Chapter 357: Three Women Compete

Five peaks were present.

The other four peaks had received their share, but Reincarnation Peak had not. Why not?

Jiang Fan stopped, composed himself, and calmly replied, "Elder, please be informed, this disciple indeed does not intend to give it to Reincarnation Peak. I hope the Elder understands."

This straightforward and impolite reply made Elder Feng Guzen narrow his eyes. "Jiang Fan, are you disrespecting my Reincarnation Peak?"

When his demand was unmet, he resorted to threats. Jiang Fan remained unfazed, his expression as calm as ever. "Elder, you jest," he said. "How could a mere disciple like me dare to disrespect Reincarnation Peak? It's just that you seem to have quite a strong opinion about this disciple. Since I cannot confront you, I can at least avoid you, can't I? Therefore, I prefer not to have too much interaction with Reincarnation Peak, and I hope the Elder understands."

Are you kidding? Just now, how did the Elder sneer at Jiang Fan and help outsiders accuse him of cheating? And now he wants favors? He must be dreaming!

Wen Hongyao, known for her fiery temper, immediately spoke up. "Feng Guzen, have you no shame? It's already merciful that we haven't questioned your treacherous actions just now; yet you're threatening a disciple for benefits?"

Li Qingfeng, who had been neutral, also found it intolerable. "Elder, your internal disputes with the sect leader are matters within the sect. But helping outsiders to suppress our own people, disregarding the sect's honor, that is going too far. Now you're even demanding Jiang Fan's Dragon-Patterned Vine Spirit Fluid. Even if he were willing to give it, this Elder would advise him not to."

Zhao Wuji, equally displeased, said, "Elder, there's a limit to everything. You should be grateful Jiang Fan hasn't reported you to the Supreme Elders! And you still have the audacity to demand his resources?"

Liu Wenchen felt relieved. In his previous disputes with the Elder, the other elders always remained neutral to avoid trouble. Now, all three elders were strongly supporting him. This secretly thrilled him. Of course, he understood that the three elders had shifted their stance entirely because they valued Jiang Fan. Thinking of this, he looked at Jiang Fan with increasing approval. Jiang Fan was truly his lucky star!

Therefore, when facing Feng Guzen, he appeared more composed and unruffled than usual. "Elder, did you hear that? How my disciple chooses to handle the Dragon-Patterned Vine Spirit Fluid is entirely his freedom. You should interfere less."

Feng Guzen's expression changed. He was secretly alarmed by the shift in the three elders' positions. What was happening? Just because he targeted Jiang Fan, the three elders sided with Liu Wenchen? He found it hard to believe. Was Jiang Fan really that important? Had he known that Jiang Fan had gained the favor of several Supreme Elders, he would not have been so puzzled.

With everyone present protecting Jiang Fan, Feng Guzen realized he couldn't possibly obtain the Dragon-Patterned Vine Spirit Fluid. He couldn't help but feel enraged and humiliated. "Boy, you probably don't know that an envoy from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion has already arrived at my Azure Cloud Sect. He's here to interrogate you at any moment! I was even planning to speak well of you, but now it seems there's no need."

Jiang Fan was surprised. An envoy from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, to interrogate him? No, what have I done to warrant the Heavenly Secret Pavilion personally coming to Azure Cloud Sect? And specifically to interrogate me? He quickly recalled his experiences on this trip, but he couldn't think of anything that had wronged the Nine Sects or violated the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's strict rules. Shaking his head, he stopped thinking about it. He had a clear conscience and feared no interrogation from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion.

He cupped his hands toward Feng Guzen and said frankly, "Thank you for the information, Elder. As for the Elder speaking well of this disciple, I wouldn't dare to imagine such a thing. I would be very happy if you simply didn't add insult to injury."

Upon hearing this, Wen Hongyao couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "He must think Jiang Fan is a fool to say something like that." Li Qingfeng and Zhao Wuji also looked speechless. Feng Guzen truly had no shame left. How could he have the gall to claim he was planning to speak well of Jiang Fan, a lie even he didn't believe? As Jiang Fan said, it would be a miracle if Feng Guzen didn't kick him while he was down.

Feng Guzen's attempt to threaten Jiang Fan failed, and he was ridiculed once more. Even more enraged and humiliated, he stood up and scoffed, "Fine! Fine! When the Heavenly Secret Pavilion envoy arrives, we'll see if you can still smile!"

Watching him storm away, Jiang Fan then looked at Liu Wenchen with a puzzled expression. "Master, is this true?"

Liu Wenchen's expression also grew solemn. He asked, "Did you cause any trouble at the Grand Supreme Sect? If you did, tell us. I and the elders will try to find a way to resolve it for you."

A huge question mark appeared above Jiang Fan's head. "The Grand Supreme Sect?" In other places, he had indeed made some questionable 'mistakes'. For instance, he had seen the Spirit Beast Sect Leader's undergarment. And he was wanted by the Joyful Union Sect Leader. Also, he had taken in the Black Mirror Evil Spirit. But specifically at the Grand Supreme Sect, he hadn't done anything.

"Master, this disciple only stayed at the Grand Supreme Sect for half a day. During that time, I discussed some medical techniques with their disciples, sparred a bit, and then collected the spirit herbs for my mission before heading to the Spirit Beast Sect. I did not make any enemies within the sect."

Liu Wenchen and the three elders looked puzzled after hearing this. "Are you sure you haven't forgotten anything?" Liu Wenchen frowned. "The Grand Supreme Sect Leader sent a report to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, accusing me. The content of the report was about you."

Jiang Fan was bewildered. "The Grand Supreme Sect Leader? It concerns me? But this disciple truly did nothing, and I only saw the Grand Supreme Sect Leader from a distance. We had no interaction whatsoever."

This... Liu Wenchen was also confused for a moment. The Grand Supreme Sect Leader couldn't have reported him without reason, could he? But looking at Jiang Fan's expression, it didn't seem feigned.

Wen Hongyao was equally perplexed. "Discussing medical techniques and sparring in martial arts are perfectly normal activities among disciples. And he had no interaction with the Grand Supreme Sect Leader, let alone offending or provoking him. It's truly strange. Why would the Grand Supreme Sect Leader bother reporting this to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, unless he was just bored?"

Zhao Wuji looked at Jiang Fan and mused: "I believe Jiang Fan is not lying. This must be some kind of misunderstanding. We know nothing about the content of the report, so speculating here is useless. It's better to wait for the Heavenly Secret Pavilion envoy to summon us, then we can confront him directly. As long as Jiang Fan has a clear conscience, we have nothing to worry about."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion envoy and his entourage had already arrived at Azure Cloud Sect. However, after a long wait for Jiang Fan, he had gone into seclusion. Now, they could only inform him first and then await his arrangements.

Liu Wenchen nodded slightly. "It seems this is the only way. Jiang Fan, stay within the sect for the next few days. Don't go anywhere. The envoy might summon you at any time."

Jiang Fan nodded. "Yes, Master." The group soon dispersed.

Jiang Fan followed the three elders out of the Sect Leader's grand hall. He was wondering if he should return to his cave dwelling first. However, Nie Yunxi, a disciple from Heavenly Sword Peak, was already waiting anxiously outside the hall. Seeing Li Qingfeng emerge, she quickly stepped forward and said, "Master, something bad has happened! Xu Yining, Xu Youran, and Chen Siling are fighting! Please go back and see what's happening."

Li Qingfeng got a headache just hearing this. "That Xu Yining! How can she cause trouble as soon as she returns?"

Jiang Fan, however, showed a hint of joy. "Youran and Siling are back too? That's great!"

Li Qingfeng paused. He couldn't help but slap his forehead. Why was he getting a headache? The one who truly should be getting a headache was Jiang Fan!