Within the Soul Imprint Hall in the Middle Land Immortal Hall, over 60 Heavenly Rankers stood in stunned silence. Right after Wan Liu’s name flew to the top of the Heavenly Rankings, he called it a waste of time and departed? They were not expecting that at all.
Emperor Dong Pan’s laughter broke the silence, drawing everyone’s attention. “Haha, fellow Daoists, Senior Wan Liu is a figure that lives beyond the world we know of. If he wishes to depart, who are we to stop him?”
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. “But fear not, if any of you wish to exchange words with Senior Wan Liu, you may find him at Cloudhill or contact him through the Daoists from the Cloudstride Sect.”
With that, he smoothly transitioned to the next topic. “Moving on, any Heavenly Ranker who wishes to leave their soul imprint may step forward. An hour later, we shall commence the Middle Land Conference.”
Emperor Dong Pan’s words were met with nods of agreement from the Heavenly Rankers. Though Senior Wan Liu felt disdain toward the Middle Land Immortal Hall, they held it in high regard.
But just as the atmosphere settled, Fang Xia spoke up. “Fellow Daoists, I have a word of caution I would like to offer.” His voice cut through the room, commanding everyone’s attention.
Emperor Dong Pan was taken aback, but quickly composed himself and smiled. “Please speak, Daoist Fang Xia.”
“Wan Liu is exceptionally powerful, but due to his reluctance to create unnecessary karma, he rarely takes action. So far, he has only intervened once. I believe Daoist Jin Ji has had the pleasure of experiencing his strength!” Fang Xia said with a grin.
In an instant, all eyes turned to Jin Ji.
I experienced it? Jin Ji was momentarily stunned, but soon grasped what he meant. Was he referring to that unexpected Soulquake Art during his intense battle with Fang Xia?
A shiver traveled down Jin Ji’s spine. Since that harrowing fight, he had been plagued by thoughts, unable to fathom how Fang Xia, a ninth-stage Qi Sea cultivator, could exert such a level of power. Could it be that Wan Liu had covertly intervened?
“I am unaware of Senior Wan Liu’s abilities,” Jin Ji muttered vaguely, reluctant to divulge further.
The less Jin Ji revealed, the more intrigued the others grew. These factions were increasingly convinced that the Great Jin Empire had suffered a significant blow at the hands of Wan Liu. Wan Liu’s image grew increasingly mysterious in the minds of these Heavenly Rankers.
“I do not wish for any of you to face a calamity, as it would be a loss for the cultivation world in the Middle Land,” Fang Xia spoke, his words carrying a faint warning. “I merely wish to remind you all that my sect’s disciple, Wu Yuan, has caught the attention of Daoist Wan Liu and has become his direct disciple. I hope that there will be no complications.”
A wave of astonishment swept through the crowd.
“Wu Yuan? Who is that?”
“I’ve never heard of him.”
“Wu Yuan? Ah, I know of him! A martial prodigy from the Cloudstride Sect. At a young age, he already possesses the strength of a first-rate Adept.”
“I’ve heard of him too.”
“Such a prodigy was taken in as Wan Liu’s disciple? It is only expected.” The Heavenly Rankers engaged in hushed discussions.
In truth, most Heavenly Rankers were unfamiliar with Wu Yuan, especially those hailing from outside the Central Plains. The realms of ordinary folk and qi refiners were separate. Unless major events unfolded, the presence of Heavenly Rankers remained elusive to ordinary martial artists.
Meanwhile, no matter how skilled a martial artist was, they rarely caught the attention of Heavenly Rankers. Unless someone became a Heavenly Ranker themself, most of them couldn’t care less. But henceforth, the name Wu Yuan was ingrained in the minds of all Heavenly Rankers, who immediately added him to the list of individuals one should not provoke. All because he was a direct disciple of Wan Liu.
To provoke him was to incur the wrath of the otherworldly Wan Liu who stood behind him.
…
With two hours remaining until the Middle Land Conference, numerous Heavenly Rankers sought to improve their standing in the Soul Imprint Hall. Some temporarily departed from the Middle Land Immortal Hall while others left the Soul Imprint Hall and congregated in the plaza outside to converse with Fang Xia, Bu Yu, and Huan Jian.
Fang Xia was no doubt the most popular individual. Many desired to acquaint themselves with Fang Xia and, through him, the enigmatic Wan Liu. But when a robust man with unkempt hair and a colossal jiaolong with azure scales approached Fang Xia, the other Heavenly Rankers tactfully made way.
“Daoist Qiong Sea, Daoist Niu Hao.” Fang Xia greeted them with a smile.
Qiong Sea King was the most powerful Archdemon in the world! Niu Hao was the leader of the Pleiades Guild. Yet, Fang Xia was not the least bit afraid of them. Though if he had to compare, he was more cautious of Qiong Sea King. In the vast ocean, even a group of ninth-stage Qi Sea cultivators could not hope to match Qiong Sea King.
Someone cast an invisible barrier over the trio, ensuring their conversation remained unheard by prying ears. This was not a special privilege; any member of the Middle Land Immortal Hall could activate this function.
“Niu Hao,” Qiong Sea King addressed Niu Hao with an imposing gaze. “I believe our goals align. You may speak first.”
Niu Hao nodded and turned to Fang Xia. “Daoist Fang Xia, our intentions are simple. We merely wish to inquire whether Senior Wan Liu is a Golden Core Superior.”
Qiong Sea King also looked intently at Fang Xia.
“Hehe,” Fang Xia chuckled, raising a finger to his lips while whispering, “This is the Middle Land Immortal Hall. Some matters are best left unsaid.”
Qiong Sea King and Niu Hao exchanged a knowing glance. Not a denial? That could only mean affirmation!
“Daoist Fang Xia,” Qiong Sea King’s tone grew solemn, “I have been cultivating for over 700 years, yet I still struggle to find the method to break through. I believe Daoist Niu Hao faces a similar predicament and hopes to seek guidance from Senior Wan Liu.”
“We sincerely hope that Senior Wan Liu may provide us with some insights,” Niu Hao added, standing beside Qiong Sea King.
“Guidance?” Fang Xia appeared hesitant as he spoke, “I cannot make any promises. I must first consult Senior Wan Liu.”
“That is fair,” Qiong Sea King and Niu Hao nodded in agreement.
Without delay, Fang Xia dissipated into countless specks of light, his Soul Force departing from the Middle Land Immortal Hall.
After a long wait, a streak of light emerged from a personal hall and shot across the sky. Soon, he approached Qiong Sea King and Niu Hao.
“Fellow Daoists,” Fang Xia spoke with a measured tone. “Daoist Wan Liu has expressed his willingness to meet with Daoist Qiong Sea.”
To the dismay of Niu Hao, Fang Xia added, “There is no need for you to seek him, Daoist Niu Hao.”
A surge of joy spread across Qiong Sea King’s face. Meanwhile, Niu Hao couldn’t help but question this outcome, his expression faltering, “Why can Daoist Qiong Sea meet him but not I?”
Fang Xia let out a sigh, shaking his head. “Daoist Wan Liu is a body refiner,” he explained. “What guidance could he offer to a qi refiner like you?”
Niu Hao fell silent as he contemplated Fang Xia’s words. While most Heavenly Rankers and Archdemons in the Middle Land focused on qi refining, it was not to say that they were oblivious to body refining. And indeed, there were those who cultivated this path.
Qiong Sea King was a body refiner at the ninth-stage Communion phase. Yet, due to the scarcity of body refiners in the Middle Land, many simply classified him as a ninth-stage Qi Sea cultivator.
Curiosity sparked within Qiong Sea King as he turned to Fang Xia. “Is Senior Wan Liu also a practitioner of the body refining path?” His massive dragon tail began to sway from side to side, and he could barely contain his excitement.
Heaven had finally taken pity on him. He had spent centuries in arduous cultivation blindly grasping at straws. The Dragon’s Lair Records had provided minimal assistance, leaving him to overcome countless hurdles on his own. After all these years, he finally had the chance to meet a senior from the same path! A single crumb of wisdom from a senior could save him decades of cultivation.