Chapter 372: Lesson for the Supreme Elder

Grand Elder Qin?

Lin Fanhai’s soul trembled; he could scarcely believe his eyes. He had been an old disciple of the Qingyun Sect for decades. How could he not recognize his own Grand Elder? He immediately shivered and was about to step forward to bow in greeting, but Qin Wangchuan subtly gave him a restraining look.

As an overseer, Lin Fanhai naturally understood how to read people. He quickly stopped his posture but felt somewhat at a loss. His heart pounded wildly.

Only one elder came here each year to check the mining accounts. Besides that, it was rare for any significant figures from the sect to visit. Why had such a dignitary suddenly arrived?

“Overseer Lin, what’s wrong?” Jiang Fan wondered. Why had he stopped dead in his tracks like a log while leading the way?

Lin Fanhai looked intently and saw that Jiang Fan was actually holding Qin Wangchuan's hand, seemingly unaware of her formidable identity. He suddenly realized that Grand Elder Qin was intentionally testing this young disciple. This made him respect Jiang Fan immensely, instantly looking upon him ten times more favorably. Grand Elders only tested someone if they were interested in them, and they had not involved themselves in worldly affairs for many years. Could someone who prompted them to personally appear for a test be an ordinary person?

Suddenly, he glimpsed several outpost disciples proudly showing off the materials Jiang Fan had given them. A chill immediately shot up from his soles in fright! Accepting bribes in front of the Grand Elder? Were they tired of living?

He rushed over, snatched the materials from their hands, and scolded them furiously: “Who told you to accept things from Junior Brother Jiang? How have I usually taught you?”

The disciples were bewildered. *You never taught us anything like that usually? Besides, you didn’t say anything when Junior Brother Jiang gave them to us just now? Why were you suddenly so furious?*

Lin Fanhai, holding the pile of materials, offered them back to Jiang Fan with an awkward smile, saying: “Please forgive them, Junior Brother Jiang. They’ve been in this desolate place for too long and haven’t seen many good things. Please take them back; I cannot accept them.”

Jiang Fan was also confused. What was Lin Fanhai trying to do? Why had he suddenly changed so much?

However, how could he take back a gift he had already given? “No need to be so polite, Overseer Lin. It’s just a small token, there’s no need to stand on ceremony,” Jiang Fan said. Lin Fanhai was about to decline again, but he noticed Qin Wangchuan impatiently rolling her eyes at him. Startled, he shivered and dared not press the matter further, quickly saying, “Well, let’s go inside first, then.” He then scolded the disciples, “Why aren’t you boiling water? And bring out the Cloud Mist Tea!”

The disciples were stunned. A slightly older disciple glanced at Jiang Fan and spoke with uncertainty: “Overseer, there’s only one jar of Cloud Mist Tea left. It’s only enough for the elder who comes to check accounts at the end of the year.” *Such precious tea, to entertain a young disciple? Was the Overseer out of his mind?*

Lin Fanhai was so angry he wanted to kick him away. The person in front of them was the Grand Elder; the auditing elder was nothing in comparison! “Just go when I tell you!” he snapped. He then turned with an awkward smile and invited the two inside.

“The outpost is a bit short on supplies; please don’t mock us.”

Jiang Fan sighed faintly. In the sect, Cloud Mist Tea was only considered a decent spiritual tea, mostly consumed by disciples. The spiritual tea drunk by overseers and elders was much more advanced. He hadn't expected that here, at the Seven-Colored Mine, Cloud Mist Tea would be considered a top-tier spiritual tea for distinguished guests. Life at the outpost was indeed very meager.

Just then, Qin Wangchuan tugged at his hand, as if she had something to say. Jiang Fan crouched down, bringing his ear close to her, and heard a series of complaints.

“Why are you being so polite to them? Don’t you have the Sect Master’s jade pendant? Just show it, and they wouldn’t dare disobey, would they? And giving gifts, making it so complicated!”

So that’s what she wanted to ask. Jiang Fan smiled gently. “The Sect Master’s jade pendant would only make them obey superficially, but they wouldn’t truly help you get the Seven-Colored Profound Ice. What’s more…” Jiang Fan sighed slightly as he looked around the wooden house’s old furnishings: “As fellow members of the Qingyun Sect, they serve the sect in this remote place, yet their lives are so meager. Within my capabilities, giving them a small favor is my way of showing consideration.”

Hearing the last two sentences, Qin Wangchuan couldn’t help but turn her head to observe Jiang Fan. A hint of softness flickered in her stern eyes. She had personally established this outpost many years ago; it was a small part of her effort. She hadn’t expected that those left to guard the outpost would live such impoverished lives because of it. She felt a pang of guilt. Jiang Fan’s kindness towards them naturally pleased Qin Wangchuan.

Of course, as the Qingyun Sect’s most stubborn Grand Elder, she wouldn’t admit it, instead pouting and saying: “Unnecessary.”

Jiang Fan poked her forehead and said, “You have no empathy at all! Later, just sit still and don’t run around or talk nonsense!”

Qin Wangchuan bared her teeth. *This rascal, was he addicted to lecturing her?*

Lin Fanhai, standing nearby, almost had his eyes pop out. *Had he remembered incorrectly? As he recalled, wasn’t Grand Elder Qin known for having the worst temper? To be poked on the head and lectured by Jiang Fan, and she actually tolerated it? How much did she care about Jiang Fan to endure such humiliation?*

He quickly reminded Jiang Fan, saying, “Junior Brother Jiang, please speak nicely.”

Qin Wangchuan glared at Jiang Fan and said, “When I get back, I’ll have the sect improve the outpost’s treatment. Is that empathetic enough?”

Jiang Fan chuckled: “Who would listen to you? I’d better write a letter and report to Master.” If the outpost members continued to live like this, they would increasingly lose their sense of belonging to the sect over time. It was hard to say what the eventual outcome would be. It was very necessary for Master to know about the situation here.

Hearing this, Lin Fanhai trembled violently, and his eyes quickly welled up with tears. He grasped Jiang Fan’s hand, choking slightly, “Thank you, Junior Brother Jiang. On behalf of the entire outpost, thank you.” At this moment, he couldn’t control his surging emotions. Many Qingyun Sect members had come here, but no one had ever thought to do anything about their plight. Yet, Jiang Fan had proactively offered to report to the Sect Master. This deeply moved him.

Qin Wangchuan’s small mouth curved slightly. Since Jiang Fan was so considerate of the outpost she had founded, she would reciprocate by helping him gain a favor.

“You’re too kind, Overseer Lin. I’ll write it now.” He immediately wrote a letter on the spot, detailing the true conditions of the place. At the same time, he placed the Sect Master’s personal jade pendant into the letter.

Upon seeing the jade pendant, Lin Fanhai’s body trembled once more. This was the Sect Master’s jade pendant! Only then did he understand that Jiang Fan actually didn't need to be so polite with them.

“Junior Brother Jiang, on this trip to the Seven-Colored Mine, if there’s anything you need from me, Lin Fanhai, please don’t hesitate to ask! Your Senior Brother will go through fire and water for you!” Lin Fanhai was truly moved.

Jiang Fan smiled, handing him the letter. “Please find a reliable person, Overseer Lin, to send this letter back to the sect. As for this trip… your Junior Brother truly has something he wishes to ask for your help with.” He cupped his hands and said, “I heard that this mine produces Seven-Colored Profound Ice. I wonder if Senior Brother could offer some guidance.”

Seven-Colored Profound Ice? Lin Fanhai suddenly understood. Only something like this could prompt a disciple favored by a Grand Elder to personally visit such a remote place. But as he thought about information regarding the Seven-Colored Profound Ice, his brows furrowed.

“What’s wrong? Is there no news of Seven-Colored Profound Ice?” Jiang Fan frowned.

Lin Fanhai shook his head. “Seven-Colored Profound Ice is indeed very rare, with only one or two pieces appearing occasionally each year. A few days ago, the sect discovered a location with Seven-Colored Profound Ice.”

Before joy could appear on Jiang Fan’s face, Lin Fanhai added gravely: “However, no one has been able to extract this piece of Seven-Colored Profound Ice.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Qin Wangchuan, yet he remained certain of his statement.