13: Those who defy their superiors shall be thrown into the dungeon!

Xiao Fan won first place in this Inner Sect Grand Competition.

On the high platform, several Elders, including Gu Qingxue, showed expressions of surprise.

No one expected that this ordinarily unremarkable Disciple could erupt with such astonishing potential.

Once he successfully achieves Foundation Establishment, his future prospects will surely be limitless.

Gu Qingxue rose according to the prior arrangement, announced the results, and prepared to present the reward to Xiao Fan.

However, Xiao Fan's gaze was not focused on the Foundation Establishment Pill.

He looked at the cold, stunning figure on the high platform, his eyes filled with fervor.

He stepped forward and said loudly, "Reporting to the Sect Master, this Disciple also has a gift he wishes to present to you."

In the Martial Arts Arena, all eyes were focused on him.

Relying on the title of first place in the Grand Competition, Xiao Fan was full of spirit and ambition.

He believed now was the best time to express his feelings to Sect Master Gu Qingxue.

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he carefully took out an exquisite Jade Box from his Storage Pouch.

"Reporting to the Sect Master." He held the Jade Box high, his voice loud and full of confidence.

"This Disciple, Xiao Fan, has fortunately fulfilled his mission by winning first place in the Grand Competition. This Disciple has admired the Sect Master for a long time.

Inside is a Youth Preserving Pill that this Disciple went to great lengths to purchase from the Four Seas Merchant Guild.

I wish to present this pill to the Sect Master as a small token of this Disciple's sincerity. I hope the Sect Master will accept it."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue erupted in an uproar.

Countless gazes converged upon Xiao Fan, filled with envy and jealousy, among other emotions.

Although the Youth Preserving Pill is not high in grade, it holds a fatal attraction for any female Cultivator.

And Xiao Fan's action was tantamount to a public declaration of love.

However, Gu Qingxue's reaction on the high platform was beyond everyone's expectations.

On her cold, beautiful jade face, there was no trace of joy; instead, there was a hint of detachment and coldness.

Of course, she saw through Xiao Fan's unconcealed intentions.

But now that her heart belonged to someone else, how could she possibly accept gifts from other men?

"There is no need." She refused resolutely. "The rewards for the Sect Grand Competition are distributed equally. I cannot accept your personal feelings. Step down."

Her voice remained cold, yet carried an undeniable majesty.

The smile on Xiao Fan's face froze slightly.

He hadn't expected his carefully prepared gift to be rejected in public.

He was unwilling to give up.

He took another step forward, his tone growing more sincere: "Sect Master, this small gift is merely a token of this Disciple's sincerity, with no other intentions. Please, Sect Master, you must accept it."

He thought that as long as he was sincere enough, he could move this Iceberg Beauty.

However, he did not notice the cold killing intent that flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes beside him.

"Presumptuous."

A voice, indifferent yet filled with supreme majesty, slowly rang out.

Lu Yuan spoke calmly. The voice was not loud, yet it clearly entered the ears of everyone present.

"A mere Inner Sect Disciple dares to publicly contradict the Sect Master, insulting a superior. What decorum is this?"

A terrifying pressure emanated from him, instantly enveloping the entire Martial Arts Arena.

Xiao Fan felt as if a majestic mountain was ruthlessly pressing down on his Divine Soul.

His legs went weak, and he nearly knelt on the spot.

"Considering this is your first offense, and you won first place in the Grand Competition for the Sect."

Lu Yuan's gaze fell upon Xiao Fan, his eyes indifferent, as if looking at an ant: "I shall punish you by confining you to the Youming Dungeon for half a month of self-reflection, as a warning to others."

As soon as these words came out, the entire audience was shocked.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingxiao dared not delay in the slightest. He immediately stepped forward and shouted in a deep voice, "Guards! Take Xiao Fan away and send him to the Youming Dungeon."

Two Disciples from the Enforcement Hall immediately stepped forward, restraining Xiao Fan's arms, one on the left and one on the right.

Xiao Fan was completely stunned.

His face instantly turned deathly pale.

The Youming Dungeon.

Of course, he had heard of that place's fearsome reputation.

Deep within the dungeon, the Nine Nether Gale blows year-round. That gale is invisible and intangible, yet it can penetrate the Physical Body and scrape directly at the Divine Soul.

Let alone him, a Cultivator at the Qi Refinement Stage.

Even a Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage, if imprisoned there, would be severely injured, if not killed.

And historically, no Qi Refinement Stage Disciple imprisoned there has ever survived more than three days.

Not to mention half a month.

This was simply taking his life.

"No... Old Ancestor, spare my life! This Disciple knows his mistake." He finally felt fear and began to struggle and beg for mercy.

However, Lu Yuan did not even spare him another glance.

He frantically called out to his Revered Master in his heart.

"Revered Master, save me! Quick, possess me and take me away from here."

In the ring, Venerable Yao's voice was surprisingly calm: "Fan'er, calm down. There is still a turning point in this matter."

"Although Ancestor Qingyun has the intention to kill you, he did not act directly, only confining you.

He is likely giving consideration to the Sect's reputation. With your Ancient Desolate Sacred Body, even if you are in the Youming Dungeon, your life may not necessarily be in danger.

Perhaps this could even be an Opportunity and stroke of Good Fortune for you."

Hearing his Revered Master's words, Xiao Fan's heart settled down slightly.

But the look he gave Lu Yuan was already filled with resentment, venom, and hatred.

Gu Qingxue also had no objection to Lu Yuan's actions.

In fact, when Xiao Fan publicly presented the gift and made her feel awkward, she had already developed a strong dislike for the man.

After Xiao Fan was taken away.

Lu Yuan's gaze swept over the other Disciples in the top ten of the Grand Competition below.

He spoke slowly, his voice once again spreading throughout the venue.

"Your performance in today's Grand Competition was quite satisfactory."

"This Venerable One has decided that, excluding Xiao Fan, every person in the top ten of this Grand Competition will receive an additional Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill."

As his voice fell.

The nine Disciples were stunned for a moment, and then burst into uncontrollable ecstasy.

The Perfect Foundation Establishment Pill.

They all knelt down and shouted excitedly.

"Thank you, Old Ancestor, for the reward."

Their eyes, when looking at Lu Yuan, were filled with endless respect and gratitude.

Lu Yuan nodded calmly.

These Perfect Foundation Establishment Pills were originally wool sheared from Xiao Fan.

Now, making the best use of them can not only cultivate nine True Disciples with perfect Dao Foundation for the Sect but also win over the hearts of the people.

Why not? ...The Youming Dungeon was cold and damp.

Xiao Fan was roughly thrown inside.

The moment the Stone Door closed, streams of invisible gale, like steel needles, swept towards him from all directions.

"Ah!"

He let out a miserable scream.

The Nine Nether Gale directly penetrated his skin and muscles, acting upon his Bones and Meridians.

The pain felt as if countless ants were gnawing on his Bone Marrow.

He immediately activated the Ancient Desolate Sacred Body, and golden Qi and Blood surged from within him, forming a faint protective shield that enveloped him.

Only then did the erosion of the gale slow down slightly.

But even so, he still found the pain unbearable.