Chapter 167: Nine Golden Lists

Jiang Fan asked in surprise, "Staying Immortal Pavilion? What happened?"

The messenger disciple looked anxious and replied, "Senior Sister is in trouble; she asked you to hurry over."

"What?" Jiang Fan was startled, but also felt a little confused. This was the territory of the Azure Cloud Sect. Who would dare bully Liu Qingxian here? However, since someone had been sent to ask for help, he couldn't delay.

He immediately cupped his hands toward Shangguan Sheng: "Senior Brother, please wait a moment." Then he rushed to the Staying Immortal Pavilion.

Shangguan Sheng mused for a moment: "Should I go help Junior Brother Jiang?" Wen Hongyao chuckled softly: "What could possibly happen to the Sect Master's daughter right under the Azure Cloud Sect's nose? It's probably just some playful squabble among the younger generation. Let them sort it out themselves."

Shangguan Sheng nodded slightly. "This auction has attracted many elite disciples from various sects, leading to a mixed crowd, so conflicts are normal. Still, I'll send my eldest disciple to take a look. She can get acquainted with this Junior Uncle, and if he runs into trouble, they can resolve it together."

Wen Hongyao nodded. Shangguan Sheng's eldest disciple was the Chief Disciple of the Grand Supreme Sect! She ranked third on the Nine Sects' Golden List! She was an existence akin to a prodigy king! With her presence, who would dare cause trouble?

Meanwhile, Jiang Fan utilized his movement technique, rushing quickly to the Staying Immortal Pavilion. The imagined scene of Liu Qingxian in trouble did not materialize. She stood safely at the entrance of the restaurant, her beautiful purple figure drawing frequent glances from passersby.

Beside her stood a handsome, tall young man whose cultivation had reached the Core Formation stage. He asked with a gentle expression, "Junior Sister Liu, are you waiting for a powerful Senior Brother?"

Rumors of the "Path-Finding Powder" at this auction had spread throughout the Nine Sects, attracting countless elite disciples at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. The young man before them was Ling Guihai, a disciple of the Myriad Sword Sect. He was extremely powerful, ranked ninth on the Golden List. He had stepped forward to organize a small martial arts exchange gathering for disciples from various sects, and had also grandly invited Liu Qingxian, who had recently broken through to the Core Formation stage and simultaneously defeated Nangong Xiaoyun.

Upon learning of this grand event, Liu Qingxian immediately thought of Jiang Fan. Elite disciples from various sects were gathering to discuss martial arts. This was an extremely rare opportunity. How could she forget Jiang Fan?

Suddenly, Liu Qingxian spotted Jiang Fan from afar. Her usually aloof face immediately broke into a smile, and she happily waved, "Come quickly! Why are you just standing there?"

Jiang Fan looked confused: "Senior Sister, weren't you in trouble?" Liu Qingxian replied cunningly, "If I didn't trick you like this, how else would you come? Jiang Fan would never be interested in such an exchange gathering. If she had told him the truth, he would 100% not have come."

"Come quickly and meet Senior Brother Ling from the Myriad Sword Sect. He's organizing a martial arts exchange. You're about to undergo disciple evaluation soon, and participating in this can only be good for you."

Upon hearing it was a martial arts exchange, Jiang Fan rolled his eyes. He had thought Liu Qingxian was in danger, which made him rush all the way here.

He cupped his hands toward Ling Guihai: "I am Jiang Fan, a disciple of the Sect Master's Peak of the Azure Cloud Sect. Greetings, Senior Brother Ling."

"Jiang Fan?" Ling Guihai said thoughtfully, "Could it be that spirit-rootless disciple adopted by Sect Master Liu? Junior Brother Jiang, your reputation has reached even the Myriad Sword Sect. I've long heard of you."

Although his words were accompanied by a smile, the subtle contempt in his tone was unmistakably clear. After all that, they were apparently waiting for a martial arts good-for-nothing.

By this time, the elite disciples had all arrived. Jiang Fan had absolutely no interest in such an occasion. He'd rather go back and discuss medicine with Shangguan Sheng. "Senior Brother Ling, Senior Sister Liu, I won't be joining the gathering. I have other matters to attend to. Please excuse me."

Ling Guihai scoffed internally. At least he had some self-awareness, knowing he wasn't worthy of participating in this exchange and wisely backing out.

However, Liu Qingxian had already broken through to the Core Formation stage and wasn't particularly invested in a martial arts exchange for the Foundation Establishment realm. Her main intention was for Jiang Fan to participate and benefit from it. Since Jiang Fan was insistent on not joining, she also lost interest in participating and said, "Then I won't join either. Let's go, Senior Sister will treat you to a drink. You've helped me immensely this time."

Ling Guihai was caught off guard. He had organized the martial arts exchange to show Liu Qingxian his influence as the ninth-ranked on the Golden List. He wanted to gain Liu Qingxian's favor. If Liu Qingxian didn't participate, organizing the exchange would be meaningless.

"Junior Brother Jiang, wait!" Ling Guihai had no choice but to stop Jiang Fan, saying, "Is there anything more important than meeting the prodigies from various sects? I've extended invitations to many powerful individuals, even Xia Chaoge, the Chief Disciple of the Grand Supreme Sect."

Hearing the name Xia Chaoge, Liu Qingxian was startled and exclaimed in surprise, "She's in Azure Cloud City too?" Ling Guihai smiled, "Yes, she came to Azure Cloud City with her master, Shangguan Sheng." A look of reverence appeared in Liu Qingxian's eyes as she asked, "Then will she participate in this martial arts exchange?"

"This..." Ling Guihai wasn't entirely sure. He said, "I did invite her, but whether she's willing to come or not, I don't know. After all, given Xia Chaoge's status, she might not be willing to attend our gathering."

Liu Qingxian pondered for a moment, then said, "Jiang Fan, let's stay and see. Xia Chaoge is a prodigy king, ranked third on the Golden List, with unparalleled strength. If we can exchange martial arts insights with her, it would benefit both you and me." She had always viewed Xia Chaoge as a figure to strive after. Now that she finally had a chance to meet her, she truly didn't want to miss it.

Seeing Jiang Fan's reluctance, Liu Qingxian stomped her foot: "Can't you just accompany me?" Jiang Fan sighed helplessly and said, "Fine."

Liu Qingxian smiled sweetly and, beaming, walked in alongside Jiang Fan.

Ling Guihai frowned. He felt a little jealous. Liu Qingxian, who was always aloof and never showed warmth to men, was actually acting coy with Jiang Fan? What was so inferior about him compared to Jiang Fan? With a hint of displeasure, he followed them back into the restaurant.

He had reserved the most luxurious private room. It was incredibly spacious, with a small platform in the center for simple sparring and exchanges.

The moment Liu Qingxian entered the private room, a stir erupted. "It's Liu Qingxian! She was actually invited!" "Her aura truly is at the Core Formation stage! It seems the rumors are true; she has broken through!" "Then her defeat of Nangong Xiaoyun isn't a rumor either!" "Who is the expert guiding her from behind, enabling such rapid progress?"

Liu Qingxian cupped her hands towards them, then unhesitantly took the main seat. "You sit next to me." Not only that, but she also motioned for Jiang Fan to come and sit beside her.

The prodigies present looked surprised. Which sect's elite disciple was this person? How could he sit next to Liu Qingxian?

Just then, Ling Guihai walked in. Seeing Jiang Fan in the main seat, he scoffed internally. This was a martial arts exchange; seating was arranged by strength, not just anywhere! The seat beside Liu Qingxian was one he had reserved for himself. Was Jiang Fan even worthy of sitting there?

But he masked his displeasure and deliberately took a seat at the very end. This made the nearby cultivators feel flattered. Ling Guihai was not only a peerless prodigy, ranked ninth on the Golden List, but also the organizer of this gathering. How could he sit at the lowest-ranked seat?

"Senior Brother Ling, how can you sit here? You should be in the main seat!" Ling Guihai feigned an indifferent expression: "Oh, it's fine, it's fine. Let Junior Brother Jiang Fan take my seat." He deliberately called out Jiang Fan's name.

Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned. "Jiang Fan? The spirit-rootless disciple adopted by the Azure Cloud Sect Master?" "Isn't he a good-for-nothing?" "How did he get invited here?" "It's one thing for him to be here, but to take Senior Brother Ling's seat? Does he have no sense of propriety?"

Learning that it was Jiang Fan sitting beside Liu Qingxian, everyone felt it was unfair to Ling Guihai.

Jiang Fan frowned. It was just a seat; he didn't care. He had no problem giving the seat to Ling Guihai, but for Ling Guihai to feign grievance like this and incite hatred against him... His methods were truly despicable. He had originally intended to yield the seat, but now he firmly sat down. He said calmly, "Ling Guihai is certainly worthy of this seat. And I, Jiang Fan, am equally worthy! If Ling Guihai enjoys sitting at the back, then he can stay there."