Chapter 368: The Truth Revealed

The air suddenly fell silent. Liu Wenchen and the elders stared at each other in bewilderment, stunned.

Noticing their peculiar expressions, Lin Yuheng asked in surprise, "What's this Wang Yunguo's cultivation level?"

Wen Hongyao stared intently at Jiang Fan, her expression as if she had seen a ghost. She said, "Foundation Establishment Ninth Level."

Lin Yuheng was startled. "Didn't you say this young man was only at the Foundation Establishment Eighth Level? How could he have defeated someone at the Foundation Establishment Ninth Level?"

After a long moment, Liu Wenchen took a deep breath and, with a surprised look, asked, "Jiang Fan, what happened?"

Jiang Fan shrugged. "Wang Yunguo wasn't as strong as I imagined. He was defeated in just a few rounds."

The disciples present either gaped or swayed. *Did he actually just say that?* Wang Yunguo was one of the most powerful disciples of the Supreme Sect. Yet, in Jiang Fan's words, he was "not that strong"!

Overjoyed, Liu Wenchen grabbed Jiang Fan's shoulders. "Did your cultivation level improve again on your way to the Supreme Sect? I can't think of any other explanation!"

Before Jiang Fan could reply, Li Qingfeng burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Jiang Fan, you've brought great honor to our Azure Cloud Sect! I know Wang Yunguo's master; he always looks down on us. Defeating his prized disciple this time is a huge slap in his face."

Li Qingfeng had dealings with the elder of Green Bamboo Peak. That old man’s contempt for the Azure Cloud Sect was always undisguised. After a pause, Li Qingfeng added, "It's a pity, though, that old scoundrel from Hidden Sword Peak. His disciple is too powerful, beyond your current ability to defeat. Otherwise, you could have really knocked him down a peg or two as well."

At the mention of the Hidden Sword Peak elder, Liu Wenchen’s expression also soured. He scoffed, "You mean that old coot who visited your Heavenly Sword Peak, whom you treated so well, only for him to leave in disdain?"

Li Qingfeng's face darkened. "He could disdain me, I wouldn't mind. But to disdain my disciples, belittle their talents and swordsmanship, and criticize them relentlessly until they felt worthless—that's different. Several disciples were disheartened and remain dejected to this day. I'll settle this score through his disciple, sooner or later!"

However, as he spoke, he trailed off. Attacking the Supreme Sect to seek justice sounded highly unrealistic. He had clearly spoken boldly but had no intention of acting on it. Naturally, he felt too embarrassed to continue.

Just as the atmosphere grew a little subdued, Jiang Fan touched his nose and asked, "Elder Li, Master, is there a female disciple named Li Shiqian from the Hidden Sword Peak you mentioned?"

Hearing this, Li Qingfeng nodded. "Yes, she's his most prized disciple, with a cultivation level of Foundation Establishment Ninth Level Perfection. She's among the top three in the Supreme Sect." Then, Li Qingfeng seemed to remember something and asked with concern, "You didn't run into her, did you? That female disciple is just as sharp-tongued and critical as her master. When she visited Heavenly Sword Peak with her master, she made plenty of sarcastic remarks."

"Indeed," Jiang Fan lightly nodded his chin. "I encountered her on the arena."

"What?" Li Qingfeng quickly scrutinized him. "Did she not do anything to you? You already made a big splash by defeating Wang Yunguo as an Azure Cloud Peak disciple. With her personality, she certainly wouldn't tolerate that."

Jiang Fan's expression was peculiar. "I'm fine. But she should have sustained a serious injury."

The air fell silent again! All eyes on Jiang Fan gradually widened! Liu Wenchen asked in astonishment, "What do you mean? Don't tell me you defeated her."

Jiang Fan gave a wry smile. "Why couldn't I?"

Everyone was stunned! Jiang Fan... had won again! And his opponent was one of the Supreme Sect's top three supreme cultivators!

Lin Yuheng couldn't help but secretly gasp. She had lost count of how many times Jiang Fan had impressed her. It seemed impossible to see the extent of his abilities. From an ordinary junior disciple to someone capable of defeating a Foundation Establishment Ninth Level Perfection expert – the gap was simply too vast!

She said with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "Now I understand why the Supreme Sect Master reported you. You practically went there to cause trouble. It would be stranger if he *didn't* report you!"

Defeating someone at Foundation Establishment Ninth Level Perfection showed just how powerful Jiang Fan was! With such strength, taking on a Level 1 mission would have been more than enough. Yet, Jiang Fan had only taken a Level 3 mission! No wonder the Supreme Sect reported Liu Wenchen for favoritism towards Jiang Fan and for passively responding to the challenge.

Liu Wenchen and the elders finally understood! But instead of being angry, they were exceptionally happy. Liu Wenchen's face glowed with excitement. "Hahaha, truly worthy of being my excellent disciple! You've completely humiliated the Supreme Sect! Well done! Absolutely well done!"

Li Qingfeng's face showed even greater satisfaction. "That old man, the Hidden Sword Peak Master, got his comeuppance today, didn't he? His face must have turned green!"

Wen Hongyao, too, laughed heartily for the first time in a while. "No wonder the Supreme Sect Master was so evasive and vague in his report, refusing to state the reason for the complaint. It turns out he was too embarrassed to mention his great humiliation! Hahaha!"

The other elders and disciples, upon hearing this joyful news, all felt a surge of pride and honor. Who said the Supreme Sect, one of the three Upper Sects, was unbeatable? They had clearly been routed by a new disciple from the Azure Cloud Sect!

Liu Wenchen laughed uncontrollably. "Doesn't the Supreme Sect love to put on airs and arrange these 'friendly matches'? I wonder if they'll dare to organize another one next year." He vigorously patted Jiang Fan's shoulder, his eyes full of joy. He inwardly regretted having neglected Jiang Fan at first. If he had known what a treasure Jiang Fan was, he would have cherished him from the beginning.

"But it wasn't too late now! You did very well, exceptionally well!" Liu Wenchen declared his strong support: "Whatever punishment our Azure Cloud Sect receives this time, I will be happy! You don't need to feel any self-reproach or guilt!"

The other elders and disciples also smiled. Because their punishment wasn't for making a mistake, but for their Azure Cloud Sect making a huge splash! Was this even a punishment? It was clearly a badge of honor!

Lin Yuheng cleared her throat. As a specialist from the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, she was still present. Accepting punishment with such glee, wasn't that disrespectful to the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets? It would be better to celebrate after she left. Liu Wenchen and the elders gave an awkward smile, quickly suppressing their amusement. They still had to show respect to the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

The matter was now concluded. Lin Yuheng took a deep breath and said, "The situation has been clarified. Jiang Fan possesses high cultivation, and though he should have undertaken a Level 1 mission, he was only assigned a Level 3 mission. There was indeed a suspicion of passive engagement. However, after my verification, Jiang Fan's strength increased only *after* the mission was assigned, so the initial assignment was not improper. Therefore, the Supreme Sect Master's report is dismissed!"

In other words, the Azure Cloud Sect would not be penalized! Everyone's spirits lifted, and their faces were alight with excited smiles.

Lin Yuheng also smiled, saying, "Sect Master Liu, congratulations on having such an excellent disciple! This young man would be a great talent even in our Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. You must nurture him well and ensure his potential isn't wasted!"

Liu Wenchen, delighted, clutched Jiang Fan's shoulder. "Rest assured, Specialist Lin. For a disciple like him, our sect will spare no effort to help him succeed!"

Lin Yuheng nodded. Her smiling gaze turned to Jiang Fan, and she chided playfully, "You little rascal, you certainly know how to surprise people! But don't get too ahead of yourself. You've consecutively defeated two top talents from the Supreme Sect; their Senior Disciple Brother Hua Xiangchen won't let you off easily. If you ever encounter him, avoid him if you can. Don't go looking for trouble. From what I know, he has already broken through to the Core Formation realm. Your current strength isn't even enough to fill a gap in his teeth."

Jiang Fan touched his nose and muttered, "If we truly meet, he'll be too busy avoiding me."