Chapter 34: Adding Fuel to the Fire

"Brother Ye Fan, something unexpected has come up at the Heavenly Sword Sect, so I won't be able to come and see you for the time being."

"By the way, I suspect the strange phenomenon that appeared in the Northwest Region a few days ago has something to do with you, right?"

"You must be careful lately. I’ve heard that some powerful major sects in the Central Plains have taken notice."

"They have dispatched their disciples to the Northwest Region to investigate, so you need to be on your guard."

"Once I've finished handling things at my sect, I will come to find you."

"Behave yourself and stay obediently at the Lingxiao Sect. Wait for me!"

Ye Fan looked at the letter in his hand, feeling a sense of inexplicable disappointment. If he had known, he would have been shameless and asked Chen Qingshuang to stay for a few more days. However, the contents of the letter made him take the matter seriously. Ever since he awakened the bloodline of the Heaven-Swallowing Sacred Body, Ye Fan had been extremely cautious about keeping this secret. He knew it would eventually be discovered, but he hadn't expected the day to come so soon. The only consolation was that those in the Central Plains were not yet certain and merely suspicious.

***

On another note, ever since the Linghan Sect was turned upside down by Ye Fan, Chu Zhongtian's eldest daughter, Chu Xuan'er, had returned to the Central Plains to find her old lover, Li Huamao. After all, Li Huamao was a disciple of the Central Plains' Profound Pill Sect. She had hoped to extract some benefits from him to help the Linghan Sect emerge from its predicament.

To her surprise, however, Li Huamao turned out to be a spineless coward. Having been severely punished by his sect after offending Ye Fan previously, he wanted nothing more to do with Chu Xuan'er. Nevertheless, because Chu Xuan'er was somewhat attractive, Li Huamao didn't want to let her go entirely, even though he had no intention of keeping her by his side.

In order to establish a connection with another top faction in the Central Plains, the Netherworld Sect, he packaged Chu Xuan'er up and gifted her to an outer sect elder of the Netherworld Sect. The man was a lecherous, white-haired, bald old geezer at the perfection stage of the Demigod Realm. The old man treated Chu Xuan'er well enough, though it was hardly a respectable sight for a young woman in the prime of her life to be attached to a withered old man. Yet, for the sake of the Linghan Sect and to take revenge on Ye Fan, Chu Xuan'er chose to endure it.

"Xuan'er, my sweet treasure, I've missed you so much!" the old man said, pulling Chu Xuan'er into his arms and kissing her. He continued, "Don't worry, as long as you stay by my side and behave, I guarantee you endless wealth and glory!"

"Oh, by the way, the Ancestor has put me in charge of investigating the strange phenomenon in the Northwest Region this time."

"If I can handle this well, I might even be promoted to an inner sect elder, bypassing the usual requirements!"

"By then, I’ll have both status and prestige, and you’ll be able to reap even greater benefits!"

***

Hearing this, Chu Xuan'er immediately concocted a scheme. She wiggled in the old man's arms and feigned grievance, saying, "Master Zhao, you have no idea how terribly I was bullied when I was in the Northwest Region."

"Even... even my sect, the Linghan Sect, was almost wiped out."

"Since you have a mission there this time, could you perhaps avenge me?"

Chu Xuan'er embellished the story and told the old man surnamed Zhao everything about Ye Fan.

"What? Such a thing happened?"

"Don't worry, my sweet treasure, leave this matter to me!"

"I want to see who this blind fool is that dared to mess with my treasure!"

Seeing that the old man had taken the bait, Chu Xuan'er struck while the iron was hot: "Master Zhao, you mustn't underestimate him. That boy is the Young Sect Master of the Lingxiao Sect."

"The Lingxiao Sect reigns supreme in the Northwest Region and possesses immense power."

"That brat Ye Fan is only so arrogant and domineering because he relies on his sect."

The old man scoffed coldly, "What are the factions of the Northwest Region compared to anything? No matter how strong they are, can they compare to my Netherworld Sect?"

"A spoiled brat relying on his sect doesn't even require me to take action personally."

"But for now, there are more important things to do!"

The next day at noon, the old man, refreshed after a night of intimacy, summoned his proudest disciple.

"Zhou Xu, you've been with me for many years now, haven't you?"

"I have an important mission for you: go to the Northwest Region and kill a man named Ye Fan."

"He is the Young Sect Master of some Lingxiao Sect; he should be easy to find."

"That little beast relies on his sect's power to act like a tyrant in the Northwest Region. He is a wretch who deserves to die. Go and act in the name of justice!"

Zhou Xu nodded and readily agreed: "Rest assured, Master, this disciple will not fail the mission!"

However, as he spoke, his eyes kept drifting toward Chu Xuan'er, who was still in the bed. Chu Xuan'er cast flirtatious glances back at him. In reality, the two had been involved behind the old man's back for some time. After all, how could a young and beautiful woman be content with serving only an old man?

Just as Zhou Xu prepared to set off for the Northwest Region, Chu Xuan'er found him once more.

"Brother Xu, I have one more favor to ask."

"Since you are going to kill that wretch Ye Fan, could you stop by the Linghan Sect to check on my father and sister for me?"

Looking at the captivating Chu Xuan'er, Zhou Xu agreed without a second thought.

"That is only right. Even if you hadn't asked, I would have gone."

Seeing that Zhou Xu had agreed, Chu Xuan'er immediately took out ten million spirit stones—all obtained from the old man—and handed them to him.

"Brother Xu, please pass these spirit stones on to my father."

After taking the storage bag, Zhou Xu headed toward the Northwest Region. To finish his mission and kill Ye Fan as quickly as possible, he did not linger along the way. Three days later, he arrived outside the Linghan Sect. He intended to settle Chu Xuan'er's heart's desire first before going to cause trouble for Ye Fan.

Looking at the rather shabby Linghan Sect before him, a look of mockery appeared on Zhou Xu's face. Could conditions like these even be considered a sect?

"Hah, this backwater Northwest Region is indeed poor beyond belief."

"I suppose the Lingxiao Sect isn't much better."

However, no sooner had he finished speaking than he sensed two incredibly powerful auras rushing toward him. The next second, Zhou Xu’s vision blurred. Before he could even see the attackers clearly, he was sent flying by a kick. The terrifying force nearly shattered his internal organs!

"Audacious rascal! How dare you speak ill of our Lingxiao Sect? You're courting death!"

Having just arrived, Zhou Xu was stunned by this inexplicable kick before he could even enter. Struggling to stand up through the intense pain, he finally saw the two figures. To his shock, he was unable to discern their cultivation realms. Judging by the aura of that strike alone, they were likely both Demigod-level powerhouses.

But wasn't this the Linghan Sect? Judging by their tone, they seemed to be from the Lingxiao Sect. What was going on?

Not daring to be arrogant, Zhou Xu tentatively said, "Gentlemen, is there some misunderstanding?"

"I am from the Netherworld Sect of the Central Plains. I have come here specifically to visit Sect Master Chu of the Linghan Sect."