Brainwashing

The next day, early morning.

Lin Fan opened his eyes and stood up.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

His bones crackled continuously, his gaze sharp, and his aura vibrant.

"Condensation Realm... third level! In less than a day, I broke through a minor realm. If it were just my own talent, it wouldn't happen in a day, a month, six months, or even a year!"

Breaking through isn't only about the speed of absorbing spiritual energy from heaven and earth. That's just part of it.

Moreover, it depends on the 'limits' and 'bottlenecks.' With good talent, there are no bottlenecks before reaching a certain level, and breakthroughs happen naturally, like eating or drinking.

Lin Fan's previous talent didn't allow for such smooth progress, but Xiao Ling'er's talent was exceptional!

He felt grateful for making the right decision.

Rules may seem wild, but they work!

"Stay calm, stay calm! I am now the head of a sect." Lin Fan gradually calmed himself. "Let's go check on Xiao Ling'er and take her to choose a cultivation technique."

He planned to take Wu Xingyun along, but the five elders were all idle and curious about why Lin Fan set those seemingly bizarre rules.

They were even more curious why Lin Fan chose Xiao Ling'er without hesitation, so they all tagged along.

Lin Fan didn't refuse.

It didn't matter either way; it might even make her feel valued by the sect.

A good thing!

***

"Master!"

"Elders, good morning."

Xiao Ling'er was washing up. Seeing Lin Fan and the elders, she quickly greeted them.

"Morning." Lin Fan smiled and nodded. "How was your night?"

"It was good, much better than sleeping under the sky and on the ground," Xiao Ling'er responded sincerely.

She had been wandering and hiding these days, unable to sleep peacefully.

Last night was her most restful night in months.

"Good to hear. Now, let's go to the library to choose a suitable cultivation technique for you. After all, you'll soon..."

Before Lin Fan could finish.

"What?!"

Suddenly, Wu Xingyun's gasp made him turn back: "Second Elder?"

"You..." The Second Elder was stunned, her lips parted, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xiao Ling'er. "You... nine meridians opened?!"

"How... how is this possible?!"

She was shocked!

Su Xinghai and the other elders quickly sensed it too and were equally astonished.

Is she really at the ninth level of the Meridian Opening Realm?!

They were stunned.

Wasn't she at the third level just yesterday?

How could she progress so quickly?!

Moreover, she had previously regressed in her cultivation, making it harder to advance. How could she achieve such an abnormal speed??

Even for a recognized genius, going from the third to the ninth level would take nearly a year!

And this girl did it in just one day, or even less?!

"A heaven-sent prodigy?!" Li Changshou's heart raced, and he blurted out a few words.

This went beyond mere talent; she was a celestial prodigy, a favored child of the heavens!

It was hard to believe, especially since they had all evaluated Xiao Ling'er the previous day and hadn't seen any exceptional talent!

Could she have used some special method to block detection?!

These elders, experienced and knowledgeable, quickly deduced the truth.

If that were the case, then Xiao Ling'er was far from ordinary!

A prodigy, perhaps even a monstrous talent, who had been concealing herself, even smearing her face with mud.

She undoubtedly harbored great secrets.

Their shock was immense.

But what shocked them more was how Lin Fan had identified her?!

Or rather, those new disciple recruitment rules...

Each rule seemed wilder than the last, with no apparent connection or logic, yet Lin Fan had used them to select such a prodigious disciple!

Honestly, if they had been in charge, they would never have chosen Xiao Ling'er.

Analyzing it now, everything seemed clear, indicating hidden secrets.

But beforehand, who could have seen this?!

Talking to herself?

So what if someone likes to talk to themselves?

Smearing her face with mud?

That's her own business!

They would only look at talent, but Xiao Ling'er had blocked their detection, appearing average. Although she had some cultivation, it was clear she had been cultivating for over eight years.

Eight years, at the third level of the Meridian Opening Realm, and having fallen from a higher level, making it even harder to advance.

Who would choose her?

She was completely inconspicuous, someone they wouldn't give a second glance.

Yet, Lin Fan had used those seemingly ridiculous rules to pick her out from over ten thousand people.

And facts proved Lin Fan was right!

She indeed possessed the talent of a celestial prodigy!

But how was this possible?

How could such outlandish rules accurately find that one golden nugget in a sea of sand??

On what basis?!

What was the logic?!

We don't understand, Sect Master!!!

The five elders were dumbfounded, their gazes shifting between Xiao Ling'er and Lin Fan, their minds buzzing, finding it hard to believe!

At this moment, they were ecstatic.

But more than that, they were shocked and incredulous.

The disbelief was at the terrifying effectiveness of Lin Fan's new rules.

The shock was at Lin Fan's unperturbed demeanor.

He actually...

Knew all along?!

Lin Fan watched their astonished reactions with satisfaction. He had expected this outcome and was prepared for it.

"Yes, she has indeed reached the ninth level of the Meridian Opening Realm in less than a day," Lin Fan confirmed calmly. "This is the result of her hidden talent."

The elders exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of awe and confusion.

"Master, you knew this would happen?" Xiao Ling'er asked, her eyes wide with curiosity and respect.

Lin Fan nodded, "I had an inkling. Your potential is extraordinary, and now that it's been revealed, it's time to make the most of it." Turning to the elders, Lin Fan continued, "We must ensure Xiao Ling'er receives the best resources and training. Her progress is a testament to the effectiveness of our new rules and the potential within our sect."

The elders nodded, still reeling from the revelation but ready to support Lin Fan's vision.

"We will provide all the necessary support," Wu Xingyun said firmly. "Xiao Ling'er's success will pave the way for our sect's revival."

With that, they escorted Xiao Ling'er to the library, ready to help her choose the best cultivation techniques to further unleash her potential.

As they walked, Lin Fan couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and determination. The future of Moon Grasping Sect looked brighter than ever, and with disciples like Xiao Ling'er, there was no limit to what they could achieve.

*** 

The elders were utterly shocked.

But Lin Fan was prepared, as was Xiao Ling'er.

Having shared Xiao Ling'er's talent, Lin Fan knew just how extraordinary it was.

Xiao Ling'er, aware of her current state, understood why they were so shocked. She smiled slightly and said, "Elders, you flatter me."

"It's just that the environment in Moon Grasping Sect is excellent, so my cultivation speed is relatively fast."

This statement left the elders feeling somewhat embarrassed.

The environment in Moon Grasping Sect, well~~

"As for the cultivation technique, Master, I actually have my own, which is highly compatible with me. So, may I continue using it instead of changing to another one?"

Hearing this, the Grand Elder began, "You might think your technique is good, but our Moon Grasping Sect..."

"Grand Elder." Lin Fan gestured for the Grand Elder to stop speaking. Then he continued, "Since you have your own method, you can certainly use it. Come with me, and I'll take you to receive your cultivation resources."

***

Inside the sect's treasury.

The resources left were not exactly abundant, but they looked substantial. In reality, it was still somewhat meager.

Xiao Ling'er showed no sign of disdain. Instead, Lin Fan pointed to the various resources—spiritual stones, pills, materials—and calmly said, "You can use all of these resources as you wish, without any restrictions."

"All... all for me?"

Xiao Ling'er was taken aback, her beautiful face full of disbelief.

The sect's treasury fully open to her?!

"Yes! Moon Grasping Sect may have declined, but we are never stingy in cultivating our disciples. We will give everything we have. As long as the disciples need it, and as long as we have it to give."

Clap, clap.

Lin Fan lightly patted Xiao Ling'er's shoulder and, looking at her still-shocked expression, said, "As a member of the sect, you are naturally entitled to these benefits. The sect doesn't belong to me or anyone else alone. It belongs to all of us."

After speaking, without waiting for her response, Lin Fan led the still-dazed elders away, leaving Xiao Ling'er alone facing the treasury.

For a long, long time, she muttered, "Teacher, Master, he… He is extraordinary!"

The elderly voice sighed, "Such boldness, truly impressive. You must cultivate diligently and not disappoint his expectations. With this sect, your initial cultivation will be unimpeded. And in the future… Remember to repay the sect!"

"I will, definitely!"