Chapter 892: Chapter 892

Ding Fan glanced at the crowd in the Martial Arts Field. Most of them seemed quite young, likely no older than twenty-five. It was apparent that these people were probably the Spirit Sect disciples participating in the tournament.

What truly astonished Ding Fan was that these young talents all possessed remarkable cultivation levels. Grade Eight or Grade Nine were almost commonplace, and even those at the Peak of Earth Level were abundant. Ding Fan even spotted several individuals with Heavenly Level cultivation.

Judging by this, the Spirit Sect truly lived up to its reputation of being teeming with talent. Indeed, the Hidden Sect Spirit Sect was deserving of its fame.

"Ahead is the resting area for esteemed guests, please proceed." Wan Fangya said to Ding Fan and the others.

Ding Fan nodded in acknowledgment, and the group followed Wan Fangya across the Martial Arts Field.

After crossing the Martial Arts Field, they finally arrived at a garden.

In truth, this could be more accurately described as a Medicinal Garden. The large courtyard was planted mostly with medicinal herbs, but due to the artistic arrangement, it exuded a certain elegance.

At the end of the garden, stood a pavilion.

The pavilion was not particularly grand, yet it possessed a rustic charm.

At the entrance of the pavilion, there was a writing desk. Presently, a middle-aged man was stationed there, accompanied by a young female disciple of the sect.

With just a cursory glance, Ding Fan discerned that this was likely the location for registering gifts presented by the observers.

Before Ding Fan's group, a few individuals were already there presenting their gifts. The middle-aged man was meticulously recording each offering.

After those people departed, Ding Fan's group stepped forward.

The sect's young female disciple standing nearby promptly performed a Martial Artist greeting. "Welcome, honored guests, to the Spirit Sect tournament."

Gui Zhen immediately strode forward, retrieving a dark red pearl from his belongings. "Ghost Sect, Gui Zhen. Gift presentation: one Red Blood Bright Pearl."

Red Blood Bright Pearl?

Ruan Yuan's eyes lit up in surprise.

This item was known to be an extraordinary treasure. It was said that only Grade Nine Yuan Beasts residing thousands of meters beneath the Deep Sea possessed it.

Grade Nine Yuan Beasts were incredibly difficult to hunt, and they were exceedingly rare. Simply encountering one was already a tall order, let alone battling and slaying one far beneath the deep sea. Thus, the preciousness of the Red Blood Bright Pearl was evident.

Beyond the extreme difficulty in acquiring it, the Red Blood Bright Pearl also had formidable uses—it could expand one's Divine Sense and strengthen Telekinesis.

Truly, it was a rare treasure that could only be obtained by chance, not sought after deliberately.

Gui Zhen certainly spared no expense; to offer such an invaluable treasure was remarkable.

The middle-aged man in charge of recording the gifts diligently penned down his notes.

"Our Ghost Sect comes to the Spirit Sect with utmost sincerity. I wonder, what kind of treasure does the Immortal Sect have to offer? Perhaps you could enlighten us." Gui Zhen turned his gaze to Ruan Yuan as he spoke.

Gui Zhen's voice was loud and clear, drawing the attention of other guests who, upon hearing that the Immortal Sect was present, were curious as to the gift they might present.

Ruan Yuan's brows furrowed slightly. He had not been informed of the Spirit Sect tournament upon departing the Immortal Sect, and thus, had brought no preparations whatsoever.

At this moment, being openly challenged by Gui Zhen, failing to deliver something noteworthy would not just tarnish Ruan Yuan's reputation—it would bring disgrace upon the Immortal Sect as a whole.

But Ruan Yuan had genuinely come unprepared.

Just as Ruan Yuan was at a loss for what to do, Ding Fan stepped forward. "The Immortal Sect's gift is here."

As Ding Fan spoke, he retrieved a Red Pearl from his belongings.

When Gui Zhen's eyes landed on the Red Pearl, his gaze instantly became intense and focused.

"Immortal Sect, Ruan Yuan. Gift presentation: one Red Spirit Bead." Ding Fan promptly offered the gift on Ruan Yuan's behalf.

The Red Spirit Bead had been obtained by Ding Fan after he slew Gui Luo. At the time, Zhang Shanlian had mentioned that this Red Spirit Bead was one of the Spirit Sect's Seven-Colored Spirit Pearls.

This Red Spirit Bead had originally been in the possession of Wen Yizhou, who later disappeared, causing the bead to vanish along with him. For many years, this was a source of unrest within the Spirit Sect.

Ding Fan had initially intended to hand the Red Spirit Bead to Zhang Shanlian, but Zhang Shanlian had repeatedly declined to accept it. Since it was going to the Spirit Sect anyway, presenting the gift under the Immortal Sect's name seemed just as fitting. This way, he could also assist Ruan Yuan in resolving his momentary predicament.

As for Gui Zhen's piercing gaze, Ding Fan appeared wholly indifferent. Ding Fan knew that Ghost Sect members would undoubtedly recognize the Red Spirit Bead, and Gui Zhen was sure to realize that this bead had been in the possession of Gui Luo.

Thus, Gui Zhen would certainly know that Ding Fan was the one who had slain Gui Luo.

"The Red Spirit Bead…" The middle-aged man recording the gifts, who had previously maintained an impeccable composure, suddenly stood up upon seeing the Red Spirit Bead.

At that moment, anyone could see how visibly moved the middle-aged man was.

The man carefully cradled the bead in his hands, his palms trembling ever so slightly, and his eyes even beginning to redden.

"It's… it's actually real…"

Those nearby, witnessing the middle-aged man's reaction, immediately began speculating about the value of the Red Spirit Bead.

"What kind of treasure is the Red Spirit Bead?"

"It must be extraordinary. Earlier, the Spirit Sect didn't react to the Red Blood Bright Pearl given by the Ghost Sect, but seeing this Red Spirit Bead, they're so emotionally stirred—it speaks volumes about its significance."

"The Immortal Sect does live up to its name…"...

Ruan Yuan, listening to the murmurs around him, understood that Ding Fan had helped him restore the dignity of the Immortal Sect.

But seeing the Spirit Sect disciples react so passionately, Ruan Yuan realized that the Red Spirit Bead must be an astonishing treasure. Disciples of the Hidden Sect were well-versed in identifying treasures, and anything that could elicit such a reaction was certainly no ordinary bead.

In that moment, Ruan Yuan felt deeply grateful toward Ding Fan.

"Esteemed guests, please compose yourselves." Just as the Spirit Sect disciples were still caught up in their excitement, a white-haired elder appeared and walked over slowly.

The presence of this white-bearded elder was imposing, and all the Spirit Sect disciples immediately stood obediently aside upon his arrival.

"Esteemed guests, was this Red Spirit Bead presented by you?" The elder's tone was kind and warm.

"Yes." Ding Fan didn't lie, since Zhang Shanlian had been present that day when he obtained the Red Spirit Bead from Gui Luo.

"Good, good, good." The elder repeated the word "good" several times before turning away and leaving.

Ding Fan wasn't sure what the elder meant by those words, but considering that renowned experts often had eccentric personalities, he thought little of it.

Eventually, everyone completed the gifting process, and the group ascended the pavilion.

On the pavilion, numerous tables and chairs were arranged, with pastries and tea set atop them. Judging from the layout, there were at least forty tables, and many guests were already seated as Ding Fan and his companions arrived.

Ding Fan, Ye Tianshi, and Ruan Yuan found a quiet table to sit at. Gui Zhen, however, chose a table not far from them.

Wan Fangya had other guests to tend to, so after bidding Ding Fan and the others farewell, he withdrew hastily.

Once seated, Spirit Sect disciples approached to serve tea. Ding Fan leisurely sipped his tea in silence.

"Have you heard? The Spirit Sect hasn't had a sect master in years. For all this time, the sect has been run jointly by the Four Great Protectors." Someone at a nearby table began a discussion.

"Yes, I've heard that too. It's quite unfortunate; for a Hidden Sect like the Spirit Sect, lacking a sect master will surely impact its future."

"It's a difficult situation. The Four Great Protectors refuse to yield to one another. No matter who becomes sect master, the Spirit Sect would be torn apart in infighting."

"What a pity for Wen Yizhou, who once dominated the martial world with his cultivation…"

"On another note, I've heard rumors that Feng Shanxing has been rapidly rising in power and may have obtained Wen Yizhou's inheritance."

"If true, that would indeed be a fortunate event for the Spirit Sect."

Ding Fan remained silent, listening.

Feng Shanxing? Zhang Shanlian?

Both of them bore the surname "Shan," suggesting they might be the highest-ranking members of the Spirit Sect.

Yet, the mention of Feng Shanxing inheriting Wen Yizhou's legacy struck Ding Fan as peculiar. Back when Wen Yizhou's soul was trapped, Ding Fan felt that Wen Yizhou would be unlikely to leave any inheritance.

Still, without knowing more, Ding Fan refrained from commenting.

"Honored guests… First of all, thank you for attending the Spirit Sect's tournament. I am Zhao Shanhe, and I apologize for any shortcomings in hospitality."

At this moment, an elder stepped onto the pavilion and addressed the crowd.

Zhao Shanhe's speech consisted largely of formal niceties—mostly expressions of gratitude for their attendance. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵

Since the main event of the Spirit Sect tournament was scheduled for the next day, Zhao Shanhe concluded with an invitation to a grand banquet that evening, encouraging everyone to join.

Ding Fan had no interest in attending such an event. He had come to the Spirit Sect primarily as a favor to Zhang Shanlian.

After Zhao Shanhe's remarks, he stepped down. The guests continued sipping tea and conversing.

It was at this moment that a female Spirit Sect disciple approached. "Honored guest, here is a note for you."

She handed a Jade Slip to Ding Fan.

Ding Fan used his Divine Sense to probe the Jade Slip, which contained a simple and concise message. It read:

Behind the pavilion, in the bamboo grove.

The message bore no signature. Ding Fan was momentarily puzzled. In the Spirit Sect, the person he was most familiar with was Zhang Shanlian. Could this note have been left by Zhang Shanlian? Could he be in trouble?

With these thoughts in mind, Ding Fan instructed Ye Tianshi and Ruan Yuan to wait for him.

Although Gui Zhen continued to eye Ruan Yuan warily, the Spirit Sect's grounds were neutral territory, and Ruan Yuan represented the Immortal Sect. Gui Zhen wouldn't dare act against Ruan Yuan here.

Ye Tianshi and Ruan Yuan didn't know what Ding Fan was about to do, but they trusted he had his reasons.

Ding Fan promptly rose, descending the pavilion and heading toward the bamboo grove.

The bamboo grove wasn't small.

The bamboo here was distinctly different from that found elsewhere—each stalk was jet black and gleaming like polished metal. If not for the leaves, one might mistake it for crafted material.

Ding Fan entered the bamboo grove.

Upon entering, he discovered that within the grove, his Divine Sense was significantly weakened; the distance he could perceive was drastically reduced from twenty kilometers to merely tens of meters.

This was only because Ding Fan possessed an extraordinarily strong Divine Sense. For an ordinary Martial Artist, their Telekinesis would be rendered completely ineffective here.

Circling the edge of the grove, Ding Fan found no sign of Zhang Shanlian. Just as he was puzzling over the situation, a figure appeared before him.

"You're the one who bullied my junior sister!" The newcomer pointed directly at Ding Fan.