After descending from Wuming Peak, Lin Fan gradually sensed something odd in the gazes of the disciples of the Holy Sect around him. These disciples clustered in groups, whispering and discussing in hushed tones. But as Lin Fan passed by, they pretended to be indifferent, deliberately shifting their eyes elsewhere.
Yet the moment Lin Fan walked past, they resumed their murmurs again.
“Is this guy the new master of Wuming Peak?”
“He doesn’t seem all that impressive. Do you think he might be the Sect Leader’s illegitimate son? I heard the Sect Leader had a love affair long ago.”
“Shh, speak softly! If someone reports this to the Sect Leader, we’ll be in big trouble.”
“Still, Wuming Peak is in such a dilapidated state, having been abandoned for years. Building a sub-sect there won’t be easy.”
…
Lin Fan acquiring Wuming Peak and establishing a sub-sect there wasn’t a secret. Many disciples within the sect were curious about it, while others paid little attention, focusing solely on their cultivation.
Lin Fan noticed several excellent locations within the Holy Sect, particularly noting that cultivating secondary professions seemed quite popular here.
For example, when he passed by a blacksmith hall, rows of closed rooms emitted loud clanging sounds from within. At first, Lin Fan was puzzled about what was happening until a burly man emerged from one room, holding up a sword he considered rather unremarkable, shouting loudly, “Premium longsword for sale—exchange for Golden Marrow Pills!”
Lin Fan recognized the Golden Marrow Pill as a medicinal pill greatly beneficial to martial cultivators below the Divine Realm, aiding significantly in accelerating their cultivation progress.
However, what followed left Lin Fan stunned. The disciples waiting at the entrance began shouting frantically, nearly coming to blows.
Lin Fan examined the seller briefly. His cultivation level was nothing special—only at the Innate Realm. Yet his blacksmithing skills were impressive, far surpassing those of the Holy Devil Sect’s craftsmen.
It seemed that here, cultivators who pursued secondary professions often exchanged their crafted items for pills that enhanced cultivation.
Later, Lin Fan observed other secondary professions, each drawing similar scenes of eager exchanges.
It became clear—there were many cultivators focused on martial prowess, while few pursued secondary professions. Those who did often exchanged their crafted goods for items that boosted their power.
Excellent, excellent.
At this moment, Lin Fan’s mind brimmed with ideas.
The weeds atop Wuming Peak hadn’t been cleared yet, and handling it alone would be difficult.
He needed some laborers—no, more accurately, disciples. He needed to recruit disciples to help him develop the sect together.
Looking around at the disciples, most were at the Innate or Divine Realm stages. Under his current circumstances, convincing them would be tough.
To truly persuade anyone, he’d need to target those overlooked by the sect.
Like those below the Innate Realm.
With this thought in mind, Lin Fan immediately sprang into action.
“Little Brother, hello! May I ask which group of disciples is the least valued within the sect?” Lin Fan smiled warmly, stopping a disciple hurrying along his way.
The disciple, now blocked, gave Lin Fan a thorough once-over. Who was this guy? He’d never seen him before. Was he really calling him “Little Brother”? Could this person be of a higher rank than himself?
Yet the man appeared composed, exuding a subtle aura that slightly intimidated the disciple.
Lin Fan smiled faintly, observing the disciple’s reaction.
He knew the disciple was being affected by his imposing aura.
“Senior Brother, the least valued disciples are probably the servant disciples,” the disciple replied hesitantly. Though still skeptical, the calmness in Lin Fan’s demeanor unsettled him.
“Oh, how do I get there?” Lin Fan asked.
“Just keep heading east, pass a small path, and halfway up the mountain is where the servant disciples reside,” the disciple answered truthfully, still slightly overwhelmed.
“Alright, thanks, Little Brother.” Lin Fan patted the disciple’s shoulder appreciatively before walking away with his hands clasped behind his back, exuding the air of a mysterious expert.
“Senior Brother, may I ask for your surname?” the disciple shouted after him.
“You may call me Senior Brother Lin from now on,” Lin Fan replied casually without turning back.
“Junior Brother Lin?” The disciple nodded, intending to look into it later to discover who this “Senior Brother” truly was—perhaps another powerful figure he could follow.
…
Following the disciple’s directions, Lin Fan soon arrived at the servant disciples’ residence.
Upon seeing the place, Lin Fan couldn’t help but sigh. Indeed, this was a grand sect. The living conditions of the servant disciples were nearly on par with the outer sect disciples of the Holy Devil Sect.
“Senior Brother, you carry yourself with such grace—clearly from the inner sect. How may this junior disciple assist you?” As Lin Fan was observing, a scruffy-eyed figure rushed over, bowing with a flattered expression.
Lin Fan smiled slightly at the disciple. “Good. Go gather the servant disciples. I need to select a few to return with me to the peak.”
Zhang Erdog had originally assumed this was just another inner sect disciple, hoping to flatter him for potential benefits. But upon hearing Lin Fan address himself as “this old man,” his triangular face flushed even redder.
“This old man”? That was a title reserved only for high-ranking figures within the sect!
This… this…
Zhang Erdog, well-versed in sect gossip and knowledgeable about nearly everything, didn’t recognize Lin Fan. But he quickly speculated that this might be a powerful figure who had been in seclusion for years and had just emerged to recruit disciples.
Besides, hadn’t he mentioned a peak?
Only the most senior elders in the sect had their own peaks!
“Of course, of course! Please wait a moment while I go fetch everyone!” Zhang Erdog suddenly realized this might be his lucky day. He hadn’t expected a random encounter to lead to such an important figure.
If he could follow this senior back to the peak, he’d transform from a common chicken into a phoenix, becoming a true disciple of a peak!
He didn’t even dare imagine which peak it might be—Zhongtian Peak? Qingtian Peak? Or perhaps…
Zhang Erdog trembled with excitement at the thought.
Standing in place, Lin Fan sighed faintly. Life was indeed easier when one maintained an air of aloofness and mystery.
Still, what he said wasn’t wrong.
As the sixth-generation Sect Leader of the Holy Devil Sect, even if his current cultivation level wasn’t impressive, referring to himself as “this old man” was entirely justified.
For now, he’d recruit as many disciples as he could, bringing them back to the peak to clear the weeds first.
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