Bang—!
A dull blast rang out. Shen Fan staggered back several steps at last, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
He had ultimately been defeated in this battle.
Who could have imagined that even among these Miscellaneous Disciples, hidden dragons and crouching tigers lurked, with experts as numerous as clouds?
He had fought his way through every challenge and charged into the top three, ultimately claiming second place solely through the formidable physical strength of a body forged from steel and iron.
At this moment, Shen Fan gained an even deeper understanding of his own physical power.
As for the first-place winner, his methods were even more astonishing. He wielded four spells, and Qi Gathering Pills seemed to flow endlessly from his person, as though an outer sect elder was wholeheartedly backing him.
Although Shen Fan had mastered the Flame Serpent Art, how could he dare use it casually beneath the watchful eyes of the crowd?
Being able to take second place was already an unexpected delight for him.
Still, recalling that fierce battle just now, Shen Fan was full of confidence.
If he went all out and used the Flame Serpent Art and the Blood Spirit Unification Art, first place would certainly have been his!
"During the Open Exchange Day, the top three Miscellaneous Disciples in the sparring competition may exceptionally enter the outer sect!"
An outer sect elder personally came to present the awards.
With practiced movements, he altered the information on their disciple tokens before handing out the green robes of outer sect disciples.
"First place in the Miscellaneous Disciple competition shall receive thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones and may select one Yellow-rank cultivation method from the outer sect Scripture Pavilion!"
"Second place shall receive twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones and may select one second-rank spell from the outer sect Scripture Pavilion!"
"Third place shall receive ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones and may select one first-rank spell from the outer sect Scripture Pavilion!"
Shen Fan had taken second place. This unexpected delight made him feel that the trip had not been in vain.
"Young man, you're quite good!"
An outer sect elder patted Shen Fan's shoulder approvingly, his eyes filled with praise.
"You seem to have held something back! Why didn't you use any spells? With only this physical strength, do you truly intend to walk the path of body cultivation in the future?"
Shen Fan scratched his head awkwardly and said, "Elder, you flatter me. This disciple's talent is poor. After painstakingly saving up some contribution points, I was cheated at the market and bought a useless Flame Serpent Art. It is the only spell this disciple has mastered, so I was truly too embarrassed to display it and make a fool of myself!"
"Hehe!"
The elder stroked his beard and laughed. "Work hard. Body cultivation may not be a broad, sunlit road, and if you achieve something in the future, becoming a steward of our Heavenly Xuan Sect may not be impossible!"
Shen Fan had not expected this elder to praise him, the second-place winner, so highly without even complimenting the first-place winner.
"By the way, have you ever met Elder Mu of the Law Enforcement Hall?"
Just then, the elder suddenly said something that left Shen Fan utterly baffled.
"Uh..."
Shen Fan was slightly stunned, but he still nodded. "I've met him once!"
"I see!"
To Shen Fan's surprise, disappointment appeared in the elder's eyes. He then shook his head, turned, and left.
Shen Fan stood where he was, like a monk two meters tall trying to scratch his head.
That was because he had no idea that the upper echelons of the Heavenly Xuan Sect basically all knew about Mu Xingtian refining Blood Spirit Pills.
And Shen Fan's powerful physical body was likely inseparable from Mu Xingtian's Blood Spirit Unification Art.
"So I've... entered the outer sect?"
Shen Fan was somewhat dazed as he stared blankly at the disciple token in his hand, upon which a faint green glow shimmered.
"You three may move into the outer sect to cultivate starting today. Report to me when the time comes, and I will explain what outer sect disciples are required to do!"
At that moment, a steward disciple walked over and issued the order in a tone that brooked no objection.
"Yes!"
The first- and third-place winners hurriedly bowed with clasped hands and answered respectfully.
"Um, Senior Brother!"
Shen Fan hurriedly stopped him. "This disciple is currently serving at the Waste Elixir Chamber, and my term has not yet ended. Would it be possible for me to report to the outer sect after I have completed my duty days at the Waste Elixir Chamber?"
There were many waste elixirs in the Waste Elixir Chamber. For him, they were precious resources that could be strengthened to raise his power.
Once he entered the outer sect, it would not be nearly so convenient.
"Heh!"
The steward disciple sneered. "What a cheap hide. You've already become an outer sect disciple, so why the hell do you still care about those matters? Just go to Servant Peak and explain things. But since you're willing to stay in that godforsaken place, then stay there. Come back to report whenever you feel like it. However, since you are now an outer sect disciple, you must go to the outer sect Mission Hall every month and complete your monthly duty assignment!"
"Yes!"
Shen Fan bowed with clasped hands in acknowledgment.
The moment the steward left, the first- and third-place winners looked at Shen Fan as if he were an idiot.
"Is there water in his brain? Is the Waste Elixir Chamber a place humans can stay? He gets an opportunity like this and doesn't run—he even volunteers to remain!"
"Haha, what do you know? This is called selflessly dedicating himself to the sect. The sect is my home; maintaining it depends on everyone!"
Ignoring their mockery, Shen Fan headed straight for the Scripture Pavilion.
The highest-grade cultivation methods in the outer sect Scripture Pavilion were Yellow-rank, while the highest-grade spells were second-rank.
At the entrance to the main hall, an old man lay lazily asleep on a bamboo-and-rattan recliner, resting with his eyes narrowed.
Many outer sect disciples came and went as they pleased, paying him no mind whatsoever.
It was Shen Fan's first time here, and he did not know the rules. Thus, he respectfully approached the old man, bowed with clasped hands, bent at the waist, and gave him a proper bow.
"This disciple Shen Fan obtained second place in the Open Exchange Day sparring competition and exceptionally joined the outer sect. I have come specifically to claim my reward!"
However.
The old man remained sound asleep and ignored him.
Seeing this, Shen Fan paused for a moment before following the other outer sect disciples inside.
Second place allowed him to choose a second-rank spell. This was a rare chance to gain the means to attack and defend himself openly and honorably!
Otherwise, he could not use the Flame Serpent Art, could not use Dragon Grasp, and could not use the Blood Spirit Unification Art. Wouldn't he be stifled to death?
"I must choose a powerful spell!"
Shen Fan thought to himself. Following the signs, he arrived at the spell section and began carefully examining the categories.
First-rank spells were divided according to the Five Elements: Wind Blade Art, Fireball Art, Water Arrow Art, Earth Wall Art, Wind Riding Technique...
Second-rank spells included Quicksand Art, Object Control Art, Five Elements Escape Art, Fire Serpent Art, Aura Concealment Art, Stealth Art...
At a glance, they were all spells commonly found on the market.
"Could there be no incomplete spell that was once profound, but has now fallen into the lowly first or second rank because it is incomplete?"
Shen Fan kept searching, his heart filled with anticipation.
Generally speaking, such spells were extremely powerful.
And he possessed the Treasure Gathering Universe Bowl, which could restore them. If he could find one, it would undoubtedly be the best choice.
Yet to Shen Fan's disappointment, the openly displayed area contained absolutely nothing he wanted.
"The old man guarding the entrance must be the keeper of this Scripture Pavilion. He should know something!" Shen Fan thought to himself.
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