Chapter 284: Again Taught a Lesson

Elder Ling noticed Ji Ruyue's strange expression. What was going on with Ji Ruyue? Could she possibly think the Sect Master would be at a disadvantage? Shaking her head, she gently comforted Jiang Fan, saying, "Don't be nervous. Just give it your all. After the spar, the Sect Master will meticulously guide you. This is an opportunity many disciples can only dream of."

The Sect Master of the Joyous Union Sect was incredibly busy. Even her most favored disciples rarely had the chance to spar with or receive guidance from her. Jiang Fan, of course, understood the rarity of the opportunity, so he didn't refuse. He nodded and said, "Then I won't hold back."

Having previously sparred with Gong Caiyi and failed to inflict any damage, Jiang Fan acted without reservations. He immediately drew his black sword and initiated a move from the "Sword Heart Meteor Engraving" set.

"Splitting Light Sword!"

As the sword struck, a deafening thunderous roar accompanied it.

Yue Mingzhu was slightly startled. "You're also skilled in swordsmanship? And its power has reached the high-grade Profound level!" She was somewhat surprised. Including that finger technique, Jiang Fan now possessed one Earth-grade cultivation method and one high-grade Profound-level sword technique. Where did a junior disciple from Qingyun Sect get so many powerful cultivation methods?

Sensing the extraordinary nature of the sword move, and with her cultivation suppressed, she dared not be careless. With an aerial pull, the jade ruler on the long table was drawn to her. She immediately executed three stances.

"Spring Wind Transforms Rain!"

This was a high-grade Profound-level ruler technique. With a wave of the ruler, it drew moisture from the air, transforming it into a stream of water that scattered the incoming sword energy.

"That's all?" Yue Mingzhu thought triumphantly. Just as the thought crossed her mind, Jiang Fan's second move attacked, leaving no openings.

"Sun Rises from the Ocean!"

An even more powerful sword technique surged forth, accompanied by a deafening roar.

Yue Mingzhu was slightly surprised. The second move was much stronger than the first, very close to an Earth-grade cultivation method. She immediately unleashed her second stance. The stream of water transformed into countless dense water droplets, resembling concealed weapons, which shot forward. Not only did they disperse the sword energy, but the remaining droplets also flew directly towards Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan was slightly surprised. This was the first time he had seen someone use a high-grade Profound-level cultivation method to disperse his second move and still have enough power to attack him. This ruler technique was truly extraordinary. Therefore, Jiang Fan no longer held back. He let out a low cry:

"Heaven, Earth, and Stars Fall!"

This was a full-power strike at the lower-grade Earth level. Unleashed with terrifying thunder that could deafen one's ears, the incredibly fierce sword energy struck forcefully. The incoming water droplets were instantly vaporized. The sword energy continued its momentum, heading straight for Yue Mingzhu.

"An Earth-grade cultivation method?" Yue Mingzhu exclaimed in surprise. Only then did she realize how bizarre this swordsmanship was, with a terrifyingly wide gap between its moves! She quickly swung her jade ruler repeatedly, scattering most of the sword energy. However, a few lingering wisps of sword energy still struck her directly. She immediately activated her spiritual power to protect her body.

Clang, clang, clang—

Amidst metallic clashing sounds, the spiritual power on her body finally blocked the last trace of sword energy. Even so, a stinging pain still emanated from where the sword energy had hit.

Yue Mingzhu was both shocked and annoyed. She was shocked because if she hadn't activated her Core Formation Second Level spiritual power, she would have definitely been injured by the sword energy. She was annoyed because Jiang Fan, contrary to her expectations, wasn't beaten to a pulp; instead, he had inflicted a minor injury on her! This was outrageous! She tossed aside her jade ruler and charged towards Jiang Fan, her hands clenched into fists. Clearly, she was preparing for close-quarters combat, intending to make him experience some physical pain.

"Perfect timing!"

Jiang Fan sheathed his sword and let out a low cry, "Phoenix Blood Sacred Body!" The qi and blood within his body boiled, filling every corner of his being. In an instant, he transformed into a blood-red figure. He wanted to see how much difference there was between his fully activated body technique and the physique of a Sect Master-level powerhouse.

At the same time, he directly unleashed the final stance of the "Nine Forms of Warring Heavens!"

"Heaven Cleaving!"

This was the most powerful strike of his body technique.

Yue Mingzhu looked at the blood-red Jiang Fan with some surprise. "What is this? Why haven't I seen this at the bottom of the cliff?" She was somewhat bewildered. At the bottom of the cliff, she had thought she had witnessed all of Jiang Fan's abilities. However, in this exchange, all of Jiang Fan's techniques were completely new. Just how many hidden abilities did this guy possess?

With a hint of curiosity, she unleashed her fists straight towards Jiang Fan's chest. Jiang Fan's Heaven Cleaving strike also surged forth. Their four fists collided with a resounding boom, creating a crackling sound that made the air tremble violently. Immediately afterward, a wave of air, centered on their fists, rolled outwards in all directions. This forced Ji Ruyue and Elder Ling to raise their sleeves to shield their faces.

Ji Ruyue, however, was already accustomed to such sights. Elder Ling, on the other hand, was utterly astonished, staring fixedly at the two stalemated figures in the center of the swirling air. Her old eyes widened. "He... he can actually match the Sect Master's physique with his body technique?" Finally, she understood why Ji Ruyue had repeatedly warned the Sect Master not to be careless. Jiang Fan was simply not someone to be judged by ordinary standards!

In the arena, Yue Mingzhu was shocked. While she had suppressed her cultivation to the Core Formation Second Level, her physique could not be suppressed. Jiang Fan actually withstood that punch? Just how strong was this guy's body technique? She gritted her teeth and suddenly exerted more force. Not to be outdone, Jiang Fan also unleashed immense power. With a bang, the airflow exploded, pushing both of them back.

Yue Mingzhu's peripheral vision caught Ji Ruyue and Elder Ling, and her face immediately flushed red. She had promised to teach Jiang Fan a lesson, but it ended in a draw! Without further hesitation, she immediately adopted the posture for a set of palm techniques.

"I'm about to unleash my most proficient palm technique. This is a complete lower-grade Earth-level technique. You need to be careful. If you can't hold on, concede. Don't try to be brave."

Elder Ling clicked her tongue in amazement. Theoretically, when Yue Mingzhu sparred with a Foundation Establishment disciple like Jiang Fan, she wouldn't even need to use cultivation methods. Now, however, she was forced to unleash her most proficient Earth-grade palm technique.

Jiang Fan's expression grew serious. The power of a Core Formation Second Level expert wielding an Earth-grade cultivation method was unimaginably astonishing. How could he dare to hold back any longer? He immediately took down the wooden box from his back and retrieved an ancient zither from it, which was entirely snow-white with crystal-colored strings.

Upon seeing this item, Ji Ruyue immediately trembled and quickly ran out of the hall. Her feet moved swiftly, fearing she might be affected if she was even a step too slow. Elder Ling froze, asking, "Why are you running?" Ji Ruyue turned her head and replied, "Grand Elder, run quickly! Don't stay there." Elder Ling didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was just a zither; could it really affect her?

He scrutinized the zither in Jiang Fan's hand, but upon closer inspection, his expression turned solemn. "This... isn't this the Soulbound Artifact of Grand Elder Ming Youlian of the Heavenly Sound Sect? How could it be in your possession?" As a Grand Elder of one of the Nine Sects himself, he naturally knew Ming Youlian's artifact very well. This was the only high-grade seven-stringed zither in the entire land of the Nine Sects! In Ming Youlian's hands, it could unleash immense power.

Yue Mingzhu was also startled, then asked suspiciously, "Doesn't this require the Heavenly Sound Sect's cultivation methods to activate? Are you also proficient in their techniques?"

Jiang Fan sat cross-legged, placing the long zither on his knees, and replied, "I know a little. Sect Master, please be careful."

Yue Mingzhu was unconcerned. The Heavenly Sound Sect's cultivation methods primarily revolved around musical scores. Besides the exceptionally talented Fu Chaojun, even internal disciples of the Heavenly Sound Sect found it difficult to comprehend powerful scores. Let alone Jiang Fan, an outsider? She said, "You're the one who should be careful! Without sufficient strength, you might not be able to unleash the full power of a high-grade artifact! Take this!" Saying no more, she unleashed a powerful palm technique straight ahead. Before her body even arrived, the strong palm force had already swept through the air, creating piercing sonic booms. A rapidly enlarging, visible palm print fiercely struck forward.

Jiang Fan remained unhurried. His ten fingers plucked the zither strings!