Chapter 194 - 96: The Champion’s Return, the Tremor of Four Seasons Valley

Chapter 194: Chapter 96: The Champion’s Return, the Tremor of Four Seasons Valley

"I’m in the dark, too. And she made it sound extremely serious." Elder Yu Xian shrugged, equally baffled.

Yan Shouzhuo, who was also there, had a guess of his own: ’Little Xia He didn’t get into a fight with Jiang Xuan, did she?’

While the three of them were lost in their own different thoughts, still trying to make sense of the situation, Xia He walked over, supporting Granny Lan.

These few were all the help Xia He could muster. The Valley Master of the Valley of Spring and Xia He’s own father were in seclusion and could not be disturbed unless it was a critical emergency.

Once everyone was gathered, Xia He spoke anxiously without waiting for anyone to ask, "Everyone, something terrible has happened..."

She stood in the center of the group and, speaking rapidly, recounted the entire story of Jiang Xuan winning the joint exam from beginning to end.

At first, when they heard that Jiang Xuan had placed first in this round of assessments, the others didn’t pay it much mind. They even felt that Xia He was being a bit ridiculous and making a mountain out of a molehill.

"You gathered all of us here just because he got first place in a monthly exam?"

Just as they were frowning and about to reprimand Xia He, her next words left everyone in the room utterly speechless.

"Our Little Junior Brother didn’t just place first at the Chen Daoist School—he placed first across all five participating schools: Chen, Rooster, Yin, Si, and Xu. What’s more, Yun Shengjie from our Daozi Courtyard also competed, and he was defeated by our Little Junior Brother."

"Because of this, Senior Brother Yun now sees him as a formidable rival, and the experts in our Daozi Courtyard believe he has a chance to place in the top ten in the Hundred-Day Exam!"

"The top ten?!"

At these words, the only person in the room who could remain calm was Granny Lan, who came from an Upper-Class Dharma Vein.

Everyone else, from Yu Xian to Xiao Ningxiang—who had originally thought Xia He was overreacting—was stunned.

It was obvious they had never expected the Jiang Xuan they had recruited to be so powerful.

Yan Shouzhuo... he was taking it slightly better. He had once seen Jiang Xuan comprehend the Winter Solstice Meaning in the time it took to eat a meal, so he was somewhat mentally prepared for the extent of Jiang Xuan’s Talent.

But before, it had just been an expectation; now, his suspicions were confirmed.

’I wasn’t wrong. He truly is a peerless prodigy who can match a Celestial Level Spirit Root with his Comprehension and talent alone... And this isn’t even his limit. Comprehension becomes more important the further one progresses. In the next two months, his ranking is bound to climb even higher!’

Shock, amazement, and elation—these were the first emotions that flooded their minds.

They could well imagine the future benefits of having such a peerless prodigy join their sect.

But soon, amidst their delight, a deep-seated worry began to grow in their hearts, just as it had for Xia He.

It was a good thing for a disciple to have outstanding Talent, but his was so high it was becoming a headache. They had a feeling they wouldn’t be able to hold on to him.

"We have to do everything in our power to keep Jiang Xuan! He’s a peerless prodigy of Comprehension. Not only does he have a boundless future, but if he develops his potential, there’s a high probability he can solve our Cultivation Technique problem!"

The first to speak was, naturally, Yan Shouzhuo, who had witnessed Jiang Xuan’s Talent firsthand.

But hearing his words, Xiao Ningxiang just shook her head with a bitter, helpless smile. "Keep him? Of course we want to keep him. But right now, what do we have to offer?"

"..."

That night, in a secret chamber within the Scripture Pavilion of Four Seasons Valley, the group deliberated for a long, long time.

The next morning, after Jiang Xuan woke up and washed, he was preparing to head to the Chen Daoist School to go with Lecturer Song Zhou to the Chen Family’s estate and collect his Treasure Level Treasures.

To his astonishment, he saw Granny Lan from the Valley of Winter, Yan Shouzhuo from the Valley of Summer, and even Elder Yu Xian of the Scripture Pavilion... all the high-ranking seniors of Four Seasons Valley were waiting outside his door. From the looks of it, they clearly intended to accompany him to the Chen Family’s estate.

"???"

This grand procession left Jiang Xuan bewildered and utterly confused.

"Seniors, it’s just to collect a reward. Is there really a need to mobilize everyone like this?"

Yan Shouzhuo replied, "It’s absolutely necessary. There’s strength in numbers. This will demonstrate your special status and the importance we place on you in Four Seasons Valley. That way, the Chen Family won’t dare to be perfunctory or shortchange you on your reward."

His words made some sense. Besides, having people to back him up was ultimately a good thing. So, Jiang Xuan said no more. He led the group straight to the Chen Daoist School, and after meeting up with Lecturer Song Zhou, they all proceeded to the Chen Family’s estate together.

Upon their arrival, Jiang Xuan discovered, with a strange look on his face, that having the entire Four Seasons Valley entourage with him was not, in fact, a pointless gesture.

Of course, it wasn’t because the Chen Family was planning to fob him off with some defective items, but because of something else entirely.