Chapter 287: Mysterious Ruthless Person

"May I sit beside you?" Jiang Fan asked.

Su Qiuning timidly replied, "Y-yes... you may."

Tang Tianlong, standing nearby, was not pleased. At this time, not everyone had arrived yet, and there were many empty seats. With so many places to sit, why did he have to choose the one beside Su Qiuning?

He said expressionlessly, "Excuse me, that seat is taken. Please find another place, my friend."

Jiang Fan nodded slightly, "Alright!"

Just as Tang Tianlong thought Jiang Fan was about to leave, Jiang Fan casually swung a palm strike.

Tang Tianlong bristled with anger. Attacking him in front of so many elite disciples – was this an act of contempt? He immediately launched a punch. However, the result stunned Tang Tianlong! The opponent's casual palm strike sent him flying directly into the wall, a coppery taste rising in his throat from the impact.

He had just retaliated with his full strength. Yet, he couldn't even counter the opponent's casual blow! What kind of power did this person possess?

The elite disciples present also had their pupils constrict. They all speculated that Jiang Fan most likely possessed Core Formation Realm strength!

Jiang Fan casually sat in Tang Tianlong's seat and muttered to himself, "See? There's an empty seat now."

Su Qiuning, sensing Jiang Fan's powerful aura, anxiously tried to get up and change seats. But as soon as she moved, she heard Jiang Fan say indifferently, "Sit still."

Su Qiuning's body stiffened. She was on the verge of tears from fright. She dared not get up again. She cautiously shifted her body, trying to put as much distance as possible between herself and Jiang Fan.

This scene filled Tang Tianlong with both fury and indignation. Yet, he dared not speak out, only simmering with unspoken anger. After that brief exchange, the disparity in their strengths was obvious. Everyone fell silent, as if frozen.

Suddenly, the pavilion began to shake. Everyone looked towards the staircase entrance, their eyes filled with awe. There, a one-armed young man, built like an iron tower, ascended the stairs with heavy steps. Each step made the entire Taibai Pavilion tremble. Only a disciple from the Giant Sect could possess such a physique.

And he was none other than Sun Chaozong.

Many disciples proactively stepped forward to bow. Tang Tianlong, however, wisely kept his distance, sitting far away. After all, Tie Bubai's death had severely strained the relationship between the Giant Sect and the Azure Cloud Sect.

Sun Chaozong scanned his surroundings. Naturally, he recognized Tang Tianlong and Su Qiuning, the two disciples from the Azure Cloud Sect.

"Azure Cloud Sect's nobodies are everywhere!" he sneered. "What, that guy Jiang Fan didn't show up?"

Su Qiuning's eyes suddenly lit up, "Junior Brother Jiang came to the Joyful Union Sect?"

Tang Tianlong was also surprised, "Didn't he go to the Spirit Beast Sect to escort goods? Why would he be at the Joyful Union Sect?"

Seeing that neither of them even knew Jiang Fan was there, he snorted, "Looks like that kid saw the situation was bad and hid! I was even planning on giving him a good lesson!"

Immediately, he moved with massive strides. He sat opposite Su Qiuning, a malicious and fierce expression on his face. This made Su Qiuning even more terrified. She had a domineering and unruly mystery man beside her, and facing her was a fierce, murderous presence. Why was she so unlucky?

She cautiously looked at Jiang Fan, a look of plea on her face, "S-Senior Brother, I don't want to participate anymore. I want to leave, may I?"

Jiang Fan dropped the sharp claws he was carrying onto the floor. The claws, weighing several hundred catties, hit the ground with a dull thud. Su Qiuning shuddered in fright and quickly stammered, "I-I-I'm not leaving, I'm not leaving." She shrank her neck, like a startled little white rabbit. Her eyes misted over with tears, and she dared not move.

Only then did Sun Chaozong, sitting opposite, notice Jiang Fan. A hint of solemnity appeared in his eyes. The claws on the ground weighed at least several hundred catties, yet this person had carried them on his shoulder as if they were weightless. This led Sun Chaozong to conclude that the opponent possessed an incredibly powerful physique. Combined with his mysterious demeanor, a flicker of apprehension arose in Sun Chaozong's heart.

He cupped one hand in a respectful gesture and asked, "My friend, may I ask which sect's Senior Brother you are?"

Everyone fell silent. Both Sun Chaozong and this mysterious person were formidable figures at this assembly. They also wanted to hear from the conversation what the mysterious person's background was.

"Are you even worthy of asking?" Jiang Fan responded with utter indifference.

Sun Chaozong immediately fumed, "You!" He, a dignified elite disciple of the Giant Sect, had initiated a conversation, only to be treated with such rudeness?

However, Giant Sect disciples were not merely brawny and simple-minded individuals. He calmly thought for a moment. Before he could ascertain Jiang Fan's true strength, he decided against acting rashly. But if he found out the other's strength was nothing special, then Jiang Fan shouldn't blame him for his ruthless methods!

Sensing the unfavorable atmosphere, the elite participants wisely remained silent, daring not to make any loud noises, lest they displease the two formidable individuals.

"Hmm? Why is it so quiet? I thought perhaps none of you had arrived yet."

At this moment, several people approached the staircase entrance. They wore coarse linen clothes, and their skin was rough and reddish. This was true for both men and women, a stark contrast to the brightly dressed disciples from other sects. However, their appearance was met with enthusiastic greetings from all the disciples present.

"Chief Ouyang, we finally get to see you in person."

"Is he the legendary unparalleled genius of the Thousand Refinement Sect, said to appear once in a millennium?"

"That's no exaggeration; his artifact forging skills already surpass those of the current Thousand Refinement Sect Master."

"If not for his martial arts cultivation not yet catching up, he would have long since taken over as the Thousand Refinement Sect Master!"

"In my opinion, it won't be long. His martial arts talent is also exceptionally strong; he's already at the first level of the Core Formation Realm, no less than the chief disciples of other sects."

"Give him ten years, and he'll likely reach the late Core Formation stage and assume the position of Sect Master."

"At that time, he'd be barely thirty, right?"

"Hiss! A Sect Master under thirty – he'd be setting a precedent in the history of the Nine Sects!"

Jiang Fan listened, clicking his tongue in amazement. In the lands of the Nine Sects, there was actually such a remarkable individual? Compared to Fu Chaojun of the Heavenly Sound Sect, this Chief Ouyang in front of him was far more formidable.

"Chief or not, you all honor me too much, fellow disciples." Ouyang Jun grinned, appearing very approachable. He showed none of the arrogance that Fu Chaojun possessed. "Your presence here tonight, by invitation, grants me immense prestige. Please don't mind these small items; each of you, take one."

Behind him, two burly junior brothers laboriously carried a large basket forward, passing it in front of each person one by one. Jiang Fan looked on. He noticed that they were all low-grade spirit artifacts. There were common ones like swords, blades, and spears, as well as many less common artifacts such as throwing darts, steel needles, and axes. The selection was dazzling and comprehensive. Most importantly, Jiang Fan realized that every artifact radiated abundant spiritual light, indicating high quality. If sold outside, these would undoubtedly be hot commodities, each worth no less than a hundred spirit crystals. Yet, they were now being casually given as gifts to the attendees.

It had to be said, this Ouyang Jun was quite generous! Of course, another way to put it was that he was very skilled at winning people over. Beneath his rough exterior, he certainly possessed a shrewd and adaptable mind.

Sun Chaozong laughed, "As expected of Senior Brother Ouyang! Only you could be so generous. I won't be polite then." He chose an axe, weighed it in his hand, and seemed quite pleased.

Ouyang Jun chuckled, "If Junior Brother Sun doesn't mind, then I'm truly relieved. Everyone, please take something, don't be shy!"

Soon, the basket was brought before Su Qiuning. Her heart filled with joy; she hadn't expected to receive a gift just for attending the assembly. She immediately began choosing. She spotted a beautiful, silver-white dagger inlaid with gemstones. Happily, she picked it up.

But at that moment, Jiang Fan suddenly snatched the dagger from her hand and tossed it back into the basket. Then, he pulled out a crude, pitch-black dagger that looked like a half-finished product and shoved it into her hand. "Take this one."

Su Qiuning looked at the beautiful dagger that had been thrown back, then at the ugly dagger forced into her hand. Her lips immediately pursed, and tears welled up in her eyes from indignation. This was just too much bullying! She wasn't even allowed to choose a pretty dagger. Why not?!

Tang Tianlong also watched, his eyes burning with anger; this fellow was truly a bully!

But then, Ouyang Jun showed a meaningful expression and cupped his hands, saying, "My friend, what keen insight!"