Ling Fan chuckled, "I'm just eager to help you overcome the first tribulation of the Nine Deaths Spirit Phoenix body. What did you think I wanted?"
"Don't rush. Once this is settled, we'll have plenty of time to discuss techniques," Ling Fan said with a smile.
Lan Xueyi, both shy and embarrassed, playfully punched Ling Fan's chest a few times. She had previously thought Ling Fan wanted to... She had even prepared herself mentally for it. It turned out to be a waste of effort. However, Ling Fan's teasing had significantly eased her tension.
Ling Fan comfortingly rubbed her shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you. It's just the first tribulation. Your husband can resolve it with a flick of his finger!"
Lan Xueyi rolled her eyes at him and twitched her nose, looking adorable. "You're bragging!"
Ling Fan smiled noncommittally, pulled up Xueyi's sleeve, and saw a purple line already spreading from her wrist, and it extended much further. Lan Xueyi shyly pulled her collar down a bit. A purple line extended from her shoulder onto the fair skin above her heart, almost reaching her heart. Lan Xueyi quickly pulled her collar back up.
Ling Fan expressed great disappointment, "I haven't even seen the specific details of the blood tribulation yet. Pull it down again so I can get a closer look."
Lan Xueyi spat, "Pervert!"
Ling Fan smiled slightly, feigning innocence, "This is just a man's nature."
After teasing Lan Xueyi for a while longer, Ling Fan began his preparations. "Xueyi, in three days, I will help you overcome the tribulation!"
"Mm."
...
Meanwhile, in Jiangnan City.
Almost immediately after Ling Fan and Liang Hutou returned to Lan Family Fort, the news reached the City Lord's mansion, the Li family. City Lord Li Yuanzheng sat with his back to them, like a petrified statue. After hearing the news, his eyes suddenly blazed with terrifying light. He couldn't hide his shock, "How is this possible! He actually defeated three quasi-Heavenly Yuan realm experts who joined forces..."
"Ding Chunxiu, the Patriarch of the Ding family in Tianchu Province, and Luo Su, the Enforcement Elder of Mishan Mountain. I've heard of their great reputations for a long time; they are practically invincible beneath the Heavenly Yuan realm. Although Liao Wu was recently promoted to Enforcement Elder of the Seven Stars Cave, anyone who can achieve such a promotion at such a young age cannot be ordinary..."
"The three of them were defeated, and it was a crushing defeat: one dead, one injured, and one driven mad..."
"Is this news true!" He couldn't help but doubt the authenticity of the report, as it was simply too astonishing. Before going to Xingsha City, Ling Fan's only notable achievement was subduing Liang Hutou, who was at the late stage of the Profound Gang realm. Yet, in less than a month, Ling Fan's strength had grown to such a level. This was truly terrifying.
"It is absolutely true! My subordinates witnessed it all with their own eyes." The experts from the City Lord's mansion quickly replied with their heads bowed.
Li Yuanzheng fell into silence. Previously, he had only found the situation troublesome, but now he was deeply wary of Ling Fan's strength.
Li Qingxuan, sitting in his wheelchair, had a contorted face, a hint of madness in his eyes. He roared, "How is this possible! Is he a monster! How can I avenge my hatred, Father!"
Li Yuanzheng said, "Wait for the right moment!"
...
In Lan Family Fort.
Various precious materials, spiritual herbs, medicinal herbs, and a large amount of fire crystal stones were continuously delivered into Ling Fan's room. Although the Lan Family Fort's grand formation had already been set up, Ling Fan still felt it wasn't secure enough. The grand formation was named the Vermilion Bird Profound Fire Array. It was a low-grade Profound tier formation, the strongest array Ling Fan could currently set up. Although the materials used for the array were not complete and the tier was insufficient, by utilizing the power of the fire crystal vein, the Vermilion Bird Profound Fire Array could barely exert a Heavenly Yuan realm level of power.
In addition to the grand array, Ling Fan had prepared several other measures. First, he set up eighty-one small Water Dragon Wall formations using a large quantity of water-attribute materials, spiritual herbs, and medicinal herbs, to prevent the tribulation fire of the Nine Deaths Spirit Phoenix body's first tribulation from going out of control. Second, he refined vital energy pills using medicinal herbs and spiritual herbs, to be used in case of need. Third, he used top-grade spiritual jade marrow to refine three protective jade talismans for Xueyi.
Working almost non-stop for three days, after completing all these preparations, even Ling Fan was utterly exhausted. After preparing everything, Ling Fan further reinforced and perfected the Vermilion Bird Profound Fire Array, only relaxing once he confirmed there were no errors. Ling Fan also pushed his own strength to the late stage of the Qi Refining realm. With all these measures, Ling Fan could ensure that three to five Heavenly Yuan realm experts would never return. This showed how cautious Ling Fan was in helping Lan Xueyi overcome the first tribulation of the Nine Deaths Spirit Phoenix body.
Three days passed quietly. Although most members of the Lan family were unaware of this secret, many people implicitly sensed a tense atmosphere. They felt as if something incredibly important was happening in the Lan family. Especially the large quantities of precious and rare materials, spiritual herbs, medicinal herbs, and top-grade fire crystal stones being sent into Ling Fan's room, which made many people sense something unusual.
"Junjie, what do you think our brother-in-law is so busy with lately? Is he cultivating?" Han Qing found an opportunity to try and gather some information from Lan Junjie.
Lan Junjie replied, "Of course not, it's for my sister..." As soon as he spoke, Lan Junjie cautiously stopped himself. "Heh heh, he's probably making some novelties for my sister... Why are you asking, cousin Han Qing? I know you've always had a crush on my sister, but my brother-in-law and my sister are a match made in heaven. Don't get any improper ideas, or I won't stand by and do nothing." Lan Junjie warned.
Han Qing lowered his head, appearing submissive. "Of course not! Of course not! What an astonishingly talented person our brother-in-law is. I, Han Qing, am ashamed of my own mediocrity. How could I harbor any improper thoughts? Cousin, you're being overly cautious."
Lan Junjie didn't think much of it and nodded, "That's true! In this world, a prodigy as omnipotent as my brother-in-law is probably impossible to find a second one. No matter what kind of genius appears before my brother-in-law, they have to bow their heads in submission."
Han Qing quickly lowered his head in agreement. However, a trace of extreme malice flashed in his eyes. He sneaked to a secluded corner of Lan Family Fort, below which was a thousand-zhang cliff. He released a carrier pigeon, which disappeared from Lan Family Fort.
...
And at this very moment.
The time for the first tribulation of Lan Xueyi's Nine Deaths Spirit Phoenix body had finally arrived. Ling Fan first cleared the area around the room, instructing Lan Tianxiong and Lan Junjie to station heavy guards to prevent anyone from entering and disturbing them. This tribulation would take a total of seven days. During these seven days, there could be no interference. Once it began, there was no turning back, and it could not be interrupted. Otherwise, all previous efforts would be in vain. Not only would Lan Xueyi be reduced to ashes, but Ling Fan would also be implicated, potentially leading to death and the destruction of his cultivation. The blood tribulation of the Nine Deaths Spirit Phoenix body was extremely perilous, not to be trifled with.
Inside the room.
Lan Xueyi and Ling Fan sat facing each other. Lan Xueyi's eyelashes trembled slightly. Despite her best efforts to control herself, she remained extremely nervous. Seeing this, Ling Fan took her hand and squeezed it.