Chapter 1115: Chapter 1115
Fang Chen and Fairy Yu were riding a small, lightweight boat. It drifted downstream with the current.
Fairy Yu leaned against Fang Chen's chest, speaking softly, "My lord, isn't it about time? If we don't go over soon, I'm afraid my master will start getting suspicious."
Fang Chen smiled. "Indeed. We've been wandering with them for a long time after all. It is about time we go."
Wang Chongsong's proposal to Yan Haoran had bought Fang Chen several more years. If he kept stalling, Yan Haoran would inevitably use Song Zhili's method; he wouldn't keep waiting.
Fang Chen had visited the Old Flood Dragon several times during that period. The Old Flood Dragon had gone into seclusion to advance to the fourth transformation and was about to succeed.
Fang Chen added, "This river leads to the Immortal Demon Sea. Since they've waited this long, waiting a bit longer won't hurt."
He stretched lazily and closed his eyes. It looked like he was dozing off.
The Great Expansion Dao Sect.
Ouyang Xuanzhen put away the Heaven Profound Mirror, approached Yan Haoran respectfully, and bowed.
"Senior Yan, my disciple just sent a message. They're heading straight for the Immortal Demon Sea."
"So Wang Chongsong's plan really worked." Yan Haoran's eyes lit up, and a faint smile appeared on his face. He turned to Ouyang Xuanzhen. "If this succeeds, I'll record a merit for you. When there's an opportunity to become a Loose Immortal, you'll be in line."
A flicker of joy crossed Ouyang Xuanzhen's eyes as he bowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Senior Yan!"
Standing in the corner, Xu Qingsong kept his head down, but he caught sight of Ouyang Xuanzhen's actions from the corner of his eye. Ouyang Xuanzhen, a dignified ancestor of the Great Expansion Dao Sect and an Immortal King, was being so humble and obsequious before a powerful figure.
Xu Qingsong didn't know why Ouyang Xuanzhen had summoned him today, but he felt a bit uneasy.
Suddenly, Yan Haoran looked at what appeared to be an empty space nearby and smiled. "My friends, since you've come, why keep hiding? Ouyang Xuanzhen is a junior of our Dao Sect and counts as one of our own."
Ouyang Xuanzhen's eyes widened slightly, and he lowered his head without a word.
In the next moment, figures emerged from that empty space. The first person was Qu Ge, a member of one of the Prison Wind Lands' Four Great Families. He was followed by Du Anxian, from another of the Four Great Families. Then came Nangong Yuanzhen of the Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land and Nie Yunqian of the Yin Holy Sect.
The four Loose Immortals exuded a faint yet oppressive spiritual pressure, causing Ouyang Xuanzhen and the others in the hall to feel a heavy weight on their chests. They suppressed their shock, not daring to make even the slightest movement.
Xu Qingsong couldn't believe what he was seeing. "First-Rate Sect Leaders... They're all First-Rate Sect Leaders..."
Yan Haoran smiled. "I originally thought... He Zuchang from the Great Sun Sect might come, but I didn't expect all four of you would show up."
Qu Ge's expression was grim. "Brother Yan, one of my clan elders told me to ask you this. If we join the Spirit God Sect, can we really avoid being targeted by those sword cultivators?"
Du Anxian said nothing, but the way she stared at Yan Haoran made it clear that Qu Ge's question was also on her mind.
"To be honest with you all, Li Wuwang and the others were only able to reach the third transformation thanks to the Spirit God Sect's support." Yan Haoran smiled calmly. "He's one of us. If you become one of us too, then we're all on the same side. And people on the same side don't fight each other. Even children know that."
Qu Ge and Du Anxian exchanged a glance. "Very well."
Nangong Yuanzhen said coolly, "The Spirit God Sect... Brother Yan, I didn't expect you to have such a background. That explains why you managed to ascend to the Loose Immortal Realm at such a young age despite not having top-tier talent."
"Brother Nangong, I didn't invite you here today just to hear you say that." Yan Haoran maintained his smile. "What are you trying to say?"
Nangong Yuanzhen asked indifferently, "The boy you're after is connected to Yuan Cheng. Even without the Spirit God Sect's involvement, I would have come. But the things you promised me in your letter—will you still honor them?"
Yan Haoran answered, "Naturally. Brother Nangong, you are a true talent. The Spirit God Sect cherishes talent above all. Only people like us deserve to live in this world and climb to the summit.
"The Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land failed to recognize your worth. Just because your background isn't as noble as a few others, they withheld cultivation resources and poured everything into those people. Because of that, your chances of advancing to the second transformation are uncertain even with your exceptional talent.
"But from now on, you won't have such concerns. In a few more years, the Creation Star will be our domain. Perhaps we may even leave this world and make a name for ourselves in the Ancient Desolate Realm."
Nangong Yuanzhen chuckled and shook his head. "That future is still too far away. It is better not to speak of them."
Then he turned to look at Nie Yunqian and said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to come too."
Nie Yunqian replied coolly, "The Spirit God Sect... Our Yin holy Sect does not wish to interfere or take sides. I came this time only because I was paid with Immortal Crystals."
She looked at Yan Haoran, frowning slightly. "You've already gathered these people. Why call me as well?"
Yan Haoran chuckled. "Are you aware that in recent years, a method called Path of Yin has suddenly begun to spread?"
Nie Yunqian furrowed her brows, and her aura surged uncontrollably.
Ouyang Xuanzhen and the others immediately felt an overwhelming spiritual pressure weigh down on them.
Xu Qingsong couldn't bear it at all and dropped to his knees. He felt like all of his bones were creaking, threatening to break. If this pressure continued to increase, he would be crushed into a meat paste!
Qu Ge and the others exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with unease.
"Don't get all worked up," said Yan Haoran.
He looked at Nie Yunqian and flicked his sleeve gently, blocking her spiritual pressure with a barrier.
Only then did Xu Qingsong feel some relief. He looked up at this group of young men and women with a terrified gaze.
Yan Haoran stated calmly, "If not for Ouyang Xuanzhen informing me, I wouldn't have known that anyone besides the members of the Yin Holy Sect was proficient in the Path of Yin."
Nie Yunqian's gaze fell on Ouyang Xuanzhen.
Before she could speak, Ouyang Xuanzhen bowed his head. He explained, "A few years ago, a certain Instructor Fang appeared in the Desolate Academy. He's proficient in the Path of Yin and has been teaching it to the academy's disciples. However, he requires them to register under the Three Thousand Dao Sects. We suspect this instructor to be a puppet for that Anomaly in the Three Thousand Dao Sect. He is the very person Senior Yan wishes to capture—Fang Chen."
Xu Qingsong was stunned.
The one Yan Haoran wanted to capture... was actually Fang Chen!?
Shock quickly gave way to uncontrollable joy on his face.
Yan Haoran said calmly, "The Path of Yin has already spread. It's nearly impossible to retract it now. Still, few local cultivators can enter the Prison Wind Lands, so the Yin Holy Sect remains the only established sect on the Chaotic Star that can walk the Path of Yin. We don't understand this path well, which is why we need to capture this person. I hope Daoist Nie can simply observe for now and act only if necessary."
Nangong Yuanzhen spoke up at this moment. "Is that the only reason?"
Du Anxian chimed in, "Indeed, if that's all, there was no need to summon all of us. Why would we need to join forces to catch a junior?"
Yan Haoran replied with a faint smile, "Well... it's a long story. Not long ago, this boy led over ten Loose Immortals and ambushed a first-transformation sword cultivator."
Those words left everyone stunned.