Zhou Bufan took a deep breath and smiled. "Daoist Fang, it seems there is some sort of misunderstanding. As long as we can resolve this misunderstanding, everything will be fine."

He paused. "In fact, We of the Purple Yang Dao Sect aren’t here out of our own volition, but rather because of a command from the Nine Yang Dao Sect."

Fang Chen chuckled lightly. "The Nine Yang Dao Sect?"

"Exactly." Zhou Bufan suddenly felt a surge of confidence. "It was indeed the order from the Nine Yang Dao Sect that brought us here. If we have offended anyone, perhaps we should have a senior from the Nine Yang Dao Sect come forward so we can sit down and discuss it properly."

"Daoist Zhou, do you not know that the Nine Yang Dao Sect is also taking orders from the Great Expansion Dao Sect?" Fang Chen sighed softly. "Perhaps you’ve been living in isolation for too long and are unaware. Xu Qingsong, a Fusion Realm cultivator from the Great Expansion Dao Sect, wants to force me into the open, which is why you have all become the vanguard."

Zhou Bufan and the others were taken aback.

Did they hear that correctly? A Fusion Realm cultivator?! And from the Great Expansion Dao Sect?!

The Fusion Realm was the final realm of the Middle Three Realms. A realm that is one step away from the first realm in the legendary Upper Three Realms—the Dao Union Realm.

Every local family in the Central Continent was held by Dao Union Realm cultivators. Each of these individuals was a formidable figure who ruled over their territories.

Just a single move could shake the vast lands!

The Great Expansion Dao Sect was one of the three major sects in the world. Though it ranked last among them, it was still a genuine immortal manor.

Even their Fusion Realm cultivators would be treated as honored guests by local manors!

Zhou Bufan realized that they had seemingly gotten involved in something serious. The Ancestor Fang before them likely had an extraordinary background!

Fang Chen smiled and waved his hand. "It’s fine, it’s fine. Since Daoist Zhou is unaware of these matters, don’t think too much about it. Just sit down and enjoy the tea. As for the Nine Yang Dao Sect, I have already sent someone to convey the message. They will come here to observe the ceremony in a few days. Any misunderstandings can be resolved then."

With that, Fang Chen left with his companions.

Zhou Bufan was about to speak up, but the black paper figure beat him to it. "If you do not enjoy drinking tea, you may stay for a meal instead."

Zhou Bufan's expression changed dramatically, and he immediately sat down and picked up the teacup to drink.

Not only did he drink himself, but he also urged the others to fill their cups while secretly transmitting a message, "

We, as cultivators, have lived for hundreds or even thousands of years. The path to enlightenment has been incredibly difficult, and we have encountered all sorts of humiliations. To endure what ordinary people cannot endure is to seize the opportunity to rise above. Do not give them any excuse to take action against us.

"

Hearing Zhou Bufan’s warning, Wu Weizi and the others gradually understood the gravity of the situation.

***

In the Azure Dao Manor.

Qi Jian, having heard his subordinate’s report, looked utterly astonished. "The Grand Thousand Dao Sect wants to change its name? They also want to invite me to attend the ceremony?"

He had never taken the Grand Thousand Dao Sect seriously, but he was aware that various forces had been trying to find connections to the Three Thousand Dao Sect through the Grand Thousand Dao Sect.

As the Prefect of Azure Dao Manor, he had also arranged for personnel within the Grand Thousand Dao Sect. Therefore, he was naturally surprised upon receiving this report from his subordinate.

Qi Jian pondered, "The Three Thousand Dao Sect has been destroyed for so many years. Although there are rumors that the Daoist lineage of the world originates from the Three Thousand Dao Sect, the three major sects have never acknowledged this. Now Fang Chen has appeared in the Grand Thousand Dao Sect and wants to change its name. Could it be related to the Heavenly Cloud Emperor?"

He couldn’t think of any reason that would compel them to do any of this. After all, this action would undoubtedly provoke the wrath of the three major sects.

During the battle in the Ancient Demon Wasteland, all the cultivators present began to suspect whether the Heavenly Cloud Emperor was truly just a remnant soul. He was sometimes clear-headed and other times muddled. 𝖗𝘈𝐍ОꞖΕS̈

If the Heavenly Cloud Emperor had truly tricked them, then the Three Thousand Dao Sect still had an existence no weaker than a First Rate Sect Leader!

At that moment, one of Qi Jian’s subordinates spoke up. "My lord, such a trivial matter can be handled by anyone; there’s no need for you to go personally."

"We can’t do that." Qi Jian gently shook his head. He looked out the window, his gaze growing deep. "Matters related to the Three Thousand Dao Sect are never trivial. I must personally make this trip. To put it another way, Qi Ran was also killed at Fang Chen's hands. I need to meet this… enemy who killed my son."

"Prefect, why not let me take action and kill him? A mere Lower Four Realm cultivator isn’t much of a threat."

"You usually cultivate in seclusion and don’t pay attention to current affairs. You have no idea how complicated this person’s background is. If he could be easily killed, would I need you to act? Wouldn’t I have taken revenge for Qi Ran already?"

Qi Jian sneered coldly. "Go prepare; we will set out today."

"...Understood!"

In the following days, various Dao sects within the Azure Dao Manor, both large and small, received news directly or indirectly regarding the situation. Upon learning that the Grand Thousand Dao Sect intended to reclaim the name of the once-great Three Thousand Dao Sect, some laughed, while others were furious, eager to make preparations to attend the ceremony.

The leaders of the various clans, surprised by this news, reacted similarly. Particularly, those who had previously met Fang Chen at the Cloud Platform wasted no time in setting off. It wasn’t just that he was a sword cultivator from the Void Immortal Sword Sect; his connections with the heir of the Heavenly King Zhen Manor, Gai Hong, were enough to make these sect leaders take him seriously. Moreover, there seemed to be significant ties between him and the Immortal Giant Sect as well.

***

At the Immortal Qin Clan.

Qin Feng and Qin Xuan rushed back to the Qin residence and headed straight for Chu Lan’s room.

"Mother!"

Seeing the two of them return, Chu Lan was somewhat surprised. "Aren’t you both cultivating at the Grand Thousand Dao Sect?"

Qin Feng hurriedly replied, "The Grand Thousand Dao Sect has encountered trouble!"

Chu Lan’s expression changed slightly. "What kind of trouble?"

Qin Xuan shot Qin Feng a look and reprimanded, "Brother, can you even speak properly? What do you mean by 'trouble'? Let me explain."

She then quickly recounted the situation. After listening, Chu Lan felt her heart go cold and her expression turned serious. "Is what you’re saying true? Sir Fang is currently at Grand Thousand Dao Sect, and he’s going to oversee the ceremony to rename the Grand Thousand Dao Sect back to the Three Thousand Dao Sect?"

"Yes." Qin Xuan nodded. "We came back this time to ask you and Dad to go to the ceremony together. Should we inform the ancestor as well?"

"This matter is quite significant. Your father and I will definitely attend, especially since Sir Fang saved Feng’er’s life. As for the ancestor, let your father handle that," said Chu Lan.

She hurriedly left to find the head of the Qin family to explain the situation.

After hearing the news, the head of the Qin Family was equally shocked, and the two of them promptly went to visit the residence of the Qin Clan’s ancestor.

***

The ancestor of the Qin Clan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, facing the flowerbeds in the courtyard. "What is it?"

The head of the Qin Family quickly relayed the entire story.

After a long silence, the ancestor finally spoke. "This matter is not trivial. The Qin Clan can go, but we will not attend the ceremony. We just want to observe the reactions of the three major Dao sects and see if we can make any connection with any important figures there."

The couple exchanged surprised glances, clearly taken aback by the ancestor’s response.