Chapter 250: Double Standards

As soon as these words were spoken, an unusual silence fell over the scene.

Because Gong Caiyi, Yuan Zhiyu, and Qin Caihe, who was outside the hall, all knew Jiang Fan's true combat strength. Even Black Lotus had died by Jiang Fan's hand. Could this so-called genius of the Heavenly Sound Sect be stronger than Black Lotus, no matter how powerful he was?

However, Ming Youlian thought it was a joke.

“Hahaha, kid, does your Azure Cloud Sect teach boasting techniques now?”

“If you were the chief disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect and said such a thing, I might acknowledge it a little.”

“But what are you?”

“Are you even worthy of being compared to our sect's chief disciple?”

“Can you achieve even a tenth of his accomplishments?”

Fu Chaojun's face darkened. With someone backing him, he spoke more freely:

“I don't know what your strength is like.”

“But when it comes to insulting people, I, Fu Chaojun, admit I'm inferior!”

Jiang Fan stood with his hands behind his back. His expression was calm and unhurried, exuding an ethereal tranquility. His eyes were calm. “If you don't try, how will you know if I'm insulting you?”

Fu Chaojun's eyes narrowed sharply. He said, “Fine! Arguing with you is pointless!”

“Let me show you my capabilities, and perhaps then you'll know to shut your mouth obediently.”

Jiang Fan nodded and said, “The same applies to you.”

“I also hope you'll close your noisy mouths, especially Elder Ming.”

Ming Youlian scoffed. She didn't even glance at Jiang Fan, and said to Fu Chaojun:

“Since someone is foolishly provoking you,”

“you may act freely, without any other concerns.”

“Should anything happen, I, this elder, will take responsibility for you.”

The implication was to give Jiang Fan a harsh lesson. Show no mercy!

Gong Caiyi's eyes narrowed. “Fighting on my sect's territory, shouldn't you first ask for my sect's permission?”

She increasingly felt that Ming Youlian no longer held her in any regard. Which sect's disciple, one might ask, would dare to engage in a fight in the presence of an elder from another sect, and specifically in the main hall of another sect's master, without permission? Only the Heavenly Sound Sect would set such a precedent.

Ming Youlian, however, remained unhurried, and said with feigned respect:

“Sect Master Gong, please calm your anger.”

“While we call it a spar, it will likely be over in one move and won't affect anything.”

“Afterward, Chaojun will put even more effort into helping the Sect Master comprehend the Spirit Control Art.”

Upon hearing that last sentence, even a fool would understand. This was the reason for Ming Youlian's brazen confidence.

Gong Caiyi sneered inwardly. Look at this pair of master and disciple. They had only just begun to comprehend it, and they were already using the Spirit Control Art to manipulate her, one after another. Fortunately, Jiang Fan had arrived and helped her fully comprehend it. Otherwise, wouldn't she truly be at the mercy of this master and disciple duo?

With an unchanging expression, she picked up her teacup, and slowly took a sip before saying:

“If you're going to fight without permission in my Spirit Beast Sect, be prepared.”

“Fu Chaojun, if you move your left leg, I will sever your left leg!”

“If you move your right fist, I will chop off your right fist.”

“If you don't believe me, you can try.”

“See if your Elder Ming can protect you.”

The words were unremarkable, yet they carried immense power. They made people genuinely believe that Gong Caiyi would indeed do as she said!

Fu Chaojun, who had been eager to try and was just about to make a move, suddenly stiffened. He looked at Ming Youlian with a troubled expression. The latter's eyes darkened, and she said, “Sect Master Gong…”

Gong Caiyi, idly toying with a bamboo slip in her hand, interrupted him with a calm tone. “As for comprehending the Spirit Control Art, you, the Heavenly Sound Sect, need not bother yourselves.”

Ming Youlian, who had been about to issue a threat, showed confusion. Could it be that Gong Caiyi no longer wished to comprehend the Spirit Control Art? With the beast tide approaching, this Earth-grade cultivation method could be of immense help to the Spirit Beast Sect.

“Sect Master Gong, you jest. I had no intention of threatening you.”

Even now, they still wanted to manipulate her? Gong Caiyi scoffed as she watched Ming Youlian, and said calmly, “My words are final.”

“You two, master and disciple, either I will continue to treat you as guests and send you away, or you can make a move here, and see if my sect can deliver on its promises!”

Ming Youlian hesitated. Three days ago, Gong Caiyi had been very welcoming of their arrival. This indicated that Gong Caiyi was very eager to comprehend the Spirit Control Art. Why had she given up now? Pondering Gong Caiyi's calm yet resolute tone, Ming Youlian was utterly bewildered.

As she deliberated, Jiang Fan leisurely said, “I advise you to leave quickly.”

“Otherwise, you'll feel even worse later.”

If they truly sparred, and Fu Chaojun lost, both he and Ming Youlian would go frantic.

Fu Chaojun, who was already extremely displeased with Jiang Fan, hearing these words, almost couldn't resist making a move to give this glib fellow a harsh lesson. Only when he met Gong Caiyi's cold gaze, did he stop himself in time. But he was extremely unwilling to give up.

Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he sneered, “You only dare to act arrogant while hiding behind a woman!”

“We don't have to fight, as I, Fu Chaojun, am an unparalleled prodigy who surpasses all my peers in every aspect!”

“To avoid displeasing Sect Master Gong, let's not compete in martial arts, but in comprehension. Do you dare?”

Ming Youlian slowly nodded. Comprehension was also part of one's strength. Moreover, it was Fu Chaojun's most proud domain. A mere display would let Jiang Fan know just how much of a frog in a well he was. It would also make Gong Caiyi reconsider whether she still wanted to rely on Fu Chaojun to comprehend the Spirit Control Art!

So, she looked at Gong Caiyi and said, “Sect Master, surely this is acceptable?”

Gong Caiyi sighed softly. She had repeatedly prevented the spar, and it wasn't Jiang Fan she was protecting! It was Fu Chaojun! If anything were to happen to him in the Spirit Beast Sect, the Spirit Beast Sect would be held responsible.

But they remained persistent. They insisted on competing with Jiang Fan. Fine, she couldn't be bothered to interfere anymore.

Leaning back in her chair, she rubbed her temples and said, “Since you insist on bringing humiliation upon yourselves…”

“Then let's compare comprehension.”

“However, I must warn you: if you can't handle the blow, don't try to harm yourselves in my Spirit Beast Sect.”

Others might not know, but how could she not be aware of Jiang Fan's comprehension abilities? Comparing comprehension with him was an act so foolish that 'teaching a master carpenter how to use an axe' would barely begin to describe it.

Ming Youlian looked at Gong Caiyi suspiciously. She wondered if this Sect Master Gong was perhaps seriously ill. Fu Chaojun's extraordinary comprehension was renowned among the Nine Sects. Whoever dared to compare themselves to him would truly be bringing humiliation upon themselves!

She spoke to reassure him: “Chaojun, Sect Master Gong is just trying to boost Jiang Fan's morale. Don't take it to heart.”

Fu Chaojun initially found it inexplicable. He would bring humiliation upon himself? Wasn't she saying the opposite of what she meant? Upon hearing Ming Youlian's words, he realized that it might be a psychological tactic, intended to deliberately disturb his mental state and buy Jiang Fan a chance. It was a pity, though, that he was leagues ahead in the realm of comprehension. Even if he held back significantly, Jiang Fan wouldn't be able to catch up.

He looked at Jiang Fan, a half-smile playing on his lips, and said, “You dare not compare in martial arts, surely you wouldn't be afraid to compare in comprehension too, would you?”

Jiang Fan rubbed his nose. When it came to martial arts, he might not be significantly stronger than Fu Chaojun. But when it came to comprehension…

He sighed faintly, and said, “Very well, this is your choice.”

“How shall we compare comprehension?”

He hoped Fu Chaojun wouldn't break down.