novelraw Chapter 271 : Held a Grudge
Chapter 271 : Held a Grudge
Chapter 271: Held a Grudge
Seeing the two leave, Senior Brother also did not pursue the matter further. He turned and glanced at Gu Fan, saying:
“Junior Brother Gu, you’ve worked hard. Are you injured?”
Gu Fan checked his body. Aside from the injuries caused by the first two bows of The Underworld King Bows His Head, there were basically no other wounds.
Moreover, his physical body was strong and his vitality was vigorous. If Senior Brother had asked a bit later, he might have already recovered.
“Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I'm fine, just a bit exhausted earlier.”
Senior Brother nodded in satisfaction at his words.
“Very well. Prepare yourself. That’s enough for today. Let’s get ready to return.”
After that, he exchanged a few words with Wu Ze and Zhao Kongcheng on the other side and prepared to lead everyone away.
On the way back, Gu Fan was still puzzled. They had only just begun—why were they leaving already? Didn't this render the gathering meaningless?
Xia Yanhuan noticed Gu Fan’s confusion and explained:
“Don’t be fooled by how indifferent Senior Brother looks now. He’s actually very protective. You’ll understand in a few days.”
“Besides, since things have already turned sour with Severing Immortal Palace, there’s no need to remain there. Illusory Sea City and Meteorfall Tower have always been our old friends, so there's no need to worry about our relationship with them.”
“So that’s how it is. Otherwise, if this happened because of me, I’d feel a bit guilty.”
Xia Yanhuan patted Gu Fan’s shoulder and said with some dissatisfaction:
“What are you thinking? When we disciples of the Immortal Ai Sect go out, we are a whole. Never mind Senior Brother—even if a full brawl had broken out just now, even Qingxia would have stepped in to help you. This is our sect’s bottom line when out in the world. No matter how deep the grudge, outsiders are still outsiders!”
Gu Fan was momentarily stunned. He suddenly recalled the battle where he fell out with the Holy Son back in the Rift Battlefield. If the Holy Son had thought this way back then, perhaps he wouldn't have ended up in this world!
“In any case, just watch—those two from Severing Immortal Palace won’t get away.”
Xia Yanhuan said with a bright smile on her face, as if she already knew what would happen to those two next.
“But Junior Brother Gu, you really are something. Such terrifying means… I’m very curious, what exactly was that technique you used just now? You couldn’t even control it yourself, and it took the chief disciples of four sects acting together to barely restrain it.”
“If they had been just a step slower, and that thing had exploded, not only would the sect have paid a heavy price, but you yourself likely wouldn’t have fared well—if not dead, then severely injured!”
Gu Fan smiled and said:
“It’s a desperate trump card. If I could control it, how would it still count as desperate? Only when one gambles even their own life does it qualify as a true last resort, right?”
Xia Yanhuan was momentarily stunned. That made sense.
Every time Gu Fan had defeated a stronger foe, hadn’t it always been by staking everything he had cultivated?
With such resolve, no wonder he could sweep through any opponent below the Celestial Heart Realm while still at the Mid-stage Solar Radiance Realm.
As Xia Yanhuan sighed with admiration, the group quickly returned to the inn where they were staying.
Gu Fan entered his room and saw Ruo Xi lying on the bed safe and sound. The formation had no signs of being disturbed, which finally put him at ease.
Then he resumed cultivating to prepare for the battles in the upcoming grand assembly.
After all, he had just arrived at the Xuan Feather Immortal Sect today and already felt the strength of geniuses from various sects.
In the Immortal Ai Sect, there were now only a handful of disciples who could pose a threat to him. But here in the Eastern Region Assembly, even random nobodies could fight him to a standstill.
Especially that strange battle technique used by Hu Xiaofeng—it gave him chills for the first time.
Formless, colorless, undetectable, and unavoidable—it could only be met head-on.
Hu Xiaofeng had merely held three incense sticks and bowed twice toward him, and he was already injured. If that third bow had landed, he might have been seriously wounded!
This mysterious lethal method evoked a fear of the unknown.
The Underworld King Bows His Head — a bizarre and powerful curse-type battle technique.
"Indeed, no one should be underestimated. If this battle technique were executed by a stronger opponent, I might not have survived..."
Thinking of this, Gu Fan recalled the passive state he was in during the last exchange with Qingxia. That wondrous and profound movement technique called Sorcerous God Carefree Steps had nearly overturned him with its Divine Soul Attack.
If it weren't for his powerful Divine Soul and his ability to redirect part of the damage to the Evil Lotus body, he might not have endured it.
In conclusion, Gu Fan felt that his offensive methods were sufficient for now, and his physical defense was solid, but he lacked a means to defend against Divine Soul Attacks.
He had to make up for this weakness as soon as possible whenever he had the time!
Just like that, during the following days leading up to the beginning of the assembly, everyone stayed there.
Sometimes, Senior Brother would lead everyone out to interact with familiar sects, strengthening relationships.
Other times, everyone cultivated separately in their respective rooms.
Until the fifth day, a voice suddenly echoed in the minds of all seven.
Gu Fan raised his eyebrows and instantly appeared in Senior Brother’s room.
There, the Grand Elder who had been missing for several days had returned and summoned them all to Senior Brother’s room.
"Tomorrow marks the official start of the assembly. At that time, follow behind me to enter."
"Remember, once inside, unless your name is called to participate in the battle, do not act rashly!"
Upon hearing this, the seven of them cupped their hands and said:
"Understood, Grand Elder!"
The Grand Elder then looked toward Gu Fan and said:
"I heard that a few days ago, you had an exchange with the vice seat disciple of Severing Immortal Palace?"
"Yes, Grand Elder."
The Grand Elder stroked his white beard and looked at Gu Fan with a calm expression as he asked:
"What was the result?"
This question was not directed at Gu Fan, but rather at Senior Brother.
Senior Brother immediately cupped his fists and replied:
"Junior Brother Gu Fan’s strength is astounding; he narrowly won."
"Hmph, then why did I hear someone broke the rules afterward?"
No one said a word. Gu Fan noticed that Senior Brother’s lips moved slightly—it was obvious he was explaining the situation via Voice Transmission.
After listening, the Grand Elder nodded and said:
"In that case, if you encounter disciples from Severing Immortal Palace during the battle, don’t hold back. Our Immortal Ai Sect may be known for our good temperament, but that doesn’t mean just anyone can trample over us."
He then cast a sideways glance at Senior Brother and said:
"Especially you. If you encounter that so-called chief disciple, beat him to death for me! A mere dog bastard dares to act so arrogant!"
The corner of Senior Brother’s mouth twitched slightly, but in the end, he still replied with a wry smile:
"I understand, Elder."
"If I run into Hu Xiaohai from Severing Immortal Palace, I guarantee he’ll regret attending this assembly."
After saying this, the Grand Elder turned and left.
"Tomorrow morning, I’ll be waiting for you outside!"
As Gu Fan watched the Grand Elder’s departing figure, he suddenly felt a trace of unfamiliar sentiment toward Immortal Ai Sect.
This was the first time he had ever felt this way.
Neither in the lower realm's Heavenly Evil Sect nor in the Brahma God Sect had he felt this sense of protection from a sect.
To him, a sect had always been a tool—he used the sect's resources to grow stronger, and the sect used its disciples’ strength to acquire more resources.
It was nothing more than a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship.
Yet Immortal Ai Sect was the first to make him feel like there was a reliable support behind him!