Chapter 340: Meritorious Official

Ling Guihai said shamefully, "Master, you don't know."

"This woman is extremely strange. Although she doesn't know any spells, her physical body is terrifyingly strong. She just stood there, and my sword couldn't penetrate her defense."

A gasp went through the unaware grand elders, who then realized the extraordinary nature of the Demon Emperor's daughter. Ling Guihai was at the second layer of Core Formation and studied under the Myriad Sword Sect Master, practicing the most destructive sword techniques. He attacked with full force, yet couldn't harm the Demon Emperor's daughter?

Only then did everyone realize how dangerous this woman was. If Jiang Fan hadn't captured her, which elite disciple from the various sects present could have escaped her clutches?

The Myriad Sword Sect Master's expression kept changing. Still doubtful of Jiang Fan's strength, he asked, "Then how did you capture this woman?" He strongly suspected Jiang Fan had used some underhanded means.

Jiang Fan replied expressionlessly, "Of course, I caught her with my hands. Are you suggesting I used my mouth?" With the facts right before him, the Myriad Sword Sect Master still harbored prejudice, so Jiang Fan saw no need to be polite.

"You..." The Myriad Sword Sect Master was enraged. How dare a junior disciple talk back to him? What displeased him even more was that as a sect master, it wasn't proper for him to argue with a junior, but why was Ling Guihai standing by silently like an idiot? At a time like this, he should have stepped forward to uphold his master's dignity.

"Guihai, this junior brother saved the disciples of the Nine Sects. Go check if he's injured. If he leaves with injuries, wouldn't outsiders say that our Myriad Sword Sect lacks hospitality?" The Myriad Sword Sect Master spoke directly.

These words made several grand elders from the other sects frown. Which martial artist didn't have secrets? Forcibly examining someone without consent was considered a provocation. This was a basic understanding among martial artists. The Myriad Sword Sect Master wanted his disciple to force Jiang Fan to act, to teach him a lesson.

Ling Guihai shuddered. How could he dare to fight Jiang Fan? Even before Jiang Fan began his cultivation, Ling Guihai was no match and was powerfully overwhelmed. Now that Jiang Fan's cultivation had greatly advanced, he was even less a match for a single blow. He certainly didn't want to lose face in front of the grand elders and elite disciples of the Nine Sects. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Master. This disciple dares not."

"Dare... dares not?" The Myriad Sword Sect Master's expression froze. In front of the grand elders and elite disciples of the Nine Sects, his most favored disciple was acting like a coward. He couldn't help but say with a gloomy face, "Say that again?"

Ling Guihai pulled in his neck, a bitter taste in his mouth. Being reprimanded by his master was better than losing significant face. He cupped his hands again, saying with a strained expression, "I've sparred with this junior brother before. His strength is far above mine. This disciple is not qualified to examine him."

"Oh—" Now, several grand elders were no longer calm. Their old eyes, with a hint of surprise, scrutinized Jiang Fan. Which contemporary prodigy didn't possess a certain arrogance? Rarely did they admit inferiority to others. Yet Ling Guihai, defying his master's command, admitted he was inferior to this person. This showed that this person's strength absolutely crushed Ling Guihai.

Only then did everyone realize with a start. This person's capture of the Demon Emperor's daughter was not a coincidence, an accident, or some trick. Instead, he saved everyone through his own ability.

The Myriad Sword Sect Master stared at Jiang Fan, his gaze sharpening. "Take off your mask. This sect master needs to confirm which sect's disciple you are!" How could such an extraordinary disciple have emerged from the Nine Sects without his knowledge?

Jiang Fan's eyes narrowed slightly. This Myriad Sword Sect Master truly lacked any sense of reason. Did he think Jiang Fan could be bullied because he had no senior sect members to protect him?

"Myriad Sword Sect Master, you've gone too far!" Ling Jinghu stepped forward. Aside from Jiang Fan's personal favor to her and the Joyous Union Sect, even without that connection, she couldn't stand by and watch a senior bully a junior like this. "This disciple saved the elite of the Nine Sects and spared your Myriad Sword Sect immense trouble. This is the time you should be profusely thanking him. Yet you deliberately ignore this point and are still aggressive. What is your intention?"

The grand elders of the other sects, remembering how their own elites had nearly perished in the Sword Forest, were also highly critical of the Myriad Sword Sect's lax oversight. At this moment, they all chimed in, and it seemed as if public indignation was rising.

The Myriad Sword Sect Master's face changed color, and he quickly cupped his hands. "Look at me, I almost forgot about that. My apologies, everyone. This sect master was also quite startled by today's events and lost my composure, which led me to ask a couple of extra questions. This disciple performed a great service, saving the elite of the Nine Sects and, moreover, saving my Myriad Sword Sect. My Myriad Sword Sect will naturally not be stingy."

Immediately, he smiled and looked at Jiang Fan. "What do you lack on your path of martial arts? This sect master will fulfill your wish as much as possible."

Jiang Fan secretly disdained him. He spoke well. If someone hadn't stepped forward to support him, would the Myriad Sword Sect Master have offered a reward? Not detaining him for a thorough interrogation was already a blessing. Of course, the reward was his due. He wouldn't be polite. However, he was not lacking in elixirs, cultivation techniques, talismans, or magical treasures.

As he pondered, he glanced at Xu Yining beside him, and his eyes lit up slightly. He said, "My friend here doesn't have a suitable sword technique. Myriad Sword Sect Master, could you bestow a sword technique for her to cultivate?"

The grand elders looked surprised. Jiang Fan had performed such a great service; the reward would certainly not be small. Yet he was giving it to his female companion? When they saw that the woman was slender and quite stunning, they couldn't help but feel relieved. Heroes have always loved beauties. No wonder.

Female disciples from various sects all showed expressions of jealousy. "Isn't that Xu Yining from the Azure Cloud Sect?" "She's just a bit pretty." "In terms of family background, martial arts, and experience, she's not even as good as me." "Why does this senior brother favor her alone?"

Xu Yining, who was the focus of everyone's attention, blushed slightly. She never imagined that one day, she would be envied by these elite female prodigies of the Nine Sects, whom she had looked up to. A person's fortunes are truly wondrous. However, she understood that this was all thanks to Shadow Guard Number One.

Turning her head to look at the familiar figure, her lips pressed together, her heart full of gratitude, she said, "Thank you, but you should ask for the reward you need. I cannot accept such a reward."

Jiang Fan smiled calmly and said, "You and I are not strangers; there's no need to be polite." He then cupped his hands to the Myriad Sword Sect Master, saying, "Please bestow the cultivation technique, Sect Master."

The Myriad Sword Sect Master was indifferent. Giving it to Jiang Fan or Xu Yining made no difference to him. After a brief thought, he took out a sword technique manual with a relatively new cover and said, "Originally, the sword techniques of my Myriad Sword Sect are never passed on to outsiders. Given your great service, I will make an exception and pass this Earth-grade mid-tier sword technique to you. Remember, you may only cultivate it yourself; it must not be taught to others."

Xu Yining's eyes showed surprise and delight. She gratefully accepted it, saying, "Thank you, Myriad Sword Sect Master."

The elite disciples around them all wore envious expressions. As elites, they weren't actually short of Earth-grade mid-tier cultivation techniques; some even practiced Earth-grade high-tier techniques. The problem was, this was a Myriad Sword Sect Earth-grade mid-tier technique. The power of its sword art was incomparable to the techniques of the other eight sects. Xu Yining's sword art prowess would significantly increase because of it.

Jiang Fan nodded. Although the grade was a bit low, this was indeed the highest sword technique the Myriad Sword Sect could offer. Anything higher would certainly be classified and unlikely to be passed to an outsider.

He was about to call Xu Yining to leave this place first. Suddenly, several powerful auras returned. Figures then appeared; it was none other than Xu Qingyang and his companions, who had returned from chasing the Devouring Tiger.

"Any casualties?" Xu Qingyang asked, his expression somber, indicating that the pursuit of the Devouring Tiger had not gone smoothly. His supreme-grade magic sword was lost, and his strength was not at its peak. It was indeed not easy to stop the Devouring Tiger.

The Myriad Sword Sect Master dared not conceal anything and briefly explained the situation here.

"You captured the Demon Emperor's daughter?" Xu Qingyang said in surprise. "This woman possesses the Demon Emperor's bloodline; she's not easy to deal with. Later, commend the elder who took action." He subconsciously assumed that an elder from the Myriad Sword Sect had intervened in time to capture the Demon Emperor's daughter.

The Myriad Sword Sect Master hesitated, then said cautiously, "Reporting to Grand Elder. It wasn't an elder from our sect who acted. It was... a disciple."