Chapter 175: The Way of Hospitality

Lin Fan returned without making a sound. The plan to discipline Zhang Ergou had gradually taken shape in his mind, but the specifics still required careful thought.

Zhang Ergou, having suffered a heavy blow in life, would likely be dejected for a long time.

In the afternoon, as dusk approached, a group of uninvited guests arrived at Nameless Peak.

"Lin Fan, the sect has no place to house them, so let them stay here for one night," said Supreme Elder Wuyan, coming personally to speak.

"No problem, a warm welcome!" Lin Fan, upon hearing this, could hardly disagree. He was a hospitable person, and having friends come from afar was a joy.

"Elder, rest assured, I will take good care of them," Lin Fan said with a serious expression. Then, looking at the group of disciples from Nine Heavens Sect behind him, a faint, hospitable smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"There's no need for that. Tomorrow is the battle for the strongest prodigy, so we'll only be staying one night." Wuya nodded with a smile.

Although the morning's events had caused the Nine Heavens Sect to lose face, he believed that Lin Fan had not done it intentionally.

"Alright, no problem. My Nameless Peak is usually quiet and desolate, but now it's become lively." Then Lin Fan called out to Zhang Ergou, "Hurry up and arrange the accommodations. Remember, clear out the best spot in the western section."

Although Zhang Ergou had suffered emotional trauma today, he hid it well and immediately stepped forward with a smile.

"Come, come, fellow senior brothers, follow me." Though Zhang Ergou looked somewhat shabby, his warm and hospitable demeanor earned him a bit of goodwill.

At that moment, Xin Feng stared at Lin Fan with a resentful look. Today's events were still fresh in his mind, impossible to forget. Though the banquet was lavish, to Xin Feng it was tasteless; all he could think about was what had happened today.

Now that he had come to Nameless Peak and saw this fellow again, he naturally felt very displeased.

"Brother Yichu, please stay here for tonight." The elder on the platform, Wuya, said with a smile.

"Good, the environment here is quite nice, very quiet. Let the disciples rest well tonight, and they can achieve good rankings tomorrow." Liang Yichu had already put the morning's events behind him. Although he had lost some face, tomorrow's battle of the strongest prodigies would decide the outcome.

By then, regaining his dignity would be quite glorious.

"Elder Wuyan, leave this to me. I will fully demonstrate the hospitality of the Holy Sect and make it unforgettable for them." Lin Fan said, patting his chest.

Grand Elder Wuyan nodded with great satisfaction. To have such a disciple was indeed a blessing for the sect.

"Brother Yichu, then you should rest early." Wuyan took his leave from Liang Yichu as he departed.

...

After Grand Elder Wuyan left, Lin Fan's confident and earnest expression instantly changed, turning into a lecherous grin.

There is a path to heaven, but you refuse to walk it; there is no gate to hell, yet you come knocking. If I don't treat you properly, it won't reflect the customs of my Nameless Peak.

Tomorrow is the battle of the strongest prodigies. As a member of the Holy Sect, I naturally want the sect's disciples to achieve good rankings.

Lin Fan is not a despicable, shameless person. Such underhanded tactics are beneath him.

"Teacher, so many people have come!" Cai Zhiqiao clapped her hands happily, seeing the usually quiet Nameless Peak so crowded.

Lin Fan said nothing, quietly stroking Cai Zhiqiao's little head. His deep eyes glimmered with a hint of light as he looked at the disciples of the Nine Heavens Sect.

...

Night fell.

The disciples of the Nine Heavens Sect gathered together, and Liang Yichu spoke about the next day's matters.

"Tomorrow, in the battle of the strongest prodigies, you must all bring out your strongest strength and achieve good rankings." At this moment, Liang Yichu was full of confidence. The disciples who had come to participate in the competition were all elite disciples of the Nine Heavens Sect.

Especially his own disciples, who were the cream of the crop among prodigies. Although the morning's events had been somewhat unfavorable, in his view, it was merely a momentary lapse.

Tomorrow, on the competition stage, with fair play, it would be a different story.

“Elder, rest assured, tomorrow we will give our all and win first place,” the prodigy disciples of Nine Heavens Sect said confidently.

“Good, very good. Go back now, conserve your energy, and tomorrow we'll see your performance,” Liang Yichu said.

…

Meanwhile, in Lin Fan's residence.

Lin Fan, Zhang Ergou, Mie Qiongqi, and Feng Bujue sat together in a circle, discussing softly among themselves.

“Sect Leader, what do you plan to do tonight?” Zhang Ergou knew well the Sect Leader's prowess; these fellows wanting to spend a peaceful night on Nameless Peak was no simple matter.

Lin Fan looked at the brightly lit houses outside, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth. Then he beckoned, and the others leaned in, listening intently. Finally, the four exchanged glances and snickered slyly.

The night was very dark, and Nameless Peak was very quiet, with only the occasional night cry sounding.

The western houses were where the disciples of Nine Heavens Sect stayed.

Between each disciple's house were several other buildings.

Wang Yanglin was a prodigy disciple of Nine Heavens Sect. Although slightly inferior compared to Xin Feng, his cultivation and talent were not to be underestimated.

This time, representing Nine Heavens Sect in the Sacred Sect's battle for the strongest prodigy, he had naturally made ample preparations.

Although Senior Brother Xin Feng was very strong, Wang Yanglin was not without desire to challenge him.

At that moment, Wang Yanglin sat cross-legged on the bed, entering a cultivation state. Streams of qi, like flowing water, shot out from his nostrils, swirling around him, eventually converging into a single point above his head.

Just then, a noise came from outside. Wang Yanglin immediately opened his eyes, becoming somewhat alert.

“Senior Brother, is it true? Are there really ghosts on our Nameless Peak?”

“How would I know? But you surely don't know the origin of Nameless Peak, do you?”

“What origin?” The speaker's tone was tense.

“Nameless Peak was once called Heavenly Burial Peak, where disciples who died in battle for the sect were buried. Although the sect later relocated them, every night the temperature suddenly drops—that's when those restless spirits come out.”

…

“Senior Brother, don't scare me. I'm timid.”

“Don't worry. Even if those spirits come out, they won't harm us. We are their junior brothers after all.”

“Oh, oh…”

…

The voices outside gradually faded, but Wang Yanglin, who had heard these words, could no longer remain calm.

Heavenly Burial Peak? The burial place of disciples who died in the past.

This…

Wang Yanglin couldn't help but shudder. His somewhat nervous eyes scanned the surroundings; it really did seem colder.

Could there really be ghosts?

At that moment, Wang Yanglin stood up, warily surveying the area.