Accidentally invincible!

Perhaps it was because the atmosphere had reached its tipping point.

The thoughts in Qin Muyang's heart grew increasingly difficult to suppress. His gaze toward the infant, Little Sun, turned ravenous. Such a concentrated source of Demonic Qi—if he could use it for cultivation, it would undoubtedly elevate his strength to an unimaginable realm.

"Daoist Lin, have you thought of a way to rid this child of her malevolent aura?" Qin Muyang asked.

His expression appeared deeply concerned, as if he genuinely wanted to lend his efforts to resolve the issue.

Lin Fan replied, "I have."

One word, curt and final.

He didn't actually have a solution and was still deliberating on the matter himself.

The infant girl delivered by the ancient Demon carried an overwhelming Demonic Qi, accompanied by a terrifying malevolent nature. It was fundamentally akin to an ingrained personality—something that wouldn't change simply because of an external occurrence.

Even if one were to sacrifice their life to save her.

To the infant, it would stir no ripple in her heart.

She might even smile and say casually,

"The weak are unworthy of living."

Qin Muyang was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Lin Fan to respond in such a manner. In truth, there was likely no viable solution—unless her Divine Soul was destroyed and her body overtaken. That might barely work.

Changing her?

A delusion, plain and simple.

"May I inquire, Daoist Lin, what method you have in mind? Upon seeing this child, I feel a strange sense of familiarity, as though we'd known each other in another life. Thus, I wish to do my part. However, since her condition is so complicated, I thought it best to ask, just in case," Qin Muyang probed carefully.

Naturally, Qin Muyang didn't believe Lin Fan actually had a solution.

Moreover, he had already formulated a plan. No matter what Lin Fan proposed—even if it miraculously worked—he would find fault with it.

Then, he would offer to collaborate with Lin Fan under the guise of helping.

Seizing the opportunity.

And ruthlessly entrapping Lin Fan, so as to claim the infant girl for himself.

In his eyes, the infant was simply too perfect.

He cursed inwardly.

Having lived in the Northern Desolation for years—it was practically his backyard—he'd been there countless times but had never encountered anything like this.

Lin Fan remained enigmatic, smiling faintly. "There are plenty of methods. One such way is to harness the fortune of a great sect to cleanse her Qi, suppress her malevolence, and take this time to carefully cultivate her Dao Heart. Perhaps one day, she might possess a Dao Heart strong enough to suppress her malevolence."

Huh!

Qin Muyang was momentarily dumbfounded. He'd anticipated Lin Fan to suggest some other, less plausible method—but not this. Using the fortune of a great sect to suppress malevolence?

Interesting.

He thought it entirely infeasible. What sect would be willing to devote its fortune to serve one individual?

What nonsense!

"Daoist Lin, such a method might be feasible, but I believe it carries tremendous risk. The child's malevolence is far too strong, fundamentally affecting her very core. Even if fortune could temporarily suppress it, the effect would at most last twenty or thirty years. Once it rebounds, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

Qin Muyang's tone was grave and earnest.

His aim, clearly, was to dissuade Lin Fan from entertaining such an idea.

"Hmm, Daoist Qin, you make a valid point. But I believe the matter is manageable. Thank you for your concern." Lin Fan clasped his hands courteously as he responded. While doing so, he hoisted up the infant, Little Sun, who clung to him like a lifeline.

He was curious to see how far Qin Muyang's game would go.

I won't play along with your act.

Let's see what you'll do.

Do you really think I, Lin Fan, am some clueless rookie? I saw through you from the very beginning.

No matter how skilled Qin Muyang was at deception, Lin Fan wasn't buying it.

Even with the patience of a saint, Qin Muyang was starting to show signs of irritation.

Damn it, this guy is trickier than I thought.

Despite laying the groundwork this thoroughly, Lin Fan wasn't biting. This kid's really lacking in cooperation!

Since that's the case...

I'll have to take a more direct approach.

The more Qin Muyang looked at the infant, the more he wanted her. His desire was overwhelming, but he maintained his calm exterior. "Daoist Lin, if I may, why don't you let me examine the child?"

"In such matters, I can't sit idly by. Coincidentally, I possess a Dharma Gate that might be of some help."

His words were flawless.

An average person wouldn't overthink it.

They'd genuinely believe him to be a virtuous man.

But Lin Fan had long since seen through Qin Muyang's scheme. The moment he handed the infant over, Qin Muyang would act—

Because as long as the infant was in Lin Fan's possession, Qin Muyang wouldn't dare move recklessly, fearing injury to Little Sun. Instead, he schemed to deceive Lin Fan into handing her over.

Hmph!

Do you take me for a fool?

If I fell for that, I may as well drop dead now.

Lin Fan chuckled and said, "I appreciate your kindness, Daoist Qin, but there's no need to trouble you."

"It's no trouble at all, not in the least bit," Qin Muyang insisted. His hand shot out, attempting to snatch the child without waiting for Lin Fan's approval.

Clap!

Just as Qin Muyang's hand was about to touch the infant, Lin Fan seized his wrist. His expression remained indifferent, though his eyes glinted with amusement. He remarked:

"Daoist Qin, I believe I've made myself clear—this child doesn't need your help."

Instantly.

The atmosphere seemed to freeze.

The two stood silently, locked in a wordless stare.

Lin Fan maintained his composed gaze, a faint trace of mockery dancing in his eyes, as though saying, "Let's see how much longer you can keep up this act."

Meanwhile, Qin Muyang's demeanor shifted.

The smile frozen on his face faded, replaced by a serious expression. The previously warm look in his eyes vanished completely, giving way to something cold and resolute, as though he decided there was no point in pretending any longer.

Neither spoke.

Suddenly.

Qin Muyang struck out with his palm, Mana swirling and dazzling light emanating from his hand.

Bang!

Lin Fan countered with his own palm strike.

A terrifying shockwave erupted, the sheer power of two top-tier cultivators clashing at close range creating a fearsome disturbance.

The previously calm ocean churned into a scene of towering tsunamis.

Lin Fan stepped back nimbly, increasing the distance between them.

"Daoist Qin, what is the meaning of this? Don't tell me you've been captivated by my good looks and want to make a move on me?" Lin Fan teased with a smirk.

Qin Muyang's expression darkened, his eyes glinting with malice. His voice grew cold:

"If you wish to leave this place alive, hand over the child."

Lin Fan's gaze sharpened. "So you want her? That's impossible. Earlier, you were pretending to help and playing all polite—why so impatient now? If you'd been more patient and kind, I might actually have been fooled."

"Why rush things now?"

"Such a shame, really."

Qin Muyang knew full well that this young man had long seen through his ploy. Otherwise, his responses wouldn't have been this perceptive.

His reaction was simply too sharp.

"You knew my intentions all along?" Qin Muyang asked.

Lin Fan chuckled warmly. "From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew your thoughts. I've read you like an open book. But since you were so enthusiastic, I figured I'd humor you and play along."

"After all, a one-man act is always so unbearably dull."

Qin Muyang took a deep breath and shook his head with a wry smile, clearly not expecting to find himself in this situation. The tactics that had served him so well in the past had been blatantly exposed by this foe.

Truly surprising.

"Enough chatter. Hand over the child, and I'll let you leave unharmed. I won't make things difficult for you," Qin Muyang stated, extending his hand. His gaze burned as he fixated on the infant in Lin Fan's arms, clearly intent and determined.

Lin Fan beckoned mockingly. "Since you're determined, come and take her. Perhaps I can make some money off you—I've been strapped for resources recently."

His words infuriated Qin Muyang. "Ungrateful wretch."

As the words fell, Qin Muyang didn't waste any more time on words. Mana surged violently as he flourished his robe, activating the Arrays embedded within Crocodile God Island. The entire isle was enshrouded in the radiant glow of a formation.

"Impressive—prepared opponents truly leave no stone unturned," Lin Fan remarked with a careless grin. He showed no trace of panic. Though his opponent was indeed formidable, suppressing him was ultimately wishful thinking.

At this moment.

The infant clinging stubbornly to Lin Fan, Little Sun, seemed to sense something unusual.

Her puzzled gaze turned toward Qin Muyang.

Swish!

Qin Muyang's figure vanished from view, the surrounding space quivering faintly as shadowy illusions appeared midair. At the same time, a chilling aura enveloped the area.

Several Qin Muyangs now encircled Lin Fan.

The vast Array covering the island was no ordinary formation. Faintly within it, the roar of a massive Crocodile God could be heard.

The island was named Crocodile God Island because, long ago, Qin Muyang had slain a mighty Demon. He had subsequently refined its corpse into the foundation of the island, binding its Divine Soul beneath the surface.

In the blink of an eye, Qin Muyang's silhouettes surrounded Lin Fan from all directions.

But just as the figures advanced, Lin Fan suddenly unleashed the Mixed Element Golden Gourd, smashing it toward his opponent with great force.

"What?!"

Qin Muyang froze, caught off guard by Lin Fan's Immortal Treasure. The overwhelming force barreled toward him with unmatched intensity.

Unstoppable.

But it was already too late.

Boom!

The Mixed Element Golden Gourd slammed onto the ground with a dazzling explosion of golden light, engulfing the heavens and earth.

Agonized screams rang out.

A beam of golden light struck Qin Muyang squarely in the chest. His conjured illusions and manifestations dissolved instantly.

With a resounding crash, Qin Muyang was hurled into the distance. Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth as he cried out in shock, "You actually have an Immortal Treasure!"

"Haha," Lin Fan laughed heartily. "What's so shocking about having an Immortal Treasure? Why act like it's the first time you've seen one?"

"Your cultivation level is indeed commendable, but there's still a small gap between us," Lin Fan added.

"You've likely offended quite a few people to end up hiding in the Northern Desolation, haven't you?"

Lin Fan's tone was playful as his gaze swept over his adversary.

What an amusing person, with acting skills to boot. That façade of earnestness, playing the righteous immortal from the Immortal Dao—it would've been so easy to fall for it.

"You..."

Qin Muyang wanted to speak further, but Lin Fan had no intention of letting him. Seizing the opportunity to strike, he wielded the Mixed Element Golden Gourd once more, aiming to finish him off.

Qin Muyang knew he couldn't win in a direct confrontation, nor could he suppress the frustration swelling in his heart. Though he felt a desperate urge to escape, an oppressive sense of...

Damn it!