Whew…
A powerful Aura swept over, and Lin Fan’s expression slightly changed, knowing that this was the Aura of a Divine Pill Realm expert.
No wonder Luo Qingkong was so fearless; it turned out there was a Divine Pill expert hidden in the dark, ready to assist him.
It's just a pity.
That expert seemed to have underestimated Lin Fan’s strength, which is why he couldn’t save Luo Qingkong immediately.
Luo Qingkong’s trip was originally to cause trouble. If he had brought a Divine Pill expert with him, the nature of the situation would have been different.
However.
When Luo Qingkong was severely injured, this hidden expert finally couldn't help but make a move.
But.
Lin Fan was not flustered at all. This was the Lin Family’s shop.
How could there be no experts guarding it?
“Old geezer, attacking my Lin Family Young Lord on my Lin Family’s territory, I think you’re looking for death!”
As a deep roar echoed, several experts whose Auras were no less than that of the Luo Family expert surged out. Three of them shielded Lin Fan behind them, while another clashed palms with the Luo Family expert who had lunged forward.
Bang!
Terrifying energy shockwaves swept in all directions, causing the surrounding people to retreat repeatedly. Those who were weaker even spat out blood, their internal organs suffering significant injuries.
This was the aftermath of a Divine Pill expert’s battle.
“Making a move in my Lin Family shop, intending to kill my Young Lord, Elders, seize this scoundrel! I want to see how the Luo Family will respond!”
“Yes!”
With three Divine Pill experts protecting him, Lin Fan was not affected by the aftermath. His expression was slightly cold, and his sharp eyes stared at the Luo Family Divine Pill expert as he reprimanded in a frigid voice.
These Divine Pill experts were all Clan Elders who guarded the Lin Family’s Spirit Medicine shop. Since Luo Qingkong, as a junior, was causing trouble, they naturally couldn’t step forward easily.
But.
The Luo Family had broken the rules first by deploying a Divine Pill expert, so their intervention was reasonable.
“Lin Family, what great prestige!”
Thinking they could capture the opponent in an instant, they didn’t expect several more voices to echo. Several individuals with the same Aura as the Lin Family Elders suddenly surged out, their expressions cold as they gazed at the Lin Family Elders.
“Luo Family, are you preparing for war?”
Lin Fan frowned slightly. If he were at his Peak, he naturally wouldn’t fear these individuals. However, he currently only possessed True Spirit Realm cultivation. If these individuals were to fight within the Spirit Medicine shop, not to mention casualties, the numerous Spirit Medicine within the shop would be ruined.
Such a loss was something the Lin Family could not afford.
“Lin Fan, you severely injured my Luo Family Young Master. This matter is not over.
If you know what’s good for you, cripple your own cultivation and come to the Luo Family to beg for forgiveness, bearing thorns on your back.”
Cripple his own cultivation?
Go to the Luo Family to beg for forgiveness?
“Presumptuous! If you want to fight, then fight! Lin Family juniors, listen to my command! Today, don’t let a single Luo Family member escape!”
The speaker was one of the four Lin Family Elders. His eyes were chillingly cold, his Aura surged, and killing intent, like a tangible substance, permeated with his Aura as he roared sharply.
“Stop!”
Just as the two Families were about to engage in a fierce battle, a deep roar suddenly descended. The next moment, ten figures successively swept into the shop.
The appearance of these ten individuals instantly caused the tense atmosphere between the two sides to freeze. Then, their Auras retracted, and they respectfully cupped their hands towards the ten individuals, saying in unison, “Greetings, esteemed Tian Wei (Heavenly Guards) 大人!”
Lin Fan narrowed his eyes, looking at these ten experts clad in silver armor, but he felt no fear at all.
Heavenly Guards.
They were the personal guards of the current Tianzi Bixia of the Tianfeng Empire.
Every single person among them was an expert who had stepped into the Divine Pill Realm.
Among them, the Heavenly Guard Commander was even in the Profound Palace Realm, an existence whose strength was no less than that of the Clan Chief of the Four Great Families.
Due to their terrifying strength, the existence of the Heavenly Guards was like an enforcement team for the Four Great Families. Even the Clan Chiefs of the Four Great Families dared not be too presumptuous in front of the Heavenly Guards.
“The Lin and Luo Families gathered to fight in public, damaging the Empire’s reputation.
Your Majesty has commanded that the main instigators be apprehended and brought before the palace for sentencing.
Apprehend Lin Fan and Luo Qingkong together!”
Tian Wei (Heavenly Guards) 大人!
As the words of the expert, who seemed to be a squad leader among the Heavenly Guards, fell, the expressions of the Lin Family and Luo Family experts changed simultaneously. The Lin Family was naturally worried about Lin Fan, while the Luo Family was even more concerned about the life safety of their Young Master.
After all.
Luo Qingkong was now severely injured; how could he endure any further turmoil?
The Heavenly Guards possessed formidable strength, and although the Lin and Luo Families had Divine Pill experts present, they dared not obstruct the Heavenly Guards’ actions. In their helplessness, they could only watch as Lin Fan and Luo Qingkong were apprehended.
“It even alarmed Tianzi Bixia?”
Lin Fan was secretly surprised. Although the Spirit Medicine shop was located in the city center, it was still some distance from the Imperial Palace.
The Heavenly Guards arrived so quickly, indicating that the Tianzi had noticed this matter very early on.
“Young Lord, I will go inform the Family Head immediately.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Fan smiled and nodded. The Tianfeng Tianzi was critically ill. Although he possessed Soul Manifestation Realm strength to awe the Empire, his time was not far off.
Daily court affairs were mostly handled by the First Prince and Second Prince to lighten his burden.
The Lin Family sided with the Second Prince, while the Luo Family was a loyal supporter of the First Prince.
“That fellow still harbors feelings for Luo Qingyi. It’s likely he suggested Luo Qingyi being conferred the title of Princess this time.
I just don’t know if this matter is also related to him.”
Although the Heavenly Guards claimed to be apprehending them, they did not actually use force; they merely guided the two towards the Imperial Palace.
Under everyone’s gaze, Lin Fan and the dying Luo Qingkong arrived simultaneously before the Tianzi’s palace.
“As expected!”
When Lin Fan saw the young man standing beside the Empire’s Tianzi, he frowned slightly and muttered to himself that something was amiss.
This young man was the current Crown Prince of the Tianfeng Empire, the First Prince Tuoba Yan. He was only twenty-seven years old, yet he already possessed a Heart-Nature unmatched by his peers.
Due to the Tianzi’s prolonged illness over the years, he had been handling court affairs for the Tianzi. Nearly half of the aristocratic families and powerful figures within the Empire had secretly pledged allegiance to him.
Among them was the Luo Family, one of the Four Great Families of the Imperial Capital.
And Tuoba Yan had always harbored special feelings for Lin Fan’s childhood friend, Luo Qingyi.
It’s just a pity.
Luo Qingyi, this woman, was naturally drawn to strength. She wasn't particularly fond of Tuoba Yan, who preferred to use schemes and tricks, and instead favored the exceptionally talented Lin Fan.
And now.
She had even leaned on Zhong Cheng, the chief Disciple of the Yuan Chu Sect, who held the reputation of being one of the Southern Wasteland Ten Elites. Tuoba Yan, clearly, still had no chance.
Tuoba Yan took a step forward, his eyes like lightning, his expression stern, and he said loudly.
“Lin Fan, Luo Qingkong, causing trouble in the Imperial Capital and instigating Divine Pill Realm experts to fight, damaging the Empire’s reputation—this crime deserves death.
However, Your Majesty, considering that you two are first-time offenders, has shown leniency.
But, while the death penalty is waived, punishment is unavoidable.
Lin Fan, as the Lin Family Young Lord, you should have been steady, yet you wantonly attacked and severely injured the Luo Family Young Master. You are punished to mine in the Western Regions for two months as a warning.
Luo Qingkong, the direct Young Master of the Luo Family, bears primary responsibility for instigating the trouble. You should have been executed, but considering your severe injuries, the death penalty is waived.
You are confined to your home for three months and are not allowed to leave the Luo Family for even half a step, or you will be killed without mercy!
Do you have any objections?”
Western Regions?
Lin Fan frowned. The Western Regions were barren lands of the Tianfeng Empire, sparsely populated and extremely chaotic.
To exile him to the Western Regions, and for two months at that.
Wouldn't that mean he would miss the Tianfeng Grand Competition?
This Tuoba Yan certainly had good methods!
Moreover.
This method was probably not as simple as making him miss the Tianfeng Grand Competition.
Lin Fan even believed that dangers awaited him in the Western Regions.
It’s just that.
Now that the Second Prince had not yet returned to court, the First Prince held absolute power. Even if he had objections, he probably wouldn’t be granted them.
Silence was equivalent to acquiescence.
Seeing Lin Fan remain silent, a chilling smile seemed to flash in Tuoba Yan’s cold eyes. He waved his hand and said, “Lin Fan, Your Majesty gives you half a day to rest.
After nightfall, depart for the Western Regions.
If you linger in the Imperial Capital, you will be killed without mercy!
You may leave!”
Lin Fan remained silent throughout, quietly exiting the grand hall. Accompanying him was Luo Qingkong, who was being carried out.
Luo Qingkong endured the severe pain in his abdomen and sneered at Lin Fan, saying, “Lin Fan, have a good journey!”
Lin Fan glanced indifferently at Luo Qingkong, immediately feeling that he had been too lenient. Had he known there would be such a follow-up, he should have completely crippled him directly.
“Xiao Fan, what did His Majesty say?”
As soon as he stepped out of the Imperial Palace, Lin Fan encountered the Lin Family members who had rushed over. The Lin Family Head anxiously stepped forward and asked urgently.
“I’m punished to mine in the Western Regions for two months, departing at nightfall.”
What?