212: Disaster in the spiritual world, is heaven going to settle accounts with me?

Cuiyun Sect's main peak, the Sect Master Hall.

Inside the hall, only a single burner of sandalwood incense, used for calming the mind and spirit, was lit, its smoke rising straight as a thread.

The Cuiyun Sect Sect Master personally poured Lin Fan a cup of clear tea wreathed in spiritual mist.

His movements were neither hurried nor slow, and the admiration and fervor in his eyes were almost undisguised.

Since the day Lin Fan returned from the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, after the news of his soaring cultivation spread, the attitude of the entire Cuiyun Sect leadership had completely shifted from initial awe to fervent investment.

“Little Friend Lin, this trip to the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp has tempered your Dao Heart and Advanced your cultivation. This is truly gratifying.”

The Sect Master pushed the teacup toward Lin Fan, his tone gentle.

He did not ask how Lin Fan had achieved it.

In the world of the powerful, they have their own logic.

Going into a Forbidden Ground and having one's cultivation Ascend like a rocket—for such a matter, there was no better explanation than the word “Trial.”

“It is entirely due to the Sect Master's and the Sect's great favor that this Junior was able to obtain this Opportunity.”

Lin Fan accepted the teacup with both hands, a look of “sincere awe and apprehension” showing on his face.

He perfectly played the role of a Junior who had received an immense benefit and was deeply grateful.

The Sect Master nodded in satisfaction.

Humble in attitude, neither arrogant nor rash—he was indeed a disciple from a major power. This Heart-Nature was far beyond what ordinary people could compare to.

Inviting him alone today was not for the sake of exchanging pleasantries.

The Sect Master put down the teapot, and his expression became solemn.

“Little Friend, you are now a Guest Elder of my Cuiyun Sect, so there are some matters I need not conceal from you.”

His voice was slightly lowered.

“Have you ever heard of the 'Calamity Era'?”

Lin Fan's hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly.

He raised his head, and a trace of confusion and curiosity appropriately appeared in his clear eyes.

Seeing his demeanor, the Sect Master became even more certain in his heart.

This Little Friend Lin had indeed been cultivating in seclusion in the mountains, ignoring worldly affairs.

He sighed and continued to explain.

“In the Spirit Realm where we reside, the Heavenly Dao Law is far more... direct, one could even say crude, than in the Lower Realm.”

“It carries out periodic purges.”

“We call this kind of purge a 'Calamity'.”

The Sect Master extended a finger and lightly tapped the air, conjuring a spiritual light that transformed into a star map.

He pointed to an obscure area on the star map.

“At specific times and in specific regions, the Heavenly Dao will unleash the 'Light of Eradication'.”

“No matter who it is, as long as they are in that area, and as long as they are judged to have excessive Karma, or declining Luck, or... if they are an anomaly incompatible with the Law of this realm, they will be instantly eradicated.”

“Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, never entering Reincarnation.”

“No one can stop it.”

The Sect Master's tone was filled with deep dread toward the might of Heaven.

Lin Fan listened quietly.

However, his heart began to beat violently and uncontrollably at this moment.

Heavenly Dao?

Law?

Eradication?

These keywords exploded in his mind like the most dazzling fireworks.

Supreme Opportunity!

This damn thing is the most Advanced method of death!

Compared to being petrified by some Thousand-Eyed Toad or drowning in a toxic pond, how generous would the rewards be for this direct eradication coming from the world's Law level?

Perhaps dying once could directly reward him with a fragment of Law.

He forcefully suppressed the corners of his mouth, which were almost splitting to his ears, and continued to maintain his earnest, knowledge-seeking demeanor.

“Does the Sect Master mean... this Calamity cannot be predicted or avoided?”

His voice carried a hint of “worry.”

“Alas, essentially so.”

Seeing him “concerned” about his safety, the Sect Master felt even more gratified, thinking his efforts to show goodwill were not wasted.

“However, my Cuiyun Sect has a Legacy spanning several thousand years, and the Astronomy Elder within the Sect can still deduce some signs by observing the movement of the celestial stars.”

“But what is deduced is only a rough range and time.”

“Once the Calamity descends, anyone in that area faces certain death.”

Having said this, the Sect Master added another sentence.

“Even great figures in the Void Refining Realm dare not easily approach that area.”

Lin Fan's eyes shone astonishingly bright.

Even the Void Refining Realm dare not approach?

Doesn't that mean the death evaluation starts at least at S-rank?

He immediately pressed the question.

“Then... has anyone historically recorded the detailed scene of this Calamity? This Junior is quite curious about it. Perhaps observing it could lead to some enlightenment, which would also be beneficial for future cultivation and avoiding danger.”

He put on a posture of “academic research.”

Hearing this, the Sect Master did not doubt him; instead, he greatly praised this “plan ahead” cautious attitude.

“That Little Friend possesses such a mindset truly makes him a model for Cultivators of our generation.”

He pondered for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

“Coincidentally, according to the latest deduction by the Sect's Astronomy Elder, within half a month, a small-scale regional Calamity will descend precisely upon the Wu Wang Death Mound, three thousand miles east of my Cuiyun Sect's territory.”

Wu Wang Death Mound.

Lin Fan firmly committed this place name to memory.

The Sect Master looked at him and warned him solemnly.

“Little Friend, I told you this matter because I hope that when you travel in the future, you remember to avoid these ominous places.”

“That 'Light of Eradication' is the manifestation of Law; touching it means instant death. You absolutely must not approach it out of curiosity!”

“Remember! Remember!”

The Sect Master spoke earnestly, genuinely afraid that the Sect's future hope would court death due to youthful impulsiveness.

However, hearing these words, Lin Fan felt as if the Sect Master were distributing an invitation card printed with gilded lettering.

Lin Fan stood up from his seat.

He bowed deeply toward the Sect Master.

“Thank you, Sect Master, for your candid warning.”

He raised his head, his face carrying a hint of “longing” and “determination.”

“This Junior... wants to go and see.”

“What?”

The Sect Master almost thought he had misheard.

“Little Friend, you...”

Lin Fan spoke directly before he could finish, his tone carrying an unquestionable “Dao Seeking Heart.”

“Sect Master, such heavenly might, such a celestial spectacle—if I can observe it from afar, it will surely greatly impact and benefit this Junior's Dao Heart.”

“I will not approach the core region, only the absolutely safe periphery, just to broaden my horizons.”

“I ask the Sect Master to grant my request.”

His gaze was clear and persistent.

The Sect Master opened his mouth, but all words of dissuasion were blocked back.

That's right.

For ordinary mortals like them, it was a certain death Calamity.

But for this peerless expert with a heaven-reaching background standing before him, perhaps this... was also an Opportunity?

Perhaps this was even another, higher-level “Trial” arranged by his Elders?

Countless thoughts flashed through the Sect Master's mind instantly.

He exchanged a glance with Elder Liu beside him, both seeing a hint of realization and helplessness in the other's eyes.

This Lord's hobbies were truly unconventional and refined, completely defying common sense.

“Very well.”

The Sect Master could only sigh deeply in the end, choosing to compromise.

“Since Little Friend's mind is set, this old man will no longer obstruct you.”

He took out a Jade Slip from his Storage Ring and handed it to Lin Fan.

“This contains a detailed map of the area around the Wu Wang Death Mound, as well as some records regarding the precursors of the Calamity found in historical texts.”

“In addition, there is one more thing.”

The Sect Master's expression grew mysterious once more.

“The ancient texts briefly mention that after every Calamity, there is an extremely small chance that special life forms or wondrous objects carrying the 'Heavenly Dao Mark' will be born in that dead land.”

“Those are the true supreme treasures, things that can be sought but not found.”

Lin Fan took the Jade Slip, and the light in his eyes almost spilled out.

There are completion rewards too?

He bowed once more to the Sect Master, then turned and strode out of the Sect Master Hall with swift steps.

His departing figure was unrestrained, without a trace of hesitation.

The Sect Master and Elder Liu stood at the entrance of the hall, watching the white-robed figure transform into a streak of light and disappear into the horizon.

After a long while.

Elder Liu finally murmured in a dreamlike tone.

“Sect Master, tell me... when this Lord goes to observe the Heavenly Tribulation, will it be like his trip to the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp?”

“Before going in, Transformation Mid-Stage.”

“After coming out... he'll be Void Refining?”

Hearing this, the Sect Master's mouth twitched violently.

He had just had that exact thought himself.