CHAPTER 268: CHAPTER 0265: START SPRAYING

"You’ve got some guts."

Lin Fan truly hadn’t expected that the old demon Tian Shi would dare to come to Taiwu Immortal Sect personally to cause trouble for him. There was no need to think too hard to guess the reason—it was undoubtedly because of the Divine Medicine Residue.

If Tian Shi had ambushed him while he was out traveling, Lin Fan might have commended the old demon’s persistence, willing to chase him to the ends of the earth.

But coming directly to Taiwu Immortal Sect? What kind of twisted logic was that?

Did the old demon really think he could do something to him while at Taiwu Immortal Sect?

There was no need to even think about it—impossible.

Very quickly, Lin Fan realized why Tian Shi Old Demon had dared to show up—he hadn’t come in person but had sent an avatar. Using a Dao Artifact as a vessel and infusing it with his Divine Soul, the old demon crafted a doppelganger.

"We were not informed of your arrival, Fellow Daoist Tian Shi, and must apologize for our lack of hospitality. Please forgive us," the Sect Leader cupped his hands in a display of courteousness.

While it was true that Tian Shi belonged to the Demon Path, in routine interactions, there wasn’t always an impulse to destroy demons and defend the way of immortals. After all, Tian Shi was a powerhouse, and giving due respect where it was needed was only natural.

The real Tian Shi Old Demon, still nursing heavy injuries, was recuperating in a coffin. Two of the Divine Medicine Residue fragments were now at large.

To him, those fragments were treasures lost in the wild. Without those missing fragments, the three he possessed were scarcely useful. All he could do was helplessly watch.

The old demon’s expression was emotionless as he fixed his gaze on Lin Fan.

It was clear that the purpose of his trip was Lin Fan.

Lin Fan wore a radiant smile, as cheerful as sunshine, without the slightest hint of self-awareness. He pretended not to realize the old demon’s intentions.

"Senior Tian Shi, I’ve long admired your name. But why do you keep staring at me? Is there something off about my face?" Lin Fan asked, feigning confusion.

He was blatantly playing dumb.

The old demon ignored Lin Fan and said instead, "Master Bai, this seat comes today for no other reason but to speak plainly. Some time ago, I spent an enormous fortune at the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion to bid on a Divine Medicine. Later, someone intercepted and robbed it. Two fragments of the Divine Medicine Residue were scattered outside—the boy there has one of them."

"This seat seeks only to reclaim the fragment. Nothing else. Whatever conditions you place, as long as they are not too excessive, this seat will agree."

From the beginning, his plan had been straightforward.

No negotiations.

Hunt Lin Fan down, slaughter him, and reclaim his lost fragment.

But waiting for so long had tried his patience.

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became.

If the fragment were lost forever, the Divine Medicine in his possession would be no better than trash. He had no choice but to send this doppelganger to negotiate with Taiwu Immortal Sect.

As to why he didn’t dare show up personally—

He was scared too.

What if he never returned, captured on the spot by Taiwu Immortal Sect’s powerhouse? Then he’d merely be a treasure delivery boy.

After some deliberation, the Sect Leader said, "Fellow Daoist Tian Shi, you will need to discuss this matter with him. Though I am the Sect Leader, forbidding interference in the opportunities that disciples gain during their trials is a principle I must respect."

"I trust you’ll understand."

"Lin Fan, Fellow Daoist Tian Shi has come in good faith to discuss matters with you. State your terms. If the negotiation succeeds, then we can prevent unnecessary conflict."

It was evident that the Sect Leader hoped Lin Fan would hand over the fragment in exchange for some benefits.

A complete Divine Medicine was indeed priceless.

But a damaged one, while still useful, was far less valuable. To provoke a powerhouse over it would hardly be wise.

"Understood, Sect Leader." Lin Fan nodded, then turned to the old demon with a smile. "Senior, I can empathize deeply with your feelings. It’s like when I used to have a deck of collectible cards—every rare card you could imagine—but one day, the neighbor’s kid ruined one of them. That feeling, it’s like the sky collapsed; it’s no longer perfect or complete."

"So I totally get it. I really do."

As he spoke, his expression was on point, brimming with sincerity.

The old demon’s temper eased slightly. Perhaps this trip would yield results after all.

But then Lin Fan’s next words nearly made the old demon explode on the spot.

"However... Senior, this isn’t the same as my ruined card collection. The Divine Medicine was up for grabs; everyone had an opportunity. I just happened to be a bit luckier and obtained one fragment through great effort—shouldn’t I get to keep what I risked my life to earn?"

"That said, it’s true that a fragment isn’t of much importance to me."

"Returning it to you isn’t impossible. But I have my conditions. In cultivation, I’m missing many resources. If you can provide one set of top-grade Dao Artifact sword arrays, one top-grade Taoist Sword, and a hundred Eighth- or Ninth-Grade Great Pills that boost mana, I’ll give it back to you."

"Surely my request isn’t excessive, is it?"

The Sect Leader froze upon hearing Lin Fan’s demands, his expression turning stiff. He looked at Lin Fan, utterly dumbfounded. Incredible! What a bold kid—when others make exorbitant demands, they pale in comparison to yours!

Just the value of what Lin Fan had listed—

It might exceed the price Tian Shi had paid for the entire Divine Medicine.

A top-grade Taoist Sword was obtainable; a True Immortal-level powerhouse might have no trouble producing one.

But an entire set of top-grade Dao Artifact sword arrays? That wasn’t so simple. A full set would include at least a thousand Spirit Swords and Dao Swords, making it astonishingly valuable—not everyone could afford that.

As for a hundred mana-boosting Great Pills? Supplying a few might be reasonable.

But a hundred at once?

You might as well go rob someone.

There were reasonable demands; then there was just outright provocation. If you didn’t intend to hand over the fragment, why go out of your way to irritate the other party?

Predictably—

"You’re toying with this seat?!" Tian Shi Old Demon’s eyes burned with rage.

"Calm down, Senior! I swear I’m not toying with you," Lin Fan shouted with mock sincerity. "I’m doing it on purpose! After all, the fragment I stole with such painstaking effort—how could I possibly hand it over just because you asked? I’m still waiting for you to use it, so I can refine you into a medicinal pill of my own, and then auction you back at Heavenly Treasure Pavilion!"

"I really don’t understand what you Demon Path giants are thinking. As a disciple of the Immortal Sect, even if I destroy the fragment, I can’t let you succeed."

"If I hand it over, I’d only be fueling the Demon Path’s arrogance and putting the Immortal Path at a disadvantage. If you’re mentally impaired, take some Brain-supplement Pills! Have you cultivated so long that you’ve grown stupid? Don’t think your ’Senior’ title makes you untouchable."

"Calling you Senior was out of politeness. Being impolite? Then you’re just an old dog."

"What’s that look for? Wanna fight? Bring it on! Don’t think I won’t smack you into the ground just because you’re using an avatar. If your true body shows up, I’ll still beat your ass!"

The old demon’s expression shifted rapidly, like a performance of changing theatrical masks. If there were an audience, applause would have thundered through the room, with cries for an encore and generous rewards.

"So this is how it’s going to be...?" Tian Shi Old Demon snarled, gnashing his teeth.

"Ha! Pathetic. I’ve insulted you thoroughly, and all you can manage is a few words? With skills like yours, you wouldn’t even qualify to defend your mother on the Grand Ancestral Battlefield of Trash Talk." Lin Fan sneered.

"The Grand Ancestral Battlefield! Come if you dare!"

As a newly minted gold-tier trash-talker of the legendary battle scene, Lin Fan had survived countless wars of words.

His in-game ID: "The Longing Virgin."

With such a name, he could always intimidate enemies before a fight. People who saw the name knew one thing: messing with this guy was asking for hell.

The Sect Leader stood there shocked, his jaw practically hitting the ground.

What should have been a straightforward matter was now an uncontrollable storm.

"Lin Fan! How could you speak to Fellow Daoist Tian Shi in such a manner?!" the Sect Leader reprimanded him, hoping to salvage the situation. If news of Lin Fan, in his current cultivation stage, publicly berating a Demon Path powerhouse spread, it would shake the world.

Lin Fan raised his hand to interrupt the Sect Leader’s scolding. "Sect Leader, there’s no need to stop me. As a follower of the Immortal Path, how could we ever show courtesy to the Demon Path? ’Tian Shi Old Demon’? The name alone screams ’villain’."

"If I haven’t gone knocking on your coffin, you should stay out of this. Now you’ve got the audacity to bring trouble to my sect? Your true self didn’t dare come, so you sent a mere avatar instead. No backbone at all. I’m embarrassed for you!"

"What? Want to fight me? Come on, hit me. Let’s see if I don’t wreck you."

Lin Fan greatly hoped the old demon would bear a deep grudge against him.

And he had his reasons.

On closer inspection, one could understand why he acted this way.

The old demon, gravely injured, wouldn’t have the strength to pursue him personally anytime soon. Naturally, he’d send underlings to handle the matter. The typical narrative progression would see weaker enemies testing Lin Fan first, unintentionally strengthening him. Only when they realized something was amiss would the big boss step in, but by then, it would be far too late.

Even direct intervention wouldn’t matter.

The end result? A fresh round of treasure delivery opportunities.

Such a tragic thought.

Meanwhile, Wei You had been observing the situation from the shadows. She had refrained from stepping in, trusting when Lin Fan claimed he could resolve things perfectly.

But seeing this unfold—

This so-called "perfect resolution" was... rather shocking.

Tian Shi Old Demon was no ordinary cultivator but a top-tier Demon Path leader, ranking among the top five for his peculiar and sinister mastery of Immortal Techniques.

Wei You began contemplating whether or not to step forward and resolve the escalating situation.

If things continued like this—

It wouldn’t bode well.

"Fine. Fine. Mark my words, boy," Tian Shi Old Demon snarled, his rage barely restrained. Repeating the word "fine" twice, he turned to Bai Qiu. "Master Bai, this seat will take its leave. Truly, having a disciple like this is a stroke of fortune for Taiwu Immortal Sect."

As soon as he finished speaking, Tian Shi Old Demon stormed out.

At this point, he was utterly unwilling to exchange even another word.

Outside—

A group of disciples had gathered, watching the events unfold closely.

Tian Shi Old Demon’s arrival unsettled them—a Demon Path powerhouse daring to step into Taiwu Immortal Sect? Could it be related to Brother Lin?

Shortly after—

They watched as Tian Shi Old Demon exited the grand hall.

Under the oppressive weight of his rolling demonic aura, some disciples could hardly catch their breath. What a terrifying existence—so this was the might of a Demon Path overlord.

But then they saw another figure trailing close behind him.

Upon closer inspection, they realized it was none other than Lin Fan. Why was he following Tian Shi Old Demon?

Moments later—

They understood, and they were utterly dumbfounded.