From Beast Abilities to Sect Grand Master

Lin Fan began to have plans for Governor Lu.

For him to break free of the Emperor's grip if he became sect master, he needed someone inside the imperial court.

Governor Lu was looking to be a good potential candidate.

Lin Fan thought about Governor Lu's son, Lu Ding.

He might be able to exploit Governor Lu's care and concern for him.

However, this would have to wait as he was far from becoming sect master.

There were more important things to deal with for now.

"Keep it." Lin Fan passed the box that contained the Golden Core Ascension Pill back to Ho Ming.

"But..." Ho Ming was surprised by his gesture.

"Keep it. I have no use for it. And I need you to get stronger to help me in times of need."

Lin Fan pushed back Ho Ming's hand as he tried to return the box.

Ho Jie chimed in and chuckled, "Take it and make sure the Ho Family does their best to help out."

Ho Ming sighed, lowered his head, and accepted the Golden Core Ascension Pill.

He had started to think about writing a letter to his father about how to expand Lin Fan's mansion in An Xiang Village.

A bigger garden perhaps.

Or maybe more maids and servants.

That was the only thing he could do for Lin Fan currently.

"That's not all," Lin Fan said and took out the Silver Reptile's demonic beast core.

He placed it into Ho Ming's hand and continued saying, "Use this for your breakthrough process with the Golden Ascension Core Pill."

"I... I don't know how to repay you," Ho Ming said.

"Maybe start with getting the gold bars off the table and help me finish the meal," Lin Fan said as he looked at the table that was now filled with gold bars.

...

Next day.

Sword Peak.

Lin Fan went over and saw to it that Ho Ming's breakthrough to Core Formation Level would go smoothly.

Ho Ming was in a tub with all the necessary herbs.

When the timing was right, he took out the Golden Core Ascension Pill and swallowed it.

Beads of sweat appeared on Ho Ming's forehead as he sat in a lotus position.

He breathed and directed his Qi as instructed by Lin Fan.

Slowly, the warmth from the water in the tub desensitized Ho Ming from his burning dantian.

Then a golden glow engulfed Ho Ming, making him seem like a saint basking in the water.

Success!

Lin Fan thought as he saw the unmistakable golden glow one would have when breaking through to Core Formation Level.

"Thanks."

When Ho Ming felt that his dantian had stabilized and wasn't expanding or solidifying anymore, he stood up from the tub and thanked Lin Fan.

Finally, Ho Ming was at the same level as him.

He knew it was better to let Ho Ming break through as the Dark Lotus Sect wasn't made up of pushovers compared to other threats.

They were always cunning and had devious ways to hurt you.

...

Next day.

Million Sword Hall.

Lin Fan and Ho Ming were summoned to the hall for a briefing.

They saw Hun Yen Kun sitting next to the empty chair waiting for them.

Hun Yen Kun looked tired with dark rings around his eyes.

When he saw them enter the hall, he brightened up and greeted them.

"The sun burns bright, while the moon shines gently,

"Clouds drift by, looking somewhat empty.

"The trees stand tall, or maybe they lean..."

"Senior martial brother, stop."

Hun Yen Kun started to recite a poem, but Lin Fan stopped him before he could finish.

"Why did you summon us here?" Lin Fan quickly asked about their purpose there.

"I need you to come with me and look for senior martial uncle in Nan An village.

"Which is a village in the eastern Huan province.

"Lin Fan, take the face mask with you, better for you to stay in cover.

"Get prepared and we move out today."

Lin Fan and Ho Ming nodded and got to preparing for the trip immediately.

The first thing Lin Fan did was to go and look for Guo He Ru.

"Do you have more of the Heavenly Rejuvenate Pills?" Lin Fan asked when he saw Guo He Ru.

Guo He Ru was busy with a huge furnace and his face was darkened with soot.

When he saw Lin Fan, he wasn't too pleased and said, "I heard I got famous. I wonder why."

"Maybe your talents have finally been recognized by everyone?" Lin Fan shrugged and said.

Guo He Ru shook his head and said, "You better make sure I stay alive or else no more pills for you."

"I don't see that as an issue," Lin Fan smiled and said.

Guo He Ru was always in the Alchemy Peak, and so he should be safe with Jian Xin away in the north.

"What you need is over there. All of it in the shelf."

Satisfied with Lin Fan's answer, Guo He Ru pointed at a shelf in a corner of his alchemy lab.

Lin Fan walked over and saw that there were around twenty pill bottles.

He stowed them into his toad statue.

In a flash, the pill bottles were all gone.

"There's something else," Guo He Ru said as he took out a pill bottle from his sleeve.

He held it in his hand and waited.

Lin Fan tilted his head and also waited.

"Ahem. You are supposed to praise my talents in Alchemy Cultivation."

Guo He Ru said to break the awkward silence.

Lin Fan rolled his eyes and said, "Yes, you are the best. What's inside it?"

"Remember the acid venom I got from the Acid Venom Scorpion?

"The pills inside were created with that.

"I named it the Glorious Poison Recovery Pill.

"Making use of the acidic attribute, it can break down any kind of poison and toxins.

"Healing you from poison and toxins."

Lin Fan took the bottle and said, "One thing for sure, you aren't very good at naming things."

Guo He Ru frowned and said, "You could have said thanks."

"I will bring you anything I can gather on this trip," Lin Fan said, waving at Guo He Ru as he got out of the alchemy lab.