Treasure Gathering Immortal Furnace

After flying back to the Dao Sect, Lu Fan realized that he did not have a sect entry token. So he simply raised his hand and unceremoniously unleashed a burst of energy, heading straight for the sect's protective array.

Boom!

This strike caused ripples to spread across the formation, essentially a knock on the door.

As expected, immediately after this attack, two Qi Refining cultivators flew over on their swords.

Upon seeing that Lu Fan wasn't wearing the robes of a Dao Sect disciple, he immediately stepped forward and shouted, "Where did this rogue cultivator come from, daring to attack my Dao Sect's protective formation? You're tired of living!"

Lu Fan didn't waste any words, took out the iron token held by the outer sect disciples, and said, "Did you see it clearly?"

"You're just an outer disciple, how dare you leave the sect without a pass!" The disciple thought Lu Fan had sneaked out and immediately shouted sternly.

A surge of spiritual energy rippled through Lu Fan's eyes, and the spiritual pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator instantly enveloped him.

Suddenly sensing the powerful spiritual pressure, the arrogant disciple was instantly startled and hurriedly cupped his hands, saying, "So it's Martial Uncle! This disciple has been very rude, please forgive me!"

"Activate the formation," Lu Fan said directly, not bothering with any more words.

The disciple hurriedly took out a jade token, and then the great formation cracked open, allowing Lu Fan to escape directly towards the outer sect's affairs hall.

The disciple was still shaken, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead: "This senior uncle looks unfamiliar. Why have I never seen him before?"

"We've only been in the outer sect for a few years, so this is probably a senior disciple who's traveling around," another disciple guessed.

"I see. I almost offended my martial uncle," the disciple sighed.

The conversation between the two was naturally overheard by Lu Fan, who was walking away, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

Sure enough, after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, his status within the sect visibly improved.

In the past, anyone who saw him would have immediately called him a "dead cripple."

Upon arriving at the Hall of Deacons, Lu Fan went straight to Wang Qingzhu's residence. After all, he had been missing for more than four months, and it was time to go back and inform her.

However, after Lu Fan arrived at Wang Qingzhu's residence, he searched around but did not find any trace of Wang Qingzhu.

"Could it be that my martial uncle has gone into seclusion?" Lu Fan frowned, preparing to go to Steward Ma to ask.

After all, ever since Wang Qingzhu revealed her identity as a sword embryo, Lu Fan had been worried that she might be betrayed by the Supreme Elder of the Dao Sect.

...

At this moment, Steward Ma was in the Steward Hall, handling some outer sect matters as usual, while Lu Fan swaggered in.

"Steward Ma, it's been four months. How have you been?" Lu Fan greeted with a slight smile as he entered the room.

Steward Ma, who was still looking down at the files, was visibly startled when he suddenly saw the young man appear in front of him.

Clearly, he, a dignified late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, hadn't even noticed Lu Fan approaching?

This is not surprising, after all, Lu Fan's divine sense has reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. If he does not deliberately expose his aura, ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators will naturally find it difficult to detect him.

But Steward Ma had no idea, and immediately his face showed displeasure: "You brat, where have you been for the past four months? Do you know..."

Before Deacon Ma could finish speaking, Lu Fan's pupils contracted slightly, clearly sensing the spiritual energy fluctuations of Lu Fan's early Foundation Establishment stage. He immediately stood up: "You've reached Foundation Establishment? How come your legs are so much more agile? What's going on!"

"I had some good fortune at Tiandang Mountain, and by sheer luck, I was able to establish my foundation, open up my meridians, and my leg ailment was cured," Lu Fan said with a smile.

"Hahaha, not bad, not bad! As expected of the cultivator that Senior Sister Wang has taken a liking to, it seems that we will have to address each other as fellow disciples from now on," Deacon Ma laughed loudly.

After all, Lu Fan was one of his men, and now that he had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he had some face to save.

"I wouldn't dare," Lu Fan said with a smile and a cupped-hand salute, then asked, "What was Steward Ma about to say?"

"By the way, you and Junior Sister Yan entered Tiandang Mountain together. Do you know how Junior Sister Yan perished?" Deacon Ma inquired.

Upon hearing this, Lu Fan was immediately shocked: "What! Uncle Yan has perished? When did this happen?!"

"You don't know?" Steward Ma was taken aback.

"After my Uncle Yan and I entered Tiandang Mountain one after the other, we encountered a heretical cultivator who called himself the True Man of Ku Rong in the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Uncle Yan thought I was in the way and told me to get lost."

"Then Uncle-Master Yan started fighting with that evil cultivator. As a Qi Refining cultivator, I couldn't get involved, so I left. As for what happened afterward, I have no idea."

"Later, by sheer luck, I encountered a Foundation Establishment senior who had passed away in a mountain cave. I was fortunate enough to obtain a few Foundation Establishment Pills, which enabled me to successfully establish my foundation."

Lu Fan spoke up.

"That's true. You really can't get involved in a battle between late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. But it's your good fortune to have such an opportunity," Steward Ma nodded.

"Where is Uncle Wang?" Lu Fan asked.

"She has collected all the Golden Marrow Pills and is currently in seclusion to break through to the Core Formation stage. I'm afraid she won't emerge from seclusion for at least three to five years," Deacon Ma said, raising his hand.

"Alright," Lu Fan wanted to see Wang Qingzhu and give her the Golden Marrow Pill, since it seemed he wouldn't need her anymore.

I just hope that Wang Qingzhu can successfully form her core this time, so that she can break free from the control of the Dao Sect.

"Junior Brother Lu, now that you have established your foundation, you are no longer an outer disciple. You have two choices: join the inner sect and become a core disciple."

"Or you could stay in the outer gate and become a steward, what do you think?"

Steward Ma spoke up.

"Since Uncle Wang is in the outer sect, I won't go to the inner sect," Lu Fan shook his head.

After all, Lu Fan had never had a good impression of the Dao Sect, especially the inner sect, most of whom were disciples who had bullied him.

It would be better to stay in the outer sect. If Wang Qingzhu successfully forms her core one day, I will definitely follow her.

They would never stay and develop within the Daoist sect.

I'm still at the Dao Sect right now, just to conveniently seek out some cultivation information, nothing more.

"Alright, I'll go and apply to the outer sect leader who helps with Core Formation right away. After all, Senior Sister Wang often goes into seclusion, and there's a very high chance she'll form her Core this time."

"Things will be different then, and you can take over her position as deacon."

Steward Ma spoke up.

"Then I'll trouble Steward Ma to make the trip," Lu Fan said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"You're too kind. From now on, we'll have to change how we address each other. I'm your senior brother, and Senior Sister Wang is also your senior sister. Don't mix up the seniority," said Steward Ma before leaving.

...

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Steward Ma returned, carrying a brand-new steward's robe, a Nine Spirits Technique that ranges from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation, and a jade token that allows him to freely enter and exit the Dao Sect.

"Junior Brother Lu, from now on we'll be working together. Senior Sister Wang's Hall of Affairs is quite relaxed, with not many trivial matters to handle, so you can focus on your cultivation," Steward Ma said with a smile as he handed the sect robes and token to Lu Fan.

"Thank you, senior brother," Lu Fan said, taking the item and putting it on.

The deacon's robes are made of a softer material than those worn by ordinary disciples, and they also have a certain degree of defensive function, serving as a symbol of status and position.

"There is also this cultivation technique, which can help you progress from Foundation Establishment to the early stage of Core Formation. Of course, if you have the opportunity to obtain other more advanced cultivation techniques, you may choose not to learn them. It all depends on you," Steward Ma said slowly.

Lu Fan accepted the technique, but he really had no intention of learning it.