Xu Wang felt a little jealous. The difference in how she addressed them clearly made him feel that the other man was closer to his junior sister.
At a time like this, he had to take it seriously! He had to ask and get things straight.
Su Chanyue was startled. "Senior Brother Xu!" She hurried to stop him, but did not know what to say and clenched her teeth.
Xu Wang ignored her. His mind was made up, so he pretended not to hear.
The disciples in the distance were puzzled by the sight. They had never seen this man, but Senior Brother Xu had spoken up. Could he be another admirer of the Holy Maiden? They could hardly think otherwise, because Chen Fan looked extremely young.
Chen Fan heard the voice behind him. Was he asking me?
He paid it no mind.
It was perfectly normal that nobody here had seen him or knew him.
He was not responsible for answering an ant's questions. All he had to do was wait...
Xu Wang's expression soured. Chen Fan had ignored him, but he was no fool either. The man probably had some standing... otherwise, he would not be so contemptuous of everyone.
But how had he become acquainted with his junior sister?
They seemed acquainted, so why had he said nothing upon seeing her?
He glanced at the silent Su Chanyue.
"Junior Sister, who is he...?"
Su Chanyue warned him, "Senior Brother Xu, all you need to know is that you cannot afford to offend this man."
Chen Fan could not even be bothered to scold her, so why would he acknowledge Xu Wang? He was probably waiting for her master and the sect elders.
Her heart was heavy.
Xu Wang's expression changed at her words. It was a warning, yes, but to his ears, it carried a note of reverence! Outrageous.
I can't afford to offend him? Then what about my master? The Falling Cloud Sect is the greatest sect in the Heavenly Abyss Domain, which makes my master, the grand elder, the strongest expert in the Heavenly Abyss Domain!
What is there to fear!
Today, he had to get to the bottom of this man's relationship with Su Chanyue! From the situation and their behavior, he kept feeling that his goddess was the one acting as a simp. He could not stand it.
Just as he was about to walk over and challenge him to a fight, he added another question. "Junior Sister, how old is he, and what's his cultivation?"
It was not that he was afraid. He simply understood that beyond every sky lay another sky, and beyond every expert stood another expert. He could not be careless; he had to proceed steadily.
Su Chanyue's slender brows shot up. You still want to fight? You must have a death wish! Even your master couldn't help if he came.
"Don't misunderstand, Junior Sister. I just want to make his acquaintance." Xu Wang concealed his intentions.
Only then did Su Chanyue murmur in acknowledgment. "Twenty-three. Emperor Realm..."
Make his acquaintance? Why would Chen Fan acknowledge you? Only Master and the elders could exchange words with him.
Xu Wang smiled when he heard that. Only twenty-three? I've got this. My age alone gives me an overwhelming advantage.
Still, his icy junior sister had finally joked with him. That had not been easy. This was a good thing, progress, and rather mischievous of her.
Then his expression cooled slightly, and he walked straight toward Chen Fan.
Seeing this, the disciples in the distance gathered to watch. There was a show to see!
"Look, Senior Brother Xu is going over, going over... he's down!"
They were dumbstruck. They had not even finished speaking.
Xu Wang's expression was hideous. Merely approaching Chen Fan had left him staggering under that presence, as though he had entered an ice cellar.
He had fallen straight down, utterly disgracing himself.
An expert!
Sprawled on the ground, he said weakly, "Chen... Chen Fan, let's have a fight... shall we!" Things had reached this point. How could he give up halfway?
Pfft. Su Chanyue nearly coughed up blood. By comparison, Senior Brother Xu really was too... too... She pressed a hand to her forehead.
Chen Fan turned and glanced at him, saying indifferently, "You aren't qualified."
Then he paid him no further attention.
The disciples in the distance were stunned. "Senior Brother Xu is risking his life to court the Holy Maiden. His sincerity has heaven and earth as witnesses... we admire him." They muttered among themselves, shaken.
At the same time, they wondered just where Chen Fan had come from. He was terrifying indeed! He had not even attacked, yet Senior Brother Xu could no longer get up.
Not qualified? Xu Wang's face had turned deathly pale as he lay on the ground. He's only twenty-three! The same age as Junior Sister. How much stronger than me could he be!
He was the grand elder's personal disciple, a supreme genius! His dignity and pride were the foundation of his Dao heart. How could he suffer such a blow?
Even if he had to crawl, he would crawl over! His junior sister was still watching. How could he disgrace himself before all these eyes without even touching the hem of the man's robes?
He used cultivation techniques and spiritual power to protect himself, then spiritual artifacts, awakened his physique, and activated his bloodline power. Still not enough! He unleashed divine soul abilities to shield himself and stuffed wondrous pills and all kinds of medicinal herbs into his mouth!
He brought out all eighteen martial arts, all the supreme techniques and trump cards he had accumulated throughout his life...
Soon, both his hands were dripping blood.
Almost there, so close. I'm about to touch the hem of his robes...
"The Falling Cloud Sect respectfully welcomes the Great Emperor!" Just then, Yun Lan and the elders, who had been discussing matters together, sensed Chen Fan's arrival and immediately appeared.
They had unanimously agreed to become subordinate to the Chen Lineage! They would stake the sect's fortune on it!
There were plenty of examples of factions rising through an ancient lineage of the Desolate Ancient Domain. It was just that this path was not easy, and held many uncertainties. But at present, there seemed to be no other option to discuss.
Hiss-a Great Emperor! The sect master and elders had all appeared. The disciples in the distance nearly died of fright. This young man was actually a Great Emperor! They spared a second of sympathy for Senior Brother Xu.
Their hearts could not settle for a long time. This was a living Emperor Realm powerhouse... with their strength, they would never have had a chance to see one.
A Great Emperor? Xu Wang plunged into an abyss as he lay on the ground. He really is an Emperor Realm expert! Even Master and the sect master have come out to receive him personally! Was that a joke?
Chen Fan stood with his hands behind his back.
"Sect Master of the Falling Cloud Sect, elders, there's no need for such courtesy. This wasn't your attitude when the Holy Maiden broke off the engagement."
If he had not been strong enough, nobody would have cared about his feelings. Naturally, whatever he said or did now, there was absolutely no need to consider theirs.
Whatever they felt, they could swallow it!
As the person involved, Su Chanyue wished she could dig a hole and bury herself. But her father had told her of karma's cycle, karma's cycle. She repeated it silently in her heart.
The other disciples were shaken. The Holy Maiden had broken off an engagement with a Great Emperor? For a moment, their gazes toward Su Chanyue changed. They had imagined her lofty status and unquestionable decision to break off the engagement, but they had never expected her boldness to be so great!
This was also the Falling Cloud Sect elders' first time seeing Chen Fan. He really was a Great Emperor! But confronted with the past now, they too were speechless.
Yun Lan remained poised and gracious.
"Great Emperor, you have set aside past grievances. What happened before was Yun Lan's responsibility. You saved my life and bestowed gifts upon me; I cannot thank you enough. Today, we proclaim to the world that the Falling Cloud Sect shall become subordinate to the Chen Lineage!"
She took the initiative to admit fault and shoulder responsibility for this cycle of karma.
The cycle of karma was not frightening. What was frightening was being unable to accept it and allowing it to affect one's Dao heart. That was the true disaster.
Her words caused an uproar! Their sect, the greatest in the Heavenly Abyss Domain, was actually becoming subordinate to a lineage!
The Chen Lineage? All the disciples found it unbelievable. Could it be the Chen Lineage that had recently emerged?
And he was the Holy Maiden's former fiancé!
Under everyone's gaze, Su Chanyue felt uncomfortable all over.
Everyone seemed to have forgotten Xu Wang on the ground. Xu Wang completely broke down. Broken engagement, fiancé, Great Emperor, Chen Lineage... linked together, they sent a wave of despair crashing over him.
How is that possible! No wonder Su Chanyue hardly paid me any attention...
Chen Fan also said I wasn't qualified. No, I have to touch the hem of his robes!
Only the grand elder noticed his disciple. What was he doing approaching the Great Emperor? Why was he lying on the ground? Provoking an emperor's might was courting death! But he dared neither speak nor ask. Chen Fan had not attacked at all; his disciple had brought everything upon himself.
"Very good." Chen Fan stood with his hands behind his back and glanced at Yun Lan. "Sect Master of the Falling Cloud Sect, shall we discuss certain matters in detail?"
"Great Emperor, please enter the main hall." Yun Lan did not hesitate in the slightest.
At that very moment, Xu Wang, who had been silently inching forward on his belly, was reduced to flying ash.
Simply because he had challenged a Great Emperor...
He died halfway through his approach.
And Chen Fan and Yun Lan left.
Only then did the grand elder dare to cry. "Wang'er, what a miserable death you suffered..."
Who could he turn to for justice?
Inside the hall.
"Great Emperor, what instructions do you have?" Yun Lan asked.
Since she had made her decision, there was no turning back.
"Would you be interested in joining my Primordial Gods and Devils Pavilion, Sect Master of the Falling Cloud Sect?" Chen Fan asked casually.
In his eyes, these people only needed a little more fire, and they would all have the potential to touch the Emperor Realm in the future.
[Ding...]
System, shut up.