Chapter 1080: Immortal Flame Valley

"What are your next moves? Besides being enforcers for the Spirit God Sect, what plans do Li Wuwang and your master have?" Fang Chen asked indifferently.

Zhu Yunwei answered in a low voice, "About a year from now, after we've gathered the scattered sword scriptures, we'll establish a sect in Prison Wind and bring the Heavenly Sword Division out of the shadows and into the light."

He paused briefly before continuing, "At that time, the great clans of Prison Wind will no longer exist. Instead, there will be four major sects and the Nine Immortal Mountain Sacred Grounds."

Fang Chen's eyes narrowed. "Are you still planning to act against the Qu Clan and the Du Clan?"

"Yes," Zhu Yunwei answered. "Only by taking over the four major clans can we secure enough cultivation resources for the sword cultivators like us. For wandering cultivators like us, our lifespans are only half of that of ordinary people. We need immortal crystals to prolong our lives."

Fang Chen nodded. "Tell me about the Thousand Dao Tower."

"The Thousand Dao Tower..." Zhu Yunwei hesitated for a few breaths. "The Tower Master's strength is on par with Li Wuwang and my master. I once heard my master say that, although he is a third-transformation sword cultivator, his chances of defeating the Thousand Dao Tower Master are less than 40%. It's said that the Tower Master has mastered a certain forbidden technique from the Dao Sect, which is extraordinarily powerful, rivaling the sword cultivation lineage."

Fang Chen speculated that the Thousand Dao Tower Master likely mastered the Azure Lightning Technique, which was recognized by the Thunder Beast. Fortunately, while this method was extremely potent in attack, it was more straightforward and forceful compared to the Lunar God Beast's inheritance, which was more elusive and unpredictable.

The Azure Lightning Technique left traces behind, while techniques like the Shadow Buddha Technique were much harder to defend against.

Half an hour later, Zhu Yunwei finished recounting everything he knew about the Thousand Dao Tower.

The Thousand Dao Tower's strength and foundation clearly surpassed that of the four major clans, and it was also far ahead of the three major sects. The mysterious Tower Master was a third-transformation Loose Immortal, with slightly stronger might than a sword cultivator of the same level. Among them, there were at least 7 second-transformation Loose Immortals, such as Daoist Yun Ding.

Following them were the first-transformation Loose Immortals who came from Thousand Dao Tower or were affiliated with it, totaling around 150. One-fifth of them were stationed at Thousand Dao Tower year-round, while the others managed the Tower's various industries.

"Tell me about the Spirit God Sect's arrangements here," Fang Chen said with a faint smile.

Zhu Yunwei froze slightly, and an awkward expression appeared on his face. "I'm a cultivator of the Heavenly Sword Division, not the Spirit God Sect. I know very little about their arrangements."

"Isn't your relationship with them one of close cooperation? Without the Spirit God Sect's nurturing, Li Wuwang and your master, no matter how talented, would have stopped at the second transformation, right?" Fang Chen countered. "Be honest."

Zhu Yunwei sighed. "From the start, we've never truly taken the Spirit God Sect cultivators seriously. If not for turning the tide for the sword cultivators in Prison Wind, neither the Sect Masters nor the deputy Sect Masters would have collaborated with them.

"Our cooperation is limited to them providing us with a list of people to eliminate. Once the task is complete, we gain some necessary cultivation resources, such as immortal crystals and Blood Spirit Pills. Aside from that, we don't have much of a deeper relationship with them."

"I'll take your word for it," replied Fang Chen, nodding. "Who are the people on the list Yun Ding gave you this time?"

A frown appeared on Zhu Yunwei's forehead. If Li Changsheng wasn't Li Wuwang's adopted son, he would seriously suspect that the latter had betrayed him.

Why would this person know what had happened inside the Thousand Dao Tower?

Despite his doubts, Zhu Yunwei still answered. "This list concerns the next batch of Blood Spirit Pills. If the mission fails, the Heavenly Sword Division will suffer great losses."

He gazed at Fang Chen deeply and asked, "You're a sword cultivator too. Why can't you stand with us?"

"If you weren't colluding with the Spirit God Sect, I might have helped you a little with what you're trying to do." Fang Chen replied with a faint smile.

"You have a grudge against the Spirit God Sect!?"

Zhu Yunwei paused, a flash of realization in his eyes.

Given the Spirit God Sect's ways, it was only natural that they had made many enemies. But since they were so insidious that they often let others do their dirty work, many people didn't hold them directly accountable. Clearly, the Spirit God Sect had offended this man using similar tactics before.

No wonder he cares so much about their affairs....

With that thought, Zhu Yunwei's expression shifted slightly, and he lowered his voice. "You can join the Heavenly Sword Division. Pretend to go along with the Spirit God Sect for now. Once our foundation is strong enough, we'll have no need to work with them anymore."

"At that time, the Sect Master and deputy Sect Master will surely be willing to help you take your revenge. Just tell them which Spirit God Sect cultivator wronged you."

He was attempting to turn the tables and recruit Fang Chen instead. If it worked, the Heavenly Sword Division would gain a powerful ally.

"I once swore I would slaughter every cultivator of the Spirit God Sect, drive those rats in the shadows out with nowhere to hide," Fang Chen calmly replied. "The Sect Master and deputy Sect Master you speak of likely won't help me."

"Sl-slaughter the entire Spirit God Sect?" Zhu Yunwei froze for a moment. "You're dreaming. The Spirit God Sect is deeply entrenched here. Their power is beyond your imagination..."

"Even tall towers are not built in a day," Fang Chen replied coolly. "Now tell me about that list."

Zhu Yunwei remained silent for a long time, then gritted his teeth. "I won't tell you about the list. What does it matter if I die? As long as the Heavenly Sword Division can gain a foothold in Qiufeng, a little sacrifice means nothing."

Fang Chen casually raised his hand, and right in front of everyone, refined Zhu Yunwei into a puppet in the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

Ancestor Qingmu and Hong Qing couldn't help feeling a little strange at the sight.

Now, Zhu Yunwei resembled a paper figure. His movements and thoughts were no longer under his control, leaving Zhu Yunwei terrified and furious.

"You can speak now," Fang Chen said.

Zhu Yunwei, unable to resist, blurted out everything about the list.

Having gained the information he sought, Fang Chen ended Zhu Yunwei with a thought. As if set aflame by invisible sparks, he started to disintegrate. Soon, he turned into a pile of ashes.

Fang Chen felt his blood and energy surge within. Zhu Yunwei's death had slightly disturbed his soul as well.

If it hadn't been necessary, he wouldn't have used the technique on someone so useless. After all, handling it did cause some backlash to himself.

"Senior Brother Qingmu, you two will stay here and cultivate for now. Once your cultivation improves, I'll arrange for you to serve in the Lesser Underworld."

Fang Chen looked at Ancestor Qingmu and Hong Qing. "I happen to be short on manpower now, and with your current condition, remaining here is the best choice."

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The two knew Fang Chen wasn't wrong, and both nodded in agreement. If they could assist Fang Chen here, that would also count as fulfilling their duty to the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

***

At the Thousand Dao Tower, things had mostly concluded after Ancestor Qingmu and the others had been taken away. However, Fang Chen wanted to see if there was a chance to take the Heaven Calamity Dragoness and others with him.

Not to mention her history with Li Jingnian, she had also stepped in to protect him during the incident in the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps.

Even just dealing some damage to the Spirit God Sect made it worth staying a few more days.

He spent a few days wandering around Yun Ding's place and gradually figured out where the latter refined his pills. Deep within the grounds lay a place called Immortal Flame Valley. Fang Chen hadn't even approached yet and already felt a wave of heat roll toward him like a tide.