Profound Origin Realm

"Expanding the scale of the sect can't be rushed." One day, after wandering around the sect's grounds, Lin Fan stood at the edge of a cliff, drinking in the northwestern wind, and murmured to himself, "Once my strength improves or my reputation grows, the number of disciples will naturally increase. And the most important thing is strength. If my intuition is correct, I will break through within the next couple of days."

Previously, after consuming three seventh-grade Condensation Realm Pills, Lin Fan's cultivation reached the peak of the Condensation Realm. With further training and consolidation over this period, the Profound Origin Realm was within his grasp.

The third realm… Profound Origin Realm… Among the younger generation, at least within the third-rate sects, that would make me a prominent figure, perhaps even a standout.

Typically, the strongest individuals in third-rate sects were in the fourth realm, Cave Heaven Realm. If a sect had an expert at the fifth realm, they could begin to attempt an upgrade to a second-rate sect.

Of course, having a fifth realm expert cultivator was just one of the basic requirements for becoming a second-rate sect. Additionally, the sect needed to meet certain standards of scale, including but not limited to spirit mountains, resources, and the quality and quantity of disciples.

In summary, advancing to a second-rate sect was very difficult. However, the presence of a fifth realm expert at least signified hope.

Advancing further to become a first-rate sect would require at least a seventh realm expert cultivator. 

As for holy lands, they were founded by former ninth Ascension Realm experts. Even if they didn't have an Ascension Realm expert in residence, they had ancient monsters at the Void Shattering Realm and the support of celestial artifacts.

But all of this was still far too distant for Lin Fan.

***

That night, Lin Fan successfully broke through.

The third Profound Origin Realm, achieved!

True essence gathered within his profound gate, and as he felt the rapid filling of true essence within the first profound gate, his strength surged, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Crossing over for nearly two months and breaking through a major realm—this speed isn't bad at all!"

At least he was quite satisfied. If things continued to develop like this, the crisis in ten months might not be a big problem.

"If I share the combat strength… Oh? The second level of the Profound Origin Realm? Not bad at all. Xiao Ling'er has also reached the seventh level of the Condensation Realm. If I could get another disciple with a protagonist's template, wouldn't that be amazing?"

But...

"Finding one like that isn't going to be easy, is it?"

What is a protagonist's template? If it were that easy to find, it wouldn't be called a protagonist's template. There couldn't be that many chosen protagonists out there.

Though the Immortal Martial Continent is vast and boundless, with a population in the trillions, Lin Fan estimated that there were probably no more than ten individuals with a protagonist's template.

Of course, this was just a guess.

"Perhaps there will be an unexpected surprise?" 

Lin Fan eagerly anticipated such an outcome.

***

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

One day, Duan Qingyao returned from procuring resources and sought out Lin Fan. "Sect Master."

"Does the Fifth Elder have something to discuss?"

"I just have some news," Duan Qingyao hesitated before continuing. "The nearest large Immortal City, Grand Martial Immortal City, will host a Youth Alchemist Conference in half a month. Anyone under a hundred years old can participate, and the prizes are quite generous. If someone wins the championship, they will receive a sixth-grade alchemy furnace, three sixth-grade pill recipes, and… a fifth-grade pill."

"Oh?" Lin Fan was slightly surprised. "A fifth-grade pill that helps cultivators break through to the fifth realm?"

"Yes, and it's crafted by a seventh-grade alchemist, reputed to be of at least fifth-grade quality."

Fifth-grade, is that impressive? If Ling'er were a bit older and had a higher cultivation level, she could at least achieve seventh-grade.

However, the fifth-grade pill is indeed a valuable item.

"The Grand Elder and the Second Elder are close to reaching the peak of the Cave Heaven Realm, correct?"

"The Second Elder has already reached the peak, but due to injuries suffered in his youth, he has lingering ailments. Without a fortuitous encounter, I'm afraid… However, Sect Master, we shouldn't count on winning the championship," Duan Qingyao added with a wry smile. "I'm just mentioning it. After all, it's Grand Martial Immortal City. There will be at least a hundred thousand participants, all outstanding young alchemists, including disciples from first-rate sects. While Ling'er is indeed exceptional, compared to disciples from first-rate sects, or rather, considering the foundation of our Moon Grasping Sect, we still fall short."

At this point, Duan Qingyao looked somewhat dejected.

She was certain that Xiao Ling'er's talent was no less than that of ordinary first-rate sect disciples, perhaps even surpassing most of them.

But the Moon Grasping Sect...

Alas, despite giving their all, the support they could offer was still very limited.

She felt like they had the will but not the means.

In her view, it wasn't Xiao Ling'er's fault but rather the sect's lack of strength.

And their own inadequacies as elders.

"Why should the Fifth Elder be so disheartened? Geniuses excel at creating miracles; otherwise, why would they be called geniuses? Whether we succeed or not, we must try to know. Besides, even if we don't get first place, there should be some consolation prizes for other rankings, right? As for whether Xiao Ling'er wants to go, that depends on her own wishes."

"Master!" 

Xiao Ling'er suddenly appeared, her eyes shining with determination.

Before Lin Fan could respond, Xiao Ling'er burst in from outside, her face full of excitement. "Disciple is willing to go!"

Lin Fan: "… How long have you been eavesdropping?"

He hadn't noticed at all.

This girl had clearly used some kind of concealment technique.

Elder Wu wasn't surprised, smiling, "She came in right after me."

"Master, please forgive me. I didn't mean to," Xiao Ling'er quickly apologized.

"Since you heard everything and are willing to go, I have no reason to stop you," Lin Fan nodded. "In that case, let the Fifth Elder accompany you as your protector."

"Additionally, Elder Wu," Lin Fan continued, "give her a copy of our sect's rules. When you're outside, you must be cautious and never forget our sect's rules."

"Yes, Sect Master."

Duan Qingyao's smile grew even wider.

Rankings were no longer important.

She was more eager to see Xiao Ling'er's reaction after reading the sect's rules.

"Sect rules?" Xiao Ling'er asked, puzzled. "Master, Elder Wu, aren't the sect rules carved on the stone tablet? I've already memorized them thoroughly."

"Those rules are for outsiders to see," Lin Fan chuckled. "Ordinary disciples must indeed follow them, but you are different. The rules I'm asking Elder Wu to give you are our true sect rules, and they must not be disclosed."

"Understood!" Xiao Ling'er's expression turned serious. "I swear by my Dao heart never to reveal them, or else I'll be trapped by inner demons, never to awaken."

"No need for that. Since I'm asking Elder Wu to give them to you, it means I trust you," Lin Fan waved his hand dismissively.

He was already certain that Xiao Ling'er's character was excellent, and her morals were sound, worthy of his complete trust.

After all, it was impossible for her to have a personality like a certain someone with a notorious title...

***

"These... these sect rules?" Xiao Ling'er was stunned after reading the sect rules. "Master?"

Her teacher was equally bewildered.

"I've lived for thousands of years, turned into a remnant soul, and lived for thousands more. I've never seen such strange sect rules."

"But..."

"I can be sure that your master is definitely not simple, and neither are these sect rules!"

"What makes you say that?" Xiao Ling'er asked, confused.

"Look at this rule!"

"Those who speak to rings, bracelets, necklaces, or other items are to be prioritized... huh?!"

Xiao Ling'er's expression changed dramatically.

She hadn't noticed this earlier, but now, realizing it, she found it hard to stay calm.

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