Chapter 463: Hidden Buff of the Strongest Mode

"Sky..."

"Boom..."

A brilliant axe light annihilated in the void. The roaring ancient beast ahead, under this axe, roared in agony and finally turned to ashes.

"Ding, congratulations on killing a high-level Heaven Realm ancient beast."

"Ding, congratulations on killing a peak Heaven Realm ancient beast."

"Ding..."

"Damn, that was close. I actually fell into a nest of ancient beasts." Lin Fan walked among the mountains, cutting down beasts without any hesitation. These ancient beasts were ferocious, and although there were many low-level ones, the experience they provided was limited.

Lin Fan gradually noticed a problem: ancient beasts above the Earth Heaven Realm began to show a trace of intelligence. Perhaps because of this, the high-level beasts, having gained wisdom, left the edge and headed for the distant central region.

People strive to climb higher, water flows to lower places. Even ancient beasts have their pursuits.

"Absorb..."

The dense demonic energy was all absorbed into the "Demon City."

The core of the semi-finished pseudo-divine artifact "Demon City" was an ancient great demon, which was the emperor of the demon race. But it was unknown whether this ancient great demon was a type of ancient beast.

Or perhaps it was a powerful being that evolved from ancient beasts after reaching a certain level.

However, having come to the Ancient Saint Realm and seen so many races, Lin Fan understood that the world was vast and full of wonders. It was hard to say that the ancient great demon was not a king evolved from ancient beasts.

Looking at the corpses of the ancient beasts around him, Lin Fan flicked his sleeve and stored them all into his backpack.

Since he had decided to leave tomorrow, he might as well kill more ancient beasts to provide enough food for the village.

The villagers themselves were not weak, but compared to the ancient beasts, there was still a gap. Therefore, every time they hunted in groups, there was great danger.

What Lin Fan cared about most was Xuan'er, a cute little fox. This little girl was the most adorable child Lin Fan had met since arriving in the Ancient Saint Realm, and she was also very likable.

Although she appeared proud on the surface, in Lin Fan's eyes, that made her even cuter.

Lin Fan even thought that if he could successfully suppress the Ancient Clan in the future, he would be happy to keep Xuan'er by his side and teach her slowly.

Having such a lively and cute little fox would certainly keep boredom at bay.

"Squeak..."

Just then, there was a stir in the grass ahead. Lin Fan swung his axe fiercely, cutting a deep crack into the ground.

At that moment, an animal like a rabbit stood frozen in place, as if frightened by the scene.

"Eh, what's this?" Lin Fan picked up the snow-white, palm-sized creature that resembled a rabbit.

Two long ears, red eyes—wasn't this a rabbit?

"Ha, interesting. There are such creatures in the Ancient Saint Realm." Lin Fan examined it closely, finding it somewhat novel.

Harmless, claws not sharp, and limbs very short.

"Looks a bit cute. Xuan'er should like it." Lin Fan thought to himself as he held the creature.

Children are quick to forget. After he left, this little thing could accompany Xuan'er and perhaps ease the pain of parting.

"Rabbit, behave yourself, or I'll roast you." The snow-white rabbit, held in his hand, drooped its head, looking timid.

Lin Fan slung the Eternal Axe over his shoulder, carried the rabbit in one hand, and walked contentedly toward the village.

Although it was still early, he was leaving tomorrow, so Lin Fan wanted to tease Xuan'er and also teach her a few techniques.

After all, the Ancient Saint Realm was fraught with danger, and it was hard to say what might happen in the future.

Under the blazing triple suns, Lin Fan hummed a tune, strolling leisurely through the mountains.

...

"How could this be..."

At the village entrance, Lin Fan saw the scene before him. His relaxed expression suddenly turned pale, and he stood frozen at the village gate like a fool.

Bloodstains everywhere, flames raging, the simple houses smeared with blood.

Lin Fan's face tightened, and he quickened his pace as he walked inside.

The village looked as if it had been ransacked, chaotic and desolate.

Only corpses lay scattered throughout the village.

Every face was so familiar, but now they were just bodies.

Lin Fan saw a corpse ahead—it was the village chief.

Lin Fan immediately rushed over. "Chief, what happened..."

But the chief was already dead. His aged face bore a trace of anger, and a shocking wound on his chest had long since dried up.

"The Ancient Clan..."

Lin Fan clenched his fists, then his face stiffened. "Xuan'er..."

At that moment, Lin Fan suddenly stood up and began searching everywhere.

"Damn it, she can't be in trouble." Lin Fan roared inwardly, checking each corpse.

"Not here..."

"There's still hope..."

"Not here either."

"Hope, give me some hope." Lin Fan's body trembled. The rabbit he was holding struggled in pain from his grip, but for Lin Fan at that moment, his only goal was to find Xuan'er.

"No... Xuan'er, where are you?" Lin Fan roared at the empty village.

"She must have been taken by the Ancient Clan. There's still hope..." Lin Fan thought that Xuan'er was so cute; the Ancient Clan probably wouldn't kill her.

As this hope grew stronger in his mind, Lin Fan began to believe it was true.

"No, I have to catch up immediately, or it'll be too late." Lin Fan turned and prepared to rush off into the distance.

"Lin... Uncle..."

Just as Lin Fan was about to chase after them, a faint voice suddenly came from a nearby pile of grass.

"Xuan'er..." Lin Fan's expression instantly lit up with excitement. He quickly pushed aside the debris on the grass pile.

"This... impossible..." At that moment, bright red blood kept flowing out from the withered grass.

Lin Fan shook his head violently, but when he cleared the debris and saw the scene inside, he went numb.

A half blade pierced through Xuan'er's small, frail body, blood gushing out.

"How could this be..." Lin Fan looked up at the sky, his eyes tightly closed, unable to believe what he saw.

"Uncle Lin..." Xuan'er's cute, spirited little face was now deathly pale, and large teardrops streamed down.

"Grandpa told me to hide here and not make a sound, but Xuan'er hurts so much..." Xuan'er's small face was tense, her blood-stained teeth biting her lower lip as if enduring the pain.

"How could this be..." Looking at Xuan'er's state, Lin Fan's steadfast heart was filled with grief. The vast life force of the Divine Parasol Tree surged into Xuan'er's body.

But the life force, upon entering Xuan'er's body, immediately dispersed and dissipated into the air.

"Uncle Lin, Xuan'er is very brave. Even though it hurts a lot, I didn't make a sound... Am I amazing?" Xuan'er's lively eyes gradually lost their light and slowly closed.

"Amazing, Xuan'er is the most amazing..." Lin Fan felt only pain in his heart—a pain he hadn't experienced in a long time.

For Lin Fan, his goal in becoming stronger was to avoid enduring such pain.

"Uncle... Lin... We are... friends..."

"Thud..."

Her weak, powerless little hand tried to touch Lin Fan's cheek, but then, like a broken kite string, it fell limply...

And the last glimmer of light in Xuan'er's eyes faded away at that moment.

"Xuan'er..." Lin Fan felt like he was about to explode.

Such a cute little girl—how could she have such a fate?

"Damn you, Ancient Clan! If I don't annihilate your entire clan, I'm not a man!"

"Ding, activated the hidden buff of the strongest mode: One Slash, Soaring Levels, limited to one day."