Chapter 183: Exposed

Following the numbered order, Liu Qingxian was the first to step forward from seat number one.

After standing, she first turned her head to glance at Jiang Fan in the last row. Her face was filled with suspicion. *His* face was expressionless? Weren't they just talking and laughing? What was he up to? Suppressing her doubts, she began her demonstration.

Her cultivation at the early Core Formation stage, combined with the formidable power of her 'Heavenly Crippling Finger' technique, left the assembled disciples in awe.

Zhuang Yuanyin's face showed a genuine smile. "Wen Chen, you have raised an excellent daughter!" he exclaimed. "The next Peak Master will undoubtedly be her!"

He was exceptionally generous, immediately taking out a cultivation manual. "This high-grade Profound-level cultivation technique is yours!"

The entire hall of disciples was astonished. High-grade Profound-level techniques were rare throughout the Azure Cloud Sect, and mental cultivation techniques of this caliber were singular copies, traditionally cultivated only by the Sect Master. Even the Grand Elder, despite his usual prestige, was not qualified to access this cultivation method, traditionally practiced only by past Sect Masters. Zhuang Yuanyin handing this technique to Liu Qingxian was a clear statement of intent to everyone: he intended to elevate Liu Qingxian to the position of Sect Master successor! The significance was immense.

Overjoyed, Liu Qingxian knelt and bowed in gratitude. "Thank you for your immense favor, Grand Elder," she said.

Her opening act spurred the other disciples to eagerness. Each wanted to showcase their full abilities, hoping to earn the Grand Elder's recognition.

Wang Chengjian was the second to step forward. His cultivation at Foundation Establishment, eighth level, combined with a strong cultivation technique, resulted in a considerably impressive performance.

Zhuang Yuanyin stroked his beard. "He is a promising talent," he remarked. "With Qingxian and him, our Peak Master lineage will continue to command the Azure Cloud Sect, unshakeable." He immediately pulled out a bottle of Foundation Establishment Pills, saying, "Take these and strive hard."

Wang Chengjian was ecstatic. A full bottle contained ten Foundation Establishment Pills, valued at a thousand spirit stones. Of course, the Grand Elder's affirmation was what truly mattered. The Grand Elder had personally stated that he and Liu Qingxian would jointly manage the Peak Master's peak in the future. This implied a chance for him and Liu Qingxian to become a pair of Dao companions. With this thought, he cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Fan in the last row. What did it matter if Liu Qingxian still favored him? Without strength, he wouldn't even be worthy of staying by Liu Qingxian's side.

Next, the disciples proceeded one after another to demonstrate their abilities. Based on the merit of their performances, Zhuang Yuanyin awarded them varying degrees of rewards. However, after the fifteenth participant, the disciples' overall strength was noticeably lower. Zhuang Yuanyin merely nodded his chin and offered a simple word of encouragement before moving on.

"Next, number eighteen: Jiang Fan!" Liu Wenchen reluctantly called out.

Jiang Fan reluctantly stood up. Keeping his head bowed, he approached the Grand Elder, cupped his hands, and said, "Disciple Jiang Fan greets the Grand Elder."

Zhuang Yuanyin nodded slightly. "Demonstrate your abilities," he said.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Fan suppressed his spiritual energy, only displaying cultivation at the third level of Foundation Establishment, and then performed a high-grade Yellow-level sword technique he had long since abandoned: 'Seven Star Sword Art'. He reasoned that if his performance wasn't too remarkable, the Grand Elder wouldn't pay him much attention.

After observing, Zhuang Yuanyin gave a slight nod. "Not bad; keep up the effort."

Phew— Jiang Fan let out a long breath, sheathed his sword, and quietly returned to his seat. He had dodged a bullet! Liu Wenchen also let out a silent sigh of relief. Fortunately, despite Jiang Fan lacking spiritual roots, he had achieved the Foundation Establishment realm by overdrawing his potential. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to produce any demonstration today, revealing his lack of spiritual roots to the Grand Elder. The Grand Elder would likely have erupted in anger, blaming him for indiscriminately accepting disciples.

However, just then, Wang Chengjian, who had been waiting for his chance, deliberately muttered loud enough for Zhuang Yuanyin to hear: "This fellow, without spiritual roots, yet possesses such strength."

Zhuang Yuanyin's eyes snapped up. "Disciple, wait a moment!" he said in surprise.

Jiang Fan was enraged! Wang Chengjian! Was it really necessary to play such a trick? Liu Wenchen also shot a fierce glare at Wang Chengjian. Just when the situation seemed to have passed, his murmur had caused huge trouble. Helpless, Jiang Fan could only walk back, lowering his head even further, and asked, "What are the Grand Elder's instructions?"

Zhuang Yuanyin scrutinized Jiang Fan with surprise. "Are you truly without spiritual roots?"

Jiang Fan didn't know how to respond. How could he be without spiritual roots? He possessed a golden spiritual root, which simply couldn't be detected. Liu Wenchen knew it couldn't be hidden and grimly admitted, "Reporting to Master, Jiang Fan is indeed a disciple without spiritual roots."

Zhuang Yuanyin furrowed his brows. He questioned, "Was this young man recommended by someone you know?" His immediate thought was that Jiang Fan had entered the Peak Master's peak through illicit means. While common in other peaks, it was strictly forbidden in the Peak Master's peak!

Liu Wenchen stammered, stumped by the question. He had accepted Jiang Fan as a disciple because his daughter had consummated their marriage with him. To prevent Jiang Fan from spreading the news, he had reluctantly taken him into the Peak Master's peak. But now, how could he possibly say that aloud?

"So it is!" A hint of displeasure crossed Zhuang Yuanyin's face, and he sternly reprimanded, "How many times have I warned you? A thousand-mile dike can collapse from an ant's nest! If our Peak Master's peak wishes to retain the position of Sect Master, we must ensure that every disciple is an elite among elites! Any hint of corruption will eventually lead to us being surpassed by the other peaks!" The more he spoke, the angrier he grew. His tone was one of exasperated disappointment: "Furthermore, have you forgotten how precarious your ascension to the Sect Master position was? It's entirely possible that the next Sect Master position will be seized by Reincarnation Peak! Given such peril, you are still stuffing disciples who got in through the back door into the Peak Master's peak!" He glanced at Jiang Fan. His irritation grew. "Even if you were forced, you should at least have checked his aptitude, shouldn't you? Even a fourth-grade spiritual root, I would have accepted. What do you intend to do by bringing in a disciple with no spiritual roots?"

Liu Wenchen was thoroughly reprimanded. Yet, he dared not resist. He could only honestly say, "This disciple knows his mistake. Please punish me, Master."

Zhuang Yuanyin scoffed angrily. "Punish what? You handle this yourself!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed. They all understood the Grand Elder's implication: he was effectively ordering Liu Wenchen to expel Jiang Fan from the sect! Wang Chengjian chuckled inwardly. Things had indeed unfolded as he predicted; the Grand Elder tolerated no imperfections. Someone like Jiang Fan, lacking spiritual roots, could never be tolerated.

Liu Qingxian's expression drastically changed. She knew that at this critical moment, Jiang Fan's secret could no longer be hidden. Before she could even speak, Jiang Fan spoke first, raising his head and chest. "Grand Elder, this disciple did not gain entry through illicit means," he stated. "Before becoming a disciple, I had no prior connection to Master." He was about to be expelled from the sect anyway; there was no point in bowing his head anymore. He might as well face the Grand Elder openly and honestly.

Zhuang Yuanyin cast a sidelong glance at him. The look implied, 'Do I believe you?' But that glance caused Zhuang Yuanyin to freeze. He stared intently at Jiang Fan, instantly recognizing him: this was that black-hearted little scoundrel from yesterday! The very fellow who had twice inflated prices, swindling him out of a full fifty thousand spirit stones and costing him a night's sleep!