5: Are you Lin Fan?

Hongtian Holy Land.

The Inner Sect assessment grounds were bustling with activity.

On the martial arts arena, Outer Sect Disciples were giving their all for a spot as an Inner Sect Disciple.

Below the stage, thousands of Disciples were packed tightly, their shouts and cheers rising and falling, creating a lively atmosphere.

Just then, a figure silently appeared on the Elder's platform.

Jiang Chen, dressed in white, stood tall and upright. Just his casual stance instantly drew everyone's attention.

The previously noisy assessment grounds fell silent for a moment, and countless curious gazes converged on him.

"Who is that? His Aura is too good!"

"Why haven't I seen him before? Is he a Senior Brother? He's so handsome!"

Below the stage, some newly admitted female Outer Sect Disciples began to whisper, their faces flushed.

An older Disciple nearby quickly tugged at their sleeves and lowered her voice.

"Quiet down! That's our Hongtian Holy Land's Saint, Jiang Chen!"

"What? He's the Saint?"

"The one rumored to be... a good-for-nothing?"

"Shhh! Do you want to die? Is the Saint someone you can gossip about?"

The whispers quickly died down, but many people's gazes remained on Jiang Chen.

The ones in charge of this Inner Sect assessment were Fifth Elder, Xu Yǐnzi, and Sixth Elder, Elder Liu.

Both of them noticed Jiang Chen's arrival immediately.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Saint!"

Xu Yǐnzi, a slightly plump middle-aged man, almost scurried over, his face plastered with a fawning smile.

When he got closer to Jiang Chen and felt the faint Seventh Realm Aura, his expression became even more respectful.

"I did not know of the Saint's visit; please forgive me!"

On the other side, Sixth Elder, Elder Liu, also walked over. She was a beautiful middle-aged woman with a pleasant face and gentle Aura.

Elder Liu bowed slightly to Jiang Chen, "Greetings, Saint."

Elder Liu's etiquette was impeccable, but her attitude was not as eager as Xu Yǐnzi's.

She also noticed the change in Jiang Chen's cultivation, and a ripple stirred in her heart.

Seventh Realm Soul Transformation.

This Saint, who had almost died a month ago due to a failed Breakthrough attempt, had actually directly broken through to the Seventh Realm a month later?

This made her feel somewhat incredulous, and judging by his Aura, he didn't seem like someone who had just broken through.

Jiang Chen took in their reactions, then waved his hand, looking nonchalant.

"No need for formalities, both of you may rise."

He walked to the edge of the high platform, looking down at the intense competition below.

"I was in seclusion for a month and felt a bit bored, so I came out for a stroll."

"How far along is the assessment? You two may continue, don't mind me."

Xu Yǐnzi quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, yes, Saint, please feel free to watch."

In his heart, however, he was frantically wondering why this little ancestor was interested in watching the Inner Sect assessment today.

In the past, he had always disdained such matters.

Could it be that this seclusion had changed his personality?

Xu Yǐnzi dared not ask further and obediently retreated to the side, signaling for the assessment to continue.

The competition on the martial arts arena resumed, but everyone's attention was, to some extent, divided and focused on Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen ignored the gazes directed at him and spoke to the System in his mind.

"System, it's time to get to work."

"Ding! host, please instruct! Your thoughtful little cotton jacket is in place!"

"Regarding that leek, Lin Fan, are there no tasks?"

"Received! Scanning for you now... Scan complete!"

"Task issued: The child of destiny, Lin Fan, is currently dominating! Please, host, interrupt his glorious moment in front of everyone!"

"Task Reward: 3000 Villain Points! Luck Index +200!"

"Task Failure Penalty: Randomly transform one of the host's body parts."

Jiang Chen's face twitched. This wretched System's punishments were getting more and more twisted.

He turned his head and looked at Elder Liu beside him.

"Elder Liu."

Elder Liu was focused on the competition on the field. Hearing Jiang Chen call her, she quickly responded, "What are the Saint's orders?"

"Among the Disciples participating in this assessment, is there one named Lin Fan?" Jiang Chen asked casually.

Elder Liu was startled for a moment, not expecting Jiang Chen to care about an Outer Sect Disciple.

But she still searched her memory, then raised her hand and pointed to Martial Arts Arena Number Three.

"Saint, that Disciple in green clothes currently competing is Lin Fan."

Jiang Chen looked in the direction she pointed.

On Martial Arts Arena Number Three, an ordinary-looking young man in green clothes was fiercely battling a burly opponent.

That young man was Lin Fan.

His cultivation was only at the Middle Stage of Fifth Realm Core Condensation, while his opponent was already at the Peak of Fifth Realm.

Logically, this should have been a battle with no suspense.

However, the situation on the field completely favored Lin Fan.

Lin Fan's footwork was agile, his Moves were broad and sweeping, and every punch and kick carried an unstoppable Aura, pushing his Fifth Realm Peak opponent back step by step, leaving him no room to retaliate.

"Bang!"

Lin Fan seized an opening and punched his opponent in the chest.

The burly Disciple grunted as he flew backward, falling off the martial arts arena and immediately passing out.

"Arena Number Three, Lin Fan wins!" the referee announced loudly.

Whoosh!

A gasp instantly erupted from below the stage.

"He won again! This Lin Fan is too fierce!"

"This is already his fifth victory, and each opponent is stronger than the last!"

"With a cultivation at the Middle Stage of Core Condensation, he defeated five Core Condensation Peak opponents in a row; this is simply a Prodigy!"

Lin Fan stood on the stage, listening to the exclamations and praises around him, his back unconsciously straightening even more.

He thoroughly enjoyed this feeling of being the center of attention.

All the bullying and scorn he had endured over the years, at this moment, transformed into the pleasure of finally being able to hold his head high.

He wanted all those who looked down on him to open their eyes and see that he, Lin Fan, was not a good-for-nothing!

On the high platform, Jiang Chen looked at the spirited young man in the arena and smiled.

"Tsk, that Protagonist Halo is shining quite brightly."

"System, this task makes things very difficult for me."

"He's in his glorious moment of showing off; it would be so impolite for me to interrupt."

"host, please correctly establish your villainous positioning! You must pour a bucket of cold water over him from head to toe precisely when he's happiest! That's what you call professional!"

"That makes sense." Jiang Chen nodded.

The next second, just as Lin Fan was about to step off the martial arts arena to enjoy the victor's cheers.

Jiang Chen's figure vanished from the high platform out of thin air.

Lin Fan only felt a blur before his eyes.

A white figure appeared before him without any warning.

The distance between the two was less than three feet.

The entire assessment grounds once again fell into an eerie silence.

Everyone's eyes widened, watching this sudden scene.

The Saint... how did he get onto the martial arts arena?

Lin Fan was also startled. He subconsciously took half a step back, adopting a defensive stance.

He looked at the impossibly handsome young man before him, feeling the unfathomable Aura emanating from him, and became vigilant involuntarily.

Jiang Chen ignored the reactions around him.

He observed Lin Fan for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"You, are Lin Fan?"