Ji Shiwen took out a golden command flag and tossed it onto the ground.
In an instant, a formation appeared beneath the feet of the three individuals.
Chu Zongyi’s expression was filled with excitement, while Li Fan’s face remained unchanged.
As the formation’s light shone brightly, they transformed into streaks of light, soaring like meteors in reverse, traveling directly from the market to the sky city of spirit stones.
In just a few breaths, the three of them landed on the spirit stone-paved ground.
“Ugh…” The spiritual energy concentration in the sky city had reached an astonishing level, flooding into their bodies uncontrollably, causing their internal energy circulation to become obstructed. Chu Zongyi’s face turned purple, resembling a mortal choking and unable to breathe.
It was only when Li Fan forcefully slapped his back that he was able to recover.
“Cough, cough…” Even after stabilizing himself, Chu Zongyi continued to greedily absorb the pure spiritual energy around him, his face full of awe.
Ji Shiwen, who had been leading the way, flashed a look of pride upon witnessing this. However, when he noticed Li Fan’s completely indifferent expression, his face darkened instantly.
Contrary to his expectations of an old, frail figure, Ji Wangxian appeared as a young man in his early twenties.
With shoulder-length hair, a handsome appearance, and eyes that shimmered like starlight, he exuded an extraordinary presence.
If not for Ji Shiwen respectfully bowing and addressing him as “Ancestor,” Li Fan and Chu Zongyi would have found it difficult to believe that this “young cultivator” was actually the legendary figure.
“So, you two are the ones who sought an audience with me?” Ji Wangxian asked softly.
Even without deliberately exerting pressure, the aura he naturally emitted made both Li Fan and Chu Zongyi feel an overwhelming weight on their hearts.
Chu Zongyi nodded repeatedly, preparing to explain the situation.
But before he could, Li Fan stopped him.
Looking at his own biological father, Li Fan said calmly, “Secrecy is the key to success. With this person here, it’s not appropriate to speak.”
Ji Shiwen was instantly enraged. “You ungrateful wretch—”
Before he could erupt completely, Ji Wangxian raised a hand to stop him.
With a light chuckle, Ji Wangxian said, “You’re quite an interesting little one. Shiwen, step back.”
Faced with the ancestor’s command, Ji Shiwen dared not disobey. Suppressing the murderous intent in his eyes, he lowered his head and stormed away in frustration.
“Well then, you may speak now.” Ji Wangxian’s smile faded.
Chu Zongyi felt a chill in his heart and immediately explained everything—how the Heavenly Sword Sect needed a large amount of Taiyuan Essence Gold to forge World-Rifting Divine Weapons, and how whoever resolved this matter would have a high chance of becoming the next Sect Master.
“Senior Ji, with the vast wealth of the World Chamber of Commerce, if you participate in this, securing the Sect Master position will be a sure thing. Once our Heavenly Sword Sect departs, all the fertile land within 90,000 miles of Heavenly Sword Mountain will be yours…” Chu Zongyi earnestly tried to persuade him.
But Ji Wangxian was entirely unmoved, contrary to expectations.
Instead, he sighed and said, “Everyone knows that the position of Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect is nothing but an empty title. The real power lies with Senior Brother Situ Yao.”
“Taiyuan Essence Gold is an extremely rare and invaluable resource. World-Rifting Divine Weapons…”
“Even with the financial resources of the World Chamber of Commerce, fulfilling the material requirements to forge such weapons would be an enormous sacrifice. And all we get in return is a hollow title…”
Ji Wangxian suddenly turned to Li Fan. “Your name… is Ji Zhaoxuan, correct? Since you left home, this should be your first time returning. After traveling all this way back, do you think this plan is feasible?”
Li Fan shook his head slightly. “It is not.”
Chu Zongyi was stunned. “Junior Brother Ji…”
Li Fan continued, “But… it’s worth a gamble.”
A spark of intrigue flashed in Ji Wangxian’s eyes before he burst into laughter. “Good! You do remind me of my younger self.”
“You’re absolutely right! The uncertainty of this matter is too high, and the risks far outweigh the rewards. When the Heavenly Sword Sect washes its hands of the matter and walks away, we won’t even be able to find a debtor to hold accountable.”
“But, it’s still worth a gamble!”
“The foundations of the Ten Great Immortal Sects… If our World Chamber of Commerce can swallow them whole…” Ji Wangxian stood with his hands behind his back, turning his gaze to the distant horizon, his tone inexplicable.
In an instant, the situation took a dramatic turn.
Chu Zongyi, upon hearing this, was overjoyed.
With the Ancestor’s approval, everything that followed proceeded far more smoothly than Li Fan had expected.
Under the incredulous gaze of Ji Shiwen, Li Fan and Chu Zongyi returned with 3,000 jin of Taiyuan Essence Gold from the World Chamber of Commerce’s reserves.
Furthermore, Ji Wangxian declared that the World Chamber of Commerce would fully support Ji Zhaoxuan in his bid for the position of Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect by continuously purchasing Taiyuan Essence Gold.
His generosity was astonishing, and he did not ask Li Fan for any promises in return.
If Li Fan had not already known that this body had, at times, acted autonomously and lost control, he might have been deeply moved by this unconditional trust.
“It seems that the Ji family is quite confident in their ability to control the spies they’ve placed within the various sects.” Li Fan sneered inwardly while contemplating ways to counteract them.
Upon returning to the Heavenly Sword Sect, Li Fan handed over the 3,000 jin of Taiyuan Essence Gold and assured them that there would be a continuous supply arriving in the future.
This immediately caused an uproar throughout the sect.
It was well known that, up until now, the disciples had managed to collect only a little over 1,000 jin—including the original sect reserves.
Yet Li Fan alone had acquired more than three times that amount.
After presenting several fine jars of wine he had brought back from the Ji family to Situ Yao, the Senior Brother of the Heavenly Sword Sect beamed with joy. He even publicly praised Li Fan as a role model for all junior disciples of the sect.
With Chu Zongyi’s efforts in spreading the word, news of Li Fan’s affiliation with the World Chamber of Commerce quickly spread.
Soon, Li Fan’s residence was flooded with visitors—fellow disciples coming to pay respects and build connections.
Most cultivators in the Heavenly Sword Sect now viewed Li Fan as a strong contender for the position of the next Sect Master.
And as the World Chamber of Commerce continued to deliver more Taiyuan Essence Gold, the disciples only grew more convinced of their judgment.
At this critical juncture, however, Li Fan quietly paid a visit to the current Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect—Huo Yuzhu.
“Oh? Isn’t this the pillar of our Heavenly Sword Sect, the designated successor to the Sect Master? What brings you here?” Huo Yuzhu greeted him with a smile, though a hint of mockery flashed in his eyes.
Li Fan remained composed and replied frankly: “I’ve come for the position of Sect Master.”
Huo Yuzhu’s expression darkened. “You insolent junior! Don’t think that just because—”
“Does Sect Master Huo truly wish to hand over your position so easily? Even if it is merely a nominal title, the power that comes with it is still intoxicating, is it not?”
Hearing the hidden meaning in Li Fan’s words, Huo Yuzhu’s expression flickered between uncertainty and intrigue. “What exactly are you implying?”
“I know of a place that holds an enormous amount of Taiyuan Essence Gold—far more than what my Ji family can gather.” Li Fan said solemnly.
“?” Huo Yuzhu scrutinized Li Fan in surprise, unable to grasp his true intent.
“I wish to exchange the position of Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect… for my complete freedom. Sect Master, are you willing to help me achieve that?” Li Fan asked with a smile.