At this moment, Zhang Qiang, the short Sect Master of the Four Seas Sect, looked at He Zenfen with disdain and then said calmly:

"What of the challenge? The way you treat a genius disciple is a loss to the whole Cultivation World. Since your Dayang Sect is unwilling or unable to nurture such a disciple, we will naturally take him under our wing. Also, let me tell you, He Zenfen, don't think I'm not aware of how you've treated this disciple – I know it very well!"

He Zenfen's face froze, slightly embarrassed. He obviously understood what the other party meant and probably knew that the other had used Divine Sense to hear what an Elder had said to him earlier. Indeed, his own sect was somewhat guilty towards Ding Fan.

After all, such an outstanding disciple entered the sect without focused training and was placed in some neglected corner. This was simply a slap in his own face!

But even so, this was his sect's affair, of course, it was not a place for an outsider to comment.

Hearing the other's words, He Zenfen felt that reconciliation was unnecessary. Clearly, the other party didn't intend to make peace. For a moment, he found it somewhat amusing – did the old fools really dare to be presumptuous in his sect?

"If you don't want to die, get out, and I might consider letting you off this once!"

He Zenfen said with a face full of indignation.

The Elder Zhang Qiang heard this and couldn't help but find it ridiculous, then spoke with detached disdain:

"Let us off? You've got it wrong, Sect Master He. Know that we are not pushovers, and let me tell you, He Zenfen, the Dayang Sect's end is near. You refused to join our alliance, so you're asking for death! Hahaha..."

At this moment, the crowd was stunned by what they saw.

After much discussion among the people, the disciples of the Dayang Sect realized the identity of these Elders – they hadn't expected these people would target the Dayang Sect. It was shocking.

You must know that the Dayang Sect had hundreds of years of heritage. Could it really be so easily defeated? It seemed unbelievable.

Even if the opposing sect masters were powerful, they were, after all, within their own sect. Wasn't it a bit too arrogant to say such things?

"That's right, He Zenfen, apparently there's still time to repent. We might consider leaving you a role to clean toilets in the Dayang Sect. With so many disciples, toilet cleaning would be quite an event!"

"Hahaha…"

"Facing doom yet ignorant? Truly laughable!"

...

For a moment, several other sect masters spoke with extreme scorn and contempt.

Hearing these words, many disciples of the Dayang Sect were filled with rage, unable to believe the opponent could speak such disgusting words. It was clear they wanted to stand against the sect to the end!

Many cultivators began to circulate their True Qi, ready at any moment to rush forward and kill these old things. No matter how strong they were, they knew their Sect Master He was here, along with the Great Elder, these old people were destined to die!

The cultivators were completely ignited, ready for battle at any moment.

The short Elder Zhang Qiang then turned back, looked at Ding Fan, Wang Hu, and others, and his face once again changed to a very amiable look as he spoke to Ding Fan:

"Young man, have you decided? Follow our Four Seas Sect, and your future will be boundless!"

Hearing this, Ding Fan's expression was very calm. Obviously, he knew well that even though the Dayang Sect had not treated him well, those other sects were even worse than pigs and dogs. How could he betray his sect? It was truly ridiculous.

Ding Fan clearly felt the atmosphere at this time, sensing that battle was imminent. However, he wasn't the least bit afraid.

Then Ding Fan calmly said:

"Although the Dayang Sect hasn't treated me well, what are you compared to it? It's simply laughable!"

With these words, Ding Fan's stance was unmistakably clear.

At this moment, quite a few sect disciples couldn't help but give Ding Fan a thumbs up. Even though the Elder had treated Ding Fan that way, he still clearly stood firmly on the side of the Dayang Sect. Such a person is truly admirable!

Many cultivators looked at Ding Fan with eyes full of respect, and it was clear that Ding Fan's actions had won the respect of nearly all the sect's disciples.

"Hehe, if that's the case, what a pity… haha..."

At this moment, the short Elder Zhang Qiang's face darkened as he spoke, hearing Ding Fan's words. He didn't expect the other would refuse him. While he secretly admired this young man, he was ruthlessly clear in his mind that such a gifted disciple could not be allowed to remain.

However, the short Elder Zhang Qiang did not rush to act against Ding Fan. What he wanted was not just Ding Fan himself, but the entire Dayang Sect!

Sect Master He Zenfen heard Ding Fan's words and couldn't help but admire Ding Fan a bit more, not expecting this disciple to have such a broad-minded character.

It's important to know that there aren't many disciples with such high cultivation skills, exceptional talent, vast potential, and superior character anymore.

At this moment, He Zenfen had already decided in his heart who he would take as his closed-door disciple in this outer sect disciple martial arts contest. Although Ding Fan's brother Wang Hu performed well, it was clear that Ding Fan was superior. Such an outstanding disciple is definitely worthy of becoming my disciple.

Although the outer sect disciple contest had not yet ended, He Zenfen had already made up his mind and then said to Ding Fan:

"Ding Fan, our Dayang Sect previously felt ashamed for what we did to you. I, He Zenfen, promise today to compensate you doubly in the future, and now I am announcing that I have chosen my closed-door disciple, and that is Ding Fan!"

At that moment, after He Zenfen finished speaking, the many sect disciples below were very surprised, with mixed feelings in their hearts. This all seemed a bit too sudden. No one expected that the outer sect disciple contest hadn't finished, yet the sect's closed-door disciple had already been chosen, and it was Ding Fan.

Obviously, being chosen as the sect leader's closed-door disciple is the most concerning issue for all outer sect or sect disciples. Many talented disciples wanted to perform exceptionally in this outer sect disciple contest to strive to become a core disciple. However, now, even before the contest ended, the sect master's closed-door disciple has already been chosen.

This is somewhat incredible!

"Ding Fan has become an inner sect disciple?"

"This is a bit too lucky!"

"He does have the strength. I thought it would be Brother Wang Hu..."

"You must know that even Brother Wang Hu respectfully calls Ding Fan big brother, and Ding Fan's strength is naturally very formidable."

"Exactly, among the outer sect disciples, there are probably few who can match Ding Fan, after all, even Ye Qingfeng was defeated by a casual move from Ding Fan, and Ye Qingfeng had taken a medicine pill at the time. Clearly, Ding Fan's strength is the top!"

"Yes, even if the outer sect disciple contest is not over, it is evident that Ding Fan's performance would not be bad."

...

For a time, many cultivators began to discuss, and soon the area was bustling with noise.

At this moment, upon hearing He Zenfen's words, Ding Fan was also taken aback. He didn't expect that he would be chosen as the closed-door disciple. Indeed this was somewhat fortuitous. Evidently, having such a powerful elder to guide him is naturally a good thing. More importantly, becoming the sect leader's closed-door disciple would clearly make it easier to search for Zhou Ruoran, Gusu Qingwen, and Ye Ningbing's whereabouts.

He could also inquire about the three mysterious people discovered by the Dayang Sect at sea.

Immediately, Ding Fan, along with Wang Hu, went to where He Zenfen was in the Elders' Area and respectfully said to He Zenfen:

"Thank you, Sect Master."

Ding Fan didn't say much more. Moreover, he also respected the other party greatly. Ding Fan was quite clear in his heart that the treatment he received within the sect was evidently not arranged by the sect leader himself, but rather by someone else, certainly Meng Haotian. However, Ding Fan could understand.

A sect leader obviously cannot devote all his attention solely to the outer sect disciples. It's normal not to be aware of some matters. However, from what the other party said, Ding Fan could tell that the other party was evidently aware of the treatment he and Wang Hu received in the sect.

This is why He Zenfen said those words.

At this point, Lianzi and the others, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but feel both surprised and truly happy for Ding Fan, including Liu Yan, who was also extremely happy for him.

Clearly, Ding Fan being able to become the sect leader's closed-door disciple is absolutely a good thing for him and a good thing for them too, as their relationship with Ding Fan was the closest. Obviously having a friend who is a sect leader's closed-door disciple is certainly a very dignifying thing for them.

The most important thing is that they genuinely felt happy for Ding Fan, as they knew best the grievances Ding Fan suffered within the sect. Knowing how outstanding a disciple Ding Fan was, yet having faced various unfair treatments within the sect, obviously, this result was a sweet reward for Ding Fan after all his hardships!

At that moment, Zhou Xiao and the female cultivators who were with Lianzi and Ding Fan couldn't help but feel utterly astonished by Sect Master He Zenfen's words. Ding Fan's every performance had already left them in awe.

Though it was mostly Wang Hu competing before, privately, many around them could see Wang Hu's respect for Ding Fan. In the Cultivation World, only the strong are respected, and it was apparent to all that in Wang Hu's heart, Ding Fan was significantly more powerful than him.

Facts proved this right. Ding Fan's every performance was immensely amazing!

This time, Ding Fan gave them another surprise; he actually became the sect leader's core disciple, which was absolutely a fantastic thing.

The sect leader's disciple would undoubtedly be extraordinary, and being a closed-door disciple was something unimaginably great for Ding Fan—everyone was delighted. The closed-door disciple of the sect leader was likely to be the next sect leader. This really was like taking a step closer to the heavens.

For some male cultivators, they were now more focused on the fact that becoming the sect leader's closed-door disciple would clearly bring them closer to someone like the goddess-like He Qianyao. It would be natural for them to possibly have dinner together, which was an enviable thought.

This was a dream for any male cultivator, after all, everyone has a love for beauty.

At this time, He Qianyao, having heard her father's words, couldn't help but be taken aback. What? Ding Fan actually became her father's closed-door disciple?