Forget the Patreon. It will not affect this story. It will be continued to be published, just not on Patreon anymore.
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"The Sect Master is quite courageous."
When Wu Xingyun conveyed Lin Fan's decision to the four Elders, they were all stunned into silence.
The Supreme Elder, Su Xinghai, finally spoke. "I have no objections regarding the distribution of resources. Ling'er's talent is undeniable, and nurturing her is a wise decision. However… the Earth Core Demon Fire…"
"The Sect Master places too much trust in her."
The Third Elder shook his head and let out a long sigh. "But what else can I say? When I lack the ability or even the courage to act, how can I object to the sect leader's resolve?"
"The Sect Master is truly remarkable," Duan Qingyao said firmly. "We've misjudged him all this time. Even these new rules of his—we don't understand them, but through them, he has accepted a genius as an inner disciple."
"In this regard, he far surpasses me. We shouldn't interfere with how he chooses to train his disciples. Our role is to support his decisions."
"Perhaps…"
"This truly is our last chance. If we squander it, the Moon Embracing Sect will be doomed."
A heavy silence hung over them before Wu Xingyun finally broke it. "Then… we follow him."
Shock. Confusion. Incomprehension.
But no doubts. No resistance.
This was their decision.
…..
"Strength Sharing!"
As soon as Lin Fan activated the ability, a surge of power coursed through his body. He felt his cultivation steadily rise from the fourth level of Yuan Condensation to the fifth before it gradually stabilized.
"A little rough…" he murmured, assessing the sensation. "She only just broke through herself. It's already impressive that the effect is at four plus one."
He raised his hand slightly.
Boom!
A vivid flame erupted in his palm, flickering with an unusual intensity.
"This…" His eyes narrowed. "Is this one of Xiao Ling'er's abilities?"
"Could she also be practicing the Burning Technique?"
After toying with the flame for a while, Lin Fan deactivated the strength sharing and returned to his cultivation.
…..
"Teacher, what should I do next?"
Xiao Ling'er gripped her sect token tightly, but her heart was still restless.
"I will help you unseal the Earth Core Demon Fire. Once you absorb it, your alchemy skills will skyrocket, and your combat prowess—even your realm—will advance at an unimaginable rate."
A wise yet weary voice echoed in her mind, and she nodded resolutely.
"But be warned: never reveal the Earth Core Demon Fire to others lightly."
Determination flashing in her eyes, she sat cross-legged and began cultivating, following her teacher's guidance step by step…
…..
Over the next few days, Xiao Ling'er frequently visited the sect's medicinal fields, gathering various rare herbs and elixirs.
Soon, she had exhausted nearly all available resources.
She even went to the five Elders, requesting their assistance in procuring more.
They did not hesitate.
If they couldn't find the elixirs, they would buy them. If they couldn't afford them, they would search tirelessly…
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, the Elders worked ceaselessly, scouring every possible avenue to secure resources. Despite their exhaustion, they smiled each day, their spirits lifted by the rapid growth of Lin Fan and Xiao Ling'er.
Each morning, they would check in and be stunned yet again.
"Another breakthrough?"
"Sect Master advanced again?!"
Two days later—
"Wait, now Xiao Ling'er has also broken through?!"
By the end of the month, Lin Fan's cultivation had soared to the eighth level of Yuan Condensation.
Xiao Ling'er had reached the fifth level.
Lin Fan had tested their strength sharing again. If he activated it, he could momentarily touch the peak of Condensing Yuan—just half a step away from the Profound Yuan Realm.
It was no longer a simple case of 'eight plus five.'
Because at higher cultivation levels, the gap between each realm was immense.
…..
That day, as Lin Fan was meditating, a soft knock came at his door.
"Master, Ling'er wishes to see you."
Creak—
The door swung open without a breeze.
"Come in."
Lin Fan stood and regarded Xiao Ling'er with satisfaction. If not for their strength sharing, how could he have progressed this quickly? Even with decades of training, he might never have reached the eighth level of Yuan Condensation.
Xiao Ling'er smiled sweetly, her eyes filled with admiration. "I greet the Sect Master."
However, in her mind, her teacher's shocked voice suddenly erupted.
"Eh?!"
"Teacher?" She was startled.
"Your master… Another breakthrough! He's at the eighth level of Yuan Condensation!"
"What about it?"
"This… is too fast!"
"But I'm at the fifth level. Isn't it reasonable that Master is at the eighth?"
A deep silence followed.
Finally, her teacher spoke in disbelief. "Do you even realize what you're saying? Do you understand what your master has accomplished?"
"His talent is supposed to be average… yet he keeps having these breakthroughs."
"This kind of progress…" A chilling realization dawned. "Could it be… an Innate Dao Soul?!"
If that were the case—
If Lin Fan and Xiao Ling'er continued to grow without perishing prematurely—
Then the Moon Embracing Sect would not only return to its former glory… it might reach even greater heights!
Her soul trembled at the thought.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ling'er continued her conversation with Lin Fan, oblivious to her teacher's revelation.
After some brief exchanges, she retrieved a jade bottle and offered it to Lin Fan respectfully.
"Master, this is the Yuan Ning Dan I refined recently. It should be useful for your cultivation, as well as for the senior disciples."
Lin Fan's eyes gleamed. "You succeeded?"
He didn't take the bottle immediately. "Did you set aside what you need for yourself?"
Xiao Ling'er hesitated, then nodded. "I already kept some."
"Good." Lin Fan accepted the bottle. "In the future, always keep what you need first. Only if there's excess should you distribute it to the sect."
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She had once been abandoned.
Now, she had found both a master and a sect that cherished her.
…..
After Xiao Ling'er left, Lin Fan opened the jade bottle and examined the pill inside.
The next second, his expression changed.
"Seventh grade?!"
A brilliant glow surrounded the pill—seven halos.
Elixirs were ranked from first to ninth grade.
The third grade was considered passable.
The fifth was already exceptional.
But the seventh? A rarity beyond comparison.
Above the fifth grade, each increase doubled the potency.
At the ninth, it would triple, with zero medicinal resistance. The difference between the first and ninth grades was like heaven and earth.
"She's truly inherited the Flame Emperor template…" Lin Fan murmured in awe.
If they had an endless supply of seventh-grade Yuan Ning Dan…
Even a pig could reach the peak of Yuan Condensation!
He activated strength sharing.
Instantly, alchemy knowledge flooded his mind.
Then—
A small flame flickered at his fingertip.
"…The Earth Core Demon Fire?!"
His breath hitched.
"She's already conquered it?!"
A shiver ran down his spine.
This woman… was terrifying.