Lu Fan nodded slightly, feeling the terrifying aura. He knew that any carelessness would lead to a grim end.
In a flash, Lu Fan left his original spot. Moments after he departed, a white-haired elder arrived at the location Lu Fan had just occupied. Gazing at the blood on the ground, the elder's expression turned cold.
The Heavenly Fire Pavilion had explicit rules: those in the First Heaven could not enter the Third Heaven, nor could those in the Second Heaven. However, it was clear someone had violated these rules. As for who it was, that remained unknown.
After leaving the Third Heaven, Lu Fan returned to his residence in the First Heaven. Fortunately, he hadn't been discovered, otherwise, he likely wouldn't have been able to remain in the Heavenly Fire Pavilion.
"Old man, who was that person just now? Why did they possess such a terrifying aura?" Lu Fan asked. "If I hadn't escaped quickly, I would have surely died."
"At least a Venerable!"
The Primordial old man stated directly, "If he had caught you, the trouble would have been immense. With my current abilities, I wouldn't have been able to help you escape!"
Lu Fan's face turned ashen. He didn't know how powerful a Venerable was, but he understood clearly that to be called a Venerable meant the person possessed formidable strength.
"Stay in the First Heaven for these few days and don't venture out again," the Primordial old man advised. "The Heavenly Fire Pavilion is filled with experts. If you're caught, your life could be in danger."
Lu Fan gave a wry smile, his face somewhat pale. It had been a close call just now; a slight misstep could have meant he wouldn't have returned. He understood this all too well.
"By the way, your spiritual sense is injured. You can use the White Lotus Sacred Fire to nourish it, but don't rush the process."
The Primordial old man's expression was serious. "If you rush, it will affect your state of mind."
"Understood!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly and, dragging his heavily injured body, returned to his lodging.
At this very moment, Big Head had woken up. Seeing Lu Fan, he asked, "Where did you go? Why aren't you sleeping so late at night? The Heavenly Fire Pavilion has rules against wandering around carelessly. If the people above find out, you'll be punished."
"I thought the night view in the Heavenly Fire Pavilion was nice, so I went for a walk!" Lu Fan chuckled awkwardly. "I didn't expect you to wake up so soon; I thought you'd sleep a bit longer."
"I always have trouble sleeping. I feel like something is going to happen tonight," Big Head said earnestly. "Every time something happens in the Heavenly Fire Pavilion, I become restless. Perhaps I'm too sensitive."
"There's such a thing?" Lu Fan smiled faintly, not paying it much mind.
Just then, a bell suddenly rang throughout the First Heaven. The sound was continuous, even spreading across numerous mountains and rivers.
"As expected, something is about to happen!"
Big Head's expression turned solemn. "This is the bell of the First Heaven, a summons. We must hurry to gather. If we're delayed, we'll be punished!"
Lu Fan frowned. He hadn't expected his infiltration of the Third Heaven, once discovered, to cause such a stir.
"Do you want to leave, kid?"
The Primordial old man inquired. "If you're found out, things won't be so good."
"I cannot leave!"
Lu Fan stated directly. "How can I leave before obtaining the Green Lotus Sacred Fire!"
"Very well, as you wish!" the Primordial old man nodded. "But you must be careful, kid, don't capsize in a ditch. Otherwise, even I won't be able to save you."
Lu Fan nodded slightly and said no more. He then unleashed the White Lotus Sacred Fire, suppressing it within his body while concealing his aura. With the White Lotus Sacred Fire suppressing his presence, even if there were peerless experts in the Heavenly Fire Pavilion, they might not be able to detect him.
Not long after, led by Big Head, Lu Fan arrived at the plaza. Within the First Heaven's plaza stood numerous figures. Most of them were outer disciples and some laborers, all looking panicked, unsure of what had happened.
Big Head approached Steward Zhao. "Steward Zhao, what major event has occurred? Why are we being summoned in the middle of the night?"
"I don't know which suicidal fool dared to intrude into the Third Heaven!" Steward Zhao exclaimed. "Utterly audacious. I heard they were already injured. The higher-ups have begun an investigation, we just need to wait here for a moment."
"Could it be someone from another place? How would the laborers of the Heavenly Fire Pavilion dare to act so recklessly?" Big Head inquired.
"The Heavenly Fire Pavilion is a mixed bag, with many harboring ill intentions," Steward Zhao waved his hand. "But now that it has come to this, we can only await the results from above."
Big Head nodded slightly, not daring to ask further. He knew very well that such matters were not for someone of his status to inquire about.
After a short while, several elders arrived in the First Heaven and looked towards Steward Zhao. "Did anyone leave the First Heaven tonight?"
"Elders, all the laborers in the First Heaven are under my jurisdiction. No laborers left the First Heaven tonight!" Steward Zhao stated. "This matter was likely not done by someone from the First Heaven!"
"Hmph, the Pavilion Master has ordered a thorough investigation into this matter," the elder said. "For that person to escape under the Pavilion Master's nose, they must be extremely formidable. If they are truly hidden within the Heavenly Fire Pavilion, it will be a great trouble."
"Escaped under the Pavilion Master's nose?" Steward Zhao was slightly surprised. With such formidable means, how could such a person be in the laborers' quarters?
"Right, were there any new recruits entering the Heavenly Fire Pavilion today?" the elder asked again.
"Yes, yes!" Steward Zhao nodded quickly, looking towards Lu Fan.
Lu Fan's expression tightened. He hadn't expected the Heavenly Fire Pavilion to investigate so meticulously, not overlooking even the slightest detail.
"Are you the one who joined the Heavenly Fire Pavilion today?" the white-haired elder looked at Lu Fan, his aura surging.
"Indeed, I am," Lu Fan quickly nodded. He had already concealed his aura; even if this elder possessed heavenly means, it would be difficult to detect him.
The white-haired elder nodded slightly, then suddenly struck out with a palm, rushing towards Lu Fan with overwhelming power. The onlookers gasped in alarm. This was an elder of the Heavenly Fire Pavilion; the might of his palm was not something an ordinary person could withstand.
Boom...
A loud impact sounded, and Lu Fan's body was violently flung backward, retreating dozens of meters. Lu Fan had almost retaliated, but he knew very well that if his identity were exposed, obtaining the Green Lotus Sacred Fire would become extremely difficult.
Pfft...
Lu Fan spat out a mouthful of blood, falling to the ground, seemingly on his last breath, filled with helplessness. Before the true controllers, no life was worth mentioning.
Seeing this, Big Head wanted to step forward to help, but Steward Zhao grabbed him. At this moment, no one could step forward, or they would surely be punished.
"It seems you are not that person!" The white-haired elder was quite satisfied. His cultivation was not that great, yet he had beaten Lu Fan to a pulp. If Lu Fan were truly such a master, he would have likely retaliated or at least instinctively dodged.
"The elder jokes. I am merely a kitchen laborer," Lu Fan stated, appearing neither humble nor arrogant.
"Steward Zhao, this brat took a palm strike from me. I am in the wrong. Since he is not that person, let him become an outer disciple as compensation," the white-haired elder said, then turned to leave.
Steward Zhao nodded repeatedly, a look of pleasant surprise on his face. He hadn't expected Lu Fan to benefit from misfortune. In the entire laborers' quarters, countless laborers yearned to become outer disciples but had no way to do so. Lu Fan, having arrived for only a day, had successfully been promoted.
"Congratulations, you have become an outer disciple!" Big Head approached Lu Fan with a smile. "Truly a blessing in disguise. I've been in the Heavenly Fire Pavilion for three years and haven't received such treatment."
Lu Fan smiled faintly but said little. Two of his ribs had been broken; that elder had shown no mercy when he struck. Lu Fan dared not use his spiritual energy to resist, so he could only endure it silently.
Upon returning to their quarters, Big Head bandaged Lu Fan's wounds and smiled. "Although you took a palm strike, it was worth it. If I had such an opportunity, I'd gladly take ten palm strikes."
"Don't worry, there will be such opportunities in the future!" Lu Fan said with a wry smile. He certainly didn't wish for such an opportunity, but it had found him. However, Lu Fan's journey to the Third Heaven tonight had yielded some gains; at least he could sense the specific location of the Green Lotus Sacred Fire in the Third Hall.