200: There's more to it than meets the eye.

In the Chaos Space, Number Four retracted the spiritual light of the heaven-rank magic treasure. Chen Xuan thought everyone would disperse, but unexpectedly, Number Eight suddenly spoke: "Does anyone here know the distribution of forces in the Flame Continent?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan was immediately startled.

He glanced inconspicuously toward Number Eight's direction, even though the other's figure was blurry and his Face unclear.

Why would Number Eight suddenly inquire about the Flame Continent? It was important to know that the Flame Continent had long been synonymous with "barren land" on the Nine Provinces Continent, rarely mentioned by anyone, let alone questioned about its forces.

"Why are you asking about the Flame Continent, Fellow Daoist?" Number Three was the first to respond, his tone tinged with disdain. "That place is dirt poor. As I recall, only a few Deity Transformation Realm ants have established some Sects there, not a single force worth mentioning."

What a way to call them Deity Transformation Realm ants!

Number Eight narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice calm: "Just a bit curious, that's all. Rumors circulate about all eight continents of the Nine Provinces Continent, but the Flame Continent is uniquely isolated, which makes it rather peculiar."

Chen Xuan thought for a moment and said: "I traveled through the Flame Continent many years ago. To be honest, that place is like 'holding a grand ceremony in a snail shell'—the Sects are small, and the Cultivators' cultivation levels are generally low, truly not worth mentioning."

Number Four seemed uninterested in this topic.

"Fellow Daoists, this Junior must hurry to cultivate, so I'll take my leave first!"

As his words fell, his entire figure dissipated, exiting the Chaos Space.

Number Eight turned toward Chen Xuan's direction, his tone unreadable: "Thank you for the information, Fellow Daoist."

After speaking, his figure also faded away, exiting the space.

Now, only Chen Xuan and Number Three remained in the Chaos Space.

Number Three's gaze fell on Chen Xuan, and he suddenly asked: "Since you've traveled through the Flame Continent, Fellow Daoist, may I ask if you hail from the Rain God Continent or the Heavenly Tribulation Continent?"

Only then did Chen Xuan realize—the Rain God Continent and the Heavenly Tribulation Continent were the two major continents adjacent to the Flame Continent. Number Three was using the topic of "traveling through the Flame Continent" to probe his origins!

When Number Eight first mentioned the Flame Continent, he had only thought about how to respond discreetly and had forgotten this detail. He had been careless.

Chen Xuan steadied himself and retorted with a smile: "Why can't I be from Huangji Prefecture, Fellow Daoist?"

Upon hearing this, Number Three chuckled: "Cultivators from Huangji Prefecture are all arrogant and look down on the other eight continents. Even if they were to travel, they would never set foot in a barren place like the Flame Continent."

This guy is really cunning!

He paused, then added: "Of course, there are exceptions to everything. Some Cultivators prefer to travel across all nine continents to experience different customs. Perhaps you are one of those people, Fellow Daoist."

Before his words fully faded, his figure gradually dissipated, leaving only a "farewell for now" as he exited the Chaos Space.

Chen Xuan also focused his mind and returned to the Sect Main Hall, casually retrieving the Dark Jade Stone floating before him.

"It seems none of the seven positions are easy to deal with," Chen Xuan murmured to himself.

Number Two, who has lived for over a thousand years; Number Three, who can exchange Divine Abilities for god-rank pills and whose strength is unfathomable; Number Eight, who is well-informed and seems backed by a force; and Number Three, who wanted to trade a heaven-rank magic treasure for pills.

Now, only Number One, Number Five, and Number Seven have yet to appear. Who knows what kind of figures they are.

Why would Number Eight suddenly ask about the forces in the Flame Continent?

Leaning back in his chair, he furrowed his brow: Why would Number Eight suddenly inquire about the Flame Continent? Currently, the biggest commotions in the Flame Continent are, first, the Yao Race annihilating the Haotian Sect and searching everywhere for a certain item, and second, his own "cuckoo occupying the magpie's nest," replacing the Haotian Sect and establishing a new force.

Logically, neither of these matters should be worth mentioning.

Chen Xuan closed his eyes, reviewing the conversation in the Chaos Space once more, and finally reached a conclusion: Ultimately, his own Realm was still too low.

Otherwise, why would he need to worry about these things?

"The top priority is to improve my cultivation and accumulate sect prestige points."

...The next morning!

The Cloud Sea Sect, located north of the Flame Continent, was shrouded in a faint layer of mist.

As one of the Four Great Sects of the Flame Continent, the Cloud Sea Sect's mountain gate stood tall, with green-tiled, red-pillared halls spreading along the mountain slopes. The bronze bells hanging under the flying eaves chimed softly in the wind, exuding the grandeur of a major immortal cultivation Sect.

On the square outside the Sect, a delicate, small flying boat hovered in mid-air, its hull engraved with flowing, wave-like patterns.

Over ten graceful figures descended from the flying boat, their sleeves fluttering like immortals, instantly capturing the attention of all the Cultivators in the square.

The leader wore a moon-white long dress with dark golden water ripple patterns embroidered on the hem. Her Face was stunningly beautiful, with an air of authority between her brows—she was none other than Su Qingyi, the Palace Master of Bibo Palace.

Beside her was a voluptuous woman in an emerald-green robe that accentuated her full curves. A pair of majestic peaks swayed slightly with each step, drawing sidelong glances from many Cultivators.

This Grand Elder of Bibo Palace, Liu Rumei, furrowed her brow and lowered her voice: "Palace Master, is it true that the Dao Seeking Sect's Sect Master really killed Daoist Yun Luo with a single sword strike?"

"That should be true. If he didn't have such strength, the joint pressure from the Cloud Sea Sect and the Haotian Sect on the Yin Shen Sect last time wouldn't have inexplicably dissipated. Moreover, it's now a well-known fact in the Flame Continent that the Haotian Sect has been taken over by someone else."

"This subordinate believes there's something else afoot."

Liu Rumei's eyes flickered as she leaned closer and added, "I sent people to investigate. On the day the Haotian Sect was destroyed, the direction of their mountain gate was filled with soaring Demonic Qi, definitely not the work of human Cultivators. In my opinion, the Dao Seeking Sect might have just stumbled upon a huge opportunity. The ones who truly annihilated the Haotian Sect were likely from the Yao Race."

Upon hearing this, Su Qingyi was momentarily stunned but simply shook her head lightly: "It doesn't matter. Bibo Palace has no grievances with the Dao Seeking Sect. Our visit this time is merely to renegotiate the distribution of the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven. How he took over the Haotian Sect is irrelevant to our interests."

As they spoke, several Elders from the Cloud Sea Sect hurried forward to greet them.

The leading Elder with a white beard cupped his hands and smiled: "Palace Master Su, Elder Liu, you've come from afar. Please follow me into the hall for tea! The people from the Yin Shen Sect and the Dao Seeking Sect should be arriving soon."

Su Qingyi and Liu Rumei followed the Elder toward the main hall. Just as they stepped through the gate, another flying boat, entirely crimson, landed on the square.

The people from the Yin Shen Sect had arrived.

Qin Tianxing followed beside Sect Master Qin Chen, with several Elders trailing behind. The group quickly walked toward the main hall and took their seats as guests alongside Su Qingyi and the others.

The atmosphere in the hall gradually grew lively, with occasional conversations between the Yin Shen Sect and Bibo Palace members. However, after waiting for about half an hour, the Dao Seeking Sect's people still hadn't arrived.

Liu Rumei paused her hand holding the teacup. "I never thought the Dao Seeking Sect would have such Face, making the three Sects wait here for a newly established Sect. Their airs are a bit too high."

Upon hearing this, Qin Tianxing smiled: "I don't think it's a big deal. It's just the time for a cup of tea."

Liu Rumei continued: "By the way, Elder Qin, we still remember the agreement made inside the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven."

"Elder Qin, as the Face of the Yin Shen Sect, surely you won't go back on your word, will you?"