I’ll Go First and Steal the Spotlight

"Sect Leader Lin," Elder Zhou from the Peach Blossom Sect finally couldn't stand it anymore. However, he no longer dared to underestimate Lin Fan.

Even though this guy was reckless, dealing with a reckless person backed by several old experts was the most troublesome. Thus, he addressed him formally as Sect Leader.

"While the Golden Eagle Sect disciple was somewhat impulsive, it was your sect's fault to begin with. Acting like this, aren't you afraid of provoking a sect war? The Moon Grasping Sect, already struggling, can't afford such turmoil. This move is excessive."

"Excessive?" Lin Fan sneered, "If I brought people to your Peach Blossom Sect, beat your disciples into a pulp without a word, would your sect tolerate it?"

"That... is not the same."

"What do you mean it's not the same?" Lin Fan was having none of it. "You don't need to say more! On the contrary, I want to ask you, have you ever heard an ancient saying?"

"What ancient saying?" Elder Zhou frowned, feeling unlucky.

This brat is as stubborn as a mule, impossible to reason with. Why did I even step in to defend the Golden Eagle Sect? What does this have to do with me? It's not my Peach Blossom Sect disciples suffering, after all.

He regretted speaking up.

"If you come, you should settle in."

Elder Zhou: "???"

"Haven't you read any books? Look at your confused face, don't understand?" Lin Fan crossed his arms. "Let me explain it to you reluctantly: it means, since you're here, you should be buried here. Let me ask you, do you all think the Moon Grasping Sect has good feng shui, and you wish to be buried here?"

Damn it!

Elder Zhou's face turned as red as a pig's liver.

Is that really what it means?! Even if I hadn't heard the saying before, it definitely doesn't sound right! No, I regret it! Why did I bother with this stubborn brat?

Noticing the 'light' in his disciples' eyes behind him dimming, Elder Zhou realized this was not good.

Fortunately, at this moment, an elder from the Eight Swords Sect stepped in.

He also felt something was amiss.

The three sects came together to cause trouble and demand an explanation, yet in one move, they were suppressed by the Moon Grasping Sect. Seeing his own disciples getting more agitated, how could he let things continue like this?

Do we have no face to save?!

Besides, it was the Golden Eagle Sect losing face, not the Eight Swords Sect!

Better to move past this quickly.

The elder from the Eight Swords Sect said calmly, "Sect Leader Lin has a point, but now that you've slapped them, it's time to discuss the main issue, don't you think? Previously, about a month ago, your Moon Grasping Sect interfered with our sect's recruitment. You should know that sect disciples are always the future, the most critical aspect. Your actions were akin to removing the firewood from under the cauldron! If we don't get an explanation for this, we can't let it go."

"Oh?" Lin Fan, still with his arms crossed, responded softly, "And what kind of explanation does this elder want?"

"…"

Elder Wang from the Eight Swords Sect twitched his lips.

What kind of response is that?!

At a time like this, shouldn't you show some weakness, say some nice words, offer compensation with some cultivation resources, and treat us well?

Your indifferent attitude, even suggesting a fight, puts me in a tough spot!

Elder Wang was momentarily speechless.

"Fine, since you're in a hurry, I won't beat around the bush!" The Golden Eagle Sect elder stood up angrily, "I have a solution."

"Speak!" Lin Fan glanced at him disdainfully, which infuriated him further.

"Hmph!"

"Since you interfered with our recruitment, how about we let the new disciples from both sides fight a few rounds, with no regard for life or death! Regardless of the outcome, after this battle, we let this matter rest. Do you dare?!"

The elders from the Peach Blossom Sect and the Eight Swords Sect nodded in agreement with this proposal.

Lin Fan nearly burst out laughing.

Do they really want their newbies to fight Xiao Ling'er?

Do they even know what a protagonist template is?!

"Details."

Lin Fan didn't reject the proposal but instead asked for more details.

This proposal was actually quite favorable for the Moon Grasping Sect.

Given that, why refuse?

At most, he'd have Xiao Ling'er hold back a bit and not be too flashy.

"We will each send three disciples, and your Moon Grasping Sect will send nine!" Elder Wang outlined the plan, "After one battle, regardless of the outcome or life and death, the matter will be settled!"

"It's said that over ten thousand people came to your Moon Grasping Sect's mountain this year. Surely, you can muster nine disciples?"

Elder Zhou sneered, "Let your new disciples come down!"

They naturally assumed that the present disciples of the Moon Grasping Sect were all veterans.

Given the limited foundation of the Moon Grasping Sect, could new disciples have advanced to the Condensation Realm within just a month?

Ridiculous!

Lin Fan smiled, "I have no objections to your proposed solution. However, my Moon Grasping Sect only recruited one new disciple this year. If we are to fight, it will have to be a gauntlet match."

"I don't mind, and I don't think my disciple will mind either."

"What do the three of your sects think?" He smiled warmly, but inside, his heart was cold as ice.

After this battle, regardless of victory or defeat, life or death, the matter would be settled?

But whether or not the matter is settled is not for you to decide.

"???"

The elders and disciples of the three sects, both new and old, were all stunned by his words.

Out of more than ten thousand people, they only recruited one. When did the Moon Grasping Sect become so selective and pretentious?

And on top of that, you voluntarily suggest a gauntlet match, one against nine, and ask if we agree?

Where does your confidence come from?!

Moreover…

Are you looking down on us?

"How arrogant!" Elder Wang's face darkened.

They knew there must be a reason behind Lin Fan's proposal.

But no matter the reason, they couldn't refuse.

Afraid of a one-against-nine fight...

They might as well give up!

It wouldn't build their disciples' confidence; it would crush their spirits.

"Since you're seeking your own demise, why wouldn't we agree?" Elder Zhou snorted coldly.

They even thought that maybe Lin Fan was finally backing down.

Was he planning to use the new disciple's death to settle the score?

"Hmph."

"In that case, have your disciple come down the mountain." The Golden Eagle Sect elder said coldly, "My disciple will go first; I'm in a hurry."

"Come down the mountain? Why? She's been here the whole time. Ling'er, come out. You've heard the whole story. Go and exchange pointers with the elite disciples of the three sects. Whether you live or die depends on you."

Lin Fan spoke casually.

She's been here the whole time?!

The elders of the three sects frowned deeply.

Could it be that the newcomer had already reached the Condensation Realm?

They glanced at the seven disciples standing nearby, trying to guess which one was the newcomer.

To their surprise, Xiao Ling'er stepped forward, then turned to Lin Fan and bowed, "Yes, Master."

The elders of the three sects: "Σ(⊙▽⊙"???"

Condensation Realm, fifth level?!

Are you kidding us?!

The Golden Eagle Sect disciples were thrilled. One stepped forward boldly, "I'll go first! A mere disciple of the Moon Grasping Sect, watch as I easily suppress her! I'll take the lead."

Suppress who, exactly?!

The Golden Eagle Sect elder's eyelid twitched wildly.

"Sect Leader Lin!" He hurriedly spoke up, "As a sect leader, how can you be so dishonest! How could this girl possibly be a newly recruited disciple of your sect?!"

Reaching the fifth level of Condensation Realm, nearly the sixth, in just one month—this isn't just unusual, it's extraordinary! Even in a top-tier sect, she would be considered a saintess!

Even if she entered with prior skills, such rapid progress is impossible. Why would someone of her caliber choose Moon Grasping Sect?

"Hmph."

At this moment, Li Changshou spoke up, "I, Li Changshou, hereby swear an oath on my Dao heart. If Xiao Ling'er is not the only disciple recruited by the Moon Grasping Sect during this year's open enrollment, may my Dao heart immediately collapse, leading to my deviation and death."

The elders of the three sects were instantly shocked.

Holy crap!

A Dao heart oath!

Are you serious?!

Wh-what do we do now?