Accidentally invincible!

Maybe the words were a bit too lofty, causing confusion.

The Holy Empress and the Old Woman didn't quite understand.

Fire one off?

What do you mean by that?

But looking at Lin Fan's expression, she felt like something was amiss—it seemed he was teasing them.

"Lin Daoist, have you considered? You can propose any condition." The Holy Empress asked.

She very much wanted the Eternal Divine Furnace.

Once, it was believed that the other half of the Eternal Divine Furnace didn't exist in the cultivation world. But ever since Sheng Wushuang obtained a celestial opportunity and brought out the other half, the Eternal Divine Furnace in the Holy Palace began to tremble, as if it was saying, "My other half has appeared."

"Ah."

Lin Fan sighed softly.

"Holy Empress, what do you think I lack right now?"

To the side, the vigilant Old Woman kept her sharp gaze fixed on Lin Fan. So young yet so cunning—she had to keep an eye on him, no way would she let him deceive the Holy Empress.

The Holy Empress smiled, "Daoist friend, I truly don't know what you lack. Why don't you explicitly state what you want? I can't say I can fulfill it 100%, but there's a high probability it can be done."

"Alright, since the Holy Empress insists, I'll be frank." Lin Fan rubbed his chin and said slowly, "In all my years of cultivation, it feels like I'm missing a partner. How about the Holy Empress helps me out?"

He enjoyed passing time by teasing people.

Think about it.

The Holy Empress is such a sacred existence; ordinary folk would bow respectfully, treating her as untouchable. Precisely these types of people Lin Fan loved teasing most.

Joking around shouldn't count as a crime, right?

The Holy Empress frowned, feeling this rascal's words seemed to have implications. Could it be, like Sheng Wushuang, he was targeting her disciple?

Her disciple was hailed as the number one beauty in the cultivation realm.

Everyone knew it.

Her disciple was as beautiful as a painting, a dream girl in the minds of countless men—even some older fellows were fixated on her.

But it wasn't yet clear who Lin Fan was referring to.

"Oh? Since Daoist friend has this need, that's simple. Which lady has caught your eye? Just say the name, and I'll speak to her on your behalf. Though I can't promise success, the odds are very high." The Holy Empress deliberately avoided mentioning her disciple.

She certainly didn't want this rascal claiming her disciple.

Besides, she assumed he had no clue about her disciple's existence.

Lin Fan chuckled, his eyes playful. "Actually, it's simple. As long as the Holy Empress says one word, this matter will be settled."

"What, you're interested in my disciple?" The Holy Empress was taken aback but quickly recovered, saying, "I could introduce you, but whether it works depends on destiny. Sheng Wushuang previously targeted my disciple but was rejected. You, however, are different—you're far better than him and truly worthy of my disciple."

Lin Fan was stunned.

What was she even talking about?

Her disciple?

What does your disciple have to do with me? I've never even met her.

"I think the Holy Empress misunderstood. I wasn't talking about your disciple—I meant you. I've said earlier that it's as simple as one word from you to settle this matter."

"All you need to say is, 'I agree.'"

Lin Fan grinned widely.

But when those words reached the ears of the Holy Empress and the Old Woman, they felt like thunderclaps, reverberating until their very souls trembled.

"Courting death!"

The Old Woman couldn't hold back anymore. Even if the Holy Empress tried stopping her, she couldn't temper her rage.

A palm strike was unleashed.

Everything around them seemed engulfed in the power of her palm.

If it had been an ordinary person, they'd have been dazed by that strike, coughing blood and dying on the spot.

Lin Fan countered with a palm strike, remaining steady, smiling as he faced her.

"Old folks sure have bad tempers."

"If you don't agree, just don't agree—why resort to violence?"

He had anticipated being beaten for saying such things. But withholding his thoughts felt suffocating. After all, he believed one should follow their heart; if you want to say something, just say it. What's the big deal?"

At that moment.

The Holy Empress raised a hand and smiled, "Little brother, still harboring a sneaky crush on elder sister? Do you really want to make me your Daoist partner?"

"Sigh, this isn't about a sneaky crush—it's giving you the chance to savor tender greens. Forget the Divine Furnace. If we were to become Daoist partners, even my life would be yours." Lin Fan said.

Luckily, his cultivation was strong enough.

Otherwise, with those remarks, his brains might've been bashed out.

The Old Woman couldn't understand why the Holy Empress didn't get angry.

Those were words of utmost rebellion!

The Holy Empress said, "Little brother, do you even know how old elder sister is?"

Lin Fan waved dismissively, "That's beside the point. Anyway, the demand stands—so, what's your verdict? I'm usually so elusive that if you agree later, I might not be around anymore."

He was just saying things casually.

The value of the Eternal Divine Furnace far surpassed any flesh and blood.

No matter how beautiful the flesh, in front of the Eternal Divine Furnace, it's absolutely worthless.

The Holy Empress took a deep breath. It would be foolish to believe Lin Fan's words entirely. She hadn't interacted with him much but already had a good idea of his character.

Given that.

Might as well play along.

The Holy Empress smiled, "Alright, since little brother wants elder sister to become your Daoist partner, elder sister agrees."

"Whoa!" Lin Fan acted exaggeratedly shocked, staring at her. "Holy Empress! You actually agreed? I didn't expect my guess to be correct—you're really that kind of woman. For the sake of gain, you'd even sell yourself. Terrifying. Truly terrifying!"

"If I were your Daoist partner, I can't even imagine how many cuckolded hats I'd end up wearing in the future."

"Society's calling—I'm leaving."

Lin Fan dashed toward the exit.

The Holy Empress stood rooted in place, utterly flabbergasted—it was as if she'd been struck dumb by his words.

At that moment.

A stunning figure appeared from outside, but Lin Fan's speed was lightning-fast, akin to a passing gust of wind.

"What a beautiful girl."

Lin Fan was surprised and couldn't help extending his hand to touch her cheek before vanishing without a trace.

The girl shuddered slightly, feeling something amiss.

But she didn't see anyone.

An illusion?

Lin Fan's speed was just too fast—so fast the girl couldn't even catch a glimpse.

"That damned rascal."

The Holy Empress was so furious she almost exploded. She hadn't expected him to humiliate her one last time before leaving.

"I'll go capture him." The Old Woman was trembling with anger, furious beyond belief.

The Holy Empress stopped her, "Old Teacher, no need; you won't catch him. I can't believe after a year, that rascal is still so infuriating. Someday, I'll make him realize his mistake."

Just then.

A young, beautiful woman walked in, dazed. "Master."

The Holy Empress saw her disciple arrive and her expression softened. "An Er, how did things go on your trip?"

"Master, everything went smoothly. Though just moments ago, I felt a gust brush past my face—like someone touched my cheek." An Miaoyi said.

The Holy Empress's face darkened at the remark—what nerve that scoundrel had! Teasing her was bad enough, but he even dared take liberties with her disciple on the way out. He deserved his hands and feet chopped off.

Unfortunately.

The other half of the Eternal Divine Furnace had been right in front of her yet slipped through her grasp.

She wondered if another opportunity like this would ever come again.

Elsewhere.

A crack tore through the Void; Sheng Wushuang staggered out, disheveled, and fell to the ground.

"Damn it all!"

"How could it come to this? I, Sheng Wushuang, am a talent of destiny, clearly born under great fortune—and even blessed with celestial opportunity! Yet, I suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of that rascal."

At this point.

The thing that irked him the most was this debasement.

Thinking about it made his fury erupt.

He spat out a mouthful of blood.

The Eternal Divine Furnace had been stolen from him—an insufferable loss, it was his treasure! Insurmountable damage.

Still, he was lucky some items hadn't been taken.

There was still hope.

The Eternal Secret Treasure Key was his last holdout. It could open the Eternal Immortal Venerable's Cave Mansion left within the cultivation world. Following its guidance, finding the hidden treasure was no issue.

As long as he obtained everything within the treasure.

All losses could be recouped.

"Just you wait—whatever this Young Master lost, I'll personally reclaim."

Sheng Wushuang's gaze burned fiercely, firmly resolved never to let Lin Fan off.

No matter what—it was endless revenge.

In the Northern Desolation.

A mysterious Demon in the Forbidden Land forcibly caused the great cultivators of both the Demon and Immortal paths to ascend, crippling their factions heavily.

The Northern Desolation's Four Emperors were deep in cultivation.

But during their training, a voice echoed in their ears.

Upon hearing the news, they were shocked, even doubted its truth, thinking someone might be joking with them.

Yet with their cultivation levels?

No one should be able to transmit a message without their notice.

Their conclusion was clear—the entity who contacted them must be unimaginably powerful.

Thus, erring on the side of caution, they secretly opened channels to investigate; if true, it signified an opportunity for the Demons.

Having endured so much suffering and hardship in the Northern Desolation.

It was time for the cultivators of the Heavenly Realm to taste painful retribution.

In the end.

The information confirmed itself beyond doubt.

Indeed.

The great cultivators of both paths who entered the Forbidden Land hadn't reappeared. Further, reports from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion confirmed they'd ascended.

In the Demon Valley.

The four Demon Emperors gathered as one.

The four emperors exchanged glances, then burst out laughing.

The Nine-headed Demon Ape roared, pounding its chest, and extended a massive hand toward the depths of Demon Valley. Amid the shadows, it retrieved a flag.

The flag radiated dominion, stitched with countless images of demons, infused with powerful demonic energy.

"Evil Summoning Banner, assemble!"

The Nine-headed Demon Ape stood towering over the heavens, waving the Evil Summoning Banner.

Every Demon in the Northern Desolation seemed drawn, gazing toward the distance. Soon, they howled in unison, as though answering the call of the banner.

Boom!

Boom!

At that moment.

The land of the Northern Desolation trembled. Endless numbers of Demons converged from all directions toward a single point.

Their blood boiled.

Vengeance seemed to be just within reach.