Jing Feng Appeared, and Screams Rang Out

Jing Feng Appeared, and Screams Rang Out

The Registered Disciple selection soon ended, but that was not the end.

Those who became Registered Disciples could also take part in the ranking matches.

This year, there were 389 Registered Disciples, and all of them could participate.

Those who wanted to compete for the Registered Disciple rankings first had to sign up, then take the ring and defend it.

Anyone who won three matches in a row would advance to the next round. In the end, the top ten would be selected, and they would receive generous rewards.

"Bi Fan, hurry up and sign up. You must bring back first place. Otherwise... hmph, just you wait when we get back." Yu Xiao Feng waved her delicate fist in front of Bi Fan and threatened him fiercely.

"I'll participate, and I'll do my best to win first place."

Bi Fan was not the sort to keep a low profile at all costs. He had already wanted to show what he could do and obtain more cultivation resources, so he naturally would not refuse.

In the world of cultivation, keeping a low profile was by no means the royal road. If one stayed low-key all the time without the sect's support, one's room to grow was limited.

No matter how talented someone was, others had to know about it before they could receive strong support and training and make their strength soar.

Although Bi Fan had picked up quite a few benefits, they were still far from enough for his cultivation.

After reaching the Inner Breath Realm, breaking through each level became extremely difficult. It often took a mountain of pills, not to mention guidance from a renowned master.

Before taking part in the Registered Disciple selection, Bi Fan had already decided to enter the rankings. He intended to place well and earn the respect of others.

Registration soon ended. To everyone's surprise, 180 Registered Disciples had signed up for the rankings, most of them drawn by the generous rewards.

First place would receive one high-grade Magic Tool, ten Inner Breath Pills, and three Viscera Solidifying Pills.

Second place would receive one high-grade Magic Tool, eight Inner Breath Pills, and one Viscera Solidifying Pill.

Third place would receive one high-grade Magic Tool and five Inner Breath Pills.

Those placing fourth through tenth would receive one mid-grade Magic Tool and one Inner Breath Pill.

The more talented someone was, the more attention they received. The rewards made that plain.

The prizes for the top three were far richer than those for everyone else. With all those cultivation resources, it would be absurd if their cultivation levels did not outpace the others.

Bi Fan did not care much about the rewards. There were plenty of pills in his Heavenly Origin Ring. What he wanted was to catch the attention of the Qingyang Sect's higher-ups and receive instruction in advanced cultivation arts.

Although he had the top-tier Qingyang Willow Catkin Sword Art, he had come by it through improper means and did not dare practice it, afraid he would give himself away.

The Registered Disciple ranking tournament began. This time, only three rings were hosting matches at once, making it easier for the Qingyang Sect's higher-ups to watch closely.

Bi Fan drew a spot near the end of the order, so he sat beside Yu Xiao Feng and waited for his turn.

Suddenly, a group of female disciples cried out in excitement.

"Ah! It's Senior Brother Jing Feng! Senior Brother Jing Feng has finally shown up!"

"Ah! Senior Brother Jing Feng is so handsome!"

Jing Feng's appearance caused an uproar. The female disciples went wild, paying no heed even to the vice sect master seated at the front of the viewing platform. Their shrieks rang out one after another.

Jing Feng's expression was calm as he lightly twirled his folding fan, his movements graceful and carefree. It drew an even more frenzied chorus of screams.

Compared with these shrieks, the cheers Bi Fan had received earlier were nothing at all.

"Big Brother Jing Feng is so famous. I really admire him," Bi Fan thought enviously.

Yu Xiao Feng curled her lip. "He's nothing special. Is there any need to scream like that?"

As it turned out, the Jade Maiden Peak female disciples sitting beside Yu Xiao Feng were going wild too. Unable to stand the sight, Yu Xiao Feng had muttered a few words.

"Big Sister Xiao Feng, Senior Brother Jing Feng isn't just handsome. He's also very strong, only a little weaker than our young miss," one Jade Maiden Peak disciple said.

Yu Xiao Feng was unconvinced. "Is that so? I'll have to test him myself."

Her beautiful eyes flickered, and she couldn't help glancing at Jing Feng a few more times.

Seeing Yu Xiao Feng turn her gaze toward Jing Feng, Bi Fan felt a pang of jealousy. It left a sour taste in his mouth.

Jing Feng had clearly arrived at Ming Feng Valley some time ago. Knowing Bi Fan was on the viewing platform, he walked straight toward him.

When the Jade Maiden Peak disciples saw Jing Feng approaching, their mouths fell open. They were so lovestruck they couldn't even speak.

Even a faint blush rose on Yu Xiao Feng's cheeks. Could he have heard what I said just now? Is he coming over because of me?

It never occurred to her that, with screams rising and falling all around them, her voice had been so quiet Jing Feng could never have heard it.

As Jing Feng drew closer, Yu Xiao Feng felt her heartbeat quicken.

Jing Feng really was handsome and graceful, and with his formidable strength, what young woman wouldn't like him? Yu Xiao Feng was no exception.

Bi Fan had been watching Yu Xiao Feng's expression the whole time. Seeing her act like a shy young woman, he felt a tangle of emotions.

It wasn't that Bi Fan truly liked Yu Xiao Feng; his feelings about men and women were still hazy.

Besides, Bi Fan had always felt inferior because of his low status, and he knew his own place. He would never pine for a love he couldn't possibly have.

But Yu Xiao Feng had always looked after him, so he had naturally come to regard her as his own. Without even realizing it, he couldn't stand the thought of another man getting close to her.

Jing Feng walked over and looked at Bi Fan with a smile.

Bi Fan stood up and smiled. "Greetings, Big Brother Jing Feng. You're back from your travels."

"I'm back. I didn't expect that, just after returning, I'd see Brother Bi Fan showing off his might and hurling that big fellow off the ring," Jing Feng said with a light laugh.

The two chatted about everyday things, leaving the female disciples astonished. They all began guessing what sort of relationship Bi Fan had with Jing Feng, and their interest in Bi Fan grew as well.

But Bi Fan had an utterly ordinary face. Apart from his sturdy build, he really wasn't the sort the female disciples fancied.

Jing Feng chatted with Bi Fan for a while, then left. He still had plenty of friends among the Inner Disciples and wanted to greet them.

As soon as Jing Feng left, Yu Xiao Feng fixed Bi Fan with a sharp stare. "Come clean. How do you know Jing Feng?"

The female disciples around them also stared at Bi Fan with curiosity, making him feel ill at ease.

"I met him in Qingyang Town, then we went to Tingfeng Valley together," Bi Fan said.

Yu Xiao Feng asked, "Then why didn't you tell me? Did something happen between you?"

Bi Fan and Jing Feng had been so familiar with each other that there had to be something between them. Yu Xiao Feng was deeply suspicious.

"Really, nothing happened..." Bi Fan said. "We were together for only three days. Then I returned to the mountain, he went down to travel, and we went our separate ways."

Most of the female disciples around them rolled their eyes, unconvinced by Bi Fan's explanation.

The Registered Disciple ranking matches were much more exciting than the selection tournament. Every so often, another disciple with impressive strength appeared.

"Well done!..." A wave of enthusiastic applause rang out.

Bi Fan turned his gaze toward the ring and happened to see a very young disciple lift his opponent high into the air with powerful arms. No matter how the other man struggled, it was no use.

"He's actually reached the Inner Breath Realm," Yu Xiao Feng said in surprise. "Bi Fan, if you run into him, be careful. Inner Breath Realm experts have explosive strength. Don't let a small slip cost you the whole game."

"I know." Bi Fan memorized the name of the man in the ring: Li Shu.