Chapter 135 Provocation at the Door

While Lu Changkong and the others were steady and could endure it, some of the younger Disciples could not stand it anymore.

They loudly clamored that Lü Xuan was just showing off his might here, and if he encountered Ye Fan, he would definitely be beaten until his face bloomed like a peach blossom.

"Ye Fan?!"

This group of people felt like they had heard this name somewhere, but they couldn't recall it immediately.

Lü Xuan immediately became interested upon hearing this. He reached out and grabbed the Qingtian Sword Sect Disciple who spoke, inquiring who Ye Fan was.

The incident happened so suddenly that Lu Changkong and the others couldn't stop it in time. The Disciple who was grabbed was so scared his face turned pale, and he spoke haltingly with a tremor.

"Ye Fan is the Daozi of the Joyous Union Sect... Although he is a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator, he possesses combat power comparable to a Core Formation Realm Cultivator... He once took three moves from the Qingyun Sect Sect Head... even though the other party only used fifty percent of his power... He also once defeated..."

"A Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator comparable to Core Formation? And he took three moves from the Qingyun Sect Sect Head?"

As soon as these words came out, Lü Xuan and the others were stunned, clearly finding it hard to believe.

Through the intelligence gathered during this period, their understanding of the South Continent had become much clearer.

Although the Nine Great Sects were not impressive, the cultivation bases of their Sect Heads were at least at the seventh or eighth level of the Core Formation Realm.

With such cultivation, even they wouldn't dare claim they could take three moves head-on, even if only fifty percent of the power was used.

The group exchanged glances, then revealed cold smiles full of disdain.

"Nonsense. How could such a Prodigy exist in the barren South Continent? I think you are clearly mocking us!"

"I am not! Ye Fan also once defeated someone from the Central Continent..."

This Disciple was about to say something more when he was struck on the chest by an enraged Lü Xuan with a palm strike. The terrifying spiritual power exploded, actually blasting him into a pile of minced meat!

"Hmph, this is the consequence of lying and deceiving us!"

"Junior, how dare you!!"

Lu Changkong’s eyes turned red upon seeing this. In his fury, he truly prepared to strike.

If several Elders hadn't restrained him with quick hands and eyes, the Qingtian Sword Sect would have likely turned into a slaughterhouse today.

In contrast, Lü Xuan and his group acted as if they saw nothing. They swaggered out of the Qingtian Sword Sect, not even sparing Lu Changkong a second glance.

Frustration, suppressed anger, and rage—countless negative emotions surged into the hearts of the group.

Lu Changkong, the Sect Head of the Qingtian Sword Sect, was so angry he spat up three mouthfuls of blood. Afterward, he voluntarily requested to kneel in the Ancestral Master Hall for three days.

The events at the Qingtian Sword Sect quickly spread, causing an uproar across the South Continent. However, all of this was just the beginning.

Following the Qingtian Sword Sect, the Qingyun Sect, Kunlun Palace, Qionghua Sect, and Heavenly Thunder Temple were also visited by this group, but the results were largely the same.

No matter how hard these so-called Prodigies and Daozi fought, none of them could force the visitors to use their true strength.

The Prodigy of the Qingyun Sect, Liu Zhengfeng, had his Water and Fire Sword shattered, and he was beaten so severely that all his bones were broken, leaving him in a coma to this day.

The chief senior Disciple of the Qionghua Sect, Tuoba Ziying, suffered massive internal bleeding; her life was barely sustained by miraculous Spirit Pills.

Chongyang, the son of the Kunlun Palace Sect Head, had both his hands severed. Even if they were reattached later, he would suffer permanent damage, and his abilities in all aspects would be greatly reduced.

Jue Ming of the Heavenly Thunder Temple was even forced to self-immolate his Dao Foundation in an attempt at mutual destruction. Although he was saved by Sorrowless's intervention at the last moment, his Foundation was severely damaged, and his cultivation would likely never advance further in this life.

Lü Xuan and his party were like towering, insurmountable mountains, suffocating the Prodigies of the Nine Great Sects.

Only then did the group realize how vast the world truly was, and that they had merely been frogs in a well.

If it had merely been sparring, it would have been acceptable; they had no complaints about being inferior in skill.

But these people attacked without any mercy. After the exchange, the result was minor injuries like broken bones, or worse, instant death. Their lofty demeanor clearly showed they were deliberately humiliating the Nine Great Sects.

After this round of turmoil, they were beginning to get bored and were planning to conclude this farce before heading to the Trial Grounds.

"The last stop... the Joyous Union Sect."

During this recent period, the name Ye Fan had almost filled their ears to bursting.

Almost every time a Disciple was defeated, they would hear this name, which made Lü Xuan and his group increasingly curious, wondering if he truly had some skill.

"Heh, he's just the tallest among the short ones. Saying he can fight a Core Formation Realm Cultivator is all just exaggeration."

Lü Xuan said disdainfully.

"I originally wanted to pick a few decent ones to take back, but now it seems there's no need."

"Forget it. Hurry up and clean up this trash. The trial ahead is the real purpose of our visit."

Unknowingly, the Joyous Union Sect, or rather Ye Fan, had become the last shred of dignity for the South Continent.

Emissaries from the Eight Sects, and even the Sect Heads, came personally, hoping Ye Fan would fight to teach these people a lesson and help the Nine Great Sects regain their lost face. However, Qing Mingzi wore an expression of helplessness.

"The last time, after being guided by Sect Head Dao Xuan for three moves, Ye Fan is still in closed-door seclusion recuperating. It is truly impossible for him to come out and fight."

As soon as Qing Mingzi finished speaking, the Sect Heads immediately looked toward Dao Xuan, their eyes full of blame, as if saying, 'Why did you strike so heavily?!'

Dao Xuan’s old face nearly turned green upon seeing this, but he was helpless.

The crowd chattered and sighed mournfully. It seemed the South Continent was destined to be utterly disgraced this time.

Although Qing Mingzi spoke of regret, he had already made up his mind: even if these Prodigies came knocking, he would not let Ye Fan fight.

Avoiding battle, while somewhat shameful, was the only viable option Qing Mingzi had at the moment.

If Ye Fan had truly won, it would have been fine; the Joyous Union Sect would have gained glory, and everyone would have been happy.

But if, by some slim chance, he lost, the myth Ye Fan had created would be instantly destroyed, and the Joyous Union Sect along with him would lose all face. After weighing the pros and cons, Qing Mingzi could only resort to this measure.

But just as everyone was discussing heatedly, a harsh voice echoed from outside the mountain gate.

"Lü Xuan, Lu Lin, Wei Jun, Qing Cang from the Central Continent—we have come to pay respects!"

A group of over ten people shouted in unison. Their powerful aura even surpassed that of most Core Formation Realm Cultivators. The faces of the high-ranking members of the Joyous Union Sect instantly darkened, and they could only brace themselves and open the mountain gate.

Lü Xuan and his party soon arrived at Tongtian Peak. They saw many familiar faces present—they were all the decision-makers from various sects. After a moment of surprise, they immediately understood what was happening.

"Heh, they really took this so-called Ye Fan as their last straw."

Lü Xuan thought disdainfully.

These people couldn't even be bothered with pleasantries. They directly stated they wanted to spar with the Joyous Union Sect's Prodigies, even specifically demanding that Ye Fan come out to fight.

Although Qing Mingzi had long known about their arrogant demeanor, his mouth still twitched in anger. He managed to force a smile with great effort.

"I apologize, Ye Fan is injured and is currently in closed-door seclusion recuperating."

"If you gentlemen wish to spar, I can send out another Disciple to fight."

Qing Mingzi suppressed his rage and said.

"Send out another Disciple?"

Lü Xuan’s mouth almost split into a grin upon hearing this. He stated directly whether Ye Fan was perhaps avoiding the fight.

If he was scared, he should just say so; he wasn't an unreasonable person.

Lü Xuan and his group burst into laughter, all mocking Ye Fan as a coward who didn't even have the courage to fight a single battle.

If others had heard these words, they might have tolerated it, but Murong Wan could not.

"Who says Ye Fan is a coward? If you can defeat me, he will naturally come out to fight!"