Chapter 36: Prepare to Act!

Jiang Fan felt a sudden jolt of alarm, thinking to himself: "Could it be Xiao An?"

He knew that Xiao An must have seen at least something of what happened last night. Moreover, Xiao An was a malevolent spirit raised by Old Demon Xu; it should, by all logic, be infinitely loyal to him.

Jiang Fan felt restless, bracing himself to strike with all his might at any moment. Of course, he intended to test the waters first. He felt certain that he hadn't misread the look of helplessness and longing for freedom in Xiao An’s eyes the previous night.

"Reporting to Master, this disciple went to the small woods to practice last night," Jiang Fan quickly stood up and bowed respectfully. He was telling the truth, though naturally, he wouldn't mention that he had gone there to breakthrough in his cultivation.

Old Demon Xu looked deeply at Jiang Fan, then nodded. "Where you practice is not important, as long as you practice diligently. Do not let down my expectations for you. The cultivation resources I have given you should be enough for you to reach the third level of Qi Refining within half a month."

"Master’s grace toward this disciple is as heavy as a mountain. I will certainly do my utmost to cultivate!" Jiang Fan replied with practiced reverence.

"Very well, continue your practice. Reach the third level of Qi Refining as soon as possible." With that, Old Demon Xu left the training grounds.

Seeing the old man depart, Jiang Fan finally let out a sigh of relief. It had been a false alarm.

He was not yet ready to make a move. For one, he still didn't know the full extent of Old Demon Xu's strength, and for another, he had not yet obtained the antidote for the Seven-Day Heart-Eating Powder. He was waiting—waiting for his cultivation to grow stronger and for the Wild Wolf Gang to make their move.

After Old Demon Xu left, Jiang Fan resumed his frantic pace of cultivation. Invisible to the naked eye, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged toward his body. Within his dantian, the gaseous spiritual power began to steadily transition into a liquid state.

Immersed in his cultivation, Jiang Fan watched as the gaseous power transformed rapidly. In just one day of practice, nearly twenty-five percent of his gaseous energy had become liquid.

"At this rate, in two days and two nights, I can completely convert the gaseous power in my dantian into liquid! But the name of Deacon Chen on the 'Heavenly Book of Great Dao' is growing dimmer and dimmer..." Jiang Fan mused, his focus shifting to the name on the artifact.

Deacon Chen’s name was fading fast, and it was clear it wouldn't last much longer.

"I am secretly cooperating with the three leaders this time; I wonder if they will still try to kill me? But once I transfer the fatigue and work Deacon Chen to death, I will have my answer..."

***

At night, Jiang Fan left the training grounds and returned to the familiar small woods to practice.

As expected, Xiao An followed, though it remained outside the woods as usual. Originally, Xiao An had been sent by Old Demon Xu to monitor Jiang Fan and report immediately once his cultivation reached the third level. Now, however, Xiao An had become Jiang Fan’s lookout. They had reached an agreement: Jiang Fan would practice there every night, and Xiao An would stand guard, ready to report the moment anyone approached. With its ability to turn invisible, Xiao An was nearly impossible to detect if it chose to remain hidden.

"Deacon Chen's name is fading to the extreme; he shouldn't last much longer! As I expected, once my cultivation reached the third level of Qi Refining, the fatigue caused by my practice became terrifying—even a martial artist at the Post-Heaven stage couldn't endure it for long..." Jiang Fan felt a surge of anticipation. "I'll know soon enough if the three leaders have any murderous intent toward me!"

With this in mind, Jiang Fan quickly left the woods and returned to the training square. The youths and children captured by the Wild Wolf Gang were beginning their breakfast; Jiang Fan ate quickly and immediately resumed his practice.

Only an hour later, Jiang Fan noticed that Deacon Chen’s name had vanished from the "Heavenly Book of Great Dao," and simultaneously, a new name appeared.

"Wu Gang? Why does he have murderous intent toward me? It seems they don't trust me easily. Or perhaps there is another reason—Deacon Wu is dead, and he wants revenge, so his name has appeared on the book." Jiang Fan smiled faintly. "Very well. Since Deacon Chen Qingyun is dead, I shall use Wu Gang to transfer the fatigue from my cultivation!"

He continued his frantic training. Another day and night passed, and by the second day, Wu Gang’s name on the book had also dimmed significantly.

That day, just as Jiang Fan was about to head to the training square, the Wild Wolf Gang's new steward secretly slipped him a note.

"This is?" Jiang Fan’s heart raced.

"The three leaders told me to give this to you, Young Master. You will know once you read it," the steward said before walking away.

Jiang Fan opened the note. It contained only a few words: *Move today.*

The message was simple, yet it set Jiang Fan’s heart pounding with excitement.

***

"They didn't give me a specific time, clearly still not trusting me. But they notified me in advance, which means they want to see my performance first!" A flash of killing intent crossed Jiang Fan’s eyes. "In that case, I will provide a token of my sincerity! I indirectly caused the deaths of your kin; even if you don't know it was my doing, it is impossible for you not to harbor murderous intent... That way, even if you win in the end, your names will be recorded in the 'Heavenly Book of Great Dao'."

Jiang Fan smiled slightly, then composed his expression. He had calculated the situation, and no matter how he looked at it, he was in a secure position.

"Since that is the case, I must find an opportunity to act. I will seize Old Demon Xu’s storage bag and stab him in the back while I'm at it..." The thought made his heart race, though he maintained an air of indifference.

He returned to the training square, ate a little, and began his routine. He did not know exactly when the Wild Wolf Gang would strike, so he was in no hurry.

He practiced until nightfall, his dantian’s spiritual power growing increasingly dense.

"Why hasn't the Wild Wolf Gang acted yet? Do they need me to move first?" Jiang Fan was puzzled. Just as he was about to leave, Old Demon Xu walked toward him.

A fierce glint flashed in Jiang Fan’s eyes, but he quickly assumed a respectful posture. "Greetings, Master. Is there something you need?"

"Come with me. Today, I shall personally check the extent of your progress," Old Demon Xu said, his face somber and his tone tinged with an urgency Jiang Fan could clearly detect.

"Yes," Jiang Fan replied, following him while his mind raced. "Does he already know the Wild Wolf Gang is moving? Or does he intend to refine me into a Human Blood Treasure Pill to break through his own cultivation?"

Carrying a complex mix of emotions, Jiang Fan followed him, his heart unable to settle. He was prepared to act ahead of schedule.

"I must seize the initiative. Once I snatch the storage bag and ambush Old Demon Xu, I will flee immediately. If I am outmatched or he catches up, I will activate the damage transfer to ensure I remain unscathed..."