Chapter 1622: Tian Luo, Sage Wan Yun (Sixth Watch)

Turning his head, he saw a hunched old man wearing a patchwork robe. He was short and wizened, his skin ancient and wrinkled, and he gave off a pungent odor, as if he hadn't bathed in a very long time. At first glance, one might have mistaken him for a beggar.

However, Jiang Fan knew that anyone capable of silently approaching him within three feet, despite lacking a divine halo, could not possibly be a mere beggar. He could only be one type of person: a Sage! Jiang Fan immediately became extremely vigilant!

The Pavilion Master of Jiangshan Yipin had mentioned that a Sage was inquiring about him everywhere, seeking the "Soul-Resting Scripture of Suppressing Hell." Whoever was most eager to arrive when the provincial teleportation array connected would most likely be the Asura Saint Child!

He subconsciously wanted to retreat, but then he thought, what difference would a few steps back make to a Sage? Moreover, if this person truly was the Asura Saint Child and wished to remain hidden, he wouldn't attack him in public. His suddenly pounding heart calmed down, and he spoke, neither humble nor arrogant: "This junior, Jiang Fan, greets Elder Sage."

The hunched old man chuckled, "You're quick-witted, guessing my identity so fast. Where is your divine halo? Show it to me. I want to see what ancestral path is worthy of the Ancient Saint personally proclaiming it to the world."

Jiang Fan had already put on the Archangel's bone, which concealed the divine halo behind his head. Hearing the Sage's request, Jiang Fan frowned slightly. The other party's request wasn't exactly excessive, but it was rather imperious and showed little respect. He said calmly, "It's not convenient. Please excuse me, Elder."

The old man chuckled, "You've got quite some guts, don't you? There aren't many in the Central Lands who speak to this old man like that anymore!"

An invisible Sage aura slowly emanated outward. The Transformation God Venerables present instantly found it difficult to breathe, their bodies trembling. Even a wisp of Sage aura was more than Transformation God Venerables could bear. Yet, only Jiang Fan remained unaffected. Visibly, a layer of five-colored radiant light from his Divine Transformation silently blocked the pressure emanating from the Sage realm.

Seeing this, Jiang Fan's mind settled, and he spoke, neither humble nor arrogant: "No bowing to Sages, a special permission granted by the Ancient Saint. If this junior is impolite, please forgive me, Elder."

The old man then remembered the Ancient Saint's declaration: "No bowing to Sages, no kneeling to Saints!" This was the special privilege granted to him by the Ancient Saint! The old man laughed in exasperation, "So you're using the Ancient Saint to pressure me! Alright, you've got guts!"

He withdrew his aura and huffed lightly, "I heard you have a copy of the 'Soul-Resting Scripture of Suppressing Hell.' Take it out and let me see it!"

This fellow indeed came for the "Soul-Resting Scripture of Suppressing Hell." Given his haste, the suspicion that this person is the Asura Saint Child soared to ninety percent!

Seeing this, Grand Venerable Xingyuan quickly stepped forward, "Elder Tianluo, please don't make things difficult for Venerable Xinghuo. He is just a junior; if his words were offensive, this junior begs for mercy on his behalf."

The old man before them was one of the few Sages residing in the Central Lands: Sage Tianluo. He cast a glance at Grand Venerable Xingyuan, whose body was a paper effigy, and the Grand Venerable was instantly sent flying backward, cracks appearing all over him. "When this Sage speaks, you have no place to interrupt." His gaze returned to Jiang Fan.

"Elder Tianluo, may this junior then interject?" A fragrant breeze wafted as Grand Venerable Bingxin's graceful figure stepped in front of Jiang Fan. Seeing it was her, Sage Tianluo hesitated for a moment. He seemed to be wary of her.

At this moment, from deep within the sky, a young and clear voice resounded: "Tianluo, bullying juniors again?" The next instant, with a whoosh beside Grand Venerable Bingxin, a young man in moon-white robes appeared. He wore a green jade hair crown, a luminous jade belt at his waist, and brand new white shoes. His features were well-defined and handsome, his skin fair and flawless. He held a jade Ruyi scepter in his hand. He presented a picture of a gentleman as beautiful as jade, peerless in the world. Most terrifyingly, he had no divine halo behind him.

"If I were really bullying him, would this kid still be standing upright?" Sage Tianluo huffed, hands clasped behind his back, clearly displeased that the young Sage before him was spoiling his fun: "You didn't appear earlier or later, but the moment this girl Bingxin showed up, you did. Tsk, tsk, tsk, at your age, still thinking about young girls. Aren't you ashamed?"

The young Sage shook his head helplessly. "Say whatever you want. With a great battle imminent, don't cause trouble. Xinghuo is a junior whom the Ancient Saint particularly favors; you'd best weigh your actions. If anything happens to him and that Ancient Saint comes looking for you, it'll be too late for regrets."

Sage Tianluo's facial muscles twitched. That Ancient Saint had quite a temper. The last one who provoked her had to run naked around the Nine Provinces. Thinking of this, he quickly abandoned his intentions and said to Jiang Fan: "Alright, I was just joking with you, don't take it seriously! Take it, and don't go around babbling!"

He reached into his armpit, rummaged around, and pulled out a lump of mud, tossing it to Jiang Fan. "Ugh!" Jiang Fan dodged away in disgust. It wasn't until he sensed the power of laws contained within it that he reacted, quickly using a jade box to catch it.

Sage Tianluo laughed in exasperation, "Others want it, but this old man wouldn't even give it to them. And you're disgusted by it! You unperceptive kid! Hmph!" With a snort, he glanced sideways at Jiang Fan and then vanished from the world.

Jiang Fan held the jade box, his face full of curiosity as he sensed the laws within the lump of mud. Grand Venerable Bingxin, standing nearby, looked indignant. "That stingy old man, he actually gave you a law? He wouldn't even give one to me when I asked! You have to give me half. If our Sacred Spirit Province hadn't spoken up, he wouldn't have let you off." She stretched out a small hand towards Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan rolled his eyes at her. "If I'm thanking anyone, it's that Elder Sage." Sage Tianluo was clearly afraid of the Ancient Saint; that's why he gave Jiang Fan hush money! It had nothing to do with Grand Venerable Bingxin. However, the fact that Grand Venerable Bingxin had actually intervened when he was in trouble still surprised him a little.

Grand Venerable Bingxin lightly huffed, "Fine, you don't have to give me a law. Do you still have any Wish-Granting Paper? Give me one."

Wish-Granting Paper? Jiang Fan understood. The benevolent aura here was so dense that the Wish-Granting Paper could grant the greatest wishes within its capacity. During the great decisive battle, it could serve to defeat enemies and save lives. This girl isn't foolish after all.

He hesitated because he only had one Wish-Granting Paper left. The young Sage chuckled, "Bingxin, is it so hard to get Wish-Granting Paper if you want it? I can just ask for a few for you." Grand Venerable Bingxin, however, gazed at Jiang Fan with a resentful look. "No, I want his!" She wouldn't care for any obtained from elsewhere. She just wanted to see Jiang Fan's pained expression.

Jiang Fan was speechless. Why was this girl so fixated on him? However, considering that she had indeed helped him, he still took out a Wish-Granting Paper. He already had plenty of magic treasures; one more or one less Wish-Granting Paper wouldn't make a difference.

"Take it," Jiang Fan sighed, tossing it to her.

Grand Venerable Bingxin caught it, and seeing Jiang Fan's reluctance, she felt quite pleased, saying: "Later, during the great decisive battle, if you're about to die, come find me to save you. But it's agreed, I won't save you for free; whatever I want, you'll have to give me! Hmph!" With that said, she skipped back with light and happy steps to join the Transformation God Venerables of Sacred Spirit Province.