Chapter 32: The Current State of Zixiao Heavenly Palace

On this day, Zixiao Heavenly Palace was filled with laughter and joy, with fine wine and immortal delicacies flowing endlessly, and the sound of ceremonial cannons resounding through the heavens.

Although Lin Fan felt anxious and wanted to rush to save Lin Chen as soon as possible, seeing the enthusiasm and grandeur before him, he could not help but pause.

On second thought, Lin Chen was the Reincarnation of the God Lord's wife, so she would not be in any danger within the Dao Alliance; it would be better to first check the current state of Zixiao Heavenly Palace.

Lin Fan sat at the table on the high platform, watching the Disciples surging forward like a tide, his thoughts drifting back to Zixiao Heavenly Palace several centuries ago.

Back then, this was a place he had built with his own hands, but he never expected that in the end, because he had forced himself upon Jiang Yueshi, he would be sanctioned by the System and suffer a complete destruction of body and soul.

At this moment, several familiar figures walked over. Lin Fan straightened his sleeves slightly and smiled faintly: "Everyone, it has been a long time."

Lu Xinghe stepped forward, cupped his hands respectfully, and said: "Master, you have returned. Our Zixiao Heavenly Palace has finally welcomed long-lost peace."

Lin Fan nodded gently, looking at Lu Xinghe, the current Sect Leader, feeling a sense of emotion in his heart.

His relationship with Lu Xinghe had once been as close as father and son. Although the sudden changes overnight had altered their relationship, fortunately, Lu Xinghe did not know about it.

"Xinghe, how is the situation in the palace?" Lin Fan asked, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of inquiry.

Lu Xinghe was silent for a moment, then said solemnly: "Master, Zixiao Heavenly Palace is currently in its prime. Although there is external pressure, the interior is stable.

We have already established some cooperative relationships with the Endless Fire Domain, the Dragon Soul Holy Domain, and the Dao Alliance.

Currently, the Elders in the palace are all working diligently at their respective posts, ensuring the stability of order within the palace."

Lin Fan nodded, without exposing him, and turned to look at his second Disciple, Li Haotian, to the side: "Li Haotian, have there been any major events in the palace recently?"

Li Haotian, an Elder of Zixiao Heavenly Palace, had a tall stature and a steady temperament.

Hearing his Master's inquiry, he respectfully replied: "Master, although the outside world has been in constant turmoil in recent years, the internal order of Zixiao Heavenly Palace remains orderly.

We are strengthening our Alliances with the outside world, as well as strengthening internal Cultivation, especially the allocation of Cultivation resources, to ensure that every Disciple can improve."

Lin Fan nodded slightly, then shifted his gaze to his third Disciple, Zhao Zixuan: "Zhao Zixuan, how is the progress of Martial Skill Cultivation?"

Zhao Zixuan, a Grand Elder in charge of Martial Skill Cultivation, exuded a cold aura.

He bowed and responded concisely: "Master, Martial Skill Cultivation is proceeding normally. The combat power of the Disciples in the palace is increasing year by year, but we are still continuously looking for more efficient Cultivation methods, especially in terms of technique innovation."

"Very good." Lin Fan pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze to his fourth Disciple, Su Wan'er: "Su Wan'er, what improvements have been made in internal affairs?"

Su Wan'er, dressed in a plain white dress, was as gentle as water. Her voice was as soft as her temperament: "Master, the internal affairs of the palace are in good order. We have strict Systems for resource allocation and daily management within the palace.

Recently, we have also strengthened our connections with external chambers of commerce to ensure that the supply of resources within the palace is not disturbed by the outside world."

"Hmm, thank you for your hard work." Lin Fan smiled slightly, his gaze then falling on his fifth Disciple, Murong Xue, and Liu Ruyan: "What about the Formation and Talisman aspects? How are things going with intelligence and diplomacy?"

Murong Xue, a Grand Elder of Zixiao Heavenly Palace, in charge of Formations and Talismans, had a figure like snow and a cold temperament. She responded calmly:

"Master, the research on Formations and Talismans is progressing smoothly. Recently, we have developed several new defensive Formations and have had preliminary cooperation with the Great Master of Formations from the Dragon Soul Holy Domain, further enhancing our defensive capabilities."

The sixth Disciple, Liu Ruyan, in charge of intelligence and diplomacy, wore a deep blue robe, with a calm expression and enchanting eyes:

"Master, there are no issues with intelligence work. Our intelligence network has already covered most of the extraterritorial forces. In terms of diplomacy, I maintain close contact with multiple forces such as the Endless Fire Domain, the Dao Alliance, and the Dragon Soul Holy Domain. The current situation is relatively stable."

Lin Fan listened, nodding inwardly. The current situation of Zixiao Heavenly Palace was not optimistic, but these Disciples were all working diligently at their respective posts, which was the only reason Zixiao Heavenly Palace had survived until today.

"Very good, you have done well. Starting from today, these days of tucking our tails between our legs are over."

Hearing this, the Disciples could not help but look at each other, ripples of emotion rising in their hearts.

Lu Xinghe couldn't help but step forward and ask: "Master, what does this mean?"

"Back then, when I founded Zixiao Heavenly Palace, it was to make it the hegemon of this continent. Now that I have returned in the Dao Entering Realm, I naturally intend to complete this hegemony."

"Old Sect Master, mighty!"

"Fight the Dao Alliance, become the hegemon! Fight the Dao Alliance, become the hegemon!"

The Disciples were filled with high enthusiasm.

Lin Fan watched these excited Disciples, his lips curling slightly.

Zhao Zixuan, on the side, changed his expression and hurriedly said: "Master, you cannot! Although you are already in the Dao Entering Realm and could even wrestle with the Dao Ancestor.

But the highest among us is only at the Golden Immortal Realm. Most of the Disciples are stuck at the Nascent Soul Stage; how can we possibly contend with a behemoth like the Dao Alliance?"

Lin Fan immediately fell into deep thought.

Xue Yan, Xue Yao, Su Wanqing, Yin Miaoxue… these are all at least at the Quasi-Saint Cultivation level, sufficient to challenge the peak combat power of the Dao Alliance.

But the Dao Alliance is, after all, a behemoth that has existed for billions of years. Who knows how many Golden Immortals, Heavenly Immortals, and even stronger existences it has accumulated; Zixiao Heavenly Palace simply cannot contend with them.

"Forget it. Let's put this matter on hold for now and discuss it later."

Lin Fan paused slightly, his tone shifting, "But the territories and mineral veins that previously belonged to my Zixiao Heavenly Palace must be recovered. Those are resources that belong to us; no one can occupy them!"

"What Master says is absolutely correct!" Zhao Zixuan and the other Elders nodded one after another.

The prestige of Zixiao Heavenly Palace had been suppressed by the Dao Alliance for too long. Now that Lin Fan had returned, it was time to take back the lands and resources that once belonged to them and once again become a top-tier force in the Immortal Realm.

At nightfall, in Lin Fan's sleeping quarters, candlelight flickered.

Jiang Yueshi, just like several centuries ago, was meticulously tidying up everything in the sleeping quarters.

Finally, she gently smoothed the corner of her clothes and bowed obediently to Lin Fan: "Master, I have tidied up the room. Please rest early."

Lin Fan's gaze narrowed slightly, and he said in a deep voice: "Do you not want to ask why I treated you that way that day?"

Jiang Yueshi's body trembled slightly, her fingertips subconsciously tightening on her sleeves. For a moment, she was both shy and flustered, and she whispered: "Hundreds of years have already passed; this Disciple has long forgotten. Moreover, Master just explained that you were afflicted with Gu poison… Yueshi will take her leave."

She bowed again and then slowly retreated. Her posture remained dignified and elegant, but her slightly lowered eyelashes concealed a hint of imperceptible emotion.

Lin Fan shook his head, his gaze falling in the direction she had left, his eyes shifting downward to land on those exquisite curves, and a self-deprecating smile curled at the corners of his mouth.

Back then, I just purely wanted your body, you silly Disciple.

At this moment, Xiao Du's voice suddenly appeared in Lin Fan's ears: "Lin Fan, back then you had the Protagonist System, which had a Protagonist Code of Conduct. Now you have the Indescribable System; if you like her, just grab her. Why hesitate?"

Lin Fan's eyes darkened, his immortal power slightly circulating in his hands. With a thought, he could have grabbed Jiang Yueshi back the next moment and thrown her onto the bed to toss her around thoroughly.

However, in the end, he slowly loosened his fingers, and the immortal power dissipated.

"Forget it." He sighed softly, his tone carrying a hint of inexplicable helplessness, "In the end, wouldn't I just be watching her cry and wail?"

Xiao Du chuckled softly and said no more.