Chapter 171: Meeting Gift

Uncle-Master Jiang...?

Everyone present, without exception, was completely petrified at this moment.

The prodigy king they couldn't even approach, a figure like an empress of their generation, actually called the spiritual-rootless good-for-nothing they despised 'Uncle-Master'?

Liu Qingxian's eyes widened. Her mind was in utter chaos; she even began to doubt her own reality.

She knew Jiang Fan's background better than anyone. How could he be connected to Xia Chaoge, whom she admired? And to be respectfully addressed as... Uncle-Master by Xia Chaoge?

She, who thought she knew Jiang Fan so well, now looked at him with complete unfamiliarity.

Jiang Fan was also momentarily stunned by the address. He then realized it was likely at Shangguan Sheng's instruction, and with a faint smile, he nodded: "No need for formalities, please sit."

Xia Chaoge's slender chin lightly dipped, and she obediently sat beside Jiang Fan.

This caused the martial artists present to involuntarily stand up. How could they, with the third-ranked prodigy king on the Golden List sitting at the lowest seat, dare to presume to sit higher? This truly demonstrated that wherever the powerful are, that is the seat of honor.

Ling Guihai awkwardly stood up and said, "Fairy Xia, please take the main seat."

Xia Chaoge's voice was cool: "No need. I'll just sit with Uncle-Master for a while. Please feel free to do as you wish; don't mind me."

Though she said so, who truly dared to disregard her?

Everyone was extremely constrained.

Jiang Fan found it both amusing and exasperating.

With such an atmosphere, it would be a miracle if this martial arts exchange could continue.

However, before dispersing, he might as well fulfill Liu Qingxian's wish.

"Chaoge, that is Liu Qingxian, a disciple of my Qingyun Sect. She has admired you for a long time. Would you be able to offer her some guidance?"

Xia Chaoge raised her gaze to Liu Qingxian, a hint of a smile gracing her cool, jade-like face. She stood and said, "I've heard your name many times. It's rare to meet you; let's spar a bit."

Liu Qingxian was overwhelmed with flattery.

The sudden happiness left her flustered. Only with Jiang Fan's encouragement did she gather the courage to step onto the stage and exchange a few moves with the heavenly prodigy she had admired for years.

Soon after, the sparring concluded.

Xia Chaoge showed a trace of surprise: "You have strengths and weaknesses in other areas. Are you cultivating an Earth-rank finger technique?"

Liu Qingxian, blushing and suppressing her excitement, nodded: "Yes, it's called the Heaven's Cripple Finger."

Xia Chaoge exclaimed in genuine admiration: "For your age, to comprehend an Earth-rank cultivation method to such a degree, your comprehension ability surpasses mine."

The Grand Supreme Sect also had a fragmented Earth-rank cultivation method. She had cultivated it assiduously for many years and had only just managed to grasp its basics, with not much more progress than Liu Qingxian. Yet, Liu Qingxian was several years younger than her and had practiced for a much shorter time.

This made her couldn't help but feel envious: "With such comprehension, surpassing me will happen very soon."

Having received such praise, Liu Qingxian felt dizzy and stumbled as she sat beside Jiang Fan. Her cheeks were flushed, and she whispered, "Jiang Fan, thank you so much! You've made a dream come true for me!"

If not for the crowd, she might have been so excited as to give Jiang Fan a big hug.

Just then, a rich, fragrant breeze wafted by.

Ji Ruyue, wearing translucent gauze that subtly revealed her form, gracefully approached. She sat down intimately on Jiang Fan's other side.

Leaning half her body against his arm, she smiled and said, "Junior Brother Jiang, I've long heard that you're extraordinary. What discerning eyes Sect Master Liu must have had to accept a disciple without a spiritual root; this disciple must certainly possess exceptional qualities. Now that I've met you, I realize you are a divine talent among your generation."

"Dare I, your Senior Sister, on behalf of the Joyous Union Sect, extend a warm invitation for you to visit our sect," she said, swaying her chest and rubbing against Jiang Fan's arm.

The surrounding martial artists swallowed audibly.

Ji Ruyue was one of the most outstanding disciples of the Joyous Union Sect in this generation. She was beautiful, alluring, and had a first-rate figure. Earlier, when she was trying to curry favor with Ling Guihai, she wasn't nearly this attentive. Now she was practically hanging on Jiang Fan.

Who wouldn't be envious?

Liu Qingxian, however, couldn't help but feel exasperated.

This foxy vixen!

To her delight, before she could chase Ji Ruyue away, Jiang Fan frowned, and with a slight tremor of his body, shook Ji Ruyue off him. He said indifferently, "I will pay a visit if there's an opportunity."

If this woman had maintained her earlier cold sarcasm, Jiang Fan might have thought more highly of her. At least her stance would have been firm.

But such contradictory behavior filled Jiang Fan with disgust.

He even found her touch repulsive.

Xia Chaoge frowned slightly.

Like Jiang Fan, she disliked such a chaotic scene. "Uncle-Master, Chaoge still has a cultivation method to practice, so I'll take my leave now."

Jiang Fan nodded.

He suddenly remembered that this was his first time meeting this 'niece-by-convenience.' He ought to give her a welcoming gift.

After a brief thought, he took out a package. "This is for you."

Xia Chaoge had anticipated a welcoming gift, so she accepted it with a faint smile. Peeking through a gap, she saw a fleshy, lumpy object. Curious, she unfastened the package.

As Shangguan Sheng's esteemed disciple, she was knowledgeable, and a hint of joy appeared on her face: "It's a demonic beast's stomach. This is an excellent medicinal ingredient."

Many demonic beasts consume rare treasures, and their stomachs retain the essence of heaven and earth. Adding a little to a concoction during alchemy can enhance the medicine's potency.

"Wait!" Xia Chaoge looked again, and a look of surprise replaced her usual serene expression. "It's a Beast King's stomach!"

What?

The disciples present were moved.

A Beast King's stomach? A Beast King's entire body was valuable, and a vital part like its stomach was worth a fortune!

Their gazes toward Jiang Fan changed completely. This spiritual-rootless good-for-nothing, who had kept a low profile, was not only Xia Chaoge's Uncle-Master but also possessed immense wealth. With a single gesture, he produced a priceless Beast King's stomach!

But the next moment, they were even more stunned. Xia Chaoge examined it closely, her surprise turning to astonishment: "This is the stomach of a White-Haired Jade Crystal Beast!"

"The White-Haired Jade Crystal Beast has imperial demon bloodline!" She hastily tried to return it, saying, "Uncle-Master, this item is too precious; I cannot accept it!"

If it were an ordinary beast's stomach, she would have accepted it as a grand gift. But a White-Haired Jade Crystal Beast's stomach was worth one hundred thousand spirit crystals. How could she dare to accept it?

Jiang Fan waved his hand and said, "Take it. This item is most suitable for someone in the medical path. When you use it, consider it as helping your Uncle-Master treat the sick and save lives, thereby accumulating merit for him."

Xia Chaoge reluctantly accepted it. She bowed again: "Thank you, Uncle-Master."

She had no particular feelings for this Uncle-Master who had suddenly appeared. She had only come to meet him at her master's command. She hadn't expected such a grand gift at their first meeting. It was hard for her not to be deeply impressed.

After Xia Chaoge departed, the atmosphere in the private room didn't improve much.

Their gazes toward Jiang Fan were incredibly complex.

There was envy, jealousy, and also awe.

Jiang Fan, however, did not wish to interact with them further. He stood up and said, "Senior Sister, let's go back."

Liu Qingxian, having met Xia Chaoge, felt her wish was fulfilled. She nodded readily.

"Junior Brother Jiang, wait!"

Unexpectedly, Ling Guihai called out to him.

Jiang Fan looked over and asked, "Does Senior Brother Ling have some advice?"

Ling Guihai said with a complex expression, "Junior Brother Jiang, you truly keep your abilities hidden; you've opened my eyes. Since you hold such a status, I'd like to introduce you to another distinguished individual. This way, our acquaintance won't have been in vain."

Jiang Fan pondered briefly before asking, "Which distinguished individual?"

Ling Guihai said, not without pride, "Vice-President Chen of this auction, Chen Luoyue."

He wasn't genuinely trying to introduce a distinguished person. He clearly wanted to show off his connections and regain some face in front of Jiang Fan!