Gulp, gulp!
Under both sides' watchful eyes, he finally had no choice but to down the two huge bowls of restorative soup.
To be fair, they really did work. The blood Qi in his body actually surged for a moment.
Zhang Long said, "I didn't expect Junior Brother Lin to recover so quickly. It looks like that pill Senior Brother Lu gave him yesterday really worked."
Yin Xiaotian said, "If you ask me, it's because Junior Brother Lin has a strong constitution. Otherwise, even a sacred healing pill couldn't have healed him this quickly."
Lin Fan looked immensely pleased with himself. "Of course! This body of mine is forged from iron. Even if someone slashed me dozens of times, I wouldn't so much as furrow my brow. The next day, I'd still be as lively as a dragon and a tiger."
"As expected of a disciple of the Flame Magnificence Sect. This is precisely the spirit you should have."
Just then, a deep, resonant voice came from outside.
"Senior Brother Lu, Senior Brother Fang." Hearing the voice, everyone looked toward the doorway.
Lu Daosheng walked slowly over with Fang Qing, both wearing faint smiles.
They had won yesterday's battle. Although their losses had been considerable, at least they had driven back the Sunshine Sect.
Looking at Lin Fan, Fang Qing nodded as well. "Senior Brother Lu, I heard about yesterday's events too. I never imagined Junior Brother Lin would be so brave, showing no fear even when facing thousands from the Sunshine Sect. In the end, he was even prepared to kill himself rather than die at their hands."
Fang Qing could scarcely believe there was such a talent. His devotion to the greater cause was simply too great.
Receiving this praise, Lin Fan waved a hand modestly. "Not at all, not at all. This hardly counts as being very brave. But honestly, Senior Brother, yesterday really was dangerous. If I hadn't held out, you probably wouldn't be seeing me now."
Lu Daosheng said, "Junior Brother Lin has done very well. I've already recorded this contribution. Once we drive back the Sunshine Sect and return to the sect, I'll be sure to report it. The sect has always valued disciples with courage and judgment."
Lin Fan said, "Senior Brother, that's not right. As disciples of the Flame Magnificence Sect, why should we need rewards for protecting our homes and defending our sect? This is the spirit every disciple of the Flame Magnificence Sect should possess."
Of course, inwardly, he was furiously complaining.
Why do you just record it every single time? Can't you cash it in on the spot? Giving me some pills or something would be a wonderful thing too.
Lü Qiming and the others nodded. They felt that Junior Brother Lin had spoken wonderfully.
They could never have come up with words like those. They also committed them to memory, feeling that Junior Brother Lin must be highly learned.
Lu Daosheng looked at Lin Fan. "Junior Brother Lin should be feeling much better now. I was thinking we ought to have him promote this spirit before the other disciples. What do you think?"
Lü Qiming was delighted. "That's a great idea!"
Yin Xiaotian nodded as well. "Junior Brother Lin is so heroic. All our fellow disciples should hear about it."
Lin Fan froze. Were these fellows trying to get him up onstage to give a speech?
"Wouldn't that be a little inappropriate?" Lin Fan asked modestly. He had only just arrived, and he was already being asked to give a speech, with everyone watching him, no less. How embarrassing.
He wasn't even mentally prepared yet.
Lu Daosheng gave Lin Fan no chance to refuse. "Then let's go right now. Facing the Sunshine Sect's attacks has left all our disciples mentally exhausted. We must let them feel Junior Brother Lin's spirit and muster all their courage to face the Sunshine Sect."
Hearing this, Lin Fan knew there was no escaping. Still, he felt a little thrilled and a little excited.
In all his years, he had never actually spoken in front of so many people.
Waiting online for answers: what should my first line be?
In the square.
At Lu Daosheng's command, all the disciples assembled.
Yesterday's victory had greatly encouraged them, but the loss of familiar fellow disciples also weighed heavily on their hearts.
Back in the sect, their days had consisted of cultivation and training journeys. Only after entering the battlefield had they discovered just how cruel it was. Someone they could still meet today might be gone tomorrow.
Lu Daosheng stepped onto the platform and surveyed all the disciples below. "Yesterday, the Sunshine Sect launched an attack. Although we repelled them, many disciples died beneath their blades. Also yesterday, a thousand disciples intercepted the Sunshine Sect as they sought to plunder Heavenly Peak City and drove them all back. Among them, our sect's disciple Lin Fan faced the Sunshine Sect alone without a trace of fear. In the end, he even preferred to kill himself rather than die at their hands. Such a fearless spirit commands admiration."
Lin Fan felt a little embarrassed listening to this, but he still raised his head. Not a single word was wrong. Faced with such a fearless spirit, were they impressed or not?
Still, he had also wanted to take that opportunity to slip away. Who could have imagined he wouldn't manage to escape?
The disciples below exchanged glances.
They had already heard about yesterday's events.
What they had originally considered a situation with only one chance of survival in ten had instead ended in a great victory. They had heard of Lin Fan too, and were all curious about what this incredibly brave man looked like.
At that moment, Lin Fan stepped onto the platform.
Looking at the densely packed disciples below, he really did feel a little nervous.
He coughed softly, his expression growing slightly solemn.
"Hello, fellow disciples. I'm Lin Fan."
In an instant.
Lin Fan felt countless pairs of eyes turn toward him. The light shining in those eyes was almost more than he could bear.
That was the light of admiration.
Involuntarily, he straightened his back. At a moment like this, with every eye upon him, he had to show his presence.
But what should he say now?
Silence filled the square. Everyone gazed at Lin Fan fervently, wondering what he would say.
Under their gazes, Lin Fan began to lose his nerve. Fuck, I didn't work out what to say before coming up here, and now I'm drawing a blank.
If I just say whatever comes to mind, it definitely won't make enough of an impact. But what should I say to make an impact?
Think carefully. Those declarations from Earth that made people's blood boil!
Gao Dazhuang asked very quietly, "What do you think Junior Brother Lin is doing?"
Yin Xiaotian gazed fervently at Lin Fan. "Junior Brother Lin is building up his emotions. Just wait."
"Oh... oh." Gao Dazhuang nodded, feeling that Junior Brother Lin really was impressive. In a moment, he would surely say something to shake heaven and earth.
At last, Lin Fan thought of something. He took a deep breath, and his gaze abruptly changed as a tragic, heroic air burst forth.
In an instant, everyone was affected. They all watched Lin Fan and waited.
"We disciples bear the duty of defending our land. Not a foot of soil nor an inch of grass may be abandoned. We resist the Sunshine Sect to save our sect and protect our homes. Even if we are sacrificed down to the last man, we shall never retreat."
After finishing, Lin Fan felt thoroughly refreshed.
Only, something seemed wrong.
Why is it so quiet? Could it be that I didn't speak well enough?
Should I say something else? I have a few more lines here.
"If I live, the sect falls; if I die, the sect survives!"
"My legs are broken. Leave me. I am resolved to die for the sect, to preserve its honor."
And so on!
These were all such tragic, heroic declarations.
Just as Lin Fan was truly beginning to think it hadn't worked, a thunderous shout rang out.
"Well said!" Lu Daosheng's eyes were slightly red. As an Earthly Dipper Realm disciple of the sect, he had led the disciples out precisely to defend their sect and country. Now, Lin Fan's words had spoken straight to his heart.
Lin Fan was somewhat speechless. You should've said so sooner! You scared me to death. I thought I'd lost the crowd.