Top-tier Unruly Master

Seeing Meng Haotian's cautious expression towards Ding Fan shocked the disciples around them.

When had they ever seen Captain Meng look like this? Was he actually scared of being beaten?

The disbelief on the faces of more than a dozen disciples in white was apparent as they watched the scene unfold. In their minds, this Captain Meng, who always bullied others, had actually been scared by someone else?

This was truly unbelievable!

At this moment, Meng Zihao saw the scene, and though he was filled with resentment as he looked at Ding Fan, he dared not utter a word of discontent. Since his cousin, Captain Meng Haotian, was beaten to such a state, approaching Ding Fan would be courting death!

At the same time, Meng Zihao was also in disbelief about Meng Haotian's behavior. He couldn't believe his cousin was genuinely afraid—although the truth was right before him, Meng Haotian had indeed been subdued.

However, knowing Meng Haotian, this was just a temporary expedient. He surely wouldn't let Ding Fan off in the future. But now, Meng Zihao needed to carefully plan his approach to deal with Ding Fan, who was unexpectedly formidable.

Witnessing the moment Meng Haotian was defeated, Meng Zihao's mind instantly told him never to provoke Ding Fan alone again, or it would be no different from seeking death!

But the Outer Sect disciple big competition was about to begin. Considering Meng Haotian's influence, finding a few experts to take care of Ding Fan would be no problem.

"When the time comes, Ding Fan, I'll make you wish you were dead and force you out of the sect!"

Immediately, several disciples in white helped Meng Haotian up, leaving Ding Fan's area with more than a dozen of them in a sorry state.

Meng Zihao also needed a disciple to assist him. In less than a week, he ended up in the same boat as Meng Haotian. They exchanged a glance, unable to express their shared sadness while looking at Ding Fan with eyes full of resentment.

Meng Haotian had lost face today. Not only was he beaten to such a state in front of so many disciples, but he also lost his Mysterious Iron Ice Sword, a huge loss! Not to mention the Spirit Ginseng Fruit that Meng Zihao promised, he was too embarrassed to bring that up.

On the way back, Meng Haotian solemnly warned everyone not to speak of today's matter, or else whoever he hears from will be killed!

The dozen or so disciples in white felt Meng Haotian's chill, hurriedly nodding in agreement.

Meanwhile, Meng Zihao seemed to sympathetically comfort Meng Haotian but didn't mention the matter of the Spirit Ginseng Fruit at all. Meng Haotian cast a disdainful glance at Meng Zihao, then sighed helplessly...

...

Meanwhile, everything returned to normal for Ding Fan. Lianzi, Liu Yan, and a few female cultivators chatted briefly with Ding Fan before leaving.

Regarding today's events, Lianzi cautioned the female cultivators, advising them not to spread the word. Although Ding Fan had defeated Meng Haotian, Meng's narrow-mindedness meant he would surely seek revenge if pressured by public opinion.

Walking back, Lianzi couldn't help but feel her heart race as she recalled Ding Fan in battle moments earlier—he was so impressive!

She didn't expect Brother Fan's strength to be so formidable. With less than a month until the outer sect competition, Brother Fan was surely going to shine once again!

These thoughts filled Lianzi with great anticipation.

...

In the following days, Ding Fan spent most of his time inquiring about the whereabouts of Zhou Ruoran, Gusu Qingwen, and Ye Ningbing, and continuously cultivating.

As for Zhou Ruoran and the others, Ding Fan still hadn't found any useful information, but he wasn't discouraged. He was prepared for a long search; such minor setbacks meant nothing to him.

Regarding cultivation, these days Ding Fan focused on cultivating the "Golden Dragon Emergence." He found that practicing this mysterious fist technique not only improved his martial arts boxing technique but also consolidated his cultivation significantly. Every time he practiced, the True Qi within him would naturally solidify.

Over some time, Ding Fan's cultivation improved considerably, though he remained in the Late Nascent Soul Stage. Breaking through to the Emergence Stage was no easy task, and Ding Fan was well aware of this.

The saying "below Emergence, all are ants" wasn't unfounded.

Though the Early Emergence Stage seemed only a step away from Ding Fan's Late Nascent Soul Stage, it was a huge chasm to cross. Achieving it would mean a transformative improvement!

For Ding Fan, the clearer his Dantian Energy became, the greater his chances of breaking through to the Emergence Stage, hence he was preparing by building a solid foundation.

In the past few days, Ding Fan visited the mysterious stele twice and entered to study. He had essentially mastered how to enter the stele and learnt to better see the figure performing the fist techniques. Ding Fan was now learning the next move, though this second technique was much harder than "Golden Dragon Emergence."

Ding Fan clearly realized that mastering this entire set of techniques was certainly not an easy task.

As someone who loved challenges, Ding Fan felt more excitement than frustration.

Over these days, Wang Hu had also been diligently cultivating. Although he helped Ding Fan occasionally inquire about Zhou Ruoran and the others, most of his time was spent on cultivation.

These days Wang Hu had been practicing the power-generating method Ding Fan taught him, now mastering it nearly perfectly. With Ding Fan's regular guidance, Wang Hu progressed quickly. Though in Dayang Sect, where talents gathered, his aptitude appeared ordinary, Wang Hu compensated with effort.

During their sparring practices, Wang Hu was repeatedly sent flying by Ding Fan, only to get back up quickly and charge at Ding Fan once more, creating a continuous cycle...

Although Wang Hu may not notice his own progress much, Ding Fan certainly saw it. Even though Wang Hu hasn't met the strength Ding Fan ideally expects, Ding Fan never discourages him but often encourages him instead. After all, Wang Hu has made great progress.

It's just that Ding Fan's standards are indeed a bit too high for the average cultivator.

As Ding Fan and Wang Hu continued their daily cultivation, the day for the Outer Sect Disciple Competition unknowingly arrived.

For a long period, everyone in the sect had already been immersed in the atmosphere of the Outer Sect Disciple Competition. Almost all the outer sect disciples were diligently cultivating during this time, each hoping to become an inner sect disciple through this competition, a true leap over the dragon's gate.

Once becoming an inner sect disciple, one can obtain more cultivation resources than outer sect disciples, and also draw more attention from the powerful elders. One might even become a core disciple of such an elder, and for a cultivator, it would truly be a dazzling achievement.

Not just any cultivator can become a core disciple!

Recently, most discussions among sect disciples revolved around this Outer Sect Disciple Competition. You could hear cultivators discussing it in almost any corner of the sect.

"Junior brother, how are your preparations for the Outer Sect Disciple Competition going?"

"What preparations? With my strength, I'm just participating for the sake of it, ha ha," one disciple said, obviously not meaning it.

"Ha ha, is that so? I've seen you at the Sword Practice Peak quite often these days."

"Ah, ha ha, is that so, oh oh..." The disciple, caught out, was noticeably embarrassed.

Recently, almost all outer sect disciples were openly and covertly competing, everyone wanting to perform well at the competition. Almost all disciples were secretly struggling because it was an opportunity to leap over the dragon's gate, who would pass it up?

"I heard that the rewards for the top three in this Outer Sect Disciple Competition are very generous, quite different from previous competitions."

"Indeed, I heard that even many inner sect disciples are tempted by the prizes for the top three. Many outer sect disciples who were out training have returned to participate in this competition. Apparently, it's the most rewarding competition in over five hundred years!"

"Really? But it seems to be true. I saw Gu Feng the other day! I didn't expect him to return at this time; he seems to be aiming for the top three in the competition."

"What? Gu Feng? The one who's long been topping the most-wanted list in the outer sect? Damn! This competition looks exciting!"

"I can't believe Gu Feng has returned. It's been years since he last came back, and I've heard he's as strong as someone at the Late Nascent Soul Stage!"

"Oh my gosh, that's incredible. No wonder, Gu Feng has always targeted the top three in the sect's most-wanted list. Those on the most-wanted list are all very evil and powerful beings. He specifically picks such terrifying figures to go after. It shows just how formidable Gu Feng is!"

"And I've heard there are a lot of dark horses among the outer sect disciples eager to try this time, like someone named Gao Qi, who is also said to be very formidable!"

"That's nothing, let me tell you something that'll shock you to your core!"

"Enough with the suspense, out with it!"

"Ye Qingfeng!"

"Who? Oh ... wait, do you mean the once-in-a-century genius, Ye Qingfeng, who's been in seclusion all this time?"

"Who else could it be!"

"Oh my god, could he have come out of seclusion? He's participating in the Outer Sect Competition too? That's incredible! Years ago, he was already hailed as a once-in-a-century genius. Entering the inner sect should be a breeze for him. It's just that he's been on the verge of a breakthrough, so he's been in seclusion. His current strength might even surpass that of average inner sect disciples!"

"Very possible. If he had joined the inner sect smoothly back then, he might already be a core disciple. Ordinary inner sect disciples wouldn't be his match. Who would've thought he'd participate in the outer sect competition this time!"

"Who do you think is stronger, him or Gu Feng?"

"Impossible to tell. Seems like this Outer Sect Disciple Competition will be very intense!"

"Alas... with these genius disciples around, we ordinary folks can hardly make any waves..."

"The top three have nothing to do with us, but if we perform well enough to enter the inner sect, I'll be satisfied, haha..."

"This gentleman dreams quite fearlessly during the day..."

"Let me tell you, this year, there are also quite a few new female disciples who are not only beautiful but also have excellent cultivation!"

"For example, I heard there's someone named Zhou Xiao, who's not only extremely powerful but also very beautiful. And there's another called Lianzi, who also seems remarkable!"

"Is that so? Haha, looks like there's a lot to see in this Outer Sect Competition!"

...