Chapter 85 Daozi (Supplement)

Ye Fan never expected the Sect Head to be so bold as to actually nominate him as the Daozi of the Joyous Union Sect.

Although figures like Abbot Sorrowless and Sect Head Dao Xuan wanted to lure Ye Fan away with Daozi treatment, Daozi treatment was not the same as being the Daozi; frankly, it was just a Personal Disciple given more resources.

A proper Daozi is nurtured with the strength of the entire Sect, almost equivalent to the future Sect Head, shouldering the great responsibility of the Sect's future.

The conditions for a candidate—Aptitude, strength, Heart-Nature, and loyalty—are all indispensable.

Although the Aptitude and strength Ye Fan displayed were sufficient, his Heart-Nature still required observation, and his loyalty, in particular, worried many high-ranking members.

Even though Ye Fan had a hundred reasons to hide his cultivation, in the eyes of many, this was still a question mark regarding his loyalty to the Sect, considered a minor blemish.

But the Sect Head seemed to have taken some strange medicine; he appeared passionate and generous, giving the impression that if Ye Fan did not become the Daozi, he, the Sect Head, would resign.

"What stimulated the Sect Head?!" Ye Fan wondered, puzzled.

"It's all because of you," Su Ningxue said irritably.

"Because of me? What about me?"

Su Ningxue couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, bluntly stating that news of the major Sect Heads vying for him was spreading like wildfire, making Ye Fan a celebrity among the Nine Great Sects.

Everyone now knew that the Joyous Union Sect had produced an unparalleled Genius; at only eighteen years old, he possessed Fourth Level of Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation, a perfect seed for a Daozi Saint Body immortal seedling.

Dao Xuan and others had made such a grand gesture to recruit him, yet Ye Fan still chose to remain in the Joyous Union Sect, earning the admiration of many.

Now, countless eyes were fixed on Qing Mingzi; if he didn't offer a reward of sufficient weight, he would surely be drowned in public scorn.

After careful consideration, Qing Mingzi realized that the only thing the Joyous Union Sect could offer that carried enough weight was the status of Daozi.

Ye Fan was speechless upon hearing this, truly wishing he could kneel and cry out, "Heavens, I am wronged!"

He stayed in the Joyous Union Sect entirely because of Murong Wan and Su Ningxue, not due to unwavering loyalty, and he held absolutely no interest in the Daozi status.

One must remember that benefits and responsibilities are always bound together; if you enjoy the treatment of a Daozi, you are destined to contribute more, which completely runs counter to Ye Fan's grand goal of lying flat and living off the kindness of others.

Seeing Ye Fan's dejected appearance, Su Ningxue instantly understood what he was thinking, and her delicate brows furrowed.

"Can't you have a bit more ambition? If you continue like this, when will you ever Breakthrough to the Core Formation Realm?" Su Ningxue scolded.

"You are so eager for me to Breakthrough to the Core Formation Realm?" Ye Fan mused, stroking his chin.

"Naturally. Once you Breakthrough to the Core Formation Realm, the Sect will gain another..."

Su Ningxue stopped mid-sentence, suddenly recalling that Ye Fan had once said that once he Breakthrough to the Core Formation Realm, he would openly claim her as his Dao Companion.

Realizing she had fallen into Ye Fan's trap, Su Ningxue instantly turned into a steam engine.

"Just stay in the Foundation Establishment Realm forever then!"

Su Ningxue cursed and then fled, looking like a startled little rabbit.

The commotion outside the main hall quickly attracted the attention of the high-ranking members, and upon seeing Ye Fan return, Qing Mingzi instantly became energized.

"Disciple Ye Fan pays respects to the Sect Head and all the Elders."

Ye Fan bowed respectfully, displaying an air of humility and caution, which won him considerable goodwill.

In fact, everyone had a good impression of Ye Fan, especially since they had benefited, to varying degrees, from the matter of the carefree pill.

The Aptitude he displayed also left everyone amazed, and deep down, they were extremely happy that the Sect had produced an unparalleled Genius.

However, the matter of the Daozi was significant, and Ye Fan had only joined the Sect for less than ten years.

In terms of seniority and Heart-Nature, he was still lacking, so the Elders dared not make a rash decision immediately, preferring to wait and see.

Seeing the situation stagnate, Ye Fan suddenly came up with an idea.

"How about I become a Daozi Reserve Candidate?"

"Daozi Reserve Candidate?"

A Daozi Reserve Candidate was, frankly, a probationary period; if his performance was good, he could become official, and if it was poor, he would remain a reserve indefinitely.

During this period, Ye Fan would enjoy the Daozi treatment but would not become a candidate for the Sect Head position.

Although this sounded no different from the terms offered by Dao Xuan and the others, it at least offered an additional possibility and could obscure this point externally, making it a mutually beneficial arrangement.

The Sect Head and others hesitated slightly, but after exchanging glances, they clearly agreed to this method; at least for now, it seemed to be the best solution.

If Ye Fan's performance proved impeccable in the future, the Elders would be willing for him to succeed as Sect Head.

Conversely, if his performance wasn't good enough, his cultivation Aptitude alone would allow him to become an 'Advanced Enforcer,' so the Sect's resources wouldn't be wasted.

"Since that is the case, it is decided. Starting today, Ye Fan is the Daozi Reserve Candidate of our Joyous Union Sect."

Qing Mingzi's words sealed the decision, and the news quickly spread throughout the Joyous Union Sect, unsurprisingly causing a huge sensation.

The Joyous Union Sect had not seen a Daozi or Saintess for several hundred years; for one to suddenly appear now, one could imagine the reaction of the masses.

While the outside world buzzed with discussion, Ye Fan ran back to his Immortal Cave to seek peace, as if none of it concerned him.

Ye Fan originally didn't want the Daozi treatment, but upon reflection, even if he couldn't use it, he could give it to Murong Wan!

As long as her cultivation improved, he could become stronger alongside her; this was the truly mutually beneficial outcome.

The only drawback was that Ye Fan's days were no longer as relaxed as before; countless eyes were watching him, both openly and secretly.

Only the full Storage Pouch of cultivation resources could slightly soothe Ye Fan's fragile heart.

"He gave too much."

Qing Mingzi truly spared no expense, directly advancing Ye Fan ten years' worth of cultivation resources, including countless rare Medicinal Pills—even a Core Formation Realm Cultivator would be envious upon seeing them.

When Ye Fan threw all these items to Murong Wan, even the usually calm her felt a wave of dizziness.

"This... you're giving it all to me... You... How will you Cultivate?" Murong Wan asked subconsciously.

"Then Wan'er, how do you suggest I Cultivate?"

Seeing Ye Fan smiling without speaking, Murong Wan suddenly understood something, and her delicate face instantly flushed crimson.

"Improper."

Murong Wan cursed with a red face, but she obediently knelt down.

Murong Wan today seemed exceptionally enthusiastic, completely different from her previous passive demeanor of accepting pleasure; Ye Fan was momentarily unused to it.

It turned out Murong Wan also sensed the widening gap between her cultivation and Ye Fan's, and to avoid holding him back, she had already resolved to Cultivate even harder.

"Cultivate well... I love Cultivating the most... Hiss..."

Ye Fan used the excuse of being in seclusion to recover from injuries, staying shut away for a full half a month before emerging.

Murong Wan had absorbed sufficient spiritual energy during this period, supplemented by various Spirit Pills and marvelous medicines; her Breakthrough upon exiting seclusion was practically guaranteed.

Ye Fan rubbed his somewhat sore lower back, inwardly cursing himself for overexerting, wishing he had just taken two carefree pills.

He never wanted to experience this feeling of pain mixed with pleasure again.