Chapter 205: Liu Wenzhen's Change

Jiang Fan patted the two women's shoulders. "You two should also go prepare well," he said. "Strive for a good rating, and qualify to defend against the beast tide."

Xu Youran nodded. "Husband, don't worry about us," she said. "Siling and I are now training with the Grand Elder; we're practically his semi-disciples. Tang Tianlong wouldn't dare make things difficult for us under his watchful eye."

Jiang Fan felt relieved after hearing this. He took out two bottles of Rejuvenation Pills, giving one to each of them. "Put them away; don't let anyone see them."

Chen Siling curiously opened a bottle, and emerald green pills caught her eye. She immediately recognized them. "Aren't these the ones that sold for 200,000 spirit stones each at the auction house just a few days ago... mmph..."

Jiang Fan quickly covered her mouth and playfully tapped her head. "Do you want the whole world to know you have Rejuvenation Pills?"

Chen Siling rubbed her head, wincing. But only then did she fully understand why Jiang Fan told them to hide the pills and keep them out of sight. These were ten Rejuvenation Pills, worth two million. If anyone knew, it would surely bring deadly peril. She tucked them into her embrace with immense delight. "Thank you, Husband," she said.

Xu Youran also gave him a wonderfully surprised smile. "Husband, you're so good to us."

Their two exquisite faces, flushed like peach blossoms, made Jiang Fan unable to resist another glance. Only when he heard Wang Chengjian's impatient urging did he reluctantly say, "You two... never mind. Take care!"

Watching him leave, looking as if he had more to say but held back, Xu Youran smirked playfully. "Did you see the look he gave us just now?"

Chen Siling's cheeks flushed slightly. "What's the point of just looking?" she grumbled. "If he's so brave, he should kiss us in front of everyone, coward!"

Jiang Fan arrived at the gathering point for Sovereign Peak disciples. Wang Chengjian immediately launched into a tirade. "The disciple grading is about the honor of Sovereign Peak! Are you so confident in yourself? Instead of preparing properly, you're flirting with female disciples from Heaven Sword Peak! They have Grand Elder Shi Kaitian protecting them, but who do you have protecting you?"

Jiang Fan pursed his lips. "You're acting as if *you're* the one participating in the disciple grading," he retorted. "The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is."

Wang Chengjian chuckled, infuriated. He dared to talk back to him! He was the Head Disciple of Sovereign Peak! "Master! Look at Jiang Fan! What kind of behavior is this?" he complained. "He doesn't listen to anything I say anymore!"

He turned to Liu Wenchen to complain. He had expected Liu Wenchen to reprimand Jiang Fan harshly, as he usually did. To his surprise, Liu Wenchen criticized *him* instead.

"Chengjian, why are you so agitated?" Liu Wenchen asked. "It's not a big deal for Jiang Fan to chat with his two wives and ease some tension." With that, he smiled and beckoned to Jiang Fan. "Come here," he said.

Jiang Fan walked up to him, still as formal as ever. "Master, do you have any instructions?" he asked.

Liu Wenchen reached out and hooked his arm around Jiang Fan's shoulder, grumbling, "You're always so reserved around me. I'm your master, not a monster!"

Jiang Fan felt like smacking him for that comment. He had probably forgotten how he used to treat Jiang Fan! He used to find Jiang Fan annoying just by looking at him. The last time, Jiang Fan had earned great merit by resolving Tie Bubai's extortion scheme. Liu Wenchen's impression of him had vastly improved, leading to this current change in attitude.

"This is for you. Take it," Liu Wenchen said, pulling a jade talisman from his robe. It was somewhat similar to a Nascent Soul Jade Talisman, intricately carved from jade with complex runes. However, its power was naturally incomparable. It was estimated to possess the power of a single strike from a ninth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Later, when Tang Tianlong tries to harm you, don't hold back; just crush it!" Liu Wenchen said in a hushed voice.

Wang Chengjian's face was a picture of disbelief! Not only did Liu Wenchen *not* find Jiang Fan annoying this time, but he even pulled out such a valuable item, an attack jade talisman, just to help Jiang Fan overcome a difficulty? Even Tao Zhengjun, Liu Wenchen's most valued disciple who cultivated both magic and body, didn't receive such treatment. The other disciples were filled with envy.

Given the strained relationship between Sovereign Peak and Reincarnation Peak, and considering this disciple grading determined qualification for defending against the beast tide and overall disciple strength improvement, Tang Tianlong, as the assessor, was bound to do everything in his power to make things difficult for Sovereign Peak disciples. He would turn 'Good' into 'Qualified' and 'Qualified' into 'Unqualified'. Among them, Jiang Fan was the least favored. He originally had no spirit root, was weak in strength, and on top of that, had a previous conflict with Tang Tianlong. He was 100% guaranteed to fail.

It was unexpected that the Sect Leader would show him such special care, giving him such a precious jade talisman. This was something none of them could comprehend. This was because the Tie Bubai extortion incident had, to some extent, damaged the Qingyun Sect's reputation. It had thus been kept a secret. For now, no one knew about it. Even fewer knew that Jiang Fan was the hero who had resolved the matter.

Jiang Fan was also taken aback. He was still somewhat unaccustomed to Liu Wenchen suddenly treating him so well. He carefully put it away. "Thank you, Master," he said.

Liu Wenchen patted his shoulder, then gathered the disciples to explain the various assessment rules and important points.

Before they knew it, it was time for the disciple grading to officially begin. Several Grand Elders, who rarely made public appearances, were present in the spectator stands. The participating disciples gathered together by sect. Tang Tianlong, the assessor, stood in the center of the plaza. He would call forward participating disciples through a random drawing of lots, for them to spar with him.

Those who could withstand three of his moves would be considered 'Qualified'. Ten moves earned a 'Good' rating. And a hundred moves meant 'Excellent'. Therefore, disciples lacking sufficient strength, if they wished to pass the assessment, should prioritize defense. Enduring three moves was enough to be qualified. Of course, given Tang Tianlong's astonishing strength, three moves could be incredibly strong or deceptively weak. If he genuinely didn't want someone to pass, even a sixth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator would struggle to last three moves against him.

"Let the assessment begin!" Liu Wenchen declared. He then went to stand beside his own Grand Elder, Zhuang Yuanyin. But no sooner had he arrived than Shi Kaitian, who was seated nearby, glared fiercely at Liu Wenchen. "You cunning bastard!" he muttered. Jiang Fan should have belonged to Heaven Sword Peak. Yet, Liu Wenchen had swooped in and snatched him away! In the past few days, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. And the angrier he became, the more he dwelled on it.

"Uh..." Liu Wenchen was utterly bewildered.

Zhuang Yuanyin couldn't help but murmur, "Wenchen, how did you offend him? Why is he glaring at you like that?"

Liu Wenchen looked bewildered. "Master, how could I dare offend Grand Elder Shi? You know his temper! I barely have time to avoid him, why would I intentionally provoke him?"

Zhuang Yuanyin's eyes widened in surprise. "Have you been neglecting Heaven Sword Peak these past few years?" she asked. "While he has a bad temper, he's not one to hold grudges. For him to harbor such resentment towards you, you must have done something that he found truly unforgivable."

Liu Wenchen cried out, "Master, I haven't! I treat all peaks equally. Heaven Sword Peak has received every bit of the resources it's due."

Zhuang Yuanyin was equally perplexed. "Never mind for now," she said. "The disciple grading has begun."

They watched as Tang Tianlong walked toward a wooden box. It was filled with small slips of paper, each bearing a name. He closed his eyes, drew out a slip, and unfolded it. "Sovereign Peak, Tao Zhengjun!" he announced.

The gazes of those present became subtle. Everyone knew that Tang Tianlong wouldn't let Sovereign Peak disciples pass the assessment easily. It was unexpected that a Sovereign Peak disciple was drawn first.

Jiang Fan looked up. He wanted to see how Tang Tianlong would suppress the Sovereign Peak disciples!