Chapter 112: The Sect Leader's Heart Aches

At noon, under the blazing sun, Zhang Ergou and Feng Bujue crouched on a rock, their two pairs of sorrowful eyes fixed on the Sect Leader and Ye Shaotian, who were engaged in an endless exchange of laughter.

"Junior nephew, your uncle will see you off this far. If you ever feel unhappy in the outer sect, feel free to come stay with your uncle for a few days." Lin Fan said with a hearty laugh.

"Certainly, Uncle Lin. Then I'll take my leave." Now Ye Shaotian held no resentment toward Lin Fan; instead, his heart was filled with gratitude.

In Ye Shaotian's eyes, Uncle Lin was genuinely sincere toward him. If he still harbored any hatred for Uncle Lin, he would be worse than a beast.

"Take care, junior nephew. If you run out of pills, just let your uncle know." Lin Fan said.

"Mm, goodbye, Uncle."

…

After Ye Shaotian's figure gradually disappeared, Lin Fan's calm expression instantly turned sly and cunning.

Who in this world is the supreme actor? None other than me, Lin Fan.

At that moment, Lin Fan saw Zhang Ergou and the other still crouching motionless. He waved his hand and said, "Come here."

Zhang Ergou and the other scurried over obsequiously.

"Sect Leader, you are truly the one I, Ergou, admire most. With just a small trick, you made the arrogant Ye Shaotian weep with gratitude toward you." Zhang Ergou's flattery crackled like firecrackers, as if his sycophantic words were the only sound in the world.

Feng Bujue scratched his head, glanced at the empty peak entrance, and shook his head helplessly. It seemed Ye Shaotian couldn't escape the Sect Leader's grasp.

For Feng Bujue, what he felt more was excitement, as if he could already see Ye Shaotian, once he started following the Sect Leader, bowing to him—a thought that was thrilling.

Lin Fan glanced at Zhang Ergou. "What do you mean by 'a small trick'? This Sect Leader acted with genuine sincerity, understand? In the future, you must also remember: there are no permanent enemies in this world. As long as you have a tolerant heart, there is no one you cannot move."

"Excellent! This golden saying from the Sect Leader is truly brilliant. This disciple will record it immediately and pass it down as a family heirloom for generations." Zhang Ergou, somehow producing pen and paper, began recording with rapt attention.

"Sigh…" Lin Fan sighed helplessly, feeling that he might soon become addicted to Zhang Ergou's sweet talk.

If only Zhang Ergou looked a bit more presentable, he might not have been stuck among the menial disciples all this time.

With that thick skin and that talent for flattery, Lin Fan had to admit he was no match.

"Alright, you two prepare yourselves. Follow this Sect Leader down the mountain for a task. Whether our sect can rise depends on this." Lin Fan's eyes, filled with hope for the future, gazed into the void. A surge of imposing aura shot into the sky. Zhang Ergou and Feng Bujue instantly dropped their frivolous expressions and, like Lin Fan, stared solemnly into the distance.

A cool breeze drifted by, stirring a gentle wind.

…

At the foot of Nameless Peak, the trading area for outer disciples.

Zhang Ergou and Feng Bujue stood there dumbfounded, not understanding what the Sect Leader was up to.

"Sect Leader, what are we doing?" Zhang Ergou had initially thought the Sect Leader was taking them out for a feast, but instead, the three of them just stood there, doing nothing.

Lin Fan took out a large banner he had prepared earlier and handed it to Zhang Ergou. Then, with a profound look at the two, he said calmly, "This Sect Leader's alchemy skills are second to none. Now that the sect is developing, we need to build a reputation. So, you two will promote it here."

"For alchemy, go to Nameless Peak—affordable prices, high quality. Three sets of materials yield one furnace of pills; we only charge a ten percent labor fee." Lin Fan said.

"Ah…" Zhang Ergou and Feng Bujue looked at Lin Fan, then slapped their thighs. Right! The Holy Demon Sect had no reputation yet. Within the sect, disciples had no good impression of the Holy Demon Sect. With the Sect Leader's superb alchemy skills, success was guaranteed.

"Sect Leader, but charging only a ten percent labor fee—isn't that too cheap? I heard that Cauldron Peak takes at least sixty percent, and they require at least ten sets of materials." Feng Bujue said.

Three sets of materials for one furnace of pills—that success rate was too high, and the profit margin was far too low.

Just then, the two suddenly sensed a change in the Sect Leader's aura, especially his expression, which became deeply pained.

"Those at Cauldron Peak are completely exploiting the disciples! Outer disciples go through untold hardships to gather materials, only to be exploited by others. This Sect Leader cannot do such a thing. Alright, no more talk. I'll be waiting on the peak for your good news." Lin Fan flicked his sleeve and walked toward Nameless Peak.

Zhang Ergou and Feng Bujue exchanged glances. "Junior brother, do you believe what the Sect Leader said?"

"Do you?" Feng Bujue countered.

"Though the Sect Leader is my, Ergou's, idol, I wouldn't believe a single word he says." Zhang Ergou said.

"Senior brother, I believe the Sect Leader, so I'll report back to him truthfully later." Feng Bujue looked at Zhang Ergou and said.

Zhang Ergou's expression changed, and a hint of melancholy crept into his voice. "Junior brother, you've changed."

"Senior brother, you've changed too."

"Enough nonsense. Let's start promoting."

…

After returning to Nameless Peak, Lin Fan began to cultivate. He already knew the locations marked on the Seven Sacred Treasures Map; all that remained was to find an opportunity to explore those dangerous places.

For now, Lin Fan dared not leave the sect casually. Who knew how dangerous the outside world was? If he stepped out and immediately encountered a supreme powerhouse who killed him with a single palm strike, who would he cry to?

So, it was better to focus on cultivation for now.

The Wave Force could reach nine layers of power at its peak. Without further ado, he would first train it to nine layers.

At that moment, Lin Fan closed his eyes slightly, then, like swatting a mosquito, extended his hand and began to slap.

"Ding, congratulations on gaining Wave Force experience."

…

With each casual palm strike Lin Fan made, his Wave Force experience increased. Cultivation techniques were far too simple for him, posing no challenge at all.

"Ding, congratulations on Wave Force leveling up. You now possess two layers of power."

…

"Ding, congratulations on Wave Force leveling up. You now possess three layers of power."

…

While Lin Fan was engaged in this tedious cultivation, Zhang Ergou and Feng Bujue were promoting with great enthusiasm.

The two had full confidence in the Sect Leader's alchemy skills. Not to mention anything else, just the 'Big Bro Pill' alone was something an ordinary person couldn't refine.

But the situation before them now made them feel something was off.