Chapter 124: Jealousy and Rivalry

After Liu Wenchen finished drawing the lots, one hundred disciples were divided into ten teams. "Time is short," he announced. "You only have a quarter of an hour to prepare."

A mere quarter of an hour? That wasn't even enough time to return to the sect's main gate, only enough for a quick word with close friends or family.

"Wanping, Siling," Li Qingfeng called out, heading straight for their team. His face was etched with worry. "The demonic beasts in Hundred Beast Mountain are not to be trifled with. If you encounter them, you must be extremely careful."

As he spoke, he produced a pouch filled with healing medicines, several spiritual energy replenishment pills, and a few talismans. These items were worth several hundred spirit stones. Ding Wanping accepted them with delight. "Master truly is good to us," he beamed.

Then, Ding Wanping glanced at Jiang Fan, who was standing next to Chen Siling. The more he looked, the more of an eyesore Jiang Fan became. Coincidentally, Liu Wenchen was also distributing resources to the disciples from the Sect Master Peak, and Jiang Fan was the last to receive his share.

In their haste, neither the Sect Master nor the elders had brought ample resources with them. By the time it was Jiang Fan's turn, only two healing pills remained. Liu Wenchen expressionlessly tossed them to Jiang Fan. "This is all there is," he said. "Given your ordinary cultivation, your priority should be evasion if you encounter demonic beasts. Leave the slaying of them to Ding Wanping. These two pills will be sufficient."

After these curt instructions, he turned and walked away. The stark contrast to Li Qingfeng's affectionate care for his disciples was glaring.

Jiang Fan touched his nose. It seemed that forcing Cao Zhen out had left Liu Wenchen quite displeased. Ding Wanping seized the opportunity to mock him. "How pathetic!" he sneered. "You're about to leave, yet no one cares about you. Even Master just haphazardly gave you two healing pills." He clucked his tongue mockingly.

Witnessing this, Chen Siling's heart ached. She took Jiang Fan's hand and said, "Husband, you can use all my pills and talismans. Don't be sad." A warmth spread through Jiang Fan's heart. He pinched her soft cheek, then pulled her into an embrace. "Silly girl," he chuckled, "why would I need yours?"

The Qingyun Sect merely provided common remedies. How could they compare to the ones he refined himself? Once they reached Yunyang City, he could easily acquire some medicinal ingredients and concoct pills and remedies that would be far more potent than these.

"You're still within the sect and already so affectionate? What will happen once you're outside?" Xu Youran's playfully reproachful voice drifted over. Startled, Chen Siling quickly pulled away from Jiang Fan's embrace, her face flushing as she lowered her head. "Sister," she murmured, "I wouldn't dare."

As the primary wife, Xu Youran had yet to formally unite with Jiang Fan. How could Chen Siling presume to take precedence?

"Pfft!" Xu Youran couldn't help but burst out laughing. "I was just teasing you! Look how scared you are!" she said. "Such things are bound to happen sooner or later. Since I've accepted you, why would I object?"

She took Chen Siling's hand and placed it firmly in Jiang Fan's palm. "Siling is now in your care," she stated. "Don't let a single hair on her head be harmed."

Jiang Fan smiled faintly, drawing both women into his embrace, one on either side. This immediately made Ding Wanping, who had just been feeling quite pleased with himself, realize that his master's care suddenly seemed insignificant. Healing medicines, spiritual energy pills, talismans—what were these compared to the scene unfolding before his eyes?

But what truly made Ding Wanping's eyes bulge with envy was yet to come. A graceful figure in purple, hesitated for a moment, then walked towards them. "You certainly know how to enjoy life!" she remarked.

The peerlessly beautiful Liu Qingxian watched the scene before her, a complex mix of emotions swirling within. Although she had long heard that Jiang Fan had two wives, one older and one younger, seeing him with both women in his arms made her feel a disconcerting sensation, like sand grinding in her heart.

"Senior Sister, do you have any instructions for me?" Jiang Fan asked. Liu Qingxian glanced at Xu Youran, instinctively comparing herself. In terms of beauty, the other woman was in no way inferior to her.

Regarding spiritual roots, the other woman had tested as a seventh-grade root, still no less impressive than her own. As for status, the other woman was Jiang Fan's fiancée, while she was merely a Senior Sister. This comparison stirred a flicker of resentment within her.

Why? She was not inferior to her in the slightest.

Not without a hint of challenge, she produced a small red satchel. It was packed with various medicines, spirit elixirs, talismans, and even a few low-grade magical artifacts. The sheer quantity was several times what Ding Wanping had received.

"I've prepared some items for you; I hope you'll find them useful," she said, extending the satchel to Jiang Fan.

"Thank you, Senior Sister," Jiang Fan began, reaching out to accept it. However, Xu Youran's eyes subtly narrowed. "Senior Sister Liu's kind offer is truly appreciated on behalf of my husband," she interjected.

"I have already prepared various necessities for my husband, and Siling will also share whatever he requires," she continued. "There's no need for Senior Sister Liu to trouble herself."

As women, they understood each other's intentions perfectly. Since the other party sought to provoke, Xu Youran naturally couldn't back down.

Liu Qingxian turned to Xu Youran, her gaze sharpening. "I'm giving something to my junior brother," she stated, "and it doesn't seem to require your input, does it?"

Xu Youran let out a soft chuckle, then turned her gaze directly to Jiang Fan. "Xiaofan," she said pointedly, "Siling and I prefer that you don't accept items from other women. You can decide what to do."

Jiang Fan was speechless. Why had things suddenly turned into a dispute?

However, Xu Youran and Siling were his closest companions. He couldn't possibly allow them to lose face. He had no choice but to politely decline Liu Qingxian's offer, cupping his hands. "Senior Sister Liu, I..." he began.

"Don't say it!" Liu Qingxian cut him off, already knowing the answer. She bit her lip, glaring fiercely at Jiang Fan. "You are so heartless!"

She then turned to the composed Xu Youran, a desire to speak in her eyes, but she held back. Finally, she stamped her foot and stormed off in a pique. Jiang Fan felt a headache coming on. Yet, he knew there was no other option.

While Liu Qingxian was very kind to him, when faced with a choice between her and his two wives, his wives naturally took precedence. He would just have to placate her after returning from the demonic beast extermination.

Chen Siling subtly clicked her tongue, then whispered, "Sister, why were you so harsh with her?" In her experience, Xu Youran wasn't usually so unreasonable.

Xu Youran sighed helplessly. "Do you think I wanted to?" she replied. "The Sect Master's daughter has an arrogant disposition. If she's not fated to be with Xiaofan in the future, then so be it. But if she truly is, tell me, should I prevent it or not?"

Chen Siling was at a loss for words. After all, she herself had only become Jiang Fan's concubine with Xu Youran's express permission.

"If I prevented it, I would lack the grace befitting a primary wife," Xu Youran explained. "But if I don't prevent it, do you believe the Sect Master's daughter would willingly settle for a position beneath us? So, I must make her understand now that if she wishes to join, she must first acknowledge who is truly in charge!"

Chen Siling suddenly understood. What had appeared to be a mere squabble fueled by pride was, in fact, a subtle assertion of hierarchy.

The aim was to curb Liu Qingxian's impetuous spirit from the outset. Chen Siling couldn't help but sigh. "It must have been hard for you, Sister, to play the villain."

Xu Youran cast a playfully reproachful glance at Jiang Fan. "It's all our husband's fault for being such a magnet for women!" she teased. "I truly don't understand what's so great about him, yet you all keep throwing yourselves at him."

Chen Siling, blushing deeply, lightly stamped her foot, utterly speechless.

This scene made Ding Wanping so consumed by jealousy that he gritted his teeth. Even Liu Qingxian, renowned as the Nine Sects' foremost beauty, was vying for Jiang Fan's affection?

Why? What exactly made him superior to me?

Yet, to his dismay, this wasn't the end of it! A soft, delicate voice suddenly drifted towards them.