Chapter 108: 108
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"Hmm? You're a curious little one," Qiu Haoqiong's wrinkled face twisted into a sneer, "I don't mind wasting a bit of time to hear your reasoning. How am I not daring and not adept in the ways you mentioned?"
The members of the Qiu family were just as full of startled suspicion, all looking towards Ling Fan, uncertain of the trick he might have up his sleeve.
Even He Qingyang and his wife, as well as the Lu family, were curious what this fellow had in his gourd – what kind of medicine was he really selling?
Ling Fan pondered for a moment, "Your cultivation has stagnated for decades without progress. Observing your vitality, it's withered, with death energy crowning your head. You have no more than one year of life span left, is that correct?"
Qiu Haoqiong's expression faltered, and he chuckled coldly, "The Martial Arts Path is, fundamentally, about Defying the Heavens. It's standard for martial artists to be stuck at a bottleneck and unable to advance. What's strange about that?
The life-span limitation at the Grandmaster Realm is no more than one hundred and fifty years. My time is nearing its end; do I need you to be here putting on airs?"
Unconcerned with Qiu Haoqiong's reaction, Ling Fan pressed on, "Let me ask you, is the cultivation technique you practice of the Yin Attribute?"
Qiu Haoqiong turned serious, "Anyone familiar with my Qiu family knows that the cultivation technique we practice naturally contains Yin Attribute!"
"But does anyone know that your family's technique is incomplete? When one's cultivation is low, it's fine, but as soon as you step into the Grandmaster Realm, the flaws become apparent.
Moreover, because of the technique's incompleteness, it's very difficult to step into the Grandmaster Realm. For someone with exceptional talent like you, it's even more frustrating – if it weren't for this technique, you would have already reached the Sixth Grade Martial Saint Realm!" Ling Fan said unhurriedly, revealing the facts calmly.
Finally, Qiu Haoqiong's face changed dramatically, and a sharp light pierced through his murky gaze, "How did you come to know all this?"
Ling Fan shook his head, "Not only do I know about these, but I am also aware that every time the moon is full, your cold poison acts up, causing you unbearable pain. You've been looking for a cure to no avail!"
Qiu Haoqiong was thoroughly alarmed and stared fixedly at Ling Fan. His presence surged violently, causing all those in the courtyard to be engulfed by a sudden chill.
The members of the Qiu family in the courtyard were all shocked to learn that their practiced cultivation method had flaws and that these very defects had prevented them from advancing. It was no wonder the Qiu family hadn't produced a Grandmaster Realm powerhouse in a long time.
And even if they did enter the Grandmaster Realm, they would suffer from the technique's flaws. The attitude of the Patriarch made it clear that what Ling Fan had said was not fictitious.
Ling Fan remained indifferent, standing quietly in place, undisturbed by the fluctuations in Qiu Haoqiong's aura.
In fact, making such a deduction was not difficult for him; the inherited knowledge from the 'Limitless Secret Tome' in his mind included the most basic techniques for observing qi, discerning words, and reading expressions as part of medical reasoning.
Observing the lack of vitality in him, it was clear his life span was nearing its end; hearing the strength in his voice, yet tinged with sorrow, indicated an issue with his lungs.
Having previously exchanged blows with Jian Bai, Qiu Teng, and other elite members of the Qiu family, he had already identified the attribute of their practiced cultivation method.
With a mysterious inheritance at his side, his keen insight naturally revealed the flaws within their technique.
Cross-referencing all this information, he deduced the cause and effect. And judging by Qiu Haoqiong's reaction, it seemed all his deductions were spot on.
"Not only am I aware of your illness, but I can even offer you a solution," Ling Fan continued steadily.
Qiu Haoqiong's face shifted unpredictably, while Qiu Yuanqing and others were extremely anxious on the inside.
They never anticipated that the Patriarch's emergence would result in this. If the Patriarch were swayed, willing to trade and make peace with Ling Fan, wouldn't Qiu Yu have died in vain?
The ordinary disciples of the family might be one thing, but Qiu Yu was his only direct descendant. How could this vengeance not be avenged?
But if the Patriarch spoke, he would have to suppress his anger temporarily, swallowing the bitterness. Yet, he couldn't reconcile with it – he simply couldn't!
Qiu Yuansheng had thought of this as well, but compared to his older brother, he was much luckier. Jian Bai might have lost an arm, but fortunately, he was alive!
The Lu family father and daughter hadn't expected such a turn of events either. They looked at Ling Fan with apprehension, realizing he seemed adept at producing unexpected surprises!
He Qingyang and his wife were full of amazement too – this young man seemed to consistently find ways to turn desperation into survival, displaying both bravery and strategy, truly a promising talent!
He Jiayi listened from the side, confused, but she could sense that whatever Ling Fan said was mysteriously impressive; in short, she just felt he was unfathomably profound.
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Just when everyone had their varying thoughts, all of a sudden, Qiu Haoqiong burst into a long, loud laugh facing the sky.
"Hahaha... Boy, you are quite cunning, old man was almost moved, if it was more than a decade earlier, I definitely would have agreed to the exchange.
But now it's too late, even if I were cured, what of it? The old man has but a year to live anyway!" Qiu Haoqiong sneered, looking coldly at Ling Fan.
Kneeling on the ground, Qiu Yuanqing suddenly got excited, his face revealing an incredibly eager expression. If it weren't for the presence of the Patriarch, he nearly would've burst out laughing.
"You idiot, playing such a clever game, now it's all come to nothing, right? Just wait and see how the Patriarch is going to make you die without a burial place, to avenge my son!" Qiu Yuanqing roared in his heart.
The other members of the Qiu family also quietly breathed a sigh of relief. After losing so many people today, if they truly let off this main culprit, they would indeed find it hard to accept!
The Lu family father and daughter looked at each other, this was too abrupt; they hadn't expected that despite Ling Fan's shrewd planning, it would all be for naught in the end!
Lu Hanshan's heart pounded furiously, just like drumbeats, and if it weren't for fear of offending the Patriarch of the Qiu Family, she probably would've shouted out loud as well.
"This idiot, what's the use of all his scheming? In the end, isn't he still facing death?" Lu Hanshan felt extremely refreshed in her heart.
Even Lu Feichen felt like he had finally let out a sigh of relief, feeling much less stifled.
He Qingyang and his wife, however, turned pale, their hearts lurching wildly, more thrilling than a roller coaster ride. Just moments before, the situation was looking good, but they hadn't expected it to take a turn for the worse with just a fart's effort!
Ling Fan, facing the smiling yet not-smiling Qiu Haoqiong, remained calm and composed, and opened the conversation indifferently, "What if I can not only cure your stubborn illness but also help you break through to the Sixth Grade Martial Saint within one year?"
"What?" Qiu Haoqiong's smile instantly froze.
Even the members of the Qiu family stared at Ling Fan stupidly, fixated on him.
Qiu Yuanqing's body swayed, almost losing his balance as he knelt, his gaze going blank, "Impossible, absolutely impossible. Patriarch, he is lying to you!"
"Shut up!"
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The Patriarch, with a casual flick of his hand, landed a slap across the distance. At his level of Realm, he could already control energy through the air over short distances.
The Lu family father and daughter felt like they were going to go mad. Was it really that torturous to just quickly kill Ling Fan? Was it that hard?
He Qingyang also felt his heart ailment about to flare up, "Damn it, can't you just say everything in one breath? You're making me so damn anxious!"
"Boy, as long as you can resolve the issue with my body and help me break through to the Sixth Grade Martial Saint, I will let bygones be bygones regarding today's matter!" Qiu Haoqiong stepped forward and said to Ling Fan in a grave voice.
"Fine, but I have one condition," Ling Fan nodded.
Qiu Haoqiong stared at Ling Fan and nodded slightly, "Speak!"
"This person will surely seek revenge against me in the future, or cause trouble for the He family. Therefore, I want you to kill him!" Ling Fan raised his hand, pointing towards the kneeling Qiu Yuanqing, and said indifferently.
These words exploded like thunder.
Qiu Haoqiong's eyes widened, and he stood there stunned!
The members of the Qiu family likewise stood frozen, at a loss for what to do!
The Lu family father and daughter nearly passed out, dammit, even a madman wouldn't say such things, asking the Patriarch of the Qiu Family to kill the Head of the Qiu Family? You must be the madman's mentor!
He Qingyang felt his brain short-circuit, completely losing the ability to think!
Qiu Yuanqing, kneeling on the ground, was enraged to the extreme. A bitter taste rose in his throat, and he spit out a mouthful of old blood, his eyes bloodshot with rage. This brat was simply too insufferable!