Chapter 80 - Listen to Me!
Honestly.
Guo Fan was intimately acquainted with this predicament, especially the frequent shifts from one cold situation to another.
No matter what, the inherent coldness of a situation would persist. One could evade it momentarily, but not indefinitely.
Behind him trailed a crowd of two hundred individuals.
When he reflected on it, the present circumstances didn't seem too dire.
Despite his unsuccessful escape attempt, Guo Fan felt a modicum of solace.
Swoosh!
A woman, her raven-black hair cascading like a waterfall and dressed in a green garb reminiscent of a lotus, gracefully descended on the sword, reminiscent of a celestial being from an artwork. Her sweeping motion was both elegant and unrestrained.
“Xiaobo, long time no see.”
With one arm tucked behind her, her stately face featured piercing, starry eyes. She confidently stood on the sword, casting a glance at a stunned Guo Fan and Gu Chao trailing her.
Behind his facade, Guo Fan's jaw tightened, sensing the onset of a migraine. Despite his preemptive escape, he found his path to the Novice Village obstructed by a sword.
With his exit barred after his escape attempt, he was at a loss for words.
With a heavy heart, Guo Fan murmured, “It's been a while.”
Even though their last encounter in the game was just a month prior, to Sun Fen it felt longer. It was Sun Fen who had guided him.
He opened the page of the illustrated handbook.
[Character: Sun Fen (5-star)]
[Gender: Female]
[Title: Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator - Bloodquench, Conqueror of the Setting Sun]
[Level: Immortal Dao - Void Refining Tier 7]
[Status: Normal / Killing Intent Wave]
Guo Fan hesitated upon witnessing the scene, feeling an overwhelming sense that salvation might be beyond his reach.
Sun Fen's signature technique as a Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator was the Killing Intent Wave, which also acted as a buff. This skill allowed her to bypass defenses during attacks and enhanced her magic and physical critical hits.
Crucially, this move indicated that Sun Fen was gearing up for a major attack.
In Guo Fan's reference guide, Sun Fen's battle prowess ranked among the top. Her strength wasn't rooted in her realm status but her real-time combat abilities.
Among the Obsidian Tribes, it was common knowledge that any player with a red name encountered Sun Fen in the city was unlikely to make it out alive. Despite being only at the Void Refining Stage, she could defeat warriors of the superior Physical Integration Period. Her combat capabilities were legendary, earning her a reputation akin to a Sword Deity.
To the players, she was endearingly referred to as an ‘NPC hanging around.'
Now, Guo Fan anticipated a possible onslaught of combos and critical hits, potentially leading to his knockout.
Without hesitation, he procured Sun Fen's card. Regardless of its efficacy, he aimed to boost his health points. Failing to do so might result in an immediate defeat, denying him any chance of retreat.
All of Sun Fen's five-dimensional attributes—bone structure, strength, movement technique, and Spiritual Energy—exceeded ten thousand. But in comparison to Li Xieren, her stats paled, especially her physical resilience. Her style was high offense with low defense.
However, to take down Guo Fan, her abilities were more than sufficient.
After incorporating the card's attributes, Guo Fan could only ascend to the perfect God Forming Stage, not even touching the Void Refining stage. Higher levels meant exponential progress. Depending solely on bonus attributes to reach one's pinnacle was nothing short of wishful thinking.
Sun Fen's gaze lingered on Guo Fan, her eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions. She then glanced at Gu Chao and inquired, “Is he your son?”
Flustered, Guo Fan quickly responded, “No, he's a novice disciple I recently accepted. He just joined the Qi Gatherer Sect.”
The notion of such a mature son seemed ludicrous. It appeared more plausible if he had a daughter.
Sun Fen descended, drawing her long sword to point at Guo Fan, her expression severe. “Can't a son also be a disciple?”
Guo Fan, caught between amusement and distress, retorted, “Please understand! He really isn't…”
Sun Fen cut him off, “So, are you married?”
“No.” Guo Fan replied, taking a deep, anxious breath, recognizing the gravity of the moment.
Unsurprisingly, upon hearing rumors of his impending marriage, she had traveled vast distances on her sword, ready to confront him.
Only Sun Fen could do such a thing.
As the saying goes, the heart of the sword is transparent, it is straight.
Zhengzhi, straightforward.
Guo Fan couldn't prevent the news about himself from getting out. Given that he initially used Xiaobo's name, it was inevitable that word would get around. Hence, it wasn't surprising that he was confronted now.
Taking a deep breath, he stated, “I once vowed that if you ever defeated me, I'd marry you. I understand you've discovered my impending marriage and are here for answers. However, I've yet to marry. And if you hadn't shown up, I might have been married to another.”
Guo Fan expressed himself openly. Seeing this, Sun Fen's grip tightened on her sword, which quivered slightly. The intent to harm evident in her eyes wavered as she asked, “Why are you so candid? Aren't you afraid I might end your life? My path is one of Forgetting Emotions.”
Gu Chao glanced around, a look of bewilderment evident. Yet, the mention of the word “kill” clarified things for him, and he quickly retreated.
Guo Fan, appearing unshaken, smiled and remarked, “Why should I fear? Currently, I'm just in the God Forming Stage and standing so near you. With just a mere thought, you could end me. What is there to fear?”
But internally, he was genuinely fearful.
Yet, one mustn't show defeat.
Sun Fen seemed taken aback. After assessing the situation, she recognized that he was genuinely only at the God Forming Stage, which greatly differed from her previous understanding of his prowess. It was almost too astonishing.
“How is this possible…”
Her sword lowered slightly as she questioned, “Why has your cultivation declined so drastically? And there are signs of significant energy loss. What ordeals have you undergone over the years?”
In recent years, she had faced few challenges, save for a recent heart wound inflicted by a sorceress. This event mirrored something her wife had experienced.
Clearing his throat, Guo Fan replied, “What's past is past. However, facing you like this is something I'd rather avoid. My hope is to retreat into the Wide Ocean Sect. Remember me as I once was, not as I am now. I'm not the man you should be pursuing. Let the Severing Emotions Silk be enough.”
Persistence can manifest in intriguing ways when pursuing someone.
He noted Sun Fen's wavering determination.
Sun Fen's approach was indeed unique, stemming from her pursuit of him.
Oddly enough.
The entire conflict began when Guo Fan, driven by impulse, engaged Sun Fen. He had gained notoriety, and after she bested him, his pride was bruised. He acted out on his vexation, even against an NPC, leading to unexpected developments in their shared storyline.
Any error in the storyline guide was a setback. Yet, before the guide was active, consequences were less dire. Who could have predicted that after the story's completion, Sun Fen's affection level would skyrocket to Harmonious?
As their adventures continued, they were at times allies, at times mentors. Sun Fen even expressed her intent to wed him after defeating him. She had always seen Guo Fan as her goal. Now, faced with his resignation, she couldn't bring herself to harm him.
Just as Guo Fan was bracing himself, a distinct sword sound rang out.
Swoosh!
From a distance, a white-clad man approached, flying on a sword. Alighting with a stern countenance and palpable intent to kill, he announced,
“I, Luo Shun, the leading disciple of the Honed Reaver Sword Sect, challenge the Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator from Blistook Pavilion. I await your wisdom and instruction!”
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel