Chapter 139: Different Treatment

Lin Fan knew why they wouldn't let him go—they were afraid he might get hurt.

His ability to form pills in a single thought was a alchemical method that any sect would treasure like a precious gem. How could they let him face danger? If something happened to him, it would be a tremendous loss.

At that moment, Sect Master Yan did not speak; instead, he watched Lin Fan.

Lin Fan stepped forward, his face resolute, and clasped his fists, saying, "Thanks to the life-saving grace of the Sect Master and all the senior brothers, I survived that great disaster. Now I have been in the sect for several months but have never contributed anything. Now that this opportunity is before me, I beg the Sect Master and senior brothers to grant my wish."

"Junior brother, that won't do. You have already rendered great service by refining pills for the outer disciples. How can you say you've never contributed? Moreover, this mission is fraught with danger, and there is a risk of death. It's better for you to stay in the sect," said the Supreme Elder of the Cauldron Peak.

Lin Fan persisted and did not give up. "The small celestial-ranked beast is extraordinary. The disciples face great danger in slaying it. If I can refine pills in the rear, I can surely save more disciples. I beg the Sect Master and senior brothers to grant my wish."

"This..." The Supreme Elders looked at the Sect Master in difficulty, unsure of what to do.

What Lin Fan said was righteous and without any falsehood. They also admitted that if he followed the team and refined pills in the rear, with his alchemy skills, he might indeed save many disciples.

This mission was unusual. Killing the small celestial-ranked beast was secondary; the main purpose was to train the sect's disciples.

During the last forbidden ground training, the Holy Sect had suffered heavy losses, especially the loss of a prodigy disciple, which made everyone sigh repeatedly.

Now, although this junior brother's cultivation might not be high, his alchemy skills were top-notch, which would be of great help to the sect.

Seeing the hesitation, Lin Fan spoke even more forcefully, "During the forbidden ground training, the Holy Sect suffered heavy losses and lost face before the other sects. On this trip to the Misty Snow Peak, I will use my alchemical power to make the sect's disciples brave and fearless, and let the other sects see the might of the Holy Sect. I beg the Sect Master to grant my wish."

The Supreme Elders were also hesitant now. What Lin Fan said was true. The last forbidden ground training had indeed caused the Holy Sect to lose face and become a laughingstock among many sects. Not only did they gain nothing in the forbidden ground, but they also lost a prodigy disciple.

This was a grievous loss for the Holy Sect.

Now, if Lin Fan followed the inner disciples to the Misty Snow Peak, he might indeed use his pills to restore the sect's honor.

But after thinking it over, they still felt it was unreliable.

Forming pills in a single thought—that was a once-in-a-millennium alchemical prodigy. If he accidentally fell at the Misty Snow Peak, the loss would not be as simple as losing one or two prodigies.

"You can go, but you must not use the one-thought pill formation in front of outsiders," said Sect Master Yan, looking at Lin Fan with a hint of a smile in his eyes.

This little fellow had ulterior motives. He wondered what purpose he had in striving so hard to go out, but following the sect was not a bad thing.

On the path of martial arts, one must be brave and fearless. A flower raised in a greenhouse is easily broken; without tempering, it is hard to achieve greatness.

"Sect Master, this..." The Supreme Elders looked in disbelief. They hadn't expected the Sect Master to agree.

Lin Fan was overjoyed inside. "Sect Master, rest assured. I will never reveal the one-thought pill formation technique in front of others."

"Hmm, but on this trip to the Misty Snow Peak, you must not have any contact with other sects. Be extra careful," warned Sect Master Yan repeatedly.

"Yes." Lin Fan smiled even more happily now. He hadn't expected to persuade them so smoothly.

The Supreme Elders ultimately had nothing more to say. Since that was the case, let him go.

"Junior brother, later you can go to Cauldron Peak to get some herbs you might need along the way, just in case," said the Supreme Elder of Cauldron Peak.

"Thank you, senior brother," Lin Fan said with emotion. He had been refining pills on Nameless Peak, stealing business from Cauldron Peak, yet the senior brother was still so generous. If he wasn't moved, it would be insincere.

But for the Supreme Elders, who was stronger no longer mattered. As long as the sect grew stronger, even disbanding Cauldron Peak would be acceptable.

This is just that standing in different positions leads to different thoughts.

…

After Lin Fan left.

"Sect Leader, are you really letting him go out with the inner sect?" asked Supreme Elder Wuya in confusion.

"Yes. Since this boy came here, I have often secretly observed him. Although he is a bit mischievous, he is sincere toward the Holy Sect. Now that he wants to go out and see the world, we naturally cannot trap him just because he comprehended the method of alchemy in a single thought." Sect Leader Yan recalled Lin Fan's various deeds on Nameless Peak and shook his head with a helpless sigh.

What Sect Leader Yan valued even more was that this boy could actually help others rebuild their foundations—quite unbelievable.

"But what if there is danger?" asked Zhongtian Peak's Supreme Elder Lü Mingyang.

"No matter, I already have a plan," said Sect Leader Yan.

"That's good. If nothing unexpected happens, this boy will be the leading figure of the next generation in the Holy Sect." Supreme Elder Wuya had a high opinion of Lin Fan.

"Elder Brother Wuya, your praise is too high. There are also many outstanding prodigies in the inner sect generation," said Supreme Elder Yan Zhanwen, shaking his head with a smile.

He dared not agree with Elder Brother Wuya's words.

"Junior Brother, just watch from now on," Wuya said with a faint smile, not naming names.

The other Supreme Elders also smiled without speaking. They did not care who would be the next leading figure; as long as the sect could last forever, that was the greatest blessing.

…

At this moment, Lin Fan hummed a little tune all the way, feeling extremely pleased. It was too satisfying. He hadn't expected everything to go so smoothly. With his glib tongue and a bit of acting, he had instantly won over many elders.

Now Lin Fan was heading toward Alchemy Peak. The Supreme Elders had already given the order that he could go up the peak and pick herbs on his own.

Before, it was like sneaking around; now it was open and aboveboard. The difference was huge.

When Lin Fan reached Alchemy Peak, the outer hall disciples saw him and scattered like startled birds in an instant.

They all had a deep impression of Lin Fan—this was an extremely treacherous guy who had caused their outer hall to start living on air.

Now few disciples were willing to come to Alchemy Peak to refine pills, even after the Supreme Elders had scolded them and waived the refining fees.

Once, ten sets of materials guaranteed one batch of pills; now it had been changed to five sets guaranteeing one batch.

For low-grade pills, it had to be two sets guaranteeing one batch.

These requirements were too harsh for the outer hall alchemy disciples of Alchemy Peak.

Li Shun was especially miserable. Before, he could slack off while refining pills; now he had to concentrate fully, not daring to be careless.

Otherwise, if the pill refining failed, he would have to bear all the losses himself.

…

And all of this was caused by that bastard from Nameless Peak.

"Elder Brother Li, it's bad! That bastard from Nameless Peak is here!" A panicked voice came from outside the door.

Li Shun stood up abruptly, his gaze filled with awe and even some anger, then he pushed open the door and stormed out.