However, perhaps it was just Xu Bai’s illusion.
That eerie feeling vanished in an instant. In the blink of an eye, when he looked again—
The other person’s face had once again returned to its previous warmth.
“It’s nothing, it’s nothing. I just didn’t expect that your Taiyan Sect still has so many Dao Integration cultivators. I was just a little startled.” Xu Bai feigned a look of great shock.
“As expected of a sect that was already renowned in ancient times. Its deep foundation is truly unimaginable.” Xu Bai clicked his tongue in admiration.
Flattery is something everyone enjoys hearing.
As soon as he said this, not only did the cultivators leading the way ahead react favorably, but even the bystanders along the road cast satisfied glances in his direction.
Yet, this only further confirmed Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji’s suspicion that something was off with the Taiyan Sect.
Because they all showed the same expression of “satisfaction”—at the exact same moment!
“Rest assured, Sect Master. I’m working on it. This place is extremely stable in terms of spatial structure. If we want to break through and escape, it’ll take some effort,” Fang Zaiji replied solemnly.
With life and death on the line, the usually carefree Fang Zaiji had finally turned serious.
“No rush. Let’s first see what exactly is going on with this Taiyan Sect.” Xu Bai reassured him.
As they exchanged thoughts, they had already been led by the Taiyan Sect disciples into the center of the city, arriving at a uniquely designed building.
The entire structure was composed of a translucent blue crystal.
From the outside, one could clearly see that the interior was divided into numerous rectangular spaces.
Inside each space, a cultivator was busily engaged in some task.
“This…” Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji exchanged glances.
“Come on. Senior Brother is waiting for you inside,” the middle-aged cultivator leading them said casually.
The experience was similar to when they had entered the Formation Hall of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. As Xu Bai stepped into the blue crystal building, he felt as if the space beneath his feet was shifting.
At the same time, the transparency of the surrounding walls gradually diminished, making it impossible to see the rest of the structure.
Simultaneously, the decorations and furnishings within the space continuously changed.
Only Xu Bai and his group remained unchanged.
When the crystalline walls had completely transformed into solid walls, a translucent blue figure suddenly appeared before them.
“Greetings, Senior Brother Chen!”
The Taiyan Sect cultivators who had led them there immediately bowed in respect.
The blue radiance gradually solidified, revealing the true form of a rather handsome man.
“Chen Tianhai?!”
As soon as he saw the man’s face clearly, Fang Zaiji involuntarily exclaimed.
Everyone present was momentarily stunned.
Chen Tianhai, however, merely glanced at Fang Zaiji, showing no surprise at his presence.
“You did well on this mission. You may leave now. I have some words to exchange with this old acquaintance.”
He dismissed the Taiyan Sect cultivators with a simple command.
Whatever rewards they had received, those cultivators left grinning from ear to ear, quickly departing from the space.
At this moment, Fang Zaiji had also calmed down somewhat, but the shock in his eyes had yet to fade. He kept scrutinizing Chen Tianhai carefully.
“It’s really him. There’s no mistake… I can’t believe he’s still alive…”
While murmuring to himself, Fang Zaiji transmitted his voice to explain to Xu Bai, “Chen Tianhai was once the top direct disciple of the Taiyan Sect and the designated successor to the next Sect Master. However, for some unknown reason, he was later stripped of all his status. He then disappeared without a trace and was declared a wanted fugitive by the Taiyan Sect.”
“Back then, some disciples of the Taiyan Sect participated in the hunt for me, making it impossible for me to escape. It was this young man who stepped in to save me, allowing me to take refuge safely within the Medicine King Sect.”
“When I heard about what happened to him, I even felt regretful for a moment. But I never expected…”
“Are you surprised to see me?” At that moment, Chen Tianhai spoke with a smile.
“It has been many years, yet you still look the same. No, for us, it has been several thousand years. But for your Medicine King Sect, it must have felt like only a brief moment.”
With these words, Chen Tianhai directly revealed that the Medicine King Sect had traversed the Immortal Ruins and journeyed through millennia.
“So, you knew that the Medicine King Sect’s attempt to escape with the True Cauldron was nothing more than a path to self-destruction?” Fang Zaiji narrowed his eyes.
“I only found out afterward. Otherwise, with my temperament back then, I would have insisted on going with you.”
Chen Tianhai’s response caused Fang Zaiji to pause slightly.
“Going with us?” Fang Zaiji asked with some confusion.
“That was the Immortal Ruins! Do you not wonder what lies within? Are you truly not curious?” Chen Tianhai countered.
“In the entire Xuanhuang Realm, how many people have had the chance to witness such a phenomenon and return safely? You, Fang, are one of the rare few.”
Fang Zaiji shrugged. “Then you might be disappointed. Not long after entering the cauldron, I fell into the Great Dream of Spring and Autumn Formation and went into deep sleep.”
Chen Tianhai nodded slightly. “That’s something you would do. You’ve always been carefree.”
At that moment, Xu Bai suddenly interjected, “You seem very interested in the Immortal Ruins? Actually, we recorded our experiences back then.”
Hearing this, Chen Tianhai finally looked at Xu Bai with a more serious expression.
“Mysteries beyond fate…”
He muttered to himself in a low voice, and a hint of excitement flickered in his eyes.
“As expected, this variable originates from the Medicine King Sect!”
“Old Chen, what are you mumbling about?” Fang Zaiji was puzzled by Chen Tianhai’s words.
“Fang, who is this? You haven’t introduced me yet.” Chen Tianhai asked.
“Ah! This is…” Fang Zaiji glanced at Xu Bai.
Receiving Xu Bai’s silent approval, he then spoke truthfully, “This is our current Sect Master of the Medicine King Sect—Xu Bai!”
“Hm?” A flash of astonishment crossed Chen Tianhai’s eyes.
Then, he stared intently at Xu Bai, as if he had turned into a statue.
Only after Fang Zaiji called his name several times did he finally regain his senses.
His interest in Xu Bai grew even stronger.
“The Sect Master of the Medicine King Sect actually wants to join our Taiyan Sect? You really don’t have any good intentions, do you?” Chen Tianhai shook his head slightly.
“The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance is preparing to sweep through the Xuanhuang Realms. Whether it’s the Medicine King Sect or the Taiyan Sect, in the future, all will be integrated into the alliance. There will be no distinction between sects anymore. If we’re being honest, as long as the benefits are good enough, I wouldn’t mind joining your Taiyan Sect either.” Xu Bai said calmly.
Chen Tianhai was momentarily speechless.
“You’re not wrong. The era of sects is over.” He sighed with some melancholy.
“However, you joining our Taiyan Sect…” Chen Tianhai paused for a moment.
Then, he shook his head again.
“That won’t do. We cannot accommodate someone like you.”
“Besides, the price of joining us…”
“You might not be willing to pay it.”
Chen Tianhai’s tone carried a strange ambiguity.