He who understands the times is a hero. The thirty-eight sect leaders, once defiant, now kept a low profile. Though each harbored their own hidden thoughts, they could only keep them buried deep inside.
The disciples of Jiuxiao Sect looked at Lin Fan with admiration in their eyes.
In their minds, their senior brother Lin was simply amazing. These sect leaders, who had once acted so arrogantly, now sat obediently like obedient grandchildren, following every word spoken by the leaders above.
The inauguration ceremony proceeded smoothly.
Lin Fan sat silently, not speaking a word. This was Xinfeng’s important day, so the spotlight naturally belonged to him. Lin Fan only needed to sit there and maintain order.
Though the thirty-eight sect leaders dared not act out at the moment, Lin Fan knew they were likely still scheming in their hearts.
After the ceremony ended, when Xinfeng invited the sect leaders to dine together, they politely declined.
Xinfeng didn’t press them, knowing full well they had no intention of staying. Today, it was Lin Fan’s presence that had kept everyone in check, shattering whatever plots they had been harboring.
“Master Xinfeng, we will deliver our gifts seven days from now,” Hu Zongzhu of the Hongyun Sect said with a pained expression.
The other sect leaders quickly followed suit. This time, they had suffered great losses without gaining anything—an utter tragedy.
“It seems all the sect leaders need to return and prepare grand gifts. However, today is the joyous occasion of my brother’s inauguration. How can there be no gift at all? Since you are all here, I shall offer a humble present,” Lin Fan said, standing up with a smile curling at the corner of his lips as he gazed downward.
The sect leaders paused, curious about what gift Lin Fan would offer.
“Baoling, open the door. It’s time to receive gifts,” Lin Fan called out into the void.
Inside the Jiuxiao Sect’s treasure vault, the treasure spirit was extremely weak. Almost all treasures were gone, leaving no treasure aura to nourish it. Its demise was drawing near.
“Boom…”
At that moment, the grand gate of the Jiuxiao Sect’s treasure vault thunderously swung open. The treasure spirit couldn’t come out, but its voice was filled with urgent longing.
“Treasure… treasure…”
“The Holy Sect and Jiuxiao Sect have always been close allies. Naturally, we could not stand idly by while Jiuxiao Sect faced difficulties. Please accept this humble gift,” Lin Fan said, flicking his sleeve. Instantly, countless treasures shot forth from his bag.
Thick treasure aura filled the entire hall and beyond.
At that moment, everyone present was utterly stunned by the massive influx of treasures.
“This is impossible…” The thirty-eight sect leaders were completely dumbfounded. They never expected Lin Fan to produce so many treasures.
“Heavenfall Stone.”
“Sealing Spirit Pearl.”
“Heaven Position Fruit.”
…
One after another, the treasures floated in midair, each one priceless—items that even their sects might not possess.
“Haha… Treasures have arrived…” At that moment, the treasure spirit within the vault smelled the aura of treasures and was overjoyed. A powerful suction force emerged from within, continuously drawing in the treasures.
Master Hu and the others were completely stunned, and their belief solidified further—there was no way the Holy Sect and Jiuxiao Sect had truly fallen out.
In fact, their relationship must be extraordinary. These treasures were the very foundation of a sect, and even surpassed what many sects possessed.
The disciples of Jiuxiao Sect were well aware that the treasure vault had been empty, a truly tragic state for any sect.
A sect without treasures had no foundation. They understood the importance of the treasure spirit better than anyone—it nurtured treasures and allowed them to continuously evolve.
Yet now, seeing so many treasures emerge from Lin Fan’s sleeve left the Jiuxiao Sect disciples completely shocked, and they stared at Lin Fan in awe.
They never imagined that Senior Brother Lin’s gift would be so immense, beyond anything they could fathom.
“Brother Lin, this…” Xinfeng was astonished as he looked at Lin Fan, at a loss for words.
Lin Fan waved his hand. “No need for formalities. It’s the thought that counts. The matters of Jiuxiao Sect are the matters of the Holy Sect.”
“Brother Lin, rest assured. I will repay this someday,” Xinfeng said simply. He understood the significance of these treasures, and how desperately Jiuxiao Sect needed them now.
He would never forget today’s kindness. Once Jiuxiao Sect recovered its strength, he would do everything to repay the favor.
“Repay? Are you trying to insult me?” Lin Fan immediately frowned. Was this not belittling him?
Xinfeng looked at Lin Fan gratefully but remained silent.
Watching this scene, Masters Hu and others felt bitter inside, but what could they do now?
“Master Xinfeng, Lord Lin, we shall take our leave first,” the sect leaders said.
As they turned to leave, Lin Fan called out, “Wait, everyone. I have one last thing to say.”
The sect leaders stopped, curious about what Lin Fan had to say.
Jiuxiao Sect had suffered a major loss in strength and lacked high-level power. Though these sects had submitted today, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t plot against Jiuxiao Sect in the future. Lin Fan felt it necessary to issue a warning, making them fully aware of what they should do.
“The leader of the Huadao Sect was killed by me with a single palm strike—not just to scare you all, like killing a chicken to warn the monkeys—but because I truly had the intention to kill you all right there. However, since none of you have committed grave offenses, I have no desire to spill too much blood. But remember this: if Jiuxiao Sect faces any future calamity, regardless of whether it was your doing or not, your sects will no longer have the right to exist. Don’t think I’m bluffing. You can try me if you dare. I’m just giving you fair warning,” Lin Fan said calmly, his expression serene.
If he were to destroy all thirty-eight sects, Jiuxiao Sect, in its current weakened state, might not be able to control the western regions. It was better to let the thirty-eight sects remain as a protective shield for Jiuxiao Sect’s future development.
As long as they weren’t fools, they would know what to do.
Masters Hu and the others maintained composed expressions, but inside, they were seething with anger. Lin Fan’s words had struck them like a slap across the face.
But considering Lin Fan’s strength and the power of the Holy Sect, they had no choice but to swallow their resentment.
“Lord Lin, we understand,” Masters Hu and others said after a moment of silence, bowing respectfully.
“Good. Understanding is best. Then I won’t see you off,” Lin Fan said, waving his hand.
Masters Hu and the others eventually left, their faces cold and expressionless.
Once all thirty-eight sects had departed, the disciples of Jiuxiao Sect erupted into excitement.
They gazed at Senior Brother Lin with admiration, awed by his bold words just now.
Especially the sight of the thirty-eight sects too afraid to utter a sound thrilled them beyond measure.
“Brother Xinfeng, sorry again for stealing your spotlight,” Lin Fan laughed heartily.
“Haha…” Xinfeng laughed loudly in return. “Brother Lin, no matter what, from now on, you are my only brother.”
“What? Does that mean I wasn’t before?” Lin Fan teased with a smile.
…
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