Chapter 2: Returning Before the Accident Occurred

The leading Elder nodded slightly, "Repairing the Heavenly Mechanism Array is no easy task; it is not as simple as just fixing a Formation. Being able to stabilize it for a period of time is already quite good."

Lin Fan finally spoke, his voice calm yet revealing a sense of determination, "Rest assured, three Elders, I will do my utmost to complete this task."

The Elders exchanged glances, seemingly communicating some sort of message in silence.

"Very well, since that is the case, we shall activate the Heavenly Mechanism Array for you," he said, "Lin Fan, are you ready to enter the Heavenly Mechanism Array?"

Lin Fan took a deep breath, his gaze firm, "I am ready."

The three Elders were silent for a moment before finally rising slowly and walking toward the source of light in the center.

Lin Fan followed closely behind, with Yin Miaoxue, Princess Hu Qinlan, and Princess Jin Xuan following behind him.

At this moment, Lin Fan could feel the change in the air; the pressure of the space became increasingly intense, as if the power of the Heavenly Mechanism Array was converging upon them.

The Heavenly Mechanism Array slowly activated, and the four were instantly swallowed by intense light, as if they had entered another world.

Lin Fan only felt that the ground beneath his feet was no longer real, the surrounding space began to distort, and the world seemed to disintegrate before his eyes.

Following a series of low vibrations, the scene before him gradually became clear.

The entire Heavenly Mechanism Array was like a magnificent star map, with countless Small Worlds suspended within it.

Each Small World was slowly rotating, like the gears of time, running ceaselessly.

Lin Fan's heart began to beat violently, and his gaze was involuntarily drawn to a familiar point of light—Earth!

He had found his hometown, that place which was once familiar yet now felt strange.

But he did not choose to return to Earth immediately.

Instead, he carefully took out the jade slip Su Wanqing had previously given him and, following the instructions on it, began to operate the Formation.

With his series of operations, the operational rhythm of the Heavenly Mechanism Array changed; the previously trembling and restless Formation gradually stabilized, and the light also gradually softened.

"As expected, it has stabilized."

Lin Fan murmured to himself, breathing a sigh of relief.

The Heavenly Mechanism Array before him was no longer as oppressive and chaotic as before; instead, it had become clear and bright.

Outside the Formation, the three Elders were still watching silently in the air, gently stroking their beards, and uttered an exclamation of praise:

"Not bad, not bad. The Heavenly Mechanism Array has indeed stabilized. Young hero, thank you so much."

Lin Fan's mind stirred, and he replied, "Elders, I have discovered a problem. Perhaps the Heavenly Mechanism Array can be completely repaired, but…"

He paused, portraying a hint of indescribable emotion.

Upon hearing this, the three Elders were immediately overjoyed.

"But what? As long as the Heavenly Mechanism Array can be repaired, we can agree to any condition you have."

The corners of Lin Fan's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile, "Elders, I have no other requests, I only hope… to be able to marry Su Wanqing."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the three Elders instantly became complex, and they looked at each other, seemingly contemplating the weight of this request.

After a long while, the eldest Elder sighed.

"This matter is of great importance. If the young hero can repair the Heavenly Mechanism Array, there is room for discussion."

Another Elder frowned, seeming somewhat hesitant, but ultimately nodded as well:

"Very well, if you can truly repair the Heavenly Mechanism Array, we can consider this matter."

Lin Fan looked at the three Elders, feeling excited in his heart; this was just the opportunity he needed to return to Earth, but he still tried his best to remain calm:

"Very well, for Wanqing, I will risk my life. Please, Elders, send me to the Earth plane. The time is July 20, 2134."

When these words were spoken, the entire hall suddenly went quiet.

Everyone's gaze was focused on Lin Fan, and even the air seemed to have frozen.

Su Wanqing's heart jolted violently, and her face instantly turned pale.

She had never imagined that Lin Fan would make such a huge sacrifice for her.

"Lin Fan—no, I am not worth you doing this."

Su Wanqing's voice was low and choked with sobs; complex emotions flickered in her eyes, a mixture of worry and heartache.

Lin Fan's acting was on point, and he said softly, "Wanqing, regardless of the past, present, or future, I will never give up on you. You are my only obsession."

The three Elders were silent for a moment, and finally, the eldest Elder spoke, "Young hero, to be willing to sacrifice so much for Wanqing is truly admirable."

He pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Since that is the case, we will agree to your request. As long as you can repair the Heavenly Mechanism Array, we will let you marry Su Wanqing."

A gleam of gratitude flashed in Lin Fan's eyes, and he said in a low voice, "Thank you, Elders."

Su Wanqing could no longer say anything at this moment and could only watch Lin Fan silently, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

From this moment on, Lin Fan was no longer the scoundrel who had taken advantage of her, but the person she loved.

"Lin Fan, when you return, I will marry you." But she knew that Lin Fan might never return.

"Young hero, the future of the Tianji Pavilion depends on you."

The three Elders simultaneously exerted their power, and three intense beams of energy shot toward Lin Fan, instantly enveloping him along with Su Wanqing, Yin Miaoxue, Princess Hu Qinlan, and Princess Jin Xuan.

Lin Fan only felt darkness before his eyes; the radiance of the Heavenly Mechanism Array gradually faded away, his body felt as if it were being pulled by an invisible force, and his consciousness began to blur.

A moment later, he felt the space beneath his feet vanish; he was no longer standing in the Formation of the Tianji Pavilion, but was instead placed within an endless darkness.

Behind him, the figures of the three Elders and Su Wanqing gradually disappeared from his field of vision.

Lin Fan turned back, only to see a deep darkness enveloping him, as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss.

"Detected Little Master, about to enter the Earth plane. After entering, your cultivation will be unusable. The Indescribable Exclusive Privilege is activated, legally retaining Body Cultivator cultivation."

Xiao Du's voice echoed faintly in Lin Fan's ears, and Lin Fan could not help but reveal a slight smile.

Although one cannot Cultivate on Earth, his memories from a hundred lifetimes were not lacking in memories of technological worlds, not to mention he had the military-grade quantum phone.

These were enough for him to live a flourishing life on Earth, not to mention he had also brought back three delicate beauties.

It couldn't be more comfortable.

Just as Lin Fan was preparing to think about his next plan, the figures of the four suddenly paused; a light suddenly shone in the darkness, and the scene before them rapidly changed.

The darkness dissipated, and a completely unfamiliar scene appeared before them—bustling city streets, tall buildings, colorful neon lights, heavy traffic, and bustling crowds.

They had returned to Earth—July 20, 2134, one month before Lin Fan's traffic accident occurred.