“Are you telling the truth?” Qin Changkong looked at Qin Yao in shock, his eyes wide open.
Qin Yao nodded, “Mmm. Father, what exactly is the bloodline power inside me?”
After the initial shock, a bitter helplessness crept onto Qin Changkong's face. He said with a sigh, “Heaven’s will. It’s heaven’s will...”
“Father, do you know something?” Qin Yao's focused gaze tracked the changes in Qin Changkong’s expression.
Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Qin Changkong looked at Qin Yao and sighed again. “Unexpectedly... Unexpectedly... Haaa...”
“Father, tell me, is this related to Mother?” Qin Yao was growing anxious.
She had never seen her mother before, and Qin Changkong had only shared vague information about her. As such, Qin Yao had no impression of her mother at all.
Having just recounted the events below Scarlet Cliff and the changes within herself to Qin Changkong, she did not anticipate such a significant reaction. She immediately sensed that something was amiss.
Qin Changkong nodded and said, “That’s right. Those changes are indeed related to your mother, but... Haaa, I promised your mother never to tell you about these things for the rest of your life. However, now that your bloodline powers have awakened by chance, that place... I’m afraid they already know about it.”
A deep-seated hatred flickered in Qin Changkong’s eyes, eventually giving way to an expression of helplessness.
“That place? Which place is that?”
Qin Yao’s pupils shrunk, and the confusion on her face became even deeper.
Qin Changkong's face betrayed a worried expression as he looked at Qin Yao. “Yaoyao, there are some things I can’t tell you now. The moment your bloodline powers awakened, a crisis descended. I must swiftly take you away from here. Otherwise, when those from that place arrive, you and I...
“I promised your mother never to disclose this to you in your lifetime, hoping you'd grow up in peace. I thought bringing you here would allow us to live peacefully, but the training in the blessed land unexpectedly... Haaa...”
Qin Yao suddenly shouted, “Father, tell me, what is happening?! My mother, my mother she—”
“Senior Sister, Uncle Qin, are you in?”
Their conversation was interrupted by Chen Fan's voice.
Qin Changkong and Qin Yao’s expressions went blank.
Qin Changkong said, “Yaoyao, it’s not that I don’t want to tell you some things, but I can't. Your mother isn't dead. She's still alive.”
“Alright, you don’t have to ask anymore. I won’t say anything further," Qin Changkong concluded, walking toward the door.
“Xiaofan, what brings you here?”
Chen Fan hurriedly walked up and asked, “Uncle Qin, how are your injuries?”
Qin Changkong had defended Chen Fan back at Dragon Mountain Peak and suffered an injury from Duan Jingtian’s gaze, flying back and throwing up blood. Chen Fan was here to ask about his well-being.
Qin Changkong smiled and said, “It’s nothing serious. No need to worry. You, on the other hand, are you alright?”
Chen Fan shook his head. His tone turned cold as he asserted, “Uncle Qin, the day will come when I trample Duan Jingtian under my feet for what happened today.”
“Xiaofan, I have heard about the internal struggles within our sect. Since you’re already the Pavilion Guard Elder’s personal disciple, even though challenges might await you when you enter the inner sect, they won't be overt. Consider it a form of tempering on your martial arts journey,” Qin Changkong said after hearing some details from Chen Fan.
“Mmm.” Chen Fan nodded.
Every renowned martial master and unparalleled powerhouse reached the pinnacle after facing numerous trials.
“But Xiaofan, that three-year promise you made with Duan Jingtian... Although that person is extremely arrogant and overbearing, I must admit he is a monstrous genius.”
A look of worry showed on Qin Changkong’s face.
Chen Fan said sharply, “Uncle Qin, given Duan Jingtian’s talents, he will advance to the Divine Nascent realm within three years. As the Sect Leader stated, Duan Jingtian will then ascend to the position of Spring Autumn Sect Leader. Do you think there'll be a path for me to follow at that time?
“So, why not use Duan Jingtian as motivation to push myself to cultivate even harder! Pressure breeds motivation. I will sentence myself to death before carving a living way out. Who knows what the situation will be like in three years?
“Duan Jingtian is indeed an outstanding genius, but the lightning strike enlightened me. In just half a year, I went from martial trash to becoming a Qi Grandmaster... Three years is more than enough for me!”
Chen Fan narrowed his eyes slightly and said firmly, “I introduced the three-year time limit for two reasons: firstly, to increase the pressure on myself, and secondly, to secure three years.
“During these three years, Duan Jingtian won’t lay a hand on me. As for the others... I am now the personal disciple of the Pavilion Guard Elder and someone from the High Elder’s faction. If those people want to touch me, they must consider the consequences of facing the High Elder’s wrath!”
Qin Changkong sized up Chen Fan carefully for a short time, then smiled in satisfaction. “You’ve grown up, Xiaofan. Your father will be proud. Since you've outlined your plans, Uncle Qin believes in your capability.”
After leaving Qin Changkong’s place, Chen Fan returned to his residence.
“Black Flood Dragon demon core...”
A demon core emitting powerful energy waves appeared in Chen Fan’s hand, and a dragon’s roar emanated from that demon core.
This item had come into Chen Fan's possession after he killed Wang Fuchen, and it was a crucial component for completing the Heaven Seizing Furnace.
When he had killed the Devil-Faced Spider King and obtained its demon core, he was only a step away from completely cultivating the Heaven Seizing Furnace after refining it.
Now, the Black Flood Dragon demon core served as the key to overcome that final hurdle.
“Once I succeed in forming the Heaven Seizing Furnace, I will be able to refine everything within heaven and earth as I wish!” Chen Fan’s heart thumped heavily.
After mastering the first stage of Heaven Seizing Art, a qualitative transformation occurred in the cultivator's primeval qi, leading to the condensation of the Heaven Seizing Furnace.
The furnace could refine everything, even devouring someone else’s vitality to replenish their own. Demon beasts’ demon cores, or all kinds of elixirs, they all worked.
With the completion of the Heaven Seizing Furnace, Chen Fan's cultivation would undergo a substantial eruption, advancing rapidly and significantly.
Although he claimed that the three-year promise was to pressure himself, in truth, Chen Fan only wanted to buy himself enough time.
Without the three-year promise, Duan Jingtian might not hesitate to eliminate him upon realizing the threat posed by Chen Fan's rapid growth.
Setting the three-year promise gave him some assurance.
Certainly, the possibility existed that Duan Jingtian might break the promise, but such an action would tarnish his reputation.
“Just you wait, Duan Jingtian!”
Cold light flashed in Chen Fan’s eyes. He immediately threw the Black Flood Dragon demon core into his mouth.
He activated his divine art, unleashing the powerful energies within the demon core.
A resounding boom echoed from within Chen Fan. The Heaven Seizing Furnace resonated continuously—he had successfully formed the furnace.
His entire person emanated the aura of someone controlling the powers of a god.
Behind him, a colossal figure of the Heaven Seizing Furnace materialized from primeval qi. Deep within it, lava boiled, emitting an aura reminiscent of sulfur from hell. Gazing upon it induced a sensation as if one's soul was on the verge of melting away.