NOVEL NEXT Ch. 106
Chapter 106: The True Purpose Behind the Rumors
Thus, because of that single sentence, Gu Fan had already become known within the sect as a pretty boy.
To this, Gu Fan could only secretly curse Nanyun a few times. As for clearing up the misunderstanding, that was essentially impossible.
Such things only got worse the more one tried to explain.
Moreover, although his reputation took a hit, in terms of benefits, it didn’t seem to have any real drawbacks.
The second matter, however, was rather thought-provoking.
Because of that battle in the arena area, Gu Fan’s name had begun to gain some recognition.
Now, rumors even claimed that Gu Fan had crossed an entire major realm to fight against a disciple at the True Yang Realm.
It was said that this True Yang Realm disciple returned to Sumeru Peak and directly compared Gu Fan to the former Holy Son.
It was rumored that back then, the Holy Son also once defeated an enemy across a whole major realm, creating the legend of defeating a True Yang Eighth Layer cultivator with only the Eighth Layer of the Primordial Yang Realm.
And this time, Gu Fan fought against the Fourth Layer of the True Yang Realm while only being at the Third Layer of the Primordial Yang Realm—equally outrageous.
On Huang Lin’s side, he had directly admitted that if Senior Brother Nanyun of Overlord Peak hadn’t come to stop the fight, he would certainly have lost within ten moves!
This immediately stirred discussions among disciples across the ten main peaks. Even Huang Lin himself admitted defeat—this alone proved Gu Fan’s terrifying strength.
Crossing eleven minor realms, it was even more exaggerated than the Holy Son’s record in the past!
Over time, the content of the rumors began to shift.
Things like “Gu Fan’s talent is no less than the Holy Son’s, only lacking time!”
“If Gu Fan had competed in the same era as the Holy Son, the winner would not be certain!”
“Gu Fan’s goal is aimed directly at the position of the Holy Son…”
And so on.
These words seemed like compliments to Gu Fan and Overlord Peak, but in reality, only a few noticed their malicious undertones.
This was an attempt to intensify the conflict between Overlord Peak and the Holy Son.
If this matter truly reached the Holy Son’s ears, and Gu Fan actually came under his attention, it would hardly be a good thing.
Between geniuses, there was only one outcome—one must fall!
From this, it could be seen that the person or force behind spreading the second rumor was harboring deeply malicious intent!
Inside Overlord Palace of Overlord Peak, this was Gu Fan’s second time meeting Fang Xue.
Fang Xue stared at Gu Fan with an expressionless gaze, scanning him up and down repeatedly. Then she looked into his eyes, as if able to see through his very thoughts.
“What’s your take on the rumors outside?”
Seeing this, Gu Fan immediately cried out his innocence.
“Senior Sister, this really isn’t my fault. If you want to blame someone, blame that big mouth Senior Brother Nanyun. I didn’t fabricate anything about the two of us!”
“Besides, this rumor is also a blow to my dignity!”
Fang Xue was momentarily stunned, then sneered coldly.
“So you’re saying I tarnished your reputation?”
“No, no, no! I mean we’re both victims here—we should give Senior Brother Nanyun a proper lesson!”
Seeing Fang Xue remain silent, Gu Fan added another line.
“I’m mostly just worried about affecting Senior Sister’s reputation, you see?”
After hearing this, Fang Xue chuckled softly, her tone unreadable.
“I was referring to the other rumor—the one about you and the Holy Son.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Fan also put away his joking demeanor.
This matter, while not huge, wasn’t exactly trivial either—it all depended on how the Holy Son himself viewed it.
As the sect’s strongest disciple, to him, Gu Fan was currently just a joke—not worth mentioning.
But if he was the petty type, with just a few tricks, Gu Fan could be crushed to pieces.
“This matter has wide implications. Nearly everyone present saw your battle across a whole major realm—it can’t be hidden.”
“On top of that, your Nine Rings talent will soon be known as well. Even if the Holy Son doesn’t care, those under him will surely keep making trouble for you!”
Gu Fan’s mouth twitched. Ever since arriving in the Upper Realm, nothing had gone smoothly. Why did everything seem to be coming straight at him?
“Senior Sister, have you ever met the Holy Son?”
“Of course I have.”
“Then what kind of person is he?”
Gu Fan felt it was time to start understanding his opponent. Ever since he joined the Brahma God Sect, people had repeatedly mentioned this Holy Son.
All spoke of how heaven-defying and monstrous his strength was.
Even Fang Xue had lost to him eight times!
Upon hearing Gu Fan’s question, Fang Xue fell into a brief recollection, then spoke calmly without any emotion:
“A powerful, mysterious person, perfect in every aspect of personality.”
Gu Fan was stunned.
“Senior Sister, even you call him perfect, so why do you still oppose him?”
“Heh.”
Fang Xue sneered a few times.
“Precisely because of that, I dislike him. No one is perfect. I can see through the hypocrisy beneath his facade!”
After saying that, she looked toward Gu Fan.
“Your talent is truly strong. Your combat power exceeded my expectations, battling across an entire major realm…”
“Perhaps once your root bone issue is resolved, you might truly be able to suppress the Holy Son!”
Gu Fan laughed heartily but said nothing.
Fang Xue returned to herself and reminded Gu Fan,
“Keep a low profile for now. In a few days, my materials will be ready. At that time, we’ll finish tempering your root bone first.”
“Then Overlord Peak will participate in the annual Ten Peaks Battle. Once your root bone issue is resolved, you’ll be able to represent the youngest generation of disciples from Overlord Peak and join the fight!”
Gu Fan nodded in agreement.
As for what exactly the Ten Peaks Battle was, he didn’t really care. Right now, what concerned him most was the matter of root bone tempering.
He had prepared for so long, and still felt a bit apprehensive.
Fang Xue usually seemed like a reliable woman, but for some reason, she was strangely obsessed with surgery…
At the same time, at Divine Punishment Peak.
As the top of the Brahma God Sect’s Ten Honorary Disciples, the sect’s sole Holy Son, and the strongest disciple—Ying Langtian.
He could be said to enjoy immense privileges within the sect.
Even most Elders had to act according to his moods. As a disciple, he held partial authority within the sect.
And as his cultivation progressed, even families that hadn’t interacted with him much before began slowly establishing contact.
Because many voices within the sect now supported Ying Langtian as a candidate for Sect Master.
Given time, he would stand at the peak of power within the Brahma God Sect!
Inside the Holy Son Palace, Ying Langtian slowly opened his eyes, looking at the half-kneeling disciple before him.
“Holy Son, the matter is confirmed. That person is named Gu Fan, a disciple of Overlord Peak.”
Ying Langtian did not speak, only asked lightly:
“With such talent, why has he only appeared now?”
“Holy Son, it is said that he just ascended from the Lower Realm and joined the sect through the selection process. Reportedly…”
The speaker hesitated slightly, but upon seeing Ying Langtian’s gaze, he immediately continued:
“Reportedly, during the selection, he triggered the Nine Rings of the Dao Bell, and is currently the only disciple with the Nine Rings Talent.”
“But due to certain unexpected circumstances, he was abandoned by many families and ultimately taken away by Fang Xue of Overlord Peak.”
Ying Langtian stood up, his expression unreadable.
“And this so-called unexpected reason was that his root bone was white—the most trash root bone! That’s why he was taken by Fang Xue…”
Hearing this, Ying Langtian paused in his steps, his expression subtly shifting:
“Nine Rings Talent, white root bone… Heh, Fang Xue, even if you found someone capable, so what?”