Although the competition for low-class disciples had ended and the hundreds of thousands of participants gradually returned to their usual cultivation, those who ranked in the top hundredespecially the top tenwent straight into seclusion, eager to refine their skills with the rich rewards they had just received.

In this martial meet, the sect hadnt been stingy, awarding large amounts of elixirs, treasures, and merit points. As a result, many disciples were expected to experience a sharp rise in strength in the near future.

Moreover, those who received an Immortal Breakthrough Pill would soon cast their immortal platform and advance into the Immortal Platform realm.

Naturally, the entire sect buzzed with conversation about the tournament, particularly about the once-obscure names who dazzled everyone with their brilliance.

For example, Chen Fan, Huang Wuji, and a few others.

I never expected Chen Fan to take first place!

Same! But… dont you think the ending felt a little flat? Si Kong broke through in the middle of their fight and basically handed first place to Chen Fan on a silver platter.

That reminds me that its been like what? Twenty days since Chen Fan was summoned to the Heavenly Punishment Great Hall. I heard through the grapevine that the Heavenly Punishment Elder has already taken Chen Fan in as his disciple. Hes really ascended to heaven in a single step.

Grapevine? Please, its confirmed. With a powerful backer like the Heavenly Punishment Elder, Chen Fan can do whatever he wants in the sect. The Hua Alliance must be grinding their teeth in fury right now.

Hoho, dont exaggerate. Sure, his master can shield him from pressure coming from the higher-ups, but when it comes to rivalries within the younger generation, Chen Fan will have to face those challenges alone.

Youre right! Senior Brother Hua Yunxiao is currently in seclusion, striving to reach the Immortal King realm. Once he learns about Chen Fan, perhaps he might even step in himself. Then, Chen Fan will end up miserable.

Haa, these matters arent for the likes of us to meddle in. Chen Fan has a powerful backer, but as one of the Five Hegemons, Senior Brother Hua Yunxiao also has a backer: the Demon Suppression Elder. He wont be shaken just because Chen Fans status changed.

Youre right. In the end, this world bows to strength: whoever has the bigger fist is the boss!

Thats right. After this martial meet, countless disciples who shone brilliantly caught the eyes of the higher-ups and were taken in as personal disciples. Just look at Huang Wuji. An Immortal Emperor-level powerhouse himself took interest in him.

Haaa, we can only envy them. Why wont any elder take notice of me? Id be happy even with an Immortal King realm backer.

News of Chen Fan, Huang Wuji, and others being chosen by powerful elders spread like wildfire, conveniently shifting attention away from Si Kong. This was no accident, as the higher-ups clearly wanted the spotlight elsewhere, for Si Kongs identity was far too sensitive.

For the Hua Alliance, Chen Fan becoming the Heavenly Punishment Elders personal disciple was not good news.

Damn it, that little bastard is really lucky!

Xing Qian and Chen Wangs expressions were incomparably ugly.

The elders warned us that from now on, we can only deal with Chen Fan from the shadows. If the Heavenly Punishment Elder catches us, even Senior Brother Hua Yunxiao wont be able to shield us.

Of course. His status has changed, and his position has risen with it. Well be disrespecting the Heavenly Punishment Elder if we still deal with him openly.

Theres no point talking about this any further. Do you really think we still have a chance to deal with him in the future? Im afraid hell already be in the Immortal Platform realm when he comes out of the Immortal Conferral Ancient Realm. If anyone dares to move against him, itll be the senior brothers of that realm. Not us.

Finally, Ye Kuang spoke after his long silence. Cold light flickered in his eyes, with countless sinister schemes taking shape in his heart.

Hmph, he wont walk out of the Immortal Conferral Ancient Realm alive!

During the martial meet, Chen Fan had crushed the Hua Alliances prestige and defeated Ye Kuang personally. This was a grudge Ye Kuang couldnt leave to others, it had to be settled by his own hand.

……

After twenty-some days, Chen Fan returned from the Heavenly Punishment Great Hall to the Immortal Tread Institution. Under the guidance of the Heavenly Punishment Elder, his insight toward the path of martial arts had reached new heights. .

If, before, his understanding had been that of an elementary school student, then now he stood at the level of a high schooler, perhaps even a university scholar.

After all, the Heavenly Punishment Elder wasnt an ordinary Immortal Emperor. He stood at the very peak of this realm. His insight and understanding of the path of martial arts were naturally far superior to Chen Fans.

With such a figure pointing out his flaws, even twenty short days yielded more growth than all his years of cultivation combined. Chen Fans comprehension of his martial Dao intent deepened, and his strength rose steadily, solid and unshakable.

When Di Chen and Duanmu Lingxing saw that Chen Fan had returned, they immediately teased him, Youre back, Little Junior Brother. Word of the Heavenly Punishment Elder taking you in as his personal disciple is spreading everywhere.

They didnt feel any envy or jealousy inside, only genuine happiness for Chen Fan.

Mmm. Chen Fan nodded and asked, Hmm? Why isnt First Senior Brother around?

First Senior Brother? Another behemoth became interested in him and took him in as his personal disciple. Im afraid hell only emerge from seclusion after advancing into the Immortal Platform realm.

Thats great.

Chen Fan was also very happy for Huang Wuji.

Regardless of whether that behemoths status was as high as that of the Heavenly Punishment Elder, an Immortal Emperor was still an Immortal Emperor. They were an unshakable pillar within the Featherlight Sect, whose words carried immense weight. With such backing, who would dare look down on them in the future?

Three days later, Chen Fan, Mo Xue, and Ye Kuang arrived in front of a grand hall.

Soon, an Immortal Emperor, known as Hidden Star, walked out of the hall.

Greetings to Elder! The trio saluted politely, not daring to show any signs of disrespect in front of the Immortal Emperor behemoth. Chen Fan was the same, even though he was already the Heavenly Punishment Elders personal disciple.

Youre all quite promising. Once you enter the Immortal Conferral Ancient Realm, do not leave lightly. It would be best if you could step into the immortal realm within its depths.

Well remember Elders words closely to heart, they replied, nodding in unison.

Good, as long as you understand. Lets go. Ill escort you to the Immortal Conferral Ancient Realm.

Hidden Star Immortal Emperor waved his arm. A whirlwind appeared, sweeping up the three of them. Taking a step forward, their figures instantly disappeared from sight.