"By the way, Elder Ruv, you're the one overseeing this disciple recruitment. Elder Ruv must have had his moments of misjudgment, haha..."

This was said by an elder who looked at the chubby elder with a slightly playful expression. Although the elder seemed to be joking, the underlying hint of blame was unmistakable.

"You can't entirely blame Elder Ruv. After all, there are many disciples being recruited; it's understandable that some slip through the net."

"Yes, yes, indeed you can't blame Elder Ruv..."

"..."

For a moment, quite a few elders noticed the tension between the elder who spoke earlier and Elder Ruv, and began to mediate.

At this moment, the chubby elder could tell that everyone had already reached a conclusion about Ding Fan. To argue further would be pointless, so it was better to let Ding Fan prove them wrong later!

"Hmph, whether I misjudged or not, it's still too early to say. Why not wait until that disciple participates in the competition before making conclusions."

The chubby elder said no more, falling silent with a somber expression on his face. Seeing the burly elder's demeanor, the other elders refrained from talking further as well. They couldn't understand why the chubby elder was defending such a poor disciple so stubbornly, truly incomprehensible.

At this moment, He Zenfen, sitting in the center of the elders' platform, was taken aback by the chubby elder's attitude and then glanced with interest at Ding Fan, who had become the focus. He furrowed his brow slightly. This disciple's cultivation was indeed weak, with seemingly no exceptional abilities, yet Elder Ruv was keen on defending him—could there be some connection?

However, He Zenfen didn't overthink it. He had some understanding of Elder Ruv's personality. He just couldn't figure out the situation.

That disciple was indeed disappointing, especially in cultivation. It is known that a cultivator is primarily judged on cultivation; without a solid cultivation, a disciple doesn't have much potential for growth.

Nevertheless, He Zenfen's attitude towards Ding Fan wasn't too harsh, considering Ding Fan was merely an outer sect disciple, still very young, and whether he was truly practicing or pretending, his enthusiasm was commendable.

...

At this moment, Ding Fan slowly opened his eyes. After brief cultivation, he felt refreshed. Though his cultivation hadn't advanced much in such a short time, the improved mental state was evidently beneficial for the upcoming competition.

Both Lianzi and Wang Hu had considered this. Of the group, Ding Fan was the only one yet to participate in the competition, which is why they devotedly protected him.

When Ding Fan opened his eyes and unleashed his Divine Sense, he was startled; he hadn't expected to become the center of focus across the plain after just a brief session of cultivation—this was quite exaggerated!

Was it really necessary to be so exaggerated just because of a little cultivation?

Quickly, Ding Fan noticed those who weren't friendly toward him, but he didn't pay much attention. After all, he couldn't control others' opinions. After surveying the area, Ding Fan soon understood why he had become the focus.

Currently, only he and Gu Feng were cultivating on the plain. While everyone admired Gu Feng's training, they clearly despised Ding Fan's efforts, thinking he was just showing off.

Another reason was Zhou Xiao's influence. Having the first beauty among the outer sect disciples protect him was a privilege even Gu Feng didn't have; it was no wonder he became a focus!

In summary, Ding Fan gave a light smile, realizing he couldn't change the views of those around him.

"Big brother, I hope I didn't interrupt you!"

Wang Hu asked Ding Fan, looking concerned.

Ding Fan shook his head lightly and said:

"No, thank you all."

At this moment, Ding Fan knew he was fortunate to have his good friends protecting him while cultivating; otherwise, the voices of those disciples would have surely disturbed his practice.

Those around, observing Ding Fan and Wang Hu's interaction, were surprised.

Brother Wang Hu was the dark horse of this outer sect disciple tournament, now a core disciple within the inner sect; why would he show such respect to a guy who was just pretending?

This was quite unbelievable!

"I really don't understand what Brother Wang Hu is thinking?"

"That kid looks so punchable..."

"Agreed..."

For a moment, many disciples were having a hard time accepting Wang Hu and Ding Fan's display. How could a disciple, not even at the Dormant Breath Stage, qualify to become Wang Hu's big brother? It was simply ridiculous.

Many disciples were considering these thoughts, recognizing that Wang Hu had gained fame—a reputation forged in battle—alongside Zhou Xiao, a well-known Goddess rank figure.

The obedience of two notable figures to a cultivator not even at the Dormant Breath Stage was unsettling for many cultivators.

"Could it be that kid's family has abundant resources, relying solely on it!"

"..."

The cultivators began speculating about Ding Fan's background. However, in the Cultivation World, relying on family status was fruitless; it would never earn the respect of cultivators because, in the Cultivation World, it's all about power!

The crowd continued to gaze at Ding Fan with disdain.

Just then, it was Ding Fan's turn to compete. Calmly, Ding Fan headed toward the Martial Arts Platform.

The crowd, seeing Ding Fan approach the platform, couldn't help but feel elated. They knew once that kid was on the Martial Arts Platform, there would be no more pretending; everything would be revealed.

"Haha... It's time for that kid to make a fool of himself..."

"I bet even a single cultivator could beat that kid half to death!"

"..."

For a moment, everyone looked at Ding Fan with a playful expression as he walked onto the Martial Arts Platform.

When the crowd saw Ding Fan's opponent appear on the platform, they were all dumbfounded!

"Gu Feng?"

"That kid actually ran into Gu Feng?"

...

Ding Fan's opponent was none other than Gu Feng, the one rumored to be a likely contender for the championship, Gu Feng!

At this moment, Ding Fan looked at the opponent, clearly surprised, but then his face showed an expression of great anticipation and happiness. He originally thought he would not encounter any of them, but unexpectedly, he met one of them in the first round. It seemed this tournament would be very interesting...

On the stage, Gu Feng looked at Ding Fan opposite him and couldn't help but frown. The opponent didn't even have the True Qi of the Embryonic Breathing Stage. Could he really be so weak? However, the opponent's expression showed no sign of nervousness, appearing completely calm in front of him. Gu Feng was taken aback, knowing he was just an outer sect disciple, although always venturing out, he was well acquainted with the sect's outer disciples.

Almost none of the disciples had encountered someone like himself without feeling fear! He knew the disciples within the sect too well; they were like flowers in a greenhouse, never having seen someone like this facing him so calmly.

Previously focused on his cultivation, Gu Feng hadn't heard the outer sect's comments about Ding Fan, and now he regarded his opponent with great caution. Just because of his opponent's calm demeanor, it was evident that his opponent couldn't be so simple.

At this moment, the judges on the panel couldn't help but twitch a bit when they saw the Martial Arts Platform where Ding Fan was facing. They didn't expect that disciple to face someone like Gu Feng so calmly.

However, in the minds of many Elders, they were still not optimistic about Ding Fan, considering the opponent hadn't even reached the Embryonic Breathing Stage...

"The duel begins!"

At this moment, the duty judge stood on the Martial Arts Platform and announced the start of the duel, then quickly stepped back.

Clang!

The instant the duel was announced, Gu Feng quickly drew a gleaming silver broadsword and slashed fiercely at Ding Fan!

Seeing this scene, the people around were all shocked!

"Gu Feng went all out from the start, that kid is surely done for!"

...

Many cultivators couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air upon seeing this scene, in their eyes, Gu Feng's blade was just too fast!

At this moment, Gu Feng's broadsword instantly chopped towards Ding Fan, even stirring up a gust of wind. The people around could only see the shadow of the broadsword and could not see the broadsword itself at all.

Ding Fan's eyes narrowed, and just as the opponent's broadsword was about to reach him, he suddenly leaped backward, immediately pulling away from the opponent's broadsword.

All this happened too fast for everyone to see how Ding Fan retreated. They only saw Gu Feng's broadsword crash into the ground with a loud boom.

Boom!

Instantly, a deep groove was carved into the thick marble of the Martial Arts Platform's floor!

Everyone was already tense, knowing that if such power really landed on them, they would have no chance of survival.

But no one expected Ding Fan to dodge it!

For a moment, many cultivators were quite surprised. It's important to know that Gu Feng was at the Late Nascent Soul Stage, two ranks higher than Gao Qi, who had been defeated earlier, making him an extremely formidable entity!

And yet Ding Fan dodged it? It was somewhat illogical!

Wang Hu and others, seeing this scene, also breathed a sigh of relief. While they greatly respected Ding Fan's strength, knowing he was quite formidable, where ordinary cultivators were definitely no match for Ding Fan, this was Gu Feng! Let alone facing him, most cultivators would feel a chill standing next to him.

Wang Hu and the others were also quite worried about Ding Fan.

...

On the Martial Arts Platform, seeing Ding Fan easily dodge his broadsword strike, Gu Feng clearly acknowledged that the opponent was not to be underestimated, and certainly, the opponent was not so simple.

Immediately, Gu Feng's form shifted several times, swinging the broadsword up, circling around him. It seemed both defensive and offensive at the same time, and no one could get close to him. This time, Ding Fan would not act rashly, responding to an ever-changing situation with calmness.

Swish swish swish!

After a while, Gu Feng seemed very relaxed, swinging the broadsword to approach Ding Fan, clearly wanting to engage in close combat.

Everyone watching Gu Feng swinging the broadsword so effortlessly was shocked for a moment. Judging by appearances alone, that broadsword's weight was not light, yet the opponent swung it around with such ease and had already approached Ding Fan intending to engage in close combat. Some even started to mourn for Ding Fan.

Gu Feng's broadsword whirled around him without the slightest flaw, being very well defended and having fierce attacks. That broadsword looked to weigh tens of kilograms, and even a slight touch of its edge would have serious consequences. At this moment, anyone engaging in close combat with Gu Feng faced a life-or-death scenario!