Chapter 432: First, Jiang Fan!

It was Hua Xiangchen's turn to be utterly bewildered.

He meekly replied, "If no other sects have someone also named Chu Xingmeng, then she must be a new disciple from my Taishang Sect. Her cultivation level... is even lower than Qin Caihe's, at Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer."

The entire audience fell silent. Everyone was somewhat numb. Today's ranking list was so strange that it left them speechless.

Luo Dongcheng continued, "Third place, Yi Lianxing: one Heaven-tier mission, seven Tier 2 missions, a total of 540 merit points."

Many people rubbed their foreheads.

"Finally, someone with some renown.""Yi Lianxing is a disciple of the Spirit Beast Sect; although not the chief disciple, she possesses a cultivation of Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer.""But... third place? That doesn't make any sense for her, does it?"

Liu Qingxian also found it a bit hard to understand. She asked, "Xiao Fan, what's going on with these three women? Given their strength, how could each of them have completed a Heaven-tier mission?"

Jiang Fan, feeling a bit guilty, said, "Well... perhaps someone was guiding them."

Jin Zhongming, Liang Feiyan, and the assembled disciples were all seething with indignation.

"Just read it quickly! Let's see which other ordinary disciples are on there!""Once it's read, we'll settle this properly!"

No one was convinced by the three women's rankings. They especially didn't believe that these women could all complete Heaven-tier missions.

Liang Feiyan also had a grim expression. "From the looks of it, only Xia Chaoge is stable. With her undeniable strength, these bizarre anomalies won't affect her."

Hua Xiangchen gave a wry smile. "Last month, Xia Chaoge completed one Heaven-tier mission and several Earth-tier and Profound-tier ones. Who could possibly shake her position?"

However, no sooner had he finished speaking than Luo Dongcheng read out her name.

"Second place, Xia Chaoge: one Heaven-tier mission, one Earth-tier mission, two Tier 1 missions, a total of 800 merit points."

The entire assembly fell into a deathly silence once more. Her astonishing mission completion volume stood in stark contrast to her second-place ranking! 800 merit points. This was an overwhelming lead, more than 500 points above third place! Yet, she was still ranked second!

This immediately ignited a frenzy.

"Xia Chaoge, the top prodigy of the Nine Sects' Land, with 800 merit points, and you're telling me she's only second place?""Hahahaha! Is this ranking list seriously not a joke?""It's utterly chaotic and has no credibility whatsoever!"

The disciples completely erupted. Even with Ye Cangyuan and the two Heaven's Secret Pavilion commissioners present, they could no longer suppress the indignation in their hearts. They directly assailed the credibility of the ranking list.

Luo Dongcheng's expression changed. He had never expected that the release of the list would spark such public outrage. He couldn't help but cast an inquiring look at Ye Cangyuan beside him: "Deputy Pavilion Master Ye, should I continue reading?"

Ye Cangyuan softly snorted. "Read! Since the Pavilion Master himself ranked it, how could there be a problem? Any doubts shall be confronted here and now!"

With his firm declaration, Luo Dongcheng no longer had any doubts.

"First place!"

The crowd instantly quieted down. Each person gritted their teeth, wanting to see who had the right to surpass Xia Chaoge and stand above all the prodigies of the Nine Sects' Land!

"Jiang Fan!"

As the name was read out, the vast square erupted in a wave of exclamations like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami roaring.

"Who? Jiang Fan?""Jiang Fan of the Azure Cloud Sect?""That spiritless root disciple, Jiang Fan?""He's first place?""Hahahaha! What a ridiculous joke!""Is he even worthy of first place?"

Countless furious gazes converged on Jiang Fan. Undoubtedly, they naturally assumed Jiang Fan had cheated.

Liang Feiyan's mouth hung open. He wanted to believe Jiang Fan, but... he couldn't accept a first-place ranking.

Liu Qingxian was stunned. "Xiao Fan, is this Jiang Fan... you?" Even those closest to him found it hard to believe such a ranking.

Jin Zhongming even burst into angry laughter. "Jiang Fan first? Then aren't I just a joke? If this isn't explained clearly today, I, Jin Zhongming, will permanently withdraw from Sunset City! To hell with the beast tide, to hell with the surging floods! Let them all die!"

Many disciples revealed deep sorrow and indignation. They had risked their lives, sacrificing their heads and spilling their blood. In the end, they couldn't stand against a few individuals who used connections to seize the fruits of their victory? Who would still be willing to contribute to such a war?

Luo Dongcheng's heart trembled, but he forced himself to speak firmly: "Two Heaven-tier missions, one Tier 2 mission, one Tier 3 mission. A total of 825 merit points!"

"What? Two Heaven-tier missions?"

The crowd grew even angrier. "Isn't this absurd? Up until now, there have only been five Heaven-tier missions in total! Jiang Fan completed two of them by himself? If that's true, I'll chop off my head and let him kick it like a ball!"

The collective resentment boiled over.

Ye Cangyuan, imposing without anger, shouted, "What are you all clamoring about? I will have Jiang Fan explain the situation himself until you are all convinced!"

Although he spoke with absolute certainty, in reality, he had no confidence at all. For Jiang Fan to have completed two Heaven-tier missions by himself last month was simply too preposterous. Could it be that the Pavilion Master really opened a back door for this young man? If today's matter wasn't explained clearly, he feared it might truly cause a mutiny and disastrous consequences.

He gazed at Jiang Fan with a serious expression: "Everyone has serious doubts about your ranking. Do you dare to respond?"

Jiang Fan sighed. What should have been a straightforward distribution of the merit ranking list had turned into such a mess. It would be difficult for him not to explain clearly.

He immediately leaped onto the back of a three-zhang-tall spirit beast. From his elevated position, he said, "Since you all have doubts, then listen carefully! To the one who just said they'd chop off their head for me to kick like a ball, prepare your head!"

His tone was icy. A faint hint of killing intent emanated from him.

"I have completed two crucial missions! The first was escorting the Thousand-Mile Eagle, which was vital to the war, to the Western Front of the Joyous Union Sect! What tier of mission is that? Tell me loudly!"

The enraged crowd was momentarily stunned. The anger in their eyes immediately extinguished by more than half.

"Escorting the Thousand-Mile Eagle... that really is a Heaven-tier mission!""I heard that the person who undertook that mission encountered an attack from a Fifth-Layer Core Formation Silver-Winged Thunder Roc midway, yet still successfully delivered the Thousand-Mile Eagle.""To be targeted by a Silver-Winged Thunder Roc and still complete such a mission is nothing short of a miracle.""So, that person was Jiang Fan!""It seems we've somewhat misunderstood him."

As part of the truth was revealed, many of those who had been clamoring fiercely immediately fell silent.

Jin Zhongming was startled. "Jiang Fan actually completed a Heaven-tier mission?" But he still couldn't accept it, saying, "That's only one, though! I don't believe you could complete two Heaven-tier missions!"

Jiang Fan glanced at him and said coldly:

"My second mission was to interrogate the Golden-Clawed Iron Wolf imprisoned in the Giant Sect's dungeon! Now, tell me loudly again! What kind of mission is that?"

A clamor immediately rose from the crowd.

"What? He completed the mission to interrogate the Golden-Clawed Iron Wolf?""Many people attempted this mission and failed!""The Heaven's Secret Pavilion was so desperate that they raised its tier from Profound all the way to Heaven, but no one could succeed.""They were even preparing to give up and have the elders complete this mission instead!""It... it was actually completed by Jiang Fan!""So, that means Jiang Fan really did complete two Heaven-tier missions!""Then his first place... is actually... beyond dispute?"