Chapter 162: You say he is a scoundrel?

Poof—In an instant, the incredibly powerful finger force pierced through the spiritual energy palm print and struck Nangong Xiaoyun's chest.

Crack—The heart-protecting mirror she wore shattered instantly, blocking the blow. However, the residual force of the finger still sent her flying several feet back.

You Yunzi, who had always been calm and composed, stiffened. He flicked his sleeve, swiftly flew out, and caught the retreating Nangong Xiaoyun.

Nangong Xiaoyun clutched her throbbing chest. Her eyes widened as she exclaimed, "She... she learned an Earth-grade finger technique!"

You Yunzi was even more surprised than her. He stared at Jiang Fan in disbelief, muttering, "How is that possible? He actually managed to teach the Heaven-Crippling Finger to Liu Qingxian? How did she comprehend that finger technique to such a degree in such a short time?"

The entire crowd erupted in cheers. "Senior Sister Liu... won?" "Our Qingyun Sect won!" "We defeated the Heavenly Secret Pavilion!"

The unexpected victory filled them with uncontrollable excitement.

A Qingyun Sect disciple had defeated the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's top prodigy, a distinction unmatched by the other eight sects!

While the disciples were stunned by the victory, Liu Wenchen and the elders were shocked by the finger technique Liu Qingxian had just demonstrated!

Feng Guzen said in disbelief, "An Earth-grade cultivation technique? How could it be an Earth-grade cultivation technique? Where did she get it?"

He couldn't help but look at Liu Wenchen, suspecting he had taught her.

However, Liu Wenchen's expression was even more surprised than his. "Where did Qingxian get an Earth-grade cultivation technique? Who taught it to her?"

At this moment, You Yunzi walked over, looking quite crestfallen. "Sect Master Liu, your daughter is exceptionally well-trained!" he said. "Congratulations!"

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion's top prodigy had actually lost to a Qingyun Sect disciple. If word got out, it would truly damage the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's prestige. If he had known this, he shouldn't have allowed Nangong Xiaoyun to spar.

Liu Wenchen quickly returned the courtesy. "Miss Nangong was simply being courteous," he replied.

You Yunzi was indeed somewhat unwilling. He didn't believe Nangong Xiaoyun lost to Liu Qingxian; she lost to Jiang Fan, that incredibly formidable elder! Without his guidance, Liu Qingxian wouldn't even have been able to break through to the Core Formation realm, let alone defeat Nangong Xiaoyun.

"Sect Master Liu, there's no need to be modest. Liu Qingxian's victory was entirely due to your Elder Jiang," You Yunzi sighed. "Having such an elder is a great fortune for your Qingyun Sect!"

Liu Wenchen was stunned, asking perplexedly, "Elder Jiang? Vice Pavilion Master You, have you mistaken someone?" Among the Qingyun Sect's nine elders, there was no one with the surname Jiang. At this, not only You Yunzi froze.

Even Nangong Xiaoyun was stunned. How could he be mistaken? Isn't Jiang Fan standing right beside Liu Wenchen? What's there to mistake?

Nangong Xiaoyun asked, bewildered, "Then who is he? Could it be that his name isn't Jiang Fan, and his surname isn't Jiang at all?"

Following her gaze, Liu Wenchen glanced at Jiang Fan in surprise. Although he didn't know why someone of Nangong Xiaoyun's standing would care about a minor disciple like Jiang Fan, he still quickly introduced him, saying, "This is my untalented disciple, Jiang Fan. Jiang Fan, come greet Miss Nangong. She is the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's top prodigy, with exceptional martial arts talent and extraordinary comprehension. Even a casual word of advice from her would benefit you for a lifetime."

Jiang Fan nodded. He stepped forward to You Yunzi and Nangong Xiaoyun, cupping his hands and bowing. "Vice Pavilion Master You, Miss Nangong," he said. "Qingyun Sect disciple Jiang Fan greets you both."

Although he had interacted with them before, this was their first formal introduction.

You Yunzi was dumbfounded, staring blankly at Jiang Fan. Nangong Xiaoyun, on the other hand, felt her mind go completely blank.

That Elder Jiang who cleaved a beast king with a single sword stroke, unleashing astonishing sword qi! That Elder Jiang who casually summoned boundless spiritual energy, whose spiritual root was incredibly powerful! That Elder Jiang whose comprehension reached the heavens and earth, who comprehended an Earth-grade finger technique in just a few hours, and then taught it to Liu Qingxian in half a day! And you're telling me... he's not an elder. He's just a Qingyun Sect disciple. And an... untalented one! What kind of untalented disciple is this powerful?

You Yunzi seemed to have something stuck in his throat; he stammered for a long time before managing to say with great difficulty, "Sect Master Liu, you said... he's an untalented disciple?"

Liu Wenchen felt as if thorns were pricking his back from the question. He would rather a thousand or ten thousand times not be asked about Jiang Fan. This disciple with no spiritual root was simply his disgrace. Yet You Yunzi specifically asked, so he could only bite the bullet and say, "Indeed, he is my untalented disciple, and has offended Vice Pavilion Master You's discerning eye."

Nangong Xiaoyun was dumbfounded, unable to believe Liu Wenchen's assessment. Such a heaven-defying disciple, and he calls him untalented?

She swallowed hard and said, "Sect Master Liu, have you misunderstood something?""Misunderstood?"

Liu Wenchen chuckled awkwardly and sighed, "Miss Nangong, you don't know. It's not that I'm belittling this disciple; it's just that he truly is untalented. Because he is a disciple with no spiritual root."

No spiritual root? Then what was that terrifying spiritual root in the Martial Soul Hall that attracted spiritual energy from miles around?

Nangong Xiaoyun opened her mouth to speak, "You... mmph mmph mmph..." You Yunzi, however, shifted his gaze, covered her mouth, and stopped her from continuing.

He turned to Liu Wenchen and said, "Sect Master Liu, we have disturbed you for many days. We shall take our leave now. Please ensure the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's notice is executed as soon as possible." Liu Wenchen cupped his hands and watched them leave on a flying crane.

Long after leaving Qingyun Sect, Nangong Xiaoyun broke free from You Yunzi's hand, took a few difficult breaths, and said, "Were you trying to suffocate me? Why wouldn't you let me speak?"

At this moment, You Yunzi was trembling with excitement. "A treasure! We've discovered a peerless treasure!" he exclaimed. "A peerless prodigy with a heaven-defying spiritual root! That Liu Wenchen was blind to his talent and treated him as an untalented disciple!"

"Uh..."

Nangong Xiaoyun somewhat understood why You Yunzi had stopped her from asking further questions.

"Vice Pavilion Master, are you planning to recruit Jiang Fan under your command?"You Yunzi excitedly retorted, "Of course! Once such a prodigy is nurtured, he will certainly become a titan in the future! This will bring boundless benefits to me and to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion! Once the beast tide is resolved, I will immediately find a way to bring him to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion!"

Nangong Xiaoyun suddenly understood. Then she looked doubtful and said, "But what if someone else discovers his extraordinary talent? Heaven knows when the beast tide will subside. And Jiang Fan is so heaven-defying; it would be hard for his excellence to go unnoticed by others. By then, things might not go as You Yunzi wished."

Hearing this, You Yunzi also felt uneasy. If someone else snatched this monstrous talent, he would be so furious he'd lose three years of his lifespan! "Hmph! Whoever dares to snatch him from me will face my wrath!" he declared fiercely.

Nangong Xiaoyun then asked:

"But what if Liu Wenchen realizes it?"

"Uh—"You Yunzi froze.

Jiang Fan was his disciple. If he suddenly realized Jiang Fan's monstrous talent, there's no way he would give up this disciple, right? After a long moment of thought, You Yunzi snorted, "So what if he realizes it? Jiang Fan has already been treated as an untalented disciple by him. What right does he have to continue being his master?"Hearing You Yunzi's intention to forcefully take him.

Nangong Xiaoyun clicked her tongue. When that time came, she wondered how much Liu Wenchen would regret it.