The answer soon surfaced.
The other party did not act furtively. Instead, she proactively sent Fan Lang a message to negotiate and directly revealed her identity.
"Mandala, a humble woman of the demon race, has come bearing a modest gift to pay you a visit."
This was a voice message Mandala had sent through a demon spirit. Her voice carried her usual playfulness, like that of an innocent little girl. It was hard to associate it with a Demon Woman.
Fan Lang raised an eyebrow slightly. He knew perfectly well that her repeated attempts to approach him must be driven by some hidden scheme, perhaps even a massive conspiracy!
For a moment, Fan Lang even considered openly turning against Mandala.
Not only had his strength increased greatly, but he now also had Fanxing Guansheng as a powerful backer. He had far more confidence than before.
Given Fanxing Guansheng's usual way of treating his disciples, he basically let them fend for themselves and would only intervene to save them when their lives hung by a thread.
That alone was enough.
Fan Lang did not need Fanxing Guansheng to look after him everywhere like a wet nurse.
"Why are you giving me a gift for no reason?" Fan Lang replied to Mandala.
"You defeated Gongsun Wushuang and became the new Universe's Number One Genius. That is the first joy. You became the final victor of the Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage and won the beauty's hand. That is the second joy. You became the disciple of a Divine Ancestor. That is the third joy. With three joys arriving at once, as a friend, of course I had to come congratulate you," Mandala said.
"Since when did we become friends? How come I did not know?"
"One meeting makes strangers, two makes acquaintances.