Chapter 283: The Retaliation of the Moonlight Pearl

The Joyous Union Sect.

The Sect Master's main hall.

Yue Mingzhu had changed into a refreshing and ethereal pink dress, which perfectly complemented her delicate, flawless eighteen-year-old complexion.

She looked like a fleeting pink lotus amidst ten thousand acres of verdant lotus ponds.

At this moment, she sat with her legs crossed, swinging them gently. Her hands were clasped behind her head. Every so often, she craned her neck, looking outside the hall, muttering, "Why isn't he here yet?"

"This Sect Master has been wanting to reprimand you for a very, very long time!" The thought of Jiang Fan repeatedly lecturing her made her angry. She absolutely had to get her revenge.

Just then, Ji Ruyue rushed in to report, saying, "Sect Master, Elder Ling has brought Jiang Fan." Yue Mingzhu had returned to the sect ahead of them, taking Ji Ruyue with her. She had also instructed Ji Ruyue to stay by her side temporarily and await orders. Naturally, Ji Ruyue was ecstatic about this. Deep down, she was incredibly grateful to Jiang Fan. Now, she hurriedly came to report news about Jiang Fan.

Yue Mingzhu's eyes lit up, and she immediately picked up a silver mask from the table and put it on. She did this to prevent Jiang Fan, that little rascal, from recognizing her through her eyes. The eyeholes of the mask were covered with two thin crystal lenses. When worn, it looked very mysterious.

"That guy, just wait until I deal with him!" Yue Mingzhu said, filled with anticipation.

Ji Ruyue couldn't help but worry, "Sect Master, please be careful."

Yue Mingzhu replied, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"

Ji Ruyue weakly added, "This disciple means, Sect Master, you should be careful. Junior Brother Jiang's strength is quite unusual."

Yue Mingzhu chuckled in annoyance, "Why would I need to be careful of him? Even if I stood still, his meager strength couldn't harm me."

If she had known that another female sect master had recently stood still and suffered a silent loss, she wouldn't have thought that way.

Tap-tap—

Soon, footsteps could be heard. Elder Ling led Jiang Fan into the main hall. Jiang Fan looked at the Sect Master's jade throne and was surprised to see a woman in pink robes sitting there. So the Joyous Union Sect Master was also a woman. Moreover, judging by her attire and complexion, she appeared exceptionally young. He just wondered why she wore a mask; could she be very ugly?

Although he thought this, Jiang Fan showed no emotion on his face as he stepped forward and bowed, saying: "Disciple Jiang Fan of the Azure Cloud Sect greets the Joyous Union Sect Master."

Yue Mingzhu looked at the person before her, grinding her teeth. You brat! It's finally my home turf! Let's see how I deal with you!

She leisurely said, "I heard that the Thousand-Mile Eagle you escorted was dispirited? Do you know that this is an extremely important strategic resource that cannot be lost?"

As soon as she spoke, she launched her attack. She intended to severely reprimand him and pay back all the grievances she had suffered before.

Elder Ling was stunned. Just now, the Sect Master had seemed to value Jiang Fan highly. Why had she suddenly turned hostile and started reprimanding him? How could she understand Yue Mingzhu's love-hate psychology?

She quickly interceded for Jiang Fan, saying, "Sect Master, there's a reason why the Thousand-Mile Eagle was dispirited. It really can't be blamed on Jiang Fan." Encountering that Silver-Winged Thunder Roc and still managing to bring the Thousand-Mile Eagle back was already an extraordinary achievement. How could he be further criticized?

At this moment, Yue Mingzhu was determined to pick at Jiang Fan's flaws and give him a severe lecture. How could she let him off easily? Adopting an unyielding tone, she said, "No matter how major the reason, it cannot justify harm to the Thousand-Mile Eagle!"

Jiang Fan frowned slightly. This Joyous Union Sect Master, despite looking young, was surprisingly difficult to deal with. After silently complaining for a moment, he bowed and said, "Sect Master, on our way here, we encountered a Silver-Winged Thunder Roc. Its appearance startled the Thousand-Mile Eagle. However, the Thousand-Mile Eagle was not harmed."

Yue Mingzhu raised an eyebrow, her voice rising in pitch, "A Silver-Winged Thunder Roc? Are you sure it was that bird?" That's impossible! That Silver-Winged Thunder Roc had been circling within the Joyous Union Sect's territory for half a month. She had personally led people to hunt it down. Not only did they fail, but a Core Formation fourth-level elder was severely wounded and was still in critical condition. Yue Mingzhu had personally experienced its power and cunning. If Jiang Fan had encountered that Silver-Winged Thunder Roc, there was no way he could have survived.

Elder Ling answered for Jiang Fan, "Reporting to the Sect Master, what Jiang Fan said is true."

Yue Mingzhu narrowed her eyes, "How is Elder Ling so certain? What if this is just this child's one-sided story?"

Elder Ling replied, caught between laughter and tears, "This subordinate naturally confirmed it after inspecting the Silver-Winged Thunder Roc's claw, which is why I'm so certain."

What? Yue Mingzhu's crossed legs abruptly dropped. Beneath her mask, her exquisite face showed a trace of shock, "Jiang Fan, you cut off that bird's claw?" How is that possible? Her Core Formation fourth-level elder was severely wounded by the Silver-Winged Thunder Roc during their encounter. If she hadn't arrived in time, the elder would likely have been torn to shreds by the Silver-Winged Thunder Roc. Not only was Jiang Fan unharmed, but he also severed its formidable claw?

Jiang Fan bowed and said, "Yes, I was fortunate enough to sever it and injure it in two other places. It should be hiding somewhere, recovering from its injuries now."

What? You also injured it?

Yue Mingzhu sprang to her feet, her face filled with disbelief. But she quickly realized her impropriety and swiftly sat back down. Staring at Jiang Fan before her, she was filled with shock and doubt. How did Jiang Fan manage that? To actually injure that Silver-Winged Thunder Roc!

Elder Ling continued, "So, the Thousand-Mile Eagle was merely startled. Not only is Jiang Fan blameless, but he has also performed a great service. If the Sect Master were to reprimand him for this, I'm afraid it would be inappropriate."

Yue Mingzhu felt aggrieved. She had finally thought she found a flaw in Jiang Fan. But it turned out not to be a flaw at all, but rather a merit. No matter how she twisted words, she couldn't continue her attack. How could it be so difficult to lecture this boy?

But soon, she rolled her eyes and adopted an approving expression, saying, "A hero emerges from the youth. It's truly fortunate for the Azure Cloud Sect to have a disciple like you. This Sect Master is not stingy; I will personally test your strength. If there are any deficiencies, I can guide you on the spot." No matter how formidable Jiang Fan was, he couldn't possibly be flawless, could he? There would always be some shortcomings. She could perfectly seize this opportunity to criticize and lecture him, letting him experience the taste of being poked on the forehead and preached to.

Uh-oh—

Ji Ruyue felt awkward and embarrassed. Having witnessed Jiang Fan's methods firsthand, she genuinely worried that the Sect Master might become careless and inadvertently get injured by him. She couldn't help but remind him, "Junior Brother Jiang, the Sect Master isn't very familiar with your strength. Please be sure to control yourself well."

Jiang Fan rubbed his nose. Was Ji Ruyue perhaps overestimating him? Even if he tried his absolute best, he was merely a Foundation Establishment realm disciple; he couldn't possibly harm the Joyous Union Sect Master. Just like his previous sparring with Gong Caiyi, she stood still, and he couldn't do anything to her.

Yue Mingzhu was so annoyed her nose almost twisted. What did Ji Ruyue mean by that? Was she implying that a Sect Master like herself would suffer a disadvantage against a mere Foundation Establishment realm disciple? She rose and walked in front of Jiang Fan, calmly stating, "You may use your full strength. This Sect Master will suppress her cultivation to the Core Formation second level, so I won't hurt you."

Although Jiang Fan had a record of defeating a Core Formation second-level Red-Scaled Flood Dragon, that Red-Scaled Flood Dragon's combat power was greatly diminished because it was out of water. With her Core Formation second-level cultivation, combined with her refined cultivation techniques and abundant combat experience, she was sure she could beat Jiang Fan so badly his own parents wouldn't recognize him! In her mind, she had already envisioned the wonderful scene of Jiang Fan with a swollen, pig-like face, repeatedly begging for mercy.

Only Ji Ruyue covered her face, muttering silently to herself: "It's over! The Sect Master is about to learn another lesson."