Conflict

At this moment, quite a few people in the Heavenly Court had already been stirred up. On the Heavenly Soldier Ranking in the Heavenly Court Hall, a "Grade A" evaluation had appeared for a One-Star Heavenly Soldier, but what drove them wild was that this newly promoted Heavenly Soldier was only at Qi Refining Layer 2. Many who heard the news rushed to the Heavenly Court Hall to see for themselves, and in an instant, the entire hall was flooded with people—those trying to enter couldn't get in, and those trying to leave couldn't get out.

Fortunately, the Heavenly Soldiers of the Heavenly Court Hall came out to restore order, projecting the Heavenly Soldier Ranking into the air above the hall so that all cultivators could view it directly. Only then did the crowd slowly disperse, gathering outside the Heavenly Court Hall, looking up at that miraculous achievement.

The name of the One-Star Heavenly Soldier was concealed, because Chen Fan had chosen not to make it public. Even the person in charge of issuing Recording Stones at the Heavenly Court Hall did not know his surname. People had no way to guess, and could only stare blankly at that heaven-defying "Grade A" character, along with the glaring "Qi Refining Layer 2" that stung everyone's eyes.

When Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng arrived, the Heavenly Court Hall had already returned to normal order, with most people gathered outside. The two looked up and saw the Heavenly Soldier Ranking with their own eyes, and couldn't help but be stunned.

"Really a Grade A evaluation, and only at Qi Refining Layer 2—what kind of young genius is this?" Chen Jingjing murmured in surprise. "With such heaven-defying talent, could he be a reincarnated immortal?" Zhang Rumeng covered her small mouth, eyes wide as she said, "Most of the people active in Lingxiao City are only at the Qi Refining Realm. Jingjing, if this evaluation spreads, countless Foundation Establishment Realm experts will surely come to take that person as their disciple." "Yeah, Qi Refining Layer 2—how was it even possible? This kind of assessment is supervised by the Heavenly Court; there's no way it could be faked." Chen Jingjing nodded.

"Jingjing, I think we should hurry and apply to challenge the trial. If we succeed, we might get a great opportunity." Zhang Rumeng seemed to think of something and grew excited. "Huh? Why do you say that?" Chen Jingjing looked at her doubtfully. "Think about it—soon, countless Foundation Establishment experts will come. But there's only one heaven-defying genius. Many experts will come up empty-handed. If our names are also on the Heavenly Soldier Ranking by then, maybe they won't want to leave with nothing and will take the soldiers on the ranking as disciples too." Zhang Rumeng said happily.

Chen Jingjing shook her head with a bitter smile, patted her little head, and said, "Even if you have a point, do you think with our current cultivation levels we can get through the First Layer of the Heavenly Court? Remember, even Senior Brother Wang Feng, as strong as he is, barely won." "Oh right, I got too excited and forgot." Zhang Rumeng rubbed the back of her head and smiled sheepishly. "It's a pity that person didn't choose to make the trial public. Otherwise, we could watch the recording now and maybe learn something." Chen Jingjing said. "If you ask me, if he had made the trial public, his name would be public too. We should just go find that guy and have him share some tips and experience." Zhang Rumeng clenched her little fist.

"Let's go out. It's getting late; we need to head down the mountain and cook dinner." Chen Jingjing nodded and said. "Hearing you say that, I'm actually a bit hungry. No way, I'm coming to your place for dinner tonight." Zhang Rumeng tugged on Chen Jingjing's hand and acted spoiled. This cute sight drew the burning gazes of many male cultivators around them.

At this moment, Chen Fan had already stood up from the open ground. Qi Refining Layer 4—he had jumped two whole levels, and this was the limit he could reach for now. He deeply understood the principle that haste makes waste. If he kept pushing his cultivation level up like this, he couldn't guarantee a solid foundation. Only with a firm foundation would his future achievements be higher.

Most of the Outer Court disciples had already left the mountain gate. Chen Fan brushed the dust off his clothes and started walking. When he reached the boundary between the Outer Court and the Inner Court, he remembered Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng.

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Fan decided to wait for them here. Just then, a voice full of mockery sounded from beside him. "Wow, isn't this the great hero Chen Fan? Braving the Demon King Valley alone and coming back alive—how about it, not scared stupid, huh? Haha." A young man in luxurious clothes, holding an ancient paper fan, strolled slowly out from the direction of the Outer Court toward Chen Fan. With him were two young and beautiful women, one in white who had an especially ethereal aura.

Chen Fan frowned slightly and ignored the young man's words, completely disregarding him. "Oh? Ignoring me, huh? Looks like becoming a hero has really raised your standards—you won't even acknowledge Miss Nalan?" The young man closed his fan and sneered at Chen Fan. "How noisy!" Chen Fan waved his sleeve as if shooing away a fly, sweeping the young man back.

But the young man seemed to have anticipated this, dodging back, his face darkening as a flicker of anger appeared in his eyes. He had expected Chen Fan to lose his temper and lash out wildly, but instead, he was shooed away like a fly. Worse, he had jumped back on his own, truly becoming like a fly—this felt like an insult and left him displeased. "Chen Fan, you're putting on quite an act. Why aren't you coming over to tell Miss Nalan a joke today?" A woman in a yellow robe chimed in with sarcasm.

"Nalan Yun?" Chen Fan glanced at the woman in white, as if connecting something. "Chen Fan, who do you think you are, daring to speak my name directly?" The woman in white's face turned cold as she glared at Chen Fan. "Good kid, your wings are really hardened. Looks like you're ready to roll down the mountain today." The young man with the paper fan sneered, seeming ready to strike.

"Wait." Nalan Yun suddenly spoke, stopping the young man, then looked coldly at Chen Fan: "Chen Fan, I ask you, how did you return from the Demon King Valley that day? Was it as the rumors say, that Senior Brother Mo Bai saved you? Did he ask you anything?" "Yunyun, don't worry. I heard from other disciples that when Senior Brother Mo Bai found him, he was already unconscious. But..." The yellow-robed woman paused, then pointed at Chen Fan and continued, "You remember this—if Senior Brother Mo Bai asks you anything, you'd better watch your words. If you ruin our Yunyun's image in Senior Brother Mo Bai's eyes, we won't let you off. Got it?"

With that, everyone looked at Chen Fan. But Chen Fan kept staring toward the Inner Court, ignoring them. "Hey, I asked if you heard me?" The yellow-robed woman grew angry and shouted at Chen Fan. Only then did Chen Fan turn back to look at her, frowning deeply, as if thoroughly annoyed by them. Nalan Yun and the others' expressions changed—they felt that Chen Fan's look was exactly like someone watching a swarm of annoying flies.

"What do you mean, Chen Fan? Refusing to descend the mountain at this hour, waiting here for me, yet putting on that face—what game are you playing?" Nalan Yun asked coldly.

Chen Fan shot her another inexplicable glance, and only after several breaths did he speak: "You're overthinking it. I'm waiting for my little sister."

"Chen Fan, how dare you." The group's faces darkened at once, and the Yellow-Robed Woman pointed at Chen Fan again, scolding him.

At her words, Chen Fan whipped his head around, his gaze freezing as he fixed on the Yellow-Robed Woman. "If you still want that finger of yours, you'd best take it back."

"Looking for death." The youth barked coldly, murder flashing in his eyes as he gripped his paper fan and thrust it toward Chen Fan.

"Chen Fan, watch out..." At that moment, a woman's voice also rang out from the direction of the Inner Court.