A god-level alchemist, starting by manually crafting forbidden pills.

"Senior Brother Chi Ou, a name is just a label, why bother with it?"

Yan Wujiu said in a serious tone, "Besides, you must have misheard."

"That's right, that's right."

Ji Kun joined in the fun, saying, "Who told you your name doesn't sound that good?"

In the past, his confrontations with Luo Fan were private matters, kept behind closed doors.

Now that we're out here, Junior Brother Luo is bringing honor to the sect, so of course he can't let him down.

More importantly, if he had known earlier that Luo Fan was so extraordinary, he would have lost his former pride long ago.

After all, his sense of superiority was nothing more than that of a clown in Luo Fan's eyes.

"you!"

Chi Gu was trembling with rage, his eyes filled with murderous intent, but he dared not retaliate.

The sect leader was watching from the side; if he were to lay a hand on the guest, it would be a disgrace to the Zhengyang Sect.

"Alright, Red Gull, take the guests to rest."

Sikong Jue spoke calmly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

"yes…"

Chi Ou suppressed her anger, turned around and left, her back view looking somewhat stiff.

"Please, everyone."

He didn't turn his head, his voice was icy.

Luo Fan smiled and led the others to follow.

Along the way, the disciples of the Zhengyang Sect cast all sorts of glances at them.

There was disdain, mockery, and hostility.

Luo Fan and the others ignored them, chatting and laughing as if they were strolling in their own backyard.

Soon, the group arrived at a secluded guest house.

The courtyard was large and there were quite a few rooms, but the furnishings were simple, clearly not a good place.

"This is your accommodation. During the martial arts competition, don't wander around or go to places you shouldn't be."

Red Gull said coldly, "Otherwise, don't blame me for not warning you if something goes wrong."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"etc."

Luo Fan called out to him.

"Is there anything else?"

The red gull turned around impatiently.

"Nothing much, I just wanted to ask how long it's been since anyone lived in this courtyard?"

Luo Fan pointed to the thick layer of dust in the corner of the wall and the withered yellow weeds in the yard.

"Take it or leave it, if you don't want to stay, then get out."

Chi Ou snorted coldly, "Know your place. This is the Zhengyang Sect, not your Peach Blossom Temple."

"you!"

Xiong Chumo was furious and was about to lash out.

"Senior sister, there's no need to be angry."

Luo Fan looked calmly at Chi Ou, "We have learned about the Zheng Yang Sect's hospitality today."

"Go back and tell Sect Leader Sikong that our Peach Blossom Temple will remember this kindness."

"You'd better remember that."

Without turning his head, Chi Gull said, "Kid, you better pray you don't run into me on the day of the martial arts competition."

"This is outrageous!"

Xiong Chumo's face turned ashen with anger, and she glared resentfully at Luo Fan. "Why did you stop me?"

"A head-on confrontation won't do us any good; we just need to avoid giving others a handle to use against us."

Luo Fan's eyes were deep, as if he hadn't taken what had just happened to heart.

Xiong Chumo also knew that this was someone else's territory.

If something happens, others can spread rumors and gossip as they please.

But she just couldn't swallow her anger. Even though others were rude first, she still had to tolerate it.

In the end, all he could do was snort, "What kind of number one sect is this? It's a den of iniquity."

Bai Jie and Lu Qingdai, on the other hand, didn't react much. Instead, they brewed a pot of tea and poured it for Yunxi.

"What happened today is a warning from the Zhengyang Sect."

Bai Jie handed Luo Fan a cup of tea, saying, "Don't take their words to heart, lest you play right into their hands."

The people of the Zhengyang Sect already looked down on them, and she was worried that if Luo Fan angered them, he would be targeted.

If word gets out, they will be accused of disrespecting the master of the Zhengyang Sect and even engaging in a fight.

It will definitely damage the sect's reputation.

Of course, those people would love for them to cause trouble, so that they could justify targeting them.

In that case, they wouldn't need to participate in the martial arts competition and would be kicked out.

"Don't worry, senior sister. Dignity is never earned with words, but with fists."

Luo Fan put down his teacup, turned around and bowed, "It's just that I'm sorry to trouble the sect leader and Uncle Liu."

After hearing this, Xiong Chumo seemed to be thinking about something and glanced thoughtfully at Luo Fan.

Those beautiful eyes curved into crescent moons.

She wondered when this little rascal would finally use his tongue against her and then beat her with a stick.

"It's alright."

Fairy Yunxi waved her hand, "Since you're here, make the best of it. Settle in and stay for now."

"Yes."

Everyone responded and started cleaning.

Luo Fan stared in the direction the red gull had gone, a cold glint in his eyes.

Zhengyang Sect.

Wow, what a grand display!

I just don't know how long this prestige can last.

Meanwhile, deep within the Zhengyang Sect, in a secluded garden.

Sikong Jue stood with his hands behind his back, gazing indifferently at the koi swimming in the pond.

The moonlight shone on him, highlighting his tall and straight figure.

But deep within those eyes, there seemed to be an unyielding gloom.

"metropolitan."

The sound of a red gull rang out behind me.

Sikong Jue didn't turn around, but simply asked, "Is everything arranged?"

"This disciple has arranged for the people from Peach Blossom Temple to stay in the dilapidated courtyard in the West Garden."

Red Gull strode forward, bowed respectfully, and wore a smug look on his face.

"That place has been abandoned for many years, and there's a thick layer of dust on it. They don't even dare to fart."

"That kid surnamed Luo even pretended to remember our friendship, how ridiculous."

Red Gull spoke with great enthusiasm, as if he had done something extraordinary.

Sikong Jue's voice turned cold.

"idiot."

Red Gull was stunned, and the smug look on his face froze.

"Your little tricks have long been seen through."

Sikong Jue turned around and stared at the red gull.

"You think they're afraid to retaliate because they're scared? That's because they're smarter than you!"

The red gull's face turned pale, and it quickly lowered its head.

"Sect Master, please forgive me. This disciple only wanted to give them a warning."

"A show of force?"

Sikong Jue sneered, "Your show of force will only make them more vigilant and more united."

"That kid named Luo Fan was able to remain calm even after you provoked him."

He could even turn the tables on you; that kind of mentality is far superior to yours, you fool.

"But what really bothers me is..."

A look of doubt flashed in Sikong Jue's eyes, "I can't see through him at all."

Chi Ou was startled and stared blankly at Sikong Jue without saying a word.

He also knew that those who could come to Zhengyang Sect to participate in the martial arts competition were no ordinary people.

No matter how he looked at it, Luo Fan was only at the first level of Qi Refining, yet those people were all focused on him.

As far as he knew, that Xie Nan genius was the senior disciple of Peach Blossom Temple.

Is that kid pretending to be weak while actually being strong, or is he deliberately using a weakling at the first level of Qi Refining to act profound?

What is the purpose of Peach Blossom Temple doing this?

Don't they know that no matter how much they show off, once they step into the ring, their true abilities will be revealed?

Or do they think Luo Fan doesn't need to go on stage, and that the others can easily defeat them?

However, since we've come to the Zhengyang Sect, we have to abide by their rules.

"Send people to keep a close eye on them, including those from the Qingyun Sect and the Xuantian Sect."

Sikong Jue said again, "No mistakes can be made during the martial arts competition."

"yes!"

The red gull agreed, but seemed somewhat unconvinced.

In his view, those people at Peach Blossom Temple were nothing more than fish on a chopping board, unable to cause any trouble.

After he left, Sikong Jue stood in the garden for a while before walking deeper into the sect.

There is a forbidden area on the back mountain.

This place is shrouded in an array all year round, and ordinary disciples are not allowed to approach it.

Sikong Jue arrived at the forbidden area, took out a token, and infused it with several spells.

hum-

The array rippled, revealing a passage. Sikong Jue stepped in, and the passage immediately closed.

After passing through the deep tunnel, a huge underground palace came into view.

The entire structure is built of massive black stones, with eerie runes carved on the walls, exuding a chilling aura.

Deep inside the main hall, a dark figure sat cross-legged.

He was shrouded in a black robe, obscuring his face, with only a pair of dark eyes visible.

"Your Excellency."

Sikong Jue walked to the center of the main hall, bowed deeply, and showed utmost respect.

He was completely different from the previous sect leader in terms of his imposing presence.

"How did things go?"

The man in black robes spoke, his voice hoarse and chilling.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the people from the Qingyun, Xuantian, and Peach Blossom sects have all arrived and have been accommodated in the guest courtyard."

Sikong Jue said respectfully.

"For this martial arts competition, all three sects have sent their most elite disciples, especially Lin Hao from the Qingyun Sect and Qin Wushuang from the Xuantian Sect, both of whom are rare geniuses."

"If we can seize this opportunity to wipe them out in one fell swoop, the three sects will surely suffer heavy losses."

"At that time, we will secretly give them a push, and the destruction of the three sects will be just around the corner."

"very good."

The man in black robes nodded slightly. "Among those who came this time, is there anyone named Luo Fan?"

"This person does exist; he is a disciple of the Peach Blossom Temple."

Sikong Jue was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "How does Your Excellency know about him?"

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."

Sikong Jue's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly lowered his head, "It was my fault for speaking out of turn."

"Don't let him leave Zhengyang Sect alive."

The man in black robes spoke with an uncontrollable killing intent, "This boy must die."

"Understood!"

Sikong Jue nodded, "In martial arts competitions, swords and spears have no eyes; it's perfectly normal for one or two people to die."

The man in black robes fell silent, and the hall became deathly quiet.

Only the runes on the walls shimmered with an eerie green light in the darkness, like will-o'-the-wisps.

Sikong Jue stood for a moment longer, and seeing that the man in black robes had no further instructions, he bowed and said.

"If Your Majesty has no further instructions, I will take my leave."

Sikong Jue exited the main hall along the same route he had come from.

The man in the black robe looked up, revealing a pair of beautiful, yet eerily beautiful eyes.

"Luo Fan".

The man in black robes murmured the name, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"I'd like to see what kind of trouble you little bug can stir up."