108: Chapter 67 A Step-by-Step Thrill

Chen Xuan stepped out of his Immortal Cave, intending to head to the Conquest Hall to see if there were any suitable missions.

They could both hone his Dao Foundation and earn him Spirit Stones.

He had only walked a few steps when he ran into Senior Sister Wen Yao.

Senior Sister Wen Yao had changed her attire today; she was wearing a cyan martial outfit, her long hair tied into a ponytail, with two swords hanging at her waist.

The three red lotus petal marks on her brow were particularly striking in the sunlight.

"Junior Brother, are you going out?"

"I'm going to the Conquest Hall to check for missions."

"No need to go there," Senior Sister Wen Yao said, handing him a Jade Slip. "I just accepted a mission that requires manpower. You're coming with me."

Chen Xuan took the Jade Slip and probed it with his Divine Sense.

The mission content was simple: travel to Bihai Immortal City to investigate the remnants of the White Lotus Sect.

The mission location was right near the Zhang Family Charity Hall run by Zhang Fan.

Chen Xuan felt a chill in his heart.

Was Senior Sister Wen Yao doing this on purpose, or was it a coincidence?

He looked at Senior Sister Wen Yao, but her face remained calm, revealing no expression.

"Senior Sister, this mission..."

"Is there a problem?" Senior Sister Wen Yao asked in return.

Chen Xuan shook his head.

"Then pack your things; we leave in half an hour."

After saying this, Senior Sister Wen Yao turned and left.

Her back was straight, her steps steady, like a drawn sword.

Watching her back, a thought suddenly occurred to Chen Xuan.

Did Senior Sister Wen Yao know something?

Did she accept this mission to help him investigate Zhang Fan?

He wanted to ask, but held back.

Some things were better left unasked.

Half an hour later, the two met at the ferry.

Liu Lili also arrived, carrying a bundle and looking excited.

"Senior Sister, I'm going too."

Senior Sister Wen Yao glanced at her and did not refuse.

The three boarded a flying boat and flew in the direction of Bihai Immortal City.

The flying boat passed through the clouds, and the Long Sea below sparkled.

Chen Xuan leaned against the railing, staring blankly at the place where the sea and sky met in the distance.

Liu Lili leaned over and handed him a Spirit Fruit.

"Junior Brother, what are you thinking about?"

"Thinking about how to achieve Foundation Establishment."

"Didn't you say you were waiting for the ascension spirit liquid?"

"Waiting is one thing, but preparation is another."

Chen Xuan took a bite of the Spirit Fruit; the juice was sweet.

He was indeed preparing.

On this trip to Bihai Immortal City, if he could make contact with the ancient buddha fragment possessed by Zhang Fan, perhaps he could find a flaw in Maitreya.

If he could find where Maitreya was lurking in the Southern Region and report it to the Sect, it would be a great merit.

By then, it would be much easier to exchange for resources for the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment.

Liu Lili didn't know what he was thinking, so she just leaned against him, watching the sea together.

Senior Sister Wen Yao stood at the bow, back to the two of them, saying nothing.

The flying boat flew over the sea for a day and a night.

The next evening, the outline of Bihai Immortal City appeared on the horizon.

The city was built against the sea, with walls dozens of zhang high, and the flags of the Liuyang Sword Sect were planted all over the city battlements.

The flying boat landed at the airport, and the three disembarked.

Chen Xuan took a breath of the sea breeze; it was salty and fishy, carrying a faint trace of Spiritual Qi.

Bihai Immortal City; he had returned.

The last time he came here was six months ago, when he fought with people from the White Lotus Sect and almost lost his life.

This time, he didn't know what he would encounter.

Senior Sister Wen Yao walked in front, her pace steady.

"Let's settle into an inn first, then split up to gather information."

"We will meet at the inn in three days."

Liu Lili asked, "Senior Sister, where will you go to gather information?"

Senior Sister Wen Yao turned to look at her.

"I am going to the Zhang Family Charity Hall."

Chen Xuan's heart tightened.

Senior Sister Wen Yao was indeed aiming for Zhang Fan.

He followed Senior Sister Wen Yao through a few streets and alleys until they arrived at an inn.

The inn was not large but very clean, with a Spirit Locust Tree planted in the courtyard, its canopy like a cover.

The three each requested a room and settled in.

Chen Xuan was in no rush to go out.

He sat by the bed and took out the wordless heavenly book.

Golden tadpole-like characters appeared.

[Today's Fortune: Average.]

[Today's Heavenly Secret: Heaven Harmony.]

[Today's Destiny: Sword Cultivator.]

[Average: The ancient buddha fragment is hidden in the Zhang Family Charity Hall in Bihai Immortal City, and the benevolent Zhang Fan visits it every midnight to make offerings. At this time, his evil thoughts temporarily recede, making it the best time to make contact.]

[Slightly Ominous: If the evil Zhang Fan notices, he will turn hostile on the spot. Although he is at the Qi Refining stage, he possesses a secret treasure of the Zhang family and can unleash combat power equivalent to Foundation Establishment.]

[Moderately Auspicious: Senior Sister Wen Yao possesses a secret technique of the Liu family and can temporarily suppress the Maitreya mark. If she helps, this trip will be without danger.]

Chen Xuan finished reading and put away the book.

He understood.

Senior Sister Wen Yao accepted this mission to help him make contact with Zhang Fan.

She knew everything.

Chen Xuan stood up and pushed open the door to head out.

Senior Sister Wen Yao's room was right next door, the door left slightly ajar.

He knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Chen Xuan pushed the door open and entered; Senior Sister Wen Yao was sitting at the table, wiping her sword.

It was a Spiritual Artifact; the sword body was snow-white, with three blood grooves on the blade, shimmering with a cold light.

"Senior Sister, you are keeping something from me."

Senior Sister Wen Yao did not stop her hand, nor did she look up.

"What is it?"

"Zhang Fan."

Senior Sister Wen Yao's hand paused for a moment, then she continued wiping the sword.

"You know everything?"

"I know a part of it."

"We will discuss the rest when we get to the Zhang Family Charity Hall."

Senior Sister Wen Yao sheathed the sword and stood up.

"Let's go; midnight is almost here."

The two left the inn and walked north along the empty street.

The night in Bihai Immortal City was very quiet, with only the sound of waves in the distance and the cries of seabirds.

Chen Xuan followed behind Senior Sister Wen Yao, his mind filled with thoughts.

He didn't know what was waiting for him in the Zhang Family Charity Hall.

An ancient buddha fragment.

A Zhang Fan eroded by Maitreya.

And an evil cult that might have already infiltrated the Golden Core families.

But he had to go.

Not for the Sect, not for justice.

It was for himself.

Maitreya had set its sights on him, so he had to figure out what Maitreya wanted.

Only by knowing the opponent's goal could he find the opponent's flaw.

Only by finding the flaw could he survive.

They arrived at the Zhang Family Charity Hall.

It was a three-courtyard residence, with two lanterns hanging at the entrance, inscribed with the four characters "Zhang Family Charity Hall".

The gate was not locked, and lights were on inside.

Chen Xuan and Senior Sister Wen Yao exchanged a glance and pushed the door open to enter.

The courtyard was very quiet, with only the sound of scripture chanting coming from the main hall.

The sound was very light and slow, like a stream flowing over stones.

Chen Xuan recognized it; it was a Buddhist scripture.

He walked across the courtyard and pushed open the door to the main hall.

Dozens of oil lamps were lit in the hall, their flames flickering, casting long shadows on the walls.

A buddha statue was enshrined in the center.

The buddha statue only had an upper body; the lower body was nowhere to be found.

The surface of the ancient buddha fragment was mottled, the gold paint peeling off to reveal the grayish-black stone body inside.

The buddha statue's face was compassionate, the corners of its mouth smiling, eyes slightly lowered, as if looking down upon all living beings.

Chen Xuan looked at the buddha statue, and a chill went through his heart.

He recognized this face.

Maitreya.

Zhang Fan was kneeling before the buddha statue, hands pressed together, chanting in a low voice.

There was no resentment or killing intent on his face, only piety.

The benevolent Zhang Fan.

Chen Xuan did not make a sound, just watched quietly.

Senior Sister Wen Yao walked to his side and whispered a sentence.

"Junior Brother, look closely at the buddha statue's eyes."

Chen Xuan focused his gaze.

The buddha statue's eyes were slightly lowered, looking compassionate.

But beneath the lowered eyelids, a tiny crack was hidden.

Something was glowing inside the crack.

It was not golden buddha light.

It was a blood-colored red light.

The red light was very faint; if one didn't look closely, it would be impossible to notice.

But Chen Xuan could see it.

Those were not the eyes of the buddha statue.

They were the pupils of Maitreya.

The buddha statue was watching them.

It had been watching them from the very beginning.

Zhang Fan finished chanting a passage of scripture and slowly raised his head.

Seeing Chen Xuan and Senior Sister Wen Yao, there was no surprise on his face, only a calm smile.

"Junior Brother Yun, Senior Sister Wen Yao, you have come."

His tone was very natural, as if he had long known they would come.

Chen Xuan stared into his eyes.

Those eyes were very clear, with no killing intent or resentment.

But beneath this clarity, a deep exhaustion was hidden.

Like someone who had struggled in a quagmire for too long, finally waiting for a passerby.

"Senior Brother Zhang, you knew we would come?"

Zhang Fan nodded.

"I knew."

"Because that buddha statue told me that someone would come to save me."

After he finished speaking, he turned to look at the buddha statue.

The buddha statue was still smiling, compassionate and serene.

But Chen Xuan knew that the thing hidden beneath that smile was not cute at all.