Chapter 1539: You Call for Help, I'll Hold Them Off

Nanqing Constellation, the Ten Directions Immortal Sect.

Immortal Longfu's expression was grave.

Several elders of the sect rushed into his presence worriedly, clamoring.

"Immortal Longfu, have you heard the news?"

"An Enlightenment Core Disciple has entered our borders! What is their purpose?"

"What level of hospitality should the Ten Directions Immortal Sect prepare?"

"Why are you still sitting here so calmly?"

Immortal Longfu frowned, looking at these flustered old men, and shook his head slowly. "There's no need for hospitality. He said he's here on private business that has nothing to do with us. From his tone, he doesn't seem to want any contact. So, as long as we don't show up in front of him, we're doing the right thing."

"But... could this... be related to

that

matter?" ventured one elder hesitantly, his voice low.

He seemed reluctant to mention it, but since no one else would, he felt he had to.

Immortal Longfu's eyes narrowed. "Not a word of that has leaked. How could it be related? We already failed to protect the last Golden Ancient Immortal Body. Do you still not understand why? Keep your mouths shut. It wasn't easy for our sect to come across two Golden Ancient Immortal Bodies in a row."

"Yes, yes..." murmured the elders guiltily.

With an Enlightenment Core Disciple arriving so suddenly at such a critical moment, it was impossible for them not to worry.

***

Daotai Mountain Realm, Qingyuan Market.

Azure Mountain, Cangyun Sect.

A group of energetic children sat cross-legged in the sect's grand plaza. A Spirit Gathering Formation was constantly funneling spiritual energy towards them, providing fuel for the techniques the children were practicing.

Fang Zhixue walked among the children with her hands behind her back. Occasionally, she would tap a lazy student with a wooden ruler or offer a few words of guidance to someone struggling with their mantra.

After circling for one round, she returned to the high platform to brew tea while keeping a sharp eye on the scene below. The children were all terrified of her. None of them dared to slack off.

"I say, you're already at the Fusion Realm. Is it really necessary to supervise these little kids personally? Why not just let the Foundation Building Realm disciples handle it?" nagged Li Daoye as he strolled up to her, looking helpless.

"It's not like I watch them every second. But once in a while, I need to check if they're being lazy," said Fang Zhixue coolly. "Look at those few, it's obvious they don't focus. Their energy flow is sluggish. They've been here for over a year, and they're still like this. Even if they have talent, if they lack discipline, they should be kicked out."

"They're good sprouts, though," said Li Daoye reluctantly, glancing at the children. "They're still a bunch of kids, and their temperaments haven't settled yet. Give them a few more years. If they still lack the heart for cultivation, then it won't be too late to send them down the mountain. At least they'll be old enough to support themselves."

"Where's Sister Hua lately? Calculate it for me," asked Fang Zhixue casually.

"My divination technique isn't free, you know," said Li Daoye with a scoff. "Why bother calculating? She'll come back once she passes her Tribulation. I really didn't expect her to become an Immortal King in just a few hundred years..."

"If you don't use your divination technique, you'll get rusty. Calculate if she'll succeed," insisted Fang Zhixue.

Li Daoye hesitated but eventually began the divination. Wisps of white mist rose and swirled around him. After a moment, his eyes snapped open, and he reported, "It's a success. She passed her Tribulation. She'll probably be back soon."

"Now, check on my brother. See when he's coming back," ordered Fang Zhixue.

"Absolutely not! Last time I tried to divinate him, it nearly drained the life out of me." Li Daoye waved his hands frantically. "I have soup simmering back at my place. I need to check the fire before it burns dry. You keep busy!"

Fang Zhixue rolled her eyes. "Look at you, such a coward."

Li Daoye didn't look back as he tried to slip away, but he suddenly stiffened. He whipped his head toward the sky, his eyes flashing with two beams of brilliant divine light.

"Who dares to spy on the Cangyun Sect!" a voice boomed with majesty.

The children practicing below looked up in shock. All cultivators of the Cangyun Sect stopped what they were doing and soared into the air.

Fang Zhixue's expression turned serious. "Someone's there?"

She stood up and looked at the sky, but her eyes saw nothing but blue.

"Someone is there, and their cultivation isn't low. We need to call the old flood dragon out of seclusion," said Li Daoye grimly. "You go call for backup; I'll stay and hold them off."

"You? Hold them off with what?" ribbed Fang Zhixue.

Li Daoye chucked darkly. "With my bronze teeth!"

***

In the void above, Fang Chen stood on the Black Dragon Boat, watching the brilliant light in Li Daoye's eyes with amazement.

"We're on the Black Dragon Boat. If I wanted to, even a fourth- or fifth-transformation immortal wouldn't easily spot us. I didn't expect this kid's eyes to be so sharp," mused Fang Chen.

"Big Brother, who is that?" asked Fang Xiaotian curiously.

Fang Cangyue smiled and replied, "A friend I made back in Grand Xia. It seems his cultivation has come quite a long way."

With a thought, Fang Chen stowed the Black Dragon Boat. Using the Shadow Buddha Technique, he pulled the others into the shadows and descended.

Below, Li Daoye's expression went blank for a moment. Then he laughed, "Don't bother calling the old flood dragon! My aura scared them off!"

The children immediately looked at him with worshipful eyes. Everyone in the Qingyuan Market knew that the inconspicuous Cangyun Sect on Azure Mountain was a top-tier power. Even though they kept a low profile, its disciples could walk through the market without anyone daring to cross them.

"They really ran away?" asked Fang Zhixue in disbelief.

Li Daoye nodded. "They did."

But almost immediately, his face paled. He roared again, "Which coward is hiding? Show yourself!"

He whispered urgently to Fang Zhixue, "Call the others! Now!"

In the next second, several figures materialised right in front of them.

Li Daoye froze, then coughed awkwardly. "Ah... so it's Lord Fang."

He immediately waved to the approaching sect members. "Dismissed! Everything's fine, go back to work!"

The confused cultivators arrived and left just as quickly.

"Big Brother!? Aunt!?" shouted Fang Zhixue happily.

She lunged into Fang Chen's arms first, then seeing Fang Cangyue was there too, jumped over to hug her.

Fang Xiaotian saw a sense of familiarity in Fang Zhixue. The way she treated Fang Chen was exactly how Fang Xiaohua treated him.

The bond between Big Brother and Big Sister must have been just as good as mine and Xiaohua's when they were kids,

he thought with a smile.

"Big Brother, why didn't you tell us you were coming? I was just talking about you with Li Daoye. By the way... who is this guy standing there grinning like an idiot?"

Fang Xiaotian's smile froze.

Fang Chen laughed. "Little Sis, meet Fang Xiaotian and Fang Xiaohua—your younger brother and sister."

Younger brother and sister?

It took Fang Zhixue a long time to process this. She had known they existed but had never met them or known where they were. Seeing them return with Fang Chen left her stunned. After sizing them up for a long while, she blinked in shock. "Wait... is your cultivation level actually higher than mine?"