Chapter 113: Ceding a Beloved Disciple

As soon as this was said, Gong Caiyi was secretly astonished. This Kong Wushuang had incredibly sharp instincts. He had actually discovered Jiang Fan's extraordinary qualities.

But the next sentence made Gong Caiyi freeze. "I can feel that his vital energy and blood are exceptionally strong, unlike anything I've seen in someone his age." Kong Wushuang gazed at Jiang Fan, a hint of fighting spirit rising in his eyes.

"To think there's such a body-refining genius outside of my Giant Sect!""Come! Let's have a match!"

Body refining? Gong Caiyi stared at Jiang Fan, utterly baffled. How did this guy suddenly reveal another hidden talent? How many more secrets was he hiding?

Jiang Fan, however, was muttering to himself. He was cultivating the Giant Sect's 'Iron Blood Scripture'; if they sparred, would he be recognized?

Fortunately, Liu Wenchen wouldn't dare let Jiang Fan disgrace the Sect Master's Peak. He quickly interrupted, "Sect Master Kong, you've come all this way to Qingyun Sect; may I ask the purpose of your visit?" He then glanced at Gong Caiyi.

He decided to be direct. "Or rather, both Sect Masters, what are you looking for here at Qingyun Sect?"

He had noticed Gong Caiyi's unusual behavior over the past two days. While seemingly touring, she was actually having her disciples search various peaks. Combined with their sudden visit, a suspicion formed in his mind.

Now, even the Giant Sect, the furthest of the Nine Sects from Qingyun Sect, had arrived uninvited. This confirmed his suspicions.

Gong Caiyi pondered for a moment, knowing she couldn't hide it any longer. She stated solemnly, "The Heavenly Secret Pavilion has found the cause of this beast tide. It's because a Heavenly and Earthly Divine Beast has emerged. The Demon Kings led their demon armies in search of it, which is why the beast tide occurred."

"And my investigation has led me to believe it's hidden within Qingyun Sect." Liu Wenchen's expression changed dramatically.

"A Heavenly and Earthly Divine Beast that triggered the beast tide? Could it be the offspring of a Demon Emperor or an even higher-level demonic beast?" Gong Caiyi's eyes gleamed with fervor as she shook her head. "I don't know."

"But its origin must be extraordinary. Otherwise, the Demon Emperor, who hasn't emerged from seclusion for centuries, would never have reappeared and mobilized all the demonic beasts to search for it, regardless of the cost."

Gong Caiyi then cast a sidelong glance at Kong Yuanba. "I know this because the spirit beasts of my Spirit Beast Sect told us. Sect Master Kong, you are truly resourceful to have also discovered it." Kong Yuanba grinned.

His gaze was already scanning the surroundings. "Sect Master Liu, now that we know this beast is in Qingyun Sect, it will be very difficult for your sect to keep it to yourselves."

Liu Wenchen's expression remained calm. He had indeed considered keeping it for himself, but with both Sect Masters already at Qingyun Sect, it was unrealistic to try and drive them away. "In that case, let's rely on our own abilities. Whoever finds that demonic beast, it belongs to them!" Liu Wenchen declared.

Kong Yuanba and Gong Caiyi had no objections. They immediately led their disciples and began a public search.

"Jiang Fan, continue to follow me. Jiang Fan? Jiang Fan!" Gong Caiyi called out several times, realizing Jiang Fan was spacing out.

"Oh, oh." Jiang Fan snapped back to attention and quickly responded.

"What are you thinking about?" Gong Caiyi asked suspiciously, "Why are you so distracted?" Could Jiang Fan not be distracted?

If he wasn't mistaken, the Heavenly and Earthly Divine Beast that the three sects were searching for was the little Qilin he had just tamed. It was actually the source of the beast tide? What on earth had he tamed?

He concealed the guilt in his eyes and said, "I was wondering what kind of existence such a Heavenly and Earthly Divine Beast is." Gong Caiyi was relieved and said patiently, "Let's talk as we walk."

"Such an existence is beyond the comprehension of our Nine Sects. I hear even the Heavenly Secret Pavilion couldn't figure out where this demonic beast came from or what species it is. But it must be a peerless treasure."

"If you can help me find it, I'll agree to any condition you name." Looking at the graceful and beautiful Gong Caiyi, Jiang Fan nodded, his mind wandering.

Hand it over to you? Dream on.

And so, the entire Qingyun Sect was in an uproar. Under Liu Wenchen's command, the Sect Master's Peak, along with the Nine Elder Peaks, had all their elders, deacons, and disciples conduct a thorough search. The personnel from the Giant Sect and the Spirit Beast Sect also exhausted all their efforts in the search.

After more than ten days, there was naturally no harvest.

"It seems our previous pursuit made it wary, and it most likely slipped away a long time ago." Gong Caiyi rubbed her temples tiredly. Qingyun Sect had almost been turned upside down by their search. If the little spirit beast were still here, there'd be no way it wouldn't leave a trace. The only explanation was that it had already left Qingyun Sect.

Yuan Zhiyu was visibly thinner from exhaustion. She asked, "Master, are we just going to return home then?"

"What else can we do?" Gong Caiyi said dejectedly. "Qingyun Sect is surrounded by the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Since we've lost its trace, finding it again would be harder than finding a needle in a haystack."

"Wait!"

Gong Caiyi suddenly remembered. "We can't just leave like this. I have to take Jiang Fan with me! How can I be content without bringing such a talent back to the Spirit Beast Sect?" Yuan Zhiyu said awkwardly, "But how do you plan to take him? Will Sect Master Liu let him go? He's so exceptional."

Gong Caiyi's head began to ache again. Biting her silver teeth slightly, she said, "Then we'll just have to pay a higher price!"

Not long after, Jiang Fan, who was cultivating, was suddenly summoned by Liu Wenchen. He rushed to the main hall, where he saw both Liu Wenchen and Gong Caiyi.

"Jiang Fan, Sect Master Gong is leaving tomorrow, and she specifically asked for you." Liu Wenchen wondered inwardly. Gong Caiyi had come to see him with such gravity and had even requested Jiang Fan's presence. He had no idea what she intended.

"Sect Master Gong, I am unfamiliar with the sect and haven't hosted you well these past few days. Please forgive me." Jiang Fan said humbly. Gong Caiyi, however, looked at Jiang Fan meaningfully and asked, "Jiang Fan, what do you think of me, this Sect Master?"

Jiang Fan cautiously glanced at her. Fair-skinned and beautiful, with a graceful figure, she was a great beauty. Moreover, her character and personality were excellent. Most importantly, she had been very good to him. "Sect Master Gong is peerless in grace, gentle, and generous. It is my honor to have the privilege of serving you," he replied.

Gong Caiyi smiled faintly and asked abruptly, "Then, would you be willing to come to the Spirit Beast Sect and continue to serve me?" Jiang Fan was stunned.

Liu Wenchen's hand, holding a teacup, trembled, and he asked in astonishment, "Sect Master Gong, what is the meaning of this?" Gong Caiyi no longer concealed her intentions. "After half a month of interaction, I've grown very fond of Jiang Fan. Might I ask Sect Master Liu to part with this disciple, Jiang Fan, and let him come to my sect?" Liu Wenchen was utterly bewildered.

What was so good about Jiang Fan? Even if his comprehension was a bit better, he still had no spiritual root. He frowned and asked, "Sect Master Gong, what do you intend for him to do if you take him back?"

He genuinely didn't know what Gong Caiyi saw in him. Gong Caiyi stated bluntly, "Junior Sect Master."

Clang— Liu Wenchen's hand trembled in shock, and the teacup fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. "Junior Sect Master? Sect Master Gong, are you not joking?"

Gong Caiyi's delicate brows furrowed. She had worried that Liu Wenchen might be concerned about Jiang Fan being mistreated if he joined the Spirit Beast Sect. That's why she had carefully considered and directly offered Jiang Fan the position of Junior Sect Master of the Spirit Beast Sect. But how could Liu Wenchen still be dissatisfied? No matter how outstanding Jiang Fan was, he was still just a disciple.

Junior Sect Master was already the highest status. "Sect Master Liu, if there's anything else you desire, please say it directly. I am sincere in wanting to take Jiang Fan with me."

Liu Wenchen looked at Jiang Fan with an astonished expression. He couldn't see anything exceptional about him. Realizing Gong Caiyi had misunderstood, Liu Wenchen quickly said, "Sect Master Gong, you're overthinking this. For a disciple with no spiritual root like Jiang Fan, it would be his honor if you are willing to take him."

"What?" Gong Caiyi abruptly stood up, unable to believe what she had just heard. Liu Wenchen actually didn't care about this disciple at all? A thought, incredibly exciting, sparked in her mind.

Could it be that Liu Wenchen simply didn't know his disciple was a true treasure?