Luan Elder paused slightly upon hearing Mo Yunfeng's words, then nodded. "I have been teaching Su Yingxue."
"Su Yingxue hasn't mentioned this person much," Mo Yunfeng shrugged. "Chen Fan, I'm not trying to provoke you, just reminding you."
"No need."
Chen Fan's expression was indifferent.
He knew exactly what Mo Yunfeng meant by saying this. It wasn't necessarily provocation, but rather an attempt to destabilize his resolve through words, simply to vent his own frustration.
He had seen such tactics many times before. During certain operations, psychological tactics were employed to break the opponent's fighting spirit; he himself had used them.
"Kunlun Daoist Academy is the core of the Kunlun Secret Realm."
Mo Yunfeng was unfazed and continued, "Everyone selected for Kunlun Daoist Academy is a genius among geniuses."
"Among the masses, only one in a thousand has the talent for cultivation, and to qualify for Kunlun Daoist Academy, it's one in a thousand after another one in a thousand!"
"Precisely because such aptitude and talent are so rare, Kunlun had to open up and allow martial arts sects and noble families from the outside world to send people to Kunlun."
"These martial arts families and sects wield significant influence, and the individuals they send are exceptionally promising. Even so, at the Heavenly Selection held once every ten years, only one or two are chosen!"
Chen Fan listened to Mo Yunfeng's words with a placid expression.
"To be selected, Su Yingxue's fortune is immense, so much so that it far surpasses ordinary imagination."
"I understand your feelings; you're constantly worried about Su Yingxue's situation, but your actions today will ultimately harm her."
"Since you cannot take her away, after today's events, her situation within Kunlun will carry some hidden worries."
Chen Fan finally couldn't help but retort coldly, "If that's the case, then your so-called Heavenly Selection is quite undeserved of its name."
Mo Yunfeng chuckled. "The Heavenly Selection is indeed worthy of its name, but cultivating a junior who harbors resentment towards Kunlun, despite possessing talent, is in some ways less desirable than cultivating an mediocre individual."
"How about this."
Mo Yunfeng said, "Chen Fan, surrender yourself, and I will spare your life."
"Your talent and aptitude are both extraordinary. If you join my Kunlun, you can also obtain cultivation secret techniques that are absolutely unavailable in the secular world."
Chen Fan sneered, "What are the conditions?"
"There will be conditions, of course, but they won't harm you. I will vouch for you, and the Headmaster will have to give me some face. You needn't worry about your safety."
Chen Fan said indifferently, "I don't believe you, nor do I believe Kunlun!"
Mo Yunfeng shook his head and sighed, "What a pity. It's always regrettable when a genius meets their downfall."
Elder Luan beside him sneered incessantly.
Bai Yazi, Kong Qingzi, and the others exchanged bewildered glances. They hadn't expected Mo Yunfeng to try and recruit Chen Fan.
Chen Fan was acting so brazenly, and yet Mo Yunfeng was trying to recruit him?
Of course, this might just be a ruse, a deception.
Just then, a ripple of light and shadow flickered from the incense burner, and three more figures appeared.
Chen Fan's gaze immediately shifted, and a familiar figure appeared in his eyes.
His heart couldn't help but stir, and his emotions surged.
One male and one female Daoists with profound and powerful auras, and finally, the figure Chen Fan was most familiar with—Su Yingxue.
Mo Yunfeng hadn't lied; he had indeed sent someone to bring Su Yingxue out.
Su Yingxue also saw Chen Fan, her expression turning agitated, and she exclaimed, "Chen Fan!"
"A Xue."
Chen Fan spoke, a smile curving his lips.
"Elder Mo, what happened?"
Of the two people who had brought Su Yingxue out, the man frowned and asked.
As for the middle-aged woman, she flicked her sleeve, and an invisible force supported Su Yingxue. Her gaze landed on Chen Fan. "You're that Chen Fan?"
As soon as Su Yingxue landed, she ran towards Chen Fan.
Elder Luan stepped forward, blocking Su Yingxue, and snorted, "Stop right there. Xue Qingzi, what are you doing? Don't you have any decorum?"
Blocked by Elder Luan, Su Yingxue had no choice but to halt. Seeing Chen Fan's current state, she was filled with worry, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
"Junior Sister Luan, please step aside. Let them speak for a moment. Since this Chen Fan has come, it's a good opportunity for Xue Qingzi to sever worldly ties and focus on cultivation!"
The female Daoist who had brought Su Yingxue out seemed to understand the situation and spoke.
Her voice was clear and cold, but her expression was far more serene than Elder Luan's.
"Senior Sister Yun, this behavior is not to be encouraged. In Kunlun's two thousand years, such a thing has never happened!" Elder Luan said.
"Elder Luan," Mo Yunfeng interjected, "The situation has come to this. Are you afraid this Chen Fan will escape? It's fine to let them talk for a while!"
"Mo Yunfeng, you're too weak. You're letting this arrogant fellow get more and more presumptuous and unrestrained!" Elder Luan was extremely displeased.
"Let me see who it is that has forced the elders of the Three Great Daoist Academies to compromise?"
The newly arrived middle-aged cultivator also spoke with a laugh, "The matter has escalated this far; what's the need for so much formality? Xue Qingzi, you should meet your old acquaintance first!"
This person seemed quite caring towards Su Yingxue.
Elder Luan frowned but remained where she was.
Su Yingxue glanced at the female cultivator who had brought her and, gathering her courage, bypassed Elder Luan to stand before Chen Fan.
"Chen Fan, I have fulfilled my promise. You can catch up with Su Yingxue. After your reunion, it will be your time to die!"
"Chen Fan!"
Su Yingxue looked at the injured Chen Fan, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't help but open her arms and embrace him.
Chen Fan didn't push her away. Surrounded by four Golden Core realm experts, his expression was calm. He stroked Su Yingxue's long hair and asked, "A Xue, are you alright?"
"I... I'm fine. The Headmaster and the elders have been taking good care of me. You... shouldn't have come looking for me."
Su Yingxue said with a sob.
"What's not to come for?"
Chen Fan smiled. "In this world, where is there I shouldn't come?"
"But... your injuries, *sob sob*, you're injured."
Su Yingxue cried.
"These injuries are nothing. I've sustained far more serious injuries before and still lived well."
Chen Fan said gently, "If I didn't come to see you, I would always be worried."
Su Yingxue shook her head. "I'll go beg the elders. You'll be fine. Don't act recklessly anymore."
Chen Fan smiled. "No need to beg them. After I leave, you stay in Kunlun and cultivate well."
"I... No, I... I'll beg the elders for mercy."
"Oh, Aunt Li and Nannan are doing well. Don't worry about them."
Chen Fan shook his head and said, "Take care of yourself. That's all that matters."
Su Yingxue turned to look at the two elders who had brought her, saying, "Elder Bai, Elder Huang, I beg you..."
"Xue Qingzi, don't forget your identity!"
Elder Luan spoke sharply, her oppressive aura surging and cutting off Su Yingxue's plea.
"Xue Qing, come here. I'll ask you, how important is this Chen Fan to you?"
"Extremely, extremely important. More important than my own life!"
Su Yingxue said through tears, her voice firm and resolute.
"You mention him often, but you're still a maiden."
Elder Bai walked closer and said, "I ask you, if you had to give up your cultivation and leave everything behind with Chen Fan, would you be willing?"
Su Yingxue froze, then immediately nodded, "I am willing!"
Elder Bai reached Su Yingxue and suddenly grabbed her, pulling her back.
"Elder Bai..."
Su Yingxue was confused and began to struggle.
Elder Bai raised her hand and knocked Su Yingxue unconscious, saying, "Since that's the case, he must be eliminated even more!"
Hearing this chilling statement, Su Yingxue's tears flowed, but before she could speak, she lost consciousness.
Carrying the unconscious Su Yingxue away, Elder Bai said, "Chen Fan, go peacefully. For Su Yingxue's future achievements, you must die!"
Elder Luan sneered, her sword pointing diagonally at Chen Fan.
Mo Yunfeng also said, "Chen Fan, you've stalled for so long. Your fighting spirit has waned, and the power of your demon core has also subsided. You should surrender now."
"Having seen Su Yingxue, you should have no regrets!"