Chapter 94: Provocation

Infinite Spirit Root? Liu Wenchen shook his head with a chuckle. "You're certainly bold to say that."

"An Infinite Spirit Root requires bloodline inheritance. Only when parents are exceptionally powerful is there a slim chance for their offspring to be born with one."

"This Jiang Fan, born in the small Lone Boat City, cannot possibly possess an Infinite Spirit Root."

This... Liu Qingxian also lost her confidence.

Yet, she firmly believed Jiang Fan's talent was extraordinary. "But I personally saw him break through several levels consecutively," she said.

"He's much stronger than me, with my Seventh-Grade Spirit Root."

Li Qingfeng heard this.

He had to step forward and explain, lest everyone truly think he was blind for eliminating a Foundation Establishment Stage Three disciple.

"Sect Master, Fairy Liu, you may not know, but this young man only broke through by overdrawing his potential."

"That's why his early cultivation was rapid. However, later on, I dare say he will remain at Foundation Establishment Stage Three for the rest of his life, unable to advance further."

This confirmed Liu Wenchen's suspicion.

He slowly nodded. "Did you hear? It's just a crooked method."

Liu Qingxian bit her red lip slightly.

She was utterly unconvinced.

If his cultivation was a crooked path, what about his performance in the Ascension Dragon Path?

Had there ever been such a powerful crooked path in the world that allowed a good-for-nothing without a spirit root to defeat Nangong Liuyun of the thirteenth floor?

She had originally intended to bring this up.

However, seeing her father's complete lack of trust in her, she swallowed her words.

She was determined to prove to her father that she wasn't wrong.

Liu Wenchen had no desire to humor her further. "Alright, Sect Master Peak will not accept this young man. Elders, please continue..."

No sooner had he spoken.

Liu Qingxian suddenly bit her silver teeth and whispered, "Father, Jiang Fan and I have already secretly pledged our lives to each other!"

"If you don't take him as a disciple, then expect your daughter to elope with him."

Liu Wenchen's pupils constricted, then he immediately realized his daughter was lying.

He knew his daughter's character well.

She was pure, devoted to martial arts, and had never shown favor to any man.

Even the young master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, who pursued her relentlessly, had never received a kind glance from her.

How could she possibly be involved with a penniless young man?

To his surprise, Liu Qingxian twirled a strand of hair around her finger, then nodded towards Jiang Fan. "If you don't believe me, ask him if we faced each other naked in the Spirit Pond yesterday?"

She spoke with a mix of truth and fabrication.

Faced each other naked?

Liu Wenchen's heart skipped a beat, and he growled, "You... how could you possibly do such a thing? Don't even think about tricking your father!"

It was clear he was agitated.

Liu Qingxian showed a hint of shyness. "He has an Infinite Spirit Root. I committed myself to him to keep him here, for the good of the Azure Cloud Sect, and for your own good, Father."

Heavens!

Liu Wenchen felt the world spin, nearly toppling off the white crane.

His proud daughter had actually given her purity to a good-for-nothing without a spirit root.

How could he face anyone ever again?

At that moment, Liu Qingxian twisted the knife further. "Father, if you don't take him as a disciple, your daughter will have no choice but to elope with him."

"Then, our affair won't be able to be kept a secret."

Hearing this, Liu Wenchen felt suffocated.

Family shame should not be aired publicly.

He would rather die than let anyone know about such a matter.

Especially the Grand Elder.

Otherwise, this incident would become another handle for the Grand Elder to accuse him of being an incompetent Sect Master.

The only solution now was to accept Jiang Fan as a disciple.

Firstly, to keep a close eye on him, preventing him from running off and spreading rumors, thus exposing the matter.

Secondly, if the truth ever came out, he could use their good relationship as fellow disciples during their time as senior and junior to justify their lifelong commitment and quell public opinion.

In an instant, he considered many aspects.

Thus, when he looked at Jiang Fan again, his expression was incredibly complex.

There was the anger of his beautiful twenty-year-cultivated cabbage being ruined by a pig.

There was also the helplessness of worrying about the scandal being exposed.

Finally, secretly swallowing his various dissatisfactions, he revealed a look of satisfaction and said, "Jiang Fan, Qingxian speaks highly of you."

"This Sect Master has decided to give you an opportunity to prove yourself."

"Are you willing to become this Sect Master's disciple?"

Any fool would know that the status of a Sect Master's disciple was superior to that of a Peak Master's.

How could he hesitate?

He immediately bowed. "Disciple Jiang Fan pays respects to Sect Master."

Wen Hongyao stamped her foot in frustration. "This is cheating."

Zhao Wuji also looked helpless. "Sigh! With the Sect Master personally stepping in, what can I compete with?"

*Clap, clap, clap—*

Just then.

Someone started clapping.

He wore a grey robe, exuding an imposing aura without even needing to be angry, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

Who else could it be but Feng Guzen, the Grand Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect?

He clapped with a false smile. "Sect Master truly has a unique insight, taking a disciple with no spirit root. This Elder is impressed, truly impressed."

"It's the sect's fortune to have such a discerning disciple as you."

The sarcastic mockery left Liu Wenchen's face devoid of color.

He feigned composure and said, "Grand Elder, your words are mistaken. A spirit root is only one part of a martial artist. Jiang Fan may not necessarily be without prospects."

Liu Qingxian was not as reserved as her father.

She unceremoniously scoffed, "Don't worry, my father's disciple is someone you wouldn't even be able to catch up to on horseback!"

The Grand Elder chuckled heartily. "Is that so? Among my newly accepted disciples, there is a prodigy with a Seventh-Grade Spirit Root."

"Are you implying that he's still inferior to this martial arts good-for-nothing who lacks a spirit root?"

Liu Qingxian tilted her pale neck and declared, "Exactly!"

The various elders exchanged glances.

They couldn't understand what was wrong with Liu Qingxian, to be so optimistic about someone without a spirit root.

Beside the Grand Elder stood a young man with a sword in his arms, his eyes defiant and his aura extraordinary.

Hearing this, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.

"Senior Sister Liu, my name is Cao Zhen, and I have a Seventh-Grade Spirit Root!"

So he was the top prodigy the Grand Elder had sought out.

Upon learning of his Seventh-Grade Spirit Root, all the elders showed envy.

Cao Zhen looked at Liu Qingxian, his gaze filled with admiration. "I've admired Senior Sister Liu for a long time. I've always heard that you are an unparalleled female prodigy."

"Seeing you today, it's clear the rumors are true."

Liu Qingxian glanced at him.

Previously, she would have regretted that such a prodigy had joined the Grand Elder's lineage.

But now that she had Jiang Fan.

A Seventh-Grade Spirit Root no longer mattered to her.

"What do you want to say?" Liu Qingxian asked indifferently.

Cao Zhen smiled subtly. "Senior Sister Liu, you underestimate me so much, believing I'm inferior to a good-for-nothing without a spirit root. Your junior brother is quite unconvinced."

"Coincidentally, in half a month, it will be the day for the new disciples to pay respects to the Azure Cloud Sect's Ancestral Master."

"According to tradition, the new disciples will compare their skills in front of the Ancestral Master's stone statue."

"At that time, I would like to spar a bit with Junior Brother Jiang."

Everyone watched Cao Zhen with interest.

It seemed he had some ulterior motive!

Indeed, Cao Zhen chuckled. "If I defeat Jiang Fan, whom you favor, might I have the honor of Senior Sister Liu accompanying me under the flowers and moon, and offering three cups of compensatory wine?"

"Consider it an apology for looking down on me."

What audacity!

He dared to flirt with Liu Qingxian in public!

The Grand Elder's faction truly held no regard for the Sect Master!

Even a newly accepted disciple dared to be so presumptuous in public!

A sharp glint appeared in Liu Wenchen's eyes.

He was about to reprimand him.

However, Liu Qingxian's lips curved into a subtle, knowing smile. "And if Jiang Fan wins?"