Chapter 247: Differentiated Treatment

"Sect Master Gong? Sect Master Gong?"

Fu Chaojun called out twice to get her attention.

Gong Caiyi snapped back to reality, her eyes fixed on Jiang Fan. "What did you just say?" she asked.

Fu Chaojun frowned.

He felt a little ignored.

Why was Gong Caiyi so focused on that disciple?

Suppressing his displeasure, he regained his smile and said, "Reporting to Sect Master. This junior has successfully comprehended the introductory page of the Art of Spirit Taming."

He had expected Gong Caiyi to be delighted.

However, her reaction was so indifferent that Fu Chaojun was taken aback.

"Hmm, I know," Gong Caiyi replied perfunctorily.

She watched Jiang Fan walk away without a backward glance and grew increasingly angry!

When had she ever treated him poorly?

How could he be so heartless?

Seeing Jiang Fan about to leave the main hall, showing no hesitation, she panicked.

"Who told you to leave?" she snapped. "Come back here!"

Jiang Fan sighed inwardly but had no choice but to return.

Standing before the table, he cupped his hands and asked, "Does Sect Master Gong have any other instructions?"

Previously, he had called her "Sect Master."

Now it was "Sect Master Gong."

This formal, businesslike tone made Gong Caiyi even more uncomfortable.

She decided to give Jiang Fan a little lesson.

Pointing to Fu Chaojun beside her, she announced, "This is Fu Chaojun, the chief disciple of the Heavenly Sound Sect! A rare genius with exceptional comprehension, he is an unparalleled prodigy not seen in the Heavenly Sound Sect for a hundred years!"

Hearing such esteemed titles, Jiang Fan showed respect, cupping his hands and saying, "Jiang Fan of the Azure Cloud Sect greets Senior Brother Fu."

Fu Chaojun couldn't quite figure out Jiang Fan, so he smiled and returned the greeting: "Fu Chaojun of the Heavenly Sound Sect. A pleasure to meet you."

Gong Caiyi introduced, "Fu Chaojun traveled all this way to my Spirit Beast Sect to help me comprehend the Art of Spirit Taming. If his performance is satisfactory, I will grant his request and allow him to stay by my side."

This seemed like a casual explanation for his presence.

But in reality, she was telling Jiang Fan that others traveled thousands of miles, practically begging to stay by her side.

And she still needed to test them before she would consider it.

Yet, Jiang Fan had the nerve to refuse the title of Young Sect Master!

Jiang Fan understood the implied message.

He couldn't help but feel exasperated.

Following her lead, he said, "Sect Master Gong is surrounded by talented individuals; this junior feels inadequate by comparison. This excellent opportunity is surely meant for Senior Brother Fu, as everyone would agree. This junior offers his sincere congratulations."

Bang!

It would have been better if he hadn't said anything.

As soon as he spoke, Gong Caiyi's anger flared!

She slammed her hand on the table and shot up, her almond-shaped eyes wide. "Jiang Fan! Are you intentionally trying to infuriate me?"

She had intended to tell Jiang Fan that she wasn't so generous with everyone and that he should cherish her offer.

But he had twisted her words like this.

It made her chest ache with frustration.

"I wouldn't dare. This junior's words are from the heart," Jiang Fan said, taking a few steps back to maintain a safe distance.

He wanted to avoid any sudden moves from Gong Caiyi.

Fu Chaojun was utterly bewildered.

What "excellent opportunity" and "everyone would agree"?

And why had it angered Gong Caiyi so much?

He spoke gently, concerned, "Sect Master Gong, Junior Brother Jiang's words were offensive, and it is his fault. Please do not harm your health with anger."

However, this concern did not extinguish Gong Caiyi's rage.

Instead, it ignited her sense of grievance, and she poured out her frustrations to him, "His words were more than just offensive! Do you know how outrageous he is? I even went so far as to change the Spirit Beast Sect's rules to accept him as a disciple and establish him as Young Sect Master! And he? He showed no gratitude whatsoever! It's simply preposterous!"

Initially, Fu Chaojun had been listening with a smile.

But soon, his smile vanished.

He had traveled countless miles, proactively coming to assist Gong Caiyi, simply to earn a glance of her favor and be allowed to stay by her side.

But Jiang Fan?

Gong Caiyi had unprecedentedly broken the Spirit Beast Sect's centuries-old iron rules just to make him Young Sect Master!

This stark difference in treatment sent a shockwave through Fu Chaojun's body.

His chest felt tight.

A wave of uncontrollable jealousy surged in his eyes as he looked at Jiang Fan.

Why him?

What was he lacking, with his exceptional talent?

He couldn't help but ask, "Junior Brother Jiang, may I ask if you are a Golden Rankings expert?"

It was clear that he had been deeply immersed in martial arts and seemed unaware of external affairs.

He hadn't even heard of the name Jiang Fan, who had no spiritual root.

"No," Jiang Fan replied honestly.

Fu Chaojun then asked, "Then you must be the chief disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect."

"Not that either."

Fu Chaojun frowned. "Then have you achieved many legendary feats?"

Otherwise, why would Sect Master Gong favor him so much?

Jiang Fan spoke truthfully, "I am just a new, unknown disciple under the Azure Cloud Sect Master. I am not as famous as Senior Brother Fu."

A new disciple?

Unknown?

Fu Chaojun could no longer remain calm and pressed, "Then why would Sect Master Gong want to make you the Young Sect Master of the Spirit Beast Sect?"

Jiang Fan shrugged. "How would I know? However, I have already refused. If Senior Brother Fu is interested, you can apply to Sect Master Gong."

Hearing this, Gong Caiyi became infuriated.

How could he make it sound like anyone could just decide to become the Young Sect Master of the Spirit Beast Sect?

What did he think her Spirit Beast Sect was?

"Jiang Fan! You have already made this Sect Master very angry! I'm giving you one last chance: will you be the Young Sect Master or not?"

Jiang Fan was speechless.

Who forces someone to be Young Sect Master like this?

He hedged, "Sect Master Gong, I am a disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect. To change sects, at least my sect would need to agree, wouldn't they?"

Unexpectedly, Gong Caiyi waved her jade hand and said, "Don't worry! I will compensate the Azure Cloud Sect! I will bring you over, no matter the cost!"

Fine beads of sweat broke out on Jiang Fan's forehead.

Liu Wenchen had always disregarded him, and there was a Grand Elder within his sect who disliked him.

If the Spirit Beast Sect truly offered vast resources for an exchange, the Azure Cloud Sect might genuinely sell him off.

"Cough, cough... I also have two fiancées who are there..."

Before he could finish, Gong Caiyi said, "Then bring them over too!"

She was clearly determined to get him!

Jiang Fan started to panic slightly. "But... but my master announced that I am his son-in-law. He won't agree."

What?

Gong Caiyi was stunned. "You and Liu Qingxian?"

Then, she couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. "You're something else! We haven't seen each other for just a month, and you've already charmed the Sect Master's daughter, that beautiful, stunning woman! I truly underestimated you, you seemingly honest fellow!"

The way she said that...

Jiang Fan rolled his eyes. How was he not honest?

But surely this would finally silence Gong Caiyi?

To his surprise, Gong Caiyi huffed, as if in a fit of pique, "So what if you're a son-in-law? If you can be the Azure Cloud Sect's son-in-law, why can't you be ours in the Spirit Beast Sect?"

"Yuan Zhiyu, come in here!"

Hearing her name, Yuan Zhiyu quickly scurried over. Her pretty face was filled with cautiousness. "Master, do you have a command?"

Gong Caiyi grabbed Yuan Zhiyu's hand and put it into Jiang Fan's, saying, "I'll marry my disciple to you. Surely that's acceptable? Although Zhiyu isn't as beautiful as Liu Qingxian, she's still a beauty among ten thousand. And even though she's not my biological daughter, in my eyes, she's as good as a daughter."

Jiang Fan and Yuan Zhiyu both quickly pulled their hands away, startled.

Jiang Fan felt it was time to make things absolutely clear. If this continued, it would get out of hand.