Chapter 170: One Should Not Be Too Xinfeng

Entering the training grounds of the inner disciples, Lin Fan found it much quieter here, not as lively as usual.

On some steep cliffs and beneath roaring waterfalls, he could see disciples training there.

Seeing these inner disciples training so hard, Lin Fan did not disturb them.

As Lin Fan walked toward the peak where the Sect Master resided, Zong Hentian approached him.

"Uncle Lin." When he saw Uncle Lin, a smile appeared on Zong Hentian's face. He hadn't seen Uncle Lin since returning from the siege.

"Nephew, seeing you so at ease, you must be very confident about the Strongest Heavenly Pride Competition," Lin Fan said with a smile.

Zong Hentian smiled awkwardly. "Uncle, please don't flatter me. I'm actually not confident at all, which is why I came out to clear my mind."

"The competition hasn't even started yet; why are you so lacking in confidence?" Lin Fan said.

"Uncle, I really have no confidence." Zong Hentian was under a lot of pressure now. Some junior brothers in the sect had high hopes for him in this competition.

But Zong Hentian knew best that he had no confidence in winning the Strongest Heavenly Pride Competition.

Three years ago, he had participated once and was toyed with by the Nine Heavens Sect's heavenly pride. In the past three years, he had worked hard and trained relentlessly. Although he had improved greatly, he still dared not claim he could win.

"Just do your best. By the way, tell me what this Strongest Heavenly Pride Competition is all about." Lin Fan and Zong Hentian sat down at a stone bench and talked.

"Uncle, this goes back three thousand years. At that time, the Saint Sect's Sect Master and the Nine Heavens Sect's Sect Master were sworn brothers. When they were still disciples, they met during a trial in a forbidden land and became close friends. But according to records, they once argued over whose sect's disciples were better. Neither would concede, so they established the Strongest Heavenly Pride Competition, which has continued to this day," Zong Hentian said.

"What rewards are there for winning?" Lin Fan asked.

"None," Zong Hentian shook his head.

Lin Fan was stunned. No rewards and still they fought so hard? He shook his head helplessly. "Then what's the point? Without rewards, how can the disciples have motivation?"

Hearing this, Zong Hentian immediately shook his head and corrected him. "Uncle, that's not it. Although there are no rewards, this competition is very important to the sect, so we absolutely cannot lose."

Seeing Zong Hentian like this, Lin Fan felt helpless. It seemed the Strongest Heavenly Pride Competition was just a rule set by the two ancestors three thousand years ago because neither would yield.

And the descendants had continued it to this day—truly exasperating.

"Well, do your best. I'm rooting for you." Lin Fan stood up, patted Zong Hentian on the shoulder, and prepared to leave.

"Yes, Uncle. I'll just do my best." Zong Hentian nodded in agreement.

...

Noon.

A huge war vessel appeared above the Saint Sect.

The disciples of the Saint Sect looked at the war vessel in the sky and whispered among themselves.

For some disciples, this was their first time seeing the Nine Heavens Sect, but for those who had experienced the triennial Strongest Heavenly Pride Competition, these Nine Heavens Sect disciples were utterly detestable.

Standing in the crowd, Lin Fan looked at the huge war vessel in the sky and couldn't help but marvel. Who said sects don't care about face? The Nine Heavens Sect was definitely a sect that valued face immensely.

This war vessel was several times larger than the Saint Sect's. If the Saint Sect's war vessel floated in the air, it would pale in comparison.

The reception was presided over by Supreme Elder Wuyan.

"Wuyan, it's been years. Your Saint Sect's territory seems to be getting smaller—you don't even have space to park our Nine Heavens Sect's war vessel," an old man with a white beard said from the war vessel with a laugh.

Lin Fan observed the situation and felt that this old man was quite something—full of gunpowder from the very first word.

"Brother Yichu, you've aged quite a bit in these few years. Since you're here, why not come down and catch up?" Supreme Elder Wuyan shook his head with a smile.

"Alright." At that moment, the Nine Heavens Sect's Supreme Elder Liang Yichu, his white robe fluttering in the wind, descended from the war vessel and landed before Wuyan.

Only then did Lin Fan get a clear look at the Nine Heavens Sect's Supreme Elder.

He was not tall, somewhat round like a roly-poly toy, with a big belly as if he were ten months pregnant.

The two Supreme Elders looked at each other, their calm eyes seemingly filled with infinite bromance.

"Haha." They stared at each other for a long time, then burst into laughter and embraced, as if their bond was very deep.

The Saint Sect and the Nine Heavens Sect had a long history. Three thousand years ago, the two ancestors became friends, and over time, their bond had naturally deepened.

Of course, this was only true for the older generation. For the younger disciples, it was a different story.

"Alright, all of you come down." Liang Yichu waved his sleeve, the war vessel gradually shrank, and one by one, the Nine Heavens Sect's heavenly pride disciples flew down from the vessel.

Each one looked arrogant, scanning the Saint Sect with sharp eyes.

"Brother Wuyan, what do you think?" Liang Yichu said with a smile. He was very satisfied with this generation of disciples; many talents had emerged. Bringing them to the Saint Sect was also a way to show off.

Wuyan glanced at them, stroked his white beard, and remained silent for a long time before finally smiling. "Not bad, not bad. There are several good seedlings."

"Brother Wuyan, that's not fair. Are they just good seedlings?" Liang Yichu said.

Wuyan smiled but said nothing, though he felt a bit displeased. However, he had to admit that among the disciples who came this time, several were extraordinary seedlings.

They could be compared to the sect's Mie Qiongqi from three years ago, but that Mie Qiongqi... alas.

Lin Fan looked at the dozens of Nine Heavens Sect disciples and sighed inwardly. They were indeed formidable.

But something was off about these Nine Heavens Sect disciples.

Each one had their nostrils in the air, as if they were the best under heaven. Some even clasped their hands behind their backs, posing as supreme masters.

Their aloof demeanor, as if looking down on everyone, made one want to punch them.

The surrounding Saint Sect disciples whispered among themselves.

"Look at that guy's expression—I really want to hit him."

"Yeah, and that one too. His look seems to say he doesn't take our Saint Sect seriously. It's really annoying."

"Hmph, they're putting on airs now. When the competition starts, the inner sect senior brothers will teach them a lesson."

...

"Brother Wuyan, let me show you my personal disciple. Xinfeng, come pay your respects to Senior Wuyan." Liang Yichu called to a disciple behind him.

Among the front row of Nine Heavens Sect disciples, a handsome young man with a calm expression stepped forward. Each step he took was exceptionally slow, yet in an instant, he was beside Liang Yichu.

Earth Shrinking to an Inch.

An extremely profound technique.

"Xinfeng, pay your respects to Senior Wuyan," Liang Yichu said.

"Mm." Xinfeng looked at Supreme Elder Wuyan and simply nodded indifferently, as if that sufficed as a greeting.

"Brother Wuyan, I apologize. My disciple has this personality; no matter how I try to change him, he won't." Liang Yichu said with a smile, but his meaning was clear: my disciple is just arrogant, and there's nothing I can do about it.

Supreme Elder Wuyan shook his head with a smile, indicating he didn't mind.

Lin Fan looked at this Xinfeng, and ten thousand grass-mud horses galloped through his heart. This guy was even more arrogant than himself. It seemed he needed to be put in his place.

To make him understand that one should not be too Xinfeng.