Lu Fan nodded slightly, feeling the terrifying aura himself. To be careless would lead to a very unpleasant death.
In the blink of an eye, Lu Fan left his original position. As soon as Lu Fan left, a white-haired old man arrived at the spot where Lu Fan had been. Looking at the blood on the ground, he revealed a cold expression.
The Heavenly Fire Pavilion had explicit rules: those in the first heaven could not enter the third heaven, nor could those in the second heaven enter the third heaven. However, it was clear that someone had violated the rules. As for who it was, it was unclear.
After leaving the third heaven, Lu Fan returned to his residence in the first heaven. Fortunately, he hadn't been discovered, otherwise, he probably wouldn't be able to stay in the Heavenly Fire Pavilion.
"Old man, who was that person just now? Why did they have such a terrifying aura?" Lu Fan asked, "If I hadn't escaped quickly, I would probably be dead by now."
"At least a Venerable!"
Hong Meng the old man said directly, "If he had caught you, it would have been a big trouble. With my current abilities, I wouldn't be able to help you escape!"
Lu Fan's face turned ashen. He didn't know how strong a Venerable was, but he knew very well that being a Venerable was enough to prove the person's strength.
"Stay in the first heaven for the next few days and don't venture out," Hong Meng the old man advised. "The Heavenly Fire Pavilion is full of experts. If you're caught, your life might be in danger."
Lu Fan gave a wry smile, his face somewhat pale. It had been a close call just now. If there had been any mistake, he might not have returned. How could he not understand this?
"By the way, your spiritual sense is injured. You can use the White Lotus Sacred Fire to nourish it, but you can't rush it."
Hong Meng the old man said seriously, "If you rush it, it will affect your state of mind."
"Understood!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly and, dragging his heavily injured body, went to his residence.
At this very moment, Datou had woken up. Seeing Lu Fan's figure, he asked, "Where did you go? Why aren't you sleeping so late at night? The Heavenly Fire Pavilion has rules against wandering around casually. If the people from above find out, you'll be punished."
"I thought the night view of the Heavenly Fire Pavilion was nice, so I went out for a walk!" Lu Fan said with an awkward smile. "I didn't expect you to wake up so quickly. I thought you would sleep for a while longer."
"I always have trouble sleeping. I feel like something is going to happen tonight," Datou said seriously. "Every time something happens in the Heavenly Fire Pavilion, I feel restless. Maybe I'm too sensitive."
"There's such a thing?" Lu Fan smiled slightly, not paying much attention.
Just then, a bell sound suddenly reverberated through the first heaven. The bell sound was continuous, even spreading across many mountains and rivers.
"As expected, something is going to happen!"
Datou's expression became solemn. "This is the bell of the first heaven, and also a summons. We need to hurry and gather. If we delay, we will be punished!"
Lu Fan frowned. He hadn't expected that being discovered after sneaking into the third heaven would cause such a commotion.
"Do you want to leave, kid?"
Hong Meng the old man spoke, "If you're found out, it won't be a good thing."
"I cannot leave!"
Lu Fan said directly, "How can I leave before I obtain the Green Lotus Sacred Fire!"
"Very well, as you wish!" Hong Meng the old man nodded. "But you need to be careful not to capsize in the gutter. Otherwise, even I won't be able to save you."
Lu Fan nodded slightly, saying no more. He then unleashed the White Lotus Sacred Fire, suppressing it within his body while concealing his aura.
With the White Lotus Sacred Fire suppressing his aura, even if there were supreme experts in the Heavenly Fire Pavilion, they might not be able to detect him.
Not long after, led by Datou, Lu Fan arrived at the plaza. Inside the plaza of the first heaven, many figures stood. Most of them were outer disciples and some handyman disciples, all looking very panicked, not knowing what had happened.
Datou approached Steward Zhao and asked, "Steward Zhao, what major event has happened? Why are we being summoned in the middle of the night?"
"I don't know which reckless fool it was who dared to trespass into the third heaven!" Steward Zhao said. "They are simply audacious. I heard they were already injured, and the higher-ups have started an investigation. We just need to wait here for a moment."
"Could it be someone from another place? How dare the handyman disciples of the Heavenly Fire Pavilion act so recklessly," Datou inquired.
"The Heavenly Fire Pavilion is a mixed bag, with many people harboring ill intentions," Steward Zhao waved his hand. "But now that things have come to this, we can only wait for the results from above."
Datou nodded slightly, not daring to ask any more questions. He knew very well that this was not something people of his status could inquire about.
A short while later, several elders arrived at the first heaven and looked at Steward Zhao. "Did anyone leave the first heaven tonight?"
"Elders, all the handyman disciples of the first heaven are under my jurisdiction. No handyman disciples have left the first heaven tonight!"
Steward Zhao said directly, "This matter is likely not the work of someone from the first heaven!"
"Hmph, the Pavilion Master has ordered a thorough investigation into this matter," the elder said. "For that person to escape under the Pavilion Master's nose, their strength must be extraordinary. If they are truly hidden within the Heavenly Fire Pavilion, it will be a great trouble."
"Escaped under the Pavilion Master's nose?"
Steward Zhao was slightly surprised. With such formidable abilities, how could such a person be in the handyman quarters?
"By the way, were there any new recruits entering the Heavenly Fire Pavilion today?" the elder asked again.
"Yes, yes!"
Steward Zhao quickly nodded and looked at Lu Fan.
Lu Fan's expression tightened. He hadn't expected the Heavenly Fire Pavilion to investigate so meticulously, not letting any detail slip.
"Are you the one who joined the Heavenly Fire Pavilion today?" the white-haired elder looked at Lu Fan, his aura surging.
"Indeed, I am."
Lu Fan quickly nodded. He had already concealed his aura. Even if this elder possessed heavenly means, it would be difficult to detect.
The white-haired elder nodded slightly, then suddenly struck out with a palm towards Lu Fan, carrying immense power.
Seeing this, the surrounding people cried out in surprise. This was an elder of the Heavenly Fire Pavilion. How could an ordinary person withstand the might of his palm?
Boom...
A huge impact sound echoed. Lu Fan was sent flying violently, retreating dozens of meters.
Lu Fan almost retaliated, but he knew very well that if his identity were exposed, obtaining the Green Lotus Sacred Fire would be extremely difficult.
Pfft...
Lu Fan spat out a mouthful of blood, falling to the ground, seemingly on the verge of death, filled with helplessness. In the face of true powerhouses, any life was insignificant.
Seeing this scene, Datou wanted to step forward to help, but was pulled back by Steward Zhao. At this moment, no one could step forward, or they would be punished.
"It seems you are not the one!"
The white-haired elder was quite satisfied. He hadn't been that powerful, yet he had beaten Lu Fan to a state of near death. If Lu Fan were truly that expert, he would have already made a move, or at least instinctively dodged.
"The elder is joking. I'm just a kitchen handyman," Lu Fan said, appearing neither humble nor arrogant.
"Steward Zhao, this kid took a blow from me, so I'm at fault. Since he's not that person, let him become an outer disciple as compensation," the white-haired elder said before turning to leave.
Steward Zhao nodded repeatedly, showing surprise and joy. He hadn't expected Lu Fan to benefit from misfortune. In the entire handyman quarters, countless handyman disciples longed to become outer disciples every day, but they had no way to do so.
Lu Fan, after only one day, had successfully advanced.
"Congratulations, you have become an outer disciple!"
Datou came to Lu Fan with a smile. "You truly benefited from misfortune. I've been in the Heavenly Fire Pavilion for three years, and I haven't had such treatment."
Lu Fan smiled slightly but said nothing more. Two of his ribs had been broken. The elder had shown no mercy when he struck.
Lu Fan dared not use his spiritual energy to resist, so he could only endure it silently.
Upon returning to their quarters, Datou bandaged Lu Fan and smiled, "Although you took a blow, it was worth it. If I had such an opportunity, I would be willing to take ten blows."
"Don't worry, there will be such opportunities in the future!" Lu Fan said with a wry smile.
He certainly didn't wish for such an opportunity, but it had come to him. However, Lu Fan's trip to the third heaven tonight had also yielded many benefits. At least he could sense the specific location of the Green Lotus Sacred Fire in the Third Hall.