Chapter 1309: No One Cares About You

"What, is my reputation bad?"

A hint of awkwardness appeared on Great Venerable Xingyuan's face. This was expected. His recent actions had led him into an enemy trap, and he had even dragged several companions into it. It would be strange if he had a good reputation.

Venerable Zixiao, who had arrived, had already inquired about people's opinions beforehand. He said sheepishly, "Not exactly. The Dean faced immense danger and selflessly sacrificed for others, so he is still very much admired."

Great Venerable Xingyuan's hanging heart eased slightly. Thankfully, he had managed to turn the tide and salvage some of his poor reputation.

"So, the evaluation is good?" He looked hopeful. Could it be that he had gained many new followers?

Venerable Zixiao's expression turned odd. "Not exactly... no."

Great Venerable Xingyuan frowned slightly. Neither good nor bad? What was it then? Venerable Zixiao cast his gaze elsewhere, not daring to meet Great Venerable Xingyuan's eyes.

Just then, several powerful individuals from other sects hurried over, each bowing in greeting.

"Qingyin of Luming Thatched Hall greets Dean Xingyuan."

Great Venerable Xingyuan flew out of the meteorite crater, cleared his throat, and said, "Thank you for your concern, Venerable Qingyin. I'm fine."

However, Venerable Qingyin wasn't looking at him. Instead, she glanced around and asked, "Dean, where is Wang Chongxiao? Is he injured? Does he need any assistance?"

Great Venerable Xingyuan was taken aback. *Wait, I'm standing right in front of you! I was so badly beaten by the combined forces of Great Venerable Wugou and the Five-Star Giant King, and you're not concerned about me, but about Jiang Fan? What an inconsiderate Venerable Qingyin! From now on, she's forbidden from returning to my Wenhai Academy!*

Just then, another Venerable stepped forward. "Xinglu of Myriad Scrolls Bookstore greets Dean Xingyuan. Dean, how are your injuries?"

Great Venerable Xingyuan was immensely relieved. *See, see how sensible the Venerable from Myriad Scrolls Bookstore is! He actually knows to care about me, a Great Venerable! Unlike Venerable Qingyin!*

"Thank you for your concern..." Before he could finish speaking, Venerable Xinglu didn't wait for him to finish, instead looking left and right, then eagerly saying, "Good, good that he's fine. Dean, why isn't Wang Chongxiao here? All the disciples from my Myriad Scrolls Bookstore asked me to come and greet him."

Great Venerable Xingyuan's eyes widened, and he stood there, choked, unable to utter a single word.

Following that, Venerables continuously stepped forward to pay their respects. But without exception, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, they immediately started asking about Wang Chongxiao. Not a single one of them cared about him.

"Our master wants to invite Wang Chongxiao to teach and preach at our academy. May I ask where he is?"

"What's your master compared to ours? Our patriarch is already on his way, determined to invite Wang Chongxiao to visit our academy."

"Stop arguing, Wang Chongxiao is already an honored guest of my Tianya Academy! No one is to compete with us!"

"How preposterous! What right does your Tianya Academy have to monopolize Wang Chongxiao?"

"Not convinced? Then let's settle it with words!"

"Bring it on! I wish the Venerables of Tianya Academy get foul breath!"

"Impudent wretch! I wish your crotch shortens by half!"

"Ah! How vicious! I wish your chest swells like a ball!"

Great Venerable Xingyuan watched the group of Venerables before him, brawling over Jiang Fan. He, an old man, was cast aside, ignored by everyone. His heart was filled with bitterness. No wonder Venerable Zixiao had been stammering, saying that outsiders' evaluations of him were neither good nor bad. Because no one even looked at him! All the glory had been stolen by that kid, Jiang Fan!

Venerable Zixiao awkwardly asked, "Dean, are you alright?"

Great Venerable Xingyuan rubbed his chest; his heart felt utterly cold. Even being beaten half to death by the combined might of Great Venerable Wugou and the Five-Star Giant King hadn't made his heart ache. But now it did.

"I'm fine. What about that kid?" Great Venerable Xingyuan flicked his sleeves, trying to calm himself down.

Venerable Zixiao's expression stiffened slightly. He said, "He... landed safely."

Great Venerable Xingyuan nodded slightly. "That's good. If anything had happened to him, the Grand Wine Sacrifice of Taicang Grand State would probably come charging over with a blade. Where did he land?"

Venerable Zixiao rubbed his nose, his expression unnatural. "Yangxin Courtyard."

"Isn't that where Venerable Zhenyan is sealed?" Great Venerable Xingyuan exclaimed, "Is the person inside alright?"

Venerable Zixiao avoided his gaze and coughed dryly. "She's... she's fine. The person isn't seriously hurt. She just suffered a slight disadvantage. When Wang Chongxiao fell with the fireball, he somehow ended up holding her. They were both burned naked and ended up embracing each other, which was a bit indecent." He cautiously added, "I heard people say that's the Dean's daughter?"

Hearing this, Great Venerable Xingyuan bristled with anger, glaring with wide eyes: "What?! Embraced? Naked?! That scoundrel! Does he dare swear he didn't intentionally take advantage of my daughter? Where is he now?"

Venerable Zixiao coughed dryly. "He seems to have gone to Madam to request his reward for this trip. He seems to have forgotten that the Sky Eye Crystal is still on his forehead. Should we call him over and remind him to take it off?"

Great Venerable Xingyuan snorted. "Leave him be for now. We'll discuss merits and rewards later. First, I need to deal with this item."

From his sleeve, he took out a jade box with several seals affixed to it. Even so, a strong negative aura seeped out, making one feel very uncomfortable. Inside the jade box was merely a single drop of blood. This was precisely the blood from the ancient celestial pit. The Five-Star Giant King had tried to directly transform him using its blood, unleashing hundreds of blood droplets. He had secretly collected one drop, hoping that if he managed to escape back to the Central Land, he could study it thoroughly and find a way to neutralize it other than using the Saint Crystal Exfoliation.

"This is the blood from the ancient celestial pit's blood pool that Jiang Fan discovered in Taicang Grand State," he explained. "Take this to the plaza in front of the academy gate, and let disciples from various sects observe it. Let everyone brainstorm and see if anyone has a solution."

Venerable Zixiao carefully took it. "Yes, Dean."

Great Venerable Xingyuan cautioned again, "Be careful. Don't let anyone get too close. Even a single drop of this blood is hard to resist for anyone below the Venerable realm; they could very likely be transformed into ancient giants."

Venerable Zixiao's expression grew solemn. "Understood!"

After dealing with this matter, he then asked another Venerable from the academy, "Where is Venerable Lianjing?"

"Reporting, Dean, Venerable Lianjing has been rescued, but she is still unconscious."

Great Venerable Xingyuan frowned slightly and said, "Go take a look. She received more of the Sages' laws than both Wang Chongxiao and I combined."

Meanwhile, in front of a private chamber surrounded by a garden full of enchanting flowers, Xiongxiong said, "My mom is inside."

Jiang Fan gazed at the garden full of flowers, secretly amazed that they were all created by formations. He was about to shout to alert Venerable Qianjiao, but Xiongxiong walked straight into the garden and said, "Come on, Uncle, just follow me and you can get in."

Alright, it's better to have her son lead the way. Shouting from outside would be a bit impolite. He followed Xiongxiong's footsteps, passing safely through the garden without triggering any formations. They successfully arrived in front of the private chamber.

"Okay, Uncle, I'm going to play now. You can talk to my mom yourself." Xiongxiong ran off, clutching her hammer, leaving Jiang Fan alone.

Jiang Fan grimaced. He had to get the wish paper and leave quickly. His intuition told him that in about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, this mischievous child would cause big trouble. He stepped forward, reaching out to knock on the door, but then he suddenly heard a man's voice from within.

Jiang Fan was stunned. This was Venerable Qianjiao's private chamber; how could there be a man inside? Great Venerable Xingyuan had barely survived in the Celestial Realm, and his wife was with another man in her private chamber? *Oh my god! Was this something he was meant to know? He needed to slip away quickly, or he might end up dead!*

But just as he was about to leave, the voice inside the private chamber abruptly ceased. Then, the chamber door behind him slowly creaked open. A voice, tinged with a hint of coolness, sounded in his ear.

"How much did you hear?"