"Huh?"
Su Fan was equally confused, not understanding why Xia Yuan would say that.
"Never mind that, haven't you eaten yet? Let's eat together."
It was just mealtime. When Su Fan arrived, the soldiers had just delivered food to Xia Yuan.
The two sat down to eat.
Su Fan had a thousand questions in his heart. Since returning, many places felt unfamiliar.
It seemed like a lot had changed; people, events, and things were all different.
"You just said it was all thanks to my contribution? What did I do?"
Su Fan asked Xia Yuan, confused, while eating.
Xia Yuan's hand, which was picking up food, paused.
He looked up at Su Fan.
"You... don't remember?"
Xia Yuan's eyes flickered, and he seemed to be lost in thought.
Su Fan narrowed his eyes, sensing something was amiss.
Had he been to the military camp before? Had he helped repel the enemy?
"Oh, I just couldn't recall for a moment. It's fine now,"
Su Fan said with a smile.
Hearing Su Fan's words, Xia Yuan's tense expression relaxed.
"You're quite busy now. I heard you just returned from the Extreme North. My location is close to the Extreme North, separated only by the Northern Territory, yet I've never seen what the Extreme North is like. Can you tell me about that place?"
Xia Yuan smiled and casually chatted with Su Fan.
"The Extreme North isn't special. It's just a snowfield, with snow year-round, extremely low temperatures, a vast expanse of white, and nothing grows. It's not a good place."
Su Fan explained to Xia Yuan.
"Oh, I've heard of it. Are those places where nothing grows said to have something important? Otherwise, why would they send you to the Extreme North?"
Xia Yuan probed, testing Su Fan.
"Heh heh."
Su Fan merely smiled, not answering Xia Yuan.
"I understand. The Emperor's decree needs to be kept secret, right?"
Xia Yuan nodded in understanding.
"Alright, are you done eating?"
After finishing his meal, Xia Yuan didn't intend to continue chatting with Su Fan.
"I'm done. Thank you for the meal."
Su Fan put down his chopsticks and nodded.
"What's there to thank? It's just ordinary military food."
Xia Yuan waved his hand.
"Do you have anything else?"
Xia Yuan then asked Su Fan.
Su Fan knew this was Xia Yuan's way of seeing him off.
He also knew he wouldn't get any more information from Xia Yuan.
"No, I don't. You carry on with your work. I need to report back."
Su Fan smiled and bid farewell to Xia Yuan.
After Su Fan left, Xia Yuan's expression turned cold.
"There's something wrong."
Xia Yuan sensed that Su Fan was problematic.
Su Fan's state when he visited the military camp before had already made him feel uneasy. Now, Su Fan couldn't remember a specific day's events. There was definitely something wrong.
Su Fan also sensed that something was amiss.
He was certain he hadn't lost his memory. Then who had helped Xia Yuan repel the enemy? And why did Xia Yuan believe it was him?
Su Fan frowned deeply, then his eyes widened, and he had a bold guess.
"Could it be that the body in this world has gained self-awareness?"
Combining the previous inability to enter the game world by sleeping and the strange behavior of the soldiers and Xia Yuan today, Su Fan arrived at this conclusion.
But why? Why would the Su Fan of this world suddenly come alive?
If Su Fan wanted to figure this out, he would have to go to Tianlong City. However, before that, he needed to change his appearance. If he appeared in Tianlong City with this face, and if the Su Fan of this world was truly alive, two Su Fans appearing together would undoubtedly cause a sensation.
Su Fan turned around and flew towards Baiyue Villa.
Arriving at this familiar place, Su Fan felt a wave of emotion. Although it had only been a few months, it felt like a long time since he had been here.
The market at the foot of the mountain was as lively as ever. Su Fan had no time to linger and headed directly to Baiyue Villa on the mountain.
Baiyue Villa, having lost its sect leader, was not as prosperous as before. Many sects with grudges against Baiyue Villa came to collect debts. Disciples of Baiyue Villa left or fled, and now Baiyue Villa was somewhat desolate.
Su Fan walked into the silent villa and frowned slightly.
He hadn't expected Baiyue Villa, once at the peak of the martial world, to be in such a state.
"Who's there!"
A clear and cold voice reached Su Fan's ears.
Su Fan turned around and saw a familiar figure.
"Su Fan!"
Long Die was taken aback when she saw Su Fan.
Then, her face turned furious.
"Pay for my master's life!"
Long Die roared, drew her sword, and attacked Su Fan.
Su Fan sidestepped, easily dodging Long Die's attack.
He reached out and grabbed Long Die's wrist.
"It's me, Su Fan. Calm down!"
Su Fan said to Long Die.
"I know you're Su Fan, and I'm here to kill you!"
With her right hand held by Su Fan, Long Die conjured a golden thread in her left hand and immediately wrapped it around Su Fan.
Su Fan's body ignited with golden flames, melting any golden thread that came into contact with them.
Long Die was completely helpless against Su Fan.
After all, the level difference between them was now significant. Even if Su Fan stood still and let Long Die attack, she wouldn't be able to harm him much.
"Why do you want to kill me?"
Su Fan asked Long Die, confused.
He had no enmity with Long Die. They were friends before.
"You killed my master, why do you think!"
Long Die shouted at Su Fan in anger.
Su Fan fell silent. He then remembered that Long Die was Long Tengfei's disciple. As the Saintess, Long Die was naturally the sect leader's direct disciple.
"I had no choice. It was a fight for survival. If I didn't kill him, I would have died."
Su Fan said helplessly.
"Stop making excuses! Let go of me, I will kill you sooner or later!"
Long Die glared at Su Fan.
Su Fan sighed helplessly.
"I came to borrow a technique. You can stay here by yourself."
Su Fan moved his hand, and a golden thread appeared in his palm, binding Long Die tightly.
"Bastard! Let me go!"
Long Die roared at Su Fan in anger.
Su Fan pretended not to hear. Without the supply of true energy, the golden thread would dissipate soon, so he didn't need to worry about Long Die's safety.
Su Fan headed straight for the Scripture Repository.
The Scripture Repository had also been ransacked, and Su Fan doubted if there were any techniques left.
"Who's there, kid? Get out!"
Just as Su Fan was about to head upstairs, an old man's voice came from behind the counter.
Su Fan peeked and saw an old man lying on a lounge chair behind the counter, sleeping.
"Senior, I am a former disciple of Baiyue Villa and wish to borrow a technique. I hope you can accommodate me."
Su Fan said respectfully upon seeing this.
The fact that someone was guarding it meant there was still something in the Scripture Repository.
"If you've left Baiyue Villa, don't come back. Baiyue Villa has been emptied. There are no techniques left. Hurry along now."
The old man waved his hand at Su Fan without opening his eyes.
"Senior, I want a technique for changing my appearance. I can offer something in exchange."
Su Fan said to the old man.