Pope Bok was punctual about his rest. He never stayed up late. Staying up late was bad for your health, and doing so often led to problems.
But now…
He was so startled by Lin Fan that he almost screamed. Perhaps only the word "holy crap" could describe his current mood.
"I was just about to sleep, but your arrival has completely banished my sleepiness. Welcome…" the Pope said sincerely.
They hadn't seen each other for a year. Each appearance was so sudden and mysterious, like a ghost, it was a bit much for his heart.
Lin Fan said, "I didn't frighten you, did I?"
The Pope smiled. "No."
Inwardly, he complained frantically, Do you even have any idea whether you scared me or not? You nearly scared my soul out of my body! It's a good thing I signed a contract with the Abyssal Lord, otherwise I would have definitely been scared to death.
"That's good. I've been tossing and turning, unable to sleep because I've been thinking about something. I came to find you, hoping you could help me with a favor." Lin Fan said.
The Pope felt reassured. Hearing these words, his mood became exceptionally good. He believed that Lin Fan considered him a friend. Otherwise, if something came up, why wouldn't he seek help from others, but instead come to him?
It must be because he considered him a friend.
Thinking of this, he felt delighted.
"What is it? The Church of Light will fully assist you, without hesitation." The Pope was ready to go through fire and water. No matter what it was, even if it came at a great cost, he would accomplish it.
As long as he could cling tightly to Lin Fan's thigh, nothing was a problem.
"Lend me some money." Lin Fan said.
"Don't worry, this kind of thing… What did you say?" The Pope stared wide-eyed, looking at Lin Fan in disbelief, as if he had misheard. He had expected some terrifying request, but when he heard the other party say he wanted to borrow money, he was truly dumbfounded.
"Lend me some money. My daughter needs money for school." Lin Fan repeated.
He knew borrowing money was the most awkward thing.
But there was no other way.
There weren't many people around him who seemed wealthy, and Pope Bok appeared to be one of them. So he came to Bok, wanting to ask him to borrow money.
The Pope stared at Lin Fan, his eyes fixed.
Lin Fan said, "Is there a problem?"
Thinking about it, it made sense.
Bok managed such a large organization, he definitely had to support many people, and the expenses must be extraordinarily high. He hadn't mentioned it to him in advance, and suddenly brought up borrowing money.
It must have caught him off guard.
Encountering some difficulties was to be expected.
"Come with me." The Pope didn't say anything else, simply draped a coat over himself and led Lin Fan away. The coat he wore was extraordinary, immensely valuable.
It was priceless, especially the seemingly small, gem-like things on the clothes, which were actually magic cores used as embellishments. Even some nobles wouldn't dare to be so extravagant.
But he was the Pope of the Church of Light.
He might lack everything else, but he certainly didn't lack these vulgar, dirt-like things.
Lin Fan followed behind the Pope.
Before long, the Pope pushed open an exquisitely crafted stone door.
Instantly, a golden light blinded the eyes. Upon entering, anyone would feel uncomfortable, mainly because it was too bright, so bright that it was difficult to keep one's eyes open.
The treasury of the Church of Light.
It held wealth that even the Empire couldn't compare to.
All kinds of treasures were placed here.
And here… gold coins were the least valuable, so vulgar that they could only serve as green leaves to accentuate other treasures.
This was also the first time Lin Fan had seen so many gold coins.
So many.
So many that it was dazzling.
"Take whatever you want, as much as you want. These things are not important to me. What I value most is the friendship between us. Being able to help you is my honor." The Pope was very eloquent, hoping to further his friendship with Lin Fan.
Thinking of Archimonde, he could only apologize to him. Just stay put in the Abyss. While you're away, I'll frantically strengthen my relationship with Lin Fan. By the time you realize it, you'll find that your place in Lin Fan's heart is far lower than mine.
Thinking of that scenario, he felt incredibly pleased.
"Thank you," Lin Fan expressed his gratitude.
The Pope said, "You're welcome."
Looking at so many gold coins, Lin Fan thought he shouldn't take too much, otherwise it would be difficult to explain when he returned. If his daughter asked him where he got so many gold coins, it would be hard to explain.
The Pope was quite good at reading people's expressions.
He noticed Lin Fan's hesitation.
"Is there a problem?" the Pope asked.
Lin Fan said, "If I bring too many gold coins back, my daughter will definitely be suspicious. I don't want to expose myself. I want her to grow up on her own, not by relying on me…"
Hearing these words, the Pope felt a surge of respect.
He hadn't expected this powerful figure before him to not only be strong, but also an educator, raising his child in such a way. As the Pope, he had naturally seen many children of powerful and noble families.
Many of them relied on the prestige of their families.
Compared to the person before him, the difference was truly vast. Perhaps this was the gap between them.
The Pope said, "It's very simple. You can tell her that you saved a wealthy merchant, and they gave you the gold coins out of gratitude. This kind of thing happens everywhere; there won't be any problems."
Lin Fan thought about it. It made sense. "Yes, that's a good idea. Thank you."
In the end, he only took a thousand gold coins.
The Pope wanted Lin Fan to take more, even taking all the gold coins here wouldn't matter. But in Lin Fan's view, a thousand gold coins were already a lot, enough.
What he didn't know was… the Pope, who lived a life of affluence and never worried about such things, actually felt that he had taken very little.
Village.
After returning to the village, Ke Lan was very popular with the villagers.
Many villagers wanted to know what Ke Lan had learned outside. Ke Lan was happy to share her knowledge with them, performing magic in front of them. With a swift slash of her sword, too fast for the villagers to see clearly, the stone in front of her was cut into several pieces.
The villagers exclaimed, "So amazing!"
At the same time, they were all envious of Lin Fan. They hadn't expected the daughter he adopted to be so outstanding.
He would be able to enjoy a comfortable life in the future.
Of course, back then, they had the opportunity right in front of them.
But they didn't cherish it.
When it came to adopting Ke Lan, everyone backed down, and only Lin Fan stepped forward. Over the years, Lin Fan hadn't looked for a partner, remaining single and raising Ke Lan into adulthood.
The villagers all saw it.
Therefore, they were only envious, not jealous.
Time passed quickly.
The day for Ke Lan to return to school arrived. Lin Fan packed Ke Lan's luggage, then placed the gold coins inside, along with a letter.
If he gave the gold coins to Ke Lan directly, she would definitely refuse.
He didn't want Ke Lan to have a hard time outside.
He could only do it this way.
At the village entrance, Lin Fan gently stroked Ke Lan's head, his eyes full of love. "Be careful on the road. Study hard when you get back to the academy. Don't let yourself be wronged outside."
"Mm, I know."
Tears welled up in Ke Lan's eyes. She was very reluctant to leave her father, but she knew that if she wanted to become stronger and give her father a good life, she had to become powerful.
She threw herself into Lin Fan's arms. "Dad, I'm leaving. You take care of yourself too."
Lin Fan smiled. "Mm, don't worry."
Gradually, Ke Lan reluctantly led the carriage away.
Lin Fan watched her receding figure, a smile on his lips. Good, she has indeed grown up. I hope she continues to work hard. He believed Ke Lan would grow into someone capable of handling things on her own.
By then, he could rest assured.
Royal Academy. Dormitory.
"Ke Lan, you're finally back! We missed you so much while you were gone." Thea rushed over excitedly, helping Ke Lan with her suitcase.
During their time together, they had become close friends.
Ke Lan smiled, then asked curiously, "Sylph, didn't you go back to the Elf Clan? When did you come back?"
"I came back the day before yesterday. My mother kicked me out. She said I stayed at home all day doing nothing, so it was better to study at the academy. Here, these are the special Elf Clan fruits I brought for you. They're especially delicious." Sylph held a fruit platter. These were unavailable in the human world, only found in the Elf Clan's territory.
The special geographical environment and abundant life force were absent in the human world.
Ke Lan said apologetically, "My hometown doesn't have any specialties, so I didn't bring anything back. But my father told me he prepared some dried meat. I grew up eating this; it tastes really good."
Opening the suitcase, suddenly, she saw the money bag inside.
Ke Lan covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
The three friends, seeing this, were at a loss, not knowing what had happened.
"Ke Lan, why are there so many gold coins?"
"Hey! There's a letter here too."
Ke Lan took the letter and hurriedly opened it.
My dear daughter, keep this money for your expenses in the capital. Take good care of yourself, don't worry. I received this gold from a wealthy merchant I saved in the past. He gave it to me as a token of his gratitude. Study hard, and do your best.
A simple paragraph, yet it moved Ke Lan to tears.
Thea said, "Ke Lan, your father is so good."
She was envious.
Although she was the second daughter of the Grand Duke, living in that environment, she had never felt paternal love. The family struggles were more terrifying than imagined.
Everyone coveted the Grand Duke's title.
And it was because she couldn't bear this situation that she left the family's territory and came to the capital to study.
"Mm, my father is the best father in the world," Ke Lan said.
Olivia gently patted Ke Lan's back. She was the eldest daughter of a large family and had high hopes placed upon her since childhood. Cultivation was the only thing she had to do.
This was how she developed such a resolute spirit.
Sylph didn't have this feeling. She didn't seem to have a father, so it was difficult for her to understand what this feeling was like. If she had to say, it was probably the feeling her mother gave her that allowed her to understand Ke Lan's current mood.
Thea said, "Take us to your hometown sometime."
"Okay, I'll take you there in the future." Ke Lan wiped her tears and smiled. "Try this dried meat; it's really good."
This dried meat was prepared by Lin Fan.
Lin Fan knew what kind of meat Ke Lan liked to eat.
He searched for a long time, even consulting the World Will.
Finally, he found the creature with particularly delicious meat.