In the valley at Phoenix Ridge, the dozen or so disciples of the Heavenly Divination Palace were all wounded and in a sorry state.
Yet their faces now glowed with excitement, and they could barely speak coherently.
All their former prejudices against Jiang Fan had vanished, replaced by an unprecedented sense of reverence and admiration.
Jiang Fan sensed the change but remained unruffled. He spoke softly.
"Let's go!"
Supporting one another, they started walking, ready to leave.
Just then, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Brother Jiang, wait!"
Jiang Fan stopped.
Zhu Jiuyang?
He turned around and saw Zhu Jiuyang, dressed in the robes of the Lihuo Divine Sect, step out of the crowd alongside Ling Wuchen of Heavenly Sword Valley.
Both men stared intently at Jiang Fan. Though they said nothing, their actions made their intentions clear.
Jiang Fan was rather surprised.
"What is it?"
"Brother Zhu? Brother Ling?"
"Do you want my Qi Luck Orbs too?"
Zhu Jiuyang and Ling Wuchen froze, then found themselves at a loss for words.
Zhu Jiuyang cupped his fist.
"You misunderstand, Brother Jiang!"
"We both saw you sweep aside eight True Realm opponents single-handedly in today's battle!"
"Even if Brother Ling and I joined forces, we probably wouldn't be a match for you!"
"How could we dare covet your Qi Luck Orbs?"
Jiang Fan raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth lifting.
"Then why did you stop me?"
Ling Wuchen took a deep breath, his expression turning utterly serious.
"Brother Jiang, do you remember our agreement when we met at the Myriad Manifestations Pavilion?"
Something stirred in Jiang Fan's mind.
Come to think of it, there really was something like that...
The first stage of the Sect Grand Competition had just ended then. Zhu Jiuyang and Ling Wuchen had