21: Chapter 21 Is Lin Fan his illegitimate son?

"At the red copper mine one hundred kilometers north of Xuansheng City, a large number of miners have recently gone missing without cause. Based on the traces at the scene, it is suspected to be the work of a Tier 2 beast, the 'Money Python'."

"Money Python?" Lin Fan raised an eyebrow.

This type of beast has strength comparable to a human expert in the Duan Fu Realm, and its scales are incredibly hard, it possesses infinite strength, and is extremely difficult to deal with.

"Not only that, the mine's terrain is narrow, and the Money Python is a pack animal with an unknown number."

Lan Feng adjusted his glasses. "Currently, the guild is organizing a group of Duan Fu Realm experts to head out for a cleanup mission. Originally, we were not recruiting anyone from the Body Tempering Realm, but I can give you a special approval spot."

"Following experts on a mission can both ensure basic safety and provide an opportunity to face the pressure of a Tier 2 beast. How about it?"

Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

This was practically tailor-made for him!

With Duan Fu Realm experts acting as tanks in the front to draw fire, he could roam the edges, looking for an opportunity to strike that 'lethal blow'.

There would be life-and-death pressure, but also teammates to cover for him.

"I'll take it!" Lin Fan nodded decisively.

"Good courage."

Lan Feng smiled, then suddenly flipped his wrist, tossing a silver-white ring toward Lin Fan.

Lin Fan subconsciously reached out and caught it.

The ring felt cool to the touch. Its material was neither gold nor jade, and it was engraved with intricate patterns.

"This is..." Lin Fan's pupils constricted.

"A space ring."

Lan Feng said indifferently, "Although it only has two cubic meters and cannot hold very large items, it is enough to store some daily necessities and spoils of war. This mission involves a long journey, and carrying big bags is inconvenient."

Boom!

The hall instantly erupted in chaos.

The martial artists nearby who had been pricking up their ears to eavesdrop now had eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, their breathing as ragged as a bellows.

"A space ring?! Did I hear that right?!"

"That's a luxury item that costs two million in the Martial Artist Mall! Even the smallest capacity one costs one million eight hundred thousand!"

"Supervisor Lan actually gave it away just like that? Is this Lin Fan his illegitimate son? It absolutely must be!"

Envy, jealousy, and hatred!

Countless gazes focused on the small ring in Lin Fan's hand, wishing they could rush up and snatch it away.

Lin Fan was also stunned.

Isn't this too valuable?

Two million! He had worked himself to the bone for half a month and only earned a few hundred thousand. And this was just given away?

"Supervisor Lan, this... is too valuable. I cannot accept it." Although Lin Fan was tempted, he restrained himself.

One should not accept a reward without merit; this favor was too great and would be hard to repay.

"Accept it."

Lan Feng waved his hand, his tone becoming serious. "This is not charity; it is an investment."

"I value your talent, and even more so, your character. A ring is nothing to me, but for you right now, it can save a lot of time."

Lan Feng looked into Lin Fan's eyes and said softly, "If you really feel bad about it, then agree to one condition for me."

"What condition?" Lin Fan asked.

"If you can reach the 'Desolate Realm' before the age of twenty..." Lan Feng looked at him, "At that time, do me a favor. Of course, that favor will not require you to go to your death, and you have the right to refuse."

Twenty years old, Desolate Realm?

That was a legendary realm beyond the Heavenly Origin Realm, the existence of an overlord!

Lin Fan gripped the ring in his hand tightly.

This was a gamble, but also a show of trust.

"Alright! I agree!"

Lin Fan nodded solemnly. "As long as I don't die, I will definitely live up to your trust!"

"Go on, the team has already assembled at the North Gate."

Lan Feng smiled and patted Lin Fan's shoulder.

Lin Fan no longer hesitated. He put the space ring on his finger and extended his mental energy into it, instantly sensing the small two-cubic-meter space.

He stowed his combat saber and backpack inside all at once, feeling his entire body lighten.

"Is this the joy of being rich?"

Lin Fan sighed in his heart, waved at Lan Feng, and turned to walk with long strides toward the North City Gate.

Watching the youth's retreating figure, the assistant behind Lan Feng couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Lan Feng, Desolate Realm by twenty... isn't that too harsh? Even those monsters in the capital wouldn't dare say they have certainty."

"Yes, it is difficult."

Lan Feng took off his glasses, wiped the lenses, and a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "But for some reason, I see a possibility of breaking conventions in him."

"Buying a miracle for two million is a good deal, isn't it?"

At the North Gate of Xuansheng City, the morning mist had not yet dispersed.

Several heavy military trucks painted in camouflage were parked on the side of the road, their engines roaring lowly, and their exhaust pipes puffing out plumes of white smoke.

Beside the trucks, a group of martial artists wearing various combat uniforms were gathered together smoking, the ground covered in cigarette butts.

The atmosphere was somewhat irritable.

"Damn it, how much longer do we have to wait?"

A burly man with a full beard stomped out his cigarette butt fiercely and spat. "What exactly is the background of that so-called specially approved team member? Making us old veterans stand here drinking the northwest wind?"

Beside him, a tall, thin man sneered, wiping the dagger in his hand.

"I heard it's someone Supervisor Lan personally shoved in, a Grade 9 Body Tempering Realm."

"Grade 9?!"

The bearded man's eyes widened, his voice instantly rising by an octave. "Are you kidding me? This mission is to clean up a Tier 2 beast! Bringing a greenhorn in the Grade 9 Body Tempering Realm? Isn't that clearly making us act as babysitters?"

The surrounding team members also looked displeased.

This team of theirs was an elite unit temporarily pulled from the guild.

The lowest strength among them was the Duan Fu Realm, also commonly known as Tier 1 martial artists.

In the martial arts system, the Body Tempering Realm is just for laying the foundation; only after completing the 'drawing qi into the body' and beginning to temper the internal organs and bones can one be considered to have truly stepped across the threshold of a martial artist.

In their eyes, a Grade 9 Body Tempering Realm cultivator was no different from an unweaned baby.

"Alright, say less."

The team leader, Li Zheng, who had been leaning against the front of the truck with his eyes closed, opened his eyes.

He was burly, carrying a heavy mountain-splitting axe on his back, and the muscles on his exposed arms were knotted, hard as granite.

"We just follow the arrangements from above. As for that newcomer..."

Li Zheng's expression was indifferent. "As long as he doesn't drag us down, he can do whatever he wants. If we really encounter danger, no one will sacrifice their own life for his."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded, expressions of understanding on their faces.

These days, they had seen plenty of gilded young masters.

Most just come to pad their resumes, and when a real fight starts, they hide faster than anyone else.

Just then, a series of rapid footsteps came from afar.

Everyone looked toward the sound.

They saw a youth wearing a blue and white school uniform with a black scabbard on his back, jogging over.

The youth had refined features, looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, and still had a hint of lingering childishness on his face.

It was none other than Lin Fan.

"Sorry, I'm late."

Lin Fan ran up to the crowd, his breathing steady, not even a drop of sweat on him. "There was a bit of traffic on the way. I am Lin Fan, here to report."

Dozens of pairs of eyes fell on him in unison.

School uniform.

E-grade combat saber.

And that undisguised aura of the Grade 9 Body Tempering Realm.

"Sure enough, a greenhorn."

The bearded man rolled his eyes, making no effort to hide the contempt in his eyes, and turned to get on the truck.

The other team members also shook their heads, their gazes toward Lin Fan full of amusement and detachment.

Li Zheng looked Lin Fan up and down, his gaze lingering for a moment on the space ring on his hand before moving away.

"I am the team leader, Li Zheng."

Li Zheng's tone was neither salty nor bland, devoid of any warmth. "Since you're here, get on the truck. Let's get the ugly talk out of the way first: once we reach the mine, all actions must follow orders. If you act on your own and lose your life, don't expect us to collect your corpse."

These words were very blunt and also very harsh.

But Lin Fan was not angry.

He grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth. "Understood. I'll just follow behind and shout '666', and I definitely won't cause any trouble for you big shots."

Li Zheng frowned slightly, seemingly not expecting this kid to be so thick-skinned.

He waved his hand. "Let's go!"

Lin Fan nimbly climbed onto the last truck.

There were over twenty people sitting in the truck bed, originally bragging and chatting, but when they saw Lin Fan come up, they instantly quieted down.