Dashing Student

As Chen Nan left the square, he keenly sensed several eyes watching him.

No matter what their individual intentions were, Chen Nan didn't want any entanglement.

So, after changing his appearance several times, he returned to the inn.

"Alas, I was a bit impulsive this time, I believe some smart people might have guessed my identity."

"But it was really satisfying to beat that Gu Ming boy!"

Chen Nan chuckled softly, not regretting anything.

With less than a month until the opening of the Ancient Realm Secret Realm, Chen Nan planned to stay in the inn to cultivate, avoiding drawing attention.

Even though he practiced a few Buddhist techniques, they were only at the beginner level, and the Heavenly Fox Form still needed further cultivation, so he wouldn't be lonely during this time.

During Chen Nan's retreat to cultivate, many events unfolded in East Qing City.

For instance, the ten Tianjiao from the Hidden Dragon List unexpectedly gathered in the city to participate in the Ancient Realm Secret Realm, including Nie Xiaoyu.

Even Gu Ming, who was defeated, declared upon waking up that he would challenge the butcher from that day and returned to the square to wait.

It must be said, Gu Ming really loved dueling.

But the cultivators in the city thought Gu Ming was beaten brainless, clearly not a match yet insisting on finding trouble.

On the third floor of the inn where Chen Nan lived, a guest arrived, wearing a plain dress, with an elegant figure and a face veiled, but her stunning beauty was undeniable.

Upon entering the room, the woman removed her veil, revealing a face as exquisite as a painting, with brows like distant mountains, eyes like autumn waters, and cascades of black hair pinned with a jade hairpin, with a few strands hanging loose.

If Chen Nan saw her, he would be ecstatic, for this breathtaking woman was indeed the one he missed dearly—Nie Xiaoyu!

Also in the room was a familiar person to Chen Nan, none other than Su Qingyue, the third elder of Yuantian Sect.

He was the one who once gifted Chen Nan the Instant Teleportation Talisman, allowing him to escape Yuantian Sect, otherwise Master Xuanming might have captured him.

"Elder, when entering the city, I heard someone mention the name Chen Nan, do you know of him?"

Nie Xiaoyu suddenly asked.

Su Qingyue knew of the relationship between Chen Nan and Nie Xiaoyu, but since Nie Xiaoyu was always in retreat for cultivation, he hadn't mentioned Chen Nan to her, avoiding worrying her.

He held high hopes for Chen Nan, but if he were to perish prematurely, there was no need to inform Nie Xiaoyu, preventing it from affecting the sect's top Tianjiao's mindset.

Now hearing her mention him, he couldn't help but smile awkwardly.

"Is that so? I haven't really paid attention, why do you ask?"

Su Qingyue planned to keep Nie Xiaoyu in the dark for now, since if any news about her connection to Chen Nan came out, Master Xuanming would certainly make a big fuss.

It might even implicate Nie Xiaoyu.

"It's nothing, it's just that the name is the same as a friend from my past."

Nie Xiaoyu gazed out the window, feeling somewhat melancholic.

She didn't know Chen Nan had come to find her, yet she hoped he would come to see her. Although taken to the Nine Provinces and treated as a Tianjiao, she still felt lonely at heart.

She thought the Chen Nan she heard of was probably just someone with the same name.

"Alas." Su Qingyue sighed slowly, "Chen Nan, if you truly think for Xiaoyu's sake, then it's best not to appear before her."

Even at Yuantian Sect, Su Qingyue had heard about Chen Nan.

He had killed Master Xuanming's disciples Liu Tong and Hu Chuan, then Xu Wencheng in Wuyin Forest, leaving a fierce reputation, and was even rumored to be the Dao companion of the Myriad Phenomena Commerce's lady.

Despite his growing fame, he made a mortal enemy of Master Xuanming.

Nie Xiaoyu was Yuantian Sect's Tianjiao, the closed-door disciple of the Sect Leader. If she learned about Chen Nan's deeds, how would she react?

Both were absorbed in their thoughts, and the room fell into silence.

They were completely unaware that beneath their room, Chen Nan was meditating and cultivating.

And Chen Nan had no idea that the Nie Xiaoyu he missed was right in the room above.

...

On the streets of East Qing City, an old man was walking with a young woman.

The woman had a heroic demeanor and a habit of crossing her arms, with a perpetual defiant expression on her face.

"Old man, do you think Chen Nan will come?"

"Hehe, he will definitely come, I know your senior brother too well," the old man chuckled lecherously.

If Chen Nan were here, he would surely recognize these two as none other than Master Jiang Zheng and junior sister Tang Zhirou.

Previously, Jiang Zheng had obtained two Ancient Realm Tokens, giving one to Chen Nan and one to Tang Zhirou, so she would certainly come, though somewhat belatedly.

"Your senior brother is quite formidable now; he's already ranked tenth on the Hidden Dragon List. Haha, that really makes me proud."

Jiang Zheng laughed proudly, but seeing Tang Zhirou's cold expression, his smile became awkward.

After all, apart from saving Chen Nan's life, Jiang Zheng hadn't taught him much, whereas Chen Nan built Qingshan Sect up with his own strength.

"Old man, don't be too pleased; Chen Nan has already left Qingshan Sect, what does his success have to do with us?" Tang Zhirou snorted coldly.

The ever-jolly Jiang Zheng suddenly slapped Tang Zhirou on the head.

"Ridiculous! You know your senior brother has difficulties; don't speak such words that harm unity again. He will forever be my disciple!"

Tang Zhirou, clutching her head, defiantly said, "Fine, then when my cultivation surpasses his, I'll make him my junior!"

"I will definitely surpass him!"

Jiang Zheng sighed deeply, having a mouthy and competitive disciple was indeed troublesome.

As they passed a teahouse, they suddenly heard a storyteller inside narrating Chen Nan's exploits.

So the two entered the teahouse knowingly, ordered a pot of tea, and sat down.

"Speaking of Chen Nan, who descended from the Greedy Wolf Star, in Wuyin Forest, faced an ambush but left rivers of blood in his wake, wielding golden flames like the Flame Demon God, thus gaining the title of Flame Demon..."

Though the storyteller's tale was greatly exaggerated, the teahouse patrons listened with rapt attention.

Jiang Zheng took a sip of tea, glanced at the engrossed Tang Zhirou, and smiled faintly.

This little girl, though outwardly defiant, harbored considerable admiration for Chen Nan deep down.

Meanwhile, at the Yanzhou Piaomiao Sect, a Piaomiao disciple hurried to the Elder Cave Mansion.

"Elder Liu, junior Xie Dong requests an audience."

At the entrance of the mansion, Xie Dong bowed and called out.

Soon, the restrictions at the door opened, and Xie Dong quickly entered the mansion.

Liu Shenyan sat above, glaring coldly at Xie Dong.

"You better have urgent matters, or this elder will definitely not spare you!"

Xie Dong was startled and quickly said, "Elder, I have information regarding Liu Ping's murderer!"