C2699 Growth!
C2699 Growth!
The academy had long boasted of a prodigious talent in this generation who had yet to reveal themselves. Now, with a Reincarnation Stage cultivator stepping up, claiming to be the strongest of his generation, it seemed like a joke to many.
Only Fang Tong and a few others remained unfazed. Back during the academy's trials, Jiang Fann had indeed been the strongest in their eyes. Although years had passed without him advancing in rank, his recent display of power was already on par with Xiang Tianxing.
The burly cultivator grinned widely and said, "If he's the best you have, then you're really scraping the bottom of the barrel. If you want to meet my boss, deal with those underlings first. You're not qualified to meet him."
With that, he turned and headed towards the Starsea Tower, completely ignoring Xiang Tianxing's anger. His demeanor showed he didn't regard anyone there as worth his attention. In this Starsea Trial, strength was all that mattered.
Just then, a loud voice rang out from the side. "Who do you think you're looking down on, you country bumpkin?"
A figure suddenly dashed in from the side, heading straight for the robust monk. A flash of dark light, and they collided instantly. The monk, who had been completely overpowering Niu Mang, was forced back by the newcomer. The two exchanged blows, each punch landing solidly, and the fight was evenly matched.
Among the spectators, someone exclaimed, "It's him! The strongest of the Wuwang Valley generation, Qin Wuliang!"
Jiang Fann was so shocked he couldn't speak. He never imagined he would see Qin Wuliang here, and at this moment, Qin's combat prowess was astounding. His cultivation had reached the second level of the Celestial Realm, and his fighting ability was not at all inferior to his opponent's.
"Over a hundred years, and it seems I've missed a lot!"
After pushing back his opponent, Qin Wuliang turned and laughed heartily at Jiang Fann. "Haha... Boss, I've missed you so much..."
Roar—
A lion's roar echoed through the sky. In the next moment, a beast over ten feet tall descended into the battle circle, causing another wave of astonishment.
"The new Beast King of the Beast God Domain! Shi Chengtian!"
With a second-level Celestial Realm cultivation, Shi Chengtian's presence was overwhelming. He turned to Jiang Fann and declared, "Boss, let's see who dares to touch you today!"
Everyone was stunned, even Xiang Tianxing was incredibly shaken. He never expected these geniuses, who had risen to prominence in recent decades, to have such a connection with Jiang Fann.
Three figures flew in from the same direction, landing directly behind Jiang Fann. Two men and a woman, each possessing the first level of the Celestial Realm. Among the onlookers, someone immediately recognized them.
"The three prodigies who've risen in recent years: Chu Zhan the Battle Spear, Zhou Tong the Demon King, and Faang Xiao the Illusionist! They're usually out training, so why are they all here?"
Chu Zhan, leading the group, gave Jiang Fann a bear hug. "Finally, we meet again!"
Jiang Fann looked at the three with delight, visibly excited.
Soon after, another person appeared, kneeling on one knee beside Jiang Fann. "Greetings, Young Master!"
This person had reached the third level of the Celestial Realm, with a restrained aura like a sheathed sword, and a refined appearance.
Someone exclaimed, "Isn't that the Sword Demon, Wan Sheng? He's actually Jiang Fann's servant!"
As everyone was still reeling from shock, a series of chants echoed from all directions, unsettling even those who had reached the Reincarnation Realm.
A large monk in robes descended from the sky, holding a staff and a golden alms bowl, projecting an imposing presence. However, when he turned to Jiang Fann, his demeanor changed completely, breaking into a wide grin. "Jiang Fann, did you bring wine and meat? I've been waiting for you so long..."
Xiang Tianxing looked at the monk, who was at the third level of the Celestial Realm, struggling to remain calm.
"Monk San Jie!"
Another tall man stepped out from the crowd, also having reached a high level of mastery. His handsome face bore a few scars, and he held a long sword, looking as if he had traveled far and wide.
"My mentor is the strongest of his generation! Think you can bully him because he's outnumbered? Not on my watch!"
"Ye Shaocheng!"
Several people moved toward Jiang Fann, completely ignoring the hostile crowd. Judging by the aura they emitted, they had clearly been through a lot over the years to reach such a level, matching the true elites of their peers.
Their presence was far more powerful than those opposing them.
Observers noticed one thing: all these individuals were here for Jiang Fann, each having some connection to him. Despite not being on any prestigious lists, they were well-known outside, and with their help, the opposing group didn’t stand a chance.
Jiang Shuai joined them, smiling broadly.
"I was planning to help you find them, but who would've thought they'd all rise to prominence over the past few decades? It's thanks to your help back then, refining their bodies and awakening their potential. Though, they did go through a lot of hardships."
The cultivators surrounding Jiang Fann and his companions began to retreat. Although they still had the advantage in numbers, they were clearly wary of the newcomers and had to reassess Jiang Fann's presence.
A voice as clear as a silver bell echoed from afar as Gu Ling'er appeared. Her cultivation was only at the first level of the Reincarnation Realm. Yet, the nearby cultivators made way for her, their faces filled with surprise.
"The Young Master of Myriad Herbs Valley, Gu Ling'er! An immortal herbalist—could she possibly know Jiang Fann?"
Gu Ling'er walked through the crowd, paying no attention to Qin Wuliang and the others. She went straight to Jiang Fann, her eyes bright and free of any sadness from their reunion. She had always had faith in him, believing he would show up.
The distant cultivators were restless, some even gritting their teeth at the scene.
"Countless prominent figures have proposed to her, only to be turned down. She's the dream of many young talents, yet it seems her heart has long been taken!"
"Who exactly is this Jiang Fann? Surely, no one else will show up now?"
Just as those words were spoken, another graceful figure descended from the sky, like a celestial being. Her aura was extraordinary, and her cultivation level was incredibly high, reaching the fourth level of the Heaven Realm, surpassing even Xiang Tianxing by one minor stage.
"The most talented of the Hundred Battles Clan, Wang Xian! Could she also be..."
Wang Xian landed right next to Jiang Fann, giving his waist a sharp twist. She playfully scolded, "You jerk, you took way too long! If you'd been any later, I might have married them off already..."
Everyone was speechless.
Outside the Starsea Pavilion, the man couldn't stay calm anymore. He realized the situation might completely turn around, all because of one person. He shouted angrily, "Stop flirting and get on with it if you're going to fight. We're ready."
Just as he finished speaking, the ground began to shake, as if something massive was approaching. The crowd behind quickly scattered, running as if to avoid something.
Someone exclaimed, "It's the Little Poison Fairy, Shen Meng! Get out of the way!"
Looking in that direction, they saw a giant scorpion approaching from afar, carrying a woman with a frosty demeanor, as if she kept everyone at arm's length. The scorpion stopped, and Shen Meng gracefully leaped off, landing right in front of Jiang Fann. Her eyes suddenly misted over, clearly overwhelmed.
"Brother..."
The onlookers, wide-eyed, couldn't believe the sight of the charming Shen Meng. "Is that really Shen Meng? It can't be an imposter, can it?"
"Are you an idiot? That venomous scorpion from the Valley of Poison is the only one in the entire Star Sea. How can it be fake?"
As soon as the words were spoken, the crowd behind stirred again, parting to reveal a figure slowly approaching. She was dressed in fine clothes, with a striking figure and beauty that could captivate anyone.
"I went back to the treasury to fetch something, so I'm a bit late."
The surrounding cultivators began to murmur among themselves.
"That's Han Qianxue, the youngest manager of the Sky Commerce Guild. Forty years ago, she made a name for herself by spending an unimaginable fortune to buy a golden scroll at the Star Sea auction. It's said that her resources now rival those of a nation, and her status is unparalleled. Why would she be here...?"
Han Qianxue appeared with a golden scroll in her hand, smiling as she approached Jiang Fann and handed it over.
Her next words nearly made the distant cultivators faint, for it was the very treasure she had spent a fortune on all those years ago.
"Here! My dowry! When are you going to marry me?"
Jiang Fann only needed a glance to recognize it. It was a fragment of the Creation Spell of Heaven and Earth, specifically the Sage Chapter following the Transcendence Chapter. By cultivating it, he could advance to the Heavenly Human Stage without any bottlenecks. Han Qianxue knew how important this was to him, so she spared no expense to acquire it for him.
In that moment, Jiang Fann felt an overwhelming happiness, as everything had happened so suddenly.
"Am I dreaming...?"
Over at Starsea Tower, a burly man pounded his chest a few times and angrily shouted to his companion, "Go get the boss and everyone else down here! I have to settle this today!"
The companion rushed into Starsea Tower, clearly to gather reinforcements.
Jiang Fann, surrounded by admirers, paid them no mind. The powerful allies at his side made it clear these challengers were outmatched.
Not far from Jiang Fann, Xiang Tianxing, Fang Tong, and others were equally astounded. Jiang Fann had brought them so much shock, and his entourage was impressively formidable.
Jiang Shuai pulled out a small mirror to fix his hair. "Why are you four so into that stick figure? I'm the real handsome guy with the masculine charm in the Jiang Family. Maybe I should give you another chance to choose. Don't miss out!"
A distant henchman, glaring at Jiang Shuai, gritted his teeth. "Can I get a few extra punches in on him later?"
Ling'er and the others ignored him.
Chu Zhan chuckled at Jiang Shuai, "They just don't have the taste to appreciate you."
Jiang Shuai nodded, "I think so too, no taste at all..."
Jiang Fann, still basking in his triumph, suddenly sensed several strong presences approaching.
"Someone's coming to interrupt us. Help Brother Xiang take down this Starsea Tower, and then we can have a proper chat."
Hearing this, everyone turned to look towards the Starsea Tower in the back. A few figures appeared at the entrance, curiously observing the scene.
Jiang Fann sensed that one of them had an incredibly strong aura, reaching the fifth level of the Celestial Realm. This must be Wu Tian, the one Xiang Tianxing mentioned. His presence was indeed much stronger than Xiang Tianxing's current state.
When Wu Tian saw the newcomers, his gaze landed on Han Qianxue, and he seemed surprised.
"Qianxue! What are you doing here?"
From his reaction, it was clear he knew Han Qianxue. She responded directly, "I've told you many times, please call me Han Qianxue. My heart belongs to someone else, and calling me that makes me uncomfortable."
With that, she pushed Jiang Fann forward. "This is my man."
Wu Tian stared at Jiang Fann, a flicker of hostility in his eyes, clearly angered.
"Bastard!"
Hearing this, Jiang Shuai, standing beside Jiang Fann, nodded sympathetically.
"That's right! Bastard!"
Jiang Fann just smiled, unfazed, and reached into the air. The God-Slaying Blade appeared in his hand, and his aura surged dramatically.
"No time to waste with you. One-on-one or a free-for-all, I'm ready for either."
Wu Tian glanced around, hesitating for a moment.
Wang Xian's voice echoed, "The moment you hesitated, you already lost. Surrender Starsea Tower, or be thrown out. The choice is yours."
In an instant, the crowd behind Jiang Fann began to unleash their powers, their auras overwhelming. Only Han Qianxue and Gu Ling'er wisely stepped back beyond the barrier. Their current abilities weren't suited for battling masters of this level.
Just as Wu Tian was about to speak, a massive golden skeletal claw shot up from the ground, silently seizing him. Barriers rose swiftly, trapping the group of practitioners. Only those as fast as Jiang Fann managed to escape immediately.
Wu Tian's spiritual strength erupted, shattering the claw, but more claws appeared relentlessly, keeping him firmly restrained with no time to break free.
"This..."
A voice followed, "A bunch of trash dares to attack my master? I can take you all down myself!"
Gu Xie suddenly appeared from another direction, exuding an aura so terrifying that everyone present was stunned. As his spiritual strength surged, the rankings on the Starsea List rapidly changed, with Gu Xie's name shooting to the top—Eighth Level of the Heavenly Realm!
Clearly, over the past century, Gu Xie hadn't wasted a moment, significantly advancing his abilities and fully showcasing his innate talents.
Someone exclaimed, "The... the Immortal Clan!"
"What did the Immortal Clan call Jiang Fann?"
"Master?"
The crowd was in an uproar, except for Jiang Fann, who felt a bit awkward. He had been ready for a fight, a real showdown between men, with his sword already drawn. But unexpectedly, Gu Xie appeared and single-handedly subdued everyone on the opposing side.
The gap between minor stages of cultivation is immense, and Gu Xie was clearly above everyone present.
After restraining the others, Gu Xie asked, "Do you yield?"
As he spoke, he increased the pressure with his bone-like grip, making his threat unmistakably clear.
Before the others could respond, Jiang Fann interjected, "Release Wu Tian. I want to fight him."
Gu Xie, hearing this, replied, "If Master wants a spar, I'm here. You've just come out of seclusion and your strength has stabilized. In this Starry Sea Tower, you'll reach the peak of the Reincarnation Stage in no time, doubling your combat power. They wouldn't stand a chance against you. Let me handle these small fry."
Wu Tian and his group never imagined they'd be belittled like this, but Gu Xie's prowess was undeniable, leaving them with no room to argue.
Though Wu Tian was unwilling, he had no strength to resist at this moment.
"Let us go, and we'll leave!"
Gu Xie didn't insist further; she was more interested in checking on Jiang Fann and didn't want to waste time with Wu Tian and the others.
The group that was released didn't want to continue the confrontation either. They walked straight out of the barrier, leaving the Star Sea Tower behind them.
As they reached Jiang Fann, Wu Tian suddenly turned to him and said, "Jiang Fann, this is our first meeting. Until we meet again..."
Jiang Fann shrugged off Wu Tian's provocation, not letting it bother him. He was in a good mood and had no intention of getting angry.
Gu Xie greeted Ling'er and the others warmly. It was clear they hadn't seen each other in years, and everyone was excited.
Jiang Shuai ran straight to the Star Sea Tower, his face full of excitement. "Let me see what makes this Star Sea Tower so amazing."
Xiang Tianxing, Fang Tong, and the others followed him inside, not interrupting Jiang Fann's reunion with his old friends.
None of the onlookers dared to enter the barrier; Gu Xie's formidable presence alone was enough to deter them.
Jiang Fann looked at this group of old friends, unable to hide his excitement. To him, his strength was meant to protect these people. He never expected that today, those he once protected would stand up to help him. It was a delightful surprise and a reminder that life is full of unexpected turns.
Chu Zhan then informed Jiang Fann that they had seen another fragment of a scroll in the Human Clan's ancestral realm, which looked similar to the one Han Qianxue had brought. Jiang Fann knew what that fragment was; it was the last missing piece of the Divine Spell he needed, the Eternal Chapter of the Creation Spell of Heaven and Earth.
The Eternal Chapter could help him break through to a higher realm, reaching the Immortal Stage—a level even Dean Hong Chao hadn't achieved, truly surpassing the natural order. Jiang Fann was unsure of the power that realm would bring, as he had never witnessed it.
As for the Sage Chapter brought by Han Qianxue, Jiang Fann wasn't in a rush to cultivate it. Hurrying to break through could mean years of seclusion again. Right now, he just wanted to chat with people, to learn what they had experienced over the past century.
Perhaps in pursuing the outcome, the journey itself is the most exciting part. The ending might not be perfect, but at least for Jiang Fann, he has no regrets in this life.