Chapter 209: You Think You're Qualified to Assess Me

This was Jiang Fan’s first proactive move on the field, his initial direct confrontation with Tang Tianlong, and, more significantly, it represented the struggle between Sovereign Peak and Reincarnation Peak.

The collision drew unprecedented attention. Everyone was eager to find out whether Tang Tianlong had held back earlier, or if Jiang Fan’s physical combat skills were exceptionally powerful.

*Bang!* A jarring, teeth-grating collision instantly echoed throughout the arena, immediately followed by a crisp snapping sound, like dry firewood being violently broken.

Their pupils constricted as they watched. Jiang Fan’s iron-forged fist effortlessly snapped Tang Tianlong’s jabbing finger. That seemingly formidable finger technique proved to be as weak as paper before Jiang Fan’s powerful fist.

Jiang Fan’s fist, its momentum unchecked, slammed into Tang Tianlong’s exposed chest.

*Crack, crack, crack—* A rapid series of bone-breaking sounds reverberated throughout the arena!

As the full force of the punch impacted his chest, Tang Tianlong was sent flying as if struck by a hurtling mountain. He soared back seven or eight zhang, crashing heavily at Feng Guzen’s feet.

*Pffft—* Unable to suppress it any longer, Tang Tianlong spat out a mouthful of blood mist while lying on his back, splattering Feng Guzen.

Tang Tianlong was severely injured by this strike!

The entire arena fell silent. Looking at Jiang Fan now, no one dared to harbor even a shred of contempt for his "rootless" status. In the martial arts world, strength reigns supreme! The undeniable fact was that he had severely injured the eighth-level Foundation Establishment Tang Tianlong with a single punch.

Jiang Fan withdrew his fist, his breathing steady and his expression normal. He said indifferently, "You couldn't even last three moves. Assessment rating: Failed!"

Everyone's mouths twitched. Tang Tianlong had been clamoring for Jiang Fan to fail the assessment, yet the outcome was the exact opposite. He himself couldn't even last a single move against Jiang Fan; he was the one who failed!

The disciples were stunned into numbness. Even the elders and Grand Elders maintained an eerie silence.

While there had been powerful examinees in the past, someone as exceptional as Jiang Fan was truly unprecedented.

Liu Wenchen was stunned for a moment before he came back to his senses, his eyes alight with excitement, pride, and wild joy. Tang Tianlong’s severe injury meant the assessor could be replaced. As the Sect Master, Liu Wenchen immediately declared, "Tang Tianlong is injured and unable to continue overseeing the assessment. Given Jiang Fan's outstanding strength, he will take over as assessor and continue grading the disciples!"

The disciples on the field felt an indescribable sense of absurdity. Had there ever been a disciple in history who started an assessment as an examinee and ended up becoming the assessor?

"No!" Feng Guzen rose in anger, shouting, "Jiang Fan intentionally injured someone! It's already good enough if we don't punish him! And you want him to be the assessor?"

His most favored disciple had already lost immense face. If he didn't continue to suppress Sovereign Peak, his Reincarnation Peak would have nothing to compare with it.

Liu Wenchen said indifferently, "This is the Sect Master's directive, not a discussion! Of course, if you can find a more suitable disciple than Jiang Fan, that's fine too."

Feng Guzen was momentarily speechless. He had another senior disciple, but that person was still traveling abroad and hadn't returned. As for his other disciples, none were a match for Jiang Fan.

He immediately turned to complain to the Grand Elders: "Grand Elders, look, Sect Master Liu always bullies my Reincarnation Peak like this. I hope you will uphold justice for me!"

Upon hearing this, a few Grand Elders almost cursed out loud. How could this guy be so shameless? When Tang Tianlong maliciously suppressed the Sovereign Peak disciples, were they blind? Couldn't they see it? Now that his own disciple was overly arrogant and got taught a lesson, he's trying to blame others? Not to mention that several Grand Elders were very fond of Jiang Fan. Even if they didn't know Jiang Fan, they would absolutely not help Feng Guzen commit evil.

Huang Zhantian said indifferently, "As Grand Elders, it's not convenient for us to interfere in internal sect affairs." With one sentence, Feng Guzen was rebuffed.

Liu Wenchen felt immensely pleased, a sense of vindication washing over him. He said leisurely, "The disciple grading will continue."

Feng Guzen gritted his teeth, glaring fixedly at Jiang Fan. He had certainly developed a grudge against him!

Jiang Fan was unfazed. As the new assessor, he began drawing lots to assess disciples.

The disciples were terrified, having witnessed Jiang Fan’s terrifying physical prowess, fearing he might punch their brains out. Surprisingly, Jiang Fan was very gentle when dealing with the disciples, stopping precisely when needed. He mainly assessed their cultivation, techniques, and combat experience, never injuring them. Most importantly, he treated all disciples equally.

This earned Jiang Fan unanimous praise from all the disciples and brought a good reputation to Sovereign Peak. "Honestly," someone remarked, "our Azure Cloud Sect still relies on Sovereign Peak." Another chimed in, "Yeah, when disciple grading was handled by Reincarnation Peak, look at all the troubles that arose. It's better to just let Sovereign Peak handle all disciple grading from now on, to avoid any more unfairness."

Liu Wenchen was ecstatic. The more he looked at Jiang Fan, the more pleased he was. "If this kid had shown such promise earlier," he mused with a self-reproving smile, "would I have ever found him displeasing?"

But suddenly, a powerful aura locked onto him, making him tremble. He turned his head to see Shi Kaitian stomping over, seething with anger. Shi Kaitian grabbed his collar and exclaimed, "You scoundrel, you've got guts!"

Liu Wenchen was startled and hastily said, "Grand Elder Shi, please speak calmly."

Zhuang Yuanyin also quickly asked, "Kaitian, how did Wenchen offend you?"

Shi Kaitian found it hard to speak. He said bitterly, "This Jiang Fan was originally a disciple brought back by my Heavenly Sword Peak! My disciple was blind and left him in the plaza. As a result, this sharp-eyed Liu Wenchen noticed his potential and took him back!"

*Such a thing happened?* Several Grand Elders immediately gathered, eager to hear the full story. After learning the full story, they looked at Li Qingfeng with astonishment, unable to believe that such a heaven-defying body cultivation prodigy had been abandoned in the plaza, only for Liu Wenchen to benefit.

No wonder Shi Kaitian was so furious; this was simply a disgrace for Heavenly Sword Peak!

Many other elders also suddenly came to their senses, especially those who had once taken an interest in Jiang Fan but were dissuaded by Li Qingfeng's "no spirit root" assessment. Each of them gnashed their teeth at Li Qingfeng! This guy made them miss out on such a heaven-defying talent!

Zheng Qiushuang said enviously and sourly, "Liu Wenchen, you're quite good at finding hidden gems. A disciple nobody else wanted, and you instantly saw his potential?"

Huang Zhantian grumpily added, "Didn't my Wuji also want to take Jiang Fan as a disciple? Didn't Liu Wenchen step in and snatch him away? Liu Wenchen, I really didn't realize that beneath your usual impulsiveness, you're quite a cunning one!"

Shi Kaitian also released Liu Wenchen and said discontentedly, "I haven't seen much skill in your role as Sect Master, but your ability to snatch disciples is stronger than anyone's!"

Zhuang Yuanyin, who had been listening to the seemingly complaining but actually praising remarks, proudly hooked his arm around Liu Wenchen's neck. "Good disciple," he said, "you've made your master so happy! Promoting you to Sect Master back then was the wisest decision I ever made."

At his age, what could make him prouder than standing out among a group of Grand Elders?

Liu Wenchen nodded repeatedly, feeling incredibly guilty. He discreetly wiped cold sweat from his forehead. How could he have known Jiang Fan was a body cultivation prodigy? He had clearly only taken him in reluctantly, for the sake of his daughter's reputation.

Unexpectedly, he turned out to be an excellent body cultivation prodigy.

Thinking of this, he called out from a distance, "Jiang Fan, come over here for a moment." Jiang Fan quickly approached and bowed, saying, "Disciple Jiang Fan greets Master and all Grand Elders." Liu Wenchen patted his shoulder and said to the Grand Elders present, "Grand Elders, allow me to announce something to you. To be honest, Jiang Fan is not just my disciple. He has another identity."