Chapter 8: The Pig in the Novice Zone

On the way, Lin Fan managed to contact Ni Mingyang and learned a lot of information. At the same time, he was quite impressed by the latest system recently introduced by the Saint-Demon Sect.

Geniuses were meant to be given special attention and nurtured.

The Saint-Demon Sect had divided its outer sect disciples into nine major regions. Lin Fan was stationed at just one small branch of one of these regions, and even this small branch had hundreds of disciples. Estimating the total number across all regions must have been a staggering figure.

To discover hidden geniuses within the sect, the Saint-Demon Sect had established a reward system for identifying and recommending outstanding talents.

“Senior Brother Ni, what kind of personality does Senior Brother Meng have? Do you think someone like me, a genius, would be liked by him?” Lin Fan grinned and asked.

Ni Mingyang, walking ahead, stopped in his tracks.

Lin Fan looked at Ni Mingyang, unsure what to expect.

“Junior Brother Lin, Senior Brother Meng is a very serious person. You mustn’t be disrespectful in front of him. Remember this,” Ni Mingyang said earnestly, somewhat worried that his perpetually playful junior brother might do something inappropriate in front of Senior Brother Meng.

“I understand,” Lin Fan nodded. He was actually quite curious about this so-called Senior Brother Meng.

One of the top ten outstanding talents among the outer sect disciples.

Being ranked among the top ten in a group of tens of thousands of outer sect disciples must have meant he was an extraordinary figure.

As they walked, Lin Fan felt as if he had entered a grand garden. During the year he had served as a punching bag, he hadn’t ventured to other places and thus had no idea how vast the Saint-Demon Sect truly was. Now, everything before him opened a new world.

“We’re here. This is where Senior Brother Meng lives.”

Lin Fan looked at the residence in front of him with longing. One day, he would have a place like this too.

“Go in, and remember, don’t act out,” Ni Mingyang reminded him.

“Okay, I know, Senior Brother Ni,” Lin Fan nodded. He was quite fond of Ni Mingyang. Although he occasionally liked to show off, his intelligence was genuinely impressive.

The courtyard was surrounded by white walls, graced with drooping green willows, and adorned with rocks and scenic arrangements, presenting an air of luxury and dignity.

This was the residence of one of the top ten outstanding talents of the outer sect. Truly a place of aspiration.

“Senior Brother Meng…” Ni Mingyang stood outside the house and respectfully called out.

“Come in,” a calm voice came from inside. At this moment, Lin Fan felt unexpectedly nervous.

Just from the voice, he could sense the high level of prestige.

…

Following Ni Mingyang, Lin Fan entered the house. Inside, the atmosphere was elegant and refined, like the dwelling of a scholar or poet. In a sect of martial cultivators, such an atmosphere seemed somewhat out of place.

“Is this the so-called genius mentioned by the juniors?” Meng Yangquan closed the ancient book in his hand and carefully examined Lin Fan.

Lin Fan, in turn, stared directly at this so-called top ten talent of the outer sect.

Indeed.

A true dragon among men.

As a man himself, Lin Fan couldn’t help but feel a bit envious. What was wrong with this world? Why were there so many men with such striking appearances?

This Senior Brother Meng, although similarly striking in appearance, exuded an aura of natural authority and an indescribable presence.

In modern terms, he was extremely aloof and cold.

Not easy to communicate with. Very difficult to talk to.

When Lin Fan checked Meng Yangquan’s cultivation level, he immediately felt convinced.

“Divine Entry Stage Sixth Level!”

Holy cow, with such high cultivation, why was he still stuck among the outer sect disciples? That was just absurd.

Once one broke through to the先天stage, one could become an inner sect disciple. And once reaching the Divine Stage, one could become a true disciple with the qualifications to compete for the sect leader’s position. Even those slightly less accomplished could become elders in charge of certain areas.

This was essentially a fully maxed-out character deliberately lingering in the newbie zone like a stubborn player.

Of course, this was just Lin Fan’s inner thoughts. Although his “Titanium-Level Demon Body” had already reached the 18th layer, he suspected that Meng Yangquan could probably blow him away with a mere breath.

“Are you Lin Fan?” Meng Yangquan asked.

“Yes,” Lin Fan nodded calmly. Although the other party had high cultivation, he was still someone with a system of his own. He couldn’t afford to lose face.

“Senior Brother Meng, Junior Brother Lin’s cultivation in the ‘Titanium-Level Demon Body’ is very high. He can withstand my full-strength attack. He is indeed a rare genius,” Ni Mingyang said.

“Oh,” Meng Yangquan’s calm eyes slightly changed.

Suddenly, Lin Fan felt as if he were completely exposed and naked under Meng Yangquan’s gaze.

Lin Fan felt somewhat awkward. This Senior Brother had high cultivation, but why did he like to stare at people like that?

Soon after, the feeling disappeared.

“Indeed, indeed. It’s quite strange. ‘Titanium-Level Demon Body’ is the lowest-grade physical cultivation technique in the Saint-Demon Sect. For you to reach such a level in its cultivation is truly exceptional talent. However, your current cultivation level is still quite low. You must work harder,” Meng Yangquan said calmly, though inwardly he was shocked and found it hard to believe.

But in front of the juniors, how could a great expert like himself show such surprise?

“Thank you for Senior Brother Meng’s advice,” Lin Fan replied.

“Ni Mingyang, take him to Elder Li for registration,” Meng Yangquan instructed.

“Yes,” Ni Mingyang nodded and prepared to leave.

“Ni Mingyang…”

“Senior Brother?”

“In three months, there will be the inner sect assessment. You should make an effort, put aside other matters, and give it a try,” Meng Yangquan said.

“Senior Brother, where you are, that’s where I’ll be,” Ni Mingyang said firmly.

Standing aside and silent all this time, Lin Fan glanced at the two and couldn’t help but wonder, was Ni Mingyang perhaps gay?

Tsk tsk…

Unimaginable, unimaginable indeed…

“Alright, go then,” Meng Yangquan sighed.

“Yes.”

…

Outside.

On the way back, Ni Mingyang didn’t say a word, which left Lin Fan somewhat bored.

“What cultivation level does Senior Brother Meng have?” Lin Fan asked casually. After all, someone at the Divine Entry Stage Sixth Level staying in the outer sect was quite strange.

“Foundation Building Third Stage,” Ni Mingyang replied.

Lin Fan nodded. There was definitely something wrong here. This cultivation level was hidden, not letting others know. Was Meng Yangquan really a hidden expert pretending to be weak?

“Senior Brother, Senior Brother Meng told you to participate in the inner sect assessment. Why don’t you go? People always strive to move upward. Do you really want to stay in the outer sect forever?” Lin Fan asked.

“You wouldn’t understand…” Ni Mingyang didn’t say much else, just this one sentence.

Upon hearing this, Lin Fan was instantly stunned.

What? I don’t understand? You didn’t even explain the situation but still said I wouldn’t understand.

Forget it… Forget it…

I’m not the kind of person who’s into gossip anyway. Whether you two have a secret relationship or something else, what does it have to do with me?

But this was really too intriguing.

Lin Fan even considered opening Ni Mingyang’s mind to thoroughly investigate what was going on, why he would give up such an opportunity for promotion.

But seeing Ni Mingyang’s current stubborn expression, Lin Fan decided not to ask further.