71: Chapter 70: Master and Disciple Again

Inside the Commission Hall, watching Master Lin Wan leave in a huff.

Li Fan couldn't figure it out, and finally reached a conclusion:

"Something is wrong with this person's brain."

He reached out to retrieve the Storage Pouch from the ground and counted the spiritual materials inside; it was packed to the brim, quite a substantial amount.

It was clear that she had been very diligent in completing the commission, though he didn't know why she looked at him as if she were seeing a homewrecker.

However, since the matter was settled, Li Fan couldn't be bothered to dwell on it.

He put away the Storage Pouch and returned to Xuanzong University.

On the flying shuttle, the journey was quite boring.

Li Fan, as usual, opened his terminal to surf the web.

Just then, a notification from Xuanzong University popped up.

[Xuanzong University, student Li Fan, C-Class rank 19, you have been selected as a participant for the Joint Tournament.]

[The tournament begins in seven days. Please report to Dongye Gate in three days for pre-competition training.]

Upon seeing this message.

Li Fan's first reaction was to look for an unsubscribe button.

Obviously, Xuanzong University didn't give him the chance to make that choice.

He could even see several tasks forced onto his previously empty schedule.

Even the user permissions associated with his terminal couldn't cancel it.

What else could he do? He spread his hands in resignation.

He might as well treat it as earning some extra pocket money; he heard the rewards were quite generous.

Continuing to surf the web and looking at the trending news, Li Fan raised an eyebrow.

He didn't expect that even though the Joint Tournament was seven days away, the online buzz had already started.

Li Fan clicked into the official pre-heat post with great interest to check the comments below.

"It's finally coming. Whichever university takes first place this time, that's the one I'm supporting."

"You couldn't even pass the entrance exam, yet you're still here daydreaming."

"F*** your mother, if you've got guts, let's have a real-life duel!"

Looking at the harmonious scene of people brawling online, Li Fan nodded in satisfaction and added a comment.

"Screw them! I want to see rivers of blood!"

After stirring the pot, he continued scrolling down.

"There's accurate news already; Luo Shuying will represent Xuanzhuan University in this Joint Tournament."

"Really? Is Luo Shuying actually competing?"

"The former top star of Xianyu is making a public appearance again; everyone else can step aside!"

"As long as I can see her one more time, I'd be willing to have my cultivation regress by ten years."

Looking at the comments from the fanatical Xianyu fans, Li Fan exclaimed that it felt just right.

However, the next comments he saw made him realize what true hardcore fans were.

"Rumor has it that Chang Yufei isn't on the roster because she went missing."

"How could this be?! Mother Chang hasn't scolded me for five days; I feel so terrible."

"Come scold me quickly... I feel like ants are crawling all over my body right now..."

"I am Chang Yufei's dog, come out and whip me!!!"

Seeing the exaggerated number of likes on these comments, Li Fan's mouth twitched.

The diversity of species left him greatly shocked; reading too much of this felt like his sanity was being polluted.

He quickly dragged the screen to scroll down.

Fortunately, the comments below were probably not as insane.

They were about Yun Baimei, the recently retired top star of the Feise Group.

"Ahhhhh, the fragrant and soft Yun Bai..."

Li Fan's fingers swiped at light speed; this comment was also unreadable, as looking at it would make his brain malfunction.

"Yun Baimei negotiated to join Xuanzong University a long time ago."

"Given her strength after deep cultivation in the Foundation Establishment Realm for many years, she might even appear in this Joint Tournament."

"If she happens to face off against Luo Shuying, that will be a good show to watch."

Seeing this, Li Fan recalled.

Before Luo Shuying retired from the group, her main rival was indeed Yun Baimei of the Feise Group.

The two were complete opposites: one cold and aloof, the other soft and seductive.

At the time, they both belonged to the two major star groups and were top stars, often compared by the public.

When it came to appearance and beauty, it was a matter of opinion, and it was always hard to determine who was better, leading to long-standing disputes between their fanbases.

This Joint Tournament, however, relied entirely on strength, which would surely settle the score.

Once the results were out, the rival fans would have a basis to finally end this protracted argument.

As a former dedicated fan of Luo Shuying, Li Fan naturally hoped that she would win.

However, it was rumored that Yun Baimei had been at the Perfection of Foundation Establishment for a long time, and her talent was likely not much lower than Luo Shuying's.

If they truly clashed, it was hard to say who would emerge victorious.

Shaking his head, Li Fan cast these thoughts to the back of his mind.

He wasn't that dedicated fan anymore, and he wouldn't get any rewards regardless of who won.

He should just honestly focus on the urgent matters at hand.

At this moment, the flying shuttle landed steadily on the landing pad.

Feeling his kidneys that had just been drained dry by Nangong Miao, Li Fan gripped the Storage Pouch and hurried toward the Spirit Refining Room.

Passing by the school gate, it was surrounded by circles of people, inside and out, up and down.

There were also devices like cameras and recording stones set up.

"What's going on here?"

Li Fan, a lover of drama, immediately went over, squeezed past a few Qi Refining junior students, and reached a position slightly closer to the front.

He looked at the figure standing amidst the crowd.

"Mentor Lu Changxue?"

She was still hiding within her oversized robes.

Her snow-white hair was scattered among them, with only her red eyes and half her face exposed.

"What's so interesting about this?"

Li Fan was a bit puzzled; he didn't know what it meant for so many people to be surrounding her.

Could it be that Mentor Lu Changxue was planning to debut in Xianyu?

"That shouldn't be..."

Not long after, the crowd of onlookers automatically cleared a path.

Seeing the figure walking over, Li Fan finally understood why so many people had gathered here.

The person arriving was none other than Yun Baimei, who had recently officially announced her retirement from the group and her joining of Xuanzong University.

As soon as she appeared, lights flashed all around, and shouts and discussions erupted from the crowd.

Yun Baimei walked with composure, slowly approached Mentor Lu Changxue, bowed, and announced.

"Today, I officially join Xuanzong University and take Golden Core Lu Changxue as my Master."

As her words fell, the whole scene instantly exploded into an uproar.

Li Fan finished watching the spectacle and quietly retreated, pondering in his heart.

This apprenticeship was different from being a freshman mentor.

Formally taking a disciple meant the Master would teach everything they knew and be responsible to the end.

Mentor Lu Changxue was already at the Perfection of Golden Core, just one step away from the Nascent Soul Realm.

In terms of cultivation and foundation, she was indeed qualified to take Yun Baimei as a disciple.

It was just that he was really curious how these two people, who had no connection whatsoever, ended up together.

After a brief thought... Li Fan gave up thinking.

There were too few clues, and it was likely unrelated to him anyway.

He decided to just give up and honestly went back to find Wen Xinran for Alchemy.

Li Fan squeezed out of the crowd and left, and all of this was seen by Mentor Lu Changxue.

Within her aura, Li Fan's Essence of Restoration Physique was very obvious.

Just now, before he even approached the crowd, Mentor Lu Changxue had been paying attention to him.

Now that he was leaving, her gaze followed him directly.

Yun Baimei naturally noticed Mentor Lu Changxue's gaze and looked over as well.

Her gaze pierced through the dense crowd.

Seeing Li Fan's back, which felt somewhat familiar but she couldn't quite place, Yun Baimei asked with some confusion:

"Master, is there anything special about this person?"

Mentor Lu Changxue sent a cold voice transmission:

"This man has a special Physique and can ignore my Thousand Frost Spirit-Devouring Body; he should be extraordinary."

After speaking, she concentrated on sensing the Qi circulating within Li Fan, and slowly said:

"Although this person is in the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, in terms of real combat power, he might even surpass you, who are at the Perfection Realm."

Hearing her Master's evaluation, Yun Baimei looked at Li Fan's departing back, and a spark of interest immediately rose in her eyes.

"Then I'll have to find an opportunity to meet him personally."