Chapter 188 - Chu Tiange

Chen Fan walked under one of the primeval mirrors and looked up.

“Stalk of the tier-2, high-grade Nine-Spotted Poison Melting Grass. The time limit is half a month; the reward is five contribution points. It’s a one-star mission difficulty...”

“Kill the twin warriors of Big Black Mountain’s Lu Clan. The time limit is one month, and the reward is thirty contribution points. A three-star mission difficulty...”

“......”

The sect missions unfolded on the primeval mirrors, featuring varied rewards and difficulties. In the Spring Autumn Sect, mission difficulty ranged from one to five stars, with one being the easiest and five being the most challenging.

Typically, one-star missions were designed for inner court disciples, while elite disciples took on two and three-star tasks. The more demanding four and five-star missions were reserved for the core disciples.

Though the sect didn't restrict inner court disciples from undertaking missions meant for elite or core disciples, failure could result in dire consequences, including loss of life.

With increasing difficulty came greater rewards, tempting many daring disciples to accept missions above their rank despite the high mortality rate.

“Hmm?” Chen Fan noticed one of the missions, and his eyes lit up.

“Eradicate the Blood Saber Stronghold in the Blood Wolf Mountain. Half a month, thirty contribution points, and a two-star mission difficulty.”

The mission list also had a detailed description of the Blood Saber Stronghold.

“The stronghold chief of the Blood Saber Stronghold, known as Blood Saber, is a second-level Yuanfu realm expert. His two vice-chiefs are at the first level, and his four guardians are all Qi Grandmasters. He also has three hundred mountain bandits in the Qi Gathering realm with varying cultivation levels as subordinates.”

Chen Fan's interest was piqued. Typically, two-star missions offered rewards ranging from ten to twenty contribution points. However, the Blood Saber Stronghold mission offered thirty contribution points —ten more than usual, comparable to a three-star mission.

This increase likely resulted from the stronghold's overall strength and the substantial number of bandits, requiring more time and effort to handle.

Elite disciples in the third or fourth level were naturally uninterested in this kind of mission, while second-level elite disciples might lack the strength to undertake it.

As a result, the sect had increased the reward to encourage the disciples.

Chen Fan took note of this in his heart. The mission, given his current capabilities, posed no significant challenge.

He could even fight someone at the fourth level now if he gave it his all. The absence of third-level Yuanfu realm experts in the Blood Saber Stronghold further bolstered his confidence.

Chen Fan continued scanning the list to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth delays.

“Get lost!”

A cold voice rang out from behind. It was an unexpected interruption.

Chen Fan frowned and turned around to take a look. A youth stood behind him, looking at him coldly.

The youth, adorned in plain linen attire and carrying a sword, emitted an aura commanding aura despite his seemingly ascetic appearance.

He was a fourth-level Yuanfu realm expert!

Behind him stood several elite disciples in the first or second level. They also looked at Chen Fan coldly, the corners of their lips slightly curled up.

"Are you here to pick a fight with me?" Chen Fan's heart sank.

“I told you to get lost. Are you deaf?”

The youth in linen glared, and Chen Fan felt as if two streaks of sword light were penetrating his mind, making his eyes ache.

The nearby crowd fell silent by now, eyes fixed on the unfolding confrontation, each displaying keen interest.

“Hehe, as expected, Chu Tiange came to find trouble with this kid.”

“Who told him to offend Senior Brother Duan Jingtian? Chu Tiange worships Senior Brother Duan Jingtian the most. It’s not strange for him to find trouble with Chen Fan.”

“I wonder if Chen Fan will retaliate?”

“Retaliate? That's asking for more trouble! Although the sect discourages disciples from killing each other, no one would object if Chu Tiange taught him a lesson.”

“......”

The nearby crowd discussed in whispers.

Chen Fan’s gaze darkened.

As expected, these people from the alliance were here to mess with him.

After thinking briefly, Chen Fan chose not to escalate the situation.

The pressure from Chu Tiange felt overwhelming, and Chen Fan might not be a match even at full strength.

Immediately, under everyone’s gaze, Chen Fan stepped to the side.

“He got out of the way!”

"It looks like he's not foolish enough to invite more trouble. “

“Chu Tiange wouldn't spare him easily, though."

“......”

Chen Fan’s action surprised the crowd.

“Get lost!” Chu Tiange's cold and indifferent voice echoed once more.

“I knew it!”

"Chen Fan will have to leave the Mission Hall in humiliation today."

“If he can’t take on any missions, he'll face numerous challenges in the sect. That's the price for offending Senior Brother Duan Jingtian.”

“I know, right? Even if he doesn't intervene personally, many will undoubtedly teach Chen Fan a lesson on his behalf."

The people gossiped, looking like they were here to enjoy the show.

A cold light shone in Chen Fan's eyes as he raised his head to face Chu Tiange.

“I told you to get lost. Did you not hear me? You want me to throw you outside personally?” Chu Tiange’s icy cold gaze was sharper than a sword, hitting his mind and leaving him shaken.

He met Chu Tiange's stare with an equally cold expression and uttered icily, “You can try.”

He had taken a step back earlier, but that didn’t mean he feared Chu Tiange. Since he didn’t want to stop his overbearing behavior, Chen Fan saw no reason to back down further.

Although he didn’t want to expose his true strength so quickly, it was useless to conceal it at this juncture. The only result would be enduring further bullying and disdain. It was time to assert himself decisively and deter those who sought to exploit him.

“Hehe, looks like you want to try fighting me.” Chu Tiange immediately laughed.

In his eyes, Chen Fan was a mere first-level ant, yet he dared to challenge his prestige. He was truly overestimating himself and courting death.

Chen Fan had concealed his cultivation within the Heaven Seizing Furnace. So, everyone here only saw him as a first-level Yuanfu realm cultivator.

Immediately, a fierce sword intent spread from Chu Tiange, extending in all directions.

Waves of whistling sounds echoed as his sword qi tore through the air.

“How scary, what fierce sword intent!”

“Chen Fan is in for a bad time.”

The crowd’s pupils shrank when they felt Chu Tiange’s cold sword intent. The cold and sharp aura left them feeling suffocated.

Chen Fan, too, couldn't ignore it. Chu Tiange was undeniably powerful, and his sword cultivation technique carried a hint of electrical power. Chen Fan felt a slight stabbing pain on his skin as tearing noises filled the air.

Still, he didn’t retreat. A mass of aura began to rise within him, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

“Stop it!”

Just as the tension reached its peak, a loud shout pierced through.

The crowd quickly made way for a middle-aged man in his thirties, dressed in the attire of an elder, exuding an imposing presence.

When Chu Tiange saw this elder, his fierce gaze flickered abruptly.