Lin Fan looked at the tiny figure, no bigger than his palm, with immense joy.
At this moment, his second disciple, Mu Linxi, spoke, "Master, can you give her to me?"
She gazed at Dan Xi with longing, as if looking at a precious treasure. The intense gaze startled Dan Xi, who quickly scurried behind Lin Fan, looking frightened.
Those who witnessed this scene wore strange expressions.
"You are the Dan Mo, the Pill Demon, who committed so much sin. Now you act so timid, who would believe it?"
Unfortunately, the previous Dan Mo had no sentience. The current Dan Xi, having gained sentience, was like a new life and could no longer be treated as a Dan Mo.
"Master, I don't want to!" Dan Xi stretched her voice, cooing softly into Lin Fan's ear.
Lin Fan scooped her into his hand. A beam of light shone from his index finger. The next moment, Dan Xi’s expression turned blank, as if she had lost her soul.
Lin Fan smiled, "I have placed a restriction on her soul. There will be no possibility of rebellion. From now on, let her follow you!"
With that, Lin Fan handed Dan Xi to Mu Linxi. Mu Linxi received her with a look of surprise, grinning from ear to ear, her head bowed as she curiously doted on the little figure.
Dan Xi was awakened by the doting. She rubbed her eyes and realized the person before her was not Lin Fan, and immediately wailed.
"Waaah, I don't want to! Master, I don't want to be someone's pet!" She rolled around in Mu Linxi's palm, clearly unwilling.
Mu Linxi extended a finger and played with Dan Xi for a while, giggling, "You little sprite, no tantrums. You must be obedient, understand?"
"No, no! I don't want to follow you, I want to follow Master!"
"Master said you will follow me from now on. Opposition is invalid."
"Noooo~"
However, no matter how much she protested, it was to no avail.
As long as Lin Fan did not speak, she dared not use her powers to resist, only shouting and yelling in frustration.
"Hmph, I can follow you, but I am your companion, not your pet. Understand?" Finally, Dan Xi relented. She crossed her arms, held her small head high, and declared haughtily.
"Alright, alright. You will be my companion, not my pet!" Mu Linxi exclaimed with joy.
"That's more like it!"
And so, Mu Linxi gained Dan Xi as a companion.
Mu Linxi's alchemy talent was peculiar. She could never refine a finished pill. Every time she opened a furnace, it was a waste pill, and these were always waste pills with immense power.
Dan Xi, on the other hand, had transformed from a Dan Mo and could absorb the essence of waste pills to grow. The two were a perfect match. This was why Lin Fan agreed to give Dan Xi to Mu Linxi.
At this moment.
Sect Master Qingmu Dan approached respectfully.
"Senior, I misspoke earlier. Please forgive my transgression." He looked uneasy.
In the cultivation world, titles were extremely important. Those of lower cultivation would address those of higher cultivation as senior, regardless of age; cultivation was the key.
The strong were revered, the strong were elders. This was a rule that had been established in the cultivation world for countless millennia.
"Ignorance is forgivable!" Lin Fan smiled and gestured to the sect, which had been ravaged by the Dan Mo. "The sect is a bit dilapidated. Go attend to it."
Sect Master Qingmu Dan was taken aback.
"Senior, you mean..."
"Yes, it's time for me to leave!"
"This junior has failed to entertain you properly. Please do not take offense."
"You worry too much. I'm leaving, and I don't mind."
With that, Lin Fan shouted, "Blue Dragon, let's go!"
Roar!
The Blue Dragon let out a great roar and flew towards the sect's exit.
Watching their retreating figures, the people of Qingmu Dan Sect fell silent.
At that moment, their hearts were filled with shock, a shock that made them feel as if they were living in another world, a profound sense of unreality.
The reason for their shock was that they had actually witnessed the Mahayana stage.
With the appearance of the Mahayana stage, did it mean this world was awakening?
Could they also cultivate to the Mahayana stage?
The thought sent waves of excitement through the high-ranking members.
The Sect Master instructed a group of deacons to handle the aftermath. He clasped his hands behind his back and calmly said, "The world might be undergoing great changes. I am going into seclusion to break through my cultivation. While I am away, you must guard the sect. Do you understand?"
The disciples, upon receiving the order, quickly bowed, "We respectfully obey the Sect Master's command!"
The other elders followed suit, instructing their disciples to guard their respective peaks before also entering seclusion.
A day later, the entire sect was enveloped in tranquility.
This situation was not confined to Qingmu Dan Sect. News had reached other sects as well, prompting their high-ranking members to enter seclusion, hoping to break through to the legendary Mahayana stage.
...
Lin Fan was unaware of the changes occurring in the major sects.
He was currently engrossed in the act of accepting disciples, unable to extricate himself.
After accepting his second disciple, Mu Linxi, he had traveled tens of thousands of miles but failed to find any suitable disciples.
Finally, he sighed, "Alas, it seems only you two and I are destined in this world. I shall try my luck in other worlds later."
As soon as his voice fell, his two disciples looked at him with confusion.
"Master, you mentioned other worlds? Are you an immortal? From another world?" Mu Linxi asked in surprise.
She had many speculations about Lin Fan's identity.
For instance, he might be from a mysterious forbidden zone, or a frozen figure from a previous era, and so on.
But none of these speculations were as shocking as this direct statement from Lin Fan.
Li Qin also looked astonished. "Master, so you are from another world. No wonder you are so powerful."
Lin Fan chuckled, "Yes, I am from another world. However, I am not an immortal, and my cultivation system is different from yours. But my eldest brother's strength is comparable to an immortal's!"
"You have an eldest brother?"
"Of course!"
Then, Lin Fan recounted the news of Lin Yu. Not only that, but he also spoke of his third brother possessing a clone and the news of his fourth brother, Lin Wu, revealing they were triplets.
The two looked at him with amazement.
After that, things became simpler. The two grew increasingly motivated to cultivate, and their strength soared.
Unable to find new disciples, Lin Fan gave up his search. He then claimed a mountain peak with abundant spiritual energy and began cultivating with his two disciples.
Life was mundane and peaceful, yet also quite interesting.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Lin Yu, along with over a hundred researchers, was attacking a forbidden zone.
"Lord Lin Yu, I am an awakened eyed talent. I can vaguely see a tremendously powerful force hidden behind the great gate."
His eyes were wide. With his ninth-rank cultivation, he could barely glimpse the powerful energy reaction behind the gate. As for the details, he could not see them.
But even this powerful energy reaction sent a jolt of fear through him.
Because this power was too immense, stronger than a demigod.
Lin Yu, upon hearing this, was not alarmed but delighted.