Top-tier Unruly Master

Chapter 1429 1466: Caravan

Lin Qi felt an unwillingness to part when he saw Ding Fan's steadfast decision to leave. Lin Qi knew that Ding Fan was not only his benefactor but also a very significant one. Clearly, if it weren't for Ding Fan's appearance, he might no longer be in Dancheng or be the city lord, and quite possibly, Dancheng would have been destroyed by the Wild Wolf Gang by now.

Therefore, Lin Qi felt immense gratitude and respect towards Ding Fan. Although Ding Fan was much younger than Lin Qi, Lin Qi always referred to Ding Fan as a brother. Clearly, this person was not only his great benefactor but, more importantly, also a Grade Nine Alchemist.

One must know that a Grade Nine Alchemist is not to be taken lightly and is evidently a formidable existence, as there are very few Grade Nine Alchemists in the entire Cultivation World.

Finally, as Ding Fan was about to leave, Lin Qi organized all the members of the City Lord Mansion to bid him farewell. Furthermore, Lin Qi gifted Ding Fan several million Spirit Stones and many precious Spiritual Materials, the value of which was simply incalculable and could be considered half of Dancheng's assets. Yet, Lin Qi offered them to Ding Fan without any opposition, even willingly.

Everyone understood that Ding Fan's value was immeasurable. Although these things were precious, they were deemed extremely worthwhile in the face of befriending a Grade Nine Alchemist. Moreover, everyone knew that Ding Fan was not only a Grade Nine Alchemist but was also very skilled in cultivation.

Everyone knew that Ding Fan's future achievements were unimaginable. Thus, City Lord Lin Qi's intention to befriend him was unquestioned, and for them and Lin Qi, if Ding Fan had not stood up at the Dancheng Conference, who knows what Dancheng's current state would be.

Especially for those elders who sided with Elder Wang before, they clearly knew if Sun Long had managed to deceive his way into becoming the city lord, things wouldn't have gone well for them. After all, new lords bring new ministers; therefore, they were deeply grateful to Ding Fan.

In fact, Ding Fan was like a lifesaver to them. If that scheming and revengeful Sun Long had become the city lord, their lives might have been at risk.

Ding Fan didn't take this to heart. He obviously acted this way first to repay a favor he owed to City Lord Lin Qi, and second because he had discovered the Wild Wolf Gang's scheme to harm Dancheng, which Ding Fan couldn't ignore. Additionally, since it involved the Wild Wolf Gang, Ding Fan had no reason not to intervene.

At that moment, the only thing on Ding Fan's mind was to annihilate the Wild Wolf Gang's cultivators and avenge the Dayang Sect!

He then bid farewell to Lin Qi and the others and headed towards Lan City. Although Lan City wasn't under his jurisdiction, Lin Qi did his best to assist Ding Fan, offering him maps and other resources. Furthermore, to ensure Ding Fan's safety and prevent retaliation from the Wild Wolf Gang, Lin Qi sent people to escort Ding Fan ten kilometers outside the city before allowing him to proceed alone.

Regarding this, Ding Fan held great affection for Lin Qi. Those who repay kindness with kindness are always approachable. Ding Fan had promised to visit Lin Qi when he had time, as he also valued Lin Qi as a friend. He understood the importance of having friends when traveling afar.

Although Ding Fan knew he was a Grade Nine Alchemist, he also acknowledged his own youth and realized he didn't excel in every aspect as Lin Qi did. Therefore, being friends with Lin Qi offered him considerable benefits. Moreover, Ding Fan's interactions with Lin Qi during this period greatly improved his impression of Lin Qi, and they truly hit it off in many ways.

Ding Fan had heard Lin Qi talk about some amusing stories and methods he used to manage Dancheng, to which Ding Fan fully acknowledged. He also had a bit of admiration for Lin Qi, as it wasn't a simple feat to bring Dancheng from its previous state to its current prosperity.

In turn, Lin Qi's interest in Ding Fan was evidently much stronger than Ding Fan's in him. Clearly, Ding Fan wasn't just a young Grade Nine Alchemist; he possessed remarkable cultivation strength as well, which was truly impressive. Lin Qi knew that although he was a mid-stage Distraction cultivator, few in the Cultivation World surpassed him in cultivation. However, recalling the sword strike Ding Fan used to kill Sun Long sent chills down Lin Qi's spine.

Lin Qi realized that without understanding Ding Fan's sword technique, he would struggle to defend against it; the strike was simply too uncanny, beyond what an ordinary cultivator could handle. Thus, Lin Qi knew having a friend like Ding Fan was a great fortune in his life!

Moreover, Lin Qi had already decided to make Ding Fan the honorary vice city lord of Dancheng. Although Ding Fan wasn't in Dancheng, whenever he returned, his position would be equivalent to that of the vice city lord, equal to Lin Qi's rank. Ding Fan clearly declined, but under Lin Qi's persistent insistence, Ding Fan reluctantly accepted.

After all, this position required nothing from Ding Fan, merely a title to hold, resulting in no pressure for him. Since Lin Qi insisted, Ding Fan didn't argue any further.

After leaving Dancheng and walking some distance, the Dancheng guards returned. Ding Fan felt more at ease, and instead of hastily continuing his journey, he first refined a Disguise Pill. Ding Fan had used his previous Disguise Pill, so evidently, he needed to refine a new batch at this time.

Now, refining medicine pills is no trouble at all for Ding Fan. One must know that Ding Fan has previously refined numerous Grade Nine Medicine Pills and possesses a considerable amount of spiritual materials. Evidently, Ding Fan has almost all the spiritual materials needed for most of the pills in the Cultivation World.

Moreover, Ding Fan's spiritual materials are extremely rare and valuable, clearly not something an ordinary cultivator can easily obtain. Some materials are scarce even in the entire Cultivation World, so Ding Fan has no issue whatsoever in refining exceptionally rare and precious pills.

Soon, Ding Fan successfully refined a batch of Grade Nine Disguise Pills. Knowing he was now outside Dancheng, Ding Fan was aware he would no longer be under the protection of the City Lord Mansion. Additionally, the Wild Wolf Gang is evidently eager to kill him at any time, so Ding Fan naturally had to be cautious. Therefore, changing his appearance before heading to Lan City was a necessity.

Ding Fan also learned from previous inquiries that the auction in Lan City was quite well-known in the Donglai Continent. Clearly, the people there would be a mixed bunch, and Ding Fan definitely did not want to easily expose his identity or cause any trouble.

In no time, Ding Fan refined a bottle of Disguise Pills. He then swallowed one, and soon his appearance underwent a tremendous change. Evidently, no one could now recognize Ding Fan's original look, and even his aura had changed.

Clearly, this Grade Nine Disguise Pill is extremely impressive!

After preparing everything, Ding Fan set off according to the directions on the map. Along the way, he encountered some Yuan Beasts, but none were particularly powerful. Ding Fan knew this was merely an ordinary forest, and evidently, there couldn't be any formidable Yuan Beasts.

Moreover, given Ding Fan's current strength, he wouldn't fear cultivators even at the Spiritual Division Stage. Evidently, Yuan Beasts of such a rank are even rarer.

Only, in the forest, Ding Fan frequently came across some corpses. Although this is not surprising in the Cultivation World, where killings are commonplace, Ding Fan still remained cautious. From the fatal wounds on these corpses, it was clear they were murdered by humans, not Yuan Beasts.

Evidently, Ding Fan grew increasingly vigilant. After all, in the Cultivation World, humans are the hardest to predict, and anything could happen. Therefore, caution is always advisable. Nonetheless, Ding Fan wasn't overly concerned, given his current strength. It was unlikely he would encounter opponents.

One must know that cultivators at the Spiritual Division Stage are not easily encountered in the Cultivation World, they are impressive! Not to mention Spiritual Division cultivators, those at the Emergence Stage are already quite strong in the Cultivation World.

Subsequently, Ding Fan continued his journey while slaying Yuan Beasts. His purpose wasn't anything else but to train his swordsmanship. Clearly, he had already recognized the benefits of the "Wind-like Sword Technique." This sword technique has become a powerful trump card for Ding Fan, consisting of nine chapters in total. Currently, Ding Fan has only trained up to the Fourth Chapter. Ding Fan understands that the "Wind-like Sword Technique" will become increasingly formidable. The Fourth Chapter alone can unexpectedly slay a Spiritual Division Stage cultivator.

It is imaginable how terrifying the later chapters will be.

Ding Fan then began training. During a meditation session, he suddenly noticed a group of people approaching from a not-too-distant spot. From their attire, Ding Fan could tell they were a merchant caravan. The group had nearly ten people, led by a middle-aged man. Ding Fan glanced at him twice, recognizing him as a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Early Stage.

Currently, this middle-aged man possesses the highest cultivation in the caravan. Ding Fan speculated that he might be the caravan leader, judging by his position amongst the group. But Ding Fan wasn't overly concerned, as the caravan posed no threat to him.

Moreover, Ding Fan knows that having a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Early Stage overseeing a caravan is considered rather powerful. In the Cultivation World, having cultivation at the Emergence Stage is already quite commendable.

Ding Fan quickly finished training and resumed his journey, now quite close to the merchant caravan. However, Ding Fan did not interact with the caravan; they each went their separate ways. Some cultivators in the caravan noticed Ding Fan.

When some people in the caravan noticed Ding Fan, they were not only surprised but also shocked. A young girl among them looked at Ding Fan with shock and worry, saying to the middle-aged man leading the group:

"That person is traveling alone in this deep mountain forest! It's too dangerous! Team Wu, should we offer him a ride?"