Chapter Seventeen: Senior Brother Tao

Not even two days had passed.

Chen Fan was stopped right at the entrance of the Myriad Illusions Hall.

"Junior Brother Chen Fan!"

A young woman in a purple robe called out. She looked around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with delicate features—not exceptionally beautiful, but with a slight baby fat that made her endearing.

Chen Fan furrowed his brow. "May I ask what this senior sister wants with me?"

He was certain he did not know her.

The purple-robed girl smiled brightly, holding a special piece of paper. "I am the president of the 'Yan Capital City Fellowship' here at the Martial Academy. My name is Bai Qiaoxin. I’m here to specially invite you to join our Yan Capital City Fellowship..."

A fellowship?

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes.

He had heard that Senior Brother Zhang Fan had joined a few small groups, but he himself had never taken the initiative to apply for any. It surprised him that someone would come seeking him out.

Before he could ask further, Bai Qiaoxin began extolling the many benefits of this "Fellowship":

They held weekly meetings where members exchanged resources, knowledge, and martial experience. They often teamed up to complete missions, helping newcomers adapt to Martial Academy tasks, and earned Yuan Points together...

She painted a picture of unparalleled advantages, as if joining would grant endless convenience.

Bai Qiaoxin spoke eloquently, but Chen Fan frowned slightly and asked, "Since this is the 'Yan Capital City Fellowship,' does Senior Brother Lin Tiandu from the Radiant Sun Pavilion belong to this fellowship?"

Lin Tiandu was also from Yan Capital City, ranked among the top twenty disciples of Radiant Sun Pavilion. His reputation and strength were considerable; he was the Martial Academy's strongest disciple from Yan Capital City and was already over forty years old.

Bai Qiaoxin’s smile faltered, and she replied awkwardly, "Most Radiant Sun Pavilion disciples rarely stay at the Martial Academy. As for Senior Brother Lin Tiandu, such a formidable figure, even I have scarcely seen him in person..."

Although Radiant Sun Pavilion disciples were still formally part of Qingming Martial Academy, in reality they belonged to the core of the Great Qian Martial Academy, many spending years outside for training and missions—a completely different league from other disciples.

Chen Fan frowned again. "What about Senior Brother Zhan Yi from the Bright Moon Pavilion?"

Zhan Yi was one of the Ten Young Masters of Qinghe Commandery and also from Yan Capital City.

Again, Bai Qiaoxin shook her head awkwardly.

Chen Fan was speechless.

It became clear that this "Yan Capital City Fellowship" was essentially a club for the weaker martial artists from Yan Capital City.

The stronger ones looked down upon joining such groups.

Chen Fan shook his head, feeling a bit disappointed, then said, "I can join, but I want enough freedom. I’m willing to participate in some special social activities, but unless necessary, I don’t want to attend weekly meetings."

Bai Qiaoxin paused, contemplating, then forced a smile. "Alright. Junior Brother, you’re young and gifted, and should focus on cultivation. If you want to come, come; if not, it’s no matter."

Chen Fan nodded and didn’t linger. "I still have to cultivate. Goodbye, Senior Sister."

He turned and entered the Myriad Illusions Hall.

Bai Qiaoxin narrowed her eyes, her expression complicated.

She had her reasons for founding this Fellowship, and Chen Fan was not only exceptionally talented but also fiercely independent and difficult to control. Recruiting him might risk unsettling the balance.

If not for special circumstances, she wouldn’t have approached Chen Fan herself...

There was a reason behind inviting him to join.

Chen Fan paid no mind to the Fellowship, unaware that one foot was already stepping into a trap.

His name was listed among the special members of the Yan Capital City Fellowship. In less than two weeks, Chen Fan had only attended one social gathering. Then, Bai Qiaoxin came looking for him again. The Fellowship was about to launch a joint field mission.

"A joint fellowship mission?"

Such missions were organized to collectively undertake a batch of Martial Academy tasks, distributing them efficiently within the group. This was also a way to help newcomers complete missions more securely and an opportunity to build relationships.

Chen Fan was somewhat intrigued upon hearing this.

At this point, his Yuan Points were nearly depleted.

He had earned three thousand Yuan Points from the entry exam, spent a small amount on cultivation pills, and used the rest entirely on the Myriad Illusions Hall. Every day he went out to eat, sleep, and attend classes; the rest of the time was spent immersed in training.

Yuan Points were never enough.

Though his cultivation had advanced greatly, the next assessment of the All-Phenomena Vase was more than half a month away, and the contest at the Hua Qing Pool was nearly two months off. There was no opportunity to earn more Yuan Points through rank changes.

"I’ve been at the Martial Academy for three months now. This is a good chance to get out and about..."

The Fellowship’s activity was just outside the capital city. Chen Fan could use this opportunity to build bonds with fellow Yan Capital disciples, complete Martial Academy missions, and earn some Yuan Points.

The next morning at dawn, Chen Fan followed Bai Qiaoxin and twenty or thirty other disciples as they left the Martial Academy.

At the gate, they were stopped by a cold, bald young man.

Bai Qiaoxin’s expression grew strange when this man appeared.

The bald man’s gaze lingered briefly on Chen Fan, then he glared at Bai Qiaoxin.

"Bai Qiaoxin, let others do as they please, but not Chen Fan!"

Bai Qiaoxin’s face darkened noticeably.

Chen Fan, however, was puzzled.

This man looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, wearing the jade token of the Bright Moon Pavilion, but Chen Fan had never met him before.

Who was this man, and why did he speak so harshly?

Before Chen Fan could speak, Bai Qiaoxin forced a strained smile and introduced, "This is a former member of our fellowship..."

She then turned to the bald man with that trademark smile still on her face.

"Senior Brother Tao, what do you mean? Chen Fan is a prodigious talent, a Martial Academy genius. His strength will match mine soon enough. How could I possibly mistreat him..."

The bald man sneered coldly.

"Your strength is lacking, but your scheming is not small. Chen Fan is a once-in-a-decade talent for the entire Qingming Martial Academy. Yet you want him to join your group for missions? Are you just afraid others will know about Chen Fan’s movements outside the academy?"

"Do you realize how many are watching Chen Fan? Not just people from the academy, but spies from other nations and even some monsters have noticed him. Can you guarantee nothing will go wrong?"

Bai Qiaoxin’s face turned extremely unpleasant as she looked at Chen Fan.

"Junior Brother Chen Fan, you can rest assured, I absolutely—"

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes, reading Bai Qiaoxin’s expression, and interrupted firmly, "I’m not going."

His words were decisive, without hesitation.

Bai Qiaoxin looked helpless. "Junior Brother, how can you say that..."

Chen Fan only smiled faintly, saying nothing.

His meaning was clear.

This is who I am.

Bai Qiaoxin’s face soured, and the other Yan Capital disciples looked around, bewildered and confused by the situation.

The bald man glanced at Chen Fan and nodded slightly.

Bai Qiaoxin eyed the bald man sharply.

"Senior Brother Tao, you’re meddling too much. We just want to build a connection with Junior Brother Chen Fan and progress together. Why must you interfere like this..."

The bald man’s gaze was icy.

"No matter your intentions, whether to use Chen Fan’s identity and fame or something else, what you’re doing is irresponsible to Chen Fan. I don’t care about the others, but not Chen Fan... Bai Qiaoxin, we’ve known each other long enough. I don’t want to be harsh, but don’t force me. Otherwise, be prepared never to leave the Martial Academy again."

Bai Qiaoxin’s face changed dramatically as she left with her group in resignation.

Chen Fan stepped forward to the bald man, his expression complex, and cupped his fists respectfully.

"Junior Brother Chen Fan greets Second Senior Brother."

The bald man sighed slightly.

"I’m no longer a disciple of the Master. How can I deserve to be called Second Senior Brother by you..."