Chapter 2828: Successful Score Manipulation

Little did they know, Xiao Fan just wanted to keep a low profile. If he had taken one of the top spots, it would have been too eye-catching and easily attracted attention.

After all, the background of Long Aotian wouldn't stand up to scrutiny.

At the same time, Xiao Fan felt some regret. Had he known it would turn out like this, he should have disguised himself as a Prodigy from another Family to enter the Drunken Dragon Pavilion.

Why go through all this trouble now?

He could only blame his faulty information gathering; he hadn't expected the Divine Dragon Realm to possess such a rare treasure as ancestral emperor dragon blood.

If he had known, Xiao Fan would never have done this…

Match after match continued, and soon the competition ended.

Below the Arena, Long Bai was incredibly excited… his points had landed him in tenth place.

At this moment, Long Bai's gaze shone brightly as he looked at Xiao Fan.

This was a true brother… if it weren't for Xiao Fan, he would never have made it into the top ten.

Now that he was in the top ten, Long Bai still had a chance. Although the chance wasn't great… having one was better than none at all!

At the same time, making it into the top ten was also a symbol of status within the First Grotto-Heaven.

If he couldn't even make it into the top ten, where would his face be?

After all, he was the closing-door Disciple of Long Su; he still needed to maintain that bit of face…

As for Xiao Fan, he had also gotten his wish and attained ninth place.

Xiao Fan was very satisfied with this result. If he had defeated Long Bai, he would likely be in seventh or eighth place right now.

To Xiao Fan, the ranking meant nothing.

He had intended to throw the match anyway, letting Long Bai win… that way, if investigated later, it wouldn't arouse suspicion.

Xiao Fan didn't know that at this moment, Long Bai was so grateful that he felt like he owed him for eighteen generations of ancestors, wishing he could turn into a woman and bear Xiao Fan's children.

"Alright, after you return, get some rest… Except for Long Shi and Long Ba, everyone else should prepare yourselves; you will be facing the winners from other Grotto-Heavens later."

"Alright, you may withdraw…"

The Elder spoke slowly, dismissing Xiao Fan and the others.

Xiao Fan and the others cupped their hands in salute and left.

Xiao Fan had only taken two steps when Long Bai immediately rushed over, his face full of excitement.

"What is it?" Xiao Fan said indifferently.

"Brother Aotian, you're righteous!" Long Bai gave Xiao Fan a thumbs up, then took out a storage ring and handed it to him.

"Come, this is just a small token of my appreciation… You must accept it. I've decided to make you my friend!" Long Bai chuckled and forcibly shoved the storage ring into Xiao Fan's hand.

"This… is this really okay?" Xiao Fan was stunned, not expecting Long Bai to be so enthusiastic.

"It's fine, it's perfectly fine… You absolutely must not be polite with me." Long Bai chuckled.

"This… alright then, many thanks." Xiao Fan nodded with a smile, cupped his hands, and left.

Long Bai was a decent guy.

Xiao Fan thought he was quite good.

After leaving, Xiao Fan returned directly to his Immortal Cave, sat cross-legged, and consolidated his cultivation.

In a flash, half a month passed…

It was time for Xiao Fan and the others to compete against the Disciples from other Grotto-Heavens.

Except for Long Shi and Long Ba, Xiao Fan, Long Bai, and the others all had to defeat the strongest Prodigy from another Grotto-Heaven to secure the final spots.

The strongest Prodigies from the Second to the Ninth Grotto-Heaven had already completed their selection process. Each of them wore a cold expression, their eyes filled with disgust and killing intent.

They were all unwilling to accept this… they wondered why they were considered inferior to others.

Why didn't their Grotto-Heavens receive the same treatment as the First Grotto-Heaven?

What was most hateful was that once they joined the Drunken Dragon Pavilion, it would be impossible for them to change their Grotto-Heaven later on…

This was one of the reasons for their anger.

Therefore, they would defeat the Prodigies of the First Grotto-Heaven here today to earn their spots…

Naturally, they dared not underestimate their opponents. The Prodigies of the First Grotto-Heaven were all strong, and they would have to give it their all to have a chance at victory.

However, when they saw that among the people from the First Grotto-Heaven, there was actually someone at All-Things Realm Level 4, these Prodigy Geniuses were stunned…

"Did I… see that correctly?"

"All-Things Realm Level 4?"

"Good heavens, no way… the First Grotto-Heaven actually has someone like this?"

The Prodigy Geniuses from the Second to the Ninth Grotto-Heaven were all dumbfounded. They examined him carefully and discovered that he was indeed at All-Things Realm Level 4.

He was the only one who hadn't reached the Nirvana Realm.

Xiao Fan's expression remained calm; he didn't take their skepticism to heart.

But Long Bai, who was beside him, was immediately displeased.

"What do you mean by that?!" Long Bai's Aura surged aggressively. Since his good brother Xiao Fan was being looked down upon, he naturally couldn't stand idly by.

Xiao Fan was taken aback and turned to look at Long Bai, never expecting him to stand up for him.

Long Bai flashed a grin at Xiao Fan without saying much, then turned his gaze toward the Prodigies from the Second to the Ninth Grotto-Heaven, his eyes cold and sharp.

"Daring to look down on my brother, you are courting death!" Long Bai didn't take these people seriously at all.

"You… despicable!"

"Just because you're from the First Grotto-Heaven, do you think you're something special?!"

"Exactly… you're despicable!"

The many Prodigy Geniuses spoke up one after another, their Auras aggressive.