Dust Settles

Those words had already shown considerable respect to the two stewards. Within the sect, the Grand Elder's status stood second only to the masters of the three palaces, and in terms of seniority, he was a generation above the two of them. After all, Steward Liu and Steward Zhang were merely Sixth-Realm cultivators. The Grand Elder only wanted to settle this matter as quickly as possible, then keep Chen Fan by his side in the name of personally teaching him cultivation techniques. He wanted to see how Chen Fan could still stir up storms and churn the seas after that. It never crossed his mind that one hand could not clap alone—could Qin Ziyan truly bear no fault at all?

Qin Ziyan, however, was practically bursting with joy. With the Grand Elder stepping in, the matter was settled. Not only could Chen Fan remain in the Sword-Imperial Pavilion, but he would also become her junior brother. That would make their relationship even closer.

Seeing this, Chen Fan felt that something was amiss. Even if his comprehension of sword techniques was decent, it should not have warranted the Grand Elder personally coming to take him as a disciple. Qin Ziyan had to be involved somehow. Alas, fooling around with the Little Witch had ultimately brought trouble upon him.

At this point, the stewards from Swordheart Hall and Soaring Heavens Palace did not dare say another word. The Grand Elder had already arrived—what else could they do? Even if they asked Chen Fan himself for his opinion, surely he would not refuse. Refusing would mean offending the Grand Elder, and becoming the direct disciple of the Sword-Imperial Pavilion's Grand Elder was something countless people dreamed of. Who would give up such an opportunity?

Yet Chen Fan truly wanted to refuse. But he also considered that if he did, he would be showing the Sword-Imperial Pavilion far too little respect. He already had conflicts with Swordheart Hall's Third Elder. If he also formed a grudge with the Sword-Imperial Pavilion's Grand Elder, how was he supposed to survive in the inner court in the future?

Better to agree. At least the Sword-Imperial Pavilion probably would not harm him. At worst, he could behave himself from now on.

Just as Chen Fan was about to speak, another streak of sword light suddenly flashed over. It too seemed to have come from the direction of the inner court. Judging by its speed, it was actually even faster than the Grand Elder's earlier arrival. Everyone present, including the Grand Elder, paled in alarm. Many of the weaker cultivators instantly felt as though they might be slashed apart by some sharp sword. Clearly, the newcomer's cultivation was so high that it created an oppressive force.

Yet in the next moment, all that cultivation pressure vanished without a trace. The sword light slowly drew in, revealing an elegant middle-aged man in white robes, silver hair flowing loose over his shoulders. He stood suspended in the air atop a slender treasured sword. Then, with a draw of his cultivation technique, he sheathed the sword, stepped forward through the air, and arrived at one side of the training ground—right beside the Sword-Imperial Pavilion's Grand Elder.

By then, the Grand Elder had completely lost his earlier lofty manner. His mouth hung open, and for a time, he did not know what to say. It was not only him. Among those present, everyone who recognized the man was stricken with terror.

The man's gaze was cold and his expression proud, as though no one else even existed. Looking at Chen Fan, he said calmly, "What? After learning the Soaring Cloud Formula, are you still planning to go to another palace?"

The moment those words fell, some people at the scene felt themselves nearing collapse. The Soaring Cloud Formula?! Had they really heard correctly? The Soaring Art Chen Fan had used just now was actually the Soaring Cloud Formula?! Heavens! Earlier, while Chen Fan had repeatedly cast techniques to evade his opponents, most people had sneered at him and even looked down on that battle. Looking back now, what had they missed?!

Chen Fan hurriedly gave a deep, respectful bow. That was right—the newcomer was Yun Zhongjun. Chen Fan was still somewhat lost in the clouds and mist, but it was clear that Yun Zhongjun held an even higher position in the sect than the Sword-Imperial Pavilion's Grand Elder. Chen Fan appeared to have learned Yun Zhongjun's Soaring Art, so he could only follow him.

Qin Ziyan and Ye Wan could not help crying out as well. They had always found Chen Fan's Soaring Art astonishing, and now they immediately understood. Their eyes blazed with excitement.

The Sword-Imperial Pavilion's Grand Elder opened his mouth even wider. He suddenly seemed to recall something, and his jaw trembled without stop.

"Enough. The list for this inner court selection has been decided." Yun Zhongjun looked at the Grand Elder, his expression utterly calm. "This child already has a master. You should know what to do, yes?"

The Grand Elder finally composed himself. He cupped his hands in acknowledgment, his manner and bearing exceedingly respectful.

Then Yun Zhongjun departed once more on his sword, vanishing from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.

Before the crowd had recovered their senses, the Sword-Imperial Pavilion's Grand Elder declared loudly, "Chen Fan is selected for Soaring Heavens Palace. The other disciples shall be assigned to the inner court according to the roster. Do any of you have further objections? If not, then..."

"I have one more matter." At that moment, Steward Liu suddenly interrupted. Everyone looked over to see that Steward Liu's face had turned iron-blue. He had clearly summoned all his courage.

"Hm? What other thoughts does Steward Liu have?" The Grand Elder was not too angered by the interruption, but he did not understand. Since that man had already spoken, did Steward Liu still dare raise an objection?

Steward Liu had no desire to contend with the Grand Elder, but he had come under instructions from Swordheart Hall's master, Liu Ruyu, to fight for Chen Fan as much as possible. Chen Fan now seemed beyond reach, but Swordheart Hall could not suffer too great a loss either.

"I have no objection whatsoever to Junior Nephew Chen entering Soaring Heavens Palace. However, if that is the case, the number of disciples recruited by Swordheart Hall this time has not reached the expected quota..." Steward Liu said, cupping his hands toward the Grand Elder.

So that was it. Steward Liu truly refused to suffer even the slightest loss. The Sword-Imperial Pavilion had selected five people, while Swordheart Hall had only four. Even Soaring Heavens Palace had selected four this time.

"If you have something to say, spit it out!" The Grand Elder was growing impatient. He had failed to accomplish the purpose of his visit and had already lost enough face. If not for Yun Zhongjun's instructions, he would not have wanted to remain a moment longer.

"Our hall wishes to accept one more disciple: Murong Zhu." Steward Liu did not beat around the bush and spoke directly.

"Fine. That settles it. Handle the rest yourselves." The Grand Elder had no mood to concern himself with such matters. He had come only for Chen Fan. With that, he immediately stepped into the air and departed, soon disappearing from sight.

In the end, the dust settled, and the spectators scattered like birds and beasts. Chen Fan was assigned to Soaring Heavens Palace, and he had no particular objection to that. Murong Zhu, meanwhile, was already weeping tears of joy. At the very last moment, he had miraculously been selected into Swordheart Hall. It felt like a dream, and even now he scarcely dared believe it was real.

Yet many people understood perfectly well that Swordheart Hall had accepted Murong Zhu partly to fill its quota and partly because he was on good terms with Chen Fan. Perhaps Swordheart Hall intended to use Murong Zhu to build goodwill with Chen Fan. Many people muttered among themselves, wondering just what virtue or ability Chen Fan possessed to make all three palaces value him so highly. But those who knew Yun Zhongjun had long since seen through the situation.

That afternoon, all the disciples selected for the inner court followed the elders of their respective palaces there. They completed the necessary procedures and were assigned new inner court residences. Chen Fan received Soaring Heavens Palace's disciple token. It was a square piece of green jade carved with exquisite patterns, with a cloud design at its center. Chen Fan was delighted. He turned the token over in his hand for quite some time before returning to the outer sect to pack for his move.

Three days later, inside the cultivation room of Soaring Heavens Palace in Swordcry Mountain's inner court, Chen Fan sat meditating alongside the other Soaring Heavens Palace disciples. Over the past two days, he had gradually adapted to inner court life. The cultivation of inner court disciples was indeed worlds apart from that of the outer sect, with every day's training schedule packed to the brim. Mornings were generally spent cultivating External Force or practicing Soaring, while afternoons were for group meditation to cultivate Internal Qi. This lasted a fixed three hours every day and was exceedingly dull. It also showed how much importance Soaring Heavens Palace placed on developing its disciples' Internal Qi cultivation. Without sufficient Internal Qi, what was the point of speaking of the Soaring Art?

Chen Fan was quite at ease with meditative cultivation. During his more than ten years at Golden Wheel Temple, he had cultivated Internal Qi daily alongside his senior monk brothers, and had also meditated and chanted scriptures. That had been no easier than this.

Soaring Heavens Palace had not specially prepared any unique Internal Qi cultivation techniques for Chen Fan and the other newly promoted disciples. After all, they had not yet reached the Fourth Realm. At their present stage, they only needed to continue cultivating the techniques they already possessed. Once they broke through to the Fourth Realm, the palace would distribute corresponding mid-grade Internal Qi techniques. Besides, many people knew Chen Fan's circumstances. Who would dare casually give him another cultivation technique to practice? Would that not be courting death?

Two hours later, a "Duang" rang out as a bell in the cultivation room was struck, signaling the end of that day's Internal Qi cultivation. The disciples slowly withdrew their cultivation and left one after another. Chen Fan rose as well, preparing to depart.

"Junior Nephew Chen, please stay." Someone called out to him. It was Steward Zhang, whom he had seen during the inner court selection.

"Martial Uncle Zhang, what instructions do you have?" Chen Fan stopped and asked.

Steward Zhang's face was all smiles. "How would I dare give you instructions? Someone wishes to see you. Come with me."

Chen Fan immediately understood and guessed who it was. Not daring to delay, he closely followed Steward Zhang.

After passing several great halls within Soaring Heavens Palace, they came upon a small path. Its stone-paved surface was uneven and rugged, stretching up the mountain in twisting turns. Looking up, Chen Fan could not see where it led. It seemed Yun Zhongjun lived here. He truly did things in his own distinctive way.

The two climbed the stone steps and soon arrived before a thatched hut. Before Steward Zhang could announce their arrival, a voice came from within. "Let him enter."

Upon hearing that, Steward Zhang gave a slight bow, then nodded to Chen Fan to indicate that he could enter. He swiftly headed back down the mountain.

Chen Fan pushed open the door and entered, feeling somewhat nervous. He recalled the day he had brought Yun Zhongjun back, when Yun Zhongjun had been unconscious. At the time, Yun Zhongjun had seemingly lost his memories due to the Spirit-Drunken Incense. Chen Fan did not know what the situation was now. If Yun Zhongjun had fully recovered his memories through his profound cultivation, some matters would be difficult to explain.

Inside, Yun Zhongjun sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his eyes closed and his lips silent, as though he were still meditating to recuperate. Chen Fan did not dare disturb him and waited quietly at one side.

After a moment, Yun Zhongjun slowly opened his eyes. "The Spirit-Drunken Incense truly lives up to its reputation..." His tone carried faint helplessness and melancholy.

Chen Fan's heart stirred. "Senior, have you still been unable to recover your memories?" Judging from Yun Zhongjun's appearance, that was likely the case.

Yun Zhongjun let out a long sigh. "After returning that day, I began cultivating with all my strength to recover. Yet until now, there has been no sign of my memories returning. It seems I can only give up. So be it. When one reaches old age, being able to forget some things can be a kind of release."

It appeared this man's cultivation truly was extraordinarily high, and he had not forgotten everything. Chen Fan hurriedly asked, "Senior, do you still remember this junior?"

Yun Zhongjun looked at Chen Fan, then finally shook his head. "I do not. I have forgotten many things. I remember only matters from a very long time ago, as well as some people I knew long ago." Yun Zhongjun had to be an expert who had lived for several centuries. After pausing, he continued, "However, I can at least still remember receiving my master's inheritance in those days, as well as later taking charge of Soaring Heavens Palace."

Chen Fan was stunned. So Yun Zhongjun was the master of Soaring Heavens Palace. It was said that this palace master's strength was no weaker than that of the two sect masters. Though the might of his swordsmanship was slightly inferior to theirs, his Internal Qi cultivation stood wholly on the same level, while his Soaring Art was acclaimed as the finest in Xiling. Chen Fan had not known Yun Zhongjun's identity before, but he had been able to infer some of it.