Chapter 749: Cheated Poor Monk Miserably

Jiang Fan's situation was now settled.The four Vice Pavilion Masters had no choice but to settle for their second preferences.

Chen Zhengdao still chose Liu Qingxian.Ye Cangyuan noticed that most of the outer-realm prodigy disciples had already been selected, with only one Foundation Establishment Level 6 remaining.He decisively chose Xia Chaoge, who was also at Foundation Establishment Level 6.After all, they had interacted somewhat during the Human-Monster War.It was better to choose someone familiar.

Gu Huaxi frowned.By the time she considered her options, the remaining Foundation Establishment Level 6 outer-realm prodigy had already been chosen by a Steward.For a Vice Pavilion Master like her, unless a disciple was personally nurtured step by step, anyone below Foundation Establishment Level 6 would hardly catch her eye.Therefore, rather than selecting the remaining Foundation Establishment Level 5 disciples, it was better to simply choose someone she liked.After a moment's thought, she said, "Xu Youran, come under my tutelage."

Since she couldn't take Jiang Fan as a disciple, taking his fiancée instead would be a good way to form a positive connection.Xu Youran was overjoyed and quickly knelt to formally acknowledge her master, saying, "Xu Youran greets Master."You Yunzi gave Gu Huaxi a sidelong glance. He had been planning to do the same thing, but Gu Huaxi had scooped her up first.

Fortunately, Jiang Fan had many female companions.He beckoned to Chen Siling, saying, "You can become my disciple."Chen Siling was delighted and immediately knelt to acknowledge her master, saying, "Your disciple Siling greets Master."

This scene left the outer-realm prodigies feeling deeply frustrated.What on earth was going on?Not a single one of the four Vice Pavilion Masters had chosen them!All those selected were Jiang Fan's female companions!Alright, Xia Chaoge might not count as one of "Jiang Fan's women," but her relationship with Jiang Fan was also very close!"This is truly unfair!" Yu Tiandu clenched his fist, declaring.Before the disciple selection, he had been certain that all the disciple slots for the four Vice Pavilion Masters would go to the outer-realm prodigies.Who would have thought that all of them would benefit Jiang Fan's female companions instead!It was simply outrageous!Mu Ying also felt a touch of resentment, asking, "Where did it all go wrong?""How did it turn out like this?"

Thus concluded a strange disciple selection ceremony, which, apart from the four women, pleased no one else.The Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion announced, "I will now declare the official list.""Mu Ying of Qingli Mountain will become a disciple under Steward Ning Kun.""Jiang Baihua of Qingli Mountain will become a disciple under Steward Rong Jun.""Yu Tiandu of Qingli Mountain will become a disciple under Steward Zhang Wenxin.""Liu Qingxian of Qingyun Sect...""Finally, Jiang Fan of Qingyun Sect will become a disciple under Steward Yun Yang."After reading the names, the Pavilion Master closed the list.He then stated, "Vice Pavilion Masters and Stewards, please take your new disciples to be lectured on the sect rules.""Then, lead them into the underground world for a one-day experience.""You may all disperse."

Just then, Dharma Seal Vajra, observing as a guest, suddenly spoke slowly."Wait a moment."Everyone turned to look at the esteemed monk from the Buddhist sect.They saw Dharma Seal Vajra step through the air and approach Jiang Fan.With a smile, he said, "Benefactor Jiang, you truly led this humble monk on quite a chase."

He had felt a flicker of interest when someone first referred to Jiang Fan as "Junior Brother Jiang." He never imagined that this was truly Jiang Fan! He had clearly met Jiang Fan before, only to be deceived. Now, Jiang Fan was right before him, and he had just watched him formally join the Heavenly Secret Pavilion.Jiang Fan's lips twitched. He had known this would happen the moment the list was announced.However, since he had now officially joined the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, he no longer needed to fear Dharma Seal Vajra."This junior is dedicated to martial arts and has no desire to join the Buddhist sect. I appreciate Grandmaster Dharma Seal's kind intentions."

These words caused a huge commotion.Especially the outer-realm prodigies, who could no longer remain calm.Yu Tiandu's pupils constricted as he asked, "What does this mean?""Dharma Seal Vajra once tried to convert this person named Jiang Fan?""Impossible!"Mu Ying also found it hard to accept. Even she, a cultivator at Foundation Establishment Level 9, had not caught Dharma Seal Vajra's eye.How could Jiang Fan, a disciple from a remote continent, be so highly regarded?

The Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's eyes gleamed as he said, "Grandmaster Dharma Seal, the person you mentioned you were looking for earlier wouldn't happen to be him, would it?"Dharma Seal Vajra was known as a judge of prodigies. His list of potential converts never included simple individuals. They were all astonishingly talented and exceptionally gifted.Dharma Seal Vajra clasped his palms and chuckled softly, "Pavilion Master, would you consider transferring him to my White Horse Temple?""This young man has a profound connection with our Buddha.""We have met twice, and twice we have missed our chance.""The ties of fate are indeed mysterious."

Jiang Fan's expression immediately changed, and he quickly said, "Grandmaster Dharma Seal!""Since we missed each other, it means our fated connection has ended.""Please, Grandmaster, do not insist further."Dharma Seal Vajra did not give up; his smile became even more amicable:"Gold turns red through smelting; a sword becomes sharp through tempering.""Benefactor Jiang, your karmic bond with our Buddha, having endured setbacks, has only grown stronger and more resilient.""Come, the gates of Buddhism are open for you."

Veins throbbed on Jiang Fan's forehead. He felt an urge to curse. When it came to verbal sparring, who could compare to these monks? He could only look towards the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, sending a plea for help.

Dharma Seal Vajra noticed his gaze and also turned to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master, smiling meaningfully:"Pavilion Master, if you would open the door of convenience and allow this young man to enter my Buddhist sect, then that Golden Buddha statue can remain in the Heavenly Secret Pavilion for ten years."The Pavilion Master was tempted. The underground world was filled with dark and malevolent entities, and the Golden Buddha was the unrivaled divine artifact for restraining them."Pavilion Master!""No, please don't!"Liu Qingxian, Xu Youran, and Chen Siling's faces paled with alarm. If Jiang Fan joined the Buddhist sect, what would happen to them?No wonder Jiang Fan didn't fear Nascent Soul cultivators but was wary only of this group of monks. It turned out he had been targeted by them long ago, to be converted into Buddhism.

After a brief deliberation, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master said, "Grandmaster Dharma Seal, since Jiang Fan has already become a disciple of my Heavenly Secret Pavilion, he is now officially our disciple.""Please do not trouble him further."Upon hearing this, Dharma Seal Vajra sighed faintly, "What a pity, what a profound pity.""I once told Benefactor Xu Youran that she had a noble person in her destiny.""It turns out that noble person is Benefactor Jiang."

He looked at Jiang Fan, a mysterious Buddhist light shining in his eyes. As he scanned, his usually smiling face briefly froze, then creased into a frown."I actually cannot see through him.""It seems Benefactor Jiang is accompanied by profound heavenly secrets."A brilliant glint shot forth from his eyes."Benefactor Jiang, please reconsider.""If you join my Buddhist sect, this humble monk can make an exception and invite a Bodhisattva to enlighten you to the Vajra realm."The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master's pupils constricted. Very few knew that a Bodhisattva-level eminent monk resided in the White Horse Temple. His strength was equivalent to the Soul Transformation stage in cultivation! To enlighten someone to the Vajra realm would certainly be no difficult task.What had Dharma Seal Vajra seen in Jiang Fan? To go to such lengths to entice him into Buddhism?

Fortunately, Jiang Fan's will was firm, and he remained unmoved, stating, "I have already joined the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. Grandmaster, please no longer mention the matter of me entering the Buddhist sect."Dharma Seal Vajra showed deep regret. Bringing someone bearing such profound heavenly secrets into the White Horse Temple would undoubtedly bring great blessings.The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If Jiang Fan had been swayed and left with Dharma Seal Vajra, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion would have suffered a huge loss.

"Grandmaster Dharma Seal, please proceed to the underground world now,""Here is the entry jade token."The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master took out a jade token, tossed it to him, and promptly urged him to leave.Dharma Seal Vajra accepted the jade token, recited a Buddhist mantra, and led his followers away.Jiang Fan felt a wave of relief. It was fortunate that he had joined the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. Otherwise, Dharma Seal Vajra would never have let him go.The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master, not without worry, advised, "Jiang Fan, in the future, if you encounter anyone from White Horse Temple, stay as far away as possible.""They show some restraint within the Heavenly Secret Pavilion.""But outside, that might not be the case."

Jiang Fan felt a chill in his heart and replied, "Yes, Pavilion Master."After a pause, Jiang Fan continued, "Pavilion Master, did you just say that we new disciples can enter the underground world for a one-day experience?"Had he heard correctly? To enjoy such a benefit right after joining the Heavenly Secret Pavilion?