Elder Huang’s words helped Fang Chen understand the various sects’ attitudes toward the Grand Thousand Dao Sect. The contempt, disdain, and observation in the dark all stemmed from the past events related to the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

Elder Huang nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, that stone box had indeed been circulated among many sects. However, since they had failed to open it, they had no choice but to return it. They had been waiting for someone who could open it to appear. This way, they can swoop over and snatch their fruits of labor!"

Fang Chen sighed inwardly. Given that Pei Qingfeng was only at the early stage of the Golden Core Realm, there was no need for the factions to send out Middle Three Realms experts; a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator could easily navigate the Grand Thousand Dao Sect without being detected.

Before his arrival, the Grand Thousand Dao Sect had to have been visited countless times by these factions. Perhaps Pei Qingfeng had long been aware but chose not to reveal it for the greater good.

"Huang Genxiao, your life is about to end." The middle-aged man sneered repeatedly, looking at Elder Huang as if he were a dead man.

"My lord, you are an Enlightenment Realm expert, and yet you are in such a state. I am merely a Foundation Building Realm cultivator. Whether I live or die is of no concern to me; what matters is the present," Elder Huang responded with a cold smile.

Fang Chen delved into the various factions' perspectives on the stone box. Through Elder Huang’s answers and the reactions of the middle-aged man, he reached a rather reassuring conclusion.

The various parties were interested in the stone box as it likely contained techniques or methods at the level of Dao Union, believing it might contain techniques or methods of that level. Thus, after the stone box had been ‘borrowed’ and circulated among the factions, they all returned it to its original place, waiting for someone to open it and then seize the opportunity.

If they knew that the Stone Bead inside represented the Three Thousand Dao Realm, even Immortal Kings would personally intervene, let alone Profound Immortals.

To be able to spend ten years inside with only one day passing outside with mere spirit stones was an unimaginable advantage. How horrifying was that? For the talented, the Three Thousand Dao Realm was a top-notch opportunity.

In the hands of lackluster individuals, these benefits wouldn’t be much.

A cultivator’s lifespan continues to tick inside the Three Thousand Dao Realm. Fang Chen had entered it twice, meaning he was twenty years older now. For those with insufficient talent, staying in the Three Thousand Dao Realm would only mean they’d be racing to their death.

"How many spies like you are left in the Grand Thousand Dao Sect?" Fang Chen asked with a faint smile.

"Martial Uncle Fang, other than me who’s working for the Ninth King, there are no other spies. However, I cannot guarantee the number of spies sent from elsewhere. The only certainty is that among the five Foundation Building Realm cultivators currently in the Grand Thousand Dao Sect, besides Guan’e, are all spies."

Elder Huang said, "Some spies are below the Foundation Building Realm and were merely in the Qi Refining Realm and they hide even deeper, seldom revealing their true selves."

Fang Chen turned a little speechless. Glancing at the middle-aged man and Elder Huang, he waved his sleeve, and a streak of green light entered their bodies.

The next moment, Elder Huang’s skin was directly peeled off. Seeing that, the white paper figure took the initiative to step forward and put on the skin.

Fang Chen looked at the white paper figure, now looking exactly like Elder Huang. "Don’t refine his skin yet."

The middle-aged man, although at the Enlightenment Realm, could not resist Fang Chen’s Skin Peeling Technique due to the suppression of the black paper figure. After he was skinned, the black paper figure wore his skin.

Outside, including Guan’e, the four Foundation Building cultivators who had noticed the end of the anomaly were planning to approach and see if Fang Chen had exited his closed-door meditation. Instead, they heard an angry shout and saw the middle-aged man, along with the familiar Elder Huang, break through the air, laughing maniacally as they disappeared from view.

"What’s happening?"

They were stunned.

The three elders, Guan’e excluded, wore disturbed expressions.

"This is bad; someone has broken into the Grand Thousand Dao Sect’s inner sanctum!"

Guan’e realized what had happened and shouted, turning into a streak of lightning as she flew toward Fang Chen’s cave dwelling. The other three Foundation Building Realm cultivators exchanged looks with unnatural expressions before following her.

They arrived at the cave entrance just in time to see Fang Chen emerge with a grim face.

Guan’e quickly cupped her hands in respect. "Martial Uncle Fang, what happened just now? Why did Elder Huang and an unfamiliar cultivator leave together from your place?"

Fang Chen replied coldly, "Elder Huang broke into my closed-door meditation space and stole the stone box."

"What!" Guan’e panicked. "That’s something Elder Hong Qing left behind; the contents inside...."

"Everything was stolen. Why did Elder Huang collude with outsiders? Do you know anything about this?" Fang Chen sneered. "It seems he was the spy from the Profound Ghost Dao Sect."

Guan’e gritted her teeth in anger. "I didn’t expect Elder Huang to be this kind of person."

"This is really despicable."

"Traitors!"

"A real ingrate!"

The other three Foundation Building Realm cultivators also burst into curses.

Fang Chen’s expression was dark. "The ones who acted were very strong. I couldn’t even block a single move. They clearly came prepared, and it’s likely that what Master left me can’t be recovered."

Guan’e didn’t know what words to use to comfort him or whether she should mention the military order letter right now. She hesitated, looking conflicted.

"Elder Guan, if you have something to say, please say it."

Fang Chen seemed to have calmed down, his tone returning to a more peaceful state.

"Martial Uncle, it’s about the military order letter…" Guan’e spoke softly about the situation, her face showing concern. "I’ve heard that the situation on the battlefield is not good. I’m afraid that ancestor might be in danger.…"

Fang Chen’s eyes flickered. "Where is the Parting Fiery Dao Sect? I’ll go there personally."

He had anticipated that the Grand Thousand Dao Sect would be dragged into the battle, but he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. After just a few months of fighting, the Qin Family had started mobilizing cultivators of the Foundation Building Realm and Golden Core Realm to the battlefield, indicating that the situation was extremely tense and that a war of attrition was about to begin.

Fortunately, Li Daoye had followed along, and with his skill in divination and fortune-telling, he was responsible for ensuring good luck and avoiding misfortune. The situation for Pei Qingfeng and the others should be alright.

After Guan’e told him the directions to the Parting Fiery Dao Sect, Fang Chen had them disperse.

The several Foundation Building Realm cultivators each returned to their own caves. Except for Guan’e, the other three burned a transmission talisman at the same time.

The item has been obtained by the Ninth King’s Mansion.

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Fang Chen’s divine spirit smiled and turned to leave.

He did not plan to deal with the three Foundation Building Realm cultivators. Regardless of where they came from, since their identities were exposed, they were far more valuable alive than dead.

The black and white paper figures came to Fang Chen with an enigmatic smile.

"Lord, we shouldn’t have exposed ourselves, right?"

"They are only Foundation Building Realm cultivators. They wouldn’t be able to tell anything," Fang Chen replied, smiling.

The white paper figure’s face showed a hint of anticipation. "Good. By the way, lord, how many revolutions has your Golden Core achieved?"

The black paper figure’s eyes were also filled with curiosity.

"Revolutions?"

Fang Chen raised his brows. He didn’t know if his sword core had any concept of revolutions at all.

"Why don’t you help me check? You have experience," Fang Chen said.

He opened his mouth and a Golden Core emitting a bright white light appeared in front of the black and white paper figures.

The expressions of the black and white paper figures changed slightly.

"This…!"