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Chapter 171: A Disappointment, Simply So
Chapter 171: A Disappointment, Simply So
Chapter 171: A Disappointment, Simply So
The sudden twist in events left everyone present dumbstruck!
"Fang Yuan!"
"The duel has concluded, what is this madness?"
An exclamation of surprise escaped Jiang Chen.
However, rather than deploying his sword to deflect, he strategically implemented the Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps, tactfully evading to the rear.
Simultaneously, a surge of joy swelled from the depths of Jiang Chen's heart.
Fang Yuan's recklessness had evidently cast a negative shadow on his public reputation, clashing with his role as the protagonist!
As the protagonist, how could he breach the established protocol, display desperate exasperation, and vent his wrath through such rash actions?
[Ding! You have successfully instigated a minor shift in protagonist Fang Yuan's character, resulting in a decrease of Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value by 300 points!]
[Ding! You have acquired 600 points of Villain Value!]
The echoes of two system notifications within Jiang Chen's consciousness heightened his ecstasy!
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"Fang Yuan!"
"Halt!"
"Your actions border on lunacy now!"
In the recesses of Fang Yuan's mind, a startled Nangong Wan counseled.
"Fang Yuan, cease!"
"Do you grasp the degree of humiliation you're self-inflicting!"
Shangguan Ning too joined in, her astonishment clearly evident.
At this juncture, both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were not just shocked, but thoroughly disheartened with Fang Yuan.
Never had they anticipated that Fang Yuan would stoop to such a petty level of poor sportsmanship.
Behaving so unbecomingly before an audience of many.
Simultaneously, the disappointment was not exclusive to Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning.
The Holy Lord, Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, among other influential figures, as well as Ji Ruxue, who held significant relevance to Fang Yuan, shared the sentiment!
"This Fang Yuan, his temperament is distressingly lacking!"
Supreme Elder Mo Yu expressed his displeasure with a furrowed brow, "He obviously fell short due to inferior prowess, yet he repudiates his loss and even resorts to offensive measures!"
"The Fang Yuan I once knew wasn't like this."
"Perhaps the two solitary years greatly affected him."
While maintaining a stoic demeanor, Ji Mingxiu bore an irrefutable shade of disappointment in his gaze towards Fang Yuan.
Previously, he had even contemplated facilitating a relationship between Ji Ruxue and Fang Yuan. Now, he felt relieved that he had refrained.
In another location.
"This Fang Yuan is nothing short of ludicrous!"
"What a letdown! Jiang Chen had invested such high expectations in him, even advocating on his behalf!"
Xie Xiaojing remarked with evident disgust, "Fang Yuan is simply an ungrateful individual, forsaking righteousness for selfish pursuits. He's unfit to be considered a friend by Jiang Chen!"
'I never anticipated Fang Yuan would embody such characteristics.'
'I had envisioned him as a cornerstone of the Purple Heaven Holy Land in the future, but it now appears that despite his commendable cultivation aptitude, his temperament fails to meet the mark. I fear it might even impede his comprehension of the Dao.'
Such thoughts coursed through Ji Ruxue's mind.
In truth, she had previously harbored a modicum of curiosity towards Fang Yuan.
Following Jiang Chen's tireless efforts, this curiosity, though existing, wasn't sufficiently stoked to divert her attention to Fang Yuan. However, she conceded to its slight presence.
But now, Ji Ruxue's last sliver of curiosity about Fang Yuan was completely snuffed out.
To her, Fang Yuan was hardly worth a mention.
And as Xie Xiaojing had asserted, he was unworthy of befriending!
Simultaneously, beneath the dueling stage, hundreds of thousands of disciples watched in disbelief, their eyes wide as saucers, as Fang Yuan unleashed his rage-filled assault on Jiang Chen.
The entire contest for the Holy Son's position had been proceeding smoothly. Even when disciples who had longstanding rivalries battled, they never descended into such a state of frenzy.
But Fang Yuan...
Jiang Chen had been consistently voicing his support, aiding him in reconstructing his image as a prodigy, and ensuring he was not scorned by all!
Yet here was Fang Yuan, unleashing a rage-fueled onslaught on Jiang Chen, the very person who had extended kindness towards him.
The spectacle was so staggering that it felt like their eyes might leap out of their sockets!
"Even with the verdict already announced, Fang Yuan dared to assault Senior Brother Jiang Chen!"
"Fang Yuan's audacity is staggering, considering Senior Brother Jiang Chen has consistently defended him!"
"Senior Brother Jiang Chen showed such benevolence towards Fang Yuan, and this is how he reciprocates, it's simply heart-wrenching."
"Haha, despite his previous desperate efforts, he failed to surpass Senior Brother Jiang Chen. And now he attacks him. Is he hoping to triumph by leveraging the formation shield? It's laughable!"
"Indeed! This Fang Yuan is unabashedly shameless and brazen. I feel second-hand embarrassment for him. How could our Purple Heaven Holy Land harbor someone like him?"
"Fang Yuan is nothing short of a disgrace to the Purple Heaven Holy Land!"
"..."
One disciple after another indulged in fervent whispers, their debates were heated, and a collective sentiment of anger and disdain against Fang Yuan echoed among them.
Much like Xie Xiaojing, nearly everyone was of the opinion that Fang Yuan was unworthy of Jiang Chen's friendship.
This incident precipitated a steep decline in Fang Yuan's image in the eyes of all present.
Successive system notifications emerged within Jiang Chen's consciousness.
[Ding! You have successfully diminished the Unpursued Heroine Nangong Wan's impression of the protagonist Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value is reduced by 300 points!]
[Ding! You have successfully diminished the Unpursued Heroine Shangguan Ning's impression of the protagonist Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value is reduced by 300 points!]
[Ding! You have successfully diminished the Unpursued Heroine Ji Ruxue's impression of the protagonist Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value is reduced by 200 points!]
[Ding! You have acquired 1600 points of Villain Value!]
Owing to Fang Yuan's brash act, he incurred a loss of eight hundred points from his Heavenly Fate Value!
'Remarkable!'
'If this trajectory persists a few more times, Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value will plummet to the lethal threshold!'
Such satisfying thoughts populated Jiang Chen's mind.
In the meantime.
"Ah ah ah!"
"Jiang Chen, cease your evasion, face me in combat!"
"Are you trembling with fear? I knew it, I won't suffer defeat, you cannot best me!"
"..."
On the platform, Fang Yuan persistently pursued and launched assaults on Jiang Chen, who adeptly eluded his attacks. The consistent failure to land a hit on Jiang Chen served only to amplify Fang Yuan's frustration and fury!
Suddenly!
"Halt!"
A stern roar thundered in Fang Yuan's ear like a clap of lightning.
An overwhelming aura of coercion, coupled with an assertive command, caused Fang Yuan's body to quiver, abruptly ceasing his attack.
It turned out that the one who had interjected was Ji Mingxiu.
"Fang Yuan!"
"You have proven to be profoundly disappointing!"
Ji Mingxiu regarded Fang Yuan with a frosty gaze, "For you to commit such an act during the Holy Son selection duel, I believe it is time for you to retreat and reflect upon your behavior!"
"I..."
Fang Yuan's frame shook, his fists tightened, his teeth clenching so intensely that fresh blood seeped from his gums!
In his heart flickered a hint of regret, yet it was overwhelmingly eclipsed by sorrow, anger, and a sense of helplessness.
He had already let everyone down once.
His desperate strive for victory was fueled solely by his wish to prevent further disappointments!
No one could fathom the depths of his thirst for victory.
All they did was levy blame upon him!
Just then.
"Holy Lord, I beseech you to maintain composure!"
"Fang Yuan's actions were indeed a tad excessive."
"However, nobody is devoid of flaws, and it is fairly common for someone as youthful as Fang Yuan to exhibit lapses in temperament."
"As the saying goes, acknowledging and rectifying one's errors is the noblest virtue."
"I have faith that Junior Brother Fang Yuan will assuredly acknowledge his errors and make amends. After all, growth is a gradual process."
Jiang Chen slightly bowed, his hands clasped together in front of him, uttering respectfully, "Therefore, I implore the Master, as well as all fellow members of the Purple Heaven Holy Land to bestow upon Junior Brother Fang Yuan your understanding and forbearance."
As these words echoed, the entire area fell into a sudden hush.
Everyone present widened their eyes, gazing at Jiang Chen, their expressions tinged with astonishment.