Jiang Chen knew that if the man denied everything, there might not be much he could do about it. However, he hadn't intended to finish him off with a single blow; even if he couldn't punish him outright, making his life miserable was enough.
With a cold laugh, he said, "A coward who dares not admit his actions. I don't know who you are, and I never planned to use the rules to punish you. I only want to tell you: a coward should never threaten others. A coward's threat is the most powerless and weak of all. Remember, I will definitely poke your hornet's nest. You'd better go back and pray with Guo Ren—don't run into me on the arena!"
After finishing, he cupped his hands toward Official Fang. "Official Fang, since he chooses to deny it, this becomes a case with no evidence. Please render your judgment."
Official Fang pondered for a moment. "Without a third-party witness, this matter cannot be decided. Let it rest here."
He paused again, then called out, "Let me repeat: if any examiner privately contacts examinees, or even threatens them, and is discovered, they will not be shown leniency!"
With a wave of his hand, the group bustled out.
Consort Dan gazed at Jiang Chen's imposing bearing—his ability to converse effortlessly and with heroic spirit in front of numerous examiners. Her heart twirled with admiration, utterly captivated.
This was the extraordinary man she, Consort Dan, admired—a true, righteous hero who could uphold heaven and earth.
She had a faint feeling that as long as Jiang Chen was present, anyone else, regardless of their cultivation strength or seniority, would inevitably be relegated to a supporting role in his shadow.
This man seemed born to be the protagonist.
Even if he was low-key, even if he didn't show off, circumstances always converged to push him into the spotlight, making him the central figure.
Time and again, it had been so, without exception.
Having completely torn off the mask with the Purple Sun Sect, Jiang Chen actually felt much calmer. His mind, previously clouded by hatred, grew clearer.
"Purple Sun Sect," he thought, "one of my reasons for joining this selection is to trample all your geniuses underfoot. It seems this is destiny. In my fate, I am destined to be fire and water with the Purple Sun Sect—irreconcilable enemies."
"In that case, bring it on. Let me see just how fearsome the Purple Sun Sect's so-called hornet's nest really is! And how brilliant their geniuses are!"
Jiang Chen's personality was unyielding; he responded to softness but resisted force.
Since the Purple Sun Sect insisted on using their power to suppress him time and again, Jiang Chen's only choice was to fight them to the end.
"Brother Fei," he said, "now that I've completely fallen out with the Purple Sun Sect, I'm afraid I'll drag you into trouble. You..."
"Don't worry about me. I came here prepared for anything." Consort Dan waved her hand dismissively, her tone light. "It's late. Get some rest."
After speaking, Consort Dan pushed open the door and entered her room.
Once inside, she leaned weakly against the door. All that calmness, all that strength—she had only pretended to show it to Jiang Chen.
She did it so he wouldn't see her as a burden, so she wouldn't affect his martial path.
But this disguise was truly exhausting.
Yet, she had no choice. What else could she do? Reveal her identity and cling to him shamelessly, letting him sink into the embrace of tenderness and lose his way?
That was absolutely not the outcome Consort Dan wanted.
...
Guo Ren was also suffering in his courtyard, Number One. When he learned that Uncle Dao's persuasion had failed and his identity had nearly been exposed, he completely collapsed.
His final efforts had all come to nothing, producing no effect.
His eyes were red and bloodshot, his expression fierce. He snarled viciously, "A mere country bumpkin dares to be so ungrateful! Kid, are you forcing my hand?"
A vicious gleam flashed in his eyes, clearly plotting some extreme scheme.
As he thought, a sudden tightness seized his chest, and he spat out a mouthful of old blood. His legs gave way, and he toppled straight over.
Guo Ren—his inner demons had erupted, his heart fire surged upward, and he had suffered a complete mental breakdown!
Although the news was suppressed, it still spread immediately. The entire Mystic Spirit Area went wild!
For the examinees from the other three major sects, this was absolutely delightful news, a cause for celebration, something to spread far and wide! It was a moment of unadulterated joy!
The rumor that the Number One Martial Artist of the Mystic Spirit Area, Guo Ren, had been frightened into an episode of inner demons and had coughed up blood spread quickly throughout the entire area.
The Purple Sun Sect disciples who had participated in the plot against Jiang Chen felt a shared sense of dread, like foxes mourning the hare. They felt that such a fate would soon descend upon them.
The Purple Sun Sect disciples who hadn't been involved were also shocked and scrambled to find out the inside story.
As for the disciples of the other three major sects, their reactions were uniformly schadenfreude—even eagerness to kick a man when he was down.
Guo Ren had always been arrogant and domineering, looking down on everyone. As the Number One Martial Artist of the Mystic Spirit Area, he had always held himself above others, dismissing all rivals.
How about now? Had retribution finally arrived?
Frightened into inner demons and coughing up blood by a mortal realm genius? His life was clearly over!
"How delightful, how delightful!" In Courtyard Number Seven, Liu Wencai of the Myriad Spirit Sect couldn't help but want to drink several cups. He remembered being rejected by Jiang Chen that day, only to be humiliated by Guo Ren.
Liu Wencai hadn't argued with Guo Ren then because he feared Guo Ren's strength as the Number One seed.
Now, hearing this wonderful news, Liu Wencai clapped his hands in glee, feeling that since joining the selection, today was by far the most satisfying day.