"Merely a difference in ideals."

Ning Fan shrugged, showing no trace of timidity before the former chief disciple of Yin Yang Peak-Young Master Zheng.

"You wish to place a wager?"

"Exactly. I wager that I will comprehend and master a Yellow-grade technique within this first trial!"

Ning Fan spoke with absolute certainty.

"Reasonable."

"Betting on your own victory... if you truly win this, it proves your capability. But first, it must be confirmed that you have not already mastered the technique."

Young Master Zheng spoke slowly.

"I recall that the three Yellow-grade techniques Master selected for you are the Cold Water Art, the Blazing Netherfire Art, and the Sleeping Wood Heart Sutra."

"These three techniques possess distinct traits. Upon mastery, they alter the elemental nature of a martial artist's internal spiritual power."

"Transforming formless spiritual power into power imbued with water, fire, or wood essence."

"This cannot be concealed or faked."

"Come."

"Display your spiritual power."

Young Master Zheng stared at Ning Fan.

Ning Fan did not hesitate. He immediately stirred the spiritual power within his Dantian. A surging wave of energy rippled outward, sweeping up a layer of dust from the ground.

His spiritual power was beyond reproach. Ning Fan had only truly mastered the Tianxuan Heart Sutra; the Blazing Netherfire Art was merely a mimicry performed through the power of his internal sutra. As long as he did not actively emulate the flame art, his spiritual power remained unaligned.

"Not bad. For a cultivator at the first layer of the Profound Extreme Realm to possess such power, you are exceptionally talented. Your spiritual power is pure and devoid of any elemental aura."

"You have not mastered any of those three techniques. Grasping a Yellow-grade technique within three days is no simple task."

"The wager is fair. It may proceed."

Young Master Zheng nodded.

"Record it."

"Ah, yes!"

The disciple responsible for the ledger was already drenched in cold sweat. With Young Master Zheng's ruling, he felt as if he had received a reprieve. He quickly accepted the storage ring Ning Fan handed over, verified the quantity of spirit stones inside, and registered the bet.

"Ning Fan: One thousand one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones. Wager: Ning Fan will comprehend a Yellow-grade combat technique within three days."

The disciple set down his brush and announced the entry.

Seeing his bet recorded, the corners of Ning Fan's mouth curved upward. In the next moment, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he spoke once more.

"Close the wagers. Prepare to settle the outcome."

"Hmm?"

"What!?"

Upon hearing this, not only the recording disciple but even Young Master Zheng frowned.

"Ning Fan, it was already irregular for the subject of the wager to place a bet. I made an exception for you. What are you doing now?"

Young Master Zheng furrowed his brows. Initially, he had found Ning Fan interesting, but now it seemed this genius who had stirred such waves in the Yin Yang Divine Sect was perhaps just an unreasonable troublemaker.

"Close the wagers. Settle the outcome."

"I have already mastered the Blazing Netherfire Art. You may settle the wager now."

Ning Fan stated calmly.

"Heh... haha... ahahaha!"

Young Master Zheng threw his head back and laughed aloud. Then, withdrawing his amusement, he shot Ning Fan a chilling glare.

"Go back and cultivate."

With that, Young Master Zheng turned to leave, unwilling to waste another glance on him.

Yet, the very next moment, Ning Fan flipped his palm, withdrew the manual for the Blazing Netherfire Art from his storage ring, and sat cross-legged on the ground.

"This is..."

"Cultivating right here!?"

"Huh?"

Cries of astonishment rang out. Following the brief shock, a wave of sneers and mocking sighs erupted.

"Heh."

"What is this fellow doing? Even if a Yellow-grade technique is relatively easy to learn, it requires time. If the technique does not align with one's foundation, it could take a week. Even with perfect natural affinity, three days is the minimum."

"What is the point of cultivating on the spot?"

Amidst the jeers, Ning Fan casually flipped through the manual from beginning to end.

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"Heh."

"Did he realize he couldn't cultivate it and decide to give up?"

"What a joke. Is this truly the supreme genius who received invitations from all five main peaks? His mind must be addled."

"Talent is one thing, but one needs a functioning intellect. Let's hope he isn't a complete fool."

The sarcastic remarks grew louder. Ning Fan's act of standing up after merely skimming the manual once was seen as ten parts hilarious by the spectators.

However, in the next moment, Ning Fan slowly extended his hand.

The Tianxuan Heart Sutra circulated madly within him. Spiritual power roared through his meridians like a rushing river, and intense heat gathered in his palm.

Whoosh-

A cluster of flames burst from Ning Fan's palm. Even in broad daylight, it cast a brilliant glow upon the surroundings, and the ambient temperature spiked dramatically.

Silence.

A deathly silence descended upon the courtyard. The mocking expressions were still frozen on the faces of the crowd, but their eyes were now brimming with absolute shock.

Even Young Master Zheng spun around. His eyes widened at the flames dancing in Ning Fan's hand, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks. It was as if an invisible hand had seized him by the throat, making his breathing ragged.

This...

Flame!?

This was not a martial skill; it was the manifestation of pure, fire-attribute spiritual power.

Many martial artists present who had mastered the Blazing Netherfire Art could confirm with absolute certainty-this was the spiritual power produced only when fully activating the technique!

"Wh-what!?"

"Just when did he master the Blazing Netherfire Art!? Could he have learned it beforehand?"

A cry of disbelief rang out, but it was instantly refuted. Ning Fan had just displayed his spiritual power moments ago-there had been no trace of a fire-attribute aura.

That meant the moment Ning Fan had learned the Blazing Netherfire Art was just a heartbeat ago.

Sitting down.

Skimming the pages.

Mastery.

It was terrifying.

"No, this is impossible. How could anyone in this world master a Yellow-grade technique so effortlessly?"

Voices of utter disbelief overlapped. Many recalled the grueling difficulty they had faced, typically spending five days or more. Ning Fan's aptitude had transcended the realm of envy; one cannot be jealous of a shadow they can no longer hope to touch.

"The people of this era only know the towering tree reaches the clouds, but they know not how high the clouds truly are."

A melodious voice drifted through the air.

Ning Fan looked over. It was Lingxu Fairy, whom he had met briefly within the Fated Chance Ground.