The Ten Heroines are Insane! - Chapter 156:

Chapter 156: Willing to Work Hard for the Holy Son

A few days later, the Holy Land assessment resumed. During the days of competition, Xu Ze noticed that many disciples had made significant improvements, thanks to Yan Qiao’s earlier disruption. Among them, the one who progressed the most was Ye Fan. It was clear he had been working harder than anyone else.

By now, Ye Fan had already stepped into the Divine Separation Realm, and his strength overwhelmed all the other disciples in the Holy Land. Watching the confidence radiating from Ye Fan’s face, Xu Ze couldn’t help but smile.

“Accepted,” Ye Fan said, swinging the tip of his sword before cupping his fists toward Lu Qingqing, who was seated on the ground.

Their final duel had been nothing short of remarkable. 

Even with the memories from his nine past lives, Ye Fan still found the ‘former’ Son of Destiny daunting to contend with.

Despite not knowing Lu Qingqing’s personality well, Ye Fan had gathered from past encounters that she was gloomy and unpredictable. 

During their previous time in the secret realm, she had nearly killed him and Chen Bin over a single stalk of Dragon Song Grass. Now that he had defeated her, Ye Fan wasn’t sure what sort of revenge she might seek.

Yet to his surprise, Lu Qingqing merely scratched her head with an annoyed expression.

“What a pity. If I had used that move just now, I might have won…” she muttered.

“Eh?” Ye Fan blinked in surprise.

There was no hostility in Lu Qingqing’s eyes—only clarity, almost like that of an ordinary person. Although it might seem unkind to say so, Lu Qingqing’s previous behavior hadn’t exactly been normal.

She glanced at Ye Fan again, but there was no resentment.

The grudges of the past nine lives were no longer important. As long as Brother Xu Ze still loved her in this life, nothing else mattered. She sheathed her bamboo knife and left without another word.

The audience erupted in cheers.

No one had expected that the disciple with the highest score in this year’s Holy Land assessment would be Ye Fan, who had only joined the Holy Land a year ago. Many still remembered how he had started as a humble servant disciple.

Now, in just a year, he had risen to such heights. His journey this past year could fill a novel.

“Ye Fan! Ye Fan! Ye Fan!” the crowd chanted.

Ye Fan pursed his lips, his heart swelling with excitement. His year of hard work had finally paid off.

I… succeeded!

Ye Fan turned his gaze excitedly toward the observation deck.

There he saw Xu Ze, looking down at him with approval.

At that moment, Ye Fan felt all his effort was worthwhile.

This was the feeling of being recognized by someone you admired—a refreshing sense that all his toil had not been in vain.

“Yes, Ye Fan of the Holy Fire Palace has trained diligently and achieved outstanding results. He deserves to be ranked first in this year’s assessment,” Xu Ze announced, standing and descending from the observation deck.

Under Ye Fan’s burning gaze, Xu Ze approached.

“I ask for the Holy Son’s guidance!” Ye Fan cupped his fists, his heart pounding.

The disciple who ranked first in the assessment was granted the opportunity to spar with the Holy Son himself.

For disciples who admired the Holy Son, it was the greatest honor imaginable.

Amid the envious stares of the crowd, Xu Ze stood with his hands behind his back, profound energy surging silently around him.

A terrifying aura spread across the assessment field.

“The Holy Son has reached the late stage of perfection…”

“The pressure is unbelievable. Even standing this far away makes my legs weak!”

The disciples whispered in awe.

On stage, Ye Fan’s face turned pale under the pressure, but excitement shone in his eyes.

“Forgive me, Lord Holy Son!”

Ye Fan took a deep breath and gripped the blood-colored long knife tightly in his right hand, channeling the dark energy within him.

In a flash, he swung his sword.

Blood surged, and the sword painted a streak of crimson across the sky, as if staining it.

“What is that?”

“Senior Brother Ye didn’t use this move during the competition, did he?”

“Was he hiding his strength all along?”

“This technique… it must be at least a Heaven-level mystical skill! I can’t believe Senior Brother Ye was concealing this!”

Since leaving the Holy Land, Ye Fan’s adventures over the past six months had built an extraordinarily powerful foundation. Among the disciples, none could match him.

This unique skill was his trump card—meant to be revealed to Xu Ze alone.

“Blood Demon Sword Technique!”

For a moment, time itself seemed to freeze.

This sword condensed nearly all of Ye Fan’s profound power into a single devastating slash.

Yet…

In front of Xu Ze, this seemingly world-splitting strike appeared insignificant.

Xu Ze slowly raised his hand, and a ripple of energy expanded before him, forming a shield that effortlessly blocked the sword.

Under Ye Fan’s stunned gaze, his most powerful attack was nullified in an instant.

The arena fell into a deathly silence.

Xu Ze stood calm, hands clasped behind his back, radiating an aura of serene invincibility.

A wave of helplessness washed over Ye Fan.

But instead of despair, he smiled bitterly.

“To think… my full power amounts to nothing before the Holy Son…”

He scratched his head sheepishly.

Knowing the immense gap between himself and Xu Ze, Ye Fan understood there was no point in continuing the match.

He sheathed his long knife, cupped his fists, and bowed.

“Thank you, Lord Holy Son, for your guidance!”

This defeat convinced him completely.

The gap between him and the Holy Son was still vast.

But he wouldn’t give up.

He would just keep working harder.

Xu Ze smiled and nodded approvingly.

Not bad. A good attitude.

Ye Fan wasn’t discouraged by the overwhelming difference in their strength.

Those who recognized their shortcomings and strove to improve could achieve greatness.

In Xu Ze’s eyes, Ye Fan was no longer the impulsive youth from his past lives. His character had matured greatly, making him a promising talent worth nurturing.

Since this male protagonist was willing to be the loyal little brother of the villain in this life, Xu Ze saw no reason to reject him.

“Ye Fan, would you like to become a deacon of the Holy Fire Palace?”

“With your strength, remaining an ordinary disciple would be a waste,” Xu Ze said with a smile.

The crowd gasped in shock.

Even Ye Fan was stunned.

chief disciples were essentially the managers of the Holy Fire Palace, and with this title, Ye Fan’s future would be bright.

Ye Fan’s blood boiled with excitement.

He stared at Xu Ze for a long time before finally calming himself.

“Yes! Disciple Ye Fan is willing to work hard for the Holy Son!”