Chapter 398: Returned

The next day, the barbaric lands were harsh, with yellow sand and storms being common occurrences.

The Divine Parasol Tree had long since recovered after a day of restoration. Moreover, according to Huang Ling'er, the tree had entered its second stage.

Lin Fan also clearly felt the changes brought about by the Divine Parasol Tree.

The speed at which it absorbed the true essence of heaven and earth grew faster, and the life force it contained had at least multiplied several times compared to before.

Within the inner world.

The roots of the Divine Parasol Tree, like coiled dragons, clung tightly to Lin Fan's inner world.

This inner world was like a universe, with endless void above and an abyssal depth below.

“Thank you this time. If you think the time is right, you can tell me your request,” Lin Fan said, looking at Huang Ling'er.

“Mm. Although the Divine Parasol Tree is the foremost divine tree in the world, it is still a sapling and cannot endure further severe damage. Otherwise, even I would be powerless,” Huang Ling'er warned.

At the same time, she was very curious about what Lin Fan had experienced—what could have reduced the Divine Parasol Tree to such a state.

If not for the life liquid left from ancient times, whether the tree could have recovered would have been a difficult matter.

“Mm, I understand.” Lin Fan nodded. The Divine Parasol Tree was still a sapling. Although it could generate life force on its own, its current capacity was limited and slow. It seemed it needed careful nurturing, at least until the tree truly developed.

However, what puzzled Lin Fan was what exactly nourished the Divine Parasol Tree. Even Huang Ling'er did not know—which was, admittedly, a lamentable situation.

He vanished into the void.

Huang Ling'er watched Lin Fan leave, a glimmer of longing in her eyes, and also revealed a deep worry for this world.

Leaving the barbaric lands, Lin Fan paused in the void, lost in thought.

Should he go to the sect first, or head straight to the barrier?

This question was worth pondering.

But the thought of returning to Cangling Continent made Lin Fan's heart burn with excitement.

Once, like a coward, he had been protected and forced to flee in humiliation. Now that his strength had grown to an outrageous level, he would make those people pay.

“No, the more I think about it, the less I can wait. I'll go straight to Cangling Continent. Revenge should not be delayed overnight, and it's already been two years—how can I wait any longer?” Lin Fan muttered to himself.

With his current cultivation, crossing from here to the barrier would take ten days, which was equivalent to crossing half of Eastern Spirit Continent.

Fortunately, his strength was now at the high-level Heavenly Position; otherwise, it would have taken several months to get there.

In an instant, Lin Fan's figure vanished into the void again, heading straight west.

Ten days later.

Lin Fan looked at the scene before him, a smile appearing in his heart. He had finally arrived.

Before him was a curtain of light, reaching from heaven to earth, blocking the path ahead. This was the barrier created by the Supreme Being back then.

Without the Supreme Token, it was impossible to pass through.

The light curtain shimmered with flowing radiance. Lin Fan gently reached out and touched it.

“Ding, detected a world barrier. Cannot cross.”

Lin Fan then took out the Supreme Token, and at that moment, the situation changed.

“Ding, detected Supreme Token. Cross to Cangling Continent or remove the world barrier?”

Lin Fan was startled. He hadn't expected this. According to the Supreme Being, he needed to activate the token, and the Supreme would help him cross over.

But now, with the token in hand, the system prompted him directly—this was unexpected.

The system truly lived up to its reputation; its capabilities were indeed formidable.

However, based on the Supreme Being's words, Lin Fan had some idea. If, as the Supreme said, the people of that world were terrifyingly powerful, then Lin Fan would not be arrogant enough to think he could slay gods and buddhas at will.

For now, it was fine. Without needing the Supreme's help, he could learn the Supreme's set of fist techniques.

Lin Fan was also afraid that if he activated the Supreme Token and learned the fist techniques, the Supreme's consciousness might suddenly dissipate, and the token might disappear as well.

Without the Supreme Token, even if he went to Cangling Continent, how would he return?

Regardless, Lin Fan didn't want to take that risk for now. He would activate the token only after everything was resolved.

“Cross.”

Lin Fan said calmly, having prepared himself.

In an instant, a curtain of light enveloped Lin Fan, gradually pulling him into the barrier. Then his figure vanished from Eastern Spirit Continent.

…

Cangling Continent.

In a dense forest, the atmosphere was murderous and chilling.

Two groups of figures were charging wildly, one ahead and one behind.

The group fleeing in front were all wounded. With each frantic dash, specks of blood scattered in the void.

“Junior sisters and brothers, I'll lure them away. You take the chance to escape. No matter what, you must survive,” said a young man holding a longsword, a fierce glint in his eyes, burning with anger at those behind.

“No, Senior Brother, let's escape together.”

“Together? Together we'll all die…”

Just as the young man was speaking, a cold light suddenly shot through the air from afar. It was filled with murderous intent, with true essence roiling, and flew straight toward a disciple.

The fleeing disciple, seeing the light, was terrified.

But in that instant, the young man abruptly turned and shielded his junior brother.

“Senior Brother…”

The disciple, seeing his senior brother block the attack, was shocked, then showed a look of horror.

The light struck the young man's back in a flash, producing a sound like metal clashing.

“It's fine. Don't get distracted. Keep running.” The young man felt a tremendous force hit him, but fortunately, he could withstand it.

The junior sisters and brothers, seeing their senior brother take a blow with just his body, were astonished but also used to it.

The young man looked at the distant longsword, breathed a sigh of relief, and thought with nostalgia.

“Teacher, you saved my life again.”

…

They fled wildly, not knowing how long they had run, but they knew that if they stopped, death awaited them.

“Junior sisters and brothers, don't look back. I'll hold them off,” the young man said.

“Senior Brother Cao…”

“No more words. You must live.”

At that moment, the young man suddenly stopped, took a deep breath, and fixed his resolute gaze on those chasing behind. Sword in hand, he would block them all.

“Hmph, can't run anymore, can you?” The pursuers quickly surrounded the young man, sneering coldly.

“Hund Yuan Sect, you claim to be a righteous sect, yet you commit such acts of annihilation,” the young man said angrily.

“Ha, you remnant of the Red Rainbow Sect, you think you can stop us? What a fool. Get him,” the leader of the Hund Yuan Sect said with a wave of his hand.

The young man took a deep breath. “Today, even if I die, I'll take you all with me.”

Several people surrounded the young man and began to attack him.

As time passed, the young man gradually began to falter. If not for his physical strength, he would not have lasted this long.