Chapter 4: Medical Expenses

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“Boy, all the fires in the world can roughly be divided into four categories. The first is the ordinary fire ignited by flint used by common folk. The second is the beast fire generated by certain fire-attribute demon beasts. The third is the celestial fire nurtured by heaven and earth. As for the last category, it is revered as the divine fire. Now, you should understand the direction your cultivation must take, right?”

Just as Lin Fan was troubled over how to find flames for refining, the enchanting voice of the witch echoed once more in his mind.

Hearing this, a gleam of unusual light flickered in Lin Fan’s eyes. Flames, it turned out, were classified into so many types.

Wait a moment—flint-generated flames were called ordinary fire.

Does that mean...

With this thought, Lin Fan hurriedly rose, his face lighting up with excitement as he headed outside.

After all, the Lin family was one of the four great families of the Heavenly Wind Imperial Capital; the lighting inside their residence was naturally not the ordinary oil lamps or candles of commoners, but lamps crafted from luminous pearls.

As for flint, it only existed in the kitchen of the Lin household.

Just as he stepped out of the courtyard, a young scion of the Lin family, seemingly not noticing Lin Fan, bumped squarely into him.

“Ah, Young, Young Master, sorry!”

It was nothing; why such panic?

Lin Fan smiled and shook his head, observing the other’s flustered expression and inquiring.

“Young, Young Master, you just returned—don’t trouble yourself over such trivial matters.”

Speak!

Seeing the other deliberately withholding information, Lin Fan’s expression darkened, his tone resolute and commanding.

“It’s... ah, that Luo family again.

Hmph, relying on Luo Qingyi being named the Blue-Clad Princess, the third young master of the Luo family sent people to cause trouble at our spirit herb shop, accusing us of selling counterfeit herbs.

Our Lin family spirit herb shop has stood for years, relying on genuine goods.

His tantrum caused us considerable losses, and many young masters and ladies of long-term cooperative families came demanding explanations.

Since it was the younger generation causing trouble, the elders couldn’t intervene; Miss Lin’er has already gone over there.

That scoundrel’s foul mouth caused Miss Lin’er to step in, and she was injured by him. I rushed back to bring reinforcements.

Unfortunately, due to the Heavenly Wind Grand Competition, many of the family’s prodigies are training elsewhere.

Among the young generation here, not one has even reached the True Spirit Realm.”

Luo Qingyi was named princess?

Lin Fan was slightly stunned, eyebrows raised in surprise, then his face hardened as he waved his hand.

“Let’s go. Take me there.”

“Young Master, the third young master of the Luo family has now reached the peak of the True Spirit Realm—just one step away from entering the Earth Elixir Realm. You…”

He had heard that Lin Fan had lost all his cultivation; his pinnacle Divine Elixir power was completely gone. With Lin Fan’s current strength, facing the Luo family’s third young master was tantamount to seeking a beating.

Lin Fan was the Lin family’s young master, the face of the family.

If Lin Fan were to be soundly beaten, it would be like slapping the Lin family’s reputation in the face.

“I said, take me there!”

Well, alright...

Lin Fan revealed a rare stern expression; the other dared not disobey and could only nod, leading him swiftly toward the spirit herb shop.

...

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“I said, if you don’t give me an explanation today, this matter will not end.”

Inside the Lin family spirit herb shop, a youth in brocade robes swept a sharp gaze over the Lin family members and shouted loudly.

By his side stood several handsome young men and beautiful women of similar age, all dressed extravagantly—the scions of the capital’s powerful families.

“What explanation do you want?”

Just as the Lin family members bristled with indignation, a cold voice sounded from outside. Turning their heads, they saw a boy in black robes enter. His face was as cold as a cicada shell, his gaze icy as it locked onto the youth in brocade robes. Meeting his eyes, the latter felt as if a burning sensation was born behind his eyes and hastily averted his gaze.

“Lin Fan, you finally dare show yourself?

I wondered how long you planned to hide like a scared little turtle.”

The third young master of the Luo family, Luo Qingkong, was famed for his martial talent being less than one-tenth that of his younger sister Luo Qingyi. He was known as a prodigal and playboy.

Now at twenty, his cultivation only reached the peak of the True Spirit Realm, a level forcibly lifted by the Luo family’s many precious resources.

In the past, when Lin Fan and Luo Qingyi were together, Lin Fan disliked this man and had several clashes with him.

Each time, Luo Qingyi apologized on his brother’s behalf, ending the conflicts.

With Lin Fan’s former strength, dealing with Luo Qingkong was like a game.

But now...

Enemies meeting again, tension flared.

Especially after learning Lin Fan had lost all cultivation, Luo Qingkong immediately sought revenge.

This morning, his sister had just been named princess, and he immediately made a move against the Lin family.

His aim was to force Lin Fan out.

He wanted to disgrace this true dragon of the Lin family before his very eyes.

Young Master!

Lin Fan’s arrival caused all the Lin family members to tremble, especially the young girl being supported by someone—she hung her head in shame.

Ignoring Luo Qingkong’s insults, Lin Fan walked directly to the girl and examined her shoulder wound. Blood had soaked the fabric of her robe; the injury was not minor but not fatal.

She would need at least half a month of rest to heal.

“Brother Lin Fan, I…”

Lin Lin, granddaughter of the Lin family’s third elder and two years younger than Lin Fan, was one of his admirers. Her talent was decent, having reached the True Spirit Realm at fifteen.

Unfortunately, she was still far from the True Spirit peak.

That was why she lost to Luo Qingkong.

After all,

Luo Qingkong was at the True Spirit peak, nearly reaching the first level of the Earth Elixir Realm.

“No need to blame yourself.

When you reach his age, dealing with him will take just one move.”

Lin Fan gently patted Lin Lin’s head in comfort.

After speaking, he slowly turned, his gaze falling once again on Luo Qingkong. The other rich youths present were completely ignored.

He was somewhat familiar with them; they were all sycophants who had long followed Luo Qingkong’s heels. Naturally, he had no interest in them.

“You say the Lin family sells fake herbs?”

Lin Fan’s calm question caused the rich youths around Luo Qingkong to tremble slightly. Though aware Lin Fan was now powerless, his former prestige still intimidated them.

“They’re all useless. He has no cultivation—what are you afraid of?”

Luo Qingkong glared at them and hissed, then looked back at Lin Fan with a harsh voice.

“What? Don’t want to admit it?

Let me tell you, even if we take this to His Majesty, we’re justified.

However, considering our past relations, you only need to kneel and admit your mistake.

Then I might forgive you.

Don’t you agree?”

Kneel and admit fault.

The rich youths’ eyes lit up. They were all spoiled brats who usually feared Lin Fan like a mouse fears a cat, never daring to flaunt their power before him.

If Lin Fan were to kneel and kowtow before them, wouldn’t their vanity explode?

“Alright, alright, Lin Fan, if you kneel and confess, we can forgive this slip by the Lin family.

Moreover, we will continue to place long-term orders at the Lin family spirit herb shop.”

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Hearing these words, the Lin family youths behind Lin Fan showed expressions of anger. Especially injured Lin Lin, who seemed ready to channel her spiritual power, as if prepared to perish alongside her foes.

“Bring them ten times the value in spirit herbs as compensation.”

Lin Fan looked coldly at the group, waving his hand to order.

“Yes, sir!”

No one doubted Lin Fan’s decision. Even though this would make outsiders truly believe the Lin family sold fake herbs and ruin the shop’s reputation,

But,

To the younger generation of the Lin family, Lin Fan’s orders were like imperial edicts—they were willing to face any danger for him.

Because they knew well that Lin Fan would never do anything to harm the Lin family.

“Heh, looks like the Lin family admits to selling fake herbs.”

Receiving tenfold the value in spirit herbs, Luo Qingkong’s suspicion grew, but he sneered mockingly.

“No, you misunderstood.

This tenfold amount is to cover your medical expenses.”

Before he finished speaking,

Lin Fan’s figure flickered like a ghost, darting forward in the blink of an eye to stand before Luo Qingkong.

How could this be?

Luo Qingkong barely had time to react before feeling a sharp pain in his abdomen. His body was sent hurtling backward. Alongside him, several others flew out in the same manner.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of impact echoed through the herb shop.

Everyone was stunned at that moment.

Even the Luo family members accompanying Luo Qingkong failed to react in time, only seeing their young master lying sprawled in a corner of the shop.

“Coming to make trouble in my Lin family, injuring my Lin clan members—Luo Qingkong, who gave you the courage?

Spirit herbs are sold with no responsibility—that is the Lin family’s rule.

Moreover, before sale, the seller and buyer have already confirmed authenticity.

You bring herbs already sold and claim the Lin family sells fakes?

What is your intention in such slander?”

Lin Fan stood arrogantly where Luo Qingkong and company had been moments before, his icy gaze fixed on Luo Qingkong. This punch wasn’t meant to kill.

But compared to Lin Lin’s injury, Luo Qingkong’s was far more severe. Without top-grade healing herbs, he would likely be bedridden for over half a year.

In that case, he would miss the Heavenly Wind Grand Competition.

“You…”

Luo Qingkong’s eyes were filled with hatred as he glared at Lin Fan. The injury caused the spiritual energy star core condensed in his dantian to seem on the verge of shattering, pain unbearable.

One must know,

A True Spirit Realm warrior condenses a spiritual energy star core in their dantian. After refining it three times, it becomes a tangible entity, eventually transforming into a Divine Elixir.

He had refined it three times already; he only needed to transform it to step into the first level of the Divine Elixir secret realm—the Earth Elixir Realm.

Now,

The star core showed signs of cracking, meaning transformation was impossible.

This punch shattered Luo Qingkong’s hopes of entering the Earth Elixir Realm before the Heavenly Wind Grand Competition. Such an act was tantamount to crippling him.

“You dare injure the young master of the Luo family, Lin Fan! You have some nerve!”