The martial training grounds of the Great Sealing Sect were no longer the same as before. All the disciples were diligently practicing, each dripping with sweat. This wasn’t just for show; it was the result of their hard work.
“Hey, Xiao Fan, you’re here! I’ve been looking all over for you!”
Sun Yueying’s voice called out from behind Tian Fan.
Zi Ying followed closely behind her, giving Tian Fan a sweet smile.
“Oh? What’s the matter?” Tian Fan asked.
“My grandpa wants you to come over in a bit. He has something to discuss with you.”
“What? That old geezer is looking for me again!” Tian Fan exclaimed. Seeing Sun Yueying glaring at him, he awkwardly laughed, “Hehe, that… I misspoke, I misspoke.”
“Don’t speak ill of my grandpa! Or else, hmph!” Sun Yueying threatened.
Tian Fan understood her words perfectly: disobeying would mean no good food for him. Ah, poor guy.
“He’s so cute,” Zi Ying said with a grin, watching Tian Fan’s departing figure. Sun Yueying rolled her eyes at her.
“Miss, how can you call him cute? When we first met him, he was so serious. But now, after spending so much time with Li Yunyang, he’s gotten a bit improper.”
Zi Ying blinked at Sun Yueying, her tone becoming more serious.
“It’s not a big deal, really. In life, it’s not about living up to the heavens and earth. A martial artist must have great resolve. The world doesn’t concern me, only my Dao heart endures.”
Sun Yueying looked at Zi Ying in surprise. The more she thought about that sentence, the more profound it seemed, as if it were spoken by a wise elder with centuries of experience.
“Wow, I didn’t expect you to say something like that.”
Zi Ying stuck out her tongue, embarrassed. “Hehe, my dad said that.”
Sun Yueying shook her head in resignation. She knew it! There was no way Zi Ying could have come up with such deep words on her own.
*****
In the backyard of the Great Sealing Sect, outside a study room, Tian Fan was about to knock when Sun Shennan’s voice rang from inside.
“Is that you, Tian Fan? Come in!”
Tian Fan silently cursed the old man’s advanced cultivation, then pushed the door open and walked in.
Sun Shennan sat at his desk, with two cups of tea on it.
Without hesitation, Tian Fan sat across from him and picked up a cup to drink.
“What does the Sect Master want from me?”
Sun Shennan smiled warmly at Tian Fan. “Xiao Fan, have you been comfortable at the Great Sealing Sect lately?”
“Pfft…”
Tian Fan nearly spat out his tea at Sun Shennan’s tone and expression.
“Young man, what are you doing? No one’s taking the tea from you. Drink slowly,” Sun Shennan casually wiped the tea from his clothes and continued.
“Alright, alright! Just get to the point!”
“Haha, it’s nothing much. I’ve heard about what happened between you and my junior brother. It’s no big deal, really. But the Great Sealing Sect has lost a few times already. Although I don’t mind, we can’t keep losing like this. So…”
“Enough, enough! Just say what you need to!” Tian Fan interrupted, unable to listen any longer.
“Well then, I want you to represent the Great Sealing Sect and participate in the martial arts tournament.” Sun Shennan rubbed his hands together, laughing slyly.
“Not a chance! Don’t even think about it!” Tian Fan immediately refused.
“Think about it again. This is a good opportunity for you too. I see you’re close to entering the Cloud Heaven secret realm, but you’re just missing a trigger. This tournament could be your chance,” Sun Shennan coaxed. Clearly, he was asking Tian Fan to risk his life for the sect, yet he made it sound like a wonderful opportunity.
“I’m not going!” Tian Fan wasn’t falling for it.
“Are you sure you won’t go?”
“I’m sure!”
“Absolutely certain?”
“A real man sticks to his word. If I say I’m not going, I’m not going!” Tian Fan declared firmly.
“Alright, fine. But I just got a message from the Sect Master of the Yin-Yang Sect. He says you took his Yin-Yang Sword and that the Great Sealing Sect should stay out of his business with you. I was planning to help you out with that, but since you won’t be joining the tournament… oh well…”
Sun Shennan looked at Tian Fan with regret.
Tian Fan felt a chill run down his spine. He had completely forgotten about the Yin-Yang Sword! Without the Great Sealing Sect’s protection, he was dead for sure. After all, the Sect Master of the Yin-Yang Sect was at the Hunyuan stage. Killing him would be as easy as squashing an ant.
“Ahem, well… old man, I was just joking earlier. Of course, I’ll join the tournament! You can count on me!”
“Huh? Didn’t you say a real man sticks to his word?”
“How could that be? You must’ve misheard. I’ve been at the Great Sealing Sect for so long now that I already see myself as part of it. The honor of the Great Sealing Sect is my honor, and I must defend its dignity!”
Tian Fan’s expression was one of righteous determination. Anyone who didn’t know him would have thought he was deeply loyal to the sect.
“Alright, alright, I know what you’re up to. Just compete properly. Don’t worry about the Yin-Yang Sect; I’ll take care of it,” Sun Shennan reassured him.
“Hehe, as expected. Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be off now!” Tian Fan laughed awkwardly.
“Go on, go on.”
Sun Shennan waved him off, watching him leave. Suddenly, he thought to himself, “Damn it! I’m clearly still in my prime, so why does everyone keep calling me old man?”
But Tian Fan was already too far to hear him. Over the next two weeks, Tian Fan focused on consolidating his cultivation.
One morning, a crowd gathered in front of the Great Sealing Sect’s main hall. The Four Sect Martial Competition was about to begin, and those from the Great Sealing Sect who had the required cultivation level were assembling to head to the Fist Emperor Sect. The others were there to see them off.
“Xiao Fan, over here!”
Li Yunyang waved at Tian Fan.
Behind him, Sun Shennan walked over slowly, followed by Sun Yueying and the adorable Zi Ying. This time, Sun Shennan would personally lead the team.
“Little Sister, Miss Zi Ying!” Li Yunyang greeted them.
“Hehe, hello, Senior Brother Li,” Zi Ying replied with a bow, then looked at Tian Fan, tilting her head and blinking her big eyes.
“Hi, Little Tian Tian! Thanks for what you did last time!”
“Uh…”
Tian Fan was speechless. Even though he wasn’t particularly tall or strong, there was no need to call him “Little.”
“Alright, everyone’s here. The other two will head straight to the Fist Emperor Sect. Let’s go!”
Sun Shennan waved his hand grandly and led the way.
Behind him, Sun Yueying, Zi Ying, Tian Fan, and Li Yunyang followed closely. Their destination—the Fist Emperor Sect!
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