Chapter 81: Pretending to Be Xu Yining's Beloved

Ye Jifeng frowned.

With a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root, entering the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets was more than achievable.

Joining the Azure Cloud Sect would, of course, pose no difficulty.

The problem was that Elder Li Qingfeng didn't seem to recognize true talent.

He actually assigned Zhong Qizhen, an older disciple, to test Jiang Fan.

One had been cultivated within the Azure Cloud Sect for many years, while the other had just begun to show his potential.

The outcome of the test was predictable.

He said, "Young Master Jiang, do you require my assistance?"

If necessary, he would personally go to the Azure Cloud Sect and report the news of the Ninth-Grade Spirit Root directly to Miss Liu Qingxian.

However, doing so would cause a significant delay.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Lord City Master, but I wish to try it myself."

Having mastered the first level of the Dragon's Roar Palm, he was full of confidence.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

On the way back to the mansion with her father, Ye Qingxue noticed his constant sighing.

She asked, perplexed, "Father, is something bothering you? Is it about the Zhong family?"

Ye Jifeng glanced at her, then sighed heavily, "It's about you!"

Ye Qingxue looked bewildered.

She had been independent since childhood, and while her performance wasn't top-tier, it was certainly excellent, wasn't it?

What could possibly be worrying her father?

"What's wrong with your daughter?" Ye Qingxue wondered.

Ye Jifeng reined in his horse and steadfastly scrutinized Ye Qingxue's face and figure, sighing even more deeply. "You're no worse than Chen Siling, are you?"

"You have beauty, a good figure, a distinguished background, and your personality, demeanor, and knowledge are no less than Chen Siling's."

"Yet, the concubine Jiang Fan took was Chen Siling, not you!"

"How wonderful it would have been if it were you!"

Although he had taken Chen Siling as his adopted daughter, how could that compare to being his actual father-in-law?

Back then, Chen Zhengdao, with an Eighth-Grade Spirit Root from Green Willow City, eventually became the Deputy Head of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

How could Jiang Fan's accomplishments, with a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root, be inferior to his?

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rise to prominence!

It was a pity his own daughter didn't have such good fortune.

Ye Qingxue's beautiful eyes widened in shame and indignation. "Father! What nonsense are you talking about? How could I marry Jiang Fan as a concubine?"

Not to mention, she only admired Jiang Fan; there were no romantic feelings between them.

Even if there were, it would require serious consideration.

After all, becoming a concubine required great courage.

Seeing her reaction, Ye Jifeng glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then lowered his voice and revealed the truth: "Jiang Fan is the Ninth-Grade Spirit Root that Miss Liu Qingxian has been searching for!"

What?

Ye Qingxue was so shocked she almost fell from her horse. She exclaimed, "Father, don't talk nonsense!"

"A Ninth-Grade Spirit Root, how could it be Jiang Fan?"

That was a once-in-a-century prodigy that even the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets had been painstakingly searching for.

The previous incident with Lu Zheng had already caused a huge misunderstanding.

They couldn't afford another such farce.

Ye Jifeng said, "It's absolutely true! Otherwise, do you think the Chen family would be so foolish as to give up their century-old foundation in Lone Boat City just to marry their daughter to him as a concubine?"

"And do you think I, your father, would be so idle as to humble myself and curry favor with Jiang Fan, even taking Chen Siling as an adopted daughter?"

One by one, her confusions were instantly resolved.

She gasped, a storm raging in her heart.

For the Chen family to marry their daughter as a concubine to such a person, it was undoubtedly a significant social climb!

Suddenly, she thought of Xu Yining and couldn't help but sigh deeply, "Xu Yining, you..."

She didn't know what to say.

A husband with a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root was actually "given" to her sister.

If she knew the truth, wouldn't she be so regretful that she'd want to end her life?

Then she suddenly remembered and said, "Oh no, I almost forgot."

"Xu Yining arranged for Shadow Guard One and Jiang Fan to meet."

Having said that, she turned her horse around and hurried towards the Xu family's residence.

Ye Jifeng frowned and said, "Keep an eye on them. Both are the pride of Lone Boat City. Don't let them fight; losing either of them would be a loss for Lone Boat City."

Ye Qingxue's mouth twitched. Considering Jiang Fan was about to leave Lone Boat City, there was no need to keep it a secret anymore.

Without turning her head, she called out, "Jiang Fan is Shadow Guard One!"

Ye Jifeng was dumbfounded.

The renowned Shadow Guard One was Jiang Fan himself.

However, on second thought, it made perfect sense.

Otherwise, how could such a formidable character suddenly appear?

At the Xu Residence.

As soon as Jiang Fan returned, he saw Xu Youran searching everywhere for him.

"Where have you been? My sister has been looking for you for a long time."

Jiang Fan asked, surprised, "Looking for me?"

Xu Youran said, "Yes, and she wants me to go too. She seems quite anxious. I don't know what it's about."

Uh—

Only then did Jiang Fan remember.

That morning on Ascending Dragon Path, Xu Yining had asked him, as Shadow Guard One, to agree to visit the Xu family's backyard.

The time was now.

She had said she wanted to prove something to someone she disliked.

Now, she was looking for him so urgently.

This made veins bulge on Jiang Fan's forehead. "That woman, have I offended her in some way?"

"Hasn't she been the one shunning me all these years?"

"I haven't even disliked her, yet she's disliked me first."

"It's inexplicable."

Xu Youran urged, "Stop asking, just change into some better clothes and hurry up."

Jiang Fan nodded.

He returned to his room, changed into a different outfit, put on the Shadow Guard One mask, and quietly went ahead alone.

He certainly wouldn't give Xu Yining the chance to gloat and show off.

Xu Youran, who had been waiting for a long time, realized Jiang Fan hadn't arrived, so she stamped her foot and went by herself.

Xu Residence's backyard.

By the pond, under the willow tree.

Ye Qingxue, who arrived just in time, tried to dissuade her. "Yining, don't make a scene, otherwise..."

Xu Yining looked at her with a strange expression. "Otherwise, what? Otherwise, Jiang Fan will be embarrassed, won't he?"

"I've noticed, why are you suddenly considering Jiang Fan's feelings?"

"Don't tell me you've also fallen for him, just like my sister?"

Ye Qingxue didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

I'm trying to spare *you* the embarrassment.

Because Shadow Guard One *is* Jiang Fan!

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Jiang Fan, as Shadow Guard One, had already arrived.

Seeing him, Xu Yining involuntarily became nervous. "You... you're here."

Jiang Fan merely nodded faintly and stood casually to the side.

Shortly after.

Xu Youran ran over, panting, and apologized, "Sister, Jiang Fan... he hasn't returned yet."

She could only make up such an excuse for Jiang Fan.

Xu Yining was greatly disappointed.

Only by demonstrating her relationship with Shadow Guard One directly in front of Jiang Fan would she feel satisfied.

"Oh, sister, who is this young master?" Xu Youran asked, surprised, looking at Shadow Guard One with his strange mask.

Xu Yining's spirits lifted.

It was fine if Jiang Fan hadn't come.

She could just have Xu Youran convey the message.

Xu Yining went over to Shadow Guard One, linked her arm through his, and intimately leaned her head on his shoulder, saying, "Sister, let me introduce you."

"This is Shadow Guard One. Our relationship, as you can see."

Xu Youran was startled and couldn't help but be moved. "He's *the* famous Shadow Guard One?"

She immediately showed genuine envy. "Sister, you have such good fortune, to be able to form a connection with such an exceptional prodigy."

"With this, I can finally rest assured."

Xu Yining said with a touch of pride, "Naturally. With how excellent I am, my other half certainly wouldn't be any less."

"So, remember to tell Jiang Fan to stop dwelling on things."

"It's not that I look down on him; it's simply that he truly isn't worthy of me."

Jiang Fan, as Shadow Guard One, was utterly speechless.

Who was dwelling on things?

He hadn't cared about her at all, had he?

Ye Qingxue secretly glanced at Jiang Fan, unable to help but blush for Xu Yining. "Embracing Jiang Fan's arm while saying Jiang Fan isn't worthy of her?"

"Goodness, if the truth comes out, you'll be so ashamed you'll want to die."

"And Jiang Fan is a Ninth-Grade Spirit Root; who, exactly, isn't worthy of whom?"

Only then did Xu Youran understand that Xu Yining intended to show off to Jiang Fan.

She thought to herself, fortunately, Jiang Fan didn't come.

Otherwise, this scene would have deeply provoked him, wouldn't it?

The "rivals meeting" drama ended abruptly due to Jiang Fan's absence.

This left Xu Yining feeling as though she had punched cotton.

She tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.

It wasn't until the next day when a flying beast, gliding through the morning mist, arrived at the Xu residence.

Everyone was awakened and rose to their feet.

They knew.

The day that would decide Jiang Fan's fate had arrived!