After Senior Brother Chu left, Li Fan recalled his words, a playful expression appearing on his face.
Thinking back, he remembered that the Ji family had sent many of their peers into different sects. Li Fan was almost certain that their years of no contact were just a diversion.
Ji Zhaoxuan was definitely a spy sent by the Ji family to infiltrate the Heavenly Sword Sect.
However, calling him a “spy” might not be entirely appropriate since the World Chamber of Commerce did not have any direct conflicts with the Heavenly Sword Sect.
“Merchants travel the world, and confidential information is crucial. The Ji family likely relies on such methods to stay informed about everything happening in the Xuanhuang Realm, allowing them to profit from it.”
“In that case, the news about the Heavenly Sword Sect forging a World-Rifting Divine Weapon might not spread too widely. After all, merchants are naturally opportunistic and profit-driven.”
“Taiyuan Essence Gold…”
Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
To end the Fallen Immortal Realm scenario, he needed to find the master of this remnant time-space and resolve his lingering obsession.
“What is his obsession?”
Li Fan calmed his mind and recalled the emotions attached to this body.
As he thought about the Ji family, he keenly detected deeply buried resentment and a thirst for revenge.
“Was he forced to leave home as a child, leading to resentment?”
“I should test this first.”
His thoughts spun rapidly, and in an instant, he had already devised a plan to take revenge on the Ji family.
The next day, Li Fan contacted Senior Brother Chu again.
“Oh? Junior Brother Ji, you’ve finally come around?” The other party appeared quite excited.
Li Fan nodded.
“Now that’s more like it! We’re all family—there’s no grudge that can’t be resolved. I’ll make the preparations right away and accompany you to the World Chamber of Commerce headquarters.”
“If you succeed in becoming the sect master, don’t forget about me!” Senior Brother Chu, who had been arrogant before, suddenly became fawning.
Not long after, using the search for Taiyuan Essence Gold as an excuse, the two of them left the Heavenly Sword Sect and set off for the Ji family.
To avoid suspicion, they even took a detour at Senior Brother Chu’s suggestion.
Half a month later, they finally arrived at their destination—
A city in the sky, entirely constructed from top-grade spirit stones.
It floated above a bustling market town. Cultivators and merchants moved about in an endless stream. Whenever they looked up at the sky city of spirit stones, their eyes inevitably filled with envy.
The marketplace was protected by a formation, preventing cultivators from flying. Additionally, an entry fee was required.
As soon as they stepped into the marketplace, they were met with an overwhelming surge of pure spiritual energy—far surpassing even that of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Senior Brother Chu couldn’t help but exclaim, “As expected of the greatest Chamber of Commerce in the world—such magnificence!”
Leading Li Fan through countless shops, they finally arrived before a grand estate at the very center of the marketplace.
Above the entrance, a plaque bore four large characters: (Ji Family’s World Trade).
As Li Fan and Chu approached, a golden-robed Golden Core cultivator stationed at the gate stepped forward to block their path.
With a polite smile, he asked, “Do the two of you have an invitation?”
Senior Brother Chu snorted, “Invitation? You have no sense! Why would we need an invitation to return home?”
The golden-robed cultivator was momentarily stunned. He carefully examined Senior Brother Chu.
“Why are you looking at me? It’s the person next to me!” Chu said impatiently, pointing at Li Fan.
Only then did the golden-robed cultivator shift his gaze.
Rather than becoming angry, he furrowed his brows as if deep in thought.
Moments later, his expression turned to one of shock.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
With that, he hurriedly rushed inside the Ji estate.
Before long, a middle-aged cultivator with a square face emerged, leading a group of other cultivators…
As his gaze fell on Li Fan, the square-faced cultivator showed no change in expression.
“Zhao Xuan, why have you returned? Could it be that you violated sect rules and were expelled?” Instead of the joy of seeing a long-lost family member, his tone carried only reprimand.
Senior Brother Chu was about to smooth things over when Li Fan directly retorted, “And who might you be? I’ve been away from home too long—I don’t recall you.”
The square-faced cultivator’s expression darkened. “Insolent child! Is that how you speak to your father?”
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, his expression unchanged. “Prove it.”
The cultivator’s face turned crimson in an instant.
The pressure emanating from him was like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
The cultivators following behind him—members of the Ji Clan—exchanged strange glances as they observed Li Fan.
However, Li Fan remained unfazed. He exhaled lightly, and immediately, hundreds of sword auras of different colors flashed and hovered around him.
Just as a fight was about to break out, Senior Brother Chu quickly interjected, “It’s a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! Everyone, calm down!”
“I am Chu Zongyi, a core disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. This time, I was on a mission with Junior Brother Ji when we happened to pass through World Market. Since this is his hometown, we decided to stop by for a visit.” He hurriedly explained.
Upon hearing this, Ji Zhaoxuan’s father hesitated slightly. His gaze swept over the hundreds of sword auras surrounding Li Fan, a flicker of surprise appearing in his eyes.
Gradually, he withdrew his imposing presence and let out a cold snort. “Come in, then.”
Only then did Chu Zongyi breathe a sigh of relief. Pulling Li Fan along, he followed him into the Ji Clan residence.
The path twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the estate until they reached an inner hall.
Ji Zhaoxuan’s father took a seat at the head of the hall, dismissing the others before speaking in a solemn voice, “Speak. Why have you come here?”
Chu Zongyi was about to respond, but Li Fan stopped him.
“You’re not qualified. Let the Ancestor come.” Li Fan said expressionlessly.
Returning to the Ji Clan seemed to stir up old memories buried in dust.
Li Fan knew that the man before him, Ji Shiwen—Ji Zhaoxuan’s father—was merely the overseer of World Market.
In the Ji Clan, he held little real power.
The true authority of the Ji Clan lay with their Ancestor, Ji Wangxian.
Decades ago, he had already reached the Dao Integration stage, establishing the World Chamber of Commerce with his own hands. His true cultivation level was unfathomable.
“You…” A trace of barely suppressed anger flashed in Ji Shiwen’s eyes.
However, when his gaze met Li Fan’s emotionless, unyielding stare, an involuntary shiver ran down his spine.
After a long silence, he finally swallowed his anger.
“Wait here.”
With a cold snort, he stomped his foot, turning into a streak of light that shot toward the Sky City of Spirit Stones.
“Junior Brother Ji, he is still your father. Doing this… isn’t it a bit much?” Chu Zongyi whispered.
Li Fan smiled. “Doesn’t this make us appear even more confident?”
Seeing Li Fan’s indifferent demeanor, Senior Brother Chu chuckled awkwardly and said nothing more.
While waiting, Li Fan noticed something—
The patterns in the hall seemed oddly familiar.
“Hmm? They resemble the Ten Thousand Arts Chamber of Commerce’s emblem in reality… though there are slight differences.”
Li Fan pondered silently.
“It seems there must be some connection between the two.”
It wasn’t long before Ji Shiwen returned.
“Come with me.” He said darkly.