"Fate? Perhaps, it truly is fate, " Fan Jianqiang murmured to himself, casting a deep glance at Lin Fan. "Disciple Fan Jianqiang, greets..."
He clasped his hands in a respectful salute.
Is it already settled?
Wu Xingyun was still somewhat bewildered, but quickly said, "I am Second Elder Wu Xingyun, and this is our Sect Master, Lin Fan."
"Greetings to Second Elder and Sect Master."
"No need for formalities." Lin Fan laughed heartily, "This place is not safe to linger. Do you have any unfinished business? If not, come back to the sect with us."
"Disciple has no other matters, I will follow the Sect Master's arrangements." Fan Jianqiang quickly responded, then added in a low voice, "Actually, I wanted to run away a long time ago, but I calculated my fortune."
"Oh?"
Lin Fan was even more surprised.
Clearly, Fan Jianqiang's fortune-telling skills were somewhat beyond expectation.
Before crossing over, he had never seen any cunning saint play the art of divination to such a level of mastery!
On the contrary, he hadn't yet seen much of the 'cautious' trait in Fan Jianqiang.
But even if Fan Jianqiang wasn't the typical protagonist of the cautious genre, he wouldn't lose out.
At the very least, his divination skills were highly useful!
Moreover...
His alchemy skills were not weak either!
Could this cautious individual be developing in all aspects, a six-sided warrior?
If so, that would be even better.
***
The three immediately left quickly, without attracting much attention.
Once in a desolate area, they ascended to the clouds and flew away.
Fan Jianqiang resumed his original appearance, transforming from an 'ordinary person' directly into a cultivator at the first level of the Condensation Realm. Wu Xingyun was very surprised.
She found it hard to believe that Fan Jianqiang could hide so perfectly, as she had not seen any hint of it before!
Lin Fan, however, remained calm, as Xiao Ling'er had already informed him. But was the first level of the Condensation Realm his true strength?
Not necessarily.
If he could disguise himself from the first level of the Condensation Realm as an ordinary person, why couldn't he be of a higher level, disguising as a first-level Condensation Realm cultivator?
Moreover, if he were truly the protagonist of the cautious genre, this was highly possible!
It's a pity they hadn't officially inducted him into the sect yet, and with others around, it would be hard to explain if his cultivation suddenly surged. Otherwise... Lin Fan really wanted to share his strength immediately to see exactly what level Fan Jianqiang was at!
Anticipation!
Determining whether Fan Jianqiang was truly the cautious genre protagonist was very simple.
Once they returned to the sect and formally inducted him into the Moon Grasping Sect, he could then share his strength and find out.
Condensation Realm first level, if he truly is cautious… At least one major realm is hidden!
Even one major realm might only be the beginning!
Increasingly eager.
Wu Xingyun flew at an extremely fast speed.
She exerted all her strength, taking the two away as quickly as possible.
After all, Grand Martial Immortal City was too powerful, and the two who stood out at this alchemy conference were now disciples of the Moon Grasping Sect. If they were targeted, it would inevitably cause trouble.
However...
Mid-flight, Fan Jianqiang expressed concern. "Second Elder, although this flying speed is fast, I believe it might be inappropriate."
"Oh?" Wu Xingyun was puzzled, "How is it inappropriate?"
"Returning to the Moon Grasping Sect as quickly as possible would be safer. Forgive my bluntness."
Fan Jianqiang sighed.
"The strength of the Moon Grasping Sect is not outstanding. Even if we return immediately, if a powerful enemy wants to act, we wouldn't have much chance to resist, and even self-preservation would be difficult. Besides, you haven't hidden your tracks! The Second Elder is not an unknown figure; surely, someone has already recognized him. Even if they don't know my identity, Senior Sister Xiao Ling'er took the first place at the Alchemy Conference. What she holds is already a crime of possessing a precious jade.
"Thus, our Moon Grasping Sect is now too easily targeted. If we don't make some preparations, this trip is likely to be fraught with danger... If we're unprepared, won't we be doomed?"
Wu Xingyun frowned slightly, "It's not necessarily fatal, but if we make preparations, it will inevitably delay us, which is also dangerous."
"I wonder if the Second Elder has any knowledge of formations?" Fan Jianqiang pondered, "If we set up some formations, it should at least delay the pursuers for a while, right?"
His mind was spinning, planning survival by any means.
Lin Fan smiled slightly, "Second Elder, I think Fan Jianqiang makes a good point. Let's set up some formations."
Wu Xingyun mused, "Fortunately, having no hope of breakthroughs in recent years, I have studied some formations. Setting up a fourth-grade formation to block those in the Fourth Realm without consuming too much time shouldn't be too difficult."
After speaking, Wu Xingyun began to act.
Using the clouds in the sky, the towering trees on the ground, supplemented by numerous prime stones and formation flags as the formation's core, he set up many formations.
Who would have thought that Fan Jianqiang was still not satisfied.
He added, "The sky is too open and not easy to hide. If we encounter someone proficient in formations, they might see through it at a glance and choose to bypass it. In my opinion… We might as well deliberately leave some traces to lure the pursuers into the dense forest below, and then set up formations in the forest. This would greatly increase our chances of success."
Wu Xingyun frowned slightly and looked at Lin Fan.
Lin Fan quietly nodded.
Seeing his agreement, Wu Xingyun did not hesitate and immediately began to act.
Fan Jianqiang took out his spirit sword, scattering a large swath of sword light, leaving behind the fluctuations of sword intent while destroying part of the dense forest below. Then, taking the two of them, he quickly descended, leaving some battle traces and footprints before beginning to set up the formations.
Halfway through setting up the formations, Fan Jianqiang suddenly shuddered, "Ahem, nature calls, nature calls. Sect Master, Second Elder, you continue, I'll be right back."
Lin Fan's mouth curled slightly, "Go ahead."
Watching Fan Jianqiang's quickly retreating figure from the corner of his eye, Lin Fan's smile grew wider.
I thought you weren't going to make a move. That wouldn't be like a cunning protagonist!
What is a cunning protagonist?!
A cunning protagonist, on the surface, appears to be cowardly and afraid of death, unwilling to take even the slightest risk.
In reality...
He has countless hidden cards, being extremely 'cautious' and 'prudent', never acting without a ten percent certainty. Even a ninety-eight percent success rate, in the eyes of such a person, is 'certain death'.
For someone like him, knowing they are being watched, and that the Moon Grasping Sect is also being targeted, how could he feel at ease and content with just some fourth-grade formations set up by the Second Elder?
At this moment, it appears to be a convenient excuse...
But Lin Fan was sure that he had gone to 'increase the success rate'.
This is stability!
But this indirectly suggests that Fan Jianqiang truly is a hexagonal warrior?! His skills in alchemy, divination, and cultivation must be considerable. Now it seems that his proficiency in formations might even surpass that of the Second Elder!?
Thinking of this, Lin Fan couldn't help but feel even more anticipation.
Although he roughly knew what Fan Jianqiang was going to do, how far could he go?
I'm really looking forward to it.