8: There are thighs to hug

The Seventh Ancestor's words echoed, one by one.

Jiang Shengtian's gloomy face, after holding it in for a long time, finally swallowed all his words back.

He bowed to the Seventh Ancestor again, "Seventh Ancestor's lesson is right, Shengtian... has learned."

The Seventh Ancestor didn't even look at him, only waved to Jiang Chen.

"Boy, come here."

Jiang Chen obediently stepped forward.

The Seventh Ancestor extended two fingers and lightly tapped Jiang Chen's glabella.

A gentle force instantly surged into Jiang Chen's Sea of Consciousness, thoroughly sorting out the restless Devilish Qi within his body.

The Dao Yan Heavenly Demon Body, which was somewhat difficult to control, became incredibly docile under the Seventh Ancestor's touch.

With a thought, Jiang Chen's surrounding Devilish Qi completely receded, and from his appearance, he returned to the handsome Saint he once was.

"Your Physique is very overbearing, but it's only just awakened, it still needs time to be refined."

The Seventh Ancestor withdrew his hand and slowly spoke.

"Your father's actions are too cautious, always looking before and after, he won't achieve great things."

"You are different."

The Seventh Ancestor's cloudy eyes turned to Jiang Shengtian, "From today on, I will personally handle this boy's matters."

"You, as his father, should not interfere."

Jiang Shengtian's heart skipped a beat, he opened his mouth, wanting to argue, "Seventh Ancestor, Chen'er he..."

"Hmm?"

The Seventh Ancestor merely glanced at him indifferently.

Jiang Shengtian's subsequent words instantly caught in his throat.

"Your Saint status is, after all, too conspicuous," the Seventh Ancestor then said to Jiang Chen.

"Without someone to protect you, it's easy to perish prematurely."

As soon as he finished speaking, he called out to the Void Realm.

"Jiang Jiu, come out."

The space subtly rippled, and a figure completely shrouded in a black robe appeared like a ghost behind the Seventh Ancestor.

The person knelt on one knee, his movements silent.

"From today on, you will be his Guardian," the Seventh Ancestor said, pointing to Jiang Chen.

"His life is more important than yours."

"As you command."

The black-robed Jiang Jiu responded hoarsely, then stood up and silently retreated behind Jiang Chen, once again disappearing into the shadows.

Jiang Chen could feel a faint aura constantly locked around him.

This Jiang Jiu was an absolute powerhouse.

"Alright, this old bone should go back to sleep."

The Seventh Ancestor yawned.

"Shengtian, handle the Holy Land's affairs well yourself. It's a good thing that our Hongtian Holy Land has produced such a promising talent, don't keep that grim face all day."

After speaking, the space in front of him split open again, and the old man stepped in, disappearing from sight.

The entire sleeping quarters returned to silence.

Jiang Shengtian stood rooted, his expression changing erratically, finally dissolving into a long sigh.

He looked at his son with a complex gaze.

"Take care of yourself."

Leaving that sentence, he too flicked his sleeves and departed.

Inside the hall, only Jiang Chen and the Guardian Jiang Jiu, hidden in the shadows, remained.

"Tsk tsk, having an Old Ancestor who protects his own is really satisfying," Jiang Chen thought to himself, feeling secretly pleased.

"host, you now have backing! You can harvest leeks even more brazenly!" The System's mischievous voice chimed in at the right moment.

"Keep a low profile, low profile."

Jiang Chen waved his hand, "We are villains, we need to have style."

"Yes, yes, host, you have the most style! By the way, are you just letting that leek named Lin Fan go? He's worth 5000 Luck points!"

"What's the rush?"

Jiang Chen walked to the window, overlooking the scenery down the mountain.

"Leeks, you know, you have to fatten them up before harvesting them, that's when you get a sense of accomplishment."

...Inner Sect Assessment Ground.

The crowd had long since dispersed, leaving only a few steward Disciples cleaning up the venue.

Lin Fan was still lying in the human-shaped pit he had created, his body in excruciating pain, unable to even move a finger.

He had lost, and lost utterly.

That Saint named Jiang Chen hadn't even truly made a move, merely waved his hand.

And he had lost.

All the confidence and pride accumulated during this period were crushed at this moment.

Humiliation, unwillingness, and a deep sense of powerlessness filled his heart.

"Teacher... am I... am I useless?" he asked in his heart, his thoughts trembling.

Inside the ring, the ancient voice was silent for a long time before sighing in response.

"My foolish child, victory and defeat are common in war."

"That Jiang Chen is by no means a Mortal. You losing to him is not unjust."

Not unjust?

Lin Fan's teeth ground together.

How could it not be unjust!

Just then, a gentle figure walked to his side.

It was the Sixth Elder, Elder Liu.

She looked at the disheveled youth in the pit, and a complex emotion appeared on her usually calm face.

She handed him a Medicinal Pill, "Take it, it can help stabilize your injuries."

Lin Fan didn't move, only looked at her with bloodshot eyes.

"Why?" His voice was hoarse.

"Why can he humiliate me like this?"

Elder Liu was silent, what could she say?

Say because he is a Saint, and his father is the Holy Lord?

Or say because your cultivation is inferior, and you deserve to be beaten?

"This world is inherently unfair."

Elder Liu squatted down and forcefully placed the Medicinal Pill into Lin Fan's hand.

"If you feel it's unfair, then use your strength to prove it."

"Complaining here will only make you a laughing stock in others' eyes."

After speaking, Elder Liu stood up, said no more, and turned to leave.

She wasn't sympathizing with Lin Fan; as an Elder of the Holy Land, she simply didn't want to see a promising Disciple fall into despair.

Lin Fan looked at the Medicinal Pill in his hand, then at Elder Liu's departing back, the words echoing repeatedly in his mind.

"Use strength to prove..."

...Three days later.

In the Hongtian Holy Land, Inner Sect Disciple residential area, in the most secluded courtyard.

Lin Fan sat cross-legged on the bed, his injuries mostly healed with the help of the Medicinal Pill.

He had successfully entered the Inner Sect.

But it wasn't due to Jiang Chen's "grace," but Elder Liu's exceptional promotion.

To him, this was another form of charity.

"Jiang Chen!" Lin Fan roared, his fist slamming on the bedboard.

"I will definitely make you pay for what you've done!"

"Boy, ambition is a good thing," the old man in the ring spoke.

"But a mere burst of anger won't defeat that Jiang Chen."

"Teacher! What should I do?" Lin Fan asked eagerly.

"In three months, isn't it the Holy Land Grand Competition?"

"That will be your Opportunity."

The old man's voice carried a sense of solemnity, "Before then, you still have time to improve your strength."

"I know!" Lin Fan nodded heavily.

"But, three months is too short..."

"Not short," the old man suddenly changed the subject.

"I sensed a very peculiar fluctuation deep within this Hongtian Holy Land a long time ago."

"There, perhaps, lies your Opportunity."

Lin Fan's body trembled.

Opportunity?

"Where is it?"

"Northwest direction, Dragon-Severing Cliff," the old man slowly uttered four words.

Dragon-Severing Cliff is one of the Forbidden Grounds of the Hongtian Holy Land, said to have an ancient Vicious Beast suppressed beneath it, and ordinary Disciples are strictly forbidden from approaching.

"Forbidden Ground?"

"Precisely. If you can gain some Opportunity from it, you'll have a greater chance of winning in the Grand Competition."

Lin Fan suddenly leaped from the bed, pushed open the door, and looked in the direction of Dragon-Severing Cliff.

"Jiang Chen, just you wait!"

"I, Lin Fan, will never lose to you again!"