Chapter 171: Mistake

Liang Yichu treated his direct disciple with great care, for the disciple’s talent was comparable to the ancestors of Jiuxiao Sect throughout history. Now that he had brought him out, it was a matter of prestige, especially in front of his old friend, where he could show off a bit.

“Wuyu Brother, I wonder how your sect’s prodigy is doing? Where is that disciple called Mie Qiongqi? Three years ago, my apprentice forcefully secluded himself to prove his heavenly status and couldn’t attend back then. This year, I was hoping he could compare himself with that disciple,” Liang Yichu said with a smile, his round belly jiggling.

Elder Wuyu, the revered senior, looked at this old fellow and felt somewhat displeased, “Brother Yichu, how come it feels like you’re trying to provoke me?”

He knew his old friend’s temperament all too well. Coming to their Holy Sect just to show off, three years ago during the battle of the strongest prodigies, Mie Qiongqi had seized the position with sheer force, humiliating the Jiuxiao Sect.

Now it seemed that Jiuxiao Sect was well-prepared, ready to make a comeback today.

“Brother Wuyu, don’t think like that. We’ve been friends for over a hundred years. How could I be so vulgar? Our two sects have close relations, and as a senior, I’m just showing concern, right?” Liang Yichu lied with a straight face, speaking as if it were the truth.

Elder Wuyu glanced sideways at his sect’s disciples and couldn’t really find a prodigy who could surpass the opponent.

Upon seeing Liang Yichu’s direct disciple, Elder Wuyu already understood. Unless something unexpected happened this year, the top spot in the strongest prodigy battle would undoubtedly go to this Xinfeng.

At this moment, Wuyu fixed his gaze on Lin Fan. This young fellow had always been mysterious, even managing to kill a Snow King Lion of the upper Small Heaven Rank, so he must have many hidden techniques.

Now that the sect was facing difficulties, it was only right for a disciple of the sect to step forward.

Besides, seeing Liang Yichu’s smug expression, Wuyu felt annoyed. This old man couldn’t outdo him directly, so now he was using his disciple to hog the spotlight. How could he be allowed to get away with that?

At this moment, Wuyu’s expression was calm, a faint smile appearing on his face. “Since Brother Yichu wants to meet him, let’s meet him then. That one over there is one of our sect’s prodigies, Lin Fan. Come and pay respects to the senior.”

At this moment, Lin Fan was standing still, still thinking about what method to use to properly humble this Xinfeng.

To Lin Fan, this guy with his nose in the air was just too arrogant, his calm and condescending gaze giving off an annoying vibe that made one feel quite upset.

Now seeing Elder Wuyu calling him, Lin Fan immediately felt a sense of being entrusted with a crucial mission. At this moment, a surging force welled up inside him.

Someone who is remembered by the sect during normal times might not be particularly important. But when the sect’s dignity is at stake, being remembered by an elder means that this person must hold a significant position within the sect.

At this moment, Lin Fan lifted his head, even more proudly than Xinfeng, his eyes fixed not on what was ahead but only on the blue sky.

Lin Fan held his head high, hands behind his back, walking slowly toward the elder.

Each step was very slow, deliberately creating a strong visual impact. From time to time, Lin Fan activated the “Invisibility Technique,” making his footsteps intermittently disappear and reappear.

At this moment, the disciples of the sect were exclaiming in astonishment.

They were stunned by Lin Fan’s graceful movements and began whispering among themselves.

Liang Yichu was extremely attentive to his personal disciple, whose talent could rival the ancestors of the Jiuxiao Sect throughout the ages. Bringing him out now was a matter of great pride, especially in front of his old friend, where he could really show off.

“Brother Wuya, how are the prodigies of your sect doing? Where is that disciple named Mie Qiongqi? Three years ago, my disciple was in seclusion to prove his Heavenly Position realm and couldn’t participate. This year, I’d like to see how he compares to that disciple,” Liang Yichu said with a chuckle, patting his round belly.

Elder Wuya looked at his old friend with a hint of displeasure. “Brother Yichu, I feel like you’re trying to pick a fight with me.”

He knew all too well what kind of person his old friend was. Whenever he came to the Holy Sect, he would always show off. Three years ago, during the strongest prodigy battle, Mie Qiongqi had won with overwhelming force, leaving the Jiuxiao Sect humiliated.

Now it seemed that the Jiuxiao Sect had come fully prepared, ready to reclaim their honor today.

“Brother Wuya, don’t think like that. We’ve been friends for over a hundred years; how could I be so vulgar? Our sects are closely related, and as an elder, isn’t it natural for me to show some concern?” Liang Yichu said with a straight face, as if he truly meant it.

Wuya glanced at his own sect’s disciples and realized he couldn’t find a prodigy who could outshine the other.

When he saw Liang Yichu’s personal disciple, Wuya already knew that, barring any surprises, the first place in the strongest prodigy battle this year would undoubtedly go to this Xin Feng.

At this moment, Wuya’s gaze fell on Lin Fan. This little guy had always been mysterious, even managing to kill the Snow King Lion, which was at the peak of the Minor Heavenly Position. He must have many hidden tricks up his sleeve.

Now that the sect was facing a challenge, as a disciple of the sect, it was his duty to step up for the sect.

Moreover, seeing Liang Yichu’s smug expression, Wuya felt even more displeased. This old man couldn’t outshine him, so now he was using his disciple to steal the spotlight. He couldn’t let him succeed.

At this moment, Wuya’s expression remained calm, with a faint smile on his face. “Since Brother Yichu wants to meet him, then let’s meet. That is one of our sect’s prodigies, Lin Fan. Come and greet the elder.”

Lin Fan stood where he was, still thinking about how to teach this Xin Feng a lesson.

To Lin Fan, this guy with his nose in the air was just too arrogant. His calm yet overbearing gaze gave off a vibe that made people want to punch him, and it was really annoying.

Now that Elder Wuya had called him, Lin Fan suddenly felt a sense of duty. At this moment, a surge of powerful energy welled up inside him.

Those who were usually remembered by the sect might not be important figures, but when the sect’s honor was at stake, being remembered by the elder meant that this person held a significant position within the sect.

At this moment, Lin Fan raised his head even higher than Xin Feng, his eyes no longer looking forward but gazing at the vast blue sky.

Lin Fan walked towards the elder with his hands behind his back, each step slow and deliberate. To create a strong visual impact, he occasionally activated his “Invisibility Technique,” making his presence disappear and reappear intermittently.

The disciples of the sect were all exclaiming in surprise.

They were stunned by Lin Fan’s cool demeanor, and soon whispers began to spread.

“Uncle Lin, how can he be so domineering?”

“This is incredible, my eyes are about to be blinded. Uncle Lin’s posture, his steps, and that calm aura are putting a lot of pressure on me.”

“Hmph, I told you, the prodigies of the Jiuxiao Sect are nothing special. In front of Uncle Lin, they are completely crushed.”

…

Wuya looked at Lin Fan’s current demeanor and felt a bit helpless, but a faint smile appeared on his face, showing his approval of Lin Fan.

What the sect lacked was precisely this kind of disciple, one who could embody the spirit of the sect.

The unhurried steps, the flickering figure, and the proudly raised head all represented the dignity of the Holy Sect.

“Elder,” Lin Fan said calmly as he stood beside Wuya.

“Mm, greet Elder Liang. Elder Liang is my close friend,” Wuya said.

Lin Fan slightly lowered his head, but it was still raised a bit too high. His eyes had to drift downward to see the single strand of hair on Liang Yichu’s bald head.

Lin Fan didn’t give a cold snort, as he felt it wouldn’t reflect his own style.

“Puff puff…”

Lin Fan’s nose twitched slightly, making a sound as a form of greeting.

Wuya looked at Lin Fan, his eyes growing fonder. Then, with a hint of apology, he said, “Brother Yichu, I’m sorry. This prodigy disciple of ours has this kind of temperament, and it’s hard to change. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Liang Yichu looked at Wuya, then squinted at Lin Fan, feeling a bit unhappy. This disciple was really something.

Xin Feng frowned slightly as he looked at Lin Fan, feeling very displeased. This guy was even more arrogant than himself. Could his strength really surpass his own?

The prodigies of the Jiuxiao Sect were also looking at Lin Fan with displeasure. In their eyes, this guy was just too arrogant.

The one who raised his head and faced them with his nostrils was just too much.

Then, everyone engraved Lin Fan’s face in their minds, determined to make him understand during the prodigy battle what the consequences of being too arrogant would be.

“Haha, Brother Wuya, this disciple is quite something. But his cultivation seems…” Liang Yichu said with a smile. The disciple in front of him had no trace of true essence, making it impossible to sense his cultivation level.

As for how this disciple could hide his cultivation from his eyes, that was simply impossible. The only explanation was that this disciple had no cultivation at all.

Wuya understood what this short, fat man was implying, but he himself was sometimes puzzled. What was going on with this kid? He had no aura at all, and even the sect leader couldn’t discern his cultivation level. It was truly bizarre.

“Elder Liang, may I ask, what is the purpose of our cultivation?” Lin Fan asked calmly.

“Brother Wuya, this disciple is quite interesting, actually testing me. But that’s fine. With all the disciples here, I, as an elder, will take this opportunity to explain it to you all.”

“The purpose of our cultivation is to transcend everything, to roam freely between heaven and earth…” Liang Yichu said with a smile, speaking eloquently. He wanted to give these juniors a good lesson, to make them understand the true purpose of cultivation.

“How about that?” Liang Yichu said with a smile.

The disciples of the Jiuxiao Sect, listening to the elder’s answer, seemed to be immersed in the highest truth, nodding frequently in agreement.

Even some disciples of the Holy Sect nodded slightly, agreeing with the idea that the purpose of cultivation was to transcend everything…

But at this moment, Lin Fan looked straight ahead, a calm and distant aura gradually emanating from him, his voice low and steady.

“Wrong…”

“Our cultivation is not about pursuing these things…”

As soon as Lin Fan spoke, the entire place erupted in uproar. The prodigies of the Jiuxiao Sect clenched their fists tightly. This guy was just too damn arrogant.

How could anyone be as despicable as him? It was truly infuriating.

“Incredible, my eyes are going to go blind. Master Lin’s posture, his steps, and that calm aura are giving me immense pressure.”

“Hmph, I told you so. The prodigies of Jiuxiao Sect are nothing special. In front of Master Lin, they are completely crushed.”

…

Watching Lin Fan’s current demeanor, Elder Wuyu felt helpless inside but managed a faint smile on his face, showing great approval of Lin Fan.

What the sect lacked was precisely such a disciple, precisely this kind of disciple who could embody the sect’s prestige.

That unhurried pace, that intermittently visible figure, that proudly raised head—all represented the dignity of the Holy Sect.

“Master Elder.” Lin Fan stood beside Wuyu, saying indifferently.

“Hmm, greet Elder Liang. Elder Liang is an old close friend of mine,” Wuyu said.

Lin Fan slightly lowered his head, but it was still raised rather excessively. His eyes had to look down to catch a hair on Liang Yichu’s bald head.

Lin Fan didn’t just coldly snort, because in his view, that wouldn’t reflect his own style.

“Tu tu…”

Lin Fan slightly twitched his nose, making two sounds, which was his way of greeting.

Looking at Lin Fan, Elder Wuyu’s eyes grew more and more fond. Then, with a slightly apologetic tone, he said, “Brother Yichu, I’m sorry. This prodigy of our sect has such a temper. No matter how we try to change him, he remains the same. Please don’t take offense.”

Liang Yichu looked at Wuyu, then narrowed his eyes at Lin Fan, feeling somewhat displeased. This disciple was indeed quite something.

Xinfeng frowned slightly at Lin Fan, feeling quite annoyed in his heart. This guy was even more arrogant than himself. Could it be that his strength was also superior?

The prodigies of Jiuxiao Sect also looked at Lin Fan with displeasure. In their eyes, this fellow was being too reckless.

That guy holding his head high, facing them with just his two nostrils, was simply too much.

Afterward, everyone deeply remembered Lin Fan’s face. During the upcoming battle of prodigies, they would make him understand what kind of consequences being too reckless could bring.

“Haha, Brother Wuyu, this disciple is indeed somewhat unique. But his cultivation seems…” Liang Yichu smiled. The disciple before him showed no trace of energy fluctuation, making it impossible to sense his cultivation level.

As for what method this disciple used to hide his abilities from his eyes, that was simply impossible. Therefore, there was only one possibility in the end—that this disciple had no real cultivation at all.

How could Wuyu not understand what this short, fat man meant? But sometimes Wuyu was also puzzled. What exactly was going on with this kid? There wasn’t a trace of aura around his entire body. Even the sect leader couldn’t discern the boy’s cultivation level. It was indeed very strange.

“Elder Liang,” Lin Fan spoke lightly and calmly, “may I ask you, what is the purpose of our cultivation?”

“Brother Wuyu, this disciple is indeed interesting. He dares to test me, but it’s fine. Since all the disciples are here now, I, as a senior, will explain it clearly for you all.”

“What is the purpose of our cultivation? It is to transcend everything and then wander freely between heaven and earth…” Liang Yichu smiled slightly, speaking eloquently. He wanted to give these younger generations a good lesson, letting them understand what the real purpose of cultivation was.

“What do you think?” Liang Yichu said with a smile.

The disciples of Jiuxiao Sect listened to their elder’s answer, as if immersed in the highest truth, nodding frequently in agreement.

Even some disciples from the Holy Sect nodded slightly, agreeing with this view. After all, wasn’t cultivation meant to transcend everything?

At this moment, however, Lin Fan gazed forward, a calm and distant aura gradually radiating from him. His voice was calm yet low.

“You’re wrong…”

“Our cultivation is not about pursuing those things…”

As soon as Lin Fan spoke, the entire venue erupted into an uproar. The prodigies from Jiuxiao Sect clenched their fists tightly. This fellow was simply too reckless.

How could a person be so despicable and arrogant? It was infuriating, truly infuriating.