Chapter 213: Just Because Others Can't, Doesn't Mean I Can't—Lin Fan!
Even the Deputy Hall Masters of the Earth and Desolate Halls had a glint in their eyes as they looked at Lin Fan, though there was a trace of regret in their expressions.
After all, Heaven Hall was the strongest and had first pick of disciples.
Wudao's face turned visibly sour as he noticed how eagerly Wei Sen and the others stared at Lin Fan.
But there was nothing he could do. Right now, the Desolate Hall was the weakest among the four.
Just thinking that such a rare and outstanding talent would be taken away left Wudao feeling incredibly frustrated.
"Hehe, this Lin Fan is quite impressive. He should come to my Heaven Hall," Wei Sen said with a chuckle after examining Lin Fan for a moment, waving his hand with a confident smile.
The other two Deputy Hall Masters from Earth and Desolate Halls exchanged looks and sighed. Such a good seedling was once again about to be taken by Heaven Hall.
Wudao's face darkened, but he could only wave his sleeve with a helpless sigh and say to Lin Fan, "Heaven Hall is currently the strongest among the four. If you're willing, go ahead and join them."
Lin Fan's eyes flickered slightly. He cupped his fists toward Wei Sen and said, "I appreciate your kind offer, Deputy Hall Master, but—I wish to join the Desolate Hall."
The moment he said that, everyone on the bluestone platform was stunned.
"Lin Fan... you?" Even Wudao stared in disbelief.
On the entire platform, only Lin Dong, Xiao Diao, and Xiao Yan remained calm.
Wei Sen's surprised expression faded, replaced by a slight frown. "Lin Fan, you have great talent. Don't throw away your future."
"I'm not belittling the Desolate Hall, but I can tell you plainly—only in Heaven Hall will you be able to reach your full potential."
But Lin Fan remained calm and firm. "Heaven Hall may be the strongest, but I believe Desolate Hall is the best fit for me."
Wudao was dumbfounded by Lin Fan's response. Since when was Desolate Hall this appealing?
Wei Sen frowned and stared at Lin Fan for a long while before sighing and saying, "If that's your decision, I won't stop you. Just don't regret it later."
"You're far too selfish…"
Suddenly, a crisp and melodious voice interrupted.
Lin Fan looked up and saw Ying Huanhuan staring at him with a slight frown on her pretty face.
"How am I selfish?" Lin Fan asked with a raised brow. "Choosing a place that suits my cultivation needs—is that selfish?"
"You have great potential. If you joined Heaven Hall, you'd grow stronger faster. Your strength would benefit the sect as a whole," Ying Huanhuan replied, her tone clear and direct.
"But now, by choosing the weaker Desolate Hall, you're making the sect slightly weaker. Isn't that selfish?"
Lin Fan smiled. "How do you know my joining Desolate Hall will weaken the sect? Maybe it'll make Dao Sect even stronger."
"After all, among the Four Great Divine Scriptures of Dao Sect, the Great Wilderness Sutra of the Desolate Hall is said to be stronger than the Heaven Emperor Scripture of Heaven Hall."
As soon as he said this, everyone around was stunned before realization struck.
So Lin Fan had his eye on the Great Wilderness Sutra!
But wasn't that a little too arrogant?
The Great Wilderness Sutra was the most mysterious of the four divine scriptures. Since the founding of the Desolate Hall, fewer than ten people had ever managed to comprehend it. And Lin Fan actually dared to say this?
Ying Huanhuan was clearly taken aback by his words. Then the corners of her lips curled slightly, and she pointed her jade-like finger at Lin Fan.
"You're full of yourself—arrogant and conceited!"
"I know it's difficult to comprehend the Great Wilderness Sutra, but just because others couldn't doesn't mean I, Lin Fan, can't," he said calmly. "Whether I succeed or fail—we'll see in the future, won't we?"
His gaze lingered for a moment on her snow-white finger before flashing with a faint smile.
"Hmph!" Ying Huanhuan snorted. "You're awfully full of yourself. But fine—if you want me to watch, I'll watch."
"If you manage to comprehend the Great Wilderness Sutra, I'll do whatever you ask. But if you fail, don't be surprised if disciples from Heaven Hall start coming to 'exchange pointers' with you."
"No problem. Even if I succeed, they can come find me to spar," Lin Fan said with a grin.
"Hmph." Ying Huanhuan could only snort again, her large eyes showing a hint of frustration.
She, usually so quick with words, had been verbally blocked by Lin Fan—how could she not feel annoyed?
"If you're that ambitious and determined to pursue the Great Wilderness Sutra, I'll say no more. If you really manage it, Dao Sect will be all the better for it. Just be careful not to overreach," Wei Sen said, then turned to the other disciples.
"Anyone else wish to join Desolate Hall?"
Lin Dong, Xiao Diao, and Xiao Yan immediately stepped forward without hesitation.
After a brief moment of deliberation, Liu Bai, Mo Ling, and the others followed them.
Wei Sen didn't object and simply waved his sleeve, selecting a group of top-ranked disciples.
The other two Deputy Hall Masters from Earth and Desolate Halls then picked from the remaining talented individuals.
The rest—those of lower talent—were left behind.
With the selections complete, Wei Sen and the others offered a few words of courtesy and left with their chosen disciples.
"Lin Fan, remember what you said. I'll be watching to see if you can open my eyes. But first, you'd better earn the right to even attempt the Great Wilderness Sutra."
Ying Huanhuan gave him a smug little wave before turning and following the others.
After the other three halls had left, Wudao approached Lin Fan with a gloating smile and whispered, "By the way, Ying Huanhuan has an older sister—she's the top senior disciple of Heaven Hall."
Lin Fan blinked and showed no reaction.
Wudao, seeing this, felt a flicker of admiration.
"There are 3,000 disciples in the Desolate Hall and 300 personal disciples. All of them were chosen from among the best…"
As Wudao led the group deeper into the Desolate Hall, he began introducing them to its structure and legacy.
"Vice Hall Master, you've said a lot… isn't it about time you mentioned the champion's reward?" Lin Fan asked with a grin as he rubbed his hands together.
Wudao's expression froze for a moment. "Don't worry. I haven't forgotten. But as for Lin Dong enjoying the same reward—he'll have to wait until next year."
"Hm? Why's that?" Lin Fan frowned.
Wudao replied calmly, "The champion's reward is what you're thinking of—the Dan River Baptism."
"Each of Dao Sect's four halls has a Dan River. Every year, the Dan River produces a limited amount of extremely pure Nirvana Qi—we call it Nirvana Golden Qi."
"The so-called Dan River Baptism involves the Hall Master and I personally guiding the Nirvana Golden Qi to temper your body and Yuan Power. But there's only so much of it each year."
Lin Fan blinked—he remembered now. That really was how it worked.
But if Lin Dong had to wait a whole year for it… that seemed a bit too long.
After a moment of silence, Lin Fan's eyes gleamed. "Then I'll just go to another hall for the Dan River Baptism."
Wudao rolled his eyes. "You're a disciple of the Desolate Hall now. You think the other three halls would let you use their Dan River?"
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