The two of them tore into each other again, biting and clawing, completely losing all decorum.
Beside Lu Fan, Wang Yan and Liu Ruyan watched with bated breath. Seeing the golden light constantly flashing around Lu Fan, they knew the battle inside was still raging. However, they had no idea who was winning.
"The only thing we can do now is to keep making Lu Fan stronger. Otherwise, he might not be a match for Old Ancestor Hongyun. You stay here, I'll go find Lu Fan's clones," Liu Ruyan said, turning and leaving again.
...
"Mom! What happened to Dad?" Lu Chenglong asked, seeing Lu Fan's state.
"Dad is fighting with a bad guy! Chenglong, don't disturb Dad!" Wang Yan replied.
"Dad only learned two or three moves of Sister's swordplay, he definitely can't beat the bad guy. Why don't I teach Dad to practice sword? Dad will surely be able to defeat the bad guy after he learns!" Lu Chenglong took out a wooden sword and practiced swordplay beside them with great seriousness.
After an unknown amount of time, dozens of stars appeared in the sky above Lu Fan's sea of consciousness. Inside the sea of consciousness, the two souls were locked in a fierce struggle, seemingly indistinguishable from each other.
The two souls were like two famished wolves, tearing at each other. Gradually, the already ethereal soul bodies felt increasingly unstable, like wisps of smoke, on the verge of dissipation at any moment.
Suddenly, five more clones merged into Lu Fan, and his soul immediately became a bit stronger.
"Old Ancestor Hongyun! Surrender!" Lu Fan said, gazing at Old Ancestor Hongyun.
"Impossible, Hmph! Even if you have thousands of clones, they won't be enough for all the immortals in the heavens to feast upon. These five should be your last," Old Ancestor Hongyun snorted coldly.
"So it was you who spread the word that devouring my clones offers a chance to comprehend the Heavenly Dao?!" Lu Fan suddenly realized. No wonder so many people, both immortal and not, in the heavens were searching for his clones – it was all Old Ancestor Hongyun's doing.
"Hmph! My plan is flawless! So don't struggle, and even if you do, it's useless." Old Ancestor Hongyun pounced again.
*Swish...* Suddenly, Lu Fan's soul began to transform into three small figures. One was as clear as water, another radiated golden light, and the third was Lu Fan's true self.
"What? How can this be?" Old Ancestor Hongyun exclaimed in shock.
"One divides into two, two divides into three. Three divides into ten thousand. This is nothing strange," Lu Fan said with a slight smile.
The three nascent souls exchanged a glance and immediately sat cross-legged, simultaneously activating the Dragon-Elephant Breathing Technique. *Hoo...* Old Ancestor Hongyun, already weakened, was immediately blown into the air!
Old Ancestor Hongyun was no longer as composed as before.
*Bang...* A star in the sky flickered. Suddenly, it hurtled towards Old Ancestor Hongyun!
Old Ancestor Hongyun let out a miserable cry and became even more ethereal.
"I told you, this is my territory," Lu Fan said with a slight smile.
...
The golden light around Lu Fan finally ceased its flickering, and he calmed down.
Wang Yan stared at Lu Fan with a tense expression. The moment Lu Fan opened his eyes, she immediately pointed her sword at his neck.
"You... are you Lu Fan or someone else?! Speak quickly. Otherwise, I'll kill you!" Wang Yan shouted nervously.
"Silly woman, you're pointing a sword at someone's neck, how do you expect them to reply?" Lu Fan rolled his eyes. Did he have to say he was himself for it to be true?
"Then... who are you?" Wang Yan continued to ask with a nervous expression.
"Chenglong, shall Dad practice sword with you? Dad is too clumsy, he only remembers two or three moves," Lu Fan said with a smile to Lu Chenglong beside him.
"Xiao Fan...!" Wang Yan's tears immediately fell. She was truly afraid that Lu Fan would suddenly turn into someone else.
"Lu Fan! Is it really you?" Liu Ruyan also asked with surprise and joy from the side.
"Of course, it's me. I, Lu Fan, don't die that easily. Of course, thank you for helping me retrieve so many clones," Lu Fan said, picking up Lu Chenglong.
"Then... what's your strength now?" Liu Ruyan hurriedly asked.
"With Old Ancestor Hongyun's help, it naturally won't be bad! Haha!" Lu Fan burst into laughter. He never expected to devour Old Ancestor Hongyun; this gift was too immense.
In Twelve Gorges Village, the surrounding mountains looked as if they had been ravaged by war. Fortunately, the village itself was spared, with only Lu Fan's house destroyed. The other homes were intact.
Several months passed, and the villagers seemed to have forgotten about Lu Fan's family. Led by Wang Yajie, the entire village busied themselves with planting and selling vegetables, living a fulfilling life. The village's income was quite good.
Lu Fan appeared on the summit of South Mountain and, with a wave of his hand, the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends appeared before him. *Swish...* The seventy-two wooden swords were all drawn, and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends immediately regained their freedom.
"I apologize for the trouble, everyone! Lu Fan owes you all a favor. Each of you has one chance to ask me for something. The wooden swords in your hands are your proof. Now, please return!" Lu Fan waved his hand, and the formation disappeared.
Upon hearing that they could use their wooden swords to ask Lu Fan for a favor, the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends immediately treasured their wooden swords and put them away.
For minor deities like the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends, opportunities to even meet powerful beings like the Jade Emperor or the Tathagata were rare. Lu Fan was someone who gave these powerful beings headaches. They understood what Lu Fan represented.
Seeing that all the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends had departed, Liu Ruyan appeared behind Lu Fan.
"Xiao Fan! You're still not suitable to show yourself. Why don't you come to my Wa Huang Palace!" Liu Ruyan suggested.
"The more you hide, the more they will search for you! Why not let them come? I also want to know how many moves it will take me to kill them!" Lu Fan said with a faint smile.
"Yes, they almost caused Xiao Fan to die. There's no need to be polite with them. If anyone dares to offend us again, we must kill them. Kill one if we can," Wang Yan suddenly appeared behind the two, her face filled with anger.
This time, Lu Fan had narrowly escaped death. Before, it was because their strength was insufficient, and they accepted it. Now, everyone must know that those who offend me will be punished, no matter how far away they are!
"Now you need a place to live! The villa is destroyed, and you refuse to go to my Wa Huang Palace. What do you mean by that?" Liu Ruyan glared at Lu Fan, annoyed.
This little bastard! Ungrateful thing. He must be reluctant to leave that little widow Wang Yan! Hmph!
"Ruyan! Actually, we can go to my small world! And live our carefree lives," Lu Fan suddenly said, gazing at the sky with infinite longing.
In the small world, he could create a world free from conflict, worries, and full of carefree joy and freedom.
"Pah! Are you thinking about the women in that world?" Liu Ruyan spat and roared at Lu Fan, glaring at him.