Chapter 258: Chapter 258: Gratitude from Everyone_1

“The bottle he shattered was no ordinary one; it was a ‘Soul Vessel’ that could cultivate a ghost king of the Yin spirits. What was contained within it was the very evil spirit I just forced out of the old gentleman’s body!” Xu Fan shook the Jade Gourd in his hand and said solemnly to Elder Sun.

“So it is!” A look of sudden realization crossed Elder Sun’s face as he turned to Xu Fan and said, “Ever since that man in black left, I’ve been feeling unwell. Three days later, I fell ill. I suspected in my heart that my illness might be the work of that man in black. Now that you mention it, it’s indeed the case.”

“Not only that, but I suspect that this man in black could be a descendant of the East Sea martial artist you fought in your youth,” Xu Fan said, gazing intently at Elder Sun as he posed the question.

“Now that you mention it, I do recall something. That man in black I saw that morning, his silhouette seemed somewhat familiar, as if I’d seen him somewhere before. Thinking about it carefully now, he does bear a resemblance to the East Sea martial artist I encountered in my youth. It’s quite possible he really is a descendant of that person!” Elder Sun pondered and then spoke to Xu Fan.

“That must be it. The East Sea is closest to the Island Country of Yamato, which is why they have such sinister things as the Soul Vessel. The aura of the evil spirit in this Soul Vessel, I have encountered it before on another strange martial artist, and he had learned his wicked techniques from the Onmyoji of the Island Country!” Xu Fan indicated the Jade Gourd in his hand and spoke slowly.

“What? There’s even involvement from the Island Country?” Elder Sun exclaimed in astonishment.

“Don’t be surprised. Although martial artists cultivate different techniques, in the end, they are just different methods of using energy. The Island Country is small and is fond of delving into such treacherous and cunning cultivation paths, which naturally differs from the grand ethos of our great Yan Country. Their methods of cultivation may increase strength quickly in the short term and can be unexpectedly effective against those unfamiliar with their techniques, but for them to truly advance to Grandmaster level is extremely difficult, and they can only resort to these despicable and shameful means,” Xu Fan said with a hint of disdain.

Because he had previously battled against the twelve ghost fighters, who had learned their nefarious skills from an Onmyoji of the Island Country, Xu Fan was rather familiar with the aura of the techniques from the Island Country. The evil spirit planted within Elder Sun was clearly not the same as the vengeful spirits of the three little ones he had encountered at home and the lesser prince in the Jade Token, which had transformed due to their untimely deaths.

The evil spirit in Elder Sun was cultivated by those unscrupulous Onmyoji within the Soul Vessel from resentful ghosts, and then continuously absorbed the blood and even the lives of living people to grow into such malevolence.

These evil spirits had much stronger combat abilities than ordinary vengeful spirits. Even vengeful spirits like the lesser prince, who had not practiced genuine Ghost Cultivation Techniques, would not be a match for those evil spirits cultivated by the Soul Vessel despite their formidable strength.

Grown to the extreme, the Soul Vessel could even cultivate a real Ghost King; however, it required the flesh, blood, and souls of countless living beings as sacrifice. The evil spirit within the Jade Gourd had not yet reached the level of a Ghost King, and its strength could at most be considered that of a minor ghost in the Body Tempering realm.

But it could directly confront martial artists of the Body Tempering realm, particularly since Elder Sun initially had his Dantian struck by the water attribute Water Dividing Stinger, and his body was most vulnerable to Yin creatures. It’s likely that the descendant of the East Sea martial artist knew Elder Sun’s weakness, so he specially cultivated such a ghost to use against him. For ordinary martial artists at the Body Tempering realm, this evil spirit might only cause injury, but for Elder Sun, this evil spirit was a life-threatening danger.

If Xu Fan had arrived a day later, it was likely that Elder Sun’s life would have been in jeopardy.

“Dammit, I won’t let you get away with this, you little devils from the Island Country!” Sun Lihua erupted in anger upon hearing Xu Fan’s words.

“Li Hua, don’t be rash. Everything is predestined; due to my youthful recklessness, I brought this upon myself, resulting in today’s retribution. If he ceases his actions, I’ll consider surviving this life-threatening ordeal as repaying the debt I owe that East Sea martial artist,” Elder Sun shook his head and slowly said to his son.

Clearly, having gone through this life-and-death crisis, Elder Sun’s mentality seemed to have undergone a certain change.

“Dad, do you realize you nearly didn’t make it, the whole family was terrified by you!” Sun Lihua said, with tears at the corners of her eyes.

“Li Hua! Enemies should resolve rather than deepen conflicts. Our Sun Family is now considerable in size and wealth, and yet, you are still a mortal who doesn’t know martial arts. If we are truly targeted, our Sun Family will also suffer great losses in the end. So, if I meet this man in the future, I’m willing to offer him an apology to obtain his forgiveness!” Elder Sun shook his head, sincerely speaking.

“Elder Sun is indeed a man with a true heart, don’t worry. If he dares to mess around, I have ways to deal with him,” Xu Fan said with a smile, addressing Elder Sun.

“Grandmaster Xu, I really want to resolve this grudge. With you here, I feel absolutely assured!” Elder Sun clasped his fist toward Xu Fan, speaking gratefully.

“Rest assured, an evil spirit is not that easy to nurture. Now that I’ve captured his evil spirit, he must be frantically upset. When the time comes, I will personally mediate for you, and if it can’t be resolved, then the ghostly technique he learned, I will personally cripple it!” Xu Fan shook the jade gourd in his hand, speaking resolutely.

“Thank you, Grandmaster Xu. How could I, Sun Jin’an, deserve such assistance from a great master like you!” Elder Sun looked towards Xu Fan with gratitude, tears streaming down his face.

“Since I promised Elder Lin to treat your illness, naturally, I intend to cure you completely, not just your physical woes, but your worries too,” Xu Fan said slowly.

“Thank you, Grandmaster Xu!”

“Thank you, Grandmaster Xu!”

Elder Sun and Sun Lihua almost simultaneously clasped fists to thank Xu Fan.

Lin Yaoshi, standing to one side and hearing Xu Fan’s words, was also deeply moved.

What Xu Fan did was simply too much, not only had he helped Elder Sun to get rid of the troubling evil spirit in his body, but he also promised to help restore his health, and now had also agreed to help him settle a grudge that spanned several decades.

And all of that was for the sake of him.

This favor was so immense that Lin Yaoshi felt he might never be able to repay it in his lifetime.

“Lin Xiao You, in my life, Lin Yaoshi, I’ve met countless people, and only others have owed me favors. Your actions this time, they leave me at a loss for words. This favor is too significant; I feel like I may not even be able to repay it,” Lin Yaoshi said, equally moved.

“Our Sun Family also owes a debt, Grandmaster Xu. Our Sun Family is one of the most powerful in the entire Zhonghai, and for this matter, we rely entirely on you. From now on, anywhere you need the Sun Family, just give the word, no second questions asked!” Elder Sun also said to Xu Fan, with great emotion.