Chapter 296 Setting the Tone

Chapter 296: Setting the Tone

“What, the meat of a God?!”

The people of Stone Village cried out in shock, utterly astonished that they were fortunate enough to eat a creature of this caliber today.

One must know that such existences were simply unheard of in the Great Wilderness, only appearing in ancient texts and legends.

“Brother Lin, you are too kind. Every time you bring such precious food, we feel unworthy of receiving it…”

A group of people felt a bit embarrassed, as their small village had nothing decent to offer in return.

“The Stone Village’s Sacrificial Spirit is my godmother, so I’m half a Stone Village person. As the saying goes, a family doesn’t speak of two families. Compared to the bond between us, what is this?” Lin Fan said with a smile.

“Haha, Brother Fan is right, we are all one family…” Dazhuang happily stepped forward and put a hand on Lin Fan’s shoulder.

He was very robust, with bronze skin, but in the past, he was like a mischievous monkey. Now, after getting married, he was the most stable person.

A group of aunts also came. Upon hearing the news, they all showed up, even more enthusiastic, pulling his arm and scrutinizing him.

“Not bad, Brother Lin has grown up. He’s taller than us, but still so delicate, like a child.”

At this moment, even the thick-skinned Lin Fan was made to blush slightly by the aunts’ enthusiasm.

“Quickly, invite Brother Lin inside. Don’t just stand there. Today is a happy day.”

The Old Clan Chief, Shi Yunfeng, also arrived, walking steadily with a ruddy complexion, looking younger than ever, though a hint of longing flickered in his eyes.

Evidently, he was worried about Shi Hao, who had left the village for a distant journey. It had been years, and he was still hoping for his safe return soon.

However, according to Lin Fan’s calculations, his little brother would be back soon, likely within this month, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

“That’s great! Xiao Budian will also return to the village safely then. It’s truly a double blessing…”

“Brother Lin, you must stay for more days this time. Xiao Budian will be very happy to see you when he returns.”

This news undoubtedly delighted Shi Yunfeng, dispelling the worry from his brows, and he personally pulled Lin Fan towards the village.

For a time, the entire village was filled with joy and laughter, like a festival.

Then, they used the knife Lin Fan gave them to butcher the Scarlet Feathered Crane, dismembering the mountain-sized fierce bird, and the aunts even brought out their best cooking skills.

Soon after, the village was filled with the fragrant smell of meat, and the Qi surged, which was quite astonishing.

“You brats, eat a little less! This is pure-blooded God meat. If you eat a few more bites, you might not sleep for days and nights, running wild all over the village!”

In fact, even the adults of Stone Village dared not eat too much, as it was easy to over-nourish oneself, after all, it was God meat.

Some people, upon eating it, even broke through several realms on the spot. Fortunately, Lin Fan was there to help them suppress it, preventing any problems.

“I never thought I would one day be able to eat this kind of meat. It’s too delicious!” At the banquet, a remnant species, the Fiery Cloud Sparrow, showed a look of enjoyment.

This was Big Red Bird. Beside it were several divine birds, and a featherless bird, all frantically eating.

“Big Brother, do you need a little brother? How about me? I can even be a mount…”

Big Red Bird scurried over, fawning over Lin Fan, even selling out Shi Hao, indicating that it wanted to change allegiances.

However, it was met with disdain by the Five-Colored Luan Bird, who stated that a superior being would never fancy such a shameless bird.

“Hmph, I am a good bird choosing a tree to perch on!”

“Heh heh, with your cultivation, you’d be disliked even as food for a superior being.” The Five-Colored Luan Bird mercilessly struck back.

“It’s right, you should know your place.” The featherless Second Baldy chimed in, agreeing.

“Second Baldy, whose side are you on? I’m your Big Brother!” Big Red Bird slapped its head with a loud smack.

“I’m just speaking the truth.”

Lin Fan watched this scene with interest. They say a Phoenix in distress is not as good as a chicken, and that really is the case.

…

Finally, after Stone Village had calmed down a bit, Lin Fan returned to the village entrance, sitting cross-legged under the large Willow God, recounting his experiences of the past few years.

At this moment, he was like a child returning home and finding his mother, speaking of all the sights and sounds from the outside world.

As for Willow God, she listened quietly, not saying much.

“Liu Ma, what if one day I am no longer myself, but become another person?” Lin Fan suddenly asked.

“You are you. How can there be talk of another person?” Willow God was very calm, her eighty-one branches verdant and glistening, making the place incredibly peaceful.

“Is that so?”

“Don’t overthink it. Everything you’ve experienced is yours, and no one can take it away.”

Lin Fan pondered, then nodded, but the other self he saw in the dark cage still made him uneasy.

“Now that you are a True God Cultivator, have you thought about how to walk the True One Realm path? Have you decided?” Willow God asked.

When a Cultivator reaches the True God, which is the True One Realm, they need to have a clear goal, focusing on one path, one Dao, in this realm.

In fact, it is about setting the tone, working towards one’s grand goals for the future, and can also be seen as declaring one’s ambition and questioning one’s heart.

“My path has always been clear: to follow my heart, witness everything in the world, and not be bound by rules!” Lin Fan stated clearly.

“How can things in the world always go as one wishes? We are in heaven and earth, and there will always be rules,” Willow God said.

“Yes, that’s why I want to become very strong, strong enough to transcend heaven and earth. One day, all Dao will be under my feet, unable to bind me!” Lin Fan spoke with powerful conviction.

“Too grand!” Willow God spoke. His goal was nothing short of a pipe dream, impossible to achieve now.

“I know, it’s just declaring my ambition and questioning my heart!”

Lin Fan was well aware that the True One Realm wasn't about doing those things, but…

Everything is based on the present, and flowers bloom in the future.

“What do you intend to do?” Willow God asked.

“Further comprehend life and death!” Lin Fan said. This was what he needed to do now, what he had always been doing, and it was also his Dao for the future.

“It seems you already have a plan!” Willow God said no more.

Lin Fan nodded. He commanded many methods. If he specialized in one, it would not be difficult to pass through the True God Realm smoothly.

However, what was most compatible with his Great Dao was his innate divine ability.

And by refining this, and incorporating the strengths of various schools, he might be able to further transform.

“Liu Ma, I have another good thing, and I want to ask for your help…”

The next day, Lin Fan found the Old Clan Chief, Shi Yunfeng, wanting to borrow the ancient black cauldron in the village.

“What’s this talk of borrowing? Brother Lin, just use it!” The Old Clan Chief generously stated that he could use it for as long as he wanted.

At the village entrance, Lin Fan moved the cauldron there and then took out a white bone piece, feeling very excited.

“This is…” Willow God was moved. She instantly saw the anomaly between the two: the great cauldron was actually made of the same material as the pure white bone piece.

Or rather, the two were originally the same thing, but were separated later due to some reason.

Furthermore, the black cauldron was not truly black; inside, it was actually a pure white bone cauldron, with its exterior merely covered by a layer of metallic skin.

The most important point was that it was exactly the same as the bone material in Stone Village that recorded the Divine Guidance chapter of the Original True Understanding.

“The commotion later should be quite big, I need you to conceal it!” Lin Fan said.