Chapter 182: Displaying Martial Arts

Today was exceptionally momentous.

So much so that Liu Qingxian, who usually wore no makeup, had applied a touch of powder. A thin layer dusted her fair, rosy cheeks, giving her skin a healthy glow. Instead of her usual vibrant purple or crimson attire, she wore a light white dress today. Her dark hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her beautiful eyes were as clear as snow. Standing gracefully in the morning breeze, she was like a lone beauty in the wilderness, captivating and heart-stirring.

Jiang Fan couldn't help but stare, mesmerized.

"What are you staring at?" Liu Qingxian noticed his gaze and gave him a light glare. She turned her head and led the way. From an angle Jiang Fan couldn't see, a happy smile curved her lips.

Jiang Fan gave an awkward chuckle, then took three steps as two to catch up. Walking side-by-side, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Senior Sister, what kind of person is our Supreme Elder? Is he easy to get along with?"

Liu Qingxian replied without hesitation, "Someone who can lead an entire sect isn't usually easy to get along with, are they?"

"True," Jiang Fan agreed. "A good temperament wouldn't be enough to command a sect. One needs to have some sharp edges to truly deter everyone."

"However," Liu Qingxian continued, "today is his first time summoning all disciples since coming out of seclusion. His main intention should be to observe the current state of the Sovereign Peak disciples. He certainly won't lose his temper, you can rest assured."

Her eyes gleamed with hope. "And for promising talents, he'll certainly be generous with rewards. Consider it his reward as Supreme Elder to diligent disciples."

"Rewards?" Jiang Fan felt anticipation in his heart.

The two arrived at the grand hall. Wang Chengjian, as the head disciple, was registering disciples one by one. Seeing Liu Qingxian and Jiang Fan arrive side-by-side, he knew that Liu Qingxian had once again gone to invite Jiang Fan. He immediately felt displeased. He couldn't for the life of him figure out why Liu Qingxian was so attached to Jiang Fan.

He casually registered Liu Qingxian's and Jiang Fan's names. Then, looking at Liu Qingxian, he stealthily retrieved a number one token from his sleeve. "Junior Sister, I saved this number one seat for you. These brats all want to get close to the Supreme Elder; if I hadn't saved the number one seat in advance, they would have taken it long ago."

At every important gathering, disciples' seats were first-come, first-served, with everyone picking up their own token from the registration desk. Today was the day to meet the legendary Supreme Elder, and everyone wanted close contact with him. Liu Qingxian was no exception. She happily accepted the number one token.

"Jiang Fan, pick the seat next to me," Liu Qingxian said expectantly. She wanted to properly introduce Jiang Fan to the Supreme Elder.

However, Wang Chengjian looked at Jiang Fan expressionlessly and casually picked up a token with the number eighteen written on it from the stack. "Jiang Fan, you sit at the back. As a disciple without a spiritual root, if your position is too conspicuous, it will attract the Supreme Elder's attention. And letting him know that Master recruited a disciple like you into the sect will surely affect his mood."

Liu Qingxian retorted, unwilling to back down, "Why?"

But Jiang Fan said indifferently, "Senior Sister, the last row is fine. I just want to see the Supreme Elder's true face. Whether I gain his appreciation doesn't concern me."

Liu Qingxian glared at Wang Chengjian with disgust. "Constantly targeting Jiang Fan—are you still fit to be the head disciple of Sovereign Peak? Let me tell you, don't think your talent is so great that you can look down on Jiang Fan. Given time, you won't even be worthy of carrying his shoes."

Jiang Fan felt a warmth in his heart. On Sovereign Peak, Liu Qingxian was the only one who genuinely cared for him. Precisely because of this, he didn't want to cause her any more trouble. He pulled her gently and said, "Alright, let's go in quickly."

He left behind a livid Wang Chengjian. His fingers clenched tightly, producing a faint cracking sound. His eyes hardened. "He actually said I'd be inferior to Jiang Fan in the future? I'm at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment, what realm is Jiang Fan even in? Liu Qingxian favoring Jiang Fan should have some limits, right?"

The more he thought, the angrier he got. Coming back to his senses, he regretted, "I really should have given Jiang Fan the front-most token! So the Supreme Elder would immediately know what kind of person had joined Sovereign Peak. Perhaps he would have expelled Jiang Fan in a fit of rage!" He cursed his miscalculation.

Not long after, the numerous disciples gathered. Each took out a meditation cushion and sat cross-legged in the center of the main hall. Sovereign Peak had about twenty disciples. Number eighteen was in the very last row. The several rows of disciples in front were densely packed, making it genuinely difficult for the Supreme Elder to notice the last row.

Just then, a deep voice reverberated throughout the hall. "The Supreme Elder has arrived!"

A snow-white flying crane appeared from outside the hall. It swept over the disciples' heads and landed at the very front. The first to disembark was Liu Wenchen, who respectfully assisted an old man in a simple martial robe. The disciples held their breath, all craning their necks, excitedly gazing at this legendary former Sect Master, the Supreme Elder of Sovereign Peak: Zhuang Yuanyin.

Jiang Fan's heart pounded with excitement. What did their Supreme Elder actually look like? In his mind, an image of an immortal, with the temperament of an ancient deity, automatically appeared. He stretched his neck, his gaze finally managing to pierce through the heads of his senior brothers and sisters in front, and he saw the old man who had descended from the flying crane.

He wore a white martial robe. He had a round face with a greenish mole between his eyebrows, making him resemble a Bodhisattva from a temple.

Wait!

Jiang Fan's face froze. He rubbed his eyes and looked carefully, but his expression grew increasingly stiff. This... wasn't this the old man he had severely fleeced yesterday? He was their Supreme Elder? His first time acting as a 'black-hearted merchant,' his first time swindling someone, and he had swindled his own Supreme Elder?

He felt the world spin, nearly stumbling and falling!

At this moment, Zhuang Yuanyin also scanned the many disciples with a kind expression. "Good, good, all full of spirit..." As he spoke, he suddenly noticed a disciple in the last row with his head bowed so low it was almost buried in his chest. This made him pause.

Everyone followed his gaze, their eyes falling on Jiang Fan, all showing surprise.

Liu Wenchen frowned deeply. "Jiang Fan, why are you so disrespectful? Quickly lift your head!" What did it mean to bow his head like that in front of the Supreme Elder?

At this, Jiang Fan bowed his head even lower and said, "Master, I ate the wrong spirit medicine yesterday, and my face is paralyzed. To avoid offending the Supreme Elder's venerable presence, I had no choice but to remain this way. Please forgive me, Master, and please, Supreme Elder, be understanding."

Liu Wenchen gnashed his teeth in anger. This good-for-nothing who only causes trouble! He was about to scold him again when Zhuang Yuanyin waved his hand, saying tolerantly, "No matter, no matter. Who doesn't have their off days? This disciple being able to endure discomfort and come already shows respect for me, this old Peak Master. Do not scold him."

Liu Wenchen breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Zhuang Yuanyin didn't care about such trivial details. Otherwise, Jiang Fan would be in serious trouble today.

Hearing this, Jiang Fan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, secretly sighing in relief. That was close! If he were recognized by Zhuang Yuanyin, he couldn't even imagine what the scene would be like.

However, to his dismay, the matter was far from over.

After Zhuang Yuanyin had settled down, he said with a smile, "One by one, come up and demonstrate what you have learned. Those who perform excellently, this old man has rewards to bestow."

Jiang Fan's face was filled with despair. This was it! There was no escape!