Yet Chen Fan paid no heed to any of this glory and prestige.
His expression calm, he slowly entered the main hall and walked toward Chen Jingjing and the others beneath the gazes of envy and admiration from the crowd.
The moment Chen Jingjing saw Chen Fan emerge, she hurried forward in delight. "Brother, you're incredible! You're already number one—the number one on the Heavenly Soldier Ranking!"
She was as excited as a little girl, happier than if she herself had claimed first place.
"Brother Chen Fan, you really defeated that Xiao Munan now!" Zhang Rumeng said with a smile.
Qin Xian'er walked behind them. She noticed that something seemed off about Chen Fan's expression and could not help asking, "What cross-stage mission did you complete? Did something happen?"
Chen Fan was startled upon hearing this, then quickly understood. The Heavenly Court truly would not reveal what he had just experienced. His expression shifted slightly as he transmitted his voice quietly to the three women, "We'll talk after we return!"
Chen Jingjing and Zhang Rumeng both froze, and the smiles on their faces gradually faded. They had already realized that something must have happened to Chen Fan, and both nodded.
Qin Xian'er's delicate brows also furrowed. She did not know what could have stirred someone as calm and detached as Chen Fan so deeply.
Afterward, Chen Fan silently recited the incantation and returned directly to his own cave residence. He then withdrew from the Heavenly Court and returned to the underground palace within Demon King Valley.
The instant he opened his eyes, he turned his gaze toward Bald Bird on the bed.
Bald Bird was not asleep either. He was gnawing on a spiritual herb, and when he saw Chen Fan suddenly staring at him, he jumped in fright. "Damn