Under Wei Buyu’s lead, Chen Fan reached the exclusive inner sect residential area for elite disciples. It boasted a picturesque environment.
Chen Fan was a Yuanfu realm expert, so he had been promoted to an elite disciple upon entering the inner sect, a rank higher than inner court disciples.
Chen Fan's assigned residence wasn't the shared dormitory for inner court disciples; instead, he had a private dwelling. The primeval qi gathering formation inside made the primeval qi here exceptionally dense.
“This is where you'll stay. If you have any cultivation queries, feel free to seek me out.” Wei Buyu didn’t stay for too long.
After escorting Chen Fan, he transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into the sky.
Chen Fan didn’t mind it. Holding his identity token, he found his residential courtyard and walked in. He spent the next two days strolling around the inner sect and familiarizing himself with the environment.
Although his name had long spread throughout the inner sect, few knew his appearance. As such, even if some people were discussing him, they didn’t know he was the one they were talking about.
Chen Fan also refrained from revealing his identity. After getting familiar with the environment, he visited the inner sect’s martial arts pavilion, known as the Scripture Depository.
While there were no entry restrictions, practicing martial arts within required contribution points—a commodity Chen Fan lacked, being a recent entrant to the inner sect.
One could get contribution points by completing sect missions or purchasing them with primeval stones. Chen Fan was rich, but he wasn’t that rich.
He had to leave the Scripture Depository empty-handed. In his frustration, he encountered Pan Yuansheng, the occupant of the neighboring residence, a youth in his early twenties.
When he saw Chen Fan, he was taken aback momentarily, then greeted, “Yo, you look very unfamiliar. You just entered the inner sect, right?”
“That’s right.” Chen Fan nodded.
“You got promoted to an elite disciple right after entering the inner sect. Not bad, not bad. I’m Pan Yuansheng. I live right next to you. What’s your name? Let's get acquainted and Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform.
The corners of Chen Fan’s lips twitched.
Take care of one another?
Let’s see if that enthusiasm remains after you learn my name.
Chen Fan answered, “I’m Chen Fan.”
“Chen Fan, alright. We’re acquaintances now. From now on, you’re a brother of mine. If there’s anything you don’t know about the inner sect, you can come find me—”
Suddenly, Pan Yuansheng seemed to have realized something. He shrieked, “What? You’re Chen Fan? The one with the three-year promise with Duan Jingtian?”
Chen Fan touched the tip of his nose helplessly. He had expected Pan Yuansheng to be surprised, but this just seemed too much.
Nodding, he said plainly, “If there’s no one else in the inner sect named Chen Fan, then it should be me...”
Before Chen Fan could finish his sentence, Pan Yuansheng had already flitted into his residence like a gust of wind.
Chen Fan stood on the spot, watching Pan Yuansheng slip away faster than a rabbit. He wanted to curse out loud but just sighed and walked back into his residence.
From that day onward, word spread across the inner sect about Chen Fan living in the elite disciple’s area.
Unfazed by the gossip, Chen Fan dedicated himself to cultivation, seated within the primeval qi gathering formation in his residence.
After a short period of consolidating, his foundation was already firm. He could now try to advance to the second level.
He took out the demon core of a tier-two, second-level demon beast in hand and swallowed it. Next, the Heaven Seizing Furnace began revolving to refine the core.
The furnace spewed out vitality essence that merged with him, strengthening his aura.
This final step wasn’t a difficult one.
In just about two hours, the primeval force within Chen Fan erupted like a torrent, shaping the last segment of the second layer of his primeval vessel.
With this breakthrough, Chen Fan was now a second-level Yuanfu realm expert.
The demon core still had some energy left, so Chen Fan continued consolidating his cultivation. After another two hours, he had used the remaining energy to stabilize his cultivation at the second level.
His lips curled up slightly, showing a faint smile. He sensed the surging power within him, feeling very satisfied.
“Second level of the Yuanfu realm. Once Myriad Elephants Divine Art is at the eighth layer, I can cultivate the second illusory primeval vessel...”
Chen Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly. Wisps of light flickered in them.
Recasting his physique with dragon blood in the blessed land had advanced the Myriad Elephants Divine Art by leaps and bounds, reaching the seventh layer—the Body Strengthening realm. His flesh was as tough as treasures now.
Yet, despite nearly three months passing, the art remained at the peak of the seventh layer, unable to break into the eighth.
No hurries. With my current cultivation, it shouldn’t be a problem to train myself around the Great Chu Empire. Since the entire inner sect will ostracize me, intentionally or unintentionally, it’s perfect for me to go to the Mission Hall to see what missions there are and complete them outside to earn contribution points. With a quick thought, Chen Fan stood up and walked outside.
On his way to the Mission Hall, a group of inner sect disciples, all elite disciples, walked in the opposite direction and blocked his path.
Chen Fan’s brows creased.
This group had around six elite disciples, but their cultivation wasn't that high. The tall and muscular youth at the front, likely the leader, was also at the second level.
However, these people’s gazes toward Chen Fan were all full of arrogance, looking at him.
“That’s me. What do you want?” Chen Fan showed an indifferent expression. He speculated that they might be from Heaven's Alliance, possibly seeking trouble.
“We’re from that Tianxia Society. I’m Yu Xiong. Come with us now. From now on, you’re a member of our Tianxia Society and will have to work for Senior Brother Feng Tianxia, understand?” [1]
This youth named Yu Xiong laughed and said, “How is it? Do you feel pleased and honored?”
Chen Fan raised his brow and said, “Don’t you know I’m on bad terms with Duan Jingtian?”
“We know.” Yu Xiong replied.
“You knew, yet you’re trying to pull me into your group? Aren’t you afraid of offending Duan Jingtian?”
“Hehe, Duan Jingtian is indeed powerful, but he can’t control the world alone! Although Duan Jingtian is the number one holy disciple of the inner sect, Senior Brother Feng Tianxia isn’t weak either; he is also a holy disciple. We, the Tianxia Society, aren’t afraid of the Heaven’s Alliance.”
Yu Xiong said, “How about it? Considering you're already on Heaven's Alliance's blacklist, many in the inner sect want to deal with you for Duan Jingtian. Senior Brother Feng Tianxia, out of compassion, has authorized us to invite you to join the Tianxia Society. No one will dare confront you in the inner sect with our backing.”
“Oh? That’s so good!” Chen Fan chuckled and said, “If I were to agree, then what do I have to do?”
“It’s straightforward. Complete the missions assigned to you from above, obey Senior Brother Feng Tianxia’s orders and of course...”
Speaking up until this point, Yu Xiong paused briefly, sizing up Chen Fan, and continued, “Tell us your secrets and the opportunities you’ve gained. Share it with us so we can all progress together...”
As soon as he said this, a cold light immediately flashed in Chen Fan’s eyes.
As he had expected, they had no good intentions from the start. They had designs on his opportunities.
1. Tianxia literally means under the heavens. ☜