At this moment, Yun Fan and Mu Qingxian had arrived at the heart of the Taigu ruins.
Before them stood a colossal tomb, beneath which, most likely, lay an underground palace.
This discovery was entirely beyond their expectations.
More importantly, Yun Fan found that these immortal curses were emanating from the underground palace.
For now, his Battle Heaven power could barely resist them.
"Land of Buried Immortals!"
Mu Qingxian read the inscription on the tombstone, then said to Yun Fan, "My lord, a truly formidable figure must be buried here!"
"Mm!"
Yun Fan replied, "Let's go in and take a look!"
"My lord, perhaps it's better not to risk it?"
Though everything was quiet here, Mu Qingxian sensed an indefinable danger.
She didn't mind much, as her days were numbered, but Yun Fan was different. He was of the Battle Heaven clan, with boundless potential. He was destined to stand at the pinnacle of the Great Thousand World. An accident now would be too great a loss, and she would be consumed by guilt.
"We've come this far, there's no reason not to go in. Don't overthink it, let's go!"
Yun Fan urged Mu Qingxian.
"Mm-hmm!"
They entered the tomb and found it to be a grand structure. The stone carvings, after countless years, remained lifelike. Upon closer inspection, one could detect traces of immortal energy within them. It was this immortal energy that preserved the carvings from decay over the eons.
During this time, Yun Fan examined the murals on the stone walls, which depicted the tomb owner's glorious deeds in life. It was said that he could destroy myriad worlds with a single sword, a testament to his immense power. He was likely a being far beyond the Saint Emperor level. As this was a Taigu ruin, the tomb owner likely lived during the Taigu Immortal Realm. In that realm, transcending the Saint Emperor was entirely possible.
As they ventured further, they came across a coffin. From within it, endless immortal curses emanated. All the immortal curses in this place originated from here.
Yun Fan immediately pushed the coffin open. Instantly, numerous immortal curses rained down upon him, as if trying to embed themselves within him. Sensing the terrifying nature of these curses, Yun Fan didn't hesitate to retaliate. However, the immortal curses were simply too potent. Even his Battle Heaven power found itself at a disadvantage, and he cried out in pain.
"My lord!"
Seeing this, Mu Qingxian panicked.
"Don't come closer!"
Yun Fan warned her. Mu Qingxian froze in fear.
"You want to corrupt me, to possess my body? Impossible!"
Yun Fan roared, unleashing his full Battle Heaven power to resist the curse. The power of the curse was formidable. Even his Devouring Flames could only ward off the physical corrosion, not shatter the curses. Yun Fan knew he was being suppressed by these curses, and if things continued, he would surely perish. He frantically sought a solution. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the corpse within the coffin. The immortal curses on the corpse were ten times more severe than his own, yet the corpse's residual power was immense. If he could absorb this power, he might be able to resist the immortal curses.
After careful consideration, Yun Fan began to devour the power. As the power flowed into him, his cultivation rapidly advanced. He broke through to the first realm of Saint Emperor. But this was not the end, as he had only absorbed less than a third of the corpse's power. Even with this breakthrough, he still couldn't fully resist the immortal curses, a bad omen. Yun Fan decided to continue absorbing.
Soon, he reached the second realm of Saint Emperor. This level of power was considerable, and he could now finally resist the immortal curses. Though he could potentially break through to the third realm, Yun Fan refrained. He knew that pushing further would lead to him exploding. It would be like trying to force growth, and breaking through to the third realm would strain his physique beyond its limits. He had no desire to risk that. Reaching the second realm was sufficient to withstand the immortal curses.
While barely resisting the curses, he discovered a unique power within the corpse that was also combating them. While not as effective as his Battle Heaven power, it could slow the curses' corrosive effects. This was precisely the kind of power Yun Fan needed. He extracted this power, recognizing it as unique. He calculated that if this power were infused into Mu Qingxian, it could extend her life by at least a thousand years. Of course, only a thousand years, as her strength was nowhere comparable to the tomb owner's.
After he stripped away this power, a divine thought emanated from the corpse. Even Yun Fan was startled.
"Help me!"
"Senior, how may I assist you?"
Yun Fan asked respectfully. The corpse spoke, "Burn me. I do not wish to suffer any longer!"
Yun Fan didn't immediately act but inquired, "Senior, where do these immortal curses originate?"
The reply came, "I do not know. I only know that after I broke through to Saint Venerable, I was infected!" He explained that he had spent his life searching for a cure but only found a power that could temporarily resist the corruption. In the end, he succumbed to the curse, sealing his body here to prevent its spread.
Hearing this, Yun Fan's expression changed. Even a Saint Venerable could not withstand it. This immortal curse was the most terrifying power he had ever encountered. After all, Saint Venerable was a level far above Saint Emperor. Following the collapse of the Taigu Immortal Realm, the Great Thousand World, though filled with powerful individuals, had no Saint Venerable experts. The Ziwei clan's cultivation of Zi Xuan was in hopes that she would one day reach Saint Venerable. But with the rules and power of the Great Thousand World, Saint Emperor was the ceiling, and reaching Saint Venerable was an almost impossible feat.
Yun Fan then asked, "Senior, why did the Taigu Immortal Realm collapse?"
"The Taigu Immortal Realm collapsed?"
The Saint Venerable was shocked. Although it was merely an imprint of his will, he hadn't expected this. He had passed away before the Taigu Immortal Realm fell.
"Mm-hmm!"
Yun Fan replied, "It collapsed countless years ago!"
"It seems it is related to this immortal curse!" the Saint Venerable sighed. "How terrifying this immortal curse is. I suffered greatly in life, and even in death, I cannot alter this situation, continuing to suffer!" He then expressed his curiosity about Yun Fan's ability to resist the curse, speaking with great excitement. However, Yun Fan remained wary, fearing that if the Saint Venerable had any ill intentions, even a mere remnant of his consciousness could overwhelm him and possess his body.
The Saint Venerable clearly sensed Yun Fan's apprehension and reassured him, "Young friend, please do not worry. I have been dead for an unknown age and no longer seek to cling to life. Moreover, this immortal curse has already corrupted my soul, so I will not harm you!" Yun Fan breathed a sigh of relief.
The Saint Venerable then urged, "Use your flames to burn my body. Otherwise, my corpse will cause an unimaginable catastrophe!" He knew that if the immortal curse continued to spread, it would infect others.
"Senior, I apologize!"
Yun Fan immediately unleashed his Devouring Flames, incinerating the corpse.
"Thank you!"
The Saint Venerable's consciousness faded into nothingness. Through that lingering thought, Yun Fan witnessed the man's story: a young prodigy who rose rapidly to the pinnacle, only to be struck by the immortal curse at his height, leading to his demise. Though his story wasn't one of grand heroism, it was profoundly tragic. Had he not been infected by the immortal curse, his tale would have been even more perfect.
Finally, the corpse was consumed by Yun Fan's Devouring Flames, and the spread of the immortal curse was halted. At that moment, Yun Fan's vision darkened, and he nearly collapsed.
"My lord!"
Mu Qingxian rushed to support him, her concern for Yun Fan genuine.
Yun Fan exclaimed excitedly, "Qingxian, I have a way to save you!"
"What?"
This reply caught Mu Qingxian by surprise.
Yun Fan explained, "I found a way from this senior. While it cannot completely resolve your immortal curse, it can temporarily suppress it for a thousand years. After a thousand years, even if I have to lay down my life, I will cure you!"
"That's enough, a thousand years is enough!"
Mu Qingxian wept. A thousand years was more than she had dared to hope for, and Yun Fan's unexpected gift brought her to tears. She resolved to have dozens of children with Yun Fan within those thousand years. However, upon further thought, she reconsidered. Her greatest fear was the immortal curse, and if it could be replicated in her children, it would be a torment. Thus, until she was certain the curse couldn't spread, she dared not even entertain the thought.
"Let's try!"
Yun Fan then took a portion of the extracted power and infused it into Mu Qingxian's body. It was not as potent as his Battle Heaven power, but when it entered Mu Qingxian, the immortal curse was suppressed. Though it was merely a temporary fix, it bought her a thousand years. A thousand years might seem fleeting, but for Yun Fan, it was ample time to accomplish many things. At his current growth rate, he was confident he could conquer the immortal curse within that millennium. However, the most crucial step before that would be to find the origin of the immortal curse. For now, that was unrealistic. He hadn't even fully grasped the Great Thousand World, let alone the Taigu Immortal Realm. He wasn't unwilling to give all his power to Mu Qingxian; it was simply that her physique couldn't withstand so much power. Moreover, even more power would eventually be corroded by the immortal curse. For now, this was the best solution. Delaying it by a thousand years far exceeded his expectations.
After paying their respects to the deceased Saint Venerable with Mu Qingxian, they prepared to leave. Although the immortal curse had ceased to spread, those already infected had become sacrifices. The immortal curse would not simply disappear with the Saint Venerable's death. Those infected had no hope of recovery. However, this was no longer Yun Fan's concern. The Great Thousand World was merely a fleeting stop; his true home was the universe.
Once Mu Qingxian was completely safe, they departed. Not long after leaving, they encountered Zi Xuan, who had fainted.
"My lord, what happened to her?" Mu Qingxian asked.
"Perhaps she's faking unconsciousness to set a trap for me!" Yun Fan surmised.
But Mu Qingxian said, "I sense she is extremely weak. Why don't we go and see?"
Yun Fan had initially been reluctant, but unable to refuse Mu Qingxian's plea, he approached. Upon turning Zi Xuan over, both Yun Fan and Mu Qingxian were horrified. Zi Xuan was bleeding from all seven orifices, on the verge of death.
"She's been corroded by the immortal curse!" Yun Fan stated directly. "I warned her to leave, but she wouldn't listen. She's finished!"
Hearing this, Mu Qingxian's expression changed. She hadn't realized the immortal curse here was so potent that even Zi Xuan couldn't hold on for long. She asked Yun Fan, "My lord, what do we do now?"
"What else can we do?" Yun Fan replied decisively. "I think we should just dig a hole and bury her!"
Mu Qingxian was speechless and pleaded, "My lord, please save her life!"
"Why?" Yun Fan inquired, knowing Mu Qingxian was no saint. Why would she make such a decision?
Mu Qingxian explained, "Because she is your woman, and my sister. I don't want to see my sister perish!"
"But she tried to kill me!" Yun Fan said, exasperated. If not for his abilities and Mu Qingxian's help, he would have been killed by that woman. He harbored no affection for Zi Xuan; she was too violent, and even multiple lives wouldn't suffice.
"That's because she didn't know your goodness. If you save her, I believe she'll come around!" Mu Qingxian urged. She had her reasons for doing this. Alone, she was no match for Yun Fan. Though Yun Fan was always gentle with her, she knew she couldn't provide him with much happiness. Therefore, she was insistent on saving Zi Xuan, hoping she could share some of the burden. Yun Fan, on the other hand, didn't think that far ahead.
"Fine, I owe you this!" Yun Fan finally agreed to save Zi Xuan. Soon after, he injected a surge of power into Zi Xuan's body, instantly suppressing her curse. Again, it was a temporary fix, only capable of suppressing it for a thousand years at most.
Upon waking, Zi Xuan saw Yun Fan and Mu Qingxian. To her surprise, she didn't lash out.
"You saved me?" she asked, recalling the bleeding from her orifices. Zi Xuan was still trembling. She had felt as though she had already died, yet now she was unharmed. However, the terrifying power remained, merely suppressed by a mysterious force. She was certain this force came from Yun Fan and Mu Qingxian.
Yun Fan replied curtly, "Yes, without me, you would be dead!"
"What exactly is going on?" Zi Xuan asked, still shaken, wanting to understand.
"Immortal curse!" Yun Fan stated. "I warned you long ago to leave, but you refused to listen. Now that you've been infected, it's too late!"
Zi Xuan's heart sank. Before she fainted, she had attempted to refine the immortal curse, but she had overestimated herself. She had failed countless times.
After Mu Qingxian explained the specifics of the immortal curse, Zi Xuan nearly fainted. Her future as a Saint Venerable was now jeopardized, and a mere thousand years of life was far from acceptable. She knew that without Yun Fan, she would have surely perished.
Mu Qingxian quickly reassured her, "Sister Zi Xuan, don't worry. My husband has many means. I only had three years left to live, but with his help, I now have a thousand!"
"What?" Zi Xuan looked at Yun Fan in shock. Under Mu Qingxian's praise, Yun Fan became a little embarrassed, "It was just an accident, an accident!"
"Then did you also contract the immortal curse?" Zi Xuan asked Yun Fan doubtfully.
"How could that be?" Mu Qingxian replied. "My lord is of the Battle Heaven clan. While their bloodline cannot eradicate the immortal curse, it can resist it!"
"What?" Zi Xuan was stunned. She had never imagined Yun Fan to be of the Battle Heaven clan, the mortal enemies of the four great clans of the Great Thousand World. However, at this moment, she cared little for old feuds and asked Yun Fan, "So, you are not Void Ancestor's successor?"
"Pah!" Yun Fan spat. "That old demon wanted me to be his successor, but I refused!"
"Then why did he tell me you were his successor?" Zi Xuan asked, confused. After all, she had lost her purity because of that demon, Void Ancestor, who had brought her to Yun Fan. Otherwise, she wouldn't be a laughingstock now.
When Yun Fan explained Void Ancestor's intentions, Zi Xuan realized she had been tricked.
"I apologize for my Ziwei clan sending so many people to hunt you down before!" she said with remorse. After being deceived by Void Ancestor, she had mobilized countless experts from the Ziwei clan to assassinate Yun Fan.
"Hmph!" Yun Fan snorted. "Do you know how much I've suffered these past few days? So, I don't accept your apology!" Zi Xuan's guilt deepened. She knew Yun Fan had faced near-death experiences to reach this point.
At this moment, Mu Qingxian intervened, "Sister Zi Xuan, why don't you become my lord's Dao companion, just like me? This will resolve the awkwardness and we can work together to break the immortal curse!"
The mention of the immortal curse frightened Zi Xuan. A curse that even Battle Heaven power and Saint Venerable experts couldn't overcome. She felt immense despair, regretting her decision to come to the Taigu ruins in the first place. If not for Yun Fan's help, she would have perished.
However, she declared, "I have no desire to be this rogue's Dao companion!"
"You don't want to? I find you annoying too, violent woman!" Yun Fan retorted dismissively.
"You..." Zi Xuan, enraged, almost lunged at Yun Fan, but Mu Qingxian held her back at the last moment.
"Alright, Sister Zi Xuan, my lord, let's leave this place first and then make plans?"
"Agreed!"
Though Yun Fan and Zi Xuan couldn't stand each other, their agreement was surprisingly unanimous, amusing Mu Qingxian.
Thus, the three left the Taigu ruins together. However, halfway, they encountered Chaotic Limitless.
"It seems this fellow couldn't escape either!"
Yun Fan approached and was shocked by the sight. Chaotic Limitless was dead, his corpse a gruesome testament to the immortal curse's devastation. The sight sent shivers down Zi Xuan and Mu Qingxian's spines. If this were their fate, they would end their lives beforehand.
Yun Fan then ignited his Devouring Flames, completely incinerating Chaotic Limitless.
"Let's go!"
Without further thought, Yun Fan led the two women onward.
Mu Qingxian then asked Yun Fan, "My lord, will we end up like him?"
"You absolutely will not. I will do everything in my power to save you. As for her..."
"You..." Zi Xuan intended to retort defiantly, but she still felt a lingering chill. Had she truly been trapped by this man?
After leaving the Taigu ruins, the three of them joined forces to destroy it, deeming it a place of harm.
That night, Zi Xuan was consumed by distress. Having contracted the curse, she felt as if she had a terminal illness. Even with a thousand-year buffer, she was filled with unease. In a thousand years, she couldn't even reach Saint Venerable. Why was fate so unfair?
Meanwhile, Yun Fan said to Mu Qingxian, "I'll spend tonight with you!" Mu Qingxian, the most beautiful woman, had captivated even Yun Fan. Her beauty was unparalleled, and even his jaded aesthetic senses were refreshed. Moreover, Mu Qingxian was not only beautiful but also caring and attentive. Such a woman was a treasure to be found. If there was a perfect woman in this world, Mu Qingxian surely held a place among them, perhaps even being the sole occupant.
However, Mu Qingxian, understanding the situation, said to Yun Fan, "My lord, Sister Zi Xuan is in a bad mood now. You should go and spend time with her!"
"Impossible!" Yun Fan stated directly. He had no desire to spend time with that volatile woman. Though his current strength was immense, he was still no match for Zi Xuan. More importantly, they disliked each other, so he saw no point.
Mu Qingxian then added, "My lord, Sister Zi Xuan is not as bad as you say. Please go and keep her company. Consider it a personal favor!" It wasn't that Mu Qingxian was willingly ceding her man; she knew she couldn't withstand Yun Fan's desires. Even if she didn't want to share, there was no other option.
"Fine, I'll go and see her!"
"That's right!"
With that, Yun Fan went to Zi Xuan's quarters. The moment he entered, he saw that Zi Xuan had been crying. This was understandable. Given the drastic change in her circumstances, it was impossible for Zi Xuan not to weep. After all, she had the potential to become a Saint Venerable, and now her lifespan was reduced to a mere thousand years. Her dreams were shattered.
"Are you alright?" Yun Fan asked awkwardly, expecting Zi Xuan to throw a tantrum. To his surprise, Zi Xuan didn't. Instead, with tear-filled eyes, she threw herself into his arms and wept.
"Do I really only have a thousand years?" she asked pitifully, a stark contrast to her usual assertive demeanor.
Yun Fan replied, "Don't overthink it. While it's true that for now it's only a thousand years, there are always ways. I will help you!" Of course, even Yun Fan couldn't guarantee success. A Saint Venerable had succumbed and suffered even in death. What was he in comparison? He was far from a Saint Venerable, not even an ant. Therefore, he couldn't make any promises. His only hope lay in his Battle Heaven power; if he could fully comprehend it, perhaps he could combat the immortal curse.
"Thank you!" Zi Xuan's mood seemed to improve slightly. She wasn't harboring great expectations, but Yun Fan's willingness to put aside past grievances warmed her heart.
"Don't be sad. While this situation is set in stone, everything has a counter. I refuse to believe there's no solution!" Yun Fan continued to comfort her.
"I don't care anymore!" Zi Xuan decided to let go. She said to Yun Fan, "If I truly only have a thousand years, I want to live in the moment!" With that, she directly and aggressively kissed him, tearing at his clothes. The night passed.
The next day, Zi Xuan seemed less distressed. She then said to Yun Fan, "You ruined my purity, and now I only have a thousand years to live. You must take responsibility for me!" Zi Xuan had decided to let go of everything. Previously, she had been a celebrated prodigy, destined to become a Saint Venerable. She had never considered herself a weak woman, aspiring to be an empress who ruled the world. But now, she realized that with only a thousand years, it was better to be a woman in a dignified manner, cared for. Though Yun Fan was somewhat annoying and clashed with her temperament, she knew he was a responsible man. She decided that for the next thousand years, she would be openly cherished by Yun Fan.
"No problem!" Yun Fan replied. "But how do you expect me to take responsibility?"
Zi Xuan considered for a moment and then said, "You can only have me and Mu Qingxian as your wives. No philandering!" Yun Fan was speechless. If it were just them, he wondered, could they handle it? Could they endure it? He then said, "It's too late!"
"What do you mean?" Zi Xuan asked, confused.
Yun Fan explained, "Not to mention how many wives I had before, though I cannot see them temporarily, I will not abandon them!" This statement left Zi Xuan stumped. If she insisted he abandon his previous wives, it would be unreasonable. Not only would Yun Fan refuse, but she would also doubt his character. A man who didn't abandon his original companions was truly a good man.
"How many are there?" she asked.
"Not many!" Yun Fan replied directly. "Just a few dozen!" Zi Xuan nearly fainted. A few dozen wasn't considered many? How many then would be considered many? She accepted it, as she was a newcomer. She wouldn't hold the advantage.
"You said they are all in another world. Then there's no one else in the Great Thousand World, right?"
"There actually are!" Yun Fan admitted sheepishly. "Because the victims of that incident were not just you and Qingxian!"
"Who else?" Zi Xuan inquired.
Yun Fan replied, "Two brilliant gems from the Elf clan!"
"Void Ancestor is truly despicable!" Zi Xuan then said to Yun Fan, "The victims are beyond question, you must not abandon them!"
"And a white fox, but I was the victim!" After Yun Fan recounted the white fox incident, Zi Xuan was utterly speechless. She hadn't realized the man she loved had so many women. She then angrily declared, "I will punish you!"
"Punish me for what?" Yun Fan asked, confused.
"I will punish you with a battle lasting three days and three nights!"
"Are you sure?" Yun Fan asked doubtfully. In this regard, except for the white fox, he was undefeated. He was invincible.
"I am very sure!" Zi Xuan nodded and then initiated the attack, determined to conquer Yun Fan.
Unexpectedly, at this very moment, Mu Qingxian, unaware of the situation, arrived. Upon seeing them, she immediately exclaimed, "I'm sorry, I'm disturbing you!" Mu Qingxian's face flushed as she prepared to leave, but Yun Fan grabbed her.
"I will take on both of you alone!"
Three days later, both women were defeated and utterly exhausted. Yun Fan then swaggered away, proclaiming his superiority. They were far from his match. When the two women recovered, they asked Yun Fan where he was going.
Yun Fan replied, "To find my clan, the Battle Heaven clan!" Indeed, after repairing the universe, he had lost its coordinates. He could only find it by locating the Battle Heaven clan. Unfortunately, since arriving in the Great Thousand World, he had found no trace of them, not even a hint.
Zi Xuan then said, "Ten thousand years ago, the Battle Heaven clan returned once. However, I hadn't been born then; I heard about it from my father!" This remark left Yun Fan speechless. The Battle Heaven clan and the four great clans were enemies. He dared not inquire with the Ziwei Clan Leader.
Zi Xuan then said to him, "My husband, I know what you're worried about. Past racial enmities are their business, but they shouldn't affect us. We are now Dao companions, and I will not oppose your Battle Heaven clan!" Hearing this, Yun Fan was overjoyed. Zi Xuan was indeed perceptive.
Zi Xuan then said, "My husband, wait here. I will go back and get information from my father!"
"Alright!" Yun Fan said to Zi Xuan, "Zi Xuan, I'll trouble you with this!"
"No need for politeness, we are husband and wife, we should help each other!" Zi Xuan told him.
"Mm!" Mu Qingxian also said, "Sister Zi Xuan, be careful when you go back!"
"Alright!" Zi Xuan prepared to leave. Yun Fan added, "Perhaps finding the Battle Heaven clan will offer a chance to break your curses!" The mention of curses brought a pang of sadness to the two women. But there was nothing they could do but let fate take its course. They believed, however, that one day, the immortal curse would be lifted from them.
...
It took Zi Xuan a month to return to the Ziwei clan, traveling via spatial teleportation, which saved considerable time. Otherwise, it would have taken at least a year to reach the Ziwei clan from Yun Fan's location.
"Daughter, where have you been these past few months?" the Ziwei Clan Leader asked anxiously. He had readily agreed to Zi Xuan's desire to explore, knowing she had been feeling down. However, he couldn't track her whereabouts during these months and feared she might have met with an accident. But as long as no Saint Emperor intervened, no one should be able to harm Zi Xuan.
Zi Xuan quickly replied, "Father, I've been to many places these past few months!"
"It's good that you're alright. Are you feeling any better?" the Ziwei Clan Leader asked.
"A little better!" Zi Xuan said, "Father, I've caused trouble!"
"What trouble have you caused?" The Ziwei Clan Leader looked at Zi Xuan in confusion, but without much concern. In the Great Thousand World, no matter what trouble Zi Xuan caused, the Ziwei clan could resolve it. They had always been the ones to bully others, never the other way around. The Sacred Light clan, after being taught a lesson by the Ziwei clan, had become much more compliant.
Zi Xuan then revealed that she had contracted a curse.
"What?" The Ziwei Clan Leader's vision darkened, and he nearly fainted. He had previously warned Zi Xuan repeatedly not to venture into the Taigu forbidden zones. Yet, she had taken that step. If Zi Xuan met with any mishap, it would not only be a severe blow to the Ziwei clan's hopes but also endanger his daughter's life. He quickly examined Zi Xuan and confirmed she was indeed infected with the immortal curse. However, her condition was not as dire as he feared. A mysterious force within Zi Xuan was temporarily suppressing the immortal curse, ensuring she had at least a thousand years. Yet, the situation remained grim. For such powerful beings, a thousand years was fleeting, almost negligible.
Zi Xuan then recounted her experiences with Yun Fan.
"What? That brat helped you?" The Ziwei Clan Leader's heart pounded. He hadn't expected this turn of events.
"Mm-hmm!" Zi Xuan confirmed, "Without him, I would have perished!"
"That brat finally did something decent!" The Ziwei Clan Leader, though he wished to flay Yun Fan alive, was somewhat pleased by this unexpected act. He then asked, "You both ventured in, why was that brat unaffected?" At that moment, the Ziwei Clan Leader even suspected Yun Fan of some conspiracy.
Zi Xuan quickly replied, "Because he..."
"Because he what?" the Ziwei Clan Leader pressed. Zi Xuan didn't immediately reveal Yun Fan's identity. Instead, she said, "I want you to swear that you will not deal with him!" The Ziwei Clan Leader felt a slight pang of heartache. His own daughter was already siding with outsiders. Nevertheless, he said, "As long as he didn't harm you, I won't kill him!" He couldn't comprehend how the boy who had once cast a shadow over his daughter was now being protected by her.
Zi Xuan then revealed, "Because he is of the Battle Heaven clan!"
"What?" The Ziwei Clan Leader's expression changed drastically, and he stood frozen, unable to believe what he had heard. "He's of the Battle Heaven clan?"
Facing the Ziwei Clan Leader's questioning, Zi Xuan was puzzled. Logically, her father should have been furious upon hearing about the Battle Heaven clan, as they were enemies. Yet, he was unexpectedly calm.
"Mm-hmm!" Zi Xuan explained, "The Battle Heaven clan is not afraid of the immortal curse. The immortal curse cannot invade them!" This statement utterly stunned the Ziwei Clan Leader. He had never imagined that the already formidable Battle Heaven clan possessed such an ability, far exceeding his expectations.
He then said to Zi Xuan, "Daughter, I never interfere with your actions, but you cannot become a Dao companion with a mere Battle Heaven brat! And from what I hear, this brat is no longer a virgin!" This remark earned him a glare from Zi Xuan. Compared to her father, Yun Fan was quite pure. In her memory, her father had at least several hundred women. Yes, hundreds. How could he dare criticize Yun Fan?
Zi Xuan countered, "Father, racial enmity is a matter for your generation, but it should not extend to us juniors! You cannot interfere in this matter!" Her words left the Ziwei Clan Leader speechless. He realized his daughter's wings had grown strong. He said, "It's not entirely impossible, but if this news gets out, our Ziwei clan might be ganged up on by the other three great clans!"
"Father, does this mean our Ziwei clan and the Battle Heaven clan don't have such a deep-seated conflict?" Zi Xuan asked doubtfully.
The Ziwei Clan Leader replied, "We have conflicts, but not to the point of mortal combat. When the ten great clans united, our Ziwei clan merely went through the motions. Otherwise, do you think our Ziwei clan would still have so many powerful members remaining!"
"What exactly happened?"