From Beast Abilities to Sect Grand Master

They looked at each other, trying to check whether they were the only ones seeing things.

But everyone saw the same thing.

"I hope all of you know why you are here," Sima Liang stood up and said.

"Yes, Master Sima Liang," they nodded and said.

"Good. Then cooperate with them fully," he said and turned to Lin Fan.

"I shall leave and not disturb you." Sima Liang then left and closed the door to the guest room.

Zhang Xi and Sun Hai's eyes opened wide when they saw the number of potential disciples standing in front of them.

For so many years, there were only but a few candidates that were interested in joining the Physique Peak.

Finally, they got to have the luxury to pick and choose.

Zhang Xi stood up, lifted her head up high, trying to exude an aura of a master.

She placed her hands behind her back and said, "Before we begin. Does anyone of you have any questions about Qing Feng Sect?"

"Did Master Zhang Yi Nian really defeat the Lady Saint and rescue Hong Feng City?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"I heard Master Lin Fan was around in the battle too, is that true?"

"Nonsense, Master Zhang Xi was involved in the battle too."

After the battle with the Lady Saint in Hong Feng City, there were many tales passed around on how the Qing Feng Sect defeated her.

In the tales, Zhang Yi Nian, Lin Fan and Zhang Xi were prominently mentioned as those who were instrumental in defeating the Lady Saint.

It was a dream come true for them to be able to see them in person.

Zhang Xi was pleased with what she heard but flattery wasn't enough.

She glanced over at Sun Hai, and he took out an inquiry stone.

"Come up one by one, go near the inquiry stone," Zhang Xi said.

The young men and women got into a queue and came up to the inquiry stone taking turns.

Lin Fan sipped his tea and observed their behavior.

Most of them looked anxious, and when maids got in and brought them chairs for them to sit on, their attitudes gave Lin Fan a small glimpse into their character.

As young masters and young mistresses, they were used to being served by the maids.

Most of them took it for granted and some even seemed unhappy with the chairs provided.

Lin Fan would rather not work with these people.

They would be giving up the moment they had to endure the cultivation and pain they had to go through.

"Next," Sun Hai shouted as he shook his head.

Out of those tested for their Cultivation Root so far, none of them had any.

Soon, his shout for the next candidate grew softer as he felt more jaded.

Alas, even though there were many to choose from, none of them had the potential to become a cultivator.

Zhang Xi also sat down and sighed as she saw the candidates, one after another, getting confirmation that they couldn't cultivate.

The mood in the guest room wasn't as high as it was.

All the young masters and young mistresses had their heads down.

They couldn't seize this opportunity.

After all these years of being told how good they were, this was the first time they felt disappointed at the fact that they were normal, just like everyone else.

"What's with the sad faces? Have the grit to come back from a setback!" Sima Liang entered the guestroom and said.

These young folks think it's the end of the world with just a setback.

While they had more resources than everyone else to do something about it.

"Go back to your family and tell your parents I will pay them a visit to thank them personally." Sima Liang then dismissed the young masters and young mistresses.

"Yes, Master Sima Liang," they said, bowed and left the guest room.

Sima Liang turned back and gave out a sigh.

"Stay for dinner, I've asked the chef to prepare a sumptuous meal."

"Sure, since you insist," Lin Fan said.

Zhang Xi had another eye opener during the dinner.

There were roasted pig, chicken, duck, fish and seafood that filled the round table that was a few meters wide.

She would never have had a chance to taste so many different ways to cook something.

Fried, braised, steamed, boiled and poached.

Name it and it was there for her to try it out.

"What's your plan next?" Sima Liang asked Lin Fan.

"We plan to seek suitable candidates in the surrounding villages first," Lin Fan replied.

Sima Liang nodded as he knew Lin Fan's background.

It made sense for him to be searching for new disciples in villages.

"After that, maybe I will pay Master Xin a visit," Lin Fan added on.

"Come back soon, I will ask Master Xin to be prepared," Sima Liang said, and he thought about what artifacts would be beneficial to Lin Fan.

"Possible to upgrade the amulet? I'm really pleased with it." Lin Fan alleviated the need for Sima Liang to guess and spelled out his need.

Sima Liang poured a cup of wine and lifted it, proposing a toast to Lin Fan and said, "It shall be done when you arrive."

After that they finished the dinner and headed back to the inn.

Zhang Xi looked once again at the huge mansion as they left.

By now, she had realized how she must have underestimated Lin Fan's riches.

Sima Liang was easily a hundred times richer than her and by proxy, so was Lin Fan.

After all, he had a cut in Sima Liang's profits.

...

Next day, they left Hong Feng City and headed for a village nearby.

Lin Fan had thought about going to An Xiang Village but there weren't any young men or women that were of suitable age.

Either they were too young or too old.

So, they headed for a village called Hei Feng Village instead.

When they arrived at the village, the effects of the political instability could be seen.

Men had arms in their hands guarding the village and fields.

Women and children were hiding inside their small huts.

Something must have happened, Lin Fan thought.

"Stop right where you are!"