Supreme Emptiness-Chapter 752: The Birth of Zero

Jiang Fan chuckled and said, "Commissioner Luo, quite a temper you’ve got there."

Luo Dongcheng’s old face turned red. He sighed, "When you see others advancing while you remain stagnant..."

"It creates a sense of disparity, giving rise to unpleasant behavior."

"I apologize if I’ve embarrassed you, Junior Brother Jiang."

Jiang Fan simply smiled.

He naturally understood what Luo Dongcheng was referring to.

And he fully grasped why Luo Dongcheng was being so deferential before him.

With a light laugh and no further comment, he said, "I plan to form a team."

"Commissioner Luo, could you assist in facilitating this?"

Luo Dongcheng exclaimed in surprise, "Junior Brother Jiang, you want to form a team?"

Jiang Fan nodded and said, "I’m preparing to venture into the underground world right away."

"Time is tight, so I wish to assemble the team now."

"Is there an issue with that?"

Luo Dongcheng furrowed his brow.

His expression showed a hint of contemplation.

Jiang Fan’s gaze flickered slightly, and he produced a spiritual meat wrapped in lotus leaves.

Although it was smaller than the piece given earlier to Lin Yuheng, it greatly improved one’s hopes of breaking into the Ninth Layer of Core Formation.

"Meeting thrice counts as fate."

"Here’s a small gift. Please accept it, Commissioner Luo, without disdain."

Luo Dongcheng froze for a moment and quickly stammered, "No, no, no."

"Junior Brother Jiang, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not trying to make things difficult for you."

"It’s just that, a month ago, after a team leader perished, the Pavilion Master issued a decree."

"From now on, the team leader of any new team must have reached the Eighth Layer of Core Formation."

"Such stringent requirements are nearly impossible for new disciples to meet."

"Junior Brother Jiang, why not consider joining one of the older teams?"

"As far as I know, several well-established teams with notable accomplishments are recruiting members."

Shang Shiqiu was shocked.

"It’s true a team’s leader died a month ago, leaving all its members injured."

"I hadn’t expected this to affect the creation of new teams."

"Junior Brother Jiang, I was unaware of this beforehand and had no intentions of withholding this from you."

If the requirement is the Eighth Layer of Core Formation, things would indeed become troublesome.

No matter how strong Jiang Fan was, he surely hadn’t reached the Eighth Layer yet.

Instead, Jiang Fan breathed a small sigh of relief.

Achieving the Eighth Layer was actually manageable.

He pressed the spiritual meat firmly into Luo Dongcheng’s hand and stated:

"This condition—I’ve already met."

"Please assist us with the registration, Commissioner Luo, without worry."

What?

Jiang Fan had reached the Eighth Layer of Core Formation?

Luo Dongcheng distinctly remembered Jiang Fan being at the Third Layer when they last exchanged rewards.

No matter how resourceful he was, it was impossible to leap so many levels. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

But upon sensing the unique aroma wafting from the spiritual meat covered in lotus leaves...

Luo Dongcheng’s pupils shrank suddenly.

Thousand-year-old Spiritual Meat?

Was Jiang Fan bribing him to allow this favor?

How could he dare accept such a bribe?

If anyone from above investigated, he’d be ruined.

Yet the mere thought of returning the long-coveted Thousand-year Spiritual Meat felt akin to being stabbed in the heart.

Gritting his teeth, he finally said, "Alright!"

"But if someone investigates later, Junior Brother Jiang, you must demonstrate Eighth-Layer strength."

"Otherwise, not only would your team be disbanded, but I’ll also be implicated."

Jiang Fan let out a hearty laugh and said, "Rest assured, Commissioner Luo."

Rest assured?

How could he truly feel at ease?

He hesitated before helping Jiang Fan complete the team registration process, then said, "The team’s name, its leader, deputy leader, and members?"

A name, hmm?

Jiang Fan turned a questioning glance toward Liu Qingxian, Xia Chaoge, and Liang Feiyan.

Liang Feiyan proudly suggested, "Call it the Overlord! How imposing and powerful!"

Liu Qingxian rolled her eyes theatrically. "How vulgar!"

Even Xia Chaoge couldn’t help but cast him a sideways glance. "You can go form your Overlord team on your own."

Just imagine someone asking which team you belong to.

And you answer, ’I’m Xia Chaoge of Overlord.’

The thought of it alone sent chills down the spine.

Liang Feiyan huffed, "Fine, then suggest something better yourselves!"

Liu Qingxian considered for a moment and said, "Fan, you’re the leader, and you originate from the Green Cloud Sect."

"Why not call it Green Cloud?"

Jiang Fan shook his head.

First, there were disciples from other sects in the team, making Green Cloud potentially offensive.

Second, naming it that might draw trouble to the Green Cloud Sect.

Seeing Liu Qingxian’s suggestion didn’t work, Xia Chaoge pondered and said, "Name it ’Zero.’"

"Uncle started out with nothing."

"Today, here in the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, we are also setting forth from zero."

"One day, when we stand on the summit and look back on this starting point, the name will feel deeply meaningful."

Both Liang Feiyan and Liu Qingxian’s eyes lit up slightly.

The name had a good symbolism.

Jiang Fan also found it agreeable and immediately decided, "Alright, we’ll name it ’Zero.’"

"I am the leader."

"Deputy leader: Xia Chaoge."

"Members: Tentatively Liu Qingxian and Liang Feiyan."

Luo Dongcheng quickly noted this down and promptly created four Identity Tokens.

On the front was the elegant and dynamic character for "Zero."

On the back were their names and respective roles.

"Junior Brother Jiang, I wish you luck."

"With your abilities, you’re sure to reap rewards in the underground world."

Luo Dongcheng handed the tokens to the four of them.

Jiang Fan graciously accepted them and said, "Thank you, Commissioner Luo."

"We’ll reconvene later."

"Farewell!"

Luo Dongcheng smiled as he escorted the group to the door.

Unexpectedly.

An older man with a pale face, no facial hair, a sharp gaze, and an air of righteousness entered with a group.

This was none other than Mu Ying’s master, Ning Kun.

He arrived leading seven disciples from outside the realm to the Task Hall.

Clearly, he intended to register a team as well.

"Manager Ning." Luo Dongcheng’s eyelid twitched. He hastily signaled Jiang Fan and his group with his eyes.

Indicating they should quickly put away their Identity Tokens.

Ning Kun was notoriously upright and could not tolerate even the slightest impropriety.

If he caught wind of Luo Dongcheng opening the back door for Jiang Fan’s group, trouble would follow.

Naturally, Jiang Fan wouldn’t put Luo Dongcheng in a difficult position.

He swiftly pocketed his token.

Staying silent, he began heading out.

Mu Ying frowned slightly and called out, "Junior Brother Jiang?"

"You’re not here to form a team too, are you?"

She glanced at the group with a face full of suspicion.

Yu Tiandu noticed their calm expressions, devoid of any frustration from failing to form a team.

His gaze flickered subtly, and he said with layered meaning:

"Manager Ning stated team leaders now must achieve the Eighth Layer of Core Formation."

"Junior Brother Jiang, did you perhaps already successfully form a team?"

Uninterested initially, Ning Kun was now intrigued.

He scrutinized Jiang Fan’s group and sternly questioned Luo Dongcheng, "Were they here to form a team as well?"

Luo Dongcheng’s heart sank, and he replied, "Yes."

"You approved them?" Ning Kun’s gaze turned piercing.

Luo Dongcheng’s heart screamed in agony.

Why was his luck this bad?

Just one step earlier, Jiang Fan’s group would’ve avoided encountering Ning Kun entirely, sparing him any suspicion.

But now...

He was in serious trouble.

He wanted to lie, but the records at the counter wouldn’t allow it. There was no way to cover it up.

Left with no choice, he admitted, "They... they passed."

"But Junior Brother Jiang’s strength at Boundary Mountain was witnessed by all."

"Defeating Core Formation Seventh Layer... it’s not an issue."

His tone betrayed a hint of unease.

Ning Kun snorted through his nose. "The Pavilion Master’s decree clearly states Eighth Layer of Core Formation!"

"You’ve got quite the audacity to defy the rules and allow someone to form a team without proper qualifications!"

"Hand over your Identity Token and come with me to see the Pavilion Master!"

Luo Dongcheng turned pale as a sheet and frantically clasped his hands in a plea, lowering his voice:

"Manager Ning, please give me a chance."

"I won’t dare violate the rules again."

If he were brought before the Pavilion Master, his title of commissioner would undoubtedly be stripped.

He might even be expelled from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

The consequences would be dire.

Ning Kun, a man of iron resolve, gripped Luo Dongcheng’s wrist tightly.

"Spare me your begging!"

"Now that you’ve landed in my hands, you should know the penalty."

"Move!"

Ignoring Luo Dongcheng’s pleas, Ning Kun dragged him out the door.

Already far off, Jiang Fan noticed the commotion behind them and had no choice but to return.

He stepped forward and clasped his hands in respect, saying, "Mr. Ning."

"There’s been a misunderstanding. Our team has passed a standard inspection and meets the qualifications."

"Commissioner Luo acted in strict accordance with the rules."

"Please, do not wrongfully accuse an innocent man."