Chapter 450 - 236: The Dust Settles, Choosing a Sect! To Stay or to Go, Such is Life

More and more people flocked over, offering congratulations and trying to build connections.

Jiang Che felt a massive headache coming on.

He wasn’t good at handling these situations and hated this kind of insincere, superficial socializing.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, his master, Xu Qingshan, stepped forward.

"Everyone! Everyone!"

Xu Qingshan stepped in front of Jiang Che, cupped his hands to the crowd, and said with a smile,

"My young disciple has just endured a vicious battle. His energy is greatly depleted, and he needs to meditate and recover! We appreciate everyone’s kind intentions. Another day, we will be sure to pay you all a visit!"

With his master acting as a shield, Jiang Che was finally able to get away.

He sank back into his chair with a sigh of relief, closing his eyes to rest and recover.

...

Not long after,

VMMMM—

The Teleportation Array flared to life once more, and a pale green figure emerged gracefully.

It was Nalan Ruoshui.

A short while later, Xiong Tong, who moved like a Primordial Fierce Beast, also finished his slaughter and stepped out of the Array.

The crowd’s reaction to the return of these two top-tier Demon Fiends was enthusiastic, but it lacked the sensational, incredulous shock that had accompanied Jiang Che’s appearance.

After all, in everyone’s mind, these two were beings who stood on a pedestal, high above the rest.

It was only natural for them to take first and second place.

It would be stranger if they didn’t!

The first thing they did upon emerging was look at the ranking on the Jade Disc.

When they saw the name "Jiang Che" in third place, a flicker of surprise crossed both their faces.

But it was only for a fleeting moment.

Then, they looked away, paying it no further mind.

Their gazes met, locking onto each other, and sparks seemed to fly through the air!

For those who stood at the summit, the only rival they ever saw was each other.

As for the names below them, it made no difference whether someone was third or thirtieth.

They were all weaker, anyway.

With the return of these two titans,

the three rounds of the Celestial Strategy Guard selection trials finally came to a complete end!

However, just as things quieted down and the crowd was settling in to await the final announcement,

BOOM!

A ferocious figure burst from the crowd. Radiating a murderous aura, he charged straight for the Cangzhou Prefecture’s waiting area!

It was none other than the fifth-ranked Lei Kuang!

His rough features were twisted in a mask of fury and indignation.

"Jiang Che! Get your ass out here!"

In full view of the crowd, Lei Kuang pointed a finger at Jiang Che and roared,

"You little punk, you must have cheated!"

"You’re only at the Second Layer of the True Master Realm! How could you possibly last that long in the Illusion Realm?! Longer than me, even?!"

"It’s impossible! It defies all common sense!"

At these words, the celebratory mood among the Cangzhou Prefecture contingent evaporated, and their expressions turned sour.

Jiang Che slowly opened his eyes. He frowned slightly as he looked at the sore loser before him and said calmly,

"I didn’t cheat."

"Bullshit!"

Lei Kuang’s eyes bulged with rage as a violent Sword Intent erupted from his body, radiating an aggressive aura.

"You say you didn’t cheat and I’m supposed to believe you? I don’t buy it!"

"Either you fight me right now! If you can defeat the saber in my hand, then I’ll accept it!"

"Or, you submit to a public inspection! Let the esteemed officials see if you’re hiding some dirty little secret!"

The commotion immediately drew the attention of the entire square.

Many in the crowd who had been won over by Jiang Che’s performance now wore uncertain expressions as they listened to Lei Kuang’s accusations.

At this point, the disciples from the Desert Mad Saber Sect who had accompanied Lei Kuang, along with others who had been jealous of Jiang Che but were too intimidated by the cheering to speak up, seized the opportunity to stir up trouble.

"That’s right! Young Master Lei is right! That level of power is ridiculous! It makes no sense!"

"Someone at the Second Layer of the True Master Realm outlasting someone at the Fourth Layer? You wouldn’t even see that in a fantasy novel!"

Taking it even further, a few individuals with malicious intent ran right up to the base of the high platform and began shouting their "grievances" to the presiding official.

"Sir! We suspect this Jiang Che is a spy from the Demon Sect!"

"With the recent Demon Sect uprising in Cangzhou, he could have easily learned some Forbidden Technique of theirs—something that burns Spirit Blood to overdraft one’s potential. That’s the only way he could be this strong!"

"We demand a full investigation! We demand fairness!"

The moment the words "Demon Sect" were uttered, it was like throwing water on a grease fire. The crowd erupted.

Even the onlookers who didn’t know the full story were swayed by the sudden shift in mood.

"Yeah... miracles don’t happen that often, do they? Maybe he really did cheat?"

"If he used some Demon Sect method, that’s incredibly unfair to all the other talented cultivators who worked so hard!"

Fanned by these instigators, the winds of public opinion began to turn against Jiang Che.

The members of the Cangzhou Prefecture contingent were trembling with rage. Xu Qingshan looked ready to charge forward and argue, but Jiang Che held him back with an outstretched arm.

Jiang Che watched the escalating farce, a glint of coldness in his eyes.

’Maybe I should just give Lei Kuang what he wants,’ he thought. ’Just fight him and beat him into the ground fair and square.’

Just then, the dignified voice of the presiding official rang out from the high platform.

"Silence!"

The might of a High-tier of the True Master Realm swept over the square, instantly silencing the clamor.

The official’s gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over Lei Kuang and his followers before finally settling on Jiang Che. He spoke in a solemn voice,

"This is a matter of grave importance. We must be vigilant against any attempt by Demon Sect minions to infiltrate the Celestial Strategy Guard."

"Since a doubt has been raised, I shall investigate it myself to set the record straight!"

"Jiang Che, do you dare come onto this platform and submit to my Divine Thought probe?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Che showed no trace of panic and calmly rose to his feet.