"Exposed?"
The old man in coarse linen was startled. He knew too well how desperate those Golden Core realm cultivators seeking opportunities were. If they descended upon Earth, humanity would face a catastrophe.
Even he would find it difficult to remain unscathed.
Of course, what concerned him most was Hua Xia. He had lived there long before the nation's founding and felt a deep sense of belonging. Within the Dark Organization, he was revered as Hua Xia's guardian deity.
Protecting Hua Xia had long been his responsibility and his duty.
"Does Master Zhang have a solution? If the Golden Core cultivators from the Wu Shan star domain discover us, the entire Earth could fall into chaos. One misstep, and humanity might be annihilated in this calamity!" The old man in coarse linen stared intently at Zhang Fan and said seriously.
Although the old man's words were grave, Zhang Fan knew he wasn't exaggerating.
It was not uncommon in the myriad star domains for a group of Golden Core cultivators to destroy a weaker planet in their pursuit of opportunities.
Zhang Fan shook his head slightly. "With my current strength, it's hard to control the situation. We can only take it one step at a time."
The old man in coarse linen nodded gently. He had seen the video of Zhang Fan's battle with Austen and had a certain understanding of Zhang Fan's power.
While Zhang Fan might be invincible on Earth, even surpassing him, a peak Golden Core cultivator like himself whose Golden Core was only third-grade, Zhang Fan's strength was merely average among the Golden Core cultivators from the Wu Shan star domain.
In the Wu Shan star domain, it was not uncommon for many cultivators to achieve a second-grade Golden Core and reach the peak Golden Core realm in every era.
Even if only ten percent of the Golden Core cultivators from the entire Wu Shan star domain came to the Milky Way in search of opportunities, and only ten percent of that ten percent reached Earth, it would still be a considerable number.
"My lifespan is already dwindling, with only a few decades left. I thought I could die peacefully in tranquility, but it seems that's unlikely now."
The old man in coarse linen looked up at the sky and continued, "Since Earth's coordinates have been exposed, it's only a matter of time before cultivators from the Wu Shan star domain discover us. I can only hope they descend within my lifetime. Perhaps then, I can make one last contribution to Hua Xia."
"If I am no longer here by then, I implore Master Zhang to protect Hua Xia's safety!"
The old man in coarse linen stared at Zhang Fan and bowed respectfully.
Zhang Fan was genuinely surprised by the old man's attitude. Although he had lived on Earth for over two hundred years, that was not a long time for a Golden Core cultivator.
Zhang Fan hadn't expected a cultivator from outside the domain to have such deep feelings for Hua Xia, which earned him a measure of respect from Zhang Fan.
Zhang Fan quickly helped the old man up and said, "Rest assured, Hua Xia is my homeland. Protecting our country and our people is something everyone living on this land should do, and I am no exception!"
...
Lin Yun was the name of the old man in coarse linen. On this day, Zhang Fan and Lin Yun talked for a long time, and it was only after dark that Zhang Fan left alone.
During their conversation, Zhang Fan had considered gifting Lin Yun a Golden Scale Breakthrough Pill. Lin Yun had reached the peak Golden Core realm and had been stuck there for hundreds of years, with deep accumulation.
With the assistance of a Golden Scale Breakthrough Pill, Zhang Fan believed Lin Yun had a high chance of breaking his core and forming an infant, advancing to the Nascent Soul stage.
If he broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, Earth's crisis would be instantly resolved. However, Zhang Fan had his reservations.
Having experienced too much in his past life, he was acutely aware of the darkness of human nature. While he didn't believe Lin Yun would betray Earth, he wouldn't gamble even on a one-in-ten-thousand chance.
Furthermore, the opportunities left by the Zi Wu True Immortal were incredibly tempting. While Lin Yun now appeared indifferent to them, what about when he became powerful?
His current strength was still too weak against Nascent Soul stage cultivators. Even a Nascent Soul formed from a third-grade Golden Core would be something Zhang Fan couldn't contend with.
Out of caution, Zhang Fan ultimately abandoned the idea of gifting the Golden Scale Breakthrough Pill, as the situation had not yet reached a desperate point.
Currently, Zhang Fan still possessed three Golden Scale Breakthrough Pills, refined from Austen's Golden Core. While their quality was naturally inferior to the Golden Core of the Half-Moon Immortal, Austen was a powerful cultivator who had formed a top-grade second-grade Golden Core. These three pills were still of significant value to Zhang Fan.
...
Early morning.
Yanjing, the Qin family's old manor.
Today was destined to be an extraordinary day, for the Zhang Holy Master, who shook the martial arts world of Hua Xia, would be arriving at the Qin family's door with betrothal gifts.
Although this matter had no direct relevance to others, due to the Zhang Holy Master's influence, it had already garnered the attention of Yanjing's high society.
As the sun rose in the early morning, a welcoming procession stretching for hundreds of meters had already formed outside the Qin family's ancestral manor in Yanjing. This was personally arranged by Old Master Qin, with all members of the Qin family standing outside the manor to await Zhang Fan's arrival.
Despite their humble demeanor, no family in Yanjing dared to mock the Qin family, for they knew they might have done even more extravagantly in their place.
Su Yun walked with Zhang Xing'an, with Zhang Fan and his parents walking alongside them. Behind them followed Xue Jing, Lin Haotian, and the Unmoving Sword Immortal.
Ten miles away, the Qin family had arranged a motorcade. Old Master Qin, leading the core members of the Qin family, drove out to meet them ten miles from their residence.
However, to avoid trouble, Zhang Fan and his companions had not taken planes or cars but had flown directly through the air, landing about a kilometer away from the Qin family's ancestral manor.
"Master Zhang has arrived. He is already outside the Qin family's ancestral manor."
A Qin family member discovered Zhang Fan and his group, but not seeing their own Old Master, quickly sent a message.
"Arrived?"
Old Master Qin and Qin Zhengming, who were ten miles away, were momentarily stunned. They quickly got into their cars and rushed back to the Qin family.
As Zhang Fan and his entourage walked to within a hundred meters of the Qin family's ancestral manor, Old Master Qin, along with the Qin brothers, arrived by car.
Seeing that Zhang Fan had not yet entered the compound, Old Master Qin breathed a sigh of relief. After parking his car, he, along with the core members of the Qin family, hurried forward to greet them.
"Qin Tuyi, leading the Qin family, respectfully welcomes Master Zhang."
Qin Tuyi was only in his sixties. Moreover, having been saved by Zhang Fan with a Great Replenishment Pill last time, and having taken the pill, even without cultivation, the medicinal power had nourished him. Over the past few years, true qi had formed within Qin Tuyi, making him appear much younger, like a middle-aged man in his forties.
Zhang Fan glanced at Qin Tuyi and nodded slightly, showing no particular deference.
Although he had saved Qin Tuyi's life last time, and was about to marry Qin Tuyi's granddaughter, he could not treat Qin Tuyi like an elder.
Qin Tuyi did not mind Zhang Fan's somewhat indifferent attitude. He knew that his foolish actions last time had displeased the Zhang Holy Master.
"Old Master Qin, there's no need for such formality. From now on, our two families are in-laws," Zhang Xing'an said with a smile, stepping forward cordially to support Qin Tuyi and leading him towards the Qin family's ancestral manor.
"You brat, aren't you coming in yet!"
Zhang Xing'an turned and chided Zhang Fan, who could only reluctantly follow.
...
ps: Starting this month, the author will strive for a minimum of two updates per day, with a goal of three, though the timing might be a bit unstable as I truly have no backlog...
Three updates might be challenging, but I will try to work towards it. I hope for everyone's strong support!
I will still reserve two days of leave per month...