Chapter 55: The Four Heroes of Flowing Cloud Sect

Shen Chen naturally wouldn't be so easily provoked. In fact, he found it amusing that his previous carefree actions had unexpectedly garnered so much resentment. If it weren't for his impressive feat of slaying Lin Hai, which had intimidated some, there would likely be even more challengers.

"Want to face seventeen disciples... No, we must follow the rules!" On the side, the old man Situ Chuan smiled wryly, but then he sternly rejected Shen Chen's declaration.

"Ahem... Elder Situ, you misunderstood. I meant, anyone who wants to fight me, just come. I'll wait for them to select five spots." Shen Chen rubbed his nose, coughing awkwardly.

"Hmm, that's best!" Seeing that Shen Chen had no intention of breaking the rules, Situ Chuan didn't say much more. However, in his heart, he thought this young man was likely just trying to back out after boasting earlier...

Below the stage, the steward Fei, following the old man's indication, arranged for the seventeen who wanted to challenge Shen Chen. He announced loudly, "Those who want to challenge, we'll first select five based on ranking. Those who are still不服 can challenge these five and replace them with their strength!"

"No need!"

However, just as Steward Fei finished speaking, the sect leader Liao Yan suddenly stood up from his seat in the VIP area, stopping Steward Fei's actions.

"Is there any instruction from the sect leader?" Steward Fei quickly bowed, the vast difference in status preventing him from showing any dissatisfaction.

"Due to the additional round of assessment this year, time is running short. I have discussed with the elders and decided to slightly modify the process of this tournament," Liao Yan said calmly.

"Please enlighten us, sect leader." Steward Fei clasped his hands.

"Simple. The next five spots will be guarded by the Four Heroes of Flowing Cloud Sect. Those who want to challenge Shen Chen can first challenge them. The winners will take their place, and the losers will lose their qualification!" Liao Yan narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"Yes!"

Steward Fei nodded respectfully, then turned to face the group of disciples who hadn't yet fought. He said solemnly, "Tian Zhan, Li Xuan, Wang Xu, Jiang Yuhang, you four go up first!"

At the same time, the four, who seemed to have already received instructions from Liao Yan, slowly walked out from the crowd and stood on the stage.

"Greetings, Elder Situ!" The four then bowed to the old man Situ Chuan, while the slightly lower-ranking Steward Fei was ignored.

These four looked to be around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, three men and one woman. Since it was the Flowing Cloud Sect's grand competition, they were dressed according to the rules for high-ranking disciples, with high hairpins and luxurious silver robes. However, the smoke cloud patterns embroidered on their sleeves were particularly noticeable, densely connected in a series. The one with the least smoke cloud patterns had six, while the man with the elegant demeanor and jade hairpin had a full eight, causing some outer sect disciples who had just joined the sect to gasp in shock!

Seeing the four bow, the old man Situ Chuan smiled and nodded seriously, saying, "Well done, you haven't disgraced the name of the Four Heroes of Flowing Cloud Sect after all these years!"

Shen Chen, standing on the other side of the old man, was somewhat surprised. These four faces were very unfamiliar to him, and he had never heard of the "Four Heroes of Flowing Cloud Sect."

"Hehe, you're in for a rough time, boy," Liao Yan's voice secretly reached Shen Chen's ears. The sect leader seemed to be gloating, saying, "These four, except for Li Xuan, are all outstanding disciples who didn't return to compete for the inner sect ranking back then. They were revered as the Four Heroes of Flowing Cloud Sect by that generation of disciples, and they are not just famous for nothing. Their talent and strength are evident, especially Tian Zhan, the eldest son of the Tian family. His goal this time is to challenge Qi Zheng, and he clearly sees you as a stepping stone!"

Hearing Liao Yan's explanation, Shen Chen's face didn't show much reaction, but his heart was stirred.

Although he wasn't impressed by the so-called "Four Heroes of Flowing Cloud Sect," Shen Chen had to admit that these four were indeed very strong!

Sure enough, the situation soon confirmed Shen Chen's suspicions. After the four stood on the stage, Steward Fei said, "Those who want to challenge, step forward now!"

However, after a few moments, the group who had confidently declared their intention to challenge Shen Chen... didn't move at all, as if their feet were glued to the ground.

"I said, those who want to challenge can step forward!" Steward Fei's lips twitched as he repeated himself.

Unfortunately...

Still no response!

Wow!

For a moment, the spectators' jaws dropped, looking at each other in surprise.

"Haha! No wonder they are the Four Heroes of Flowing Cloud Sect, standing there, and no one dares to challenge!"

"Very normal, Senior Brother Tian Zhan and the others have been famous for seven or eight years. It's not surprising that no one dares to challenge them now."

"This way, it's actually a good thing for that boy Shen Chen..."

Indeed, some things are hard to erase in a short time. Even after many years, these four still held a significant place in the hearts of the Flowing Cloud Sect's disciples. After so many years, many still looked up to them.

"Hehe." In the VIP area, Liao Yan smiled faintly, as if he had already predicted this outcome.

On the side of the stage, Shen Chen watched all this with some shock. The sect leader and the elders, to save time, had directly pushed these four onto the stage, cutting off the hopes of the other thirteen challengers. This didn't mean much, but it did show one thing...

The reputation of these four in the entire sect was truly remarkable!

This point was firmly believed by the sect leader and the elders, and the results confirmed it.

Since the grand competition began, Shen Chen's heart had become extremely heavy for the first time. Yuan Xiao's strength had already required him to go all out, and now there were four more formidable opponents!

However, just as Shen Chen was pondering, the young man with the jade hairpin on the other side of the old man Situ Chuan spoke up, surprising everyone.

The young man stepped forward and bowed to the sect leader Liao Yan, saying, "Sect leader, I feel that it's too unfair for us four to take turns fighting Junior Brother Shen Chen while we are well-rested!"

When he said this, everyone thought they were hearing things. Who would speak up for their opponent?

However, the young man ignored them, his eyes still fixed on the sect leader Liao Yan, continuing, "Since time is short, how about this: we four will fight first, and the winner will then fight Junior Brother Shen Chen!"

"This..." Liao Yan was surprised, thought for a moment, and then hesitated, "But this way, it would be unfair to you four. After all, he is the champion, and he should bear more responsibility. Otherwise, how can he stand on that stage?"

Liao Yan spoke the truth, showing no favoritism. In the grand competition, to highlight the excitement of the matches, the tournament format was always used. This format had the advantage of showcasing the outstanding disciples of the sect, but it also required the champion to have the ability to deserve the honor. This had been the case for a hundred years and was widely praised by the spectators.

However, in response to Liao Yan's honesty, the young man surprisingly smiled and said, "Hehe, as senior brothers, we should give a little leeway to the junior brothers."

When he said this, before Liao Yan could say more, thunderous applause erupted, and many people were visibly excited, cheering loudly.

"Senior Brother, you are so righteous! I, Li Hu, sincerely admire you for your noble spirit!"

"That senior brother? Look at your limited knowledge. You don't even recognize the famous Senior Brother Tian Zhan. Don't tell others you know me."

"Indeed, Senior Brother Tian Zhan is so kind-hearted, he doesn't want to take advantage of Junior Brother Shen Chen."

"Lucky for him to meet such a person as Senior Brother Tian Zhan..."

For a moment, there was a commotion, with some taking the opportunity to flatter, but more genuinely praising Tian Zhan's words, as they were indeed "noble" and "magnanimous."

On the side of the stage, Shen Chen felt an urge to curse. That guy was too hypocritical, even more nauseating than the idiot Lin Hai. Not wanting to take advantage of a junior brother? Bullshit, why didn't he discuss this with the sect leaders privately? He had to say it in front of everyone to boost his own status!

Moreover, by saying that, he had also represented the other three, Li Xuan, Jiang Yuhang, and Wang Xu, without their consent. Shen Chen glanced at the unprepared Li Xuan and the others, feeling genuine sympathy for them. Not only were their wishes ignored, but all the glory would go to that guy, leaving them standing there helplessly.

In both his past and present life, Shen Chen had always despised people like Tian Zhan. Without hesitation, he raised his voice and said, "Senior Brother Tian Zhan's kindness is appreciated, but I, Shen Chen, can't accept it. I don't want to take advantage of you, Senior Brother. Respecting the elderly and caring for the young is my duty. How unrighteous it would be!"

Around the stage, hearing Shen Chen's words, those who supported Tian Zhan didn't find him principled at all. They immediately gave him cold looks and disdain. This kid was too ungrateful!

On the other side, Tian Zhan hadn't expected Shen Chen to argue with him like this. A shadow of gloom flashed across his smiling face, but he quickly concealed it. He turned to Shen Chen and said calmly, "Junior Brother, there's no need to be so polite. My father always taught me not to bully the weak. You're putting me in a difficult position."

"Hehe, if I'm strong and you're weak, it's not bullying. Senior Brother, don't worry. I believe Tian Lao Bo won't blame you."

"Junior Brother, you have quite a sharp tongue..."

"Indeed, Senior Brother Tian, you're not to be outdone. A few words can make everyone convinced..."

...

At this moment, the old man Situ Chuan, standing in the middle, couldn't help but feel a headache. He hadn't expected that before the match even started, these two would engage in a verbal battle.

Helpless, the old man turned to the sect leader Liao Yan, hoping for a solution. However, Liao Yan's face was already dark.

"Report to the sect leader, I have a solution that can satisfy everyone!"

Just as the situation seemed endless, someone finally spoke up from the VIP area.

Situ Ya stood up, giving a disapproving look at Shen Chen on the stage. She thought he was a diligent and virtuous disciple, but he turned out to be so slick and disrespectful.

Then, she turned to the sect leader Liao Yan in the center of the VIP area.

The sect leader, already frustrated, saw a savior and quickly said, "Elder Situ, please speak!"

...