Chapter 235: The Sect Master's Reward—Dual Tribulations at Once!
Dao Peak—this was the mountain where Sect Master Ying Xuanzhi resided.
This wasn't Lin Fan's first time visiting, so the journey felt familiar.
Before long, he once again arrived at the familiar great hall, the serene lake, and, beside it, the Dao Sect's Sect Master—Ying Xuanzhi.
"Disciple Lin Fan greets the Sect Master."
Lin Fan bowed slightly, cupping his fists in a formal salute.
"Little one, we meet again. This time, you've made a tremendous contribution to Dao Sect," Ying Xuanzhi said with a gentle smile.
"I only did what I was supposed to do," Lin Fan replied calmly.
"Heh, humble and steady. Good," Ying Xuanzhi smiled faintly. Then, glancing toward the nearby lake, he waved his sleeve—and the waters split apart.
As the lake parted, a massive light array appeared beneath it. Light radiated outward, enveloping the lake in powerful, surging energy.
At the center of the formation stood a small, two-inch tall black sapling, glowing with a subtle, star-like fluorescence. It was breathtaking.
"Is that… the sprout of the Immortal Essence Seed?" Lin Fan asked softly.
"Yes. It's the seed you brought back from your mission," Ying Xuanzhi nodded with a smile.
Lin Fan glanced over the array. "It's the formation's effect, isn't it?"
"Correct. This is called the Spirit-Locking Array," Ying Xuanzhi explained.
"The Immortal Essence Tree is extraordinary. This array draws in energy from the entire area. It's also connected to all four of Dao Sect's Dan Rivers to nourish the tree."
"Impressive," Lin Fan praised, though he had already guessed as much.
"When the tree matures, it will greatly boost the cultivation speed of our disciples. That will be of immense value to the Sect as a whole," Ying Xuanzhi said, looking toward the small sapling with hope in his eyes.
Lin Fan nodded. He wasn't surprised by any of this.
"You've done a great deed and deserve a reward. This array will remain active for another twenty-some days before fully sealing to cultivate the tree," Ying Xuanzhi said, pointing at the formation beneath the lake.
"Before then, you may enter and train inside. I'll personally guard you."
"Thank you, Sect Master." Lin Fan had expected something like this, but hearing it confirmed still filled him with joy.
Training inside the Spirit-Locking Array was indeed a rare opportunity.
"Also, in about twenty days, the Great Desolation Stele will activate again. The entire sect is paying close attention to this. You're already aware of the power of the Great Wilderness Sutra—no one but Zhou Tong has successfully cultivated it in the past century."
As Ying Xuanzhi mentioned Zhou Tong, his calm eyes wavered ever so slightly.
"Though you're new to Dao Sect, you're widely seen as the most promising disciple to grasp the Sutra this time. Don't feel pressured—just give it your best."
"I understand, Sect Master," Lin Fan replied.
"Very well. Go in," Ying Xuanzhi said, waving his sleeve. The small sapling was gently moved aside, revealing a smaller formation underneath.
From within it, one could faintly sense boundless energy surging.
Lin Fan didn't hesitate. After saluting once more, he dove toward the bottom of the lake and slowly descended into the formation.
As soon as he sat down, waves of dense energy began flooding into his body.
"This really is a perfect place to cultivate…" Lin Fan murmured before fully immersing himself in his training.
"It begins..." Ying Xuanzhi muttered, forming a complex seal. The massive formation slowly began rotating.
BOOM BOOM!
As it activated, torrents of energy surged from all directions, converging on Lin Fan.
Unmoved, Lin Fan unleashed his Devouring Power, manifesting a slow-rotating black vortex behind him that devoured everything.
As the surge continued, both his Yuan Power and spiritual energy rapidly soared.
"Strange… The Devouring Ancestral Symbol isn't on him, yet this devouring force is so strong," a deep voice suddenly echoed behind Ying Xuanzhi.
Ying Xuanzhi smiled faintly. "It seems this kid has no fewer secrets than that Lin Dong."
He had sensed Lin Dong using the Devouring Ancestral Symbol beneath the Dan River but chose not to interfere.
The speaker—an old man in blue robes—had arrived silently and was now watching Lin Fan.
"A boy from a low-rank dynasty like Great Yan… Who would've thought? And about those two Ancestral Symbols he mentioned…" the old man said.
Ying Xuanzhi's expression grew serious. "I believe him. But obtaining two Ancestral Symbols won't be easy."
"The Darkness Ancestral Symbol is in the hands of the Palace Master of the Hall of Darkness in North Xuan Region. We've no relationship with them. And the Yimo threat can't be casually revealed. This will be difficult."
The blue-robed elder nodded. "Let's try reaching out—slowly. We can't rush this."
…
While they discussed Lin Fan, he was completely focused on cultivation.
Such a rare opportunity could not be wasted.
Over the next twenty-plus days, under the nearly endless energy of the Spirit-Locking Array, Lin Fan's Yuan Power skyrocketed.
So did his spiritual energy, boosted further by his Soul Seal and Heaven Soul Stone.
After more than twenty days, Lin Fan's skin began to glow crimson.
Waves of violent force began radiating from his body.
"A Nirvana Tribulation?"
At the lake's edge, Ying Xuanzhi noticed and smiled faintly.
BOOM BOOM!
Violent energy pulsed from Lin Fan's body. He glowed red like burning coal—clear signs of an impending tribulation.
But just as the Nirvana Tribulation began, a powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted from Lin Fan's Niwan Palace.
Storm clouds gathered above the great hall.
"Wind Lightning Tribulation too? Attempting both at once… impressive."
Ying Xuanzhi smiled and waved his sleeve—ripping open the dome of the great hall and exposing the vast sky.
Dark clouds gathered above.
What happened next, even the Dao Sect's Sect Master hadn't expected.
The fire surging through Lin Fan's body caused him no harm—instead, it refined and strengthened him.
And the lightning from above was devoured by Lin Fan and absorbed as energy.
When the clouds dispersed and sunlight returned, Lin Fan had successfully passed both tribulations and completed his training.
Hoo…
He exhaled a breath still laced with violent energy, then stepped beside Ying Xuanzhi and bowed. "Thank you, Sect Master."
"You earned it yourself," Ying Xuanzhi replied with a smile.
Lin Fan nodded with a chuckle—then his expression suddenly changed.
He felt a strange fluctuation spreading across the land—a surge of energy unlike anything else.
The direction… was the Desolate Hall!
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on January 2, 2026.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1