"He... he actually dares to go?"

"Truly fearless! That’s the second-ranked Jade Ruyi of the Inner Sect Marshals!"

"Ha! Open your eyes wide, is it just Jade Ruyi? Sitting next to Sister Yu is the Grand Senior Sister of the Inner Sect!"

A few Outer Sect disciples, seeing Yang Yan leave, began to speak without reservation beside Gu Sheng.

The more Gu Sheng listened, the darker his face became.

By the time Yang Yan flew back, he realized the two women were already sitting in the seats next to his original spot.

And his original spot was already occupied by an Inner Sect disciple.

Jade Ruyi’s eyes clearly showed disgust, but she didn’t express it.

Because the Inner Sect disciple was sitting beside Wang Peicong, appearing graceful and outstanding.

Even Jade Ruyi didn’t have much to say.

Shortly after that man sat down, Yang Yan arrived.

Meeting Jade Ruyi’s gaze, Yang Yan unexpectedly noticed a gloating expression on her face.

This woman really holds a grudge!

Yang Yan sneered in his heart, then walked straight up to the handsome man and cupped his fists slightly:

"This spot belongs to me, Senior Brother. Isn’t it fair to give priority to those who arrive first?"

Many people beyond and above the stands turned their gaze over.

Except for a few who widened their eyes in surprise, most wore gloating smiles.

They were all clearly waiting to see Yang Yan make a fool of himself.

"That’s Liu Haotian, who reached the peak of Qi Cultivation Level Seven two years ago and is ranked twelfth on the Inner Sect Thirty-Six Celestial Pride List!"

"Isn’t that Outer Sect disciple seeking death? I heard from my junior brother that his ranking in the Inner Sect Marquis Mansion is the very last seat!"

"Ha! One might say ’the newborn calf is not afraid of the tiger,’ or perhaps he is fearless because he knows nothing. He’ll learn soon enough the gap between the Inner and Outer Sects!"

"Senior Brother Liu Haotian is amiable to his fellow disciples. But I’ve never heard of him being amiable to an Outer Sect disciple who dares defy him!"

"No matter, Wang Peicong has many suitors; Liu Haotian is just one of them. We’ll just watch. This boy is purely a joke, he’s about to have terrible luck today."

The discussions of the neighboring Inner Sect disciples reached Yang Yan’s ears without missing a word.

Jade Ruyi’s eyes darted around.

In fact, she was among the few in the Ancient Abyss Sect who knew that Yang Yan possessed the Celestial Flood Dragon Saint Body.

But having excellent aptitude doesn’t mean you can rapidly advance from the start.

She was particularly eager to see what kind of performance Yang Yan would have before someone who is far stronger, Liu Haotian, aside from having a Sacred Body.

Would he lower his head?

Or explode with his Sacred Body identity and force Liu Haotian to lower his head?

"Junior Brother, your words are incorrect!"

Before Wang Peicong, Liu Haotian still maintained his gentlemanly facade, elegantly cupping his fists to Yang Yan and said:

"When I arrived just now, I didn’t see anyone in this seat. Perhaps Junior Brother could find another seat?"

Of course, he already had a decision in mind.

If this ignorant Outer Sect disciple continued to be unruly, then he couldn’t blame him for not extending brotherhood.

"I was gone for only a moment, how could Senior Brother not know? Or could it be that Senior Brother... has eyesight problems?"

Yang Yan teased deliberately.

Anyway, since the competition was going to start today, why not warm up a bit beforehand?

In Jade Ruyi’s ears, his words had two meanings.

Eyesight problems...

Indeed!

Did this loafer know he couldn’t win and was going to reveal his identity, then?

But what followed completely exceeded Jade Ruyi’s expectations.

"Do you understand the hierarchy?"

Liu Haotian’s eyes were cold as he spoke, enunciating each word.

If Wang Peicong hadn’t been there, he would have acted already.

A mere Outer Sect disciple, even if he was an Inner Sect candidate, was merely an ant in his eyes.

It was well known that among the thousands of Inner Sect disciples, all but a few showed him respect.

"Senior Brother, I naturally understand hierarchy, but do you understand precedence?"

Yang Yan still held onto the precedence issue, locking eyes with Liu Haotian, a gleam flashing in his own eyes.

"You! Do you have any direct brothers or backing in the sect?"

Liu Haotian asked, suppressing his anger.

Yang Yan’s fearless demeanor made it seem like he did have some powerful backing.

His mind raced with the possibility that some foe arranged this to embarrass him publicly.

After all, if someone stood behind Yang Yan, perhaps a core disciple or elder, he couldn’t afford to offend them.

"None. Senior Brother, rest assured."

Yang Yan smiled and said lightly.

A backing?

How could Yang Yan, a newcomer Outer Sect disciple, have any backing?

"How dare you!"

Liu Haotian suddenly stood up, his face inches from Yang Yan’s.

"Haotian, what’s going on?"

A gentle voice suddenly came from afar.

Upon hearing this, Liu Haotian’s expression changed, and he glared at Yang Yan fiercely.

The meaning was clear: Yang Yan was lucky.

He pushed Yang Yan with force, only to find Yang Yan remained motionless!

In the end, Yang Yan smiled and stepped aside, offering a path for him.

"Senior Brother!"

Liu Haotian was inexplicably shocked, but quickly took a step forward, bowing to the white-robed man who flew over.

"Senior Brother!"

"Senior Brother!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother!"

"Senior Brother is here!"

The white-robed figure from the distance, elegant as snow, was recognized as the Grand Senior Brother of the Ancient Abyss Sect’s Inner Sect.

This person was renowned even amongst the eldest disciples of the elders or core disciples.

The thousand-plus Inner Sect disciples present all rose to greet him, and the tens of thousands of Outer Sect and Named Disciples watching the martial arts arena erupted fervently.

Everyone couldn’t help but turn their gaze toward him.

"Haotian, eh... it’s you?"

After landing, the white-robed man nodded at Liu Haotian first, then glanced over at Wang Peicong and Jade Ruyi.

However, when his eyes fell on Yang Yan, he suddenly froze, staring at him intently.

"Yang Yan greets Senior Brother."

Yang Yan belatedly cupped his hand as a greeting:

"I wonder why Senior Brother looks at me like this; could it be he knows me?"

Amidst the thousands watching, the words the white-robed man was about to say got swallowed back.

Indeed, when Yang Yan’s Celestial Flood Dragon Saint Body was revealed, he had just arrived too.

Moreover, he and Yang Yan were not strangers, having met before.

The white-robed man shook his head with a bitter smile:

"I can’t bear you calling me Senior Brother. I am Lin Zimu; just call me Zimu."

Joking aside, the title of Senior Brother wasn’t something he could bear for someone destined to become the Ancestral Master’s first disciple. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The mere thought was daunting!

Seeing Yang Yan’s puzzled face, he hurriedly explained:

"You were brought back that day by Elder Dugu and me together."