Chapter 1632 - Undercover Mission

For years, the Golden Jade Pavilion, under Hao Liantu’s management, had woven an intelligence network that reached into every shadow of the Heavenly Prison. Their never-ending, relentless pursuit of Chen Fan had proven just how terrifying that web was. Wherever he went, no matter how desolate the location, their hunters always arrived soon after.

They were not unique in this regard. The other organizations had operated within the Heavenly Prison for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Their roots ran so deep that their influence bordered on the unfathomable.

Yet after Chen Fan erased the Golden Jade Pavilion’s base, fear spread faster than anger. The pavilion still raged publicly, but many had already begun calculating the future.

Chen Fan’s tenacity and the speed of his growth had surpassed their imaginations. Offending such a monstrous figure for the Golden Jade Pavilion’s sake was no longer a rational choice.

The criminals understood this best. They strutted about with arrogance, even daring to ambush Featherlight Sect disciples; at the end of the day, they were nothing more than tools. Livestock raised to sharpen the sect’s blades.

This incident struck fear into countless people. One by one, organizations that had quietly marked Chen Fan as prey withdrew, vanishing as if they had never existed.

When Ling Fei saw Chen Fan again, his heart pounded uncontrollably even though he had already prepared himself mentally.

“You really overturned the Golden Jade Pavilion’s base!”

“It’s not polite to only be on the receiving end. I was hunted like a stray for months. Repaying their kindness was only proper,” said Chen Fan with a smile, as if overturning the pavilion’s base was only a trivial matter to him.

Ling Fei let out a bitter laugh. “You didn’t just retaliate. You wiped out everything they built in the Heavenly Prison over centuries. Jin Shitai won’t let this go. And Hao Liantu is searching everywhere for you.”

By now, Ling Fei had firmly chosen his side.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m still lacking strength. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have needed to use diversionary tactics. I would have killed that old coot directly. As for Jin Shitai... do you think I plan to let this end either?”

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes, viciousness flickering within.

Ling Fei felt a chill crawl up his spine and fell silent. “You...”

“Enough of that. I owe you for helping me during this time. Without you, I wouldn’t have any place to stay.” Chen Fan smiled.

“It’s no big deal. I just can’t stand seeing the Golden Jade Pavilion’s people acting so arrogantly.”

“I’ll need your help again,” Chen Fan said. “Arrange a secure place for me. I’m going into seclusion. Once I reach the eighth level, I’ll settle things properly with Hao Liantu.”

“What? You’re going into seclusion again to break through to the eighth-level Immortal Platform realm!” Ling Fei sucked in a breath. “Alright, no problem. I’ll help you make the arrangements.”

Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky and rushed in.

“Wait!”

The two of them looked over and saw a middle-aged man, seemingly in his forties. He had a stern look, and his gaze was incomparably deep. With every subtle movement, the laws of heaven and earth rippled around him. A faint but unmistakable Immortal King aura radiated outward.

A true Immortal King.

Chen Fan snapped back to his senses almost immediately, his gaze incredibly wary.

“Hoho, sharp senses. But that makes sense. If you weren’t vigilant, you would have died countless times by now,” the man said with a smile, noticing Chen Fan’s reaction. “You’ve caused quite the commotion within the Heavenly Prison recently. Even the outside world has heard about it. Destroying the Golden Jade Pavilion’s base was no small feat.”

“I don’t go looking for trouble,” Chen Fan replied evenly. “If someone insists on provoking me, they reap what they sow.”

“Hahaha, well said, but you were indeed a little too brazen. But that’s not a bad thing. Youth should be arrogant. It pleases us old men.” The middle-aged man nodded approvingly, “Don’t worry, I’m not here to find trouble with you. This is the Heavenly Prison. Even if you turn it upside down, we won’t interfere.”

Ling Fei suddenly stiffened. “You are... Elder Cao Wujiang?”

The middle-aged man, Cao Wujiang, nodded and said, “You little rascal, you actually recognized me. That’s right, I am Cao Wujiang. I’ve been overseeing the Heavenly Prison all this time, though I rarely show myself.”

“I’ve seen your portrait and heard some things about you,” Ling Fei said cautiously.

“Alright, enough of this nonsense. I came to find you for an important matter.”

“What important matter?”

“The Heavenly Prison houses the sect’s most dangerous criminals,” Cao Wujiang said coldly. “Recently, a rebel force has risen. They’ve been secretly capturing Featherlight Sect geniuses.”

Soon, Chen Fan and Ling Fei learned that these rebels were plotting to overturn the Featherlight Sect’s rule. These rebels were far more dangerous than figures like Ye Xun or the Withered Mountain Elder. Their ambition was nothing less than overthrowing the Featherlight Sect itself.

Worse still, many young geniuses had already been taken. Their targets included the most promising talents.

“Why are they targeting us?”

“They intend to hypnotize their captives and seize control of their minds. Then they’ll infiltrate the sect’s core from within.” Killing intent flashed across Cao Wujiang’s eyes, “You are rare talents, nurtured at immense cost. If they succeed, not only would years of investment be wasted, but the damage to the sect would be catastrophic.”

These words caused Chen Fan and Ling Fei’s expressions to turn incredibly grave.

“What can I do?” Chen Fan asked.

Since Cao Wujiang came to find them, naturally, he wouldn’t only be here to tell the news.

“We plan to launch a strike on their base, and I need you guys to disguise yourselves as their members. Disguise yourselves as their members. When we attack from the outside, you’ll act from within. Locate the captured geniuses. Save whoever you can. If any are already fully controlled...”

His voice turned icy.

“Kill them. Leave no future threat.”

Silence followed.

“We’ve captured two of their members. So, you will disguise yourself as them and infiltrate them for now. This mission is extremely dangerous, so I won’t force you. If you won’t do it, I’ll find others. But regardless of your choice, you will follow my command. If you don’t infiltrate, you will still participate in the assault.”