368: Invitation

Chen Xuan was not surprised by this. Qi Yue had been cultivating bitterly day and night lately, merely wanting to maintain a sliver of her dignity as an Elder, yet she had only just touched the threshold of the fourth level of the Soul Emergence Stage. Her cultivation base was even inferior to Yun Xuanxuan's.

It was not surprising that she could not see through the cultivation bases of Cultivators from Huangji Prefecture.

Rather, anyone Qi Yue could see through wouldn't have come here specifically to notify Chen Xuan.

But then again...

How did Qi Yue know I was here listening to music?

In truth, Qi Yue had suffered several blows lately, and her heart had already begun to resign itself to fate. She knew that no matter how much she secluded herself for bitter cultivation, being overtaken by Wanqing and the others was only a matter of time.

Fortunately, she had eventually changed her mindset, knowing that her talent wasn't poor; it was just that the Disciples under the Sect Master were too dazzling.

Since it was difficult to raise her cultivation base in a short time, Qi Yue changed her method of serving Chen Xuan. She decided to simply perform her duties as an Elder well, and in her spare time, she would take the time to preach the Dao to the Inner Sect Disciples of the Sect.

Seeing his adoptive father frowning in thought, Qin Tianxing advised softly, "Brother Chen, in my opinion, it's better to meet them. This person only mentioned where they came from but refused to state their Sect from beginning to end. There must be some hidden story."

Chen Xuan nodded upon hearing this; he was actually thinking the same thing.

"Then let's go and see this guest from Huangji Prefecture."

Seeing this, the two men, Qin Tianxing and his companion, stood up and cupped their hands to take their leave. "Brother Chen, then we shall continue this wine another day."

Wait!"

Chen Xuan looked up at Qin Tianxing and instructed, "Help me investigate something. Keep an eye out for all information regarding the guixu immortal ferry boat. This boat appeared in the sea area outside the Red Immortal Pavilion two hundred years ago."

Having said that, with a casual wave of his hand, ten plump and enticing Flat Peaches landed on the table.

Qin Tianxing was overjoyed at the sight—thankfully, his adoptive father hadn't gifted those Medicinal Pills that often made one wish for death.

Wang Er, who was nearby, bowed and responded first: "Senior, rest assured! Once there's news, I will immediately rush to the Dao Seeking Sect to inform you!"

Qin Tianxing turned to look at his subordinate, his brow twitching slightly.

This kid looked honest, but his ability to snatch words was quite something. Could it be he had a rebellious bone behind his head? Did he really have some thoughts about the struggle for the Great Dao?

After Qin Tianxing left, Chen Xuan returned to the Sect along with Qi Yue.

Qi Yue seemed to hesitate for a long time before asking in a soft voice, "Sect Master... do you usually enjoy song and dance?"

Chen Xuan was stunned. Had she still not let it go?

In order not to lose his image in front of his Disciples, Chen Xuan hurriedly waved his hand and explained with feigned loftiness, "To me, I have no particular preference for song and dance. Instead, I prefer playing chess or fishing in my spare time for some peace and quiet."

Hearing this, a trace of regret quietly crossed Qi Yue's heart. She pursed her lips and ultimately swallowed the words, "Actually, your subordinate is also somewhat skilled in the arts of song and dance"... Outside the mountain gate of the Dao Seeking Sect, flowing clouds rolled, and a green path led to the heavens.

Two men and a woman stood at the foot of the mountain, their gazes fixed on that majestic mountain gate. Their sleeves were gently brushed by the mountain wind, possessing a natural grace.

The man carrying a sword was named Ruan Chuan. He had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, with a tall and straight posture. A long sword hung at his waist, and his entire body exuded an awe-inspiring Sword Intent. Han Chen, beside him, was the complete opposite. With a smile in his eyes, he casually hooked an arm over Ruan Chuan's shoulder, his posture relaxed without the slightest hint of restraint.

The woman in blue, Fang Yusheng, stood beside them. Her appearance was pure and otherworldly. Dressed in a plain blue gown with wide sleeves fluttering, her eyes were gentle and soft, like flowing clouds in a mountain stream.

Fang Yusheng parted her vermillion lips, her voice soft and graceful like a mountain spring: "Well? Can you see what mysteries are hidden within the Mountain-Protecting Array of this Dao Seeking Sect?"

Hearing this, Han Chen chuckled and shook his head, "I can't tell. I can't see the slightest bit of its workings."

"Even you, a fellow from the Ten Thousand Formations Sect born in Huangji Prefecture, can't see it?" Ruan Chuan's eyebrows quirked slightly, a flash of surprise in his eyes as he looked at his friend.

Since the decline of the Qianyuan Sect, the Ten Thousand Formations Sect had been the most famous Formation Sect in Huangji Prefecture. Looking across the Nine Provinces Continent, many prestigious powers had consulted the experts of the Ten Thousand Formations Sect for their Mountain-Protecting Arrays. It was no exaggeration to say it was a gathering place for Mahayana Realm experts of the path of Formations.

"What's so strange about that?"

Han Chen didn't feel embarrassed at all; instead, he laughed even more casually. "Is it possible that the Flame Continent is forbidden from producing a few experts proficient in Formations? And what about you? Carrying a long sword and hailing from an Immortal Cave in Huangji Prefecture, yet isn't the number one Sword Venerable of the Sword Dao born in the Sword Province?"

This retort left Ruan Chuan speechless, and he sighed softly: "But this is the Flame Continent, after all."

"Ohoho," Han Chen teased with a click of his tongue.

"The eldest Young Master of Huangji Prefecture, deigning to come to this godforsaken Flame Continent—is it truly a grievance for you?"

Han Chen hooked his arm around his friend's shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of serious warning. "A word of advice: never underestimate any person or thing, or you will surely suffer a great loss because of it in the future. Of course, you can treat what I'm saying as nonsense—but when you eventually stumble, don't blame me for laughing at you at the wine table."

Seeing the two of them like this, Fang Yusheng had a faint smile on her lips. She asked Han Chen softly, "Then on this trip, do you still intend to go to the Dao Seeking Sect for a Formation competition?"

"No more competing."

Han Chen shook his head decisively without thinking. "Knowing that competing would only lead to losing face, why go looking for trouble?"

Ruan Chuan said expressionlessly, "Since that's the case, let me see exactly how much foundation this Dao Seeking Sect has."

Han Chen was about to tease him when he saw two figures slowly stepping out from within the mountain gate.

"They're here."

The other two followed his gaze and saw two figures slowly walking down the green steps. The leading man was dressed in white, with a tall posture and a handsome face, possessing a natural, otherworldly aura of a banished immortal. Even the woman with extraordinary beauty beside him seemed to serve as his foil.

They remembered the intelligence gathered from the Rain God Continent.

The person who had turned an entire continent into a single Formation was a handsome man in white.

Chen Xuan's gaze swept over the three of them, his expression unchanged. "The three of you have come from afar and stopped outside my Dao Seeking Sect's gate. May I ask what your business is?"

As soon as his voice fell, Fang Yusheng stepped forward, gathering her skirts and cupping her hands. Her posture was gentle without losing etiquette, and she said softly:

"I am Fang Yusheng of the Medicine Hut, greetings to you, Fellow Daoist. These two beside me are my friends, Ruan Chuan of the Qingxiao Sword Sect and Han Chen of the Ten Thousand Formations Sect."

"May I ask if you are the Sect Master of the Dao Seeking Sect?"

The Medicine Hut!

Chen Xuan now had some understanding of the top-tier powers of the Nine Provinces Continent.

There was only one power that could call itself the Medicine Hut, and that was the power where one of the Ten Great Heavenly Venerables, the Medicine Venerable, resided.

Chen Xuan shook his head. "The Sect Master is currently in seclusion. I am the Peak Master of the Butian Peak of the Dao Seeking Sect, and I have come specifically to receive the three of you."

Qi Yue, beside him, was slightly startled, but she quickly restrained the emotional fluctuations on her face and silently cooperated with the Sect Master's actions.

Seeing this, Ruan Chuan felt slightly displeased in his heart—he hadn't expected that after waiting for so long, the one who came to receive them was only a Peak Master. As for the claim of 'seclusion,' in his view, it was merely an excuse to avoid meeting.

Han Chen smiled and said, "You must be the one who laid down the Great Array in the Rain God Continent, Fellow Daoist? Truly a grand masterpiece."

Chen Xuan waved his hand dismissively and did not take the bait, instead going straight to the point: "I believe you should state the purpose of your visit now."

Fang Yusheng said softly, "We have come this time to deliver an invitation to your noble Sect."