By now, everyone knew that the Murong sisters had both passed the trial tower, lasting seven days and seven nights before clearing it completely.
"There's no way anyone could score higher than them, right?"
"Ha! Don't make me laugh. Who could possibly take less time than the Murong sisters?"
"Forget the time— even Senior Brother Wang Teng only made it to the eighth floor. I doubt anyone other than them could pass the ninth!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, their eyes full of admiration and awe for Murong Bing and Murong Xue.
At that moment, everyone understood something deep in their hearts—They and the Murong sisters no longer stood on the same level.
"Did you see that? My little sister Murong Xue has the qualifications of an Immortal," Murong Bing said.
A sharp voice followed, "Junior Brother Zhang, take my advice—stay away from my little sister. Don't overestimate yourself."
Murong Bing had appeared beside Zhang Fan at some point, speaking with a cold tone.
Zhang Fan didn't even look at her—too lazy to reply.
Murong Bing frowned. "Why aren't you saying anything?"
Zhang Fan stayed silent, eyes fixed on the Sect Elder.
Cough, cough.
The Sect Elder's voice rang out, "This competition is over. The top three are Murong Bing, Murong Xue, and Wang Teng. Let us all—"
"Wait!"
Zhang Fan suddenly spoke, startling everyone.
What was going on?
"I'm also a disciple of the Blazing Heaven Sect, aren't I?" Zhang Fan shouted.
The cry drew the attention of everyone present, including Blazing Heaven Sect's Sect Leader high in the sky, and Jian Wuhen of the Myriad Sword Sect.
The Sect Elder's eyes narrowed.
"Presumptuous! Who do you think you are?" he barked. "The trial record stele is right here with everyone's results. Do you have any objections? Are you questioning me?"
Zhang Fan frowned. "Elder, what do you mean, questioning you? I haven't even attempted the trial yet—how can you claim my result is already on that stele?"
"Impossible!" The Sect Elder shook his head, voice firm. "Absolutely impossible! The list is here with me. Every Qi Refining disciple in my Blazing Heaven Sect is on it!"
Ah.
Now Zhang Fan understood.
"Oh… Elder Wang, that's probably because I only just broke through to the first level of Qi Refining today, so my name wouldn't be on the list yet," Zhang Fan said with a smile.
"Hahaha! So that's the case? Then there's no need to test," the Sect Elder chuckled. "This competition is to select the top three. You just broke through—you couldn't possibly reach the top, let alone the top three."
The disciples around them nodded in agreement.
Zhang Fan's expression hardened. "The trial tower adjusts its Demonic Beasts to match the challenger's realm. Whether you're at the first level of Qi Refining or the peak, the challenge is balanced. So, Elder, why are you so sure I can't clear the ninth floor? How can you be certain I won't place in the top three?"
Ridicule erupted from the crowd.
"Shameless! Do you really think you can compare to the Murong sisters? Or to Senior Brother Wang Teng?"
"You just broke through, your realm is unstable, and you want to clear the ninth floor? Ridiculous!"
The Sect Elder waved for silence before saying coldly, "It doesn't matter if you can or can't clear it. This is the official Sect Grand Competition list—and your name is not on it!"
His spiritual aura surged as he glared at Zhang Fan.
Zhang Fan's eyes were like ice. "Elder Wang, this competition was requested by Wan Jianfeng. They specifically required every Blazing Heaven Sect disciple in the Qi Refining realm to participate—no exclusions. The trial tower is based on cultivation base, which means they're testing combat power, not just realm level. By blocking my entry, are you looking down on me… or looking down on Myriad Sword Sect?"
The Sect Elder froze.
Zhang Fan himself was no threat.But dragging Myriad Sword Sect name into this was dangerous.
Myriad Sword Sect—the largest sect in all of Azure Cloud Continent.
Not something a mere Blazing Heaven Sect Elder could defy.
Murong Xue suddenly spoke up."Elder Wang! If you won't let my brother Zhang Fan attempt the trial, then I won't be joining the top three in attending Eastern Peerless Genius Martial Tournament!"
Murong Bing turned, intending to stop her sister—but one glance from Murong Xue made her pause.
Her gentle, soft-spoken sister suddenly carried a steel-like resolve.
"This is getting interesting," murmured Jian Wuhen high in the clouds, eyes on Zhang Fan.
The two talented Murong sisters were impressive, but not enough to stir his interest. What captured his interest was Zhang Fan's courage—openly defying a Sect Elder, even accusing him of disrespecting Myriad Sword Sect .
"Let him in," Jian Wuhen said calmly. "It'll only take a few minutes. No need to make it so complicated."
Blazing Heaven Sect Leader Li Guang nodded. "Agreed."
Murong Bing and Murong Xue moved to stand beside Zhang Fan.
Elder Wang's jaw tightened. Then his expression shifted as Li Guang's voice reached him through a sound transmission.
His anger simmered, but he forced a smile. "Fine. You really don't know life from death? Then go in! Let's see if you can pass the ninth floor. Let's see if you can get into the top three. I want to know what skills you have that make the Murong sisters support you so much!"
Zhang Fan smirked. "Then watch closely, Elder."
Elder Wang sneered. "If you make the top three, I'll dig out my own eyes!"
The disciples mocked.
"Zhang Fan, you just broke through and your realm is unstable. And you still think you can place top three? Don't make us laugh! If you do, I'll dig out my own eyes too!"
Zhang Fan chuckled. "When the time comes, make sure you do it cleanly."
His confidence only made the laughter grow.
The truth was, if anyone else had spoken like this, they wouldn't have been mocked so hard.
But Zhang Fan was different.
He was too close to Murong Bing and Murong Xue—and Murong Bing was the most gifted and beautiful woman in the Blazing Heaven Sect, every young man's dream.
And here she was, standing beside a previously unknown newcomer like Zhang Fan.
That alone was enough for the crowd to seize this perfect chance to ridicule him.
Look