Chapter 426: Why

Jiang Fan chuckled, "So she does have some reputation after all? I must be ignorant then; I never knew the Joyful Union Sect had such a formidable elite disciple."

However, Liu Qingxian shook her head. "No, I didn't hear that name among the disciples. Instead, I heard it from a few Supreme Elders."

Jiang Fan looked puzzled. Why would the Supreme Elders of the Azure Cloud Sect mention a disciple from the Joyful Union Sect? And not just any disciple, but one who was in seclusion all year round and rarely seen?

"What did they say?" Jiang Fan asked.

Liu Qingxian pondered for a long time. "I've forgotten. I just thought the name sounded pleasant and it was taken from a poem, which is why I vaguely remember it. As for the rest, I don't remember much."

Jiang Fan thought for a moment. He quickly recalled the poem: "The clear moon over the vast sea brings tears to pearls; the warm sun on Lantian jade creates smoke." That must be the poem.

The name "Yuemingzhu," when first heard, doesn't sound particularly pleasant; it even seems a bit gaudy. However, when combined with that line of poetry, it takes on a romantic aura.

"If you don't remember, then let it be; it probably isn't anything important," Jiang Fan said.

Liu Qingxian nodded, hesitated, and then said, "She values you more than her own life, so you should treat her well in the future too. If there's an opportunity, I'll also try to befriend her."

Jiang Fan was momentarily stunned. Wait, shouldn't Liu Qingxian be jealous, just like she was a moment ago? Little did he know Liu Qingxian's true thoughts.

"Although I've expressed my feelings to Xiaofan, and he has accepted them, Xu Youran is someone who cannot be bypassed. She is the true fiancée; if she doesn't accept me, it will be difficult for me to be with Jiang Fan legitimately. But I cannot bring myself to bow down to her. It might be better to team up with this Yuemingzhu; even if I don't know if it will be useful, it's better than fighting alone!"

Soon after, the two arrived in front of the command post. Nangong Xiaoyun was busy registering the mission completion status of the returning disciples. Perhaps due to Jiang Fan's criticism, her temper had indeed mellowed considerably.

Just as Jiang Fan was about to ride Little White forward, a menacing thirty-foot spirit beast forcefully pushed past Little White. Its massive hooves nearly knocked over Little White, who was only ten feet tall.

"Damn you, are you blind?" Little White cursed indignantly.

Liu Qingxian glanced at the spirit beast's owner and quickly said, "Shh! Don't say anything!"

Jiang Fan looked over curiously and saw a remarkably well-built young man with slightly golden skin and a cold demeanor. He carried a ten-foot long halberd on his back. His bare upper body had sharply defined muscles, as if chiseled from stone. Bulging muscles covered every part of his body, exuding explosive power. He gave the impression of a human-shaped beast.

"Is he from the Giant Sect?" Jiang Fan asked. The characteristics of Giant Sect disciples were unmistakable.

Liu Qingxian nodded, a hint of apprehension in her eyes, and said, "Jin Zhongming, the chief disciple of the Giant Sect." She stared at Jin Zhongming's back, subtly biting her red lip, her eyes suppressing anger.

"Has he bullied you?" Jiang Fan asked, having noticed her reaction.

Liu Qingxian quickly hid her unusual expression, masking her emotions with a smile, and said, "How could that be? The Giant Sect and I keep to ourselves..." She couldn't continue.

Because Jiang Fan pulled out the Swift Wind Orb from his pocket, the very orb that Xue Wanzhong had snatched away.

"How did you get that?" Liu Qingxian took it, her eyes filled with the joy of regaining something lost.

Jiang Fan said, "I got it back from Sun Chaozong. He said you gave it to him."

Liu Qingxian immediately said, "How could that be? He snatched it..." She lowered her head, stuck out her tongue, and said, "I didn't mean to deceive you. It's just that I knew if I told you, you would definitely seek justice for me. That would offend the Giant Sect. The disciples of the Giant Sect are very strong. Not to mention Jin Zhongming, even Xue Wanzhong, who is below him, would be comparable to a chief disciple in any other sect. This elder sister wants to avenge herself. Xiaofan, you should focus on your cultivation. These are not matters you should worry about right now."

Jiang Fan didn't say anything more. He rode Little White to the front of the command post. But from ahead, gasps of surprise could be heard.

"As expected of Jin Zhongming, he actually completed a Heavenly-level mission. Since the missions were issued, only four Heavenly-level missions have appeared, and one was completed by Xia Chaoge. Today, another one has been completed. I heard Jin Zhongming's mission this time was to infiltrate a territory guarded by a Core Formation Stage Level Five beast to rescue hostages. Yes, although one unfortunately died, he successfully brought back four, so the mission is considered a great success."

Heavenly-level missions often came with immense risks. Daring to accept them required great courage. Completing them, furthermore, required unparalleled strength. Across the lands of the Nine Sects, such disciples could be counted on one hand.

Nangong Xiaoyun was also somewhat surprised. Jin Zhongming had been gone for ten days, and she had assumed the mission had failed. Unexpectedly, he successfully brought back four hostages. They were all young human captives, taken during battles with demonic beasts on the front lines. While not top elites from various sects like Liu Qingxian's team, they were rare talents, and the Heavenly Secret Pavilion highly valued their rescue.

This matter even alerted Ye Cangyuan inside the camp. He personally rushed out, looking at the four injured but alive young people, and showed a look of relief.

"Jin Zhongming, well done."

Jin Zhongming immediately dismounted from his beast. In front of Ye Cangyuan, he dared not act presumptuously. He cupped his hands and said, "Vice Pavilion Master Ye, you flatter me. I merely did my best."

Ye Cangyuan praised, "Well said, 'merely did my best'. Rushing into a territory guarded by a Core Formation Stage Level Five beast to rescue people is not something that can be achieved by merely 'doing your best'. With such strength, I can hardly imagine your future prospects after you enter the Heavenly Secret Pavilion for advanced training."

To receive such unreserved praise from the usually stern Ye Cangyuan was remarkable. Jin Zhongming was arguably the first to receive such praise. Everyone vaguely perceived that Ye Cangyuan seemed to have the intention of designating him as a personal disciple.

"Xiaoyun, credit him with full merit," Ye Cangyuan instructed with a smile.

Nangong Xiaoyun paused, then said, "But Vice Pavilion Master Ye, according to the rules, he was supposed to rescue five people but only rescued four. The mission completion rate should be calculated as eighty percent." Jin Zhongming had successfully rescued people, but he hadn't fully completed the mission.

Ye Cangyuan said, "Don't be too harsh. Completing this mission was extremely difficult. Giving him full merit can also serve as an encouragement to other disciples."

The surrounding disciples cheered in approval. "Vice Pavilion Master Ye is magnanimous! Exactly, for a Heavenly-level rescue mission, that Jiang Fan would be lucky to even save his own life. Senior Brother Jin rescued four people; isn't it reasonable to give him full merit?"

With Vice Pavilion Master Ye's words from above, and the support of the disciples, Nangong Xiaoyun had no choice but to pick up her pen, preparing to record full merit.

Just then, a faint voice drifted over. "If he's credited with full merit, then what merit should I be given?"