Chapter 184: The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion's Order

"It's you!"

Zhuang Yuanyin abruptly sat up. His chest-length beard floated up with him.

He had never dreamed that the one who had taken advantage of him would be his own junior!

"Cough, cough!" Jiang Fan awkwardly cleared his throat. "Your disciple did not know yesterday that it was the Supreme Elder. Please forgive any offense, Supreme Elder."

Magnanimous?

He had just emerged from seclusion, only to be taught a harsh lesson about the world's treachery. And what's more, the lesson was taught by his own grand-disciple! The embarrassment was so profound it felt like the Heavenly Secret Pavilion knew of it!

How could he possibly be magnanimous?

"You brat, you've got some nerve!" Zhuang Yuanyin said, gritting his teeth slightly.

Jiang Fan inwardly cursed his luck. This was his first time taking advantage of someone, and he had done it to the Supreme Elder. Who could he even complain to?

Seeing Zhuang Yuanyin's unyielding expression, Jiang Fan could only say, "How about this, I'll refund the money to the Supreme Elder, and you return the beast whip to..."

Zhuang Yuanyin shuddered in fright! If the matter of him buying the beast whip were to be exposed and spread around, he wouldn't be able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River!

"Shut your mouth!" He quickly cut Jiang Fan off, his mind racing.

The beast whip couldn't be returned; he urgently needed it. Furthermore, Jiang Fan couldn't be expelled from the sect. Otherwise, if Jiang Fan were to blurt it out, his reputation would be irrevocably tarnished! He not only couldn't expel Jiang Fan, but he also had to placate him. Otherwise, if he became unhappy, he would still reveal the secret!

Thinking of this, he seethed with suppressed fury. Yet, he couldn't vent it.

The entire hall was silent, everyone awaiting the Supreme Elder's final decision.

Wang Chengjian was secretly overjoyed, thinking, "He still managed to anger the Supreme Elder before leaving. I bet you're in for a good beating."

However.

Just as he was thinking this, a scene that stunned him unfolded.

Zhuang Yuanyin, who had just been on the verge of erupting in rage, suddenly revealed a benevolent smile and praised effusively: "To be able to cultivate to this level without a spirit root shows great perseverance. In the path of martial arts, while talent is important, perseverance is equally indispensable. I have high hopes for you; you are destined for great achievements in the future."

With that, he took out a bottle of Foundation Establishment Pills from his robes. He weighed it in his hand, decided it wasn't enough, and took out another bottle.

"Take these. I hope to see a completely new performance from you in the disciple evaluation a few days from now."

Jiang Fan, utterly bewildered, accepted the two bottles of Foundation Establishment Pills. Can anyone tell me what's going on? His lack of a spirit root had been exposed, and the matter of him taking advantage of the Supreme Elder was also out in the open. How was it that not only was he unharmed, but he was also rewarded with two bottles of Foundation Establishment Pills?

One should know that Wang Chengjian, who ranked second in performance, only received one bottle of Foundation Establishment Pills as a reward.

Let alone Jiang Fan, the one directly involved. Even Liu Qingxian, an observer, felt her mind was struggling to comprehend. Only Liu Wenchen, who was aware of the full details, guessed the true reason. He couldn't help but mutter, "Master has finally experienced the taste of swallowing humiliation, just as I did back then."

Upon realizing this, a hint of schadenfreude crept into him.

*That'll teach you for scolding me so harshly earlier.*

*How about now? Aren't you just seething with humiliation, all thanks to Jiang Fan?*

Haha!

Wang Chengjian's face, too, turned ashen. His own reward was actually inferior to Jiang Fan's? What in the world is going on?

He clenched his fists and said coldly, "Go ahead and be smug! The disciple evaluation is just around the corner; let's see what you'll do then!"

The unexpected interlude subsided in silence.

Once Zhuang Yuanyin finished observing all the disciples, he gave Liu Wenchen a meaningful glance. Liu Wenchen took a deep breath, his expression gradually turning serious. His voice was low and powerful as he said, "While all disciples are gathered here today, I, your master, have something to announce!"

Everyone sat up straight, attentive. For Liu Wenchen to be so solemn, it had to be a major announcement.

"Recently, Vice Pavilion Master You Yunzi of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion arrived at our sect and conveyed the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's decision to me!"

Everyone exchanged glances. They were not surprised. You Yunzi, a dignified Vice Pavilion Master, surely hadn't come to Qingyun Sect just for sightseeing, had he? It had to be something important.

Liu Wenchen announced in a resonant voice, "Given the immense scale of this beast tide, which endangers the lands of the Nine Sects, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion has issued a conscription order to all Nine Sects! It requires the elite disciples and elders of the Nine Sects to collectively proceed to the beast tide front lines to resist the assault!"

Upon hearing this, everyone grew solemn. Some disciples showed signs of panic, while even those who had anticipated it couldn't hide their fear. How ferocious were demonic beasts? And how terrifying was a beast tide? One careless mistake could lead to the demise of even elder-level powerhouses. Let alone ordinary disciples?

Liu Wenchen then reassured them, "While the mission is dangerous, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion has offered generous rewards! If one's meritorious service reaches a certain standard, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion will make an exception to recruit them for advanced cultivation within the Pavilion!"

"What?"

As soon as these words were uttered, the crowd erupted. How supreme was the Heavenly Secret Pavilion? Its resources were ten times greater than those of the Qingyun Sect! Even a dog entering it would emerge an unrivaled canine in the human realm.

"Besides this, various cultivation resources can be exchanged based on the level of merit achieved. Even pills for breaking through to the Core Formation Realm are among the rewards!"

Everyone's spirits were stirred once more. They realized that although this journey was dangerous, it was a rare opportunity, one seen perhaps once in a decade. If they could achieve merit, perhaps they could defy heaven and change their destiny!

Jiang Fan's heart pounded wildly. To be honest, the resources of the Qingyun Sect were no longer sufficient to aid his cultivation. He needed more powerful resources to progress. The mission issued by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion this time was the perfect opportunity.

"However, not all disciples can participate." At this point, Liu Wenchen shattered many disciples' illusions, stating, "A beast tide is not like fighting individual demonic beasts; they often come in groups. Without substantial strength, one can easily get injured or even die. Therefore, I've discussed with the elders of the Nine Peaks, and only disciples ranked 'Good' or higher in the disciple evaluation will be permitted to participate!"

Immediately, about half of the disciples looked troubled. Achieving a 'Good' rating was not easy. Especially since the Reincarnation Peak was in charge of this disciple evaluation. If they deliberately targeted the Sect Master's Peak, it would be even harder for them to achieve a 'Good' rating.

"Alright! The disciple evaluation is in five days! Make your preparations accordingly!"

He paused. Liu Wenchen added, "For disciples who are confident of achieving a 'Good' rating or higher, you may begin preparing for the beast tide now. Remember to gather plenty of life-saving items; your life is paramount."

Everyone took his words to heart.

After the assembly was dismissed, disciples immediately swarmed down the mountain to Qingyun City to purchase various supplies.

"Jiang Fan, let's go too!" Liu Qingxian, greatly enticed by the opportunity for advanced cultivation at the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, pulled Jiang Fan along.

"Senior Sister, do you have a gathering token for the herb garden? I want to collect some medicinal herbs."

So-called life-saving items were nothing more than defensive armor, escape talismans, and, most importantly, healing elixirs. The healing elixirs available in Qingyun City were all low-grade. Their effects were quite limited. He could refine better ones himself.

Liu Qingxian was surprised but didn't think much of it, immediately taking out a token. "Take it. We'll meet up later." She left first.

Jiang Fan, holding the token, returned to the herb garden. After several stewards jointly verified it, they said, "A high-grade token. You may gather ten catties of high-grade medicinal herbs. Go on in!"

"Ten catties?" That's completely sufficient.

Not long after he entered, Wen Hongyao hurriedly ran over and asked, "Has the Supreme Elder of my Medicine Peak gone inside?"

The three stewards nodded. "Yes, Elder Wen. Supreme Elder Qin entered the herb garden as soon as she returned to the sect."

Wen Hongyao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Her master, Qin Wangchuan, who had been away for several months, headed straight for the herb garden as soon as she returned. As always, she was obsessed with medicinal herbs.

Then, she suddenly remembered something and asked, "There's no one else inside, right? My master's temper isn't as good as mine. If she sees any disciple damaging the herbs, she will immediately fly into a rage."