Chapter 898: Chapter 898

What kind of person is Gui Zhen? He is a Great Elder of the Ghost Sect. Previously, among the Four Great Elders of the Spirit Sect, three of them were knocked down by this man. It's evident how formidable he is.

And yet, this formidable existence was forced to cough up blood by a greenhorn like Ding Fan. If not witnessed firsthand, who could possibly believe it?

At this moment, not only is it hard for others to believe, but even Gui Zhen finds it unbelievable.

To confront the Spirit Sect this time, the Ghost Sect had schemed for a long while. Gui Zhen, in order to complete this task, even consumed the Spirit Pill, the prized treasure of the Ghost Sect, raising his cultivation by at least two ranks.

Yet even so, he still failed to kill Ding Fan...

Whoosh... At this instant, Ye Tianshi's figure suddenly appeared directly in front of Ding Fan.

Ye Tianshi didn't waste words and gripped his longsword tightly, standing protectively before Ding Fan.

Gui Zhen glanced at Ye Tianshi. He knew that at this stage, annihilating the Spirit Sect and killing Ding Fan were goals that could no longer be achieved.

Though Ye Tianshi's cultivation was only at the peak of the Heavenly Level, Gui Zhen had been severely wounded by Ding Fan. Facing Ye Tianshi now, he truly no longer had the confidence to win.

"The Spirit Sect is fortunate. But whether you'll have such luck next time is hard to say." Gui Zhen coldly dropped these words, waved his hand toward the Ghost Sect disciples behind him.

Immediately, the Ghost Sect members transformed into black smoke and vanished from everyone's sight. Orıginal content can be found at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝕟𝕖𝕥

Luv Shanqi from the Spirit Sect hadn't even thought about sending someone to stop them.

Three of the Spirit Sect's Four Great Protectors were gravely injured. Fighting head-on with the Ghost Sect disciples within the Spirit Sect now would only destroy the foundation of the Spirit Sect and throw their home into chaos.

Settling scores with the Ghost Sect could wait—they had plenty of time...

"Honored guests, the Spirit Sect has encountered such turmoil. The sect competition is hereby canceled. Today, we won't delay you further. Please take your leave." Luv Shanqi, supported by disciples, stood up and addressed the numerous observing guests.

The crowd understood. Soon enough, led by disciples of the Spirit Sect, the guests gradually departed.

With disciples escorting the guests away, the Martial Arts Field soon became desolate.

Luv Shanqi and Zhang Shanlian exchanged glances before walking directly to Ding Fan.

In the recent clash with Gui Zhen, Ding Fan suffered significant internal injuries. Gui Zhen was truly too fierce. At this moment, Ruan Yuan and Ye Tianshi were tending to Ding Fan.

"Elder Luv Shanqi of the Spirit Sect."

"Elder Zhang Shanlian of the Spirit Sect."

The two spoke in unison, "We pledge to support Ding Fan as the Sect Master of our Spirit Sect."

After speaking, the two of them knelt onto one knee.

Ding Fan's eyebrows furrowed in surprise upon seeing this.

Ding Fan intervened to assist the Spirit Sect solely to repay the legacy of Senior Wen Yizhou. As for being the Spirit Sect Sect Master, he had never even considered it.

At this moment, not just Ding Fan but even Ye Tianshi and Ruan Yuan were taken aback.

After all, the Spirit Sect was one of the Three Great Inner Hidden Sects. And now, it was pledging to make Ding Fan its Sect Master...

"Senior elders, I, Ding Fan, cannot accept this…" Ding Fan shook his head and said, "Please, both of you, rise."

Seeing Ding Fan's reaction, Zhang Shanlian grew anxious and said, "The Spirit Sect has gone without a Sect Master for hundreds of years because, back then, the Red Pearl of the Seven-Colored Spirit Pearl went missing, and the Spirit Sect Technique was lost. We, the Four Great Elders, once made an oath: whoever could reunite the Seven-Colored Spirit Pearl and recover the Spirit Sect Technique would be our Sect Master."

As Zhang Shanlian spoke, he cast a glance at Ding Fan and continued, "You have inherited the legacy of Senior Wen Yizhou. Later, to save us, you slew Gui Luo and inadvertently obtained the Red Spirit Bead of the Seven-Colored Spirit Pearl. Today, you also received guidance from the soul body of Senior Ouyang. Ding Fan, all of this is fate. If you refuse to be our Sect Master, the two of us will die kneeling here."

Ding Fan hadn't foreseen that such an agreement existed between the Four Great Elders.

However, at this moment, Ding Fan suddenly recalled a certain matter.

Previously, after slaying Gui Luo, Ding Fan had wanted to hand the Red Spirit Bead to Zhang Shanlian. But at that time, Zhang Shanlian had flatly refused, insisting that Ding Fan keep the Red Spirit Bead as a gift.

Now that he thought of this, Ding Fan understood. Zhang Shanlian had started scheming back then.

Still, Ding Fan didn't resent Zhang Shanlian upon realizing this. On the contrary, his respect for the man deepened.

When Zhang Shanlian had the opportunity to become Sect Master by reclaiming the Red Spirit Bead, he gave up that chance and handed it to Ding Fan instead—clearly, this man was fully devoted to his sect.

"Zhao Shanhe, have you forgotten our earlier oath?" At this moment, Zhang Shanlian called out to Zhao Shanhe, who was still dazed.

Zhao Shanhe immediately hurried over and knelt on one knee. "Zhao Shanhe dares not forget. I, Zhao Shanhe, also pledge to support Ding Fan as the Sect Master of our Spirit Sect."

"Ding Fan, everything is ordained by destiny. Don't refuse any longer." At this moment, Luv Shanqi spoke to Ding Fan.

Now Ding Fan understood why Luv Shanqi had reacted the way he did when Ding Fan handed over the Red Spirit Bead. His words of "not bad" were likely not about the bead, but about Ding Fan himself.

Ding Fan pondered deeply.

Since he had received Senior Wen Yizhou's legacy, it was now his responsibility to restore the Spirit Sect to its former glory.

Ding Fan nodded. "Fine, I accept!"

Luv Shanqi, Zhang Shanlian, and Zhao Shanhe exchanged glances, their faces breaking into genuine smiles.

The Spirit Sect had gone without a Sect Master for centuries, and finally, that shame was erased today.

"Sect Master, what should we do about this traitorous scum?" After bowing, the three rose and turned their gazes to Feng Shanxing.

The chaos this time was all instigated by Feng Shanxing. Had he not colluded with the Ghost Sect, the Spirit Sect wouldn't have been on the verge of extermination by the Ghost Sect.

Though they avoided extermination, the Spirit Sect still suffered enormous losses. During the time the Spirit Sect disciples were trapped within the Ghost Soldiers Formation, at least dozens were slain by Wind Blade strikes—a significant blow to the sect.

Thus, Feng Shanxing had to die!

"Sect Master, I was wrong. Senior Lord Luv, Junior Brother Zhang, Junior Brother Zhao—I truly was wrong… I do not beg for survival; I only plead that you give me a chance to recover from my injuries so I may seek vengeance against the Ghost Sect myself..." Feng Shanxing knelt on the ground, begging pitifully.

This time, Feng Shanxing had indeed been completely ruined by the Ghost Sect, his name now synonymous with disgrace.

Luv Shanqi, Zhang Shanlian, and Zhao Shanhe all turned their gaze to Ding Fan.

Since Feng Shanxing betrayed the sect once, no one could guarantee he wouldn't do so again. Keeping someone like that nearby was certainly perilous.

But the Spirit Sect had just endured a catastrophe. Killing Feng Shanxing now might destabilize morale.

After some thought, Ding Fan said, "Let him enter the Forbidden Grounds and guard them for life."

Feng Shanxing's legs immediately went limp, his entire body collapsing to the ground.

The Forbidden Grounds were the place where Sect Masters and elders passed into burial. Not everyone could leave it alive, like Ding Fan once did.

For Feng Shanxing, entering the Forbidden Grounds was akin to a lifetime sentence.

"No… no… please, no…" Feng Shanxing began shaking his head frantically.

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Shanlian swiftly sealed several major acupoints on Feng Shanxing's body. With Feng unconscious, he was casually tossed aside.

Now, the Ghost Sect had been driven away, the traitor uncovered, and the Spirit Sect had finally ended its centuries-long absence of leadership.

Despite this progress, the sect competition's aftermath still required significant effort. The Ghost Soldiers Formation had killed dozens of Spirit Sect disciples who needed proper burial. Furthermore, Feng Shanxing's direct disciples needed consolation. In short, there was still much to be done.

Ding Fan didn't personally handle these chores; with three elders still present, these tasks were left to them.

Ding Fan wasn't idle either. He made a handwritten copy of the Spirit Sect Technique to facilitate disciples' cultivation. As for the Soul Manipulation Technique, he directly taught it to Zhang Shanlian.

Zhang Shanlian was a sincere elder whose actions prioritized Spirit Sect's safety, making him an ideal guardian for such techniques.

Over the next three days, everyone worked tirelessly and efficiently, gradually restoring the Spirit Sect's vitality.

As dawn broke one day, Ruan Yuan and Ye Tianshi came to find Ding Fan.

After driving away the Ghost Sect, Ye Tianshi and Ruan Yuan hadn't left. The Spirit Sect was bustling with activity, and Ding Fan, newly appointed as Sect Master, had been occupied with many affairs. Only now did they finally meet with him.

"Disciples of the Immortal Sect pay respects to Spirit Sect Sect Master Ding Fan..."

Upon seeing Ding Fan, Ruan Yuan abandoned his usual casual demeanor. He knelt on one knee, displaying utmost reverence.

Ding Fan was taken aback and quickly raised his hand in the air; an invisible force lifted Ruan Yuan to his feet. "Ruan Yuan, we are like brothers—there's no need for this formal behavior."

Ruan Yuan shook his head. "In private, I can treat you as a brother, but today I come to you on matters concerning the Immortal Sect."

Ding Fan suddenly recalled that Ruan Yuan had previously mentioned a letter from the Immortal Sect leader to deliver to the sect master of the Spirit Sect.

Ruan Yuan reached into his robes, pulling out a jade slip, and respectfully handed it to Ding Fan.

Ding Fan accepted it, infused his Divine Sense into the jade slip, and began examining the contents.

The message within was straightforward:

The Ghost Sect had risen, and now they had sealed off the passage between the Immortal Realm and Mortal Realm. The Immortal Sect leader hoped the Spirit Sect would step forward to uphold justice, and so on...

After reading the message, Ding Fan didn't immediately reply to Ruan Yuan. The Spirit Sect had suffered heavy losses recently, and to hastily go to war with the Ghost Sect was simply unrealistic.

"Sect Master Ding, the Ghost Sect grows increasingly arrogant. First, they sealed the passage between the Immortal Realm and the Mortal Realm. Then they sought to annihilate the Spirit Sect. If we don't act to curb their ambitions, both Spirit Sect and Immortal Sect may soon fall prey to the Ghost Sect," said Ruan Yuan.

"Brother Ruan, I will certainly not stand by idly regarding Immortal Sect matters. However, the Ghost Sect's current strength is unknown, and with the Spirit Sect ravaged, rushing headfirst into battle would likely invite disaster for our sect," Ding Fan said, pausing for emphasis. "I believe our priority should be finding the means to reopen the passage between the Immortal Realm and Mortal Realm. If the Immortal Sect and Spirit Sect join forces, our chances of victory will significantly increase."

Ding Fan's words were reasonable.

The Spirit Sect had been severely harmed, and the Ghost Sect's situation remained unclear. If the Spirit Sect attacked blindly, they would risk destruction.

"What should we do then?" Ruan Yuan asked.

"First, we must determine how the Ghost Sect managed to seal the passage between the Immortal Realm and Mortal Realm. Only then can we find an effective solution," Ding Fan replied.

Ruan Yuan nodded. "I'll take care of this matter."

"I'll accompany Ruan Yuan," Ye Tianshi chimed in suddenly.