Meng Fan had already dispersed the overwhelming Sword Qi.
Now that Elder Lin was here, there was no need for him to keep up appearances.
Having someone to back him up felt incredibly satisfying.
However, even Meng Fan was a bit surprised when he heard Elder Lin utter the words "commit suicide."
Forcing the old monk to apologize was one thing; with Elder Lin's abilities, he could definitely pressure the monk into apologizing.
But… suicide?
For an entity like the old monk, this meant complete annihilation, total obliteration.
A "rat who clings to life," who had survived for so many years, would surely be extremely afraid of death. How could he possibly commit suicide?
"You're pushing me too far!!!" As expected, the old monk was furious, just as Meng Fan had predicted.
Someone who clung to life so desperately would never willingly choose death.
Elder Lin remained silent, having already said everything that needed to be said.
He raised his hand, forming a streak of Sword Qi in the void before him.
From this Sword Qi, Meng Fan faintly sensed a familiar aura.
He recalled carefully, trying to pinpoint where this familiar feeling came from.
After three breaths, his eyes lit up.
This familiar feeling came from—the Demon Locking Sword!
Elder Lin's Sword Qi was the Demon Locking Sword Qi.
Meng Fan couldn't gauge the strength of this Sword Qi, as the gap between him and Elder Lin was too vast.
But any Sword Qi related to an immortal sword had to be terrifyingly powerful.
"Commit suicide, and I will spare the Vajra Temple. Otherwise, you will be the one responsible for its destruction!" Elder Lin coldly stared at the old monk, his gaze merciless and filled with killing intent.
This was the first time Meng Fan had seen Elder Lin so cold. If he didn't know Elder Lin well, he might have believed that Elder Lin would really destroy the Vajra Temple.
Then, under Meng Fan's watchful eyes, the old monk actually slapped his own forehead.
Suicide!
Annihilation!!
This…
Meng Fan was somewhat incredulous.
"Hard to believe?" Elder Lin turned back and smiled at Meng Fan.
"Yes, Master. I thought he would fight to the death, but I didn't expect him to actually commit suicide."
"That's because he already sensed my power and knew he had no chance of survival. He didn't dare to gamble. Knowing he was doomed, he chose to secure a future for the Vajra Temple!"
A man on the brink of death often finds a shred of goodness in his heart.
Elder Lin continued, "The reason I forced him to commit suicide was to let you vent your anger!
Killing him would have been easy for me, but making him commit suicide was not.
Someone who has clung to life in such a dark corner for thousands of years is a coward who fears death.
Forcing such a person to commit suicide is the ultimate revenge!"
Meng Fan bowed to Elder Lin, "Thank you, Master!"
Having such a vengeful and protective Master felt really good.
"If I'm not mistaken, you intend to use this relic to cultivate your Divine Sense and condense your Divine Soul. Now that the hidden danger is gone, you can use it without any reservations."
After saying this, Elder Lin prepared to leave.
Before he left, he turned back and said, "By the way, you don't have to return this relic to Wu Tian. If he asks for it, tell him to come find me!"
Although Wu Tian wasn't at fault, today's incident couldn't be blamed on him, he still had to bear the consequences.
He would be punished!
The punishment would be giving this relic to Meng Fan.
Clearly, the status of an old friend's son was still much lower than that of a direct disciple.
Watching Elder Lin's figure disappear, Meng Fan smiled wryly.
In fact, he had never intended to return the relic to Wu Tian.
With the turmoil settled, Meng Fan's consciousness remained within the relic.
With the old monk annihilated, the relic now contained only pure mana and energy, ready for his use.
Meng Fan activated "Fu Xi's Visualization Techniques," beginning to absorb the energy within the relic.
If Wu Tian could use this relic to cultivate his Divine Soul, Meng Fan could do even better.
After all, his "Fu Xi's Visualization Techniques" were far superior to Wu Tian's.
***
Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.
That day, at dawn.
Meng Fan opened his eyes and stored the relic in his storage ring.
"Congratulations, Master, on cultivating your Divine Soul!" Hong Qi's ethereal figure floated out from the Hong Qi Sword and bowed to Meng Fan.
Meng Fan gently brushed a strand of hair from Hong Qi's forehead and smiled, "Hong Qi, I have to thank you this time. If it weren't for your timely reminder to Master, I might have been in big trouble!"
Hong Qi's face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, "This is what I should do."
Meng Fan said seriously, "Hong Qi, don't call yourself a servant anymore. I don't like that title."
"Master, but…"
"No buts. From now on, don't call me Master either. You can call me Brother Meng or Young Master Meng, but don't use titles that belittle yourself."
Seeing Meng Fan's serious expression, Hong Qi didn't dare to argue.
But calling him "Brother Meng" felt too intimate, given that she was just a sword spirit and not his sister.
As for "Young Master Meng," it felt too distant.
After some hesitation, she decided to call him "Young Master."
"Young Master, this servant understands." Hong Qi said hesitantly.
"I told you not to call yourself a servant." Meng Fan rubbed his temples, feeling that this girl was adorably dense.
She changed how she addressed him but didn't change how she referred to herself.
Hong Qi looked troubled. If she didn't call herself a servant, she felt awkward calling herself "this concubine" or "I."
It just didn't feel proper!
Seeing this, Meng Fan had to teach her step by step, "From now on, call me Young Master, and refer to yourself as 'I'."
Seeing Hong Qi standing there awkwardly, he sighed, "What are you waiting for? Say it once as I instructed."
"Young Master, I understand." Hong Qi followed Meng Fan's instructions.
Although these were normal words, saying them gave Hong Qi a complex feeling.
At that moment, she felt as if she had forgotten she was a sword spirit.
For a brief moment, she felt like she was still human!
With her emotions in turmoil, Hong Qi quickly returned to the Hong Qi Sword to calm herself.
Meng Fan, feeling invigorated, stepped out of the room. Having just cultivated his Divine Soul, he was in perfect condition.
Calculating the time, he realized he had been in seclusion for seven days.
Alright, time to check on Wu Tian.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan