted Law Manifestation cultivators could detect him.

The jewel radiated light, enveloping Lin Fanyun.

Ye Xiaoshu and Wang Luo quickly moved closer to Lin Fanyun, afraid the light wouldn’t cover them.

In a flash, they disappeared.

Moments later, the three of them found themselves under a blue sky with white clouds.

Ye Xiaoshu and Wang Luo felt dizzy, their flying unsteady.

Lin Fanyun, however, surveyed their surroundings, interpreting countless bits of information.

Those who cultivated their physical bodies had a harmony with nature far surpassing that of typical martial artists.

“A small blessed land, about the size of Blue Star, with black and white skies but no sun, moon, or stars. Rich in spiritual energy, with abundant life. But there’s a hidden sense of decay. It’s likely due to the lack of a strong figure in this blessed land to balance the various energies. This has resulted in the blessed land being somewhat smaller than a fully developed one.”

Lin Fanyun quickly discerned that this world was actually a small blessed land created by a Demi-God, not reaching the level of a True God’s blessed land.

With a casual wave, various spiritual energies converged before Lin Fanyun.

“Primarily earth-based spiritual energy, supplemented by others. Looks like it was created by a Demi-God who primarily cultivated earth-based techniques. But there’s a wide range of other spiritual energies present as well. Quite a comprehensive and well-rounded Demi-God.”

Lin Fanyun instantly deduced many things others wouldn’t know.

This was the advantage of complete inheritance combined with the benefits of physical cultivation.

“Ye Xiaoshu, identify where we are relative to your homeland. We’ll secure your loved ones first.”

There was no rush to explore the hidden land. With three months to spare, Lin Fanyun could afford to take his time.

Ye Xiaoshu nodded gratefully and began to identify their location to determine where his homeland was.

Wang Luo hesitated, then said, “Master, may I go ahead and arrange for my family first?”

Not just Ye Xiaoshu, Wang Luo also had relatives, and given his age, he had many more than Ye Xiaoshu.

Lin Fanyun looked at Wang Luo. “Thirty.”

“You can bring thirty people. I will provide shelter for them. No more, don’t bother me with it.”

Wang Luo was moved to tears.

Although he was forced to become Lin Fanyun’s subordinate and never had a chance to resist, Lin Fanyun’s willingness to protect his family meant a lot.

Being able to save thirty people was already enough. After all, even in a large family, thirty would include all his dearest ones.

As for other friends and acquaintances—well, they could be used as bargaining chips. Why bother with them?

“I’ll stay with Ye Xiaoshu for three days. Make sure to come back within that time,” Lin Fanyun estimated. 

In three days, the arrival of the True Martial Continent’s forces would profoundly affect the small blessed land.

Time was short, and the invaders wouldn’t act gently.

“If someone did set up a scheme to lure the ten major forces in, three days would be enough for them to expose themselves. Hopefully, it’s not what I think.”

***

In Wanxi County, Ye Sanlong, a servant of the Ye family, strutted down the street.

Peddlers, women, and children who saw him turned pale with fear.

He didn’t care at all, thoroughly enjoying this feeling of dominance. His gaze was lascivious and unrestrained, expressing his desire for a plump woman nearby.

However, it was broad daylight, so he restrained himself and merely sniffed the air, imagining he could smell her fragrance.

His mouth dry with thirst, he casually grabbed the crispiest fruit from a vendor and paired it with dumplings from a noodle stand.

“Old Xu, how much for these wontons?” 

Ye Sanlong picked his teeth while asking, but his eyes followed his target, memorizing her direction to visit her residence later that night.

Old Xu’s face turned pale, and he quickly waved his hands. “No, no, Master Ye, please enjoy. These are my treat.”

Ye Sanlong sneered, “How could that be? Am I the kind of person who eats for free?”

Saying this, he walked over to the cart, pulled open a wooden drawer, took out dozens of copper coins, and threw a few at Old Xu. 

“Remember, I, Ye Sanlong, never eat for free.”

With that, he swaggered away.

Ye Sanlong, basking in the glory brought by the Ye family, didn’t notice the angry pair of eyes watching him from the sky. Naturally, he couldn’t detect the hidden presence of Ye Xiaoshu and Lin Fanyun.

Ye Xiaoshu bowed with a bitter smile, “Senior, it’s my fault for not disciplining him well. Sorry for the disgrace.”

He felt deeply embarrassed, having just arrived home only to encounter such a scene.

“No matter,” Lin Fanyun waved it off. “In a large family, there will always be black sheep.”

Lin Fanyun knew Ye Xiaoshu’s rise from an ordinary, impoverished background. It was normal for a newly affluent family to be blinded by wealth and neglect discipline. Even the old, prestigious families had their share of such unruly servants. It was nothing unusual.

“As long as the overall family ethos is maintained, a periodic cleanup will suffice.”

Hearing this, Ye Xiaoshu felt relieved but also determined to rectify the family discipline immediately.

“The way they’re doing this shows a deep understanding of exploring hidden grounds.” Lin Fanyun nodded silently. Even without realizing the trap behind Dragon Cave Valley, these people still knew the principle of using cannon fodder to pave the way.

“Are you sure you won’t end up ensnaring yourselves with this method?”

Using cannon fodder is extremely effective under normal circumstances. But if you mix in something undesirable, like a child of destiny or a hidden mastermind, it could lead to devastating consequences. 

Think about it—how many people throughout history have used children of destiny as cannon fodder, only to end up gifting their opportunities to them? Afterward, they meet their demise, and the children of destiny take their spoils with tears in their eyes.

“So using cannon fodder is fine for lower-level martial artists, but for someone at the Law Manifestation stage, employing such a risky strategy?”

If it were Lin Fanyun, he would start with puppets and small spying tools. If that didn’t work, he’d flip the board—destroy the surrounding terrain and pulverize the entire Dragon Cave Valley. After all, it’s only the inheritance he wants. Blasting the area clean wouldn’t affect that. This way, no matter the schemes, they would be forced to confront him head-on, without any chance to catch him off guard.

With this in mind, Lin Fanyun discreetly took out a notebook and jotted down his thoughts. He wanted to avoid making the same mistake someday, using such a brainless approach to explore a demigod’s hidden ground.

Half a day later, the cannon fodder had safely ventured into the depths of Dragon Cave Valley. There, Law Manifestation-level spiritual herbs grew everywhere, rare spiritual fruits were scattered about, and a white jade palace stood majestically at the center. The words “Palace of All Things” were inscribed above the entrance. An ancient aura permeated the air, with traces of Daoist essence swirling around, so potent that even ordinary people would be entranced, lost in a dreamlike state.

Seeing this through the magical mirror, the many powerful individuals could no longer remain calm. In streaks of rainbow light, they urgently flew into Dragon Cave Valley.