Chapter 496 Qian Rongrong Becomes Suspicious! Dongxuan's Identity Almost Exposed?!

"Jiang Yun, it's been seven days, I didn't expect you to have become this strong."

The voice was cool and clear like a spring, yet it carried a hint of familiarity that one could not ignore.

Jiang Yun turned around and looked in the direction of the voice. Two figures were approaching from not far away.

The person in the lead was a young woman. A long dress outlined her elegant and refined figure, her three thousand strands of dark hair fell like a waterfall to her waist, and her features were as exquisite as white jade carved by a master craftsman, with a natural, cool air permeating her brows.

Those eyes, clear as a mirror, were quietly watching Jiang Yun, with a faint, almost imperceptible smile hanging at the corners of her lips.

Behind her followed a young man, his Face full of smiles, his gaze towards Jiang Yun filled with excitement and admiration.

Su Qingying, ninth on the Heaven Ranking, Master of Tingxue Pavilion.

The members of Longxiang Pavilion saw the newcomers.

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

Liu Qingshuang's cool eyes flashed slightly, her gaze lingering on Su Qingying for a moment before she withdrew it calmly.

Lei Qing's eyes widened, he poked Xiao Chen next to him hard and lowered his voice.

"Xiao Chen, look, look! Su Qingying! Master of Tingxue Pavilion! She actually came to find our Pavilion Master on her own initiative!"

Xiao Chen did not reply.

He just nodded slightly.

"Senior Sister."

Jiang Yun nodded slightly, his tone carrying a degree of just-right courtesy and politeness.

"Senior Sister, you flatter me, it was just good luck."

He paused, looking at Su Qingying with a frank gaze, his tone carrying a bit more sincerity than before.

"Speaking of which, when Feng Yu used his power to bully my Longxiang Pavilion, Senior Sister Su stepped forward to force Feng Yu to retreat, resolving the siege for my Longxiang Pavilion. Jiang Yun has always kept this favor in mind."

Su Qingying shook her head slightly upon hearing this.

A hint of faint softness flashed in those mirror-clear eyes.

"You don't need to dwell on it. Since I am a member of the Su Family and you are the Su Family's son-in-law, it would not be right for me to stand by and do nothing."

She paused slightly, her tone calm and frank.

"Besides, Feng Yu's behavior that day was indeed excessive; my intervention was merely going with the flow."

Jiang Yun nodded, not saying any more polite pleasantries.

He had a good impression of Su Qingying.

Although this woman was cool and reticent, she knew what was important at critical moments.

The fact that she could stand out in front of Longxiang Pavilion when Feng Yu forced his way in was enough to earn his respect.

Su Gumu stood behind Su Qingying, looking at Jiang Yun and then at his cousin, the expression on his Face as if he were holding back something to say.

Finally, he couldn't help it.

He stepped forward.

His voice was full of uncontrollable excitement.

"Jiang Yun! You were too fierce today! Sect Master Feng Tianyang! Sixth on the Heaven Ranking! You crushed him from start to finish! I almost shouted my throat out in the stands!"

The more he spoke, the more excited he became, gesturing with his hands in front of him.

"And do you know? When Lin Xinmu came out of seclusion, everyone was saying he was this year's dark horse, but what happened? Your Beast crushed him in seconds! Dark horse? Hahaha, he's not even as good as an ant in front of you!"

"I heard my useless younger brother offended you? Don't worry, I'll go back and teach him a lesson to make sure he remembers."

"Gumu."

Su Qingying called out softly.

Her tone carried a hint of helplessness.

Su Gumu immediately shrank his neck and retreated half a step sheepishly, but the excited and admiring expression on his Face did not fade at all.

Su Qingying looked back at Jiang Yun.

She spoke after a moment of contemplation.

"Although you won beautifully today, you have completely offended the Feng Family and the Lin Family. You heard what Sect Master Feng Tianyang said before he left; he is not someone who will let this go, and you should have heard about the Feng Family's style."

She paused slightly.

Her voice carried a hint of solemn warning.

"The trip to the Secret Realm is imminent, and the Molten Cavern itself is full of dangers. Added to that, the secret resentment of the Feng and Lin Families means someone might take advantage of the chaos. You... be extra careful."

Jiang Yun's expression remained calm upon hearing this.

He nodded, his tone composed and frank.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister. I will be careful. Whatever the Feng Family and Lin Family want to do, I will take it on."

Su Qingying sighed inwardly as she looked at his unflappable appearance.

If it were anyone else who had offended two major first-class families in the provincial capital, they would probably be anxious.

But this young man in front of her had an expression as calm as if nothing had happened.

She didn't know if he truly had a trump card or if he was just born without knowing what fear was.

But regardless.

This demeanor was certainly not something an ordinary person could possess.

"As long as you are aware."

Su Qingying nodded slightly, said nothing more, and then turned gently.

"I still have some things to deal with, so I won't stay here any longer. However..."

She paused slightly, turned her head to look at Jiang Yun, and a serious look flashed in those clear eyes.

"You are the Su Family's son-in-law, and the Su Family will always be your backing. If you have any difficulties, you can come to me at any time."

Su Gumu also nodded vigorously and added: "Right! Jiang Yun! If you have any trouble, just speak up! Our Tingxue Pavilion may not be as strong as the Jingfeng Sect, but we are not to be trifled with!"

Jiang Yun felt a slight warmth in his heart as he looked at this pair of cousins.

Regardless of the Su Family's purpose in recruiting him initially, at least so far, the Su Family had treated him well.

He bowed slightly.

His tone carried a hint of sincere gratitude.

"Thank you, thank you Brother Gumu. I will remember this favor."

Su Qingying nodded slightly and said no more.

She turned and walked away, her long skirt fluttering gently in the wind, like a clear lotus drifting away slowly.

Su Gumu followed behind, waving vigorously at Jiang Yun as he left, his eyes seeming to say he would come find him later.

Jiang Yun watched them walk away and withdrew his gaze.

"Pavilion Master."

Lei Qing's voice suddenly approached, his rugged Face bearing an extremely obvious gossipy smile, and his copper-bell-like eyes full of teasing light.

"The tone Su Qingying used with you is quite unusual. You didn't see the look in her eyes just now. Although I, Lei Qing, am a rough man, I can tell... hehehe."

He patted Jiang Yun's shoulder hard and lowered his voice, but it was still loud enough for everyone around to hear clearly.

"Pavilion Master, this Su Qingying is the famous Ice Goddess in the academy! With the strength of ninth on the Heaven Ranking and being the legitimate daughter of the Su Family, many Prodigies usually can't even get a word in with her. She is always cold and keeps people at a distance with everyone. But when she was talking to you just now, tsk tsk tsk, that tone, it was so gentle! Could it be that she is interested in the Pavilion Master?"

"Lei Qing, say less."

Xiao Chen frowned and pulled him.

Lei Qing completely ignored him and laughed even more happily.

"Xiao Chen, why are you pulling me! I'm stating facts! You saw it yourself just now, Su Qingying's look, that tone, that is not the care of an ordinary Senior Sister for a Junior Brother! And those words just now, isn't that implying that you, Pavilion Master, are already hers?"

Zhao Tiezhu's eyes lit up the moment he heard this, and he leaned in to join the gossip circle.

"Hey, hey, hey! Brother Lei is right! Jiang Yun, although I haven't been in the academy for long, I know that Su Qingying is our academy's recognized goddess! If you can win her over, then our Longxiang Pavilion and Tingxue Pavilion will really be one Family! When the time comes for the two to merge, the Feng Family will be nothing!"

Jiang Yun waved his hand.

The expression on his Face did not change at all.

"You all are overthinking it. I don't have much contact with Su Qingying; she is just looking out for me because of my relationship with the Su Family. Don't spread rumors."

He said this plainly and frankly, without any awkwardness or evasion, as if stating a fact as mundane as today's weather.

Seeing Jiang Yun's impervious reaction, Lei Qing could only touch his nose sheepishly.

"Fine, fine, fine, Pavilion Master, whatever you say. But my eyes are still very sharp when it comes to people, we'll see what happens in the future."

Jiang Yun did not continue this topic.

He was about to say something to the group.

Another voice came from not far away.

"Sacred Student!! Long admired! As expected of the SSS-Rank Talent Prodigy, seeing you today, you are truly extraordinary!"

This voice was clear and calm, carrying a gentleness that made people feel like a spring breeze.

Completely different from the sharpness of Sect Master Feng Tianyang, this voice had no arrogance of being superior, only a natural appreciation.

The members of Longxiang Pavilion looked in the direction of the voice one after another.

And then.

Almost everyone gasped.

Two figures were walking slowly from the direction of the stands.

The person in the lead had a slender figure, wore a long robe, and had a handsome, jade-like Face, with a natural calmness and nobility between his brows.

A faint smile hung on his lips, a smile without any hypocrisy, only a frankness that inexplicably made people feel good about him.

Behind him followed a young girl in a pale purple dress, with a delicate and lovely Face; it was Qian Rongrong.

And this person in front.

Naturally, it was...

Qian Luoyun.

Second on the Heaven Ranking.

The eldest son of the Qian Family.

Among the younger generation of the entire provincial capital, except for that Feng Xingyun who was in seclusion all year round, no one could suppress him.

"Qian Luoyun!! It's really Qian Luoyun! He and the Pavilion Master already exchanged a glance across the air when they were on the stage just now, and now he's actually coming over to say hello! Second on the Heaven Ranking! Even a figure like this has come to find the Pavilion Master!"

Lin Kuo exclaimed in a low voice.

"More than just coming to say hello? Didn't you hear what he just said? Long admired! Extraordinary! These are words from the second on the Heaven Ranking to a freshman!"

Xiao Yutian's voice was full of disbelief.

"The Pavilion Master's current fame and influence..."

Liu Qingshuang spoke softly.

Her tone carried a hint of complex emotion.

"Has already grown to the point where even Prodigies of Qian Luoyun's level have to take the initiative to come and chat."

Jiang Yun was not too surprised as he watched Qian Luoyun approach.

In that one glance they exchanged across the air on the stage just now, he had already seen that undisguised appreciation in Qian Luoyun's eyes.

There was no hostility or scrutiny in the eyes of this second on the Heaven Ranking, only a kind of equal respect.

He rarely encountered this kind of gaze in the academy.

So he frankly met Qian Luoyun's gaze, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted, revealing a polite smile that was just right.

"Senior Qian, you flatter me. Jiang Yun has also long heard of the prestige of the second on the Heaven Ranking. The fact that you took the initiative to yield the stage just now, that breadth of mind and demeanor, is truly admirable."

These words were polite and appropriate, giving Qian Luoyun Face without appearing humble or fawning, and the sense of proportion was just right.

Qian Luoyun chuckled upon hearing this, scanned Jiang Yun with his eyes, and a deeper appreciation flashed in those deep, gentle eyes.

"Sacred Student, no need to be overly humble. I watched from beginning to end on the stage just now; your tactics were decisive when you crushed Lin Xinmu, your methods were precise when you forced Lin Feng, you controlled the whole situation from start to finish when you fought Sect Master Feng Tianyang, and when you finally cleared out the Jingfeng Sect, you grasped the timing and proportion perfectly. This is not luck, this is real strength and Heart-Nature."

He paused slightly, his tone becoming a bit more serious.

"To be honest, I have seen many Prodigies of the same generation, but like the Sacred Student, who can achieve this step in less than a month of enrollment, there is not one."

"I'm afraid even that Feng Xingyun, first on the Heaven Ranking, might not be as good..."

Qian Rongrong stood behind Qian Luoyun, and hearing her brother rarely praise someone so much, she couldn't help but take a few more looks at Jiang Yun.

She was indeed curious about this Sacred Student.

But curiosity was curiosity.

She still wore the haughtiness typical of a Young Miss on her Face.

"Senior Qian, you are too kind."

Jiang Yun smiled slightly, his tone remaining composed.

"The strength of Senior Qian, second on the Heaven Ranking, is well-deserved. In terms of Realm and foundation, I am still far behind you. Winning against Sect Master Feng Tianyang today was just taking advantage of the Bloodline suppression of my Beast."

Qian Luoyun shook his head.

"Sacred Student, no need to be modest. The Beast Bloodline is part of strength itself; the fact that you can control an ancient Bloodline is your ability, not some advantage. Besides..."

A deep meaning flashed in his eyes.

"Battle awareness and tactical literacy are not things that Bloodline can give. Sect Master Feng Tianyang's Heaven-Splitting Golden Roc is also of the ancient Sky Roc Bloodline, and its attack power is top-tier among Sun-Level Aptitude, but he was walking in your rhythm from start to finish. This shows that in terms of battle command, you are more than one grade stronger than him."

Between the two, one politely raised the other, and the other frankly exposed the other's politeness. In the back and forth, although there was no gunpowder, the subtle clash of auras made the surrounding people hold their breath.

The members of Longxiang Pavilion stood on the sidelines, listening to the conversation between the two, and the same thought rose in their minds.

When these two people speak, one is more humble than the other, but the strength and confidence hidden in their humility are greater than anyone else's.

Is this the way top Prodigies talk to each other?

Qian Luoyun looked at Jiang Yun and suddenly changed the subject, his tone becoming a little lighter.

"Sacred Student, actually, the reason I came here this time, besides saying hello, is that I have a small matter I would like to ask of you."

"Senior Qian, please speak."

Qian Luoyun turned his head to look at Qian Rongrong beside him, a doting and helpless smile appearing on the corners of his mouth.

"My sister, Rongrong, you have seen her. She also got a spot for the Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm this time and will be going in for training. However, this girl has been spoiled by the Family since she was a child, she fears nothing, and she is easily impulsive in doing things, so..."

He looked at Jiang Yun again, his gaze frank.

"If it is convenient in the Secret Realm, when you encounter my sister, could you please look after her a little for me? You don't need to protect her deliberately, just help her when she encounters danger."

These words were sincere and unpretentious, both a brother's worry for his sister and a strong person's trust in another strong person.

Jiang Yun looked at Qian Rongrong upon hearing this.

Qian Rongrong was pouting, and those apricot eyes were full of unconvincing defiance, as if asking who needed his care.

He withdrew his gaze and nodded slightly.

"If I encounter Young Miss Qian in trouble in the Secret Realm, I will naturally help. Senior Qian, please rest assured."

Before he finished speaking, Qian Rongrong was unhappy.

She stepped forward, tilting her delicate little Face, staring at Jiang Yun with her apricot eyes wide open.

"Who needs his care? This young lady is at least an S-Rank Talent, with Amethyst Rank strength, and my Beast is not to be trifled with! Brother, stop worrying, I can do it myself!"

Qian Luoyun shook his head helplessly and reached out to pat her head, the movement gentle and natural, as if comforting a bristling little cat.

Qian Rongrong was even more unhappy after being patted, turning her head to dodge, but the reliance on her brother at the bottom of her eyes could not be hidden.

Jiang Yun watched this scene with a slight stir in his heart.

The relationship between these two siblings was indeed good.

One protecting the sister everywhere, the other refusing to admit it but relying on the brother in her heart.

He hadn't felt this kind of familial affection for a long time.

This couldn't help but make him think of his younger sister far away in C City.

He thought to himself.

"I wonder how Yunyun is doing in C City now."

Meanwhile.

While Jiang Yun was lost in thought.

Qian Rongrong finally managed to break free from Qian Luoyun's clutches. She smoothed out her messy hair, and suddenly, as if recalling something, she lifted her head and stared straight at Jiang Yun's Face.

Her gaze became somewhat strange, and her brows furrowed slightly, as if she were struggling to recall something.

She stared at Jiang Yun for several breaths.

Suddenly, she asked, "Wait a moment... Sacred Student, I keep feeling like you're so familiar, like I've seen you somewhere before. Have you been to the Appraisers Guild before? Are you an Appraiser?"

As soon as these words were spoken.

Jiang Yun's heart skipped a beat.

The Appraisers Guild. Grand Tutor Dongxuan.

Of course he had been to the Appraisers Guild, but not as the Sacred Student Jiang Yun; he had gone as Dong Xuan.

Wearing the silver-white mask of Grand Tutor Dongxuan and a black robe, he had never revealed his true Face from start to finish.

And Qian Rongrong... she had indeed been present at the time! She had even caused quite a misunderstanding.

Did she recognize him? Jiang Yun wondered to himself.

No, that's not right. If she had truly recognized him, she wouldn't be asking in such an uncertain tone. "Have you been to the Appraisers Guild?"

She just felt he looked familiar and had developed some suspicions; she hadn't yet completely equated the Sacred Student Jiang Yun with Grand Tutor Dongxuan.

Thankfully, there was still room to maneuver.

These thoughts flashed through Jiang Yun's mind in a split second, but he didn't let any cracks appear on his Face.

His expression remained as calm as water, as if Qian Rongrong were merely asking him what he had eaten today.

Just as he was quickly thinking about how to answer without revealing any flaws or appearing to deliberately avoid the question, Qian Luoyun spoke up to help him out.

He reached out and gently patted Qian Rongrong's shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of helpless amusement.

"Little sister, don't be unruly. What kind of person is Grand Tutor Dongxuan? He is a top-tier Appraiser whom even our father must treat with courtesy and immense respect. The Grand Elder of the Appraisers Guild—the weight of this title alone is not something we juniors can casually associate with."

He shook his head slightly, looking at Qian Rongrong with a gentle gaze.

"Although the Sacred Student is a Prodigy with an SSS-Rank Talent and is indeed strong in the way of Beast Taming, to say he is also Grand Tutor Dongxuan? That is far too absurd. Grand Tutor Dongxuan's appraisal attainments are such that even our father feels inferior; you couldn't find a second one like him in the entire Appraisers Guild. Such a Senior expert is not someone of our age. Besides, the Sacred Student has only been enrolled for a little over a month; he is already busy enough with his Cultivate, so how would he have the time to delve into the Appraisal Technique? You're overthinking it."

Qian Rongrong pouted. Although she still looked a bit unconvinced, her brother made a valid point.

She had seen Grand Tutor Dongxuan with her own eyes. That day at the Appraisers Guild, Grand Tutor Dongxuan had worn a silver-white mask and a black robe, and the unfathomable aura surrounding him had left a deep impression on her.

Such a figure inspired awe just by standing there.

Yet the Sacred Student before her, while also absurdly strong, felt like a completely different person from Grand Tutor Dongxuan in terms of aura.

How could one achieve that level of appraisal attainments without constant, moment-by-moment accumulation?

She muttered, pouting, "Got it, got it... You're right, how could he possibly be a figure like Grand Tutor Dongxuan? Grand Tutor Dongxuan can see through the grade and detailed information of all items with a single glance, even including defects and flaws. How could such an expert be someone of our generation? I was overthinking it."

Hearing this, Jiang Yun secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, thankfully Qian Luoyun had smoothed things over for him.

However, although Qian Luoyun's words were meant to help him, they also created a hidden concern he needed to be mindful of.

Qian Rongrong had already started to grow suspicious.

Although she was temporarily persuaded by Qian Luoyun, the occasional flash of thoughtfulness in her almond-shaped eyes told Jiang Yun that this young girl was not so easily fooled.

It seemed he would have to be even more careful with matters related to appraisal in the academy from now on.

Qian Luoyun patted his sister's head, then looked at Jiang Yun with a smile that carried a hint of good-natured teasing.

"My apologies for the embarrassment, Sacred Student. This girl has been like this since she was small—she says whatever comes to mind, with no sense of propriety."

Jiang Yun waved his hand to show he didn't mind.

However, besides the Appraisers Guild, Jiang Yun certainly knew where else Qian Rongrong had seen him: in C City.

Oh well, it might be better to proactively give her a way out. Being vague would only make her more suspicious. It was better to admit it. After all, it was just a chance encounter in C City, not his identity as Grand Tutor Dongxuan.

He looked at Qian Rongrong calmly, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly to reveal a perfectly poised smile.

"Young Miss Qian is correct. Now that I think about it, I did have a chance encounter with you in a shopping mall in C City. At that time, Young Miss Qian helped me out of a difficult situation, and I reminded you that the Beast Tamer cub inside the Beast Egg you chose had already died. If I remember correctly, that was the case, wasn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Qian Rongrong was stunned for a moment. However, she wasn't too surprised. After all, she had long since realized that Jiang Yun was that boy.

Nevertheless, she still feigned surprise.

"Right! I remember now! It was you! At the C City mall! I had picked a Beast Egg, and you told me the cub inside was dead! I thought you were talking nonsense at the time, but after I went back and hatched it, it was exactly as you said! The Beast Tamer cub inside was a cub that had already lost its life force."

"But... how did you know the cub inside that Beast Egg was dead? You didn't touch the Beast Egg at the time, nor did you use any spiritual power to sense it; you just stood there and took a look. How could you possibly tell?"

Qian Rongrong asked with great curiosity.

Jiang Yun cursed inwardly. He had admitted to meeting in C City to dispel Qian Rongrong's suspicions, but he hadn't expected to pique this girl's curiosity even more.

There was only one answer to the question she was asking: the Entry Manifestation Talent. This was Jiang Yun's talent and his greatest trump card.

If he explained truthfully how he had figured it out, there was a good chance Qian Rongrong would immediately equate Jiang Yun with Grand Tutor Dongxuan.

Just as he was rapidly organizing how to answer in his mind, Qian Luoyun's voice chimed in again at the right moment.

He reached out and patted Qian Rongrong's shoulder, his tone carrying a mix of helplessness and doting affection.

"Rongrong, don't make things difficult for the Sacred Student. Everyone has their own secrets and methods. Being able to see the life and death of a Beast Egg at a glance is the Sacred Student's ability. Pressing him on how he figured it out is a bit improper."

He paused slightly, looking at his sister with a gentle gaze.

"Have you forgotten what Father always says? When out and about, any Beast Tamer with special methods has their own trump cards they don't wish to share with others. The Sacred Student was kind enough to warn you back then. For you to grill him about it now is pushing your luck."

Being scolded by her brother, Qian Rongrong immediately realized she had indeed asked too much.

She stuck out her tongue, and for once, she didn't retort; she just bowed slightly to Jiang Yun.

"It was my fault for asking too much. I have always remembered the matter of the Beast Egg that the Sacred Student warned me about in C City. Thank you."

Hearing this, Jiang Yun breathed a sigh of relief once more. Thankfully, Qian Luoyun had smoothed things over for him again.

This second-ranked Genius on the Heavenly Ranking had helped him out time and again. Although it was unintentional, it had truly been a huge help.

He returned the bow. "Young Miss Qian, there is no need to be so polite. It was just a small favor, and besides, you were the one who helped me first."

Qian Luoyun smiled slightly and nodded to Jiang Yun. "Sacred Student, it is getting late. I still need to take Rongrong back to prepare for the trip to the Secret Realm, so I won't disturb you any further."

"Senior Qian, you are too polite. Please, go ahead."

Qian Luoyun nodded, turned, and walked away.

Qian Rongrong followed behind her brother. After a few steps, she suddenly turned back and gave Jiang Yun a deep look.

That gaze held a hint of curiosity, a hint of confusion, and a trace of elusive, complex emotion that perhaps even she couldn't clearly define.

She quickly withdrew her gaze, caught up with her brother's pace, and disappeared into the crowd at the exit of the Colosseum.

Jiang Yun watched them leave. Only when those two figures had completely disappeared from his sight did he secretly let out a sigh of relief.

He didn't know when, but his back had already broken out in a thin layer of cold sweat. That was close.

Qian Rongrong's intuition was far sharper than he had imagined. In the future, when meeting her in the academy, he would have to be extra careful regarding everything related to appraisal and Grand Tutor Dongxuan.

He pulled back his thoughts. Looking at the deep bond between the siblings Qian Luoyun and Qian Rongrong, another Face involuntarily surfaced in Jiang Yun's mind: his younger sister, Jiang Yunyun.

Seeing the way the two siblings interacted—the older brother protecting his younger sister everywhere, the younger sister feigning defiance but relying on him deeply in her heart—that kind of bond, thicker than water, stirred an indescribable bitterness in his heart.

He didn't know how much longer it would take for him to return to C City and see Yunyun again.

But he set a bottom line for himself in his heart: before Yunyun came to the provincial capital, he had to establish a firm foothold there.

Not just a firm foothold, but a high enough position. He wanted to make those in the provincial capital who looked down on C City shut their mouths completely. When Yunyun came here, he wanted no one to dare bully her, no one to dare look down on her, and no one to dare say a single word of dissent to her.

Just like how Qian Luoyun protected Qian Rongrong. No, even more thoroughly than that.

He took a deep breath, pushing these thoughts back to the deepest part of his heart. Right now, he had more important things to do. He had to improve his strength and enter the Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm to compete for resources.

After all, he didn't know how many hidden powerhouses and geniuses were out there. The only thing he could do now was to make himself stronger.

Jiang Yun turned around and looked at the members of Longxiang Pavilion behind him.

Zhao Tiezhu was still heatedly discussing the scene where Qian Luoyun had taken the initiative to come over and chat with Lei Qing; Lin Kuo and Xiao Yutian were whispering about something, and Shang Xiaoxiao stood to the side, listening quietly.

Liu Qingshuang remained her usual cold and distant self, but her gaze flickered imperceptibly when Jiang Yun turned around.

"Alright, today's arena competition ends here. Everyone is tired." Jiang Yun signaled that everyone could prepare to leave. "Tiezhu, take everyone back to Longxiang Pavilion."

"Alright!" Zhao Tiezhu nodded vigorously, then, as if suddenly remembering something, a complex expression of both excitement and a headache appeared on his rugged Face.

"But Pavilion Master, we need to hurry back! You didn't see it when you were on the stage, but before the arena competition was even over, dozens of people had already rushed out of the Colosseum and headed toward the Grade A Lingqi Valley! They said they wanted to join Longxiang Pavilion! By the time we get back, the line at the entrance will definitely be able to wrap around the residence several times!"

"More than just several times?" Xiao Yutian said, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "Just now, on the arena stage, there were over a hundred people surrounding Zhao Tiezhu, calling him Elder Zhao. Among them were many Amethyst Rank Prodigies from the top sixty or even top fifty of the Heavenly Ranking. As soon as the arena competition ended, at least dozens more rushed out. I'm afraid the entrance to the Longxiang Pavilion residence is already packed with people."

"With this kind of lineup, we probably can't handle it." Lin Kuo rubbed the back of his head, looking troubled. "We are only Silver Rank, and those Amethyst Rank Prodigies are calling us Elder one after another. To be honest, it's really hard to handle this kind of pressure."

"You have to handle it even if you can't." Lei Qing slapped Lin Kuo on the shoulder, his rugged Face full of matter-of-fact boldness. "What are you afraid of? You are the founding members most trusted by the Pavilion Master; no one can take this position away! It is only right and proper for them to call you Elder! You should just act like an Elder! Besides, with me, Lei Qing, and Xiao Chen here, who would dare to be disrespectful to you? I'll be the first one to deal with them!"

"Lei Qing is right." Xiao Chen agreed for once, his tone calm and serious. "You are the founding members who supported the Pavilion Master through the most difficult times of Longxiang Pavilion. No matter how strong or high-level the new members are, they cannot compare to your seniority in Longxiang Pavilion. The Pavilion Master has already given you this confidence and dignity. Today, in front of the whole school on the arena stage, the Pavilion Master single-handedly beat down everyone who targeted you. From now on, who would dare to look down on the founding members of Longxiang Pavilion?"

Hearing this from the two, Zhao Tiezhu felt a surge of heat rush from his chest to his head. He sniffled hard, puffed out his chest, and his bell-like eyes shone with a bright light.

"Right! You are right! The Pavilion Master handed Longxiang Pavilion to me, so I must take responsibility! Whether they are Amethyst Rank or whatever rank, as long as they sincerely want to join Longxiang Pavilion, I, Zhao Tiezhu, will welcome them all! But if anyone wants to sneak in as a parasite, don't blame me for turning hostile!"

Jiang Yun looked at Zhao Tiezhu's high-spirited appearance and nodded slightly. He reached out and patted Zhao Tiezhu on the shoulder.

"With those words from you, I can rest easy. The future development of Longxiang Pavilion will depend on our collective efforts."

"Don't worry, Pavilion Master!" Zhao Tiezhu slapped his chest hard. "We will definitely manage Longxiang Pavilion properly! When you return from the Secret Realm, Longxiang Pavilion will definitely be even stronger than it is now!"

Lin Kuo and Xiao Yutian nodded at the same time, their eyes full of determination. Shang Xiaoxiao stood to the side; although she didn't speak, her large, round eyes were full of seriousness and trust.

Jiang Yun looked at these people—the ones who chose to follow him when he was at his weakest, the ones who gritted their teeth and didn't retreat when the Jingfeng Sect blocked the door. He didn't say any more grand words, just nodded slightly, then turned around, preparing to leave with everyone.

Just then, an aged and gentle voice rang out in his Sea of Consciousness without warning. The voice was very light, as light as a breeze blowing from the ancient era, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty and weight. The moment the voice sounded, Jiang Yun's footsteps came to a sudden halt. "Jiang Yun, stay."