Before long, a rather plain-looking courtyard appeared before his eyes.
The courtyard gate stood open, and he could vaguely see someone inside practicing martial arts.
"Junior Brother Wang!"
Jiang Fan stood outside the gate and called softly.
The figure in the courtyard stopped, then quickly ran over.
"Senior Brother Duan?"
"What made you think of coming here?"
Wang Lin looked behind Jiang Fan.
"You're back so soon? Have you finished dealing with matters at home?"
Jiang Fan nodded and stepped into the courtyard.
"Mm, it's all handled!"
"So I came over to let you know. You don't need to ask the sect for leave on my behalf anymore!"
Wang Lin smiled.
"Well, that's great. Saves the trouble!"
He hurriedly welcomed Jiang Fan into the courtyard.
"Senior Brother Duan, please come in!"
Jiang Fan sat down on a stone stool and said with a smile, "Thank you for this time!"
"I didn't interrupt your practice, did I?"
Wang Lin waved his hand, looking a little embarrassed.
"Hey! Not at all! Not at all! You're too polite, Senior Brother Duan!"
"I was just cramming in a bit of last-minute cultivation!"
Jiang Fan's heart stirred.
"Preparing for the sect competition?"
Wang Lin sighed.
"Yes!"
"But at this point, whether I practice or not doesn't make much difference anymore!"
Jiang Fan also shook his head and went along with it.
"What happened with the Secret Realm this time was indeed unexpected!"
"It affected quite a few people!"
Wang Lin smiled wryly.
"Exactly. Originally, I was still thinking I could rely on what I gained in the Secret Realm this time to break through one level, and then I'd have a chance to fight for the top ten in the competition and enter the inner sect!"
"Now it seems... there's no hope!"
He paused, then