Chapter 103: Crushing Defeat

After coming down from Nameless Peak, Lin Fan wandered aimlessly around the Sacred Sect. He had no idea what medicinal herbs were needed to refine the pill, but he had a rough idea of the general approach.

The hidden ailments of Ye Shaotian and the others likely required tonics for the kidneys and yang. However, Lin Fan had no research in this area and didn't know what herbs to use.

By now, Lin Fan was somewhat of a minor celebrity among the outer disciples. Those who could avoid him did so; those who couldn't respectfully addressed him as 'Uncle Master.'

They had all learned through various channels about Ye Shaotian's crushing defeat.

Moreover, the story grew more exaggerated as it spread.

Rumor had it that Uncle Master Lin from Nameless Peak was ruthless, targeting the lower body. Because of Ye Shaotian's arrogance and rudeness, his balls were directly kicked and burst...

These tales became increasingly fantastical and exaggerated, yet some outer disciples actually believed them.

...

Lin Fan now wandered aimlessly. Although he had a faint clue, he didn't know where to find the right herbs.

“Eh, damn it, why am I so stupid? I should go to Alchemy Peak. Alchemy Peak isn't just a sacred place for alchemy; it's also where medicinal herbs are cultivated. I can just go and test them one by one to see if any have similar effects.” Lin Fan was frustrated with his own foolishness for not thinking of such a simple thing.

Once his thoughts were clear, Lin Fan immediately rushed to Alchemy Peak.

First, he would check the layout of Alchemy Peak and where the herbs were planted. Then, when night fell, he would make his move.

Upon reaching Alchemy Peak, Lin Fan looked at its bustling scene with envy and jealousy.

It was packed with people—outer and inner disciples walked through Alchemy Peak in great numbers. He wondered when Nameless Peak would ever see such a grand spectacle.

Lin Fan looked on enviously, then snapped back to reality and encouraged himself: This is nothing; with hard work, Nameless Peak could also become as bustling as Alchemy Peak.

With so many outer disciples on Alchemy Peak, Lin Fan blended into the crowd without drawing attention.

Gradually, Lin Fan lost track of where he was. To stay safe and avoid detection, he activated his invisibility technique and entered a stealth state.

The area Lin Fan was in now was sparsely populated. Occasionally, passersby were all disciples of Alchemy Peak, indicating this was likely the rear section of Alchemy Peak.

This was where the disciples of Alchemy Peak lived; outer disciples had no right to enter.

Crossing a wooden bridge, Lin Fan moved forward. Disciples below the Lesser Heaven rank could not detect his movements. Even if he encountered a Lesser Heaven or Greater Heaven cultivator, as long as he stayed still, he could still escape.

Suddenly, a fragrant aroma assailed his nostrils. The entire area was filled with a thick scent of medicinal herbs. One whiff and he felt invigorated.

Lin Fan rejoiced inwardly: This must be where Alchemy Peak grows its medicinal herbs.

As a major sect, the Sacred Sect's foundation lay in Alchemy Peak, because large quantities of pills were distributed from there for the disciples' cultivation.

The herbs cultivated on Alchemy Peak were mostly raw materials for ordinary pills. As for high-grade or divine pills, Alchemy Peak could not produce them, as those herbs had extremely demanding growth conditions.

At that moment, disciples of Alchemy Peak were tending the soil and cultivating herbs in the medicinal garden. Lin Fan knew he couldn't make a move now.

It seemed he would have to wait until night, when all was quiet, to come and harvest properly.

Then, following the path he came from, Lin Fan quietly retreated.

He had already memorized the terrain of Alchemy Peak, so navigating in the dark would be no problem.

Just as Lin Fan was coming down from Alchemy Peak, he saw many disciples with excited expressions, talking to each other as they hurried in another direction.

“Senior Brother Zong and the others are back from the forbidden land.”

“This time, Senior Brother Zong and the others must have crushed the other sects. Trying to snatch things from them in the forbidden land is nothing but a pipe dream.”

"Let's go and see. I wonder what good things Senior Brother Zong and the others have brought back."

……

Lin Fan listened carefully, also completely confused, not knowing what they were talking about. Since he had nothing to do now, he might as well go and take a look.

When he arrived at the mountain gate and saw the dense crowd, Lin Fan was also astonished.

Who exactly was this Senior Brother Zong, to have such an aura? Just returning, and so many people welcomed him—it was too impressive.

But from what the outer disciples around him said, it seemed a group had gone to a forbidden area, probably similar to inter-sect training in forbidden grounds.

Just then, a black dot appeared on the horizon. The dot grew closer and then continuously enlarged.

When Lin Fan saw the true form of the black dot, his heart suddenly jolted—it was actually a giant boat flying in the sky.

Lin Fan gazed intently. The giant boat's blue hull was carved with dense runes, flowing with light, as if it were suspended in the air by some special method.

Back at the Holy Demon Sect, Lin Fan had never heard of such things. It seemed that here in Dongling Continent, there were many things he still didn't know.

The moment the blue giant boat appeared, the disciples waiting at the mountain gate began cheering excitedly one after another.

"The Holy Sect is victorious, returning in triumph!"

"The Holy Sect is victorious, returning in triumph!"

……

The disciples' cheers seemed to shake the very sky.

At that moment, the giant boat flew over the Holy Sect and slowly descended. The disciples waiting at the mountain gate stared fixedly at the people on the boat, awaiting the majestic return of their senior brothers.

At this time, a middle-aged man with a serious and somber expression stepped down from the giant boat.

"Welcome back, Elder Han, in triumph!" shouted the disciples waiting at the mountain gate.

But at this moment, Lin Fan frowned slightly. Elder Han's expression was very grim. Faced with the welcome of so many disciples, he showed no joy at all, as if something had happened.

And just then, shortly after Elder Han came down, many people descended from the giant boat one after another.

The disciples who had been cheering all froze when they saw the scene before them.

What was going on?

Every one of the disciples who came down later had unusually haggard faces, their clothes stained with blood. Even worse, some were carried down with serious injuries.

At this moment, Lin Fan fixed his gaze on the last disciple to descend from the giant boat.

This disciple had the highest cultivation on the boat, aside from Elder Han.

This must be that Senior Brother Zong.

The disciples waiting at the mountain gate realized that things were not as they had imagined, and they also showed incredulous expressions.

Could it be that the Holy Sect had suffered a crushing defeat in this forbidden area trial?

At this moment, Supreme Elder Wuyan suddenly appeared before Elder Han. Seeing the scene before him, his calm face showed surprise.

"What happened?" Supreme Elder Wuyan asked in a deep voice.

"In this forbidden area trial, we suffered heavy losses. Eight disciples were lost..." Elder Han's body trembled slightly; he too could not believe it.

"We'll talk after seeing the Sect Leader." Supreme Elder Wuyan waved his sleeve, and with a sweep, he took people and vanished into the void.

The blue giant boat that had been hovering there suddenly flashed with light, gradually shrank to the size of a thumb, and disappeared into the void.