Chapter 1244: Targeting

The restaurant hung in mid-air, enveloped in clouds and mist, with starlight sprinkling down, like a magnificent celestial palace towering in the cosmos.

When the middle-aged Taoist nun saw Ye Fan, a cold glint flashed and vanished in her eyes. Her mount had been publicly killed by Ye Fan, which was a tremendous humiliation for her.

Ye Fan found a table and sat down with Rui Wei, ignoring the comments.

Many people noticed them, their gazes, whether intentional or not, sweeping over them. Ye Fan was a powerful figure at the center of attention, having left a deep impression on many.

There were seven or eight people at the middle-aged Taoist nun's table, each one an extraordinary individual. This was normal, as who among those capable of traversing the ancient starry road would be ordinary?

A young man at the middle-aged Taoist nun's table, shaking the wine glass in his hand, spoke calmly. Though his voice wasn't loud, it was clearly audible: "One can know a person's face but not their heart. Some people are truly deranged, impersonating a Saint Assassin to kill their opponents. Their despicable and inhumane actions are appalling."

He wore a sky-blue robe and looked very young. His skin was fair, and his fingers, especially, were so translucent they seemed to shimmer against the jade cup, giving him a refined and elegant appearance.

"Indeed, they are scum," another woman added, her words sharp. "In the battle for the Imperial Road, if you have strength, you should display it. What kind of skill is it to secretly plot against competitors with such shameless methods?" She possessed a beautiful, flower-like face and was dressed in fiery red, which should have made her alluring and enchanting, but instead, she exuded a cold, murderous aura.

Rui Wei showed concern, naturally realizing that the people at this table were targeting Ye Fan, their words clearly slandering him in public.

"Brother Ye, let's go," Rui Wei said softly. "Let's find another place."

Ye Fan shook his head. "Such petty disturbances are everywhere," he said. "There's no need to pay them any mind."

The area within the celestial palace immediately fell silent. Many people watched as the seven or eight individuals at the middle-aged Taoist nun's table all adopted cold expressions.

"You've done it, yet you dare not admit it!" the red-clad woman retorted, her eyebrows knitted into sharp points, her eyes gleaming with cold light. "A mere rat, yet you dare to be so arrogant here!"

The middle-aged Taoist nun smiled. "Sister Hong Liu, why get angry?" she said. "Tomorrow we enter the trial grounds. We'll deal with these rats and dogs there and see who gains the most."

"Sister Hong, don't let a despicable person spoil your mood," the blue-clad man said plainly, his tone calm and unhurried, yet highly targeted. "Lord Junwei Mountain Master is about to arrive. Let's not discuss such a shameless person anymore."

The middle-aged Taoist nun smiled. "Brother Lan Feng is quite right," she said. "We should go and welcome Lord Junwei Mountain Master."

Rui Wei's expression changed. These people were truly excessive, working in concert to denigrate Ye Fan. Their malicious intentions were apparent and deserved severe punishment. He genuinely feared Ye Fan would lose his temper and go on a rampage here regardless of the consequences, which would undoubtedly lead to a major disaster.

Clearly, the middle-aged Taoist nun, Hong Liu, and Lan Feng were all waiting, hoping he would lash out so they could then claim the moral high ground and rebuke him.

Ye Fan remained calm. He raised his cup and lightly clinked it with Rui Wei's. "In this world, with all its myriad forms and desires, you encounter all kinds of people," he said. "Why bother with them? Just treat it as a dog barking."

Numerous gazes shot over, like sharp swords, making the atmosphere even tenser and colder. People anticipated a major confrontation.

Many in the celestial palace stopped talking, all watching. Even the brocade-clad young master, the monk with the golden hoop-bound hair, and the six or seven other tables occupied by independent, seed-level experts, casually glanced in their direction.

A trace of mockery appeared on the middle-aged Taoist nun's lips as she faintly smiled. The killing intent in Hong Liu's eyes intensified, while Lan Feng, aloof, stared at Ye Fan for a few moments. A palpable murderous aura emanated from their table.

Ye Fan naturally knew these were the middle-aged Taoist nun's allies. United, they were very powerful and not to be underestimated. He figured she had spent some effort these past few days inciting and recruiting this group.

"Lord Junwei Mountain Master has arrived!" A group of people ascended into the giant palace in the sky.

Five people stepped in. The one in the center walked with powerful, dragon-like strides, wearing a purple-gold crown and qilin armor. Exceptionally valiant and distinguished, he exuded an oppressive presence, like a divine mountain descending or a god-king appearing.

"Brother Junwei, please come this way," the elegant blue-clad Lan Feng said with a smile, rising to greet him.

The middle-aged Taoist nun also advanced, holding a whisk, respectfully inviting him with an earnest expression—a stark contrast to her coldness towards Ye Fan. Now full of smiles, she greeted him with Taoist etiquette, saying, "Lord Junwei Mountain Master's name echoes throughout the ancient starry road! To single-handedly break through ninety-nine Heavenly Passes, traversing one of the most difficult trial paths, is truly a mark of heaven-sent talent!"

Hong Liu and the others also approached with smiles, treating this person with utmost seriousness and not daring to show any disrespect, leading him to the table like stars orbiting the moon.

Within the celestial palace, everyone else showed surprise. Many had heard of this Lord Junwei Mountain Master, who was said to hail from an ancient star domain. In recent days, people had continuously sought to visit him, and he was clearly a powerful figure among the 437 trial participants.

He was definitely a top-tier figure, no weaker than the eight or nine cultivators who commanded their own tables. He inspired awe from all sides and was favored by many.

"Lord Junwei Mountain Master, from an academy in an ancient star domain, his knowledge is formidable; he has likely already attained sainthood."

"His vital energy is restrained, revealing not a single trace, making his depth hard to gauge. But to have passed through the ninety-nine most difficult Heavenly Passes, he must be extraordinary, having truly transcended into sainthood!"

These were the people's evaluations. They held this person in exceptionally high regard and felt a sense of apprehension. For anyone aspiring to embark on the Imperial Road, he was undoubtedly a formidable contender.

Lord Junwei Mountain Master possessed a pair of purple pupils, and his hair was bound by a golden crown. He had the majestic bearing of a dragon and a tiger, subtly exuding an aura of authority just by sitting there.

"I just heard you discussing an assassin," he said plainly, his purple pupils as deep as the sea. "Are there really any clues?"

"Just a petty villain, not worth mentioning," the middle-aged Taoist nun said casually. "Let him be smug for one night; tomorrow, in the trial grounds, he will reveal his true colors."

"Look, isn't that him?" Hong Liu said, pursing her lips and pointing directly at Ye Fan, this time without any pretense, targeting him explicitly. "Secretly hunting down fellow cultivators, unforgivable! I think tomorrow we should all rise up and attack him!"

"Yes, such a person is too despicable!" the others at the table echoed. "Secretly killing competitors and being so narrow-minded. If he continues to live, who knows how many more people will be harmed? He must be eliminated!"

Many in the celestial palace showed strange expressions, looking towards Ye Fan and then at the middle-aged Taoist nun and her group, whispering amongst themselves.

"A bunch of fools who don't know what's coming to them!" Ye Fan said, drinking a cup of wine. He swept a glance over there, his gaze indifferent and emotionless.

In an instant, the celestial palace became utterly silent. This was an irreconcilable conflict; even if a battle didn't break out now, a fierce struggle would surely occur in the trial grounds tomorrow.

"Who are you talking about?" Someone by the middle-aged Taoist nun's side stood up. In an instant, five or six individuals rose, glaring coldly, their imposing presence oppressive, as if they intended to slaughter everyone present.

Everyone thought Ye Fan would respond with cold sarcasm, but they didn't expect him to be so direct. "I'm talking about you lot," he said, "you despicable worms."

"Who do you think you are?" one person stepped forward and said viciously. "A mere despicable wretch who can't stand the light! Do you dare to fight me openly? I'll take your head within a hundred moves!" Clearly, this was just a pawn sent to test and provoke Ye Fan.

"Assassination has nothing to do with me," Ye Fan said, sweeping a contemptuous glance at him. "But if you insist on slandering me, I don't mind playing the part of a Saint Assassin for once. Furthermore, you are not worthy to fight me. Why bother with a hundred moves? One strike is enough to cut you down!"

As Ye Fan spoke these words, each one was forceful and resounding. A rampant, domineering aura overwhelmed everything, making the person's face turn ashen white, as if he had seen a torrential rain of blood drenching the heavens and earth.

"You!"

He felt an unbearable constriction in his chest. Kicking his chair aside, he couldn't help but step forward, actually preparing to draw his sword against Ye Fan.

*Swish!*

A flash of light streaked by. Ye Fan, with his back to the man, didn't even turn his head, flicking a cup of wine. With a bang, it struck the man, sending him flying. He spat out blood and fell stiffly into a corner, as if struck by a massive force.

Many people's expressions changed. Just a cup of wine, yet it sent a strong cultivator flying—such astonishing skill made many cultivators wary.

"You are truly arrogant and overbearing, causing a scene in the Human Race's First City!" the middle-aged Taoist nun sneered. "Do you disregard the city's rules? Such actions are presumptuous and show contempt for all heroes. Do you wish to be an enemy to all cultivators?"

"This is clearly an old grudge between you and me," Ye Fan said, looking at her, divine light gleaming in his eyes. "Why drag so many innocent people into it? Slandering me as a Saint Assassin, instigating so many to deal with me—aren't you ashamed of such vile behavior?" Every word was like a sword's clang, making people's ears hum. He continued, "Invite as many people as you can. Tomorrow, in the cultivation grounds, no matter how many come, I will take them all on!"

"You may use dark tricks, but I will strike them down with a brilliant sword." This was Ye Fan's killing intent; ultimately, all he sought was a fight.

Instantly, the celestial palace became extremely cold, chilling to the bone. Both sides were on edge, swords drawn and bows strung. It seemed a major battle was about to erupt even before entering the trial grounds.

Suddenly, screams and savage beast roars rang out, as if something unusual had happened.

Some cultivators had ridden strange birds and ancient beasts into the city. Outside the celestial palace, there was naturally a place to care for these mounts, and at this moment, great chaos erupted there.

The immense roars of savage beasts echoed inside, making many people at the middle-aged Taoist nun's table change color. They instantly stood up and rushed outside.

Outside the celestial palace, chaos reigned, accompanied by shouts.

"Whose horse is this, causing trouble here?" a furious and exasperated voice cried out.

Ye Fan and Rui Wei exchanged glances and walked outside. They saw that the area where mounts were cared for was excessively chaotic, with birds and beasts roaring incessantly.

"This Venerable One doesn't eat grass, only meat!" the arrogant voice of the Dragon Horse rang out. "These two beasts provoked me, so I had no choice but to roast them!"

The middle-aged Taoist nun, Lan Feng, Hong Liu, and the others had gloomy expressions. Two of them, in particular, had ashen faces, as their mounts were on the verge of death, being roasted over a fire.

The owner of the celestial palace wore a bitter expression. He had brought some spirit herbs, but the Dragon Horse had ignored them. A peacock and a golden fiend nearby, knowing their masters intended to target the Red-scaled Horse's owner, had mocked the Dragon Horse with harsh and disrespectful words.

The outcome was tragic: the Dragon Horse, a true rogue, immediately kicked out three times, sending the powerful peacock and golden fiend reeling, their eyes rolling back as they fainted. It then promptly plucked all their feathers and fur, roasting them with crimson flames. At this moment, the aroma of cooked meat wafted through the air.

"What... what's going on?" the middle-aged Taoist nun and others questioned coldly. "How can a horse be so arrogant!"

"What are you looking at? So provincial!" the Dragon Horse retorted. "Haven't you ever seen such a handsome, meat-eating horse?"