Chapter 855 - Top Ten Seeds

Wang Shuang was taken aback for a moment when he heard Xuan Shitong. Then, he smiled and said, “The sixth floor requires half-step Manifestation realm cultivation. For you two... of course, if Brother Chen can force his way through, I won’t be stingy with that little bit of wine money.”

“Haha, that’s easy for my man. Chen Fan, let’s go to the sixth floor. I heard they serve top-quality wine there. A single cup, worth a thousand gold, can boost a martial artist’s cultivation.” Xuan Shitong smiled before darting forward like a colorful butterfly, instantly reaching the stairs.

“Stop right there.” A voice echoed from the void. The sixth-floor guard appeared, his gaze sharp and unkind.

Bold of her to try forcing her way to the sixth floor. She was clearly overestimating herself.

“Go back!” shouted the guard angrily and unleashed a palm strike.

The force slammed into Xuan Shitong as she tried to evade. Though quick, she wasn’t fast enough; she let out a low groan, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.

As Demon King Xuan Ting’s daughter, she was extraordinarily talented. The cultivation techniques and martial arts she practiced were the finest in her sect. Despite being at the ninth level, she was stronger than ordinary peak Heavenly Star experts.

However, it fell short against the guard, a true half-step Manifestation realm cultivator.

“Where did this unruly girl come from, to dare force her way into the Heavenly Circulation Palace?” shouted the guard coldly, pressing closer to Shitong.

“Are you just going to watch?” Xuan Shitong snapped, glaring at Chen Fan, who was climbing the stairs at his own pace.

The guard glanced at Chen Fan—eighth-level Heavenly Star realm. He dismissed him with a smirk and pressed closer to her.

She glanced at Chen Fan, who was still taking his time. She stomped her foot, snorting, “Damn it, he is bullying your woman, and you’re not fighting back!”

“

Ugh

...” Chen Fan was dumbfounded.

My woman?

He was at a loss for words. This trouble-making woman was unbelievable.

“Go down!” shouted the guard at Xuan Shitong, his palm strike hurtling toward her.

But instead of defending herself, she closed her eyes as if surrendering to her fate.

“You’re crazy!” Chen Fan chided.

She wasn’t even retreating and just stood there, waiting for the guard to attack her.

In a blur, he moved—swift as the wind—and crossed the steps in an instant. His fist shot forward like a thunderbolt.

“Get lost!” shouted the guard snarled, unleashing a storm of force aimed at both Chen Fan and Xuan Shitong, clearly intending to end it in one blow.

But Chen Fan’s eyes glinted coldly as a terrifying power erupted from his punch.

“Scram.”

A snapping sound rang out. That guard felt as if the bones in his hand were about to shatter. That terrifying force descended upon him, sending him flying into the wall.

“

Cough, cough

,” the guard groaned, blood trickling from his mouth. He glared at Chen Fan, disbelief etched on his face.

This guy... one punch? Injuring a half-step Manifestation realm expert like me—unthinkable!

The nearby crowd was also dumbfounded, looking at Chen Fan as if they were looking at a freak.

“

Hmph hmph

, I knew it. You still care about me.” Xuan Shitong snorted twice, swaying a little unsteadily as she conveniently leaned on him.

Chen Fan was really helpless against her.

“Sir, you are qualified to step into the sixth floor, but she can’t step inside,” said the sixth-floor guard, his tone more respectful now. Chen Fan’s display of strength left no room for doubt.

“I am his wife. Of course, we’re going together,” Xuan Shitong declared confidently.

The corner of Chen Fan’s mouth twitched.

When did this troublemaker become my wife?

That guard’s gaze flickered, unsure how to respond, but a calm, indifferent voice suddenly rang out. “Let them pass.”

Startled, the guard quickly nodded and stepped aside. “Please, go ahead.”

Xuan Shitong smiled and hugged Chen Fan’s arm, pulling him up the stairs and stepping onto the sixth floor.

“

Tsk tsk

, Brother Chen, you’re really amazing. Not even a half-step Manifestation realm expert is your match. Impressive, very impressive.” Wang Shuang gave Chen Fan a thumbs up.

Although the guard was on the lower end of the half-step Manifestation realm, he could easily handle two or three peak Heavenly Star realm experts.

Yet Chen Fan, at the eighth level, had defeated him with a single move—a testament to his overwhelming strength.

“That voice earlier belongs to the young miss behind the Heavenly Circulation Palace. She’s one of the top ten seeds in this Demonic Child Selection Battle. It seems your performance has already caught her attention, Brother Chen,” Wang Shuang said.

Chen Fan’s eyes lit up, and he asked, “Oh? Top ten seed candidates. Please tell me about it in detail, Brother Wang. Who are they?”

“Hoho, no hurries. Have a taste of the sixth floor’s wine first, Brother Chen.” Wang Shuang smiled.

Chen Fan nodded and picked up his wine cup. The wine glowed scarlet, with faint flames dancing on its surface—scarlet flame wine. According to Wang Shuang, it was brewed using the blood essence of many types of demon beasts.

As the cup of wine went down his belly, a fiery heat blazed through his throat and abdomen, like molten magma coursing through him.

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes slightly. A few moments later, a brilliant light shone in his eyes.

“Brother Chen, how’s the wine?” Wang Shuang asked with a smile.

“Excellent wine.”

Though it burned intensely, the wine instantly stirred the true primeval within, subtly enhancing cultivation.

Although this kind of improvement was minor for Chen Fan, consistent use could lead to transformative growth. It was no wonder the wine cost a thousand gold—a small pot held immense value.

“It’s good that Brother Chen is satisfied. Now, let me tell you about the remarkable figures in this Demonic Child Selection Battle.”

“I’m all ears.”

Although Chen Fan was confident that he was not weak, confidence was not the same as arrogance.

He didn’t consider himself unrivaled—there were many stronger than him. Only by understanding both oneself and one’s enemies could one emerge unscathed through a hundred battles.

“Brother Chen, you know how the Demonic Child Selection Battle is. Only the ten most outstanding figures will be chosen among the tens of thousands of geniuses to become the real demonic child candidates. Intelligence agencies have already compiled a list of the ten most exceptional contenders through various means. These individuals are now known as the top ten seeds, and unless something unexpected happens, they will likely become the final candidates.”