“Fellow Daoist Fang, be careful. I’ve heard that Dao Sects have many strange techniques. Don’t fall into their traps,” Li Daoye said with a warning look.
Fang Chen smiled. “It’s fine. Will you accompany me?”
“There’s no need for that.” Li Daoye shook his head lightly and glanced at Qin Feng. “I’m concerned about Qin Feng. I’ll stay behind to keep an eye on things.”
Qin Feng seemed oblivious to their conversation, his gaze unfocused.
With that, Fang Chen followed the young servant outside.
The Nine Yang Dao Sect hadn’t sent anyone in recent days, and Hua Qianchi remained at the Immortal Origin District. That indicated a significant shift in the Nine Yang Dao Sect's attitude, likely due to concerns about their reputation worsening.
In the reception hall, Bai Lixiao stood solemnly in front of the door, silent and unmoving. His expression changed slightly when he saw Fang Chen approaching.
Fang Chen smiled, offering a bow. “Ah, it’s Protector Bai Li.”
The fact that the Nine Yang Dao Sect sent a Golden Core cultivator indicated their intention to negotiate.
“Fellow Daoist Fang, I heard that you are a disciple of Daoist Hong Qing?” Bai Lixiao said. “I’ve also heard that the Grand Thousand Dao Sect absorbed the Profound Ghost Dao Sect with your help not long ago?”
“Indeed, the Nine Yang Dao Sect, as the leading Dao Sect of the Immortal Qin Clan, knows things clearly even a little over a month later,” Fang Chen praised.
Bai Lixiao's expression shifted slightly as he detected the underlying sarcasm in Fang Chen’s words. His attempt to intimidate had not only failed but had been turned around to mock the Nine Yang Dao Sect for its poor communication.
“It’s no wonder you mention the Three Thousand Dao Sect. Daoist Hong Qing was constantly proclaiming that he had obtained the true teachings of the Three Thousand Dao Sect and aimed to clear the name of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect, which led to his disappearance and unknown whereabouts.
“He even claimed to have met an elder from the Three Thousand Dao Sect who was still alive. Isn’t that laughable?”
Bai Lixiao smiled.
“I advise you to be cautious with your words in the future. While the Nine Yang Dao Sect might not be overly concerned, some Dao Sects are quite sensitive about such matters. Bringing up the Three Thousand Dao Sect could bring trouble to the Grand Thousand Dao Sect.”
Fang Chen’s expression remained unchanged, but his mind was in turmoil. This remark revealed an extremely important piece of information. Daoist Hong Qing had likely encountered Elder Yun He!
Bai Lixiao watched Fang Chen’s expression closely, seemingly trying to discern something. However, Fang Chen merely smiled and shifted the topic. “Protector Bai Li, what brings you here today?”
“I’m here to fulfill the promise made by Junior Brother Hua,” Bai Lixiao said, slowly taking out two hundred mid-grade spirit stones. “I hope you will accept these spirit stones and consider this matter settled.”
Following them past the formation that protected their sect, Fang Chen arrived in a hall. A figure was currently lighting some incense with his back towards Hua Qianchi.
Bai Lixiao cupped his fist. “Elder Fang, Junior Brother Hua is back.”
Hua Qianchi lowered his head and didn’t utter a sound.
Fang Chen glanced at the statue the incense was directed to and saw that it was a middle-aged man. Without surprise, he was the ancestor of the Nine Yang Dao Sect. There wasn’t a single Dao Sect that would offer incense to anything related to the Three Divine Beasts.
When Elder Fang was done, he turned around and smiled at Hua Qianchi. “Do you know your mistakes?”
“I do,” Hua Qianchi replied in a low voice.
“That’s good. Go ahead and continue to cultivate since you learned from your mistakes,” Elder Fang said before waving his hand to dismiss him.
Hua Qianchi’s surprise was palpable as he faced a surprisingly lenient reaction from Elder Fang. After receiving this unexpected light treatment, he bowed deeply. “Disciple will take this lesson to heart and continue to cultivate diligently.”
“Why haven't you thanked Elder Fang?” Bai Lixiao berated.
"Thank you, Elder Fang!"
Hua Qianchi quickly cupped his fist and bowed. He then left the Dao Palace with a look of uncertainty, noticing that Bai Lixiao remained behind. A trace of jealousy flickered in his eyes.
"What do you think? Do you believe that Daoist Fang is a disciple of Daoist Hong Qing?" Elder Fang asked with a faint smile.
"Probably not. When I mentioned Daoist Hong Qing, his expression showed no change at all. Even when I subtly brought up the disappearance of Daoist Hong Qing, he didn't react," Bai Lixiao said, shaking his head slightly.
"Heh, it seems I was right. He comes from the Great Expansion Dao Gate," Elder Fang said with conviction. "No wonder you had trouble with him; the Great Expansion Dao Gate is now under the Celestial Court, with an Immortal King in command."
The Great Expansion Dao Gate?
Fang Chen revealed a strange look on his face. It seemed that the reputation of the Great Expansion Dao Gate had reached even the Azure Dao Manor.
"But why would they think I come from the Great Expansion Dao Gate?" Fang Chen wondered.
"Elder Fang, you think he's someone from the Great Expansion Dao Gate?" Bai Lixiao asked with some suspicion.
Elder Fang nodded. "The Great Expansion Dao Gate has suppressed Daoist Hong Qing. It seems the Great Expansion Dao Gate could not extract any useful information from him, so they sent someone to impersonate his disciple in an attempt to find something related to the Three Thousand Dao Sect from the Grand Thousand Dao Sect."