Chapter 867: Chapter 867

Having obtained the map to Fang Ruohan's mother's hiding place, as for how to deal with Fang Zhiyao next, it still depends on Fang Ruohan's decision, after all, they are half-sisters sharing the same father.

Fang Ruohan then let Fang Zhiyao go, even though she had tried to harm her multiple times before, but in consideration of their father, she still chose not to lay a lethal hand on her.

"You may leave," Fang Ruohan said indifferently to Fang Zhiyao standing by. "My mother and I will never return to the Upper Xuan Sect. I hope you won't bother us again in the future."

Fang Zhiyao gave Fang Ruohan a cold look and glared fiercely at Ding Fan before turning around and leaving.

As for Wang Ming, Ding Fan didn't choose to let him go. With Zhou Ruoran still in the hands of Jiu Shan, having Wang Ming in his possession was like having an extra ace up his sleeve.

Ding Fan and Fang Ruohan immediately handed Wang Ming over to Ye Tianshi and Zhang Shanlian at the hotel. To avoid any delay, Ding Fan then had Fang Ruohan stay in the hotel while he and Ye Tianshi headed to rescue Fang Ruohan's mother according to the map provided by Fang Zhiyao.

The map Fang Zhiyao provided was located at the foot of Qilian Mountains, and it did not take much time for Ding Fan and Ye Tianshi to find the place.

However, what puzzled Ding Fan was the fact that there were tightly arranged early-warning Formations around the cave. If one were to enter rashly, they would inevitably be detected.

In addition to the early-warning Formation, there were Defensive Arrays and Attack Formations laid out inside, each Formation interlocked and dependent on the others.

Ding Fan could tell that these Formations were meticulously crafted, surely the work of a master of Formation.

Ding Fan momentarily doubted the truthfulness of Fang Zhiyao's words. Fang Ruohan's mother was just a woman—there was no need to detain her in such a heavily defended place.

It's known that just the Spirit Stones needed to sustain these Formations would amount to an astonishing astronomical figure. It was completely unnecessary to waste such resources on a mere woman.

Ding Fan wanted to use his Divine Sense to investigate the interior, but to his dismay, an isolating Formation had been placed, making it impossible to probe inside with his Divine Sense.

"With such impregnable defenses, sneaking in seems almost impossible; we have no other choice but to go in by force," Ye Tianshi remarked, clearly seeing the abnormality of the situation.

Ding Fan pondered for a moment.

After all, their mission was to save someone. If they were to storm in and Fang Ruohan's mother ended up injured, that would complicate matters.

"I have a way," said Ding Fan after some thought.

As soon as he finished speaking, he summoned Duorou from the Small World. Duorou then climbed upon Ding Fan's head, quickly transforming his appearance into that of Fang Zhiyao.

Ye Tianshi, having seen plenty in his lifetime, did not show any particular surprise upon seeing Duorou.

"We'll just walk in blatantly," Ding Fan replied and then led Ye Tianshi straight towards the cave entrance.

As for the early-warning Formation, Ding Fan didn't care at all. After triggering them, the cave resonated with piercing screeches.

Shortly after the alarm was sounded, two Martial Artists emerged from within the cave.

These two Martial Artists were around sixty years old, with a cultivation at the Early Stage of Earth Level. Reaching Earth Level In their sixties, it's not surprising that they were assigned to guard the cave.

"Miss, what brings you here?" The two Martial Artists were eager to please upon seeing Fang Zhiyao, smiling and speaking deferentially.

Observing the attitude of these two Martial Artists, Ding Fan could guess Fang Zhiyao's status within the Upper Xuan Sect.

Fang Ruohan and Fang Zhiyao were both daughters of the Sect leader of the Upper Xuan Sect, yet while one was scorned and looked down upon by the sect members, Fang Zhiyao was treated like a lord. This was not simply because Fang Zhiyao was overbearing by nature, it surely had to do with the Sect leader's favoritism.

"Is it a problem for me to come and take a look?" Ding Fan said, mimicking Fang Zhiyao's tone.

"Not at all... not at all, how could there be any issue with the Miss coming to take a look?" The two Martial Artists hastily continued to smile and please.

Ding Fan did not bother with them at this point and continued on inside the cave with Ye Tianshi.

The two Martial Artists hastily blocked Ding Fan and Ye Tianshi.

"What, you dare to stop me?" Ding Fan's expression darkened.

"Miss, no... how could I dare to stop you? Naturally, we wouldn't obstruct you if you wish to go inside, but this person..."

Ding Fan understood they were referring to Ye Tianshi.

"What? I can't bring my friend inside?" Imitating Fang Zhiyao, Ding Fan lifted a foot and kicked the two men to the ground.

After knocking the two men down, Ding Fan no longer paid them any attention and charged into the cave with Ye Tianshi.

Clearly afraid of Fang Zhiyao, the two men saw her arrogance and felt it was not their place to speak further, begrudgingly following behind them.

Ding Fan and Ye Tianshi entered the cave. Along the way, Ding Fan carefully examined the situation inside.

While the cave's entrance had a Formation that obstructed Divine Sense, there was none inside, and Ding Fan fully extended his Divine Sense, meticulously seeking the place where the captive was held.

Ding Fan's Divine Sense was quite formidable; he could survey everything within a twenty-mile radius.

However, after a round of investigation, Ding Fan was somewhat disappointed to find that there was no sign of any living person's presence, only a corner isolated by Divine Sense.

Ding Fan couldn't help but wonder if Fang Ruohan's mother might be held captive there.

Walking along the tunnel within the cave, Ding Fan eventually reached a spacious Stone Chamber.

The walls of the Stone Chamber were very smooth, and because there were some Luminous Pearls hanging around, the chamber was quite bright.

"Miss, please take a seat and have some tea." After entering the Stone Chamber, the two attendants were very diligent in preparing tea for Ding Fan.

Ding Fan had no intention of leaving, and he and Ye Tianshi simply sat down together.

On the way here, Ding Fan discovered that this place was full of mechanisms, just like the tunnel he had just entered, which was fraught with hidden traps. If it hadn't been for someone leading the way, it would have been difficult for Ding Fan to gain entry.

Sustaining several Great Formations and, in addition, many hidden traps, the expenditure of Spiritual Energy alone to support these defenses must have been substantial.

The daily consumption is probably terrifying. Ding Fan did not believe that such a place was established just to imprison Fang Ruohan's mother.

Now, Ding Fan suspects that Fang Zhiyao didn't tell him the truth, and that revealing this place to him might have been intended as a trap for his demise.

Or even if it wasn't for killing him, it could still have very adverse effects on Fang Ruohan.

Therefore, Ding Fan thought about not being too eager to leave. He wanted to find out more about this place from these two people.

Ding Fan calmly took the tea and then pretended to drink it as if nothing was amiss.

The two attendants exchanged glances, and then one of them, a tall man who was slightly older, rubbed his hands together and came forward, saying apologetically with a smile.

"Miss, we have completed the tasks you assigned. We have been guarding this dilapidated place for so long, didn't you promise to speak to the Sect Leader on our behalf and get us transferred out of here?"

The other elder beside him also spoke with a smile. "Miss, we are absolutely loyal to you, please help us out."

On the surface, Ding Fan acted as if it was none of his concern, but from their words, he understood that guarding the cave was an extremely dull assignment for them. They must have helped Fang Zhiyao with something before, and now they no longer wanted to stay.

"Are you trying to bargain with me?" Ding Fan pretended to be very dissatisfied and addressed the two men.

"Of course not, of course not, we would never dare bargain with you!"

Ding Fan's approach was indeed effective. As soon as he showed his temper, the two attendants immediately became very nervous.

"I thought as much," Ding Fan snorted coldly before continuing, "Now tell me about the current situation here."

"The situation here?" The two servants both froze, evidently not expecting this question from Fang Zhiyao in front of them.

Seeing the two showing their surprise, Ding Fan remained unfazed and slammed his teacup heavily onto the table. "What? Do I need to be more specific?"

"I will speak, I will speak," one of the elders quickly took a step forward.

"Are you asking about the Bodhi affair, Miss? Some time ago the Sect did send people to inquire about it, and we have heaped all the blame on Fang Ruohan. We have said that it was Fang Ruohan who stole it when she had visited the Underground Palace to worship her ancestors, taking advantage when the Sect Leader was in seclusion. Both Jiuzhen and Jiu Shan, the protectors, also helped to corroborate the story, so now no one suspects you anymore..."

Upon hearing this, Ding Fan's brows knotted tightly.

Back when he was in Longxi, Ding Fan used Duorou to Disguise himself as Zhou Ran.

At that time, Ding Fan already knew about Fang Zhiyao's plan through his Divine Sense and thought that as long as Fang Ruohan was rescued, Fang Zhiyao would not blame her. However, now it seems that Fang Zhiyao had colluded with everyone in the Upper Xuan Sect and placed all the blame on Fang Ruohan.

This was outright a plot to annihilate her family. Ding Fan inwardly blamed himself; his cultivation back then was too weak to resist Jiuzhen, which is why he chose to flee. This escape made things worse, solidifying the accusation against Fang Ruohan for stealing the Bodhi.

"Repeat what you have just said." At this moment, Ding Fan quietly took out his phone from the storage ring and pressed the record button.

Even if Fang Ruohan's mother wasn't here today, Ding Fan was still determined to clear Fang Ruohan's name.

Although puzzled, the two men did not dare to provoke Fang Zhiyao and repeated everything as they were told.

"I will remember this matter and will speak to the Sect Leader, but from now on, both of you should not mention to anyone that I have been here. Forget everything about my visit!" Ding Fan said.

The two men nodded eagerly. "Miss, rest assured, from now on, no matter who asks, we will not mention your visit."

Ding Fan nodded, and then he left the place with Ye Tianshi.

Ding Fan now knew that this was the location of the Upper Xuan Sect's Underground Palace, which enshrined the ancestors of the Sect Leader of Upper Xuan Sect and also housed the Bodhi.

Since the Bodhi was no longer there and there was nothing of value left, Ding Fan saw no point in staying any longer. He certainly did not believe that Fang Zhiyao would hide Fang Ruohan's mother here.

So, it would be better to simply leave...