167: Both parents are dead...

Since breaking through to the Mystic Path Realm, the most significant change on the panel was in the lifespan column, which increased from 360 years to 460 years, meaning he could live another 100 years.

At this time, the other high platforms gradually saw winners emerge, and the top eight had been decided, comprising six males and two females, all of whom had reached the Perfection of the Heavenly Human Realm, just one step away from attempting Foundation Establishment.

However, precisely this step was the most difficult; from Heavenly Human to Foundation Establishment was a leap in life, and after the Breakthrough, it was a separation between Immortal and Mortal, making it extremely challenging. Not only did it require condensing a Dao body, but it also required collecting various Heaven And Earth Treasure to forge the Dao body.

For example, Xu Sanyan's previous Cultivation Technique, The Supreme Truth and Serenity Scripture of Eliminating Illusion and Attaining Reality, had three methods for condensing a Dao body. The lower-grade Dao body was relatively simple, requiring only thirty-six Mortal hearts and lungs.

But this type of Dao body had obvious side effects, and anyone with a heart for the Dao would not condense this Dao body.

A middle-grade Dao body required various Heaven And Earth Treasure, while a High Grade Dao body required heaven and earth treasures, none of which were easy to obtain.

Xu Sanyan slowly stood up and encouraged them, saying, “Everyone, rest well. Tomorrow, you must strive bravely to win first place.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Saint!”

The eight victors looked excited, their eyes shining as they gazed at the tall figure. They all knew that this grand competition was organized by the Saint himself, with the purpose of motivating junior Disciples to cultivate diligently.

Moreover, the Saint had promised that from now on, a grand competition for Outer Sect Disciples would be held every three years. The top five would not only receive generous rewards but also be able to join the Saint's lineage, thereby gaining a backer whom others would not dare to casually bully.

Compared to the rewards, they actually valued the latter more. The most important thing was that the Saint did not look at background, only at ability, so everyone had a chance.

One must know that within the Tongxin Demon Sect, the life of an Outer Sect Disciple was extremely difficult. Every day, they not only had a large number of tasks to complete but also had to act cautiously in everything they did.

If they accidentally offended an Inner Sect Disciple, crushing them was as simple as crushing an ant.

Under such circumstances, breaking through to Foundation Establishment was even more difficult, and Xu Sanyan's actions undoubtedly gave them some hope. As long as they joined the Saint's lineage, breaking through to Foundation Establishment, if not a certainty, would be much easier.

After this grand competition, Xu Sanyan's prestige among the Outer Sect Disciples was already considerable; whenever they discussed the Saint, their eyes held a hint of reverence.

Xu Sanyan revealed a gentle smile. These people would all be his good helpers in the future. Not only did they need Xu Sanyan, but Xu Sanyan also needed them.

Mutual support was the way of the King.

“Go, I hope you all show your strongest abilities tomorrow and don't disappoint me.” Xu Sanyan turned and left.

“Farewell, Saint!”

Thousands of Outer Sect Disciples shouted in unison, their voices like a mountain roar and a sea surge, stirring the soul.

The Elders watching from both sides exchanged glances, understanding in their hearts that the Saint's influence had been established.

Although it seemed that those supporting him were all some unremarkable Outer Sect Disciples, the meaning contained within was vastly different.

This 'influence' carried a blind obedience; it could unconsciously affect people's minds.

Just like the Elders, although they clearly knew that among the thousands of Disciples below, the highest cultivation was merely at the Heavenly Human Realm, which they, with their Soul Refinement Realm cultivation, could extinguish with a flick of a finger, when they shouted the Saint's name in unison, it still brought a significant impact.

Liu Tang followed closely behind and left, and the Elders also dispersed.

Lin Fan looked at Xu Sanyan's departing back, his eyes holding a hint of respect, and he heard the discussions of others around him.

“The Saint has arrived, and life on Red Dragon Mountain is going to get better. We Outer Sect Disciples also have a chance.”

“Yes, before, no one cared about our lives. Ever since the Saint took office, even Wang Bapi doesn't dare to be too harsh.”

“Isn't that right? Because the Saint treats us like people, they changed their attitude…”

Lin Fan clenched his fists and whispered, “Father, Mother, when your child becomes an Immortal, I will definitely avenge you…”

At this moment, a person came to Lin Fan's side and whispered, “Follow me, someone wants to see you.”

Lin Fan glanced sideways and realized he didn't know this person. He cautiously asked, “Who wants to see me?”

“You just saw him.”

Lin Fan raised an eyebrow, could it be…

Inside Xu Sanyan's room, a screen divided the spacious room into two halves. Four maidservants stood at attention on either side of the screen.

Lin Fan knelt on one knee, quickly lowered his head after a brief glance, and vaguely saw a figure casually leaning against the edge of the bed through the screen.

Lin Fan's voice held a hint of excitement, “Outer Sect Disciple Lin Fan greets the Saint!”

“Rise, sit,” Xu Sanyan said gently, leaning on the bed.

“Zhu'er, serve tea.”

“Yes, Master.”

Lin Fan took his seat as instructed, but his buttocks dared not settle fully, only perching on the edge of the chair. He quickly reached out to take the tea offered by Zhu'er and whispered his thanks, “Thank you, Fairy.”

Then he twitched his nose slightly, sniffing the faint fragrance emanating from the sea flower tea. This was a fine tea he had never even seen before; in his opinion, it was far better than what Wang Bapi drank.

“Let me see your sword,” Xu Sanyan said slowly.

Lin Fan hesitated slightly, then quickly reconsidered. If the Saint coveted his treasure, he could simply seize it; why bother with such trouble? So he no longer hesitated, unfastened the long sword from his waist, and handed it to Zhu'er with both hands, “Saint, please see.”

Xu Sanyan's finger flicked slightly, and the dark long sword detached from his hand, bypassed the screen, and fell into his grasp.

Clang—

The blade unsheathed, and a chilling aura suddenly appeared. The dark sword body had no impurities, and the sunlight from the window shining on the blade did not produce even a speck of light.

The long sword was made of some unknown Materials, seemingly completely non-reflective.

“What kind of sword is this?” Xu Sanyan asked.

Lin Fan shook his head, “Reporting to the Saint, this Disciple does not know either. This sword was found in a dungeon. At that time, this sword was buried more than a zhang deep underground, and this Disciple only discovered it by chance.”

Xu Sanyan nodded, pouring his magical power into it. The long sword trembled slightly but showed no reaction, which made him even more surprised. He felt that…

This sword was repelling him!

The last time this happened was with the Red Sea Twin Immortals' azure-crimson twin swords.

But the azure-crimson twin swords were Magic Treasure they had nurtured, so it was normal for them to repel external magical power. However, this black sword had no owner, so why would this happen?

Lin Fan was merely at the Heavenly Human Realm, without magical power, unable to nurture the treasured sword, and thus unable to make it recognize him as its master. Logically, it shouldn't be like this.

Could it be… for some reason, this sword had already recognized Lin Fan as its master?

He couldn't figure it out…

Xu Sanyan shook his head and casually threw the long sword back. It was just a Magical Artifact; no matter how extraordinary, it wasn't of much use, nor was it a heaven and earth treasures.

Lin Fan caught the treasured sword with both hands and tied it back to his waist.

“Do you still have any relatives in your family?”

“No, my parents are deceased, and I have no other attachments.”

“Hmm, perform well tomorrow. I have high hopes for you,” Xu Sanyan encouraged.

“This Disciple will not fail the Saint's expectations!”

Lin Fan nodded heavily. He never expected that he would actually catch the attention of Saint, which truly made him excited.

“Go,” Xu Sanyan waved his hand.

“Yes, this Disciple takes his leave.”

…