Chapter 753: Old Stubborn

"Unjust?"

Ning Kun eyed Jiang Fan and snorted, "I remember you. Your name is Jiang Fan, right?"

"Your cultivation is only at the sixth level of Core Formation."

"You haven't reached the eighth level of Core Formation."

"What else could Commissioner Luo have been doing if not cheating for you?"

He continued, snorting again, "Since you're back, then come with me to see the Pavilion Master!"

"To dare play such underhanded tricks and bring such a crooked atmosphere right after joining the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, this steward tolerates no nonsense!"

"Let's go!"

His hand shot out like lightning, grabbing Jiang Fan's arm.

How could Jiang Fan let himself be casually seized? Streaks of lightning arced from his body, numbing Ning Kun's palm. Jiang Fan seized the opportunity to break free, creating a slight distance, and said,

"Steward Ning, it's always better to investigate things thoroughly before drawing conclusions."

Ning Kun was surprised, "Lightning Dao divine ability?"

"This kind of divine ability is an excellent technique for exploring the underground world."

"It's a pity your intentions are a bit crooked."

"The Heavenly Secret Pavilion would rather have too little than too much!"

"Obey and come with me; listen to the Pavilion Master's judgment!"

Jiang Fan sighed. Why do these old stubborn people always refuse to listen properly?

"Alright, if Steward Ning can subdue me, then I'll go with you."

Ning Kun chuckled in anger.

"Even the veteran disciples aren't as arrogant as you!"

"Yu Tiandu, take him down."

For a steward at the ninth level of Core Formation to personally fight a new disciple, wouldn't that make him a laughingstock? It was enough to send Yu Tiandu. Yu Tiandu, at the seventh level of Core Formation, should easily be able to take down Jiang Fan, who was at the sixth level, right?

But after calling for a while, Yu Tiandu remained motionless, a troubled expression on his face. Ning Kun turned to look at him, frowning, "Although I am not your master, I am a steward after all. Are you saying I can't even command you?"

Yu Tiandu's face flushed red as he said, "Steward Ning, you misunderstand. It's not that I'm disobeying your orders. It's just that I've already fought this person. I... was no match."

Ning Kun was greatly astonished. Yu Tiandu was from Taicang Great Prefecture. Logically speaking, the martial arts he had access to and his combat experience should be far superior to those of Qingyun Sect disciples. Moreover, his cultivation was a level higher than the opponent's. How could he have lost?

He re-examined Jiang Fan, softly snorting, "No wonder you're so arrogant. So you really do have some skills. But rules are rules. No team is allowed to be formed without reaching the eighth level of Core Formation. I still must take you to see the Pavilion Master!"

This time, he decided to act personally. He let out a low roar. His sleeves billowed. The immense spiritual power of a ninth-level Core Formation cultivator gave off a profound sense of oppression. Among those present, except for Mu Ying, who looked relaxed, everyone else showed a hint of pain. The aura alone was so terrifying. They couldn't imagine the immense power of the moves he would unleash.

"Dispel the Clouds, See the Moon!"

He struck out with both palms, creating a magnificent sensation of dark clouds dispersing and moonlight shining through. The resulting power was something even an eighth-level Core Formation cultivator would struggle to withstand. Ning Kun used his full strength in this move. He never went easy on such crooked and arrogant juniors.

Seeing his seriousness, Jiang Fan naturally dared not be careless.

"Divine Master Vastness!"

Without a moment of hesitation, he decisively activated the "Brahma Saint True Spirit Art." A divine statue suddenly appeared behind him, simultaneously striking out with four palms.

Bang—

Upon impact, a powerful shockwave erupted, directly cracking the extraordinarily durable ground. Everyone present, except for Mu Ying, was forced back by the impact. Ning Kun's face, however, turned pale with shock. The opponent was actually able to withstand his full-strength strike? And clearly, the opponent had other means?

At this moment, the divine statue behind Jiang Fan retracted its palms and slowly dissipated. Jiang Fan cupped his hands and said, "Steward Ning's strength is profound; this junior is truly inferior." He spoke calmly and without a trace of breathlessness.

Ning Kun, however, took a couple of breaths, his palms slightly numb, and his qi and blood churning within him. He knew well who was superior. Jiang Fan was simply trying to save him from embarrassment and give him a way out.

Ning Kun gazed at Jiang Fan with a complex expression, a hint of shock in his eyes:

"This old man was truly mistaken."

This Jiang Fan was the one among the new disciples who truly deserved to be chosen. Although Mu Ying's strength was not inferior to Jiang Fan's, Mu Ying was already twenty-two or twenty-three, having cultivated for several more years than Jiang Fan. In terms of potential, Jiang Fan far surpassed Mu Ying. He had missed out!

"Steward Ning, does Jiang Fan's team still count?" Yu Tiandu was a bit confused. He wasn't sure how much strength Ning Kun had truly used in that strike. If it was only one or two tenths, then Jiang Fan drawing with him wouldn't be anything significant. Jiang Baihua, at the eighth level of Core Formation, and Mu Ying, at the ninth level, both showed thoughtful expressions. That shockwave didn't look like something a clash between seventh-level Core Formation cultivators could produce.

A fifth-level Core Formation outer-realm disciple snorted, "Of course not. Steward Ning clearly didn't use his full strength. Considering he's a newcomer, he probably used at most one or two tenths of his power."

These words made Ning Kun's old face flush. He cleared his throat and avoided answering directly, saying, "Although Jiang Fan's cultivation hasn't reached the eighth level of Core Formation, his true strength has reached it. He is qualified to form a team."

"Alright, Commissioner Luo, what are you standing around for? Aren't you going to process the team for my disciple?"

He tossed the commissioner's token back to Luo Dongcheng. Luo Dongcheng dazedly caught it, his mind a blank. So, when Jiang Fan told him to relax, it was literally what he meant. This meant Jiang Fan actually had no need to bribe him. That spiritual meat was a gift from Jiang Fan to him. This moved Luo Dongcheng, who quickly bowed to Jiang Fan, "Thank you, Junior Brother Jiang!"

Jiang Fan smiled. He turned and rejoined Shang Shiqiu.

Shang Shiqiu blinked and mumbled, "You... are you that powerful? I thought this newly formed small team was about to disband." She knew Ning Kun's character. He would absolutely not let Jiang Fan off if he hadn't met the eighth-level Core Formation requirement.

"Let's not talk about that anymore; let's hurry to the underground world." Jiang Fan was impatient.

Shang Shiqiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Aren't you too eager? Entering the underground world requires a jade token as proof. It's easy for you; I can give you one on behalf of my master. But those three will have to get theirs from their masters."

Jiang Fan remembered that the Pavilion Master had given Dharma Seal Vajra a jade token before he went in. He said helplessly, "Then we'll meet back here later." The few people nodded and went back separately.

Shang Shiqiu said, "Junior Brother, I'll show you around the Heavenly Secret Pavilion and explain the rules along the way." Jiang Fan nodded. The so-called rules were largely similar to those of the Nine Sects, but Jiang Fan listened attentively nonetheless.

An hour passed in a flash. The rules had been explained, and they had finished touring the ground level of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. The two were heading towards the Mission Hall to meet up. Suddenly, a sweet voice called out from outside the hall, "Xiaofan, come here."

Only Liu Qingxian would call him that, right? He followed the sound. He saw Liu Qingxian standing outside the high wall of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. She mysteriously crooked her finger, "Come with me."

Jiang Fan wondered, "Why are you outside the hall?"

Liu Qingxian smiled mysteriously, "Just come. I have a surprise for you."

Confused, Jiang Fan turned to Shang Shiqiu and said, "Senior Sister Shang, please ask Chaoge and Senior Brother Liang to wait a moment."

Shang Shiqiu pouted: "You'll be together every day from now on; why bother with this little bit of time? Aren't you tired of it? Go on, go on."

Jiang Fan gave a wry smile and left with Liu Qingxian.

Shang Shiqiu then strolled to the Mission Hall. Xia Chaoge and Liang Feiyan were already waiting there. Liu Qingxian was also waiting there.

Wait! Shang Shiqiu suddenly looked at Liu Qingxian: "You... weren't you outside just now?"