After incorporating the Black Shark Gang into the Qingyun Sect, the Qingyun Sect completely replaced the Black Shark Gang, attracting many disciples and causing quite a stir.
Lu Fan and others, being mere newcomers, were able to establish a sect, which was enough to show that Lu Fan and his companions were not simple individuals.
"Sect Master, the Qingyun Sect has gained many new members. This courtyard might not be enough to house everyone!"
Zhao Wei stepped forward with a smile and said, "Why don't we seize another courtyard? With the Qingyun Sect's current strength, it shouldn't be difficult to occupy other courtyards."
"That's a good idea!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly. "Which courtyard do you think would be suitable?"
"The North Sea Academy is vast, with countless courtyards. The best ones are the Heaven-grade courtyards, which house top geniuses. However, we can't afford to provoke them. I think the Xuan-grade courtyard in front of our current one would be a good choice!" Zhao Wei said frankly.
Lu Fan frowned slightly. "If I'm not mistaken, the Xuan-grade courtyard is likely filled with experts. Breaking into the Xuan-grade courtyard might not be that simple."
"What the Sect Master says is true!" Zhao Wei nodded. "The forces that can enter the Xuan-grade courtyards have at least 10 Great Spirit Masters, so it's naturally very difficult."
"Ten Great Spirit Masters?"
Long Yi frowned. "I think you have ill intentions and want us to go to our deaths. How can the Qingyun Sect deal with so many Great Spirit Masters?"
"I'm just offering a suggestion, and I have no intention of harming anyone!"
Zhao Wei quickly said, "I am now a member of the Qingyun Sect, so how could I possibly harm my brothers in the Qingyun Sect!"
"I like hearing you say that!"
Li Ziming smiled. "From now on, we are all family, all members of the Qingyun Sect. If we are bullied in the North Sea Academy, we must help each other and never let others trample on us."
"Exactly, exactly!" Zhao Wei nodded. "That's precisely what I meant."
"You all go back first. As for the courtyard matter, I will find a way!" Lu Fan said. "However, after you return, change the name of the Black Shark Gang. You are now people of the Qingyun Sect and cannot use the name of the Black Shark Gang anymore."
"Naturally, we wouldn't dare!" The Black Shark Gang leader quickly clasped his fists, his expression becoming even more solemn.
After leaving the courtyard, Zhao Wei looked at the Black Shark Gang leader. "Gang Leader, did we really just join the Qingyun Sect?"
"Is there any better way?"
The Black Shark Gang leader said coldly, "The situation has come to this, and we can only do so. Joining the Qingyun Sect might not be a bad thing, after all, regardless of anything else, their strength is indeed impressive."
Zhao Wei nodded slightly and didn't say anything more.
In the following days, Lu Fan was constantly refining the Spirit Gathering Pills. He knew very well that for the Qingyun Sect to grow stronger, it needed sufficient resources, otherwise, it would be difficult to sustain itself.
After refining a batch of Spirit Gathering Pills, the old man Hong Meng smiled and said, "You don't have enough medicinal herbs now. Why don't you go to the back mountain and get some more? The back mountain is full of heavenly treasures, a good place to go!"
"That's exactly what I was thinking!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly and put away the alchemy furnace. Since he was short of medicinal herbs, he had to go to the back mountain himself. Otherwise, without medicinal herbs, he couldn't refine the Spirit Gathering Pills.
Long Yi and the others were cultivating in their rooms, not daring to delay even a moment. They were all working very hard now. With the Spirit Gathering Array, they could clearly feel their cultivation gradually improving, which was an opportunity for them.
After a journey, Lu Fan arrived at the back mountain. Looking at the medicinal herbs covering the ground, he was overjoyed. "Old man, why are so many medicinal herbs growing here? Outside, they would be worth a lot of spirit stones!"
"These medicinal herbs are just waste in my eyes, but they are indeed heavenly treasures for you." The old man Hong Meng smiled. "Under normal circumstances, an academy of North Sea Academy's caliber would not have such expensive medicinal herbs growing freely. Perhaps someone planted them!"
"Someone planted them?"
Lu Fan was slightly stunned, and his expression changed slightly. He hadn't expected these medicinal herbs to be planted by someone. If that were the case, wouldn't he become a thief?
"Old man, why didn't you say so earlier?"
Lu Fan glared. "If someone finds out, won't I definitely be a thief?"
"Look at what you're saying. There's no free lunch in this world. If you don't steal, how can you get Spirit Gathering Pills?" The old man Hong Meng waved his hand. "Besides, there's no one else here. Perhaps they grew wild. You don't need to take it too much to heart."
Lu Fan stood there somewhat helplessly, but he couldn't say much. He indeed needed these medicinal herbs to refine Spirit Gathering Pills, so he couldn't care about that much.
Helplessly, Lu Fan began to pick the medicinal herbs, looking very carefully. These medicinal herbs were not simple, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to refine such high-grade Spirit Gathering Pills.
"Who's the little thief? How dare you steal my medicinal herbs!"
A shout of killing sounded. A woman stepped through the air, her gaze fixed on Lu Fan with a fierce killing intent.
Lu Fan stopped his actions and asked inexplicably, "Miss, are you sure these medicinal herbs are yours?"
"All the students of North Sea Academy know that the medicinal herbs in the back mountain were planted by me," Bi Yao said coldly, dressed in a blue dress and holding a sword, looking quite heroic.
"If that's truly the case, then I am truly sorry. I didn't know this was someone's property."
Lu Fan smiled awkwardly. "Since these medicinal herbs all belong to you, I can't take them back."
"Calling me 'Miss' one after another, do you know who I am?" Bi Yao said coldly. "I think you're a new student, with no understanding of the rules."
Lu Fan raised an eyebrow. "I am indeed a new student."
"I am Senior Sister Bi Yao of the academy. You stole my medicinal herbs, and I cannot let you off!" Bi Yao said coldly. "So, I'll go to the Enforcement Hall."
"Go to the Enforcement Hall?"
Lu Fan was slightly surprised. "It's not that serious, is it? I only took a few medicinal herbs, I didn't commit any major crime!"
"You have quite a bold tone. I planted these medicinal herbs for three full years, and you used them all."
Bi Yao said coldly, "If you obediently follow me to the Enforcement Hall, I won't make things difficult for you. Otherwise, I will make you pay!"
"Senior Sister, please don't be like this. It's just a few medicinal herbs, I can compensate you!" Lu Fan said earnestly.
"You kid have a big mouth. These are not just a few medicinal herbs!"
Bi Yao said angrily, "Last time I found that the Snow Lotus was missing, did you take it?"
"This..."
Lu Fan was slightly embarrassed. He hadn't expected Bi Yao to be so calculative, but as he said, he had indeed picked the Snow Lotus. He hadn't thought much of it at the time, but he didn't expect to have to return it eventually.