Inside the alchemy room, Ling'er poured a cup of tea for the Divine Pill Elder. "Elder, alchemy is such arduous work. This tea is specially brewed for you. Drinking three cups daily will not only allow you to recuperate but also strengthen your body."
"My old bones don't have many days left, what's the point of strengthening my body?"
The Divine Pill Elder smiled faintly. "However, I am quite pleased with your filial piety. Rest assured, even if Lu Fan becomes the Divine Pill Elder, I will make sure he treats you well and doesn't bully you."
"Thank you, Elder!" Ling'er nodded slightly, her expression showing great understanding.
Lu Fan would soon be gone, and the entire Divine Pill Hall would inevitably fall under his control. He naturally wouldn't dwell on such matters.
Not long after, Lu Fan returned from outside, holding an alchemy furnace in his hand, appearing quite casual.
Upon seeing Lu Fan, Ling'er was slightly startled. "Why have you returned?"
"What, shouldn't I have returned?" Lu Fan smiled.
"Of course not, I didn't mean that!" Ling'er gave an awkward smile. "I mean, why did you return so quickly?"
"It's already been half a day, so it's not that fast," Lu Fan chuckled. "After all, that city isn't far."
After speaking, Lu Fan approached the Divine Pill Elder. "How is this alchemy furnace?"
The Divine Pill Elder glanced at it and seemed quite satisfied. "This alchemy furnace is good. You've put thought into it!"
"As long as Elder likes it, that's all that matters!" Lu Fan smiled faintly.
Ling'er stood by the side, her brows furrowed slightly. She couldn't fathom how Lu Fan had managed to return alive. Qi Hao had already gone out, and under normal circumstances, things shouldn't have turned out like this.
"Junior Sister Ling'er, you don't seem happy to see me return?" Lu Fan chuckled. "Could it be that you have something on your mind? Or perhaps I shouldn't have returned."
"Of course not, don't say that," Ling'er quickly smiled. "Did you encounter anyone after leaving the Heavenly Fire Pavilion?"
"No!"
Lu Fan shook his head. "I didn't encounter anyone. Was I supposed to meet someone?"
"Of course not!" Ling'er smiled again. "I have some other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
After Ling'er left, Lu Fan's expression remained indifferent, not taking the matter seriously.
However, at this moment, the Divine Pill Elder poured out the nearby tea. "Did you encounter an assassination attempt during your outing?"
"Elder is joking, there was no such thing!" Lu Fan shook his head.
He didn't understand the Divine Pill Elder's intention, but it seemed he had some suspicions.
"This tea has been laced with poison, and it's a slow-acting one. If I drink a few cups daily, it will lead to my death," the Divine Pill Elder stated directly. "Ling'er actually intends to harm me, she must have thought of a foolproof plan, and you are undoubtedly part of his scheme. If he didn't act against you this time, he certainly will next time. You should leave the Heavenly Fire Pavilion as soon as possible!"
"How ruthless!"
Lu Fan gazed at the tea, his eyes growing colder. He detested people like Ling'er, who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
"Don't blame her. She is still young and doesn't understand many things," the Divine Pill Elder waved his hand. "But she is indeed not suitable to be the steward of the Divine Pill Hall. It's a pity she doesn't realize it!"
"Keeping such a person around will ultimately be a disaster," Lu Fan said indifferently, revealing a killing intent. Su Dan Novel Network.
The Divine Pill Elder looked helpless, unsure how to respond.
Within these few days, Ling'er had managed to enter the Second Heaven, but she hadn't seen Qi Hao. In fact, news had spread within the Second Heaven that Qi Hao had never returned after leaving the Heavenly Fire Pavilion.
Ling'er was extremely surprised by this matter, even suspecting Lu Fan.
Under normal circumstances, things shouldn't have unfolded this way. Qi Hao was a Great Spirit Master and an inner disciple, far superior to Lu Fan in both strength and talent. Why had Lu Fan returned safely, while Qi Hao's whereabouts were unknown?
Thinking of this, Ling'er didn't hesitate and went directly to Lu Fan's residence. "What happened to Senior Brother Qi Hao? What exactly did you do to him?"
"Junior Sister Ling'er, did you barge in just to ask about this?" Lu Fan said with a wry smile. "I truly don't know what you're talking about. And who is this Qi Hao you speak of?"
"Stop pretending. It must have been you. You must have acted against Senior Brother Qi Hao, otherwise, how could he have disappeared!" Ling'er's expression turned cold, her gaze fixed on Lu Fan, filled with hostility.
At these words, Lu Fan smiled faintly. "You're mistaken. I don't know him."
"That's impossible. Senior Brother Qi Hao was outside the Heavenly Fire Pavilion that day to deal with you. How could you not have met him!" Ling'er stated directly. "You must have killed Senior Brother Qi Hao. You murderer, I will report this matter to the Second Heaven and have the elders of the Second Heaven deal with you."
"Do you think you can still get out?"
White Lotus Sacred Fire instantly appeared on Lu Fan's palm, burning with an eerie glow, capable of instantly killing someone.
"It really was you!"
Ling'er's body trembled. She never imagined that Lu Fan would possess such abilities.
"I didn't want to reveal my identity, nor did I want to trouble you. Unfortunately, you have pushed me too far," Lu Fan said coldly. "If you want to kill me, you are not qualified."
"As an outer disciple, it's impossible to have such strength. You are not from the Heavenly Fire Pavilion at all!" Ling'er said again. "Could it be that you are the expert the Heavenly Fire Pavilion is looking for?"
"You guessed correctly!" Lu Fan nodded slightly. "Therefore, everything you've done is in vain. My purpose in coming to the Heavenly Fire Pavilion was not for the outer sect elders, but for the Green Lotus Sacred Fire, and I have no intention of competing with you for the position of Divine Pill Elder!"
Ling'er took a few steps back, her face turning ashen. If Lu Fan's words were true, then she had indeed done many futile things, even causing Qi Hao to lose his life in vain.
"Why, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Ling'er retreated step by step, extremely agitated. She never imagined that things would turn out this way. Not only was the person she loved gone, but she herself was also about to vanish.
"How could I have told you?" Lu Fan said coldly. "If you hadn't harbored ill intentions, would this have happened?"
"The Divine Pill Elder cared for you greatly, yet you poisoned his tea," Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Even though he knew, he didn't intend to punish you. How could you have done such a thing?"
"This is impossible, this is absolutely impossible." Ling'er continued to retreat, her mind in a daze.
At that very moment, Lu Fan's divine sense invaded Ling'er's mind, forcibly scattering her spiritual consciousness. Ling'er instantly fell into a deep sleep.
"You're still too kind, kid!" the primordial elder exclaimed. "In the end, you couldn't bring yourself to kill!"