"However, this is brilliant~! The more trump cards you have, the stronger I become after sharing them. In this state, whether it's setting up formations, divination, or those mysterious techniques, I am stronger than Fan Jianqiang..."
Although Lin Fan knew he should remain calm, he couldn't help but grin broadly.
"After all, with my cultivation higher after sharing, using these methods also becomes more powerful. But if I were to face him one-on-one, the one likely to lose would probably be me. After all, he's a survivalist. Until the moment he dies, who knows how many trump cards he still has?"
Lin Fan was well aware that this was all temporary.
After all, all survivalists are formidable, and with a myriad of trump cards, battling across realms is standard. For all protagonists, fighting across realms is standard.
But...
He could share more than just one person's combat power.
Even if he took on more disciples later, there's still Xiao Ling'er!
Previously, Xiao Ling'er might have been held back in her cultivation by the 'Grandpa in the Necklace,' leading to her current state of only being at the sixth level of the Condensed Yuan Realm.
But given time, she could definitely catch up and become a 'Tier 0' in this version.
Tier 0!
In the realm of cultivation, this means having an invincible presence among peers, the potential to dominate an era, and being an extraordinary prodigy!
When she develops, she might not be weaker than Fan Jianqiang in a solo fight!
Moreover, there's himself too!
Although his own talent wasn't remarkable, and he didn't have the fiery spirit of an Emperor's template, as long as he shared their talents...
Afterward, sharing their combat power...
Ultimately, his realm could definitely crush Fan Jianqiang. By then, with absolute strength, those 'myriad' trump cards might not make much difference.
The protagonist's template is indeed powerful, but it doesn't mean absolute invincibility.
Ultimately, it's about having an invincible presence among peers, while strictly speaking, ahem...
He's their elder!
"So, I must bide my time. For now, the greatest crisis may come in three to five days, or at most ten days to half a month. Before that, I must diligently cultivate and strive to break through as soon as possible! If I can achieve the fourth realm's combat power and the Grand Elder successfully breaks through to the fifth realm, there is a great chance to overcome this crisis! Moreover, there's Fan Jianqiang, the survivalist. He previously volunteered to handle geomancy, which should be preparation for 'stability.' As for Xiao Ling'er... unless it's a life-and-death situation, it's better not to count on her. After all, it's unclear how much her 'Grandpa in the Necklace' has recovered. It might be less than a ten-thousandth. We don't want him to fall into a coma again."
After calculating for a moment, Lin Fan settled his mind.
Just as he was about to cultivate, Xiao Ling'er came to the door requesting an audience.
"Master."
"Come in."
Lin Fan waved his hand, and the door opened without a breeze.
"Master." Xiao Ling'er respectfully saluted, then presented a jade bottle. "This is the Profound Origin Realm Pill I refined during the alchemy conference. A ninth-grade pill. I don't need it now, so I leave it to Master to handle."
Lin Fan took it, playing with the jade bottle, and pondered, "I'll skip the pleasantries. I currently need this pill very much, and our Moon Grasping Sect is facing a great enemy… But I will remember your kindness and will not forget it."
He truly wanted it.
But he didn't want to be hypocritical, so he straightforwardly accepted it.
Exchanging sincerity for sincerity, at least for the 'Emperor of Flames,' there was no mistake.
"Master, you flatter me. The sect's grace towards me is as heavy as a mountain. I am not an ungrateful person and naturally think of the sect! Besides, it's not that I'm arrogant."
Seeing Lin Fan accept it, Xiao Ling'er was extremely happy and said with a smile, "If I go all out, a ninth-grade Profound Origin Realm Pill is not difficult for me."
"Once we get through this crisis, as long as we have the right materials, I can easily and mass-produce elixirs! Even producing a Ninth Grade Cave Heaven Pill is not impossible..."
"You have put your heart into it." Lin Fan smiled, "I naturally believe in your talent for alchemy. In the future, our sect's elixirs will rely on you. At that time, you mustn't get tired of it."
"Disciple will never!"
Xiao Ling'er puffed out her chest.
Although Lin Fan's words would bring her many trivial tasks, she felt no resentment at all. Instead, she was very happy and full of a sense of achievement!
After chatting for a while, Xiao Ling'er left satisfied.
She feared nothing except that her master would not accept her elixirs.
Fortunately, Lin Fan wasn't as concerned about appearances as the Great Elder, which made Xiao Ling'er extremely happy.
Moreover, she had once again gained her master's approval. At this moment, she felt full of motivation.
***
"To me, she has almost no reservations except for the 'old man in the necklace,' right?"
Watching Xiao Ling'er's departing figure, Lin Fan was quite pleased.
Xiao Ling'er had clearly revealed her true potential!
And such potential, unless absolutely trusted, would never be disclosed.
"It also reminded me that I can share her alchemy techniques. I can refine these elixirs myself too. It's just that I don't have a pill furnace or spiritual herbs." Lin Fan smiled slightly, "Besides, if a disciple can refine them for me, why should I do it myself? Isn't it better to focus on my cultivation?"
As the sect leader, he couldn't do everything personally!
He had to know how to use people!
At this moment, Lin Fan suddenly remembered a news story from his previous life...
A young woman had been married for seven years, always believing that her husband couldn't cook because he always said so. Until one day, while cleaning the house, she found her husband's certificate as a top chef!
Ahem.
"Jerk!"
No, doesn't this mean I'm scolding myself?
"The only regret is that their alchemy techniques can't be 'stacked.'"
Alchemy is different from cultivation.
Strong is strong, and weak is weak.
If someone is two levels stronger than you, they are almost entirely stronger in every way.
When the two merge, the weaker one will almost be entirely overshadowed and cannot stack up.
Therefore, Lin Fan's alchemy skills, in this lifetime, would probably only be on par with Xiao Ling'er and difficult to surpass.
But then again, if he had some fortuitous encounter one day, it might not be impossible.
***
"Xiao Ling'er's temperament, character, and loyalty to our sect are no longer a concern, but Fan Jianqiang still needs some guidance. Wait... until after this battle."
Lin Fan was certain that after this, the Moon Grasping Sect would inevitably face a battle, or even several battles.
"Taking elixirs and cultivating! Every bit of strength means a better chance of winning! Moreover, with the means to hide my strength, I can also conceal my cultivation."
Lin Fan smiled and no longer hesitated, taking elixirs and cultivating.
Boom!
The Ninth Grade Profound Origin Realm Pill is potent and free of "resistance." Its effects are excellent even for those at the ninth level of the Profound Origin Realm, and Lin Fan is only at the first level.
As the pill entered his stomach, its power instantly erupted!
Lin Fan immediately felt an intense swelling pain in his dantian, as well as throughout his mystical gates and meridians.
His cultivation level soared as if on steroids...
By midnight, the potency of one Ninth Grade Profound Origin Realm Pill was fully expended.
Lin Fan didn't hesitate and took another one.
At dawn, Lin Fan opened his eyes.
He... had broken through!
Profound Origin Realm, second level!
"Indeed, Fan Jianqiang's talent is no less than Xiao Ling'er's. Combining their talents, along with my own insignificant talent… But the most important factor was treating the Ninth Grade Profound Origin Realm Pills like candy and taking two in one night, which allowed me to break through overnight. Amazing~!
Lin Fan was thrilled.
"Battle power, fusion!"
Boom!
An even more astonishing aura spread throughout the cave.
"Fourth realm, Cave Heaven Realm, achieved!"