"Rise!"
Ling Fan uttered a soft command.
As his voice fell, a grand formation suddenly illuminated the surroundings. Nine colossal fire dragons, baring their fangs and claws, roared out from within the formation, almost draining the fire spiritual energy from the very fabric of existence!
With a significant portion of the fire spiritual energy siphoned away, the momentum of the Demonic Fire Red Lotus was immediately curbed.
Following this, the nine fire dragons swiftly coiled around the Demonic Fire Red Lotus. Runes flickered along the bodies of the fire dragons, and the colossal Demonic Fire Red Lotus, which had expanded to several meters in diameter, began to shrink rapidly.
A fine sheen of sweat appeared on Ling Fan's forehead.
If he hadn't meticulously prepared this Nine Dragon Fire Binding Array, he would likely have been consumed by the Demonic Fire Red Lotus just moments ago.
Indeed, such heavenly spiritual treasures were incredibly perilous; they could only be subdued through extraordinary means.
Under the might of the Nine Dragon Fire Binding Array, the Demonic Fire Red Lotus finally reverted to its original size, no larger than a fist. Although it still struggled, it posed no further threat.
The demonic lotus imprint within Ling Fan's eyes began to glow, and black radiance surged forth, engulfing everything.
He instantly transformed, appearing like an supreme demonic god, his aura both sinister and sharp.
Threads of flame were drawn out from the Demonic Fire Red Lotus, then coalesced into two slender streams of fire, which were continuously absorbed into his eyes.
This process continued for a full hour.
When the last wisp of the Demonic Fire Red Lotus was drawn into his eyeballs, Ling Fan immediately closed his eyes.
The deepest recesses of the fire crystal ore vein descended into an eerie calm.
However, within Ling Fan's body, there was anything but peace.
Even after being captured within the imprint of the Heavenly Demonic Eyes, the Demonic Fire Red Lotus continued to struggle ferociously, violently impacting the demonic lotus imprint.
It attempted to break free from its confinement, aiming to incinerate the human who dared to profane it.
As the Demonic Fire Red Lotus struck, black runes continuously shattered and reformed.
A mere thread of demonic fire, less than a ten-thousandth of its total essence, broke through the confinement of the demonic lotus imprint and surged into Ling Fan's pupils. Instantly, black smoke billowed from Ling Fan's eyes, burning through his eyelids, and blood trickled from his eye sockets.
Moreover, that wisp of demonic fire possessed terrifying destructive power and continued to spread, as if intent on reducing Ling Fan to ashes.
Ling Fan cried out in pain, and a surge of anger welled up within him!
How dare a mere spiritual treasure act so presumptuously before me!
His powerful mental energy descended like a suppression, causing countless black runes to mend the breaches. Simultaneously, the Samsara Divine Cauldron flew out, hovering above his head.
The leaked wisp of demonic fire was quickly absorbed by the Samsara Divine Cauldron.
...
Just as Ling Fan was subduing the Demonic Fire Red Lotus and cultivating the Heavenly Demonic Eyes.
The three-day deadline quickly arrived.
The entire Lan Family Fortress was enveloped in an atmosphere of joy and celebration.
"Has Xiao Fan not emerged yet?"
Lan Tianxiong inquired.
The elder responsible for contacting Ling Fan, a peak Qi Refining realm cultivator, replied with a wry smile, "No contact has been made! I've tried every method imaginable today, nearly hoarsening my throat. I even ventured a hundred meters forward at great risk, but still no contact with our son-in-law."
"I suspect... our son-in-law has ventured even deeper."
His words caused Lan Tianxiong, Lan Junjie, and the other Lan family powerhouses to be profoundly shaken once more.
"Very well, do not mention this matter to anyone, especially outsiders,"
Lan Tianxiong instructed.
"Patriarch, will today's celebration still proceed?"
The others felt a sense of unease. After all, without Ling Fan, the absolute protagonist, it felt as though the construction ceremony would somehow lack its essence, even if it were held.
"Proceed!"
Lan Tianxiong declared decisively.
"Invitations have already been sent out, and various factions are likely en route. Today marks the most grand occasion since our Lan family's establishment; how can we not hold it? Wouldn't that be a slap in our own face? As for Xiao Fan, I believe he will appear."
"Are you all feeling uneasy because Xiao Fan might not show up?"
Lan Tianxiong cast a sweeping glance at them.
The Lan family powerhouses scratched their heads sheepishly.
Unbeknownst to them, they had already begun to regard Ling Fan as their anchor.
Lan Tianxiong chuckled and chided, "Look at yourselves, all of you are adults in your thirties, forties, or even fifties, yet you're constantly relying on a young lad like Xiao Fan, not even twenty years old. Have you no ambition?"
"If our Lan family cannot even manage a small matter like a ceremony without Xiao Fan, then aren't we all just dragging him down!"
As he spoke, Lan Tianxiong's tone also carried a hint of emotion.
"You should all reflect carefully. With Xiao Fan's talent, unparalleled in both martial arts and weapon forging, how could he possibly remain in a small place like Jiangnan City? He is destined for greater things. His future and prospects are far more expansive than mine or yours, old folks. Therefore, our Lan family must rely on ourselves and not become a burden to Xiao Fan!"
"Do you understand?"
"Yes, Patriarch. Your teachings are correct. We are elders after all, and we must at least act the part of elders, lest we bring shame upon our son-in-law!"
The Lan family's senior members declared.
"Then hurry and prepare!"
"Move, move!"
As if injected with adrenaline, everyone bustled about with renewed vigor.
Soon, streams of powerhouses appeared outside Mogan Mountain.
Wu family of Jiangnan City.
Huo family.
Lu family.
Ding family.
...
The entourages of various prominent families, vast and imposing, carrying gifts and escorted by guards, proceeded towards the Lan Family Fortress.
"Jiangnan City Weapon Forgers' Association President, Master Wang, congratulates the Lan family!"
At the gatehouse below the mountain, a Lan family powerhouse announced with a beaming face, his voice filled with excitement.
"What a magnificent and imposing Lan Family Fortress! Majestic and grand, with resplendent scenery. Your Lan family has truly secured a blessed land,"
Master Wang nodded in admiration.
"Master Wang, please, please come in! Why have you graced us with your personal presence? Haha, had we known you would come, our Lan family would have rolled out the red carpet for twenty li to welcome you."
Lan Tianxiong said respectfully.
Master Wang chuckled, "Haha, Patriarch Lan, you are too kind! Master Ling and I are friends across generations. How could I not personally come to partake in the festivities on such a joyous occasion for your Lan family? Is Master Ling present? I haven't seen Master Ling in quite some time, and I have several questions regarding weapon forging that I wished to ask him."
The entire Jiangnan City knew of the notoriously fiery and arrogant temper of Wang Tai Ping, the president of the Weapon Forgers' Guild. Lan Tianxiong had been somewhat apprehensive, fearing he might receive a cold reception, but he never expected Master Wang to be so courteous, which left him feeling immensely honored.
Li Huimei, standing nearby, also breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
She had never interacted with such top figures in Jiangnan City before, and she felt rather intimidated.
They all understood clearly that Master Wang's exceptional politeness, his personal attendance, and his friendly demeanor were all due to Ling Fan's influence.
Lan Tianxiong apologized, "My apologies, Master Wang. Xiao Fan is currently occupied and will appear a bit later today. Rest assured, I will have him seek you out as soon as he returns."
Master Wang waved his hands repeatedly, "Master Ling's matters are of paramount importance! I am content to have the opportunity to meet him when he is free."