20: So what?

Jiang Chen's response caused another uproar throughout the Hongtian Holy Land.

Jiang Chen's words, when heard by different people, were interpreted in completely different ways.

To most Disciples of the Holy Land, the Saint's action was remarkably magnanimous.

"A Saint is indeed a Saint; his magnanimity is beyond our reach!"

"Yes, that Su Qinger, an outsider, was practically pointing her finger and scolding him, yet the Saint not only didn't hold it against her but also said he would personally give Lin Fan an explanation. His breadth of mind is simply wider than the sky!"

"What does 'internal affairs, outsiders interfering' mean? That statement is so profound! It means, this is our family's business, and you, a girl from another family, shouldn't meddle!"

"That Lin Fan, too, is useless himself, and now, he's letting a woman stick up for him. He's truly disgracing the men of our Hongtian Holy Land!"

The tide of public opinion, under Jiang Chen's deliberate guidance, almost entirely sided with him.

Some Disciples who were originally watching the show with some sympathy for Lin Fan now quickly changed their stance.

Su Qinger instantly transformed from a chivalrous Fairy defending her lover into a thoughtless woman who didn't know her place and was making a fuss for no reason.

And Lin Fan became the soft-rice man hiding behind a woman, completely irresponsible.

These words, naturally, also reached the ears of the parties involved.

In that dilapidated courtyard in the inner sect, Lin Fan listened to the rumors from outside, his face ashen, trembling with anger.

"Jiang Chen! What a venomous scheme you have!"

He slammed his fist on the table, shattering the already wobbly wooden table.

Jiang Chen's words killed without drawing blood.

Not only did he defuse the pressure brought by Su Qinger, but he also nailed Lin Fan to the pillar of shame.

He could imagine how all the Disciples of the Holy Land were mocking him now.

"Kid, now you know how formidable that Jiang Chen is, right?"

In the ring, the old man's voice was full of helplessness, "He only used a few words to put both you and Young Miss Su in a passive position."

Lin Fan gritted his teeth, saying nothing.

The hatred in his heart grew more intense, but along with it came a deep sense of powerlessness.

Meanwhile, Su Qinger, who was arranged in a superior guest courtyard in the inner sect, was also not having an easy time.

She hadn't expected that her angry questioning would be met with such an understated, yet cunning, response from Jiang Chen.

"Young Miss, everyone outside is now saying that you are..." The accompanying Guardian began, but didn't finish.

"Saying what? Saying I'm making a fuss, or saying I'm meddling?" Su Qinger gave a self-deprecating smile, her gentle face now covered in frost.

She hadn't expected that with just a few words, Jiang Chen could guide the direction of events.

She even less expected that her good intentions would instead harm Brother Lin Fan's reputation.

"Young Miss, regarding this matter, weren't we... too impulsive?"

Behind her, the Guardian couldn't help but advise, "That Jiang Chen is, after all, the Saint of the Hongtian Holy Land, backed by the Holy Lord and the Old Ancestor. It's truly unwise for us to make an enemy of him like this."

"Are we just going to stand by and watch Brother Lin Fan be bullied by him?" Su Qinger retorted.

Just then, another Guardian Elder, who had been silent all along, walked in with a complex expression.

"Young Miss, this old man... just received a piece of news." He hesitated for a moment, but still spoke.

"What news?"

"It is said... it is said that after the assessment, that Lin Fan had private contact with Xu Ying, a True Disciple of the Holy Land."

The man's voice was very low, "Xu Ying gave him a nine revolutions yang returning pill, helping him Breakthrough to the sixth stage Nascent Soul. And Xu Ying has always coveted the position of Saint and has always been at odds with Jiang Chen."

These words, like a clap of thunder, exploded in Su Qinger's mind.

Xu Ying? nine revolutions yang returning pill?

She turned sharply, looking at the Guardian, "Is that true? Where did the news come from?"

"The source of the news... is a bit strange. It was an Utility Disciple from Holy Son Peak who accidentally let it slip."

The Elder's expression grew more solemn, "But this old man has secretly investigated, and Lin Fan's cultivation did indeed regress from the fifth stage due to severe injury and then quickly Breakthrough to the sixth stage within an extremely short period."

"Without external help, it would be impossible."

Su Qinger's body swayed, her pretty face instantly turning pale.

She wasn't a fool; she instantly understood the coincidence in this.

Brother Lin Fan... he accepted favors from Jiang Chen's mortal enemy?

Then, how much of what he cried to her was true, and how much was false?

A terrifying thought uncontrollably emerged from the depths of her heart.

"No... it can't be." Su Qinger shook her head, unwilling to believe.

She couldn't sit still and rushed out, clutching her skirt.

She had to go find Lin Fan; she had to ask him face-to-face!

When Su Qinger pushed open the dilapidated courtyard door again, Lin Fan was in a state of rage and humiliation.

"Brother Lin Fan!"

Su Qinger went straight to the point, her voice trembling slightly, "I ask you, True Disciple Xu Ying, do you know him?"

Lin Fan's heart sank abruptly, his face instantly changing.

He hadn't expected Su Qinger to suddenly ask about this.

"I... I don't know him." He subconsciously denied it.

He couldn't admit it; once he admitted it, it would be tantamount to confirming his collusion with Xu Ying, and his image in Su Qinger's heart would be completely ruined.

Seeing his evasive gaze and hearing his unconvincing denial, Su Qinger's heart sank little by little.

"Don't know him?"

Her voice grew colder, "Then how did your cultivation, in just a few days, recover from severe injury and Breakthrough to the sixth stage Nascent Soul?"

"I..." Lin Fan was rendered speechless by the question.

"It was the nine revolutions yang returning pill, wasn't it?" Su Qinger pressed on, her beautiful eyes already filled with disappointment, "It was Xu Ying who gave it to you, wasn't it?!"

Lin Fan was forced back repeatedly by her, finally leaning against the wall.

He looked at Su Qinger's face, filled with disappointment, and the panic in his heart was gradually replaced by a feeling of shame turning into anger.

"Yes! Senior Brother Xu Ying gave it to me! So what?"

He finally exploded, roaring at Su Qinger, "Jiang Chen harmed me like this, can't I seek help from others? Am I supposed to sit idly by and let him slaughter me?"

"Then why did you lie to me?" Su Qinger's voice was trembling.

"Lie to you? Where did I lie to you?"

Lin Fan's expression became somewhat distorted, "Which of my words wasn't true? Did Jiang Chen humiliate me? Did he snatch my Opportunity?"

"Qinger, whose side are you on? You just arrived, heard some rumors, and you don't believe me anymore, do you? Do you also think I'm a good-for-nothing who only hides behind women?!"

His final question was like a knife, deeply piercing Su Qinger's heart.

Su Qinger stared blankly at him, at the man before her whose face was distorted, full of lies, and who pushed all the blame onto others.

Was this still the kind and resilient Brother Lin Fan she remembered?

She suddenly felt that he was so unfamiliar.

"I... I didn't not believe you." Her voice was full of exhaustion and powerlessness.

She just couldn't understand why things had turned out this way.

Holy Son Peak.

Jiang Chen held a cup of freshly brewed spiritual tea in his hand, and on the light screen in front of him, everything happening in Lin Fan's courtyard was being broadcast in real-time.

Watching the scene of the childhood sweethearts turning against each other and blaming each other, Jiang Chen gently sipped his tea, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

"Tsk, this tea, it tastes exceptionally good today."

"Ding! Congratulations, host! You have completed stage mission one, 'Plant the Seeds of Doubt'!"

"Mission Reward: 5000 Villain Points! Luck Index +300! System Mall has been successfully unlocked!"

"Current Villain Points: 22000"

The System's notification sound rang out at the opportune moment, and Jiang Chen's mood grew even better.