Chapter 1035: The Position of Sect Leader Candidate

Raindrops fell upon him, exuding a mysterious aura, and Lin Fan smiled faintly.

“Haha, indeed, it’s still you. In just three years, you’ve advanced to this level—I couldn’t believe it at first. I even doubted whether you had been replaced by some demonic entity,” Han Jun Tian stepped forward from the void, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

Qing Yang Zi, standing beside the Sect Leader, felt a weight lift from his heart.

The truth was, this young man’s progress had been too rapid.

To suppress a Golden Immortal within three years—what an unfathomable feat. He had even wondered whether Lin Fan had encountered some misfortune or had been replaced by a sinister being that infiltrated the sect.

Now that the Sect Leader had tested him and confirmed his identity, Qing Yang Zi finally relaxed.

” Sect Leader,” Lin Fan greeted with a respectful bow.

Han Jun Tian was in a particularly good mood. “Good, very good indeed. What reward do you desire?”

As for rewards, Lin Fan didn’t really care. What he needed most now was experience.

“Sect Leader, this is merely my duty,” Lin Fan replied politely.

Han Jun Tian nodded, then flicked his sleeve. Several pills and treasures floated into the air. “You have contributed greatly to the sect. These are rightfully yours.”

Lin Fan glanced at them and felt a surge of joy. He hadn’t expected these to be Immortal Pills—each one imbued with the Laws of Immortality, each possessing immense value.

Especially for Lin Fan, they represented a massive influx of experience.

However, after breaking through to Golden Immortal, ordinary Immortal Pills had become useless. Only High or Supreme Grade Immortal Pills could grant significant experience now.

These were merely Low and Middle Grade Pills, but still acceptable. After all, they were bestowed by the Sect Leader, so naturally, he accepted them.

Qing Yang Zi, witnessing the Sect Leader’s generosity, was also pleased. Having found a disciple recognized by the Sect Leader was a great honor.

Among the treasures was a Low Grade Immortal Artifact, radiating the brilliance of the Immortal Dao. It was of little use to Lin Fan but would be invaluable to others.

A Low Grade Immortal Artifact was no small matter.

“Thank you, Sect Leader,” Lin Fan said.

“Hmph. Cultivate diligently. In the future, be cautious when you go out. Tai Qian Tian holds grudges easily. Though he won’t personally act, always be vigilant,” Han Jun Tian warned.

Lin Fan feared trouble the least—he welcomed any that came his way, ready to eliminate them all. However, if the Sect Leader of Kunlun Divine Sect were to personally intervene, it might indeed pose a problem. But since the Sect Leader was so confident, it was unlikely to happen. Even if it did, Lin Fan believed the Sect Leader had prepared countermeasures.

After all, if he dared to face the future King Buddha of Boundless Light, how could he fear someone like Tai Qian Tian?

After some final words, the Sect Leader departed, granting Lin Fan greater authority and promoting him to one of the candidates for the position of Sect Leader.

Within the sect, aside from the Divine Heir, there was also the position of Sect Leader Candidate.

These disciples were chosen from among the Divine Heirs but did not remain within the sect. Instead, they wandered across the Infinite Continent, only returning when it was time to compete for the position of Sect Leader.

Lin Fan had never interacted with these disciples, mainly because three years ago, his power had been too weak. Moreover, being a Divine Heir was the highest status a disciple could attain within the sect.

“You truly haven’t disappointed me. After three years, you’ve brought me such a tremendous surprise. It’s truly astonishing,” Qing Yang Zi marveled.

Lin Fan smiled. “Elder Qing Yang, who are the current candidates for Sect Leader?”

“With your current strength, you’ve become a strong contender for the Sect Leader position. There are twelve candidates in total within the sect. Now, with you, that makes thirteen.”

“You can take a look. The list of Sect Leader Candidates is all recorded here.” Qing Yang Zi handed Lin Fan a jade slip.

Lin Fan glanced at it and was startled. Indeed, these were no ordinary disciples—the lowest cultivation among them was at the peak of Golden Immortal.

“These disciples rarely return to the sect. They have been cultivating across the Infinite Continent for years. Aside from the few Elders, their status within the sect is unmatched,” Qing Yang Zi explained.

“I see. I was just wondering—if the Divine Heirs were the only new blood in the sect, the sect might not even survive another hundred years,” Lin Fan remarked.

“Haha,” Qing Yang Zi laughed. “That’s not entirely true. The true protectors of the sect are the Supreme Elders, who are cultivating to reach higher realms. Unless the sect faces annihilation, those Supreme Elders won’t emerge.”

“The Heaven Earth Sect has been passed down for hundreds of thousands of years, with countless former Sect Leaders. After each Sect Leader steps down, they retreat into the depths of the sect to cultivate. Therefore, no one knows the true depth of the sect’s resources except the current Sect Leader.”

Lin Fan nodded, finally understanding. He realized he had previously underestimated things.

He also understood why the Sect Leader candidates did not cultivate within the sect—they knew that staying here would bring little progress. Only by venturing into the perilous Infinite Continent could they hope for greater prospects.

“Elder Qing Yang, I’d like to know about the countless secret realms and dangers within the Infinite Continent. I plan to go out for cultivation soon,” Lin Fan said.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything for you,” Qing Yang Zi naturally took full responsibility.

After all, Lin Fan was the one he had brought into the sect. If Lin Fan could become the Sect Leader, it would be a monumental achievement—Qing Yang Zi could die contentedly.

Some of the Sect Leader candidates had been away for decades or even centuries, their strength unknown to all.

After Qing Yang Zi left, Lin Fan returned to his room.

Qiu Zhan Yu and Jin Zhen Gu had grown interested in the Heaven Earth Sect.

Lin Fan, however, had no intention of bringing them along, as it would be far too dangerous.

This time, Lin Fan intended to venture deep into the Infinite Continent, where greater dangers awaited. One misstep, and even he might perish.

No one knew the true size of the Infinite Continent. Even powerful figures like the Sect Leader had never reached its edge, leaving countless unknown regions unexplored.

…

After returning to his mountain peak, Ling Wu Zun had made a decision.

Lin Fan’s return had deeply shaken him, making him feel like a frog at the bottom of a well. He had already resolved his path.

He would leave the sect to cultivate in the outside world. Even if he perished, he would elevate his strength. If he couldn’t surpass Lin Fan, he at least wished to stand on equal footing with him.

Three days later, Ling Wu Zun left the sect, destination unknown.

Ten days later.

Lin Fan completed all his preparations within the sect and received knowledge of the known regions of the Infinite Continent from Qing Yang Zi.

Qiu Zhan Yu and Jin Zhen Gu had reached the True Immortal Realm and became inner disciples of the sect, entrusted to Qing Yang Zi’s care.

At the sect’s entrance.

Qing Yang Zi, Qiu Zhan Yu, and Jin Zhen Gu watched Lin Fan’s retreating figure, letting out a soft sigh.

“Big brother has left. I wonder when he’ll return,” Qiu Zhan Yu murmured with reluctance.

“When big brother returns next time, he might bring us even greater surprises,” Jin Zhen Gu speculated.

Qing Yang Zi’s heart brimmed with curiosity. He wondered just how many surprises Lin Fan would bring.

As for Lin Fan at that moment, he was heading toward Sheng Long City, determined to visit once more, as it had been the place he called home for over a decade.