Chapter Eighteen: Silverleaf Armor, Reunion with Old Friends

“Chen Fan has broken through to the third level of martial arts? And he’s registered for the Demon-Slaying Tournament?”

Dong Guzhi, the master of White Cloud Hall, had always kept a close eye on Chen Fan and his peers, so naturally, he was the first to hear of this news.

He was well aware of when Chen Fan began his cultivation. It had only been a few months. Feng Yuancheng started cultivating true skills five months earlier than Chen Fan, and to this day, he still hadn’t broken through to the third level—he remained a step away.

“Chen Fan’s foundations are actually so much stronger than Feng Yuancheng’s. Could it be that his innate constitution is also extraordinary? How could he progress so quickly in his cultivation…”

Dong Guzhi couldn’t help but feel amazed. At this rate, Chen Fan’s cultivation speed might not even be slower than those with rare physiques.

With the true energy seed he had helped forge, Chen Fan’s transformation of true energy was naturally not a difficult task—ten days to half a month would suffice. But the second level, the tempering of muscles, was another matter entirely.

Even Feng Yuancheng, who had completed the foundations of two first-class power-training manuals, would have a hard time completing the tempering in less than eight or nine months, possibly over a year.

Unfortunately, testing one’s innate constitution required special equipment. Dong Guzhi could only speculate that Chen Fan’s physique was unique, but whether it was that of a truly rare kind, he couldn’t be sure.

“To reach the limits of vital energy and blood is truly impressive. But to sign up for the Demon-Slaying Tournament just after breaking through—this boy certainly has guts…”

Though he thought this, he couldn’t help but feel proud of his disciple.

A true warrior’s strength was not just determined by talent—without ambition, how could one ever become powerful?

And as for Chen Fan—his comprehension was unmatched, his foundations peerless, his character exceptional…

At this moment, all Dong Guzhi’s recent discontent and resentment toward his young disciple vanished, replaced only by satisfaction!

He narrowed his eyes, pondering, “This boy’s comprehension is outstanding, and he rarely encounters obstacles in his cultivation. As his master, I must not let my role be a mere formality…”

…

Half a day later, Chen Fan heard a knock at the door.

He went out to find his third senior sister, Yun Wei, seeking him out.

“Senior Sister, what brings you here?”

Yun Wei’s eyes widened as she looked him up and down with an extremely peculiar gaze. “Are you really not even fifteen yet?”

Chen Fan scratched his head. “By nominal age, I’m fifteen… Senior Sister, did you come here just to ask my age?”

Yun Wei sighed, “You’ve broken through to the third level of martial arts, haven’t you? Not even fifteen years old and already at the third level…”

Chen Fan scratched his head again. He’d only mentioned his breakthrough when registering for the tournament, yet his senior sister already knew.

“Senior Sister, you’re strong yourself—why pay any mind to my mere third level?”

Yun Wei gave a helpless smile. “I’m already twenty-five, and I’ve only just broken through to the fifth level. It’s unlikely I’ll reach the sixth before I’m thirty. When I was fifteen, I’d only just completed my first first-class power-training manual… But you…”

Her words implied that he’d completed more than one first-class manual.

At twenty-five, she had reached the fifth level of martial arts—a talent much greater than Lin Shiyu or Xiao Chunkong. Yet, looking at Chen Fan, she still seemed a bit melancholic. “Of the five disciples in our sect, not even the eldest or second senior brothers compare to you, little brother—you’re an anomaly!”

Chen Fan shook his head. “When I was in Feiling County, I obtained ten Deer Fetus Pills, and later, I benefited from resources won in wagers, with a steady supply of Gathering Essence Pills. My progress is thanks to these advantages, not just my own ability.”

It was always best to be a bit humble…

Hearing this, Yun Wei did feel a bit better.

“By the way, I didn’t just come to chat today—Master sent me to deliver something to you.”

With that, Yun Wei lifted her slender hand and handed Chen Fan a piece of soft armor.

The armor was entirely silver, adorned with leaf-like patterns.

Yun Wei spoke with some envy, “This Silverleaf Soft Armor is a top-grade treasure-class inner armor. Swords and spears can’t pierce it, fire and water can’t harm it. Unless one has reached the rank of a grandmaster, it’s impossible to break. It can even absorb some of the force from attacks…”

Chen Fan was delighted. “This is a gift from Master?”

By now, Chen Fan was no longer a novice. He understood the existence and value of treasures.

He knew that this inner armor alone was worth more than all the resources he’d won in his three wagers combined!

Yun Wei nodded. “Of course. You insisted on signing up for the Demon-Slaying Tournament at only the third level. If you won’t take care of your own life, Master can’t help but worry. Wearing this, unless a demon beast bites your head off, it absolutely can’t take your life!”

Chen Fan felt a surge of warmth. “Thank you, Senior Sister. Thank you, Master!”

He rarely saw his master, and hadn’t expected him to be so attentive.

Yun Wei lingered for a while, chatting with Chen Fan before departing.

As she left, she said, “Little brother, don’t just bury yourself in cultivation—spend more time with your senior brothers and sisters. Your fifth senior brother just returned; you haven’t met him yet, have you?”

Indeed, that was the case.

Half a year since joining, Chen Fan had only attended one gathering with his master and senior siblings, and that was to see Li Linliu off.

His fifth senior brother hadn’t been present then, so Chen Fan never had the chance to meet him.

Chen Fan nodded. “I’ll be sure to visit all my senior brothers and sisters when I get the chance!”

…

As the Demon-Slaying Tournament approached, the entire capital of Yandu grew increasingly lively.

True skill disciples from the surrounding counties arrived one after another.

One noon, Chen Fan and several fellow disciples from Feiling County came to the west gate of Yandu.

In the distance, lines of carriages could be seen approaching.

In recent days, the number of martial artists arriving in Yandu had only increased.

Chen Fan yawned and waited for two incense sticks’ time. When he saw the banners fluttering above the distant convoy, he perked up.

The banners bore the words “Feiling” and “White Cloud”!

It was the martial artists of the Feiling County White Cloud Branch Hall.

Chen Fan had come to greet his fellow disciples.

Bao Tianyou was among the group!

“Junior Brother Chen! Haha! You’ve gotten taller!”

Bao Tianyou, burly as a black bear and voice booming, greeted Chen Fan with a bear hug.

“I was shocked when I got your letter, Senior Brother! You’re here for the Demon-Slaying Tournament too?!”

Though Bao Tianyou looked strong, he had only a second-class foundation. With family support, he’d reached the third level, which was impressive for a small county, but only average in Yandu. Among the core disciples of the main hall, even a random second-level martial artist could easily defeat him.

Chen Fan hadn’t expected Bao Tianyou to come to Yandu to participate in the Demon-Slaying Tournament.

Bao Tianyou laughed heartily and shook his head. “That’s where you’re mistaken. The true talents from our branch have already become core disciples of the main hall. We entry-level disciples are just here to witness the event; none of us are actually competing!”

Chen Fan was taken aback. “No one’s signed up?”

Bao Tianyou nodded and explained:

“Over the years, the Demon-Slaying Tournament has become a grand festival. Countless martial halls send disciples, and martial artists from all over come to take part. But ninety-nine percent aren’t here to slay demons—they come for the festivities!”

The Demon-Slaying Tournament had become a grand event, far surpassing the small tournaments back in Feiling County.

With martial artists from all the counties, there could be as many as ten thousand attendees!

At such a grand event, disciples from various halls would spar and compete, some would take the opportunity to make a name for themselves, and some less talented disciples would grit their teeth and sign up to slay demons to push themselves further!

Chen Fan nodded, growing more curious and excited.

To battle demon beasts—what would that feel like? Could he use such battles to break through and master his martial techniques?

…

In a restaurant in Yandu.

Bao Tianyou, with two entry-level disciples from the branch, sat at a table with Chen Fan. He said regretfully, “It’s a pity Meng Qi’s cultivation is too weak. He hasn’t completed the true energy transformation yet, only at the first level, so he couldn’t come with us. He wanted to pay his own way, but I convinced him to stay and train instead.”

Meng Qi also trained with a second-class manual. His talent was no match for Lin Qingyu and others. Without the help of elixirs, it would likely take him a year just to complete the true energy transformation.

Bao Tianyou himself was not young. When he first met Chen Fan, he was at the third level, and now, despite Chen Fan catching up, he was still at the third level.

Chen Fan thought to himself, “I was right to suppress my progress and build up my vital energy to the limit before starting true skill cultivation!”

He remembered how he had completed the first level in just three days—his feelings were mixed.

Bao Tianyou said, “By the way, at this event, all the major martial halls from Feiling County sent disciples. The opponents you faced in the county tournament are all here as well!”

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Yan Lincu is here too? He must have started cultivating true skills by now—how strong is he?”

Half a year had passed, and with Yan Lincu’s unique qualities, he should have completed the transformation.

Bao Tianyou gave Chen Fan a look. “Why’d you think of that brat first? He’s been off the grid lately—no one knows where he’s gone. They say he’s left Feiling County. But Lin Qingyu from Plum Blossom Pavilion is here. Isn’t she quite close with you, Junior Brother…”

Bao Tianyou began winking and making faces.