"What?!"
Uncle Jiu's expression changed when he heard that, and he circulated his aura toward Lin Fan.
In an instant!
His pupils suddenly widened, his eyes filled with disbelief.
This good disciple wasn't breaking through just once—he was breaking through continuously!
"What the heck?"
Wen Cai looked utterly bewildered, feeling as though he were lost in the clouds.
This was something unheard of and unseen. How could it be possible?
"No, no, how could this be..."
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes still couldn't believe it, as though he were treating Lin Fan like a toy.
One moment, he raised Lin Fan's arm and examined it carefully; the next, he pressed against Lin Fan's body, sensing his aura.
It was indeed the Houtian Seventh Heaven!
Not the slightest mistake!
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes felt his eyes grow blurry. This pleasant surprise had come far too suddenly.
The Houtian realm was indeed the first step for a Daoist, but cultivating it was by no means easy.
For an ordinary Daoist reaching Lin Fan's age of eighteen, attaining the Houtian Fifth Heaven would already indicate decent talent.
But the Houtian Seventh Heaven was an entirely different concept!
Every fifth heaven in each stage was a minor bottleneck.
Breaking through it made it possible to judge whether someone had the talent to reach the next stage.
Lin Fan had previously broken through to the Fifth Heaven. That was pretty good, and it meant he had hope of progressing further in the Houtian realm.
But that was all.
However, an eighteen-year-old at the Houtian Seventh Heaven—let alone in a small sect—
Even in Maoshan, he would be considered an absolutely outstanding talent!
"Lin Fan, what exactly happened?"
Uncle Jiu's head was buzzing. Even his usually stern face could no longer maintain its composure.
His face full of astonishment, he grabbed Lin Fan and questioned him repeatedly.
How could he merely be delighted at this moment?
He was even more shocked!
An eighteen-year-old at the Houtian Seventh Heaven was absolutely considered outstanding throughout the Daoist Sect!
But it wasn't enough to make someone this astonished. He had seen quite a few geniuses over the years!
Yet Lin Fan had leaped from the Fifth Heaven to the Seventh Heaven in one go. That was something he had truly never seen before!
First, the Five Thunders Spell had suddenly jumped from the entry level to Grand Perfection!
Then, the Houtian Fifth Heaven had jumped to the Seventh Heaven!
How could this merely be a stroke of good fortune?
This was practically the Patriarch's protection!
This was my fortune, Lin Jiu's fortune, and Maoshan's fortune!
"I went back to my room just now and started cultivating."
"Suddenly, I felt enlightened, as though the aura throughout my body had gathered and was waiting for me to absorb it."
"Then I saw an immortal floating in the sky appear in my mind."
"He said something to me that I couldn't understand at all, and then I suddenly broke through."
"I don't know what happened either..."
Lin Fan gave an awkward laugh. He truly couldn't make up any more lies.
I, Lin Fan, have never been inferior to anyone in my life. I've relied entirely on my own hard work and cultivation!
Could I really say that the system carried me?
That would probably frighten several of them unconscious. They might not even be able to drink Western tea tomorrow.
"Boundless Heavenly Venerate!"
Uncle Jiu closed his eyes, let out a long breath, and recited reverently.
How could the joy in his heart possibly be expressed in words?
"The Patriarch entered your dream. That's right, it must have been that!"
"You're incredibly fortunate, Senior Disciple Brother!"
Daoist Priest Four-Eyes spoke with absolute certainty.
"Perhaps..."
Lin Fan shrugged.
He actually guessed right by accident.
Wen Cai said enviously, "Martial Uncle, when will the Patriarch enter my dream?"
"As for you, the Patriarch won't accept you. Go back to your room and sleep."
With that, Daoist Priest Four-Eyes patted Wen Cai on the head and walked toward his room.
"Tch, one day I'll surprise all of you too!"
Wen Cai muttered, then glanced at Lin Fan.
It was impossible for him not to feel envious!
Not to mention Senior Disciple Brother's supposed good fortune—even without this incident, he still couldn't compare with Senior Disciple Brother.
Forget it, forget it. He might as well sleep.
"Master, I'm going to bed."
Wen Cai sighed and trudged toward his room dejectedly.
In the blink of an eye, only the master and disciple remained in the courtyard.
Uncle Jiu stared at Lin Fan with burning eyes and said solemnly, "You must cultivate diligently. Don't disappoint the Patriarch's expectations."
"This disciple understands."
Lin Fan nodded and answered seriously.
"All right, all right, enough of that."
Uncle Jiu suddenly felt that he was being too serious. He waved his hand and teased, "That phenomenon just now—it couldn't really have been caused by you, kid, could it?"
"Uh..."
Lin Fan laughed awkwardly, secretly crying out that things were bad.
Hello? Yes, it was me!
But could I actually say that?
They had already been frightened half to death just now. If he said anything more, they might drop dead on the spot!
"All right, all right. Get some rest early. Tomorrow, Master will take you to drink Western tea."
Uncle Jiu stopped saying anything more, turned around, and headed for his room.
"Master, you should rest early too."
Lin Fan nodded with a smile.
Watching Uncle Jiu's departing back, his heart burned with anticipation.
In the past, Master had always been teased for having poor judgment when accepting disciples.
Now, everything was different!
Just wait. The real surprises are yet to come!
Early morning, Ren Family Town.
The bustling streets were packed with people.
Groups of boisterous children darted through the crowds coming and going.
Uncle Jiu led Lin Fan through the throng.
After turning several corners, they arrived in front of a coffee shop.
The moment they entered, they heard someone calling out.
"Uncle Jiu, Uncle Jiu, over here, please."
At a tea table in the middle of a private room, Ren Fa, dressed in a fine silk robe, had been waiting for quite some time.
"Hello, Master Ren. This is my eldest disciple, Lin Fan."
Uncle Jiu and Lin Fan sat down, but before they had the chance to exchange pleasantries,
a woman slowly walked up the stairs.
She wore a pink dress that was simple yet elegant.
Its fitted style accentuated her graceful figure.
She looked several times more lively than the actress in the movie.
"Dad."
Ren Tingting slowly walked over and called out to Ren Fa in a delicate voice.
"Quick, greet Uncle Jiu."
Ren Fa nodded and gestured toward Uncle Jiu with an open palm.
"Hello, Uncle Jiu."
After greeting him, Ren Tingting began acting coquettishly toward Master Ren.
Glancing sideways, she noticed a handsome young Daoist sitting beside her.
His robust figure was complemented by a trace of heroic spirit between his brows.
Lin Fan said calmly, "Hello, I'm Uncle Jiu's eldest disciple, Lin Fan."
"Ah! I'm sorry, Daoist Lin. I was just thinking about makeup..."
Ren Tingting came back to her senses and laughed awkwardly. "You can call me Tingting."
A server came over and broke the awkwardness by asking, "Master Ren, what would you like to drink?"
"Bring a cup of coffee for me and my father."
Ren Tingting was saved and hurriedly placed the order.
Lin Fan immediately spoke as well. "The same for me and my master. Bring us each a cup of coffee."
After Ren Fa had the server put away the menu, he got straight to the point. "Uncle Jiu, regarding exhuming and relocating my late father's grave, have you chosen an auspicious date yet?"
Uncle Jiu answered seriously, "I think you should reconsider. With matters like this, it's better to leave things undisturbed."
"I've thought it through. Back then, the feng shui master repeatedly warned me that the coffin must be exhumed and relocated after twenty years, or it would affect the Ren family's fortunes."
Master Ren spoke firmly.
"Since you've made up your mind, Master Ren, I'll choose a burial site for you as soon as possible."
Uncle Jiu nodded and stopped trying to dissuade him.
The server carried over a tray and skillfully arranged two cups—one white and one black—at the corner of the table.
"Uncle Jiu, come on! Have some tea. Don't be shy."
Ren Fa smiled warmly and extended a hand in invitation.
Uncle Jiu, however, looked as though he were facing a formidable enemy.
He seemed to have been rendered completely dumbfounded by the black and white cups before him.
When he raised his hand, he was utterly at a loss.
"Master, let me help you."
Lin Fan skillfully poured in one-third of the milk, then added two spoonfuls of white sugar.
He stirred it and handed it to Uncle Jiu.
This bit of coffee knowledge was nothing difficult for Lin Fan, who had lived in the future world.
"Not bad, not bad."
Uncle Jiu took the coffee Lin Fan handed him, swallowed a small sip, and nodded in satisfaction.
This eldest disciple had indeed made him proud. Fortunately, Lin Fan was here.
Otherwise, he truly wouldn't have known where to put his old face.
While feeling gratified, his gaze drifted toward the father and daughter.
He saw that Master Ren, seated across from him, seemed about to speak, as though he had some secret matter to discuss.
Master Ren looked solemn, as if burdened by heavy worries, and said, "Uncle Jiu, actually, there's one more favor I'd like to ask of you for calling you here this time."
"Master Ren, please speak freely."
As though recalling something, Master Ren slowly said, "Actually, some strange things have occasionally happened at home recently, though I can't quite explain them. It just feels as though everyone in Ren Manor has lost their vitality lately. Even the gardeners have been listless."
Before you continue