hhnovel Chapter 166: Fang Yuan’s Humiliation
Chapter 166: Fang Yuan’s Humiliation
After pausing for a few moments to absorb Nangong Wan’s explanation, Jiang Chen’s face lit up with sudden comprehension. Yet, he didn’t immediately resume his training. Instead, he turned to Fang Yuan and said with a knowing smile, "I appreciate your concern earlier, Junior Brother Fang Yuan."
"Clearly, Junior Brother Fang Yuan has explored the mantra more deeply than I have," he continued. "Senior Nangong Wan has just explained the thirteenth line of the mantra. Now, I will share my understanding of it. Please, Junior Brother Fang Yuan, help me verify if it’s correct."
Jiang Chen, maintaining a serious expression, showed respect to Fang Yuan with a formal gesture before beginning his interpretation of the thirteenth line of the mantra. Despite fully understanding the line, he intentionally included a few errors in his explanation.
As Jiang Chen explained the thirteenth line, Fang Yuan felt a sudden surge of anxiety, with cold sweat trickling down his back.
He had only grasped the first four lines of the mantra!
How could he possibly evaluate the correctness of the thirteenth line?
Earlier, he had criticized Jiang Chen, questioning his ability to achieve enlightenment, all to highlight his own superior skills.
Now, only he knew that he had barely understood the first four lines of the mantra, a private humiliation.
Yet, admitting his lack of knowledge about the thirteenth line would mean losing face in front of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, damaging his reputation severely!
What was his best course of action? Should he continue to pretend to understand, or should he honestly admit his lack of knowledge?
Time was slipping away. Fang Yuan felt trapped at a crossroads, unprepared for the potential embarrassment that loomed.@@@@
Moreover, Jiang Chen’s exceptional talent was undeniable, and his interpretations were probably correct. Driven by instinct, Fang Yuan chose to pretend.
Upon hearing Jiang Chen’s explanation, Fang Yuan offered a subtle nod and murmured, "Hmm, your interpretation seems accurate."
"Ahh, I see!" Jiang Chen responded, pretending to be enlightened, and nodded enthusiastically.
"Mm-hmm." Fang Yuan felt a twinge of unease in his heart but continued to nod in agreement.
At that moment, Nangong Wan’s voice resonated through the cave mansion. "Stop! Jiang Chen’s understanding seems slightly off." She then added, "Fang Yuan, it appears you haven’t fully mastered this incantation..."
Instantly, Fang Yuan’s heart sank, realizing the situation was turning against him!
He detected a hint of skepticism in Nangong Wan’s tone.
Embarrassment briefly crossed Jiang Chen’s face as he asked, "Hm? Have I misunderstood?" His expression quickly shifted to a smile as he looked at Fang Yuan, "However, it seems I wasn’t the only one to err. Junior Brother Fang Yuan, you made the exact same mistake. What an intriguing coincidence."
Upon hearing these words, Fang Yuan was so shocked he nearly fainted from anger!
Was Jiang Chen subtly mocking him for pretending to understand, unable to spot his own mistakes, and simply agreeing without thought?
Fang Yuan quickly realized that he had fallen into Jiang Chen’s clever trap!
"No, no, no. This isn’t just a coincidence," Fang Yuan countered, shaking his head vigorously. "It’s more likely that these questions are exceptionally challenging and potentially misleading."
As his words lingered in the air, Nangong Wan, who was about to speak, paused and remained silent.
Among the ’errors’ Jiang Chen introduced, one was conspicuously simple.
It was a trap within a trap, cunningly devised by Jiang Chen!
At a critical moment, Jiang Chen suddenly rose from his meditative posture, his face radiating joy as he exclaimed, "I’ve finally mastered it!" declaring his breakthrough.
The extended duration was due to the increasing complexity of the latter parts of the mantra!
Throughout this period, despite his ability to independently decipher the mantra, Jiang Chen consistently sought clarifications from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. This strategy not only allowed them to monitor his progress clearly but also, to some extent, masked his true capabilities.
As an ill-fated villain, showing restraint had almost become second nature for Jiang Chen.
Meanwhile, Fang Yuan could only watch helplessly as Jiang Chen switched between asking questions and uncovering answers, while he himself struggled to even formulate specific queries.
His confidence was repeatedly undermined.
He knew Jiang Chen was highly talented in enlightenment, but he hadn’t anticipated it to be this profound.
Fang Yuan felt utterly outclassed, hopelessly inadequate in comparison.
In the moment when Jiang Chen triumphantly announced his mastery of the Demonic Qi Extraction Art, Fang Yuan began to question his own life choices.
’Why? Why is his enlightenment talent so superior!? No, I am the foremost prodigy of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. I am the prodigy whom the three major holy land-level powers sought to enlist!’ Fang Yuan raged internally, keeping his head bowed, hiding the turmoil in his eyes from others.
Meanwhile, Shangguan Ning expressed her astonishment, "Have you genuinely mastered it!?"
She then challenged Jiang Chen, "Elucidate it from start to finish once more; let’s see if there are any discrepancies!"
For Jiang Chen to master it within merely a day and night was considered an extraordinary achievement by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning.
"Alright!" Jiang Chen affirmed with a nod, beginning his detailed explanation of the secret art.
As Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning listened more intently, their astonishment grew.
Jiang Chen’s explanations were flawlessly accurate, without a single error!
Nangong Wan then urged Jiang Chen to demonstrate the technique again, and once more, it was executed perfectly.
Both women now looked at Jiang Chen with even greater admiration for his talent, feeling a strong impulse to nurture and cherish his abilities.
Having successfully passed the scrutiny of the two women, Jiang Chen clasped his hands before his chest and offered a respectful bow toward the Soul Embodying Ring, where the residual souls of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning resided. "I extend my gratitude for both of your guidance, but I must apologize as I can’t afford any further delay. I must now go and rescue Junior Sisters Ruxue and Xiaojing!"
He then turned his attention to Fang Yuan. "Junior Brother Fang Yuan, rest assured, I am committed to rescuing Ruxue and Xiaojing and will ensure their safety."
Upon hearing these words, a wave of discomfort surged through Fang Yuan’s heart.
Had he not forcefully restrained himself, he would have been trembling from head to toe!
As he watched Jiang Chen’s departing figure, Fang Yuan’s heart boiled with bitterness and defiance!
After Jiang Chen left Fang Yuan’s cave mansion, a system alert suddenly resounded.
[Ding! You have successfully altered the plot. Protagonist Fang Yuan’s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 2000 points!]
[Ding! You have accrued 4000 points of Villain Value!]