Chapter 1202: Jiang Fan's World Is About to Collapse

Sovereign Wanjun said with a sarcastic smile, “I truly envy all of you; your disciples are protected by the Three Divine Sects and Seven Great Teachings. Unlike my two poor apprentices, who struggle to even protect themselves in the ancient battlefield, and still have to look after a burden.”

These words made several venerables from other states feel increasingly resentful. What was troublesome was that it also affected their disciples’ morale.

All entering the ancient battlefield, it was clear that Sovereign Wanjun’s disciples would gain more. How could they remain calm?

Venerable Zixiao had no choice but to soothe his disciples’ feelings, saying, “A gentleman should be like bamboo, thriving in good times and unyielding in adversity. In limited circumstances, you must do your utmost to achieve the best possible outcome. Do not squander your resolve.”

The two disciples bowed their heads in agreement. The other venerables also began to advise their disciples, lest their poor morale affect their exploration of the ancient battlefield.

Only Deputy Palace Master You rubbed his nose. He turned his head and said to his two dejected disciples, “If you feel wronged, I’ll discuss it with Sovereign Wanjun and switch sects with him, no matter the cost. I’ll let you join the Heavenly Secret Pavilion!”

Hearing this, the two disciples shivered and quickly said, “No! We don’t want the Heavenly Secret Pavilion! The Grand Yin Sect is actually quite good!”

The two of them had, after all, followed their master and witnessed Jiang Fan’s experiences in the Celestial Realm. How to put it? The strength he displayed didn't particularly frighten them, but his various methods and terrifying calculations were fresh in their minds.

Jiang Fan had tricked and killed a Space Giant King, and allied with a Four-Crowned Asura King right in front of a Five-Star Giant King. If they followed him, they might be sold off by Jiang Fan without even knowing it. No, wait. They’d be sold, and then they’d even happily help him count the money!

Compared to that, following the Grand Yin Sect was much safer! Deputy Palace Master You looked at the self-satisfied Sovereign Wanjun, unable to help but show a sympathetic expression. Trying to play tricks in front of the Grand Sacrificer? The Grand Sacrificer would simply send you a living King Yama!

As if sensing Deputy Palace Master You’s gaze, Sovereign Wanjun looked over, saying with a half-smile, “What, Deputy Palace Master You, you wouldn’t be thinking of switching sects with me, would you?”

Deputy Palace Master You laughed, the wrinkles on his face forming several grooves of varying depths. “No, no! I have no such thought at all.”

Sovereign Wanjun chuckled. “That’s for the best. This is something I obtained by exhausting all my luck; I wouldn’t trade it for all the gold in the world. Hahaha!”

Just then, the formation in front flickered. Another sect from Taicang Great State arrived. As figures emerged, someone from the Myriad Tribulation Holy Palace recognized them. “It’s the Heavenly Secret Pavilion!”

Sovereign Wanjun cast his gaze over, saying with a smile, “My two apprentices. Aren’t you going to come and meet your companions from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion?”

But the next moment, his smile froze on his face.

A group of over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators and Demon Sovereigns from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion appeared simultaneously on the formation. Leading them were two Nascent Soul cultivators standing side by side. On the left was a middle-aged man with a rather scholarly demeanor, who was none other than the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. And on the right, it was no one else but Jiang Fan.

Sovereign Wanjun was stunned. He took out the roster of sects from Taicang Great State again and re-read the description of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. “That’s right, a sect established just a month ago, with only the Pavilion Master as a Nascent Soul cultivator. What’s going on now?”

Not only were there fifteen Nascent Soul cultivators, but there was also a Seven-Aperture Demon Sovereign! Alright, put those aside. What about Jiang Fan? How is this guy from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion?

Recalling how he had progressively tricked and killed the Space Giant King, a chill ran down his spine. How could his two disciples possibly handle Jiang Fan? If they followed Jiang Fan, they wouldn’t even know how they died!

“Grand Sacrificer, I don’t want the Heavenly Secret Pavilion anymore. Let my disciples follow one of the Seven Great Teachings. If worst comes to worst, even a Divine Sect would be fine, I’ll accept that! In short, anyone but the Heavenly Secret Pavilion!”

The Grand Sacrificer said expressionlessly, “You drew that lot with your own ability; how can I let you switch?” He waved at Jiang Fan, “Deputy Pavilion Master Jiang, come meet your new companions.”

Jiang Fan heard the Grand Sacrificer’s call from afar. He immediately hurried over and respectfully said, “Greetings, Grand Sacrificer. What do you mean by new companions?”

The Grand Sacrificer pointed to the two disciples standing beside Sovereign Wanjun, who looked utterly pale, and said, “You know these two, right?”

Jiang Fan replied, puzzled, “Sovereign Wanjun’s two disciples.”

The Grand Sacrificer nodded and said, “Henceforth, their safety in the ancient battlefield will be your responsibility. Disciples from other states are also accompanied and protected by their respective sects. You must ensure their well-being and not let them fall into danger, or you will be held accountable.”

How astute was Jiang Fan? Upon hearing the first sentence, he was still perplexed. Upon hearing the second, he instantly understood the Grand Sacrificer’s intention. It was called protection, but in reality, it was surveillance.

He looked at Sovereign Wanjun’s two disciples and gave a brilliant smile: “My two senior brothers, I am Jiang Fan. From now on, please feel free to follow me.”

Trust you? Not a chance! Following you is just courting death, isn’t it?

“Master! Am I doomed to this death? Oh, oh, I mean, must I really go to this Tianshan battlefield?” The two disciples immediately started to back out.

The venerables from other states, who had just been feeling resentful, instantly calmed down. So, Sovereign Wanjun had drawn Jiang Fan, this calamity. How satisfying! How satisfying! Hahaha!

Sovereign Wanjun’s face darkened; his own apprentices were too terrified to go to the Tianshan battlefield! Helpless, he approached Jiang Fan, stared at him for a moment, and forced a smile: “Jiang Fan, please take good care of my two apprentices and don’t let anything happen to them.”

He was genuinely worried that Jiang Fan might trick them to their deaths. Moreover, with Jiang Fan’s schemes, he could do so in a way that left Sovereign Wanjun speechless.

Jiang Fan frowned. “Sovereign Wanjun, you’re truly putting a junior in a difficult position. It’s unknown what dangers the battlefield holds, and with my strength, I can barely protect myself. How can I protect two Senior Brothers who are Seven-Aperture Demon Sovereigns? I truly dare not make such a promise.”

Sovereign Wanjun gritted his teeth. He had no choice but to take out a mid-grade crystal mine, equivalent to ten million crystal stones.

Jiang Fan’s eyes lit up. From a low-grade crystal mine, he had refined ten high-grade crystal stones and one supreme-grade crystal stone. The output of this mid-grade crystal mine should be ten times that amount. This way, whether for the teleportation arrays within Taicang Great State or for inter-state teleportation arrays, the crystal stones would be more than enough!

“How about now?” Jiang Fan knew when to quit while he was ahead, grinning from ear to ear, “Sovereign Wanjun, you’re too generous! These two senior brothers — no, from now on, they are guest elders of my Heavenly Secret Pavilion! We’ll advance and retreat together!”

Sovereign Wanjun’s mouth twitched violently. He knew this fellow wouldn’t lift a finger without a clear benefit! Wincing, he tossed the mid-grade crystal mine to Jiang Fan and said, “You two can get acquainted.”

Seeing this, the two disciples felt a slight sense of relief. Surely one mid-grade crystal mine would be enough to satisfy Jiang Fan?

“I am Thousand-Legs, and he is my junior brother, Shadowless!”“May I ask, junior brother, what is your Daoist title?”

The two exchanged greetings, intending to address Jiang Fan by his Daoist title. Jiang Fan, who had been beaming, froze on the spot.

This day had finally come!