Chapter 411: Chapter 145: Perception as a Mirror Reflecting All Things, Fusing the Intent of the Three Saber Techniques

In a situation like this, it seemed only Chu Fan could bring order—he was both the soul of the Seven Stars Gang and a Demon Suppression Guard.

The anger in Chu Fan’s eyes gradually subsided, replaced by a profound calm.

He casually sheathed his Long Saber with a crisp CLICK.

"Let’s go." His tone was flat, yet it carried an undeniable power. "We’ll go have a look."

...

Chu Fan, Li Qingxue, and Zhao Tianxing rushed to the Seven Stars Gang’s Martial Arts Arena, finding it already surrounded by a crowd so dense it was impenetrable.

The disciples of the Seven Stars Gang all wore frosty expressions, looking utterly grim.

In the center of the arena, a group of young people in their early twenties, clad in various attire, were arguing until they were red in the face, their voices a harsh and noisy clamor.

"I was here first! I should be the one to spar with Chu Fan first!"

"Bullshit! The Flying Eagle Gang and the Seven Stars Gang are both in the south of the city, so if we’re sparring, I should go first!"

"Everyone, stop arguing! We’ll go by age. I’m the oldest, so I’ll go first!"

"If we’re setting an order, it should be by strength! If we’re going by age, why don’t you get your grandfather to come? Let’s fight it out. Winner goes first!"

They weren’t arguing about whether to fight, but about who would be the first to face Chu Fan.

The way they scrambled to be first made it seem as if Chu Fan wasn’t a Demon Suppression Guard of fearsome repute, but some kind of pushover—a stepping stone on their path to fame.

This brazen attitude was undoubtedly a hard slap in the face to the Seven Stars Gang.

Cao Feng, Cao Yan, and other leaders of the Seven Stars Gang were standing to one side, accompanying several elders from the other gangs.

Those elders either feigned scolding their own disciples—"Show some respect!"—or tried to smooth things over with smiles that didn’t reach their eyes. Their gazes, however, revealed they were enjoying the show.

Everyone knew exactly what was happening...

These gangs had arrived together, claiming they wanted to "strengthen their relationship," but they were actually colluding to knock the Seven Stars Gang, this up-and-coming force, down a peg.

This affair didn’t involve any fundamental conflicts of interest. It was more of an unspoken power play, a way to put them in their place. Even the Demon Suppression Bureau couldn’t easily intervene.

Chu Fan’s star had been rising too quickly. If someone could defeat him now, even by gaining a slight upper hand in a "spar," it would be enough for the victor and their patron faction to make a huge name for themselves.

No one had made a move for the past half a month simply because they were wary of his status as a Demon Suppression Guard.

Now that someone had instigated it from behind the scenes, these restless individuals had immediately swarmed in.

The moment Chu Fan’s figure appeared at the entrance to the Martial Arts Arena, all the noisy arguments were cut short as if by a sharp blade, and the place fell instantly silent.

Countless gazes—curious, appraising, disdainful, and hostile—all focused squarely on him.

Only the members of the Seven Stars Gang showed a hint of a smile in their eyes.

The crowd automatically parted, forming a path.

Chu Fan’s eyes met those of Cao Feng and the others. He gave a slight nod in greeting before calmly walking into the center of the arena.

Outside, he had already heard a clear account of the whole situation.

He walked straight up to the young disciples still arguing over their turn, his placid gaze sweeping over their excited, arrogant faces. He then spoke coolly.

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried clearly across the entire arena...

"Stop this nonsense."

"Why don’t you all just come at me at once."

...

The entire arena fell deathly silent.

You could hear a pin drop.

There were plenty of rumors about Chu Fan in Qing Province City...

They said his combat prowess was heaven-defying, that his strategic mind was second to none, that he had even killed an expert of the Divine Power Realm...

But not a single rumor had ever suggested the man was this arrogant!

’One man wants to challenge all the elite disciples from every faction who came here to "spar"?’

’Who does he think he is?!’

Had it been any other Demon Suppression Guard, they wouldn’t have dared to utter a peep.

After all, even the weakest Demon Suppression Guards from the Demon Suppression Bureau were at least at the Middle Stage of the Divine Power Realm.

But Chu Fan... he was only at the initial stage of the Spirit Awakening Realm!

After a moment of shock, looks of indignation at being so underestimated appeared on the faces of the young disciples.

Strangely, however, no one immediately voiced a rebuttal. Instead, they all subconsciously turned their gazes toward one person—

The woman was dressed in aqua-blue martial attire, her posture erect and her aura tinged with a cool aloofness.

She took a deep breath to calm the turmoil in her heart, then stepped out from the crowd. She walked up to Chu Fan, cupped her fist, and said, "Ling Ruoshui, of the Celestial Wolf Gang."

After a pause, she fixed Chu Fan with a sharp gaze. "Lately, Qing Province City has been filled with all sorts of legends about you, Chu. I was curious, so I took the liberty of coming here today. I only wish to spar with you and see for myself just what kind of man this young hero whose reputation precedes him really is!"

Chu Fan glanced at her, his tone as flat as ever. "I’m no hero."

"I tend to be quite ruthless."

"Most of the people who die by my hand are unable to rest in peace."

"..." Ling Ruoshui was visibly stunned, then she chuckled in spite of herself. "You’re... refreshingly frank, Chu. To actually admit you’re ruthless?"

"Mhm." Chu Fan nodded, his expression completely serious. "After I’ve beaten you up in a bit, you probably won’t find my frankness so amusing."

Ling Ruoshui: "...I heard you’ve killed someone in the Divine Power Realm?"

She was trying to get the conversation back on track and restore the serious atmosphere of a formal spar.

Chu Fan replied blandly, "Mhm. I once killed two Divine Power Realm experts while they were squatting over the latrine."

Ling Ruoshui: "..."

Everyone: "..."

’Those words... How was anyone supposed to continue this conversation?!’

’For anyone else, killing a Divine Power Realm expert was a glorious achievement. So why, when he said it, did it sound so... flavorful?’

Behind them, the corners of Cao Feng’s and Cao Yan’s mouths were twitching uncontrollably as they fought to suppress their laughter.

Chu Fan, however, seemed not to notice the strange expressions on everyone’s faces, and continued in the serious tone of a man posing an academic question. "So, that brings us to the question, Miss Ling. If you were squatting over a latrine and someone suddenly tried to assassinate you, would you choose to ’clean your hands’ before fighting back or fleeing, or would you fight back or flee immediately with ’unclean hands’?"

"I... I refuse to answer your absurd question!" Ling Ruoshui’s face flushed bright red, a mixture of shame and fury.