CHAPTER 93: RUN, LIN FAN, RUN

Morning sun bathed the Ocean City training fields in golden light.

Birds chirped. Disciples practiced calmly. Masters meditated beneath fluttering banners of their sects.

And then—

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH—!!"

A streak of sweat, panic, and regret bolted past a group of startled disciples.

Lin Fan, eyes wide and lips trembling, was mid-sprint, leaving behind a tornado of kicked-up dirt, broken bamboo fences, and one terrified goose.

"Is that guy still running?" a disciple asked, poking his steamed bun with confusion.

Another nodded. "Third lap around the entire mountain. I timed it. Seventeen minutes, forty-three seconds."

In the distance, Lin Fan could be heard shouting between heaves:

"I SWEAR I’M TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY, OLD MAN!"

Elsewhere, at the Bench of Bliss

Hei Long reclined on a shaded bench, sipping spiritual peach tea. Ji Yao stood quietly beside him. Bai Luoluo tinkered with a weapon.

Sheng Moxian was trying to braid Hei Long’s hair into hearts. All eyes turned as Lin Fan whizzed past—again.

"He’s persistent," Ji Yao murmured.

Hei Long didn’t look up. "He’s desperate. There’s a difference."

Bai Luoluo snorted. "At this point, even the squirrels are starting to pity him."

Inside Lin Fan’s Head

The voice of the ancient cultivator echoed through Lin Fan’s mind like thunder through a cave.

"You promised me results, not embarrassment. You’re still soft, brat."

"I’m running until my legs fall off!!" Lin Fan wheezed. "This is dedication!!"

"You flirted with a cabbage vendor yesterday. Don’t talk to me about dedication."

Accidents Happen

On lap five, Lin Fan tripped over a training dummy, bounced off a tree, rolled down a hill, and faceplanted into a koi pond. Fish scattered. Frogs laughed. A child offered him a towel out of pity.

Lin Fan sat up, water pouring from his ears. "Is this... enlightenment... or punishment?"

The Crowd Reacts

Back at the training grounds, several disciples gathered with snacks to watch.

"Should we help him?"

"No, no. This is better than the sparring matches."

One even held up a wooden sign: "Go Lin Fan, Go!" which was flipped moments later to "Just Stop."

Hei Long’s Commentary

Hei Long raised an eyebrow as Lin Fan passed once more, soaked, muddy, and gasping.

"He’s going to break a leg at this rate."

Sheng Moxian laughed, clapping. "I give him credit. He’s committed to the bit."

Bai Luoluo crossed her arms. "Still can’t believe the idiot thought a chicken could be a battle partner."

Hei Long grinned. "He still thinks that."

Lin Fan pushed himself forward, eyes burning with rage and tears. "I’m going to get stronger... I’ll be the strongest man in the sect... I’ll make all the girls love me—!"

Just then, he slipped on a banana peel and landed in the exact same koi pond.

A frog jumped on his head.

As Lin Fan dragged himself out of the water again, covered in seaweed, he raised his fist and shouted into the sky.

"THIS ISN’T OVER, HEI LONG!! I’LL CATCH UP—YOU’LL SEE!!"

The heavens remained silent.

And so did Hei Long, who, with a sigh, put down his tea, turned to Bai Luoluo, and said:

"...Does anyone actually care where Lin Fan is half the time?"

"Nope," Bai Luoluo said, tightening a bolt on her cannon.

.

.

.

’Boy... You want to change your fate, don’t you?’

Lin Fan flinched.

"Of course I do! I’m tired of being a joke! You keep telling me to work harder, but nothing ever happens!"

The old man sighed dramatically.

’That’s because you’re garbage, boy. But... I’ve held off long enough. Tonight, you’ll begin the true training. I’ll open a path... to the Spirit Realm.’

Lin Fan’s eyes widened. "Spirit Realm?! You could’ve done that this whole time?!"

’Do you want it or not?’

"I do! I do!"

With a grunt of approval, a glowing rune flared underneath Lin Fan.

The air shimmered around him, forming a swirling spiral of mist and light. A portal opened quietly — invisible to the naked eye, save for a faint flicker of energy.

Lin Fan, trembling with excitement, stepped forward.

But in the nearby shadows, Hei Long leaned against a wall casually, eating roasted sweet potatoes from a stick. His eyes narrowed.

"...Spirit Realm? Sounds useful."

With a smirk, he tossed the stick and vanished like a shadow.

Spirit Realm

Lin Fan emerged into a glowing forest. Spirit beasts roamed calmly, wisps of energy floated like fireflies, and ancient ruins hummed in the distance.

It was beautiful. Mystical. Sacred.

Lin Fan took one breath of the spirit-charged air and screamed.

"AAHH! MY DANTIAN!"

He dropped to his knees as pure essence flooded his core, violently clashing with his messy, unorganized cultivation. He flailed around in a circle, foaming a little. "It burns! IT BURNS!"

The old man groaned in his soul. ’You’re supposed to calm your breathing, not act like a possessed chicken!’

Lin Fan shakily stood. "I’m fine! I’m... fine...!"

But before he could take another step—

"Ah, what do we have here?" a calm voice said behind him.

Lin Fan turned—and nearly fell over.

Hei Long, looking relaxed and flawless, stood with his arms folded, a small spirit beast curled around his neck like a scarf.

"You!?" Lin Fan screamed. "How’d you get in here?! This is MY training arc!"

Hei Long yawned. "You made a portal in the middle of a training field. Not exactly subtle. Figured I’d follow."

Lin Fan looked like he was about to cry.

The old man’s voice cut in again. ’Great. Now the attention hog is here.’

Hei Long glanced around. "Nice place, though. I should bring the girls here sometime. It’s peaceful... and good for dual cultivation."

"STOP SAYING THAT!"

Training Begins (Sort of...)

As Lin Fan tried to meditate under a glowing waterfall, Hei Long casually climbed to the top of a cliff and began practicing advanced sword techniques — causing the wind to howl and the spirit energy to gather around him like a storm.

Even the wildlife came to watch him.

A deer.

A turtle.

A giant snake that coiled up and applauded silently with its tail.

Lin Fan, meanwhile, fell into the water after sneezing and got bitten by a spirit fish.

"WHY IS MY TRAINING ARC BEING STOLEN?!" he shouted, covered in algae.

Hei Long floated down from the cliff, landing gracefully.

"Don’t worry," he said with a smirk. "You still have your... personality."

Lin Fan was about to snap when the old man said in a deep, solemn tone:

’Boy... it’s time. Your real test awaits. The Spirit Guardian approaches.’

Just then, the sky darkened slightly.

A massive shadow rose from the ruins, forming the shape of a lion made of mist and lightning.

Lin Fan gulped. "Do I fight that?!"

Hei Long shrugged. "You first."