“Eldest, he… he…” The disciple of Tian Di Sect stood there in disbelief. What was going on? The Eldest was a cultivator at the True Immortal Realm—how could he possibly lose to a mere youth?
Qing Yangzi stood still, his face calm on the surface, yet his expression carried a sense of despair.
His pride stung, and his face burned with humiliation.
With his cultivation at the early stage of the True Immortal Realm, he had actually been defeated by a young man at the Ancient Realm’s peak.
If word of this got out, it would be an enormous embarrassment.
Even worse, this defeat had occurred in front of a massive crowd, witnessed by countless eyes, and had been utterly decisive.
The onlookers gasped in astonishment.
“The Sect’s great lord actually lost to the young master of the Lin family! This is too shocking!”
“Just what level of strength does this young Lin possess? How could he be so powerful?”
“That last move was too domineering—his hands formed into swords, directly pressed against the Sect’s great lord’s forehead.”
“It seems the Lin family is about to rise. With such strength, who in Shenglong City would dare oppose them?”
“I heard that the heads of the other seven great families went to the Lin residence yesterday to propose marriage alliances. Although we don’t know the exact results, clearly those seven families were eager to form ties.”
“I heard the young master Lin rejected all of them. After all, he’s destined to become a disciple of a major sect. At that time, the women he meets will be peerless beauties—how could they compare to the daughters of these ordinary families?”
…
“Eldest, he…”
Qing Yangzi waved his hand. Although it was somewhat humiliating, losing was losing—there was nothing more to say. Yet beneath the shame, he felt a surge of excitement.
As the sect’s disciple recruitment master for decades, he had accepted countless disciples. Once, he had discovered Lie Qingtian, but that man had used the Tian Di Sect as a stepping stone, eventually joining the Cang Huang Sect, the most prestigious among the Nine Great Sects at the time, which had turned Tian Di Sect into a laughingstock.
Now, in Shenglong City, he had discovered a disciple who, in Qing Yangzi’s eyes, was no less than Lie Qingtian—perhaps even superior.
“This young man is a rare genius, even surpassing Lie Qingtian. To have discovered him is a fortune I must have cultivated over countless lifetimes,” Qing Yangzi said excitedly.
The disciples were stunned by the elder’s high praise.
More powerful than Lie Qingtian? What a concept!
It was beyond their imagination.
Lin Family!
Lin Fan was surrounded by cheers and support from everyone.
“Son, you’re just too amazing! I can’t believe I actually gave birth to such a powerful child. Tell your father—really, are you really my son?” Lin Haoming danced with joy, nearly flying with excitement.
Lin Fan helplessly thought about replying, “Actually, I’m not your son.”
But he decided against it.
Even if he did say so, no one would believe him anyway.
Besides, this guy had treated him rather well—let him have this moment of pride.
“Tomorrow, I will leave the Lin family. You all…” No matter what, he had lived here for eleven years. Leaving suddenly meant he should comfort everyone properly.
But before Lin Fan could finish, Lin Haoming interrupted.
“My son, you’re like a celestial dragon from the heavens—Shenglong City is simply unworthy of you. When you enter the sect, you must work hard and aim to win seventeen or eighteen fairy companions. That would truly bring honor to our family!” Lin Haoming said joyfully.
“Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, the Lin family will hold strong. Just come back often to visit,” Lin Haoming continued.
Well, that was pointless.
“Brother, Lan’er will miss you so much,” Lin Lan said, throwing herself into Lin Fan’s arms.
Lin Fan gently patted her head. “I will come back often to see you all.”
“You can do it, brother,” Lin Hanyu and Lin Feixue cheered.
The elders of the Lin family were also reluctant to see him go, but they knew that having produced such a genius, it was a blessing for the entire family.
If they kept such a talent confined to the small Shenglong City, the ancestors beneath the earth would surely scold them.
“Alright, don’t worry. I will return,” Lin Fan said.
…
This battle, in which Lin Fan overpowered the sect’s great lord, left the heads of the seven great families stunned.
They had thought the young master of the Lin family was already quite formidable, but now they realized he was not just powerful—he was simply beyond belief.
That was a sect lord, and also a sect elder.
With such strength, once Lin Fan entered the sect, who could rival him?
Deep regret filled their hearts.
If they had known this earlier, they would have knelt down and begged Lin Shao to accept their daughters—even if just for a nominal engagement.
Unfortunately, it was now too late.
Such a tremendous opportunity had slipped through their fingers, leaving behind only profound regret.
…
The next day!
The Lin family was decorated with lanterns and streamers, as if celebrating a grand festival. Music played at the entrance.
From the family head down to the servants, even the livestock, everyone joined the farewell ceremony.
Countless townspeople gathered around, eager to witness the departure of the Lin family’s young master.
He was the most extraordinary genius in the history of Shenglong City.
Lin Fan stood in the courtyard, gazing upward into the sky.
Then, a warship floated in the air above.
Though not large, the warship exuded a solemn aura, clearly no ordinary vessel.
Qing Yangzi stood aboard the warship, watching Lin Fan below with admiration in his eyes.
This was the rare genius he had discovered—the most glorious moment of his career.
As long as nothing unforeseen happened,
this young man would surely become an unparalleled powerhouse who would shake the heavens.
And he, Qing Yangzi, would go down in history as the discoverer of such a supreme talent.
Thinking of this, Qing Yangzi couldn’t help but feel a little excited.
Lin Fan looked at the crowd around him and finally nodded, then rose into the air.
“Young master, remember to come back and visit us!” the servants shouted.
“Brother, don’t forget me.”
“Little brother, have a safe journey.”
“My son, work hard! Someday, bring back seventeen or eighteen wives!”
The gathered townspeople cheered as well.
Upon reaching the warship, Lin Fan nodded toward Qing Yangzi and others, then gazed down at Shenglong City below.
Qing Yangzi approached. “Don’t worry. I’ve inscribed the Tian Di Sect’s mark into this land. From now on, any sect will know this is our territory, and nothing will happen to your family.”
“What if something does happen?” Lin Fan asked calmly.
“Then they will face the endless wrath of the Tian Di Sect. We hold our disciples’ families in the highest regard and will never allow them to be endangered,” Qing Yangzi replied.
“Alright then, let’s go. I’m eager to see what the Tian Di Sect is really like.”
Lin Fan looked forward into the boundless horizon. His true journey had just begun.
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