Chapter 251: I’ve Set My Sights on the Third Position!

After the challenge ended, Gu Fan directly returned to his own Cave Residence to cultivate.

Before coming into contact with Domains, he had no sense of them whatsoever. However, this time’s clash involving Domain control made him realize the disparity.

According to Nan Xuanrou, among the top five disciples, nearly every one of them had attained seventy percent mastery of their Domain, and the one ranked first had even reached eighty percent!

With that level of mastery, Gu Fan knew full well that he absolutely couldn’t win if he challenged them now.

Perhaps their realm and Mysterious Power strength were about the same as Xun Bo’s. Even if they were stronger, the difference wouldn’t be significant.

The realm was right there—half-step Celestial Heart Realm.

The reason for the gap between first and tenth was entirely due to the degree of Domain mastery.

As for the Senior Brother in the Celestial Heart Realm and Nan Xuanrou, their strength was likely even more terrifying!

So, to participate in the Eastern Region Assembly five months later, he had to enhance his strength during this period.

He either had to break through to the Solar Radiance Realm or improve his Domain mastery.

Moreover, the energy from the lotus seed Gu Fan had consumed was still being slowly digested, with some of it settling in his Qi Sea that required time to wear down.

“Improving Domain control is one aspect. The other is breaking through to the Solar Radiance Realm. If I can achieve both, I can definitely secure a spot in the top five!”

Thinking this, Gu Fan decided to head to the Trial Tower and give it a try. So many True Disciples yearned for it. It was said to refine the physical body and break through one’s limits.

But what exactly it entailed, he would have to experience for himself.

After leaving his Cave Residence, Gu Fan walked through the sect and saw ordinary disciples quietly discussing him upon seeing him.

Some bore a trace of resentment, others looked sorrowful, as if Gu Fan had stolen their woman.

Gu Fan thought for a moment and then laughed. It must be those who had bet on Xun Bo winning.

He didn’t care. They were just a bunch of Inner Sect and Core Disciples who didn’t even dare cause trouble for him.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t mind teaching them a lesson.

He made his way to the sect’s Core Area, where the formation to enter the Trial Tower was located.

As soon as Gu Fan arrived, he saw several disciples waiting at the entrance.

Once they spotted Gu Fan, they all changed expressions and stepped aside.

Gu Fan didn’t stand on ceremony and walked straight to the front, addressing a seated elder:

“True Disciple Gu Fan, ranked ninth, here to cultivate in the Trial Tower.”

The elder picked up a token and sensed it, then looked Gu Fan up and down with some surprise.

“Your identity checks out. To enter the top ten without breaking through to the Solar Radiance Realm… It seems the sect has produced another peerless prodigy.”

Gu Fan smiled but didn’t reply.

The elder took out a restriction talisman and said:

“You may enter any area from the first to the sixth floor. Choose your desired spot to cultivate. There are independent cabins inside. You can only stay inside for half a day per session. Exceeding the time, you must come out on your own. Don’t make others come fetch you.”

Gu Fan nodded and took the talisman, preparing to enter.

But just then, a lazy voice rang out.

“Isn’t this Junior Brother Gu Fan? So eager to experience the Trial Tower?”

Gu Fan turned around and saw two people walking over.

One had a refined expression, looking like a graceful gentleman. The other had a gloomy and dark demeanor, looking hard to approach.

Gu Fan looked over the two and then smiled:

“May I know which two Senior Brothers you are?”

The graceful gentleman-like man smiled and said:

“I am Qingxia Young Master, and this is Yin Huishu.”

Gu Fan recalled the intel—Qingxia Young Master, ranked third, extremely powerful.

Yin Huishu was originally ranked tenth, but now, because of Gu Fan, he had dropped to eleventh.

No wonder that person’s gaze carried resentment when he looked at him.

“So it’s the two Senior Brothers. This is my first time entering the Trial Tower. I thought I’d take the chance to see what miraculous effects this tower, so admired by many disciples, might have.”

Qingxia Young Master’s eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled and said:

“Junior Brother will surely understand the preciousness of the Trial Tower’s effects once you experience it for yourself. Especially the sixth floor, which only the top ten can access—the effects are even more astounding. Isn’t that right, Junior Brother Yin?”

Yin Huishu’s expression shifted. Qingxia Young Master’s words deeply stung him.

He had just been forced out of the top ten, and now he was being asked how great the benefits of being in the top ten were—wasn’t that a direct jab at his heart?

What good would those benefits do for him now? He couldn’t even enter!

At that thought, his resentment toward Gu Fan intensified.

Gu Fan simply narrowed his eyes and smiled at the two of them.

How could he not see through Qingxia Young Master’s petty maneuver? It was nothing more than an attempt to provoke discord between him and Yin Huishu.

Because Gu Fan had defeated Xun Bo, Yin Huishu had been forced to drop to eleventh, missing out on many benefits, so naturally he bore a grudge.

But for Qingxia Young Master to bring it up right in front of him—it was clearly an attempt to sow discord.

Gu Fan recalled that he had probably offended Qingxia Young Master during the reward exchange for the bets.

After all, with ten-to-one odds, when he went to collect, he had received eleven full chests of Mysterious Dao Stones including the principal!

Even with Qingxia Young Master’s wealth, it must have hurt a little.

Yin Huishu snorted coldly and said:

“The top ten? I’ll return sooner or later. Gu Fan, don’t get cocky!”

Gu Fan revealed a dangerous expression and said:

“What does that have to do with me? Besides, I remember that Xun Bo’s one-month protection period ended after I defeated him. If you’ve got what it takes, just knock him down when the time comes.”

“Or are you suggesting I’m easier to bully than him? Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. If you’re willing, we can fight right now!”

As he spoke, Gu Fan’s expression turned cold.

Yin Huishu hadn’t expected Gu Fan to be this aggressive—just one sentence, and he was ready to throw hands.

At that moment, Gu Fan continued with a smile:

“But I advise you not to be so hasty. I’m preparing to challenge the top five soon. By then, you can properly consider who to go after.”

Qingxia Young Master perked up as soon as he heard that Gu Fan intended to challenge the top five.

“Junior Brother Gu Fan wants to challenge the top five? That’s big news. May I ask who your target is?”

Gu Fan smiled and didn’t answer immediately.

He glanced up and down at Qingxia Young Master a few times, and just as the latter’s expression began to shift, he said with a grin:

“I think Senior Brother Qingxia is quite suitable—perfect as my opponent. I really like that third position!”

“I’ve decided. The top five disciple I’ll challenge soon is Senior Brother Qingxia!”

Qingxia’s face froze instantly. He felt as though he was being looked down upon.

“Junior Brother Gu Fan, don’t joke around. The gap between each of the top ten should not be underestimated. You haven’t even fought the fifth or sixth ranked disciples, and you want to challenge me?”

Gu Fan simply waved his hand and said:

“To me, Senior Brother, you and the others are all the same—no difference at all.”

With that, he strode into the Trial Tower, not looking back as he laughed loudly:

“Senior Brother, you’d best stop wandering around and focus on strengthening yourself. Otherwise, you’ll lose too miserably when the time comes!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep