Chapter 962: The Local Taste

The group, having returned to the Three Thousand Dao Sect, was equally astonished by the transformation of the sect's site into a celestial-like Daoist temple. It was all thanks to the influence of the Great Dao White Lotus, which had worked wonders in a mere few years. What was once a humble spiritual ground had become a place of cultivation that rivaled even the grandest immortal realms.

As they arrived, it was the sight of the immortal-like figures, such as Zhou Bufan and his companions, that caught their attention. In such an extraordinary place, it was not unusual to see long-established seniors casually enjoying tea and discussing Daoist philosophy, which made it highly likely they were revered elders of the sect.

The three demons, Victorious Buddha and the rest, also adopted a more respectful demeanor, looking at Zhou Bufan and the others with a trace of awe.

"They are not cultivators of the Three Thousand Dao Sect," Fang Chen said, smiling as he led the group to greet Zhou Bufan and his companions. "Is everyone getting accustomed to your stay here?"

Zhou Bufan and the others instinctively stood up and quickly cupped their fists in greeting. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Fang."

At that moment, Victorious Buddha's gaze fell on the tea in Zhou Bufan's cup and noticed the it was murky, with a bit of sediment. It also had a strange, unpleasant odor to it. "The tea isn't quite right...."

While the tea that cultivators enjoyed wouldn't necessarily come from the Immortal Realm or anything of that sort, it was still top-tier tea. It would have clear, elegant hues and an aroma so delicate that merely inhaling it would be refreshing, with a lingering sweetness. But this tea was nothing like that.

Fang Chen nodded. "Get used to it."

With that, he led the group into the Dao Palace.

The Daoist beggar quickly spoke up, his voice trembling.

Fang Chen turned his gaze toward him. "What's your concern?"

"I... I just want to know... how much longer must I continue drinking this tea?" The beggar Daoist gritted his teeth, gathering his courage. "I've realized the wrongs I've done over these past years. There's an old saying: to know your faults and correct them is a great virtue. I—"

"'To know your faults and correct them' is a phrase used by elders to their juniors," Fang Chen cut him off. "We're not related, so whether you change or not has no bearing on me. Are you dissatisfied with the tea here?"

Fang Chen gestured toward several cultivators standing by the mountain gate. "Our guest is unhappy with the tea. You all need to properly reflect on this."

The cultivators finally realized what had happened, their faces lighting up with joy as they hurried over to bow deeply to Fang Chen.

One of them shot a glance at the beggar Daoist, causing a chill to run down the Daoist beggar's spine.

"Ancestor, our place has been like a paradise for the immortals lately. Occasionally, the mortals who'd come to burn incense would absorb the spiritual energy here, curing them of their ailments. That's why the tea has been different from usual. From now on, I will go to distant places to find the best tea for our guests so they will feel truly at home."

Zhou Bufan and the others listened with cold sweat on their brows, their faces grim. Some of them were already staring at the Daoist beggar with murderous intent, their eyes as sharp as knives, as though they could slice him into pieces at any moment.

The beggar Daoist never imagined that his brave words would lead to such dire consequences. His face changed repeatedly as he realized the gravity of his situation.

Victorious Buddha and the others finally began to understand, their gaze on the tea turning darker, now full of suspicion and disdain.

Ye Wenxiu and the others couldn't help but be secretly surprised. They never expected these ethereal, immortal-like beings to have made mistakes and be punished here.

"That's great," replied Fang Chen.

He nodded and then led the group into the Dao Palace.

The news of his return quickly spread throughout the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

At that moment, a figure tore through the air. Before that person even landed, they called out joyfully, "Fang Chen!"

Victorious Buddha, the demon cultivators, and Liu Mu all looked excited upon seeing the visitor.

This was none other than Fang Zhixue, their master's sister, whom they hadn't seen in many years.

Fang Zhixue landed in front of Fang Chen, and, while excited and happy, found herself unsure of what to say.

Fang Chen extended his arms and smiled. "Give me a hug,"

This one sentence from Fang Chen caused the awkwardness in the air to evaporate instantly.

Fang Zhixue leaped into Fang Chen's embrace, giving him a tight hug.

Li Daoye and the others arrived as well.

Upon seeing this scene, Li Daoye immediately waved his hand. "Let them chat for now, we won't disturb them."

After a few moments, Fang Zhixue released her hug, took a couple of steps back, and carefully sized up Fang Chen's current appearance. Her expression gradually became strange. "Brother, so many years have passed... how come you still look the same. You look even younger?"

Victorious Buddha and the others silently nodded.

Fang Zhixue seemed to be in her thirties now, appearing much more mature than the youthful Fang Chen. Standing together, Fang Zhixue seemed more like an older sister.

Fang Chen looked at Fang Zhixue and nodded with a smile. "With higher cultivation, one's lifespan naturally increases, making you appear younger. You haven't fallen behind in your cultivation over these years."

Entering the Foundation Building Realm signified that a cultivator had officially stepped onto the path of immortality. The journey from here should be a lot smoother than during the Qi Refining Realm. As long as she walked further down the path and earned herself some extra lifespan, her future could be limitless.

While chatting, Fang Zhixue learned that Fang Chen had returned to Grand Xia. She immediately asked, "How are Father and Mother?"

Fang Chen smiled. "I didn't see them, but with the old master's arrangements, they must be enjoying their sweet, little world together."

He also learned from Fang Zhixue about her experiences along the way, and how, after many twists and turns, she finally managed to reach the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

Logically speaking, given Fang Zhixue's cultivation, traveling such a great distance to get here should have been nearly impossible. He suspected that behind this, there might have been the old master's influence.

Half an hour later, in the main hall of the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

Li Daoye reported to Fang Chen about the changes in the Three Thousand Dao Sect over the years, such as how many new disciples had joined, and the occasional tributes sent from different regions.

The Immortal Qin and Langya tribes were the most diligent, sending large quantities of low-grade spirit stones, spiritual herbs, and pills almost every year. This had allowed the disciples of the Three Thousand Dao Sect to practice without any worries about resources.

Li Daoye proudly said, "At this rate, the Three Thousand Dao Sect will be well-fed and thriving. We won't have to worry about cultivation resources anymore."

Fang Chen smiled. "The situation changes quickly. The Immortal Qin Clan is sending you cultivation resources because of my influence. But if one day I fall from grace, they may pretend not to know you."

The crowd's expressions froze slightly at his words.

With his return this time, Fang Chen intended to teach them how to venture into the Underworld. With this knowledge, they would have a way to continue cultivating even if the resources from the Mortal Realm were exhausted.

A few days later, on the vast and endless road to the Yellow Springs, a group of curious individuals walked, looking around. They occasionally conversed with wandering spirits, causing many of them to flee in fear.

These wandering spirits, who could not accept their own deaths, were already upset when asked if they were dead. If it weren't for how big the group was, the spirits would've likely erupted in anger already.

Qin Feng said excitedly, "So this is what the soul-crossing ritual is like... I never imagined that one day, my sister and I would get to experience the feeling of being a ghost while still alive. I wonder what the Underworld is like."

Qin Xuan, deep in thought, suddenly said, "Brother, when we enter the Underworld, it seems like our cultivation is almost the same as in the Mortal Realm. We're much stronger than these wandering spirits."

Hearing her words, Qin Feng immediately tested his abilities and found that he still had some power in the Underworld indeed.

They hadn't walked for long when suddenly the view in front of them expanded, revealing an endless river shrouded in mist.

Fang Chen's eyes suddenly shifted, and he looked into the distance.

He saw a group of wandering spirits, seemingly waiting for someone to row a boat. Among them was none other than the Sect Master of Azure Dao Manor, the one known as Qi Jian.