From Beast Abilities to Sect Grand Master

"Master, come join me for breakfast."

Lin Fan kept the bag in his toad statue and offered Zhang Yi Nian to join in the meal.

But Zhang Yi Nian declined, "We don't have time. Han Dang and Ho Ming are already waiting."

"All right. Then we better get going." Lin Fan took a last bite and stood up.

He bid farewell to Ho Jie and had a good look at the wooden hut.

After that, he followed Zhang Yi Nian to the central square.

Han Dang and Ho Ming were indeed waiting for them there.

"Hehe, didn't know we would need to get back to the Artifact Mountain again." Han Dang came over next to Lin Fan and gave him a nudge.

Lin Fan frowned, thought for a moment and realized what Han Dang meant.

He didn't want Zhang Yi Nian, a fellow peak lord, to know of his family feud.

So, Lin Fan smiled at Han Dang and said, "Sure, but don't think we have time for anything else but the Hong Family."

Han Dang nodded his head at Lin Fan approvingly.

He liked how nimble Lin Fan's mind was.

Just a little prod and he would know what you are trying to get at.

"Yes, we shall head straight over to the Hong Family.

"They are the most powerful and respected in the Artifacts Mountains.

"We might not be able to get them to admit to what they did directly."

Han Dang briefed everyone on the background of the Hong Family.

Lin Fan, Ho Ming and Zhang Yi Nian nodded.

Ho Ming, however, frowned and asked, "Then, how do we make them admit to it?"

Everyone looked over at Lin Fan.

They knew that Lin Fan always had a plan.

Lin Fan thought for a moment.

They had three choices.

One was to go in with brute force, make them spill the beans using violence.

Or he could use his abilities to infiltrate and figure out who made the artifact.

Lastly, he could use the imperial seal and order them to speak the truth.

He told Ho Ming, Han Dang and Zhang Yi Nian the options, and everyone thought for a moment.

"I think it's best to go with the second or third option." Zhang Yi Nian said.

Han Dang and Ho Ming also nodded.

They were keener on the second and third option as you never know what help these big families had.

There might be someone more powerful than the Sword Saint behind them or their ancestors in seclusion cultivation might have some Ancestral Level artifact.

Lin Fan also agreed as he was always cautious and believed in going in prepared.

"I will try and infiltrate the Hong Family to see what I can gather. And if that fails, we shall go for the third option."

All of them nodded and they left for the Artifact Mountains.

…

Artifact Mountains.

Hong Family Mansion.

Lin Fan was now dressed like a rich young master, with Ho Ming, Han Dang and Zhang Yi Nian looking like his servants.

They followed behind him closely and they were stopped by the guards at the gate.

"Stop! Who goes there!"

"I'm a patron from the Sima Family in Hong Feng City. Their artifacts have not been up to par lately, and I wish to seek a partnership working with the Hong Family."

Lin Fan said and glanced back at Ho Ming.

Ho Ming got down from his horse, walked over to the guard and took out a small bag.

He opened the bag, showing the few taels of silver inside and Ho Ming passed the bag over to the guard.

The guard checked the taels of silver and gave out a smirk.

He kept the bag in his cloth, looked up and said, "Wait, let me go in and check with my master."

After ordering the other guards to be on the alert, he went into the mansion and disappeared.

It didn't take long before the guard appeared again.

"My Master wishes to see you. Let me show you to the guest waiting room."

Lin Fan nodded and they followed the guard.

The guest waiting room was well furnished with the most expensive wood.

Paintings were hung on the wall and flowers were placed inside the guest waiting room as ornaments.

Lin Fan, however, was not in the mood and he activated his Resonant Echo ability.

Chatter.

There were chatters by the servants, young masters and the family head going into his ears.

He focused for a moment and finally made out the family head's voice.

"Who is this young master? And why has he come at such timing."

An old man's voice asked and another young man's voice replied.

"I'm not sure, father. But one thing for sure is that we have to try and stay normal. If not…"

The young man's voice paused, not completing the sentence.

"Hai… We didn't have much choice… He is not someone we can go against…" The old man's voice sighed and said.

Their footsteps then came closer towards Lin Fan.

Lin Fan stopped his Resonant Echo ability when the door of the guest waiting room opened.

"Welcome to the Hong Family. I'm Hong Liu, the family head. And this is my son, Hong Cheng. May I know what brings you here?"

The family head introduced themselves and sat at their seats.

They motioned for the servants to serve tea.

"I'm from the Liu Family in Hong Feng city.

"We had been dealing with Sima Family and their artifacts aren't on par with what they were able to deliver previously.

"So, that's why we are here to seek a partnership with the Hong Family."

Lin Fan took out a fan, opened it and fanned himself, like a young master would do.

"Rest assured, I come with the sincerest intentions." He looked back and waved at Ho Ming.

Ho Ming walked over, took out a wooden chest from his turtle shell artifact and placed it onto the ground.

He opened the wooden chest and inside were gleaming gold bars.

Hong Cheng's eyes opened wide when he saw the gold bars.

The family head, Hong Liu, knew to be more subtle and pretended to lift his teacup and took a sip.

"Well, we aren't so money minded. We've always been more than happy to make new partnerships." Hong Cheng grinned and then looked over to his servants by the side, "What are you waiting for! Serve our guest their tea!"

He even stood up and tried to give the servants a kick.

They dodged and scrambled to pour tea for Lin Fan.

"May I know what sort of artifacts you are looking for?" Hong Cheng asked.

Lin Fan smiled and then said, "An artifact that…"