Chapter 246: Don't Even Think About Leaving

What did she see?

Her revered master, pure and spotless in her mind, was actually… actually embracing a man in broad daylight? And she was the one who initiated the embrace!

If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed for a moment that her master was capable of such a thing.

Qin Caihe stared in disbelief, muttering, "Senior Sister Yuan, your master… towards Junior Brother Jiang…"

Chu Xingmeng covered her eyes, her pretty face flushed, secretly peeking through her fingers. "How did they suddenly embrace while talking?"

Yi Lianxing couldn't help but cover her mouth to stifle a gasp. Her eyes were wide as saucers! What an incredible scene she had witnessed!

Inside the hall.

Jiang Fan felt like he was about to suffocate from the embrace, so he spoke up to remind her: "Sect Master, please calm down."

Gong Caiyi froze for a moment before realizing what she was doing! Startled, she quickly released him, her heart pounding.

"Gong Caiyi, what are you doing?" "Are you mad?" "What if someone misunderstands?" She rubbed her forehead to hide her embarrassment, saying: "That was a momentary lapse; I forgot you were a male disciple. Forget this ever happened. And don't mention it to anyone else."

The Spirit Beast Sect only had female disciples; men were almost never seen throughout the year. Because of this, even as the Sect Master, she had relaxed her guard regarding male-female distinctions. She hadn't expected her excitement just now to lead to such an awkward situation.

A faint, lingering fragrance wafted into his nostrils, and the tingling sensation on his arm slowly faded. Everything made the inexperienced Jiang Fan feel an indescribable strangeness. He nodded and changed the subject, "Congratulations, Sect Master Gong, on comprehending the sect's ultimate skill."

Gong Caiyi regained her composure, a hint of slyness flashing in her beautiful, bright eyes. "And congratulations to you for learning it too." Her own insights had all come from Jiang Fan. If she could achieve success in cultivation, it would be even easier for Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan said earnestly, "Sect Master, please rest assured. I will not cultivate your sect's ultimate skill, nor will I pass it on to a third party." He himself possessed as many as three Earth-grade cultivation techniques. He had no desire for the Spirit Beast Sect's secret art.

Gong Caiyi smiled faintly. She picked up the exquisite jade pot and poured some tea for Jiang Fan. Unhurriedly, she said, "The 'Spirit Taming Art' was created by our Spirit Beast Sect's founding patriarch. When cultivated deeply, it allows one to control spirit beasts three realms higher than oneself, making them one's combat spiritual pets." As she spoke, she pushed the poured tea towards Jiang Fan. Her eyes twinkled with a half-smile. "Because it is so extraordinary, it has been designated as a secret technique not to be passed down in the Spirit Beast Sect. Only one kind of person can cultivate it. Guess who?"

Hearing this, Jiang Fan couldn't sit still. It was obvious that this technique could only be cultivated by the Sect Master, or by someone about to succeed as Sect Master!

"Sect Master, when can I have the Earth Phoenix Grass Marrow? This junior still needs to report back to my sect." He quickly interrupted Gong Caiyi.

Gong Caiyi's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled. "Go back to which sect? The Spirit Beast Sect is your sect now. The Earth Phoenix Grass Marrow is all yours! And all the female disciples of this sect will be yours in the future."

Jiang Fan stiffened. His worst fears were coming true. He hurriedly said, "Sect Master, please don't joke. The Spirit Beast Sect has always only accepted female disciples. As a man, joining your esteemed sect would go against the rules."

Gong Caiyi leaned in closer, her faint body fragrance wafting towards him. Her alluring red lips slightly parted: "Rules are made by people, so naturally, they can also be changed by people. This sect can make an exception, accept you as a disciple, and confer upon you the title of Young Sect Master. After my hundredth year, you will be the next Sect Master of the Spirit Beast Sect."

Jiang Fan's heart was a bit conflicted. How could he not be tempted by such appealing conditions? Moreover, among all the elders he had met, Gong Caiyi was the most sincere and gentle towards him. He believed she was definitely not making empty promises.

However, whether it was the Primordial Void Ancient Tree within Jiang Fan, his father's lifelong depression, or the whereabouts of his birth mother, of whom he had no memory at all—all these factors prevented Jiang Fan from being content with the status quo. Continuously moving forward was his only path. Understanding this, his gaze became firm. He stood up and said, "Sect Master, I am deeply grateful for your high regard. However, my aspirations lie far away. Please choose another excellent successor! I bid you farewell!"

The Earth Phoenix Grass Marrow, he no longer wanted it. If he stayed any longer, he feared he might truly become trapped in the Spirit Beast Sect and never be able to leave.

Watching Jiang Fan's suddenly resolute departing back, Gong Caiyi's face fell. When had she ever been so frank and enthusiastic with anyone? Let alone a junior. Even with elders of a higher generation than herself, she had never been so nearly fawning! Yet Jiang Fan refused her kind offer and chose the hard path. She slammed the table, just as she was about to reprimand him.

A young figure hurriedly walked in from outside the hall, bearing a hearty smile, and said: "Sect Master Gong! Sect Master Gong! This junior has comprehended…" Just as he entered, he was startled by the loud bang of Gong Caiyi slamming the table and swallowed his words. He looked up and saw Jiang Fan walking out without a word. He also saw Gong Caiyi with a dark expression, a few sparks of anger suppressed in her eyes.

"Sect Master Gong, what's going on?"

The young man was tall and slender, and like Jiang Fan, he possessed a handsome face that was easily recognizable in a crowd. The difference was that, compared to Jiang Fan's calm composure, he was more shrewd and worldly. Now, his eyes flickered slightly as he cautiously inquired.

Gong Caiyi suppressed her displeasure, showing no joy or anger, and calmly said, "Fu Chaojun, what is it?"

Fu Chaojun was puzzled. How could that male disciple from another sect make the esteemed Sect Master so angry? Gong Caiyi's temperament was known to be very gentle. He had never heard of her losing her temper. He stepped forward, an unconcealable look of triumph beaming on his face: "Reporting to Sect Master Gong, this junior, though unworthy, has successfully comprehended the introductory page of the 'Spirit Taming Art'."

He was the chief disciple of the Heavenly Sound Sect. Ever since he joined the sect, he had been synonymous with astonishing talent, surpassing the older generation of disciples in just two years. He became the undisputed number one disciple of the sect. His comprehension ability was even hailed as the best in the Heavenly Sound Sect in a hundred years! He once had the legendary record of comprehending a remnant Earth-grade move in just one month. This became a legendary feat passed down among everyone in the Heavenly Sound Sect.

He had originally expected to live a straightforward life until he coincidentally met Gong Caiyi. Her extraordinary strength, beauty unparalleled among the nine sects, and elegant, gentle demeanor all pierced his heart like a sharp sword. From then on, he couldn't stop thinking about Gong Caiyi. However, their vast difference in status meant there was no hope. Until he happened to hear that Gong Caiyi had been troubled for years by their sect's Earth-grade cultivation technique. He then volunteered, accompanying the Grand Elder, and offered to help Gong Caiyi comprehend this technique. And Gong Caiyi, learning of his excellent comprehension, also gave him the introductory page, letting him try. If he succeeded, he could thereafter use the excuse of comprehending the technique to stay by Gong Caiyi's side. He believed that with prolonged interaction, his excellence would gradually win Gong Caiyi's heart.

Therefore, after spending three days and successfully comprehending the introductory page, he couldn't wait to report to Gong Caiyi. He had already imagined in his mind the surprised look on Gong Caiyi's face.

However, after he finished his report for a while, Gong Caiyi still didn't respond. He looked up and saw Gong Caiyi staring intently at Jiang Fan's receding figure. Annoyance flashed in her eyes from time to time. She hadn't heard a single word he said!