Starting Cultivation During a Trip

In the morning, glaring sunlight fell on Zhang Fan’s face.

He raised his arm, shielding his eyes from the blazing light, and struggled to open his eyelids, reaching for his phone to check the time...

10:23.

Since merging with the Evil Gods, he rarely sleeps this soundly, and when he does, it’s usually after grueling battles, like last night.

He fought Fang Changle and Lord Hongshan successively and finally mastered the [Nine Dragon Divine Fire Shield]. With everything settled,

it was already past one in the morning when Zhang Fan got home. He fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed and woke up just in time for lunch.

Checking his phone, he saw numerous missed calls from Sui Chunsheng, Fang Changle, Jiang Hu, and Lin Jianyue.

”Are you free? Let’s have a chat.”

Zhang Fan first contacted Lin Jianyue as he had something to confirm with her.

”The usual place.”

Lin Jianyue quickly replied.

Zhang Fan put down his phone, washed up simply, and got up to leave.

”Yin Hu is now in the hands of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance...”

As he walked out of the hallway, Zhang Fan was deep in thought. Yesterday in the black market, his attention was drawn to the commotion from Deserted Mountain, and in his moment of shock, people from the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance had already arrived and taken Yin Hu away.

This caught Zhang Fan off guard; by the time he wanted to make a move, it was already too late.

”I should have just taken him out,” Zhang Fan muttered with a smirk.

Yin Hu falling into the hands of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance is a problem. If they expose his family’s identity, he’d truly be on the run for life.

”I need to talk to Sui Chunsheng and get the matter handled,” Zhang Fan thought, and the notion could no longer be suppressed.

”Fan... Fan...”

As he arrived at the entrance of Hongfu Garden, a call pulled Zhang Fan out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Uncle Liu leaning halfway out of the security room, waving at him.

”Uncle Liu...”

”What are you thinking? I’ve been calling you for ages...” Uncle Liu scrutinized Zhang Fan, looking into his eyes, seemingly trying to discern something.

”Nothing much, just pondering things,” Zhang Fan casually replied.

”Got a girlfriend?” Uncle Liu grinned, showing a knowing smile.

”Uncle Liu...”

”At your age, it’s normal to have a girlfriend. Didn’t you date someone when you were in college?” Uncle Liu chuckled softly.

”Didn’t your dad meet her? Although he didn’t quite like that girl... what was her name...”

”Xu Zhixia,” Zhang Fan’s heart twitched.

He remembered bringing Xu Zhixia home once during his sophomore year. At that time, Zhang Lingzong had just returned from a construction site, so they had a meal together.

Logically, his dad shouldn’t have had a deep impression of this girlfriend.

”Why didn’t Dad like her?” Zhang Fan couldn’t help but ask.

”Your little girlfriend practices the Refining Path and is part of the Xu Family. How could your dad like her?” Uncle Liu casually replied.

Zhang Fan had only recently learned of Xu Zhixia’s identity because of some old affairs. Back in college, his Primordial Spirit hadn’t awakened, making him just an ordinary person among ordinary people.

”Dad really does have sharp eyes,” Zhang Fan couldn’t help but say.

”Young man, love is normal, but you must be cautious. If things seem off, get out timely,” Uncle Liu advised.

”Get out?” Zhang Fan had a strange expression and couldn’t help asking, ”Uncle Liu, what are you talking about?”

”Silly kid, I’m imparting experience to you, so you don’t get conned.”

”What experience?”

”Anyone who has taken a bath knows that when the hot water turns cold and hot, you should realize you’re sharing it with someone else,” Uncle Liu grinned, hinting for Zhang Fan to figure it out himself.

Zhang Fan was momentarily stunned, then asked, ”Uncle Liu, what are you thinking? I wasn’t thinking about any of that...”

”Yet you were so absent-minded when I called you,” Uncle Liu casually remarked.

”Uncle Liu, can I ask you something?” Zhang Fan had a sudden idea, asking aloud.

”What is it?”

”Do I have a brother?” Zhang Fan recalled Yin Hu’s words.

”Hmm? Your brother came back from the dead?” Uncle Liu’s eyes widened, and he spoke without thinking.

”Hmm!?” Zhang Fan was perplexed, showing a strange look: ”What do you mean?”

”Who told you that?” Uncle Liu countered without answering.

”So it’s true? No way...”

”Your family’s affairs... are too complex for a short explanation. Ask your dad when you get a chance...” Uncle Liu withheld further, shaking his head.

”Our family matters... Why do I feel like an outsider...”

Zhang Fan muttered, pouting, ”I wasn’t picked up from the streets, was I.”

Crash...

As soon as he spoke, the cup in Uncle Liu’s hand slipped and shattered on the ground.

”Fan, how could you think that?” Uncle Liu shook his head: ”This is one thing I can assure you, you are definitely his biological son. If not, would they leave you alone at home?”

”...”

”That’s true.”

Zhang Fan whispered, thinking if he weren’t biological, his dad wouldn’t neglect him when his mom passed.

”Forget it, let’s deal with pressing matters first.”

Zhang Fan said goodbye to Uncle Liu and hurried to meet Lin Jianyue.

...

316 Bright Road.

Invisible Mountain Cafe.

When Zhang Fan arrived, Lin Jianyue was already there, sitting in an inconspicuous corner, with a plate of sizzling steak in front of her, some meat, a few vegetables, and a hint of sauce...

”They even serve lunch here...” Zhang Fan glanced around, seating himself opposite her.

”Want to order a set?” Lin Jianyue picked up her cutlery, asking casually.

”How much?”

”588 per set.”

”What? What kind of beef costs 588? Does it make you an Immortal?” Zhang Fan’s eyes widened.

With 588, you could buy plenty of beef...