Chapter 28: An Encounter with Young Master Liu Fan

Young master Liu Fan, clad in elegant attire befitting his noble status, sat regally near the tranquil oasis, taking leisurely sips from a delicate porcelain cup filled with fragrant tea.

Liu Fan's keen eyes caught sight of Tang Jian's approach, and with a gracious smile, he set his tea cup aside, his demeanor radiating a mixture of cordiality and curiosity. With a graceful motion, he gracefully unfolded his legs, making space for Tang Jian to join him.

"Nice to meet you, junior Tang," Liu Fan greeted, his voice carrying a melodic tone that matched the tranquility of the oasis. "Please, have a seat."

Tang Jian gracefully accepted Liu Fan's offer and settled into the chair in front of him. "Nice to meet you too, Senior Liu Fan. I heard you called me here to discuss something," Tang Jian replied, his voice tinged with weariness.

Liu Fan gazed at Tang Jian for a moment and then gently took hold of his hand. "I heard that you were the one who helped me win the duel today. I am truly grateful for your considerate action, Junior Tang," Liu Fan expressed, showing his gratitude.

Curious, Tang Jian leaned in and asked, "You don't really need to thank me, Senior Liu Fan. But I hope you didn't summon me here just to express your gratitude."

A mischievous smirk played on Liu Fan's lips as he released Tang Jian's hand. "You're right, Junior Tang. I didn't call you all the way here just to show my gratitude. If you allow me, I would like to propose a deal to you."

Tang Jian's excitement grew upon hearing those words, but he maintained his composure and inquired, "What kind of deal are you proposing, Senior Liu Fan?"

Liu Fan picked up his tea cup, took a sip, and leaned forward. "Have you ever heard of the Ethereal Saint Realm, Junior Tang?"

Tang Jian was taken aback by the sudden question. He had never encountered any mention of the Ethereal Saint Realm before. With a puzzled expression, he asked Liu Fan, "I have never heard of any EtherealSaint Realm, Senior Liu Fan. Please enlighten me."

Liu Fan stood up from his seat, gazing at the tranquil oasis before him. He then explained the concept of the Ethereal Saint Realm. "You may not be aware of it since you've only been in this academy for around ten days," Liu Fan began, his eyes gleaming with dignity. He moved closer to Tang Jian, firmly placing his hand on the chair, and continued, "The Ethereal Saint Realm is a secret realm created by the Three Saints before they ascended back to the Immortal World. It was specifically designed to test the new generation of cultivators. Anyone in the Body Forging Stage under the age of 15 can participate in this trial."

Tang Jian's undivided attention was focused on Liu Fan's explanation. Liu Fan went on to describe how the Ethereal Saint Realm opens every ten years, attracting disciples from various academies and sects who seek to benefit greatly from it. He emphasized that the realm's techniques were particularly useful in establishing a solid foundation. Additionally, the envoys of the Seven Great Sects attended the trials to recruit talented individuals. As a result, many people competed for a seat in this secret realm.

Impressed by the thoughtfulness of the Three Saints, Tang Jian found himself both intrigued and confused. To clear his confusion, he turned to Liu Fan and raised a question, "That's fascinating, but why are you telling me about this now, Senior Liu Fan?"

A slight smile graced Liu Fan's face as he gently placed his hand on Tang Jian's shoulder. "I am sharing this with you because I may need your assistance again, Junior Tang."

Rubbing his chin in confusion, Tang Jian probed further, "Could you please explain how you intend to trouble me, Senior Liu Fan?"

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A mischievous grin formed on Liu Fan's face as he explained, "You see, Junior Tang, our academy is allocated a set number of seats for the secret realm every year—six, to be exact. To determine who will enter the secret realm from our academy, a competition is organized. The top five students in the competition earn the opportunity to enter the secret realm, while the winner receives an additional seat, which they can bestow upon anyone they choose."

Tang Jian's mind finally connected the dots as to why Liu Fan was discussing the secret realm. With a sigh of relief, he responded, "So, you want me to win the tournament so I can give the extra seat to Liu Ying, right?"

Liu Fan nodded approvingly at Tang Jian's deduction and replied, "Yes, that's correct, Junior Tang. I'm sharing this with you because you may need to provide the additional seat to Liu Ying." Tang Jian's confusion deepened, prompting him to inquire further, "If that's the case, then why don't you trust in Liu Ying's capabilities more, Senior Liu Fan?"

Liu Fan let out a sigh, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "It's not that I don't trust in Liu Ying's abilities. It's just that our Liu family is being targeted by the other two families for some reason. They may try to plot something to prevent Liu Ying from entering the secret realm. That's precisely why I need your help, Junior Tang. In return, I will provide you with the necessary resources to cultivate in the academy."

Tang Jian found Liu Fan's explanation reasonable, realizing that it was prudent to consider potential plots from the other families. With conviction, Tang Jian extended his hand towards Liu Fan and said, "I understand your worries, Senior Liu Fan. I will fulfill my part of the deal."

Liu Fan looked relieved by Tang Jian's acceptance but was momentarily confused by Tang Jian's outstretched hand. "That's good, but what am I supposed to do with your empty hand, Junior Tang?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Tang Jian felt embarrassed for the social blunder and quickly retrieved his hand. "Ahem! You aren't supposed to do anything with my hand. I was just stretching it a bit because I was feeling a little sore," Tang Jian replied, still feeling a tinge of embarrassment.

Liu Fan could see through Tang Jian's lie but decided not to press the matter further. "That's good, then, Junior Tang. I will be in touch with you again soon," Liu Fan said, acknowledging their agreement.

With their conversation concluded, Tang Jian bid Liu Fan farewell and left the meeting with a newfound sense of purpose, determined to help Liu Ying secure a seat in the secret realm competition.After bidding farewell to Liu Fan, Tang Jian made his way to the Soul Cleansing Hall for his scheduled class. As he entered, he encountered the familiar old senior he had met before. The old senior's gaze seemed to penetrate Tang Jian, and he spoke, "Ah, Tang Jian, you're here. I can see that you're lost in thought as always."

Tang Jian maintained his composure and replied, "You are correct, old senior. I have been preoccupied with my thoughts lately. May I ask if the instructor for the Soul Manifestation class has arrived yet?"

The old senior stroked his white beard and chuckled. "No need to be impatient, Tang Jian. Instructor Xiao has already arrived and is ready to begin the class. You can now delve into the teachings of the way of Soul Manifestation."

Tang Jian felt relieved upon hearing the old senior's words and expressed his gratitude before proceeding towards the Soul Manifestation class, eager to embark on this new phase of his training.

As Tang Jian made his way towards the Soul Manifestation class, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. The prospect of delving deeper into the mystical realm of Soul Manifestation stirred a newfound excitement within him.

Entering the classroom, Tang Jian noticed Instructor Xiao standing at the front, waiting for the students to settle in. Instructor Xiao was known for his expertise in Soul Manifestation, and his reputation as a skilled cultivator preceded him. His aura exuded a sense of calm and wisdom, instantly captivating the attention of the students.

Instructor Xiao greeted Tang Jian and the other students with a warm smile. "Welcome, everyone. Today marks the beginning of your journey into the profound art of Soul Manifestation. I hope you are prepared to delve into the depths of your souls and unlock your hidden potential."

Tang Jian found himself captivated by Instructor Xiao's words. He took a seat, eager to absorb every bit of knowledge that was about to be imparted. The room fell silent as the instructor began his lecture, his voice resonating with a gentle yet commanding tone.

"For centuries, Soul Manifestation has been revered as a sacred path, guiding cultivators to forge a connection with their inner selves and harness the power within. It is through this connection that one can unveil their true potential and tap into the boundless energy of the soul."

As Instructor Xiao continued to speak, Tang Jian found himself engrossed in the teachings. The instructor emphasized the importance of introspection, meditation, and cultivating a harmonious balance between mind, body, and soul.