Lin Fan hadn’t spent much time with these students, yet he truly regarded them as his own disciples. Their reluctance was genuine, but Lin Fan didn’t know how to respond.
If the Yan Emperor really allied with other sects to attack the Saint-Demon Sect, Lin Fan would definitely not stand idly by.
Once joining a sect, one becomes part of it. Although he had sneaked out secretly, he remained a member of the Saint-Demon Sect. His senior and junior brothers had always treated him well, and Lin Fan had long considered the sect as his extended family.
Now that his family was in crisis, he wouldn’t evade out of fear for his life.
No matter what, Lin Fan had to warn his brothers in the Saint-Demon Sect, urging them to inform the sect leader to prepare in advance, so as not to be caught off guard.
Looking at the worried expressions on his students’ faces, Lin Fan smiled. “Don’t worry too much. I just have some matters to attend to. As long as you keep cultivating diligently, when I return, I’ll be checking your progress.”
“Yes, Master,” Liu Shuishui and others nodded in agreement.
Although they didn’t know exactly what Lin Fan needed to do, they believed their master would definitely be fine—he was just too powerful.
They all placed absolute, unwavering trust in Lin Fan.
“Alright, now I will bestow some cultivation techniques upon you. Remember my words—absolutely no one must learn of the techniques I’ve passed on today. Do you understand?” Lin Fan reminded them repeatedly.
“Yes, we’d rather die than speak,” Cao Tianjiao, who rarely spoke, nodded heavily.
They weren’t fools. Their master’s seriousness meant this matter was extremely important. The fact that their master had chosen to pass down such secret techniques meant he trusted them completely.
Then, based on each student’s personality, Lin Fan selected and transmitted two supreme-tier heavenly techniques—”Invisible Heaven Demon” and “Sword Intent”—to them accordingly.
For them, cultivating these two supreme-tier techniques would bring far more benefits than they could gain individually. Their cultivation level would rise alongside their technique advancement, while Lin Fan’s own advancement would only increase his true energy and combat strength, without boosting his cultivation level.
With these heavenly techniques as support, as long as nothing unexpected occurred, their future achievements would certainly not fall short of anyone else’s.
But from here on, their path would depend entirely on themselves.
Ordinarily, Lin Fan never let things weigh heavily on his mind, but this time, even he felt uncertain. He could only take things step by step and act accordingly.
Afterwards, Lin Fan handed out pre-prepared weapons to each of them. Although only low-grade artifacts, they were more than sufficient for their current level.
Weapons of too high a rank would only attract unwanted attention.
“Xiao Ze, come out with me for a moment,” Lin Fan called out after finishing preparations.
“Master,” Xiao Ze stepped forward. As a scion of a prestigious family, he had seen much of the world. Although his master’s expression seemed normal, Xiao Ze could sense the unease hidden within.
To Xiao Ze, his master was a transcendent expert beyond worldly concerns. Yet something serious enough to unsettle his master must be an extraordinary matter, beyond even his comprehension.
“Xiao Ze, you have the highest strength and status among the class. While I’m away, you must take good care of your senior brothers and sisters. If possible, I hope you can share some of your family’s techniques with them. Keep cultivating diligently, so as not to waste my efforts in nurturing you,” Lin Fan instructed.
“Master, is something happening? If possible, please let me know. Although the Xiao family isn’t among the top powers of the Yan Empire, we are not without influence. I’m willing to follow you wherever you go, no matter the danger,” Xiao Ze replied.
“It’s nothing. I can handle it myself. Just take care of your fellow disciples—that will be the greatest help you can offer me,” Lin Fan said.
“Yes, Master,” Xiao Ze nodded.
“Tell them all to go cultivate. I have other matters to attend to,” Lin Fan instructed before quietly leaving.
Back in his room, Lin Fan immediately resumed cultivation without a moment’s rest. No matter what, he had to advance “Dragon Emperor’s Domination” to the second stage.
Right now, Lin Fan wished the heavens would rain down a mountain of pills, rapidly boosting his cultivation. Because if a real battle broke out,
his current level was no more than a small boat on a lake—what waves could it possibly create?
The next day,
the auction hosted by the Heaven and Earth Merchant Guild officially began.
Leaders from various sects arrived with their disciples, ready to enter. This “Minor Heaven Pill” was an enormous temptation. Most sects hoped to either purchase the pill to study its composition or, if that failed, give it to their disciples to consume.
Using essentially useless Xuan Huang coins for the auction was an extremely favorable deal.
Cultivating a Minor Heaven-level disciple required countless rare treasures. Compared to that, the value of the “Minor Heaven Pill” became clear.
Blending into the crowd, Lin Fan sighed as he observed the sea of people.
What a pity.
I’ve already done so much, yet so many sects still came. It’s like pouring a cup of water into an ocean—utterly insignificant.
Lin Fan put on a mask he had prepared, just in case he encountered Man You’er from the Myriad Flowers Pavilion from the previous night—it would be a real tragedy if that happened.
“Look, those are disciples from the Myriad Flowers Pavilion. So beautiful.”
At this moment, the crowd stirred. A group of stunning beauties always drew attention wherever they appeared.
As expected, the Myriad Flowers Pavilion disciples immediately attracted countless gazes.
These disciples, trained in seductive techniques, exuded irresistible charm. Even disciples from major sects might struggle to maintain composure, let alone ordinary commoners.
Lin Fan stood quietly in the crowd. As sect disciples gradually entered the Heaven and Earth Merchant Guild, he grew puzzled. He had watched from the beginning, but hadn’t seen any disciples from the Saint-Demon Sect arrive. This was strange—could something have happened?
Shaking his head with unease, Lin Fan entered the Heaven and Earth Merchant Guild.
For this auction, entry required Xuan Huang coins instead of regular currency. Common folk naturally didn’t possess such coins, making it impossible for them to enter.
As a wandering cultivator, Lin Fan could only take a spot at the very back, while sect disciples occupied the exclusive front sections.
Each sect had its designated area for seating.
At this moment, a middle-aged auctioneer dressed in a cyan robe stepped onto the stage.
Lin Fan glanced at him.
Lin Fan hadn’t spent much time with these students, but he truly regarded them as his own. Their reluctance to part was genuine, but Lin Fan didn’t know how to respond to their words.
If Emperor Yan and other sects were indeed planning to besiege the Holy Demon Sect, Lin Fan would definitely not stand idly by.
Once you join a sect, you are part of it. Although he had faked his death and escaped, he was still a member of the Holy Demon Sect. His fellow disciples had treated him well, and Lin Fan had long considered it a big family.
Now that this family was in trouble, he wouldn’t cower and hide.
Lin Fan was determined to inform his fellow disciples of the Holy Demon Sect, urging them to return and alert the sect leader to prepare, so they wouldn’t be caught off guard.
Seeing the worried expressions on his students’ faces, Lin Fan smiled and said, “Don’t overthink it. Your teacher just has some matters to attend to. You just focus on your training. When I return, I’ll check your progress.”
“Yes, teacher,” Liu Shuishui and the others nodded in agreement.
Although they didn’t know what exactly their teacher was dealing with, they believed he would be fine because he was so powerful.
They had an almost fanatical trust in Lin Fan.
“Alright, now I will impart some knowledge to you. Remember, you must not reveal a single word of what I teach you today. Understand?” Lin Fan repeatedly emphasized.
“Understood. We’d rather die than speak,” Cao Tianjiao, who rarely spoke, nodded solemnly.
They weren’t fools. Their teacher’s seriousness indicated the gravity of the matter. The fact that he entrusted them with such secret techniques showed his immense trust in them.
Based on their personalities, Lin Fan selected and imparted two top-tier techniques, “Formless Heavenly Demon” and “Sword Intent,” to them.
For them, cultivating these top-tier techniques would bring far greater benefits than it would for Lin Fan himself. Their technique levels would rise, and so would their cultivation. For Lin Fan, improving his techniques would only increase his true essence and combat power, not his cultivation level.
With these top-tier techniques as supplements, as long as nothing unexpected happened, their future achievements would not be inferior to anyone’s.
But from here on out, they would have to rely on themselves.
Lin Fan usually didn’t take things to heart, but this time, he was uncertain. He could only take things one step at a time and act according to the situation.
Lin Fan then distributed the weapons he had prepared in advance. Although they were only low-grade weapons, they were sufficient for his students.
Weapons of too high a grade would only attract unwanted attention.
“Xiao Ze, come out with me for a moment,” Lin Fan called Xiao Ze aside after everything was ready.
“Teacher,” Xiao Ze, a scion of a prominent family, was well-traveled and knowledgeable. Although his teacher appeared normal, he could sense the unease in Lin Fan’s heart.
To Xiao Ze, he regarded his teacher as a transcendent figure. If something could unsettle his teacher, it must be a matter of great significance, beyond what Xiao Ze could comprehend.
“Xiao Ze, you are the strongest and hold the highest status in the class. When I’m not around, take good care of your fellow disciples. If possible, I hope you can share some of your family’s techniques with them. Work hard in your cultivation, and don’t let my efforts go to waste,” Lin Fan said.
“Teacher, is something wrong? If there is, please let me know. Although the Xiao family isn’t a top force in the Great Yan Dynasty, we are not without our strengths. I am willing to follow you through fire and water without hesitation,” Xiao Ze said.
“It’s nothing. I can handle it alone. Just take good care of your fellow disciples. That’s the greatest help you can give me,” Lin Fan replied.
“Yes,” Xiao Ze nodded.
“Tell them to focus on their training. I have other matters to attend to,” Lin Fan instructed before quietly leaving.
Back in his room, Lin Fan didn’t relax for a moment. He was determined to advance the “Dragon Emperor’s Dominance” to the second level.
Now, Lin Fan wished for a pile of pills to fall from the sky, boosting his cultivation rapidly. If this battle truly broke out, with his current cultivation level, he would be like a small boat in a lake—what waves could he possibly make?
The next day.
The auction at the Heaven and Earth Commerce officially began.
Leaders of various sects brought their disciples to prepare for entry. The “Small Heavenly Position Pill” was a significant temptation for them. Most sects aimed to acquire the pill to study its composition. If they couldn’t figure it out, they would give it to their disciples.
Using useless Xuanhuang Coins to bid for it was a highly profitable deal.
Cultivating a disciple to the Small Heavenly Position realm required countless rare treasures. In comparison, the “Small Heavenly Position Pill” was an incredibly cost-effective option.
Lin Fan hid in the crowd, observing the bustling scene with a sigh.
Helpless.
He had already done a lot, but the number of sects arriving was overwhelming. It was like trying to put out a fire with a cup of water—utterly futile.
Lin Fan wore a mask he had prepared to avoid any unfortunate encounters, especially with Man You’er from the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion from the previous night.
“Look, those are the disciples of the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion. They’re so beautiful.”
A commotion arose in the crowd. Stunningly beautiful women were always exceptionally popular wherever they went.
The appearance of the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion disciples naturally drew much attention.
These disciples cultivated seduction techniques, exuding boundless charm. Even disciples from major sects might struggle to resist, let alone ordinary people.
Lin Fan stood in the crowd, watching as sect disciples entered the Heaven and Earth Commerce one after another. He was puzzled—from start to finish, he hadn’t seen any Holy Demon Sect disciples. This was highly unusual. Could something have happened?
Shaking his head, Lin Fan entered the Heaven and Earth Commerce with a sense of unease.
The Heaven and Earth Commerce required Xuanhuang Coins as an entry fee. Ordinary people naturally didn’t possess such coins, so it was impossible for them to enter.
As a rogue cultivator, Lin Fan could only sit in the very back, while sect disciples occupied the separate sections above.
Each sect was allocated a specific area for easy distinction.
At this moment, a middle-aged auctioneer in a green robe stepped onto the stage.
Lin Fan glanced at him.
Eighth level of the Innate Realm.
A formidable expert, just two steps away from the Divine Transformation Realm. The Heaven and Earth Commerce was indeed powerful—even an auctioneer’s cultivation surpassed that of many sect disciples. They were not to be underestimated.
“Welcome, everyone, for traveling thousands of miles to be here. The auction will now begin. The first item up for bid is the high-grade Profound Tier Green Origin Soul Pill,” the auctioneer announced, officially commencing the auction.
For the various sects, the main attraction of this trip was the Small Heavenly Position Pill. The other items were merely appetizers, meant for ordinary disciples to bid on for fun and to liven up the atmosphere.
“Welcome, honored guests, for traveling far to join us. The auction now officially begins. The first item up for bidding is the Upper Grade Xuan-level ‘Qing Yuan Soul Nourishing Pill.'” As the auctioneer announced, the auction commenced.
For the sects present, the main attraction was undoubtedly the “Minor Heaven Pill.” The other items were merely appetizers—intended for disciples to bid on casually and to liven up the atmosphere.
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