Third Mysterious Origin Realm!

"Expanding our scale can't be rushed."

That day, after making a round of the sect grounds, Lin Fan stood at the cliff behind the sect, drinking in the northwestern wind as he muttered, "Once our strength rises, or once we make a name for ourselves, more and more disciples will naturally come."

"And the most important thing is strength."

"If I'm not mistaken, after tonight, I should break through within the next day or two."

Previously, after swallowing three Seventh-tier Core Condensation Pills, Lin Fan's cultivation had reached the peak of the Core Condensation Realm. After this period of cultivation and consolidation, the Mysterious Origin Realm was now within reach.

"The Third Mysterious Origin Realm."

"Among the younger generation—or at least among the younger generation of third-rate sects—that already counts as entering the hall, perhaps even standing out from the crowd."

Under normal circumstances, the strongest members of third-rate sects were generally in the Fourth Cave Heaven Realm.

If a Fifth Pointing Profound Realm expert presided over a sect, it could begin attempting to advance to a second-rate sect.

Of course, having a Pointing Profound Realm expert was merely one of the minimum requirements for becoming a second-rate sect.

Beyond that, the sect also needed sufficient scale.

Scale included, but was not limited to, Spirit Mountains, resources, the quality and number of disciples, and so on.

In short, advancing to a second-rate sect was difficult.

But if a Pointing Profound Realm expert was present, it meant there was at least hope.

If one wished to go a step further and become a first-rate sect...

That required, at the very least, an expert of the Seventh Dao Harmony Realm.

As for sacred lands...

They had all been founded by former Ninth Immortal Ascension Realm experts. Even if no Immortal Ascension Realm expert remained, they would have old monsters of the Void Breaking Realm guarding them, along with Immortal Artifacts to bolster them~

But all that was still far too distant from Lin Fan.

That night, Lin Fan successfully broke through.

Third Mysterious Origin Realm, achieved!

True Origin gathered within the Mystic Gate. Feeling the True Origin within his first Mystic Gate rapidly fill up, his strength soaring along with it, Lin Fan could not help but smile.

"Less than two months since crossing over, and I've broken through an entire major realm. Not bad speed!"

At least, he was quite satisfied.

If things continued developing like this, the first crisis ten months from now might not be much of a problem.

"If Combat Power is shared..."

"Oh? Second level of the Mysterious Origin Realm?"

"Not bad."

"That girl Xiao Ling'er is already at the seventh level of the Core Condensation Realm too."

"If another disciple with a Protagonist Template came along, wouldn't that be absolutely heavenly?"

"But..."

"It probably won't be that easy to find, right?"

What was a Protagonist Template?

If they were that easy to find, they would not be called Protagonist Templates. Where would so many chosen protagonists come from?

Though the Immortal Martial Continent was nearly boundless and had a population in the trillions upon trillions, Lin Fan estimated that there were probably fewer than ten Protagonist Templates in total.

Of course, that was only a guess.

Perhaps there would be a pleasant surprise?

That fellow looked forward to it eagerly.

In the blink of an eye, another half month passed.

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

"Is there something, Fifth Elder?"

"Only a piece of news."

Duan Qingyao pondered for a moment. "Hongwu Immortal City, the nearest large immortal city to us, will hold a Young Alchemist Conference in half a month. Anyone under a hundred years old may participate, and the prizes are exceedingly generous."

"If one wins first place, they can receive a Sixth-tier Pill Furnace, three Sixth-tier Pill Recipes, and..."

"A Pointing Profound Pill."

"Oh?"

Lin Fan was slightly surprised. "The Fifth Tier Pill, Pointing Profound Pill, which can help cultivators break through to the Fifth Pointing Profound Realm?"

"Yes, and it will be personally refined by a Seventh-tier Alchemist. It is said to be at least Fifth Grade."

Was Fifth Grade that impressive?

Our Ling'er was only young and a little low in cultivation. Otherwise, she could at least produce Seventh Grade pills.

Still, the Pointing Profound Pill was indeed a good thing.

"First Elder and Second Elder aren't far from the Cave Heaven Peak, are they?"

"Second Elder has already reached the peak, but he was injured in his youth and the injury left behind a lingering root. Without a fortuitous encounter, I fear..."

"But Sect Master, we should not think too much about taking first place."

Duan Qingyao smiled helplessly. "I was merely mentioning it. This is Hongwu Immortal City, after all. By then, there will be at least a hundred thousand participants, all outstanding young alchemists. There may even be disciples from first-rate sects among them."

"Ling'er is indeed a remarkable child, but compared to disciples from first-rate sects—or rather, the foundation of our Moon Embracing Sect has always been lacking."

As she spoke, Duan Qingyao's expression became somewhat despondent.

When it came to talent, she was certain that Xiao Ling'er was absolutely no worse than ordinary disciples of first-rate sects. She might even surpass the vast majority of their disciples.

But the Moon Embracing Sect...

Alas, though they had already given it their all, the support they could provide was still extremely limited.

The heart had more than enough ambition, but the strength fell short.

In her eyes, this was not Xiao Linger's fault. It was because the sect was not up to par.

It was because old fools like them were useless!

"Why must Fifth Elder be so downcast?"

"Geniuses are always good at creating miracles. Otherwise, why would they be called geniuses?"

"Whether she succeeds or not, we will only know after she tries. Besides, even if she does not take first place, there should be consolation prizes for an ordinary ranking, right?"

"As for whether Xiao Ling'er wishes to go, that will depend on her."

"Master!"

Before his words had even faded, Xiao Ling'er bounced in from outside, her face brimming with excitement. "This disciple is willing to go!"

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

He truly had not noticed.

This girl had clearly used some kind of concealment technique.

Elder Wu was not surprised at all and smiled. "She arrived just before me."

"Please forgive me, Master. This disciple did not mean to." Xiao Ling'er hurriedly apologized.

"Since you have heard it all and are willing to go, naturally I have no reason to stop you."

Lin Fan nodded. "Then let Fifth Elder accompany you on this trip and temporarily serve as your protector."

"Also, Elder Wu."

"Make a copy of our sect rules for this girl."

"When outside, one must be cautious. The sect rules must not be forgotten."

"Yes, Sect Master."

Duan Qingyao's smile grew even wider.

Whether Xiao Ling'er ranked or not was no longer important.

Instead, she was looking forward to Xiao Linger's expression after seeing the sect rules.

"Sect rules?"

Xiao Ling'er asked doubtfully, "Master, Fifth Elder, aren't the sect rules carved upon the stone stele? This disciple has long since memorized them until they roll off my tongue. I can recite them backward and forward."

"Those sect rules are for outsiders to see."

Lin Fan smiled. "Ordinary disciples do indeed need to follow them, but you are different. What Fifth Elder will give you is our true sect rules. Remember, they must not be passed on."

"Yes!"

Xiao Linger's expression turned solemn. "This disciple swears upon my Dao heart that I will not reveal even the slightest word. Otherwise, may I be trapped by heart demons and never awaken for eternity."

"There is no need for that. Since I am having Fifth Elder give them to you, it means I trust you."

Lin Fan waved a hand.

Before this, he had already confirmed that Xiao Ling'er had excellent character and sound values. She was worth going all-in on.

At any rate, she could not possibly have the temperament of a certain titled one...

"Th-These sect rules?"

After reading the sect rules, Xiao Ling'er was dumbfounded.

"Teacher?"

Yet her teacher was dumbfounded as well.

"This old woman has lived for several thousand years, then lived for several thousand more after becoming a remnant soul, but I have never seen such strange sect rules."

"But..."

"I can be certain that your master is absolutely extraordinary, and so are these sect rules!"

"How can you tell?" Xiao Ling'er asked blankly.

"Look at this rule!"

"Those who talk to themselves while facing rings, bracelets, necklaces, or other objects shall be given priority... Hm?!"

Xiao Linger's expression changed drastically.

She had not noticed it earlier, but now that she realized it, she found it impossible to remain calm.