Great Villain: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate

Chapter 135: Fang Yuan's Inner Turmoil

Indubitably, Ji Ruxue, the Heroine, was a prize to be pursued!

Furthermore, she symbolized a perpetual opportunity to gradually erode Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value.

At the current juncture, Ji Ruxue had not yet graced the magnificent sect assembly with her presence.

In the pre-established narrative, Fang Yuan was to reveal his remarkable recovery, a revelation that would stun his detractors, thereby leaving an indelible impression and ascending as a noteworthy figure.

Though Ji Ruxue did not witness this transformative moment personally, word of it would reach her.

Consequently, her curiosity about Fang Yuan would be piqued, gently pulling her toward the 'Abyss'.

At this very moment, through Jiang Chen's relentless endeavors, the collective sentiment and the overall ambiance underwent a dramatic shift.

Fang Yuan, in particular, became an instrument in Jiang Chen's hands, a chess piece to outshine rivals, effectively dominating the entire scene.

Nonetheless, it remained an irrefutable truth that, the phenomenon of Fang Yuan reclaiming his cultivation prowess would undeniably stir people's curiosity.

Ji Ruxue might indeed become intrigued.

Albeit, this intrigue would likely be less pronounced than in the original storyline.

Nevertheless, Jiang Chen could not afford to become complacent!

Perceiving an opportunity to build a rapport with Ji Ruxue, Jiang Chen recognized its significance and resolved to seize it.

After all, Fang Yuan was the protagonist, the bearer of nearly twenty thousand Heavenly Fate Values!

'There are two months from the grand sect assembly to the contention for the title of Holy Son.'

'In the canonical plot, this duration was meant for Fang Yuan to augment his strength, serendipitously piquing Ji Ruxue's interest and even compelling her to covertly monitor him.'

'This interaction with Ji Ruxue, I must tactfully dampen her curiosity towards Fang Yuan, thereby inhibiting any prospective interaction between them!!'

'Conversely, attempting to hinder Fang Yuan's cultivation progression over this bi-monthly period poses a far more formidable challenge.'

'Both Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan are eminent figures in the Late-stage Void Tribulation realm!'

'They are seasoned veterans, their discernment proving even more daunting. A slip-up could potentially betray some information.'

'If Fang Yuan and the pair, Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan, grow increasingly suspicious, navigating this predicament will become substantially more intricate!'

A torrent of thoughts cascaded through Jiang Chen's mind, threatening to engulf him.

Despite the labyrinthine complexities, he knew he had to persevere.

He could only proceed with caution, acclimating and adjusting as the situation developed.

At this juncture, when confronted with Ji Mingxiu's query, Jiang Chen immediately affirmed without any semblance of hesitation.

"Indeed."

"Master, I find myself with a few questions to pose."

A genial smile lit up Jiang Chen's visage, and he swiftly pondered over several challenging aspects within the 'Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture', feigning confusion.

"Excellent!"

"Let's proceed then!"

Ji Mingxiu expressed his approval with a warm nod, placing his hand on Jiang Chen's shoulder, poised to depart.

However, just then...

"Hold on, Ji Mingxiu."

"Our Purple Heaven Holy Land has finally nurtured a prodigy of Jiang Chen's caliber."

Mo Yu interjected, addressing Ji Mingxiu with a chuckle, "If you won't permit us to guide him, at least let us extend our gratitude, yes?"

"Indeed!"

"Jiang Chen, please accept this as a small token of my admiration."

Li Shang, the Supreme Elder, with a gentle smile, retrieved a storage ring and extended it towards Jiang Chen.

"You cunning old fox, always one step ahead?"

Mo Yu, an amused expression adorning his features, shook his head in mild resignation, and followed suit, presenting Jiang Chen with a storage artifact of his own.

The other two Supreme Elders from the Purple Heaven Holy Land also beamed with pleasure, showing an exceptional level of amiability towards Jiang Chen.

"This..."

In the wake of the benevolence demonstrated by the four Supreme Elders, Jiang Chen glanced uncertainly towards Ji Mingxiu.

"When a gift is offered, accept it graciously. Don't refuse unnecessarily, haha!"

Ji Mingxiu bestowed upon Jiang Chen a nod of encouragement.

"I understand!"

"I extend my gratitude to the four esteemed seniors!"

Jiang Chen's countenance was marked by a radiant smile as he gracefully accepted the tokens of goodwill from the four Supreme Elders.

Without inspecting, he was already aware.

Considering the cultivation base of these four Supreme Elders, who stood at the Dao Palace realm, the worth of their presents was bound to be astonishingly high!

This was an unforeseen windfall.

He hadn't expected to harvest such a bounty during this occasion.

"Well done! Accept it quickly!"

"Jiang Chen, you must devote yourself to your cultivation!"

"Indeed, indeed. The future of our Purple Heaven Holy Land's capacity to yield a Third Step great powerhouse hinges on you now!"

"..."

Witnessing Jiang Chen accept their gifts, Mo Yu and the others also found themselves brimming with satisfaction.

They proceeded to converse further with Jiang Chen, aiming to strengthen their budding camaraderie.

Ji Mingxiu wasn't rushing to depart with Jiang Chen, recognizing the significance of expressing reverence towards the four Supreme Elders.

''Darn it.'

'Could it be that the protagonist's Heavenly Fate Value is at work here, mysteriously prompting the four Supreme Elders to delay me, preventing my rendezvous with Ji Ruxue?'

Jiang Chen quietly vented his frustration.

Despite his eagerness to meet Ji Ruxue, and possessing a valid reason to depart, he knew it was appropriate to exchange a few pleasantries with the elders before making his exit.

Meanwhile, beyond the confines of the Holy Land Grand Hall, disciples were scattering in small groups.

Among them, the face of a female disciple was illuminated with anticipation as she hurried towards Ji Ruxue's dwelling.

Concurrently, Fang Yuan, his eyebrows slightly furrowed in mild irritation, vacated the assembly area.

During this grand sect gathering, he had intended to personally declare his renewed ability to cultivate normally, to capture the spotlight, and regain everyone's acknowledgement.

However, circumstances did not unfold as smoothly as he had hoped from the outset.

The moment he ventured out, he was ensnared by members of the Deacon Hall.

They were insistent on recruiting him for the extermination of a nearby demonic beast lair that had surfaced in the vicinity of the sect, even invoking sect regulations to enforce his participation.

With no time to leverage his clan's influence on this occasion, he found himself swept up in the pursuit of the demonic beast.

Fortuitously, due to some unknown circumstance, the demonic beast was gravely wounded, allowing for his early return.

Hence, he was not excessively delayed.

Later, he had planned to retain a trick up his sleeve, choosing to register his participation before revealing his reclaimed ability.

He wished to witness the shocked expressions of those present, to then make a resounding comeback.

However, to his astonishment, it was Jiang Chen who spoke up...

This expedition had proven to be quite bothersome and agitating.

It had left Fang Yuan feeling exceptionally unfortunate.

Furthermore, he had an instinctive suspicion about Jiang Chen not being a person of good intentions, sensed that Jiang Chen might turn into a rival, and as a result, his initial perception of Jiang Chen was decidedly unfavorable.

"Senior Nangong!"

"And Senior Shangguan!"

"I harbor this lingering unease regarding Jiang Chen."

"Do either of you perceive anything peculiar about him?'

Unable to suppress his inner unrest, Fang Yuan subtly engaged his left hand's Soul Embodying Ring with his divine sense, expressing his doubts.

"Is this an intuition of yours?"

"Sometimes, a cultivator's intuition proves to be incredibly precise."

"Yet it might also be a case of your mind playing tricks. Given your past experiences, it's natural to pique the interest of anyone within the Everflowing Truth Domain."

"It's perfectly reasonable for Jiang Chen to take note of you and observe you cautiously. I don't find anything amiss."

After some deliberation, Shangguan Ning added, "However..."

"However what?"

Fang Yuan's attention sharpened at this.

"However..."

"Jiang Chen indeed isn't ordinary!"

"Beyond his Perfect Grade aptitude, he also bears some form of a True Dragon bloodline!"

"The rank of that True Dragon bloodline is exceptionally high, it's speculated to be at the Void Tribulation realm, perhaps even transcending it!"

Nangong Wan chimed in where Shangguan Ning paused.

"What, a True Dragon bloodline!"

"And it's potentially of a caliber higher than the Void Tribulation realm, wouldn't that be a fearsome bloodline of the Fourth Step?"

Nangong Wan's revelation left a hint of astonishment flashing in Fang Yuan's eyes.

It should be noted that both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were merely at the Late-stage Void Tribulation realm.

To ascend to the Fourth Step, one must face a horrifying ordeal, the Void Tribulation!

The majority, eight or nine out of ten, are likely to falter at this juncture.