CHAPTER 76: FORGOTTEN

Just as Hei Long and Ji Yao vanished around the corner, the air in the courtyard shifted again.

A gust of spiritual wind swept through the crowd, sending ripples through robes and hair.

Then came her voice—calm, clear, and utterly chilling.

"Elder Yu."

Everyone snapped to attention. Disciples froze. The remaining birds flew off. Even the koi in the pond seemed to stop swimming.

The Sect Leader—descended with a cold expression that silenced the entire courtyard.

"...S-Sect Leader!" Elder Yu bowed so fast his nose nearly hit the ground. "W-We were just—"

"I heard everything," she said plainly, her eyes sweeping over the scene: the destroyed stall, the pond-wrecked disciples, and the gathered crowd.

"And more importantly, I heard who was involved."

Her gaze sharpened like a blade.

"You dared to raise your voice in this courtyard over a petty squabble, knowing it involved Saint Hei Long?"

Elder Yu paled. "I—I was unaware he—"

"Unaware?" Her voice turned deadly. "Then perhaps you’re also unaware of your place in this sect."

Elder Yu trembled, nodding rapidly. "I deeply regret it! I—"

"Silence."

She turned to the three beaten disciples, eyes landing squarely on Elder Yu’s son.

"And you. You dared to harass the Saintess under this sect’s banner? You, who haven’t even entered the Core Disciple stage, dared lay hands on someone under my protection?"

"I-I didn’t know she was with him! I swear!"

"That shouldn’t have mattered."

Her hand flicked.

A shockwave of spiritual energy exploded across the courtyard, knocking all three disciples flat on their faces again.

"Ten days scrubbing every outer disciple latrine. Ten more in the pill garden weeding with your bare hands. And if I ever hear of you speaking to a female cultivator again without respect, I’ll make sure you regret being born with a tongue."

Elder Yu’s mouth hung open, speechless.

The Sect Leader turned to him again.

"As for you, Elder Yu... A month’s salary docked. You’ll spend it teaching discipline to your spoiled son—because if you don’t, I will."

"Yes, Sect Leader!" he barked, sweating from every pore.

The Sect Leader turned with a flare of her sleeve and vanished into a streak of light, leaving only silence in her wake.

But not everyone was silent.

From the shadows, Lin Fan watched.

His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

His eye twitched. His breathing was sharp and shallow.

’Her too?’ he thought bitterly, watching the direction the Sect Leader had gone.

’Even her? She’s defending Hei Long like he’s her personal treasure...’

In his mind, he recalled Mu Qianxue flirting with Hei Long.

Bai Luoluo smiling and working beside him.

Ji Yao walking at his side.

And now, even the Sect Leader, a woman he had once dreamed of serving under, was prioritizing Hei Long over him like some golden hero.

He grit his teeth so hard it hurt.

’I’m special...’ he told himself.

But it no longer felt convincing.

Not with the way the world bent itself around Hei Long.

Not when every woman—even the powerful ones—looked at him with warmth and light.

While Lin Fan stood alone in the shadows.

Forgotten.

.

.

.

Lin Fan sat alone in the back corner of one of the abandoned pavilions, hands trembling, his face twisted with frustration.

His chicken—his dumb, squawking beast companion—was pecking at his robes like an idiot.

He swatted it away.

"Get lost!"

The chicken honked, flapped twice, and waddled behind a rock in shame.

Lin Fan leaned forward, gripping his hair with both hands, sweat trailing down his face.

Everything hurt—his pride, his body, and especially his heart.

"...I can’t take this anymore," he whispered.

Silence.

No response from the old man.

"I said..." Lin Fan growled, eyes glaring toward the sky, "I can’t fucking take this anymore!"

Still nothing.

"...Old man," he muttered. "I know you’re there. I know you’ve been watching all of this."

Finally, a sigh echoed inside his mind like an ancient bell ringing from the depths of a sealed tomb.

’Oh, now you want to talk?’ the old man’s voice echoed with disdain.

’Did you finally grow tired of being the sect’s punchline?’

Lin Fan grit his teeth.

"You’ve seen what’s happening. Hei Long has everything! The girls, the sect leader, the power... It’s like this world was made for him!"

’Hm. Maybe it was.’

"Then why the hell am I the one who has you in my body?! Why am I the one with the bloodline and the fate?!"

’Because your soul barely met the minimum requirement to contain me without exploding into ash.’

"..." Lin Fan flinched. That one stung.

The old man didn’t stop.

’You’re arrogant. Undisciplined. Horny. Weak-willed. And above all else—pitiful.’

Lin Fan didn’t speak for a moment. His fists clenched tighter.

"...I get it," he finally muttered. "I get it. I’ve been a joke. I haven’t taken this seriously. I wasted time chasing women who hated me. I thought... being special meant things would fall into place."

’That’s not how the world works, boy. Fate gives a spark, but it’s your job to fan it into a flame.’

Lin Fan looked up at the sky. The stars were beginning to blink through the darkening canvas above.

"I don’t want to be a joke anymore."

’...’

"I want power. I want to cultivate. I want to win. Even if Hei Long has a head start... I’ll catch up. Just tell me what to do. Please."

There was a long pause. Almost... hesitant.

Then:

’You’re only doing this because your pride’s been stepped on.’

"...Maybe," Lin Fan said, voice hoarse. "But I’m still serious."

A deep sigh echoed again.

’I was once the Sect Master of the Nine Abyss Sky Flame Sect... My name shook continents. Now, I’m stuck inside a hormonal brat who lets chickens ride his shoulder.’

"HEY—!"

’Don’t talk. Just listen. I’ll unlock one of the seals on your dantian. It’ll allow your cultivation to progress twice as fast... but if you waste it, don’t expect mercy from me again.’

A sudden pain shot through Lin Fan’s stomach—like a red-hot poker stabbing deep into his core. He screamed, falling to his knees as a glowing symbol burned into his abdomen.

’Now... get off your ass, boy.’

The pain faded.

And then—power.

Raw, bubbling, like magma rising from deep within.

His body quivered. He could feel it. His meridians cleared. His blood boiled with purpose.

Lin Fan’s breath grew steady.

He stood, slowly, his eyes sharp.

"I won’t lose again."

’Hmph. We’ll see about that. One step forward does not make a path.’

From the shadows, the chicken peeked out again and waddled over, honking happily.

"...Fine," Lin Fan grunted, scooping it up with a sigh. "You can come too, dumbass."

But this time...

He was going to actually try.