"Master, is there really no other way?" Lin Fan asked, his voice trembling as he looked at his master. Even in his weakest moments, he had never bowed to anyone, let alone kneel. He had pride in his bones—how could he possibly submit to another?
"There's almost no chance," Xuan Lin shook his head. His current state was that of a fragmented soul. Over the past few years, he had expended much of his remaining power nourishing Lin Fan's body. His strength was no longer at the level of a Heavenly Sovereign of the Immortal Domain. Even escaping would require breaking the spatial blockade, which was no easy feat.
And even if they managed to break through the blockade, they would still have to deal with Qin Tian and his flood dragon. That was the greatest obstacle.
"Sometimes, to live is better than to die...," Xuan Lin hesitated, casting a glance at Lin Fan. His meaning was clear—apologize and live. Revenge could come later.
Lin Fan looked at his master with unfamiliar eyes. How could his master, once so strong and proud, now fear death to such an extent? Lin Fan had always believed his master to be mighty, capable of ripping a piece of flesh from even someone like Qin Tian. But now, to save his own skin, his master was suggesting that he kneel to the man who had humiliated him.
Is this the "stronger's dignity" my master always spoke of?
For the first time, Lin Fan questioned the purpose of cultivation. Even at his master's once lofty level, one would still abandon dignity for the sake of survival. Perhaps, in his master's eyes, Lin Fan's pride was something to be discarded at any moment.
The more Lin Fan thought about it, the colder his heart became.
"Master, I refuse." Lin Fan's eyes hardened with fury. For the first time, he defied his master. Even if he survived by kneeling, how could he face the path ahead? To live a life of cowardice was not his way.
Xuan Lin gave a bitter smile. Lin Fan was too stubborn, too rigid. If life was smooth and easy, that was fine. But in situations like this, where it wasn't even a matter of life and death, wouldn't it be wiser to bend? After all, revenge could wait three years, or even longer.
"Old senior, may I know your name?" Qin Tian asked, his voice calm as ever.
"I am Xuan Lin," the old man hesitated before speaking. He chose not to reveal his full title.
"Senior Xuan Lin, you don't owe Lin Fan anything. I imagine you're curious about my identity, so I'll tell you. I am the young master of the Immortal Qin Clan from the Primeval Immortal Domain."
"We have no enmity between us. Judging by your current state, it's clear you're a fragmented soul in need of a rare elixir to heal. I am willing to offer you a guest elder position within the Qin Clan and, on behalf of my clan, help restore your body. How does that sound?"
Qin Tian smiled as he spoke, pulling out a rare medicinal treasure, the Wendao Divine Lotus, from his storage ring and placing it before Xuan Lin.
Xuan Lin's heart clenched. If it had been before he met Lin Fan, such an offer would have been irresistible. He would have accepted immediately, fearing that Qin Tian might retract his generosity. The Immortal Qin Clan was one of the supreme clans of the Primeval Immortal Domain, truly standing at the pinnacle of power.
Becoming a guest elder of the Qin Clan would undoubtedly allow Xuan Lin to avenge past grievances. But what tempted him most wasn't the position—it was the Wendao Divine Lotus. The lotus was one of the best healing elixirs, capable of restoring his soul.
With this, he could return to the Heavenly Sovereign Realm within a thousand years. And with the Qin Clan's backing, he might even step into the God-Demon Realm, becoming an immortal titan who could live for millions of years, unscathed by time.
"Ah, and I see that Lin Fan has been a benefactor to you, which is why you've been teaching him. In order to repay that debt, I'm willing to let him go. What do you think, Senior?" Qin Tian's expression was indifferent, as though he were doing Xuan Lin a favor.
Actually, it made perfect sense. With someone of Qin Tian's status, even recruiting those at the Human Emperor Realm as subordinates would be effortless. If Qin Tian merely spread the word across the Primeval Immortal Domain, countless cultivators at the Human Emperor Realm would abandon their own sects in a heartbeat, eager to pledge their loyalty and serve under him.
Xuan Lin understood this well. It was only because Qin Tian was momentarily intrigued by him that he had even been offered this opportunity.
And Qin Tian's offer was generous—more than enough to tempt anyone.
Qin Tian was right. Lin Fan had been a benefactor to Xuan Lin. For years, Xuan Lin had unknowingly absorbed Lin Fan's spiritual energy, turning him into a "waste." When Xuan Lin finally awoke, he had felt guilty, or perhaps impressed by Lin Fan's potential, and had taken him as a disciple.
Now, one path led to greatness, while the other was certain death. Were it not for his growing affection for Lin Fan, Xuan Lin would have already accepted Qin Tian's offer.
Lin Fan watched his master waver, and a new feeling welled up inside him—resentment.
"Can you guarantee you'll let Lin Fan go?" Xuan Lin asked, as if searching for an excuse to justify his decision.
"My young master doesn't need to deceive you. Old man, if you still had your body, I might fear you somewhat. Back then, you might have been worthy to follow the young master. But now? You should look in the mirror and see what you've become!" Ling Jiao sneered, his disdain clear as he looked at Xuan Lin.
Xuan Lin's expression darkened, but he couldn't deny Ling Jiao's words. In his current state, there was nothing of value to tempt the Immortal Qin Clan.
Yet Qin Tian had still given him a choice, which was a show of respect.
"I don't need your help!" Lin Fan suddenly spoke up, his anger directed at his master. To see the person he had respected for so long bartering with his enemy—after everything that had happened, after what Qin Tian had done to Qing Yao—made Lin Fan's blood boil.
"Senior, you've gone to great lengths to save him, yet he doesn't appreciate it," Qin Tian remarked coldly, glancing at Lin Fan as if he were nothing more than an ant to be crushed whenever Qin Tian wished.
Xuan Lin felt a pang of disappointment as he looked at his disciple. He had once thought highly of Lin Fan, but now, all he saw was a boy too emotional, too focused on women.
"If the senior won't make a choice, I will make it for him," Qin Tian's eyes narrowed. "Ling Jiao, strip his cultivation and throw him out."
Ling Jiao cracked his knuckles as he approached Lin Fan, ready to beat him within an inch of his life.
"Master..." Lin Fan whispered, looking toward Xuan Lin with desperation. Would his master really let this happen?
Seeing the look in Lin Fan's eyes, Xuan Lin hesitated for a moment before he finally spoke, "Forgive me, Young Master Qin, but I must decline your offer."
With that, Xuan Lin rushed forward, grabbing Lin Fan. His soul energy flared as he began burning his very soul essence. This was his final trump card—his life force itself. Once a Heavenly Sovereign, Xuan Lin was now burning the very foundation of his power. Once his soul essence was gone, he would never be able to return to the Heavenly Sovereign Realm. His path of cultivation would be over.
"As expected, the Child of Fortune never follows logic," Qin Tian mused, watching Xuan Lin's desperate act of sacrifice. "Now I understand why these protagonists always seem to escape death in those stories."
He shook his head. "And here I thought my offer was tempting enough."