A towering, imposing figure appeared before Liu Yan. Upon seeing him, Liu Yan’s pent-up grievances erupted, and she exclaimed, "Father, I thought I would never see you again!"
"Fear not! Your father is here. Who dares to lay a hand on my daughter? Are they seeking death!"
The newcomer was none other than the lord of Willow King City.
The sole Fourth-tier Profound Emperor in the Willow King City region.
Liu Zhong.
Liu Yan briefly recounted the assassin’s ambush and how Ling Fan had saved her.
Liu Zhong nodded upon hearing this.
"Demon Eye Sect, them again! It seems they are thoroughly targeting the treasures of the Demon Sealing Forbidden Zone. They must intend to capture you to force me into helping them seize the Demon Sealing Forbidden Zone's treasures."
"Demon Sealing Forbidden Zone…"
Ling Fan’s heart stirred slightly upon hearing this name again.
His purpose in coming to Willow King City was precisely for the treasures of the Demon Sealing Forbidden Zone.
This was a secret he had obtained from Tian Heng.
Tian Heng’s inheritance was acquired within the Demon Sealing Forbidden Zone, but with Tian Heng’s strength, he could not venture deep into it, only obtaining some demonic beast furs and fragmented inheritances from its periphery.
"Young master, thank you for saving my daughter. Please, come to my Willow family mansion to talk."
As he spoke, Liu Zhong, without waiting for a reply, unleashed an immensely powerful force that swept up Liu Yan, the Third-tier Origin Emperor elder, and Ling Fan, heading towards the Willow King City Lord’s mansion.
Ling Fan did not resist.
Soon.
Ling Fan was brought into the Willow King City Lord’s mansion.
"Someone, prepare a seat for this young master. May I know your esteemed name?"
Liu Zhong, seated on his throne, asked Ling Fan.
"Tian Heng."
Ling Fan replied.
As he spoke, he produced Tian Heng’s identity token.
"Indeed, a Heavenly Court Inspector!"
Liu Zhong’s guard relaxed slightly.
He had previously suspected Ling Fan of colluding with the Demon Eye Sect, believing this assassination was a staged ploy for him to infiltrate Willow King City.
Now, it seemed unlikely.
"So you are Envoy Tian. Thank you for saving my little daughter, Envoy Tian. I will certainly reward you handsomely. However, I have a question: Envoy Tian, you are stationed at Cold Mountain for the Heavenly Court, how do you have time to visit my Willow King City?"
Ling Fan replied, "City Lord Liu, aren't you asking the obvious? My purpose in coming to Willow King City is, naturally, the Demon Sealing Forbidden Zone."
Ling Fan stated his objective directly.
He had no intention of concealing it.
This was also in line with Tian Heng’s character, relying on his status as a Heavenly Court Inspector to act arrogantly and without restraint.
As Ling Fan had predicted.
Upon hearing his words, Liu Zhong let go of his last remaining reservation.
"Good! Envoy Tian, you are straightforward. I shall also be frank with you. This time, it is not just our Willow King City that has its sights set on the Demon Sealing Forbidden Zone. Several major powers from surrounding cities, as well as the mysterious Demon Eye Sect that assassinated my daughter earlier, are all after the treasures within. Since Envoy Tian has come to Willow King City, you must be seeking cooperation. Why not join forces with our Willow King City completely?"
"I am honored to accept."
Ling Fan declared proudly.
"Good."
Liu Zhong nodded. "Daughter, you take Envoy Tian to rest first. He is your savior, do not be willful."
"Yes, I understand. Your daughter is not that spoiled and unreasonable, alright."
Liu Yan shot her father an annoyed glance.
"Young Master Tian, let us go."
Liu Yan gracefully made a gesture to lead the way, feigning extreme ladylike behavior.
However, when she glanced at Ling Fan and saw him staring at the sky with an air of supreme arrogance, she became furious.
As a young lady born with a silver spoon, when had she ever treated someone so well, even deigning to personally escort them? Yet, this person not only did not appreciate it but acted as if it were his due, treating her like a mere attendant. It was utterly outrageous!
Liu Yan was almost ready to quit.
But considering that Ling Fan had saved her life, she had to suppress her anger for the time being.
"Tian… Mr. Tian, you can rest in this separate courtyard. Beneath this courtyard, a spirit formation is buried, which can continuously extract heaven and earth profound energy from our Willow family's First-tier Profound Veins. This will be very beneficial for your condensation of the Profound Emperor’s origin."
Liu Yan led Ling Fan to a lavishly decorated courtyard.
When mentioning the Willow family's First-tier Profound Veins, her face showed pride and arrogance. Thinking of how this fellow was ungrateful, she felt indignant again.
"Understood, you may leave now."
Ling Fan’s eyes lit up upon hearing about the First-tier Profound Veins.
He waved his hand dismissively.
His attitude was that of someone sending away a servant.
This infuriated Liu Yan to no end.
Her chest heaved violently.
It could be said that her assets were exceptionally abundant.
"Can't you at least give me a pleasant look? You did save me, but I didn't ask you to. Yes, I offended you before, and I apologize for misjudging you! Alright!"
Liu Yan glared with her phoenix-like eyes, speaking angrily.
She had wanted to erupt for a long time.
For a pampered young lady like her, having to fawn over someone who was indifferent was more unbearable than killing her.
"Don't think your apology is so precious, Miss Liu. The world does not revolve around you. It would be beneficial for your life if you understood this sooner. I am not your father; I don't need to indulge or appease you. Now, please leave. I need to cultivate."
Ling Fan said coldly.
"You!"
Liu Yan glared.
She turned abruptly and ran off.
A few Willow family attendants exchanged bewildered glances, seeing their young lady being reprimanded so severely for the first time.
Ling Fan paid them no mind.
He directly entered the cultivation room of the separate courtyard.
As soon as he stepped inside.
A surge of dense heaven and earth profound energy washed over him.
Ling Fan rejoiced.
He had been worried about not having a First-tier Profound Vein to cultivate with.
Second-tier and Third-tier Origin Veins were now of little use to him. To increase his strength and cultivation, he could only rely on First-tier Profound Veins and even stronger Heavenly Veins.
It was truly a case of someone delivering a pillow just as one was falling asleep.
Ling Fan immediately began to cultivate.
In an instant.
His Nirvana Tribulation Body, Samsara Divine Cauldron, and Newborn Heaven and Earth began to greedily absorb heaven and earth profound energy.
Their speed was so fast it was like three bottomless pits.
The spirit formation in the separate courtyard could barely keep up, operating at maximum capacity.
With such absorption speed, Ling Fan’s progress was naturally astonishing.
His Nirvana Tribulation Body was already infinitely close to the level of a minor tribulation. Now, with the amplification of heaven and earth profound energy, it broke through into this realm, and an unparalleled, terrifying aura of calamity descended upon the entire Willow King City.
For a moment.
Countless powerful individuals were shaken to their core, looking at the sky in astonishment, as if some cataclysmic disaster was about to strike, pressing down on their hearts, making it difficult to breathe.
However, fortunately, this aura vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Leaving no trace.