Chapter 24: First Hearing of the Upper Realm, the Elder's Task
Gu Fan slowly let out a breath of relief as he walked down the mountain from the main hall.
It was only at this moment that he finally confirmed he had overcome the most difficult issue.
That was the sudden surge in strength, which now had a reasonable explanation.
One could only say it was a fortunate coincidence that he happened to run into the incident at Luoyang City.
Otherwise, Gu Fan would definitely have had to stay outside much longer before returning.
Lost in thought, Gu Fan suddenly paused.
He then changed direction and walked into a forest midway up the mountain.
A moment later, he saw the elder who had just helped him in the main hall, the one who had sat on the left side.
“Disciple Gu Fan, greets Elder!”
The elder chuckled twice and turned around to look at Gu Fan, who stood obediently and saluted.
“I thought you were fearless.”
“Disciple may indeed be a bit straightforward in nature, but that doesn’t mean I am ungrateful. Elder’s help just now—this disciple will remember it well.”
Gu Fan inwardly curled his lips.
He thought to himself—he wasn’t a fool.
There was no need to stubbornly oppose someone stronger than him.
Moreover, since there was no conflict between them, he naturally wouldn’t go around making enemies.
“Hahaha, good lad. But do you even know who that Zhao Ting you offended really is?”
Gu Fan shook his head, playing the role of a humble student seeking enlightenment from a master.
“I haven’t introduced myself yet. My name is Zhu Yang, an elder of the Heavenly Evil Sect. And that Zhao Ting you offended, he comes from a sect family in the Upper Realm—the Zhao Family!”
Gu Fan’s expression suddenly changed.
Upper Realm?
This was the first time he had heard of such a thing.
“Elder Zhu, what is this Upper Realm you speak of?”
“Hehe, you only need to know that it is a more powerful world, a sacred land of cultivation that all strong cultivators long for. Our Heavenly Evil Sect also has a branch in the Upper Realm. Several powerful families have established themselves there, and the Zhao Family is one of them. Now, do you understand what kind of existence you’ve offended?”
Gu Fan, upon hearing this, did not become anxious or worried.
Instead, he clasped his fists and saluted.
“Please save me, Elder Zhu!”
Zhu Yang was briefly stunned, then burst out laughing as he looked at Gu Fan.
There was a trace of appreciation in his eyes.
“You respond quite fast. I’m curious—what makes you think I would help you?”
“Elder holds a noble status and naturally wouldn’t waste words with someone doomed to die.”
Zhu Yang nodded in satisfaction after hearing that.
“I was worried you were a reckless brute, but it seems you’re aware of your own situation.”
“In that case, I won’t waste time. Your strength is enough to casually suppress Zhao Lao Gui’s two disciples, and I’m stronger than that Zhao Ting. So if I want to protect you, he’ll just have to grit his teeth and endure it!”
“This is the law of the cultivator’s world. But there are no free benefits in this world. I can protect you, but you’ll have to help me complete a task. As long as you accomplish it, I can even use my connections to help you get a chance to compete for entry into the Upper Realm!”
Gu Fan wasn’t the least bit surprised.
No one in this world would help you for no reason, so Zhu Yang having a condition was no surprise at all.
What did surprise him slightly was that, judging from Zhao Ting’s Upper Realm background, he should have a powerful backing.
Yet Zhu Yang didn’t seem to take him seriously.
He even claimed he could help Gu Fan earn a chance to ascend to the Upper Realm.
It seemed this Elder Zhu was not a simple character either.
And as for himself—Gu Fan knew he would have to go to the Upper Realm sooner or later.
Right now, the time flow difference between this place and the post-apocalyptic world was five to one.
Cultivation speed was extremely fast.
It wouldn’t be long before he might break through to the Primordial Yang or even the True Yang Realm.
By then, this place might no longer suit him.
The Upper Realm would be a far better destination!
“Elder Zhu, please speak. As long as this disciple has the ability to do it, I will do my utmost.”
Zhu Yang stroked his white beard and said with a smile:
“Hehe, good! I’ll send someone to deliver the details to your cave residence later. Just prepare yourself. You could depart at any time.”
Gu Fan’s eyes flickered slightly.
It seemed this task would require him to descend the mountain and leave the sect…
“Yes, Elder!”
After bidding farewell to Elder Zhu Yang, Gu Fan quickly made his way to his newly assigned inner sect cave residence halfway up the mountain.
The difference was indeed quite stark compared to before.
After a brief tidying up, Gu Fan sat cross-legged inside the cave and began cultivating.
After half a day, he finally sensed someone approaching.
“Junior Brother Gu Fan, are you inside?”
Gu Fan got up and strode to the entrance.
“I am Gu Fan.”
“The Elder asked me to deliver this scroll to you. There’s also a letter meant for your eyes only.”
Gu Fan nodded and took the two items, then nodded politely to the visitor.
“Thank you, Senior Brother!”
“No need to be polite. With that, my task is done. Farewell!”
With that, the man turned and hurried off, with a faint trace of nervousness still on his face.
Gu Fan was no longer the inconspicuous new disciple he had been upon entering the sect.
After the battle on the mountain path today—
Everyone now knew that a new outer sect disciple had defeated inner sect disciple Liu Qingyao with a single punch, and killed inner sect disciple Qin Shaokong in one strike!
Not only that, he had even devoured Qin Shaokong’s living soul in front of everyone!
One punch to defeat Liu Qingyao, one move to kill Qin Shaokong!
Such terrifying combat power!
In no time, Gu Fan’s fearsome reputation spread throughout both the outer and inner sects.
Nearly everyone had heard of him!
Yet Gu Fan remained unaware that his fame within the sect had already skyrocketed.
At this moment, he returned to his cave and opened the task Elder Zhu Yang had given him.
Black ink on white paper—just a few simple lines.
Gu Fan then instantly ignited the paper with black fire and reduced it to ashes.
“Such a strange task...”
Gu Fan was a little surprised.
He had expected something extremely dangerous, but from the current contents, the task didn’t seem too difficult.
The main concern was the safety on the way—those Righteous Path disciples were surely watching him now.
“Head to the Great Qian Dynasty and find a way to deliver the scroll to the Second Prince…”
Gu Fan’s mind reviewed all he knew about the dynasties.
Aside from the righteous and demonic sects, the rest of this continent was ruled by three major dynasties.
They governed the mortal world and were also aware of cultivation.
Within each dynasty, powerful figures resided, and though they cooperated with various sects for mutual benefit, they would not submit to any sect.
Among the three dynasties, the Great Qian Dynasty was considered top-tier. However, it was unclear what connection the Second Prince had with Elder Zhu Yang.
Gu Fan pondered for a while but couldn’t figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking.
It seemed he wasn’t going alone on this task—according to the letter, a fellow disciple would be accompanying him.
He didn’t know who it was yet… hopefully, it wouldn’t be a burden.
The next morning, Gu Fan did something rare—he slept soundly in his new cave residence.
Though cultivation could substitute for sleep, it was a habit he had developed.
Gu Fan never deliberately tried to avoid it, just like how cultivators didn’t need to eat, but he still enjoyed delicious food.
“You’re finally awake.”
Gu Fan’s expression stiffened slightly.
He turned his head to look to the side.
A youth dressed in white sat motionless on a chair. He looked to be about the same age as Gu Fan.
Gu Fan remained silent for a moment, then pulled out his White Bone Banner.
The white-robed youth’s gaze flickered slightly, and he immediately explained:
“Your cave doesn’t have any protective formations. I saw you sleeping so soundly, so I came in and sat down without greeting you.”
Gu Fan got out of bed without a word and walked toward the youth, the White Bone Banner still in his hand.
“I am Elder Zhu Yang’s personal disciple. I’m assigned to complete the Great Qian Dynasty task with you.”
Gu Fan’s expression froze for a second, then he awkwardly smiled and put the White Bone Banner away.
“So, Elder Zhu’s disciple, huh? You should’ve said so earlier. I thought a thief had broken in—haha, what a joke!”
The two of them looked at each other in silence.
The atmosphere turned a bit awkward.