Painting of the Nine Immortals

At the bottom of the Volcano of Demons, Ling Xian erased his smile and turned serious.

At this, Hong Yan Jun Zhu realized that Ling Xian meant business. His expression turned serious as well.

“I am indebted to you. Whatever it is, speak of it.”

Hong Yan Jun Zhu looked at the handsome young man before him, “Though my cultivation level has fallen to the fifth realm, if you speak of the favor, I will do my best to fulfill it.”

“Though it is a bit sad to think about, fifth level cultivation is enough.” Ling Xian softly nodded and asked, “I am actually not so certain what will happen. But I need to ask you about something as a precaution.”

“Oh?” Hong Yan Jun Zhu squinted his eyes.

“To put it simply – I need to take something from the Shang Qing Sect. Something that doesn’t belong there.”

Ling Xian paused. “My plan is very meticulous. As long as I am careful, I shouldn’t be discovered by the Shang Qing Sect. But I would rather be safe than sorry. I need you to be there to help me in case things go wrong.”

“Your cultivation isn’t high, but you sure have guts. You dare to go against the Shang Qing Sect.”

Hong Yan Jun Zhu laughed. “But I like that. Back in the days, I acted the same way. Or else I wouldn’t be suppressed here.”

His words were as cold as ever. It was obvious that he felt much hatred towards the Shang Qing Sect.

Who can blame him? He has been inhibited for thousands of years!

“It looks like we share a common target.”

Ling Xian softly smiled. Seeing that Hong Yan Jun Zhu’s eyes were filled with hatred, he realized that his goal will likely be achieved.

Just as he predicted, Hong Yan Jun Zhu’s lips curled up. “Naturally. Yes, we have a common target, but even if we didn’t, I would help you.”

“Then, I thank you.”

Ling Xian softly nodded and no longer worried. To have a supporter from the fifth level meant he will have the confidence to face the sect even if things go south.

Of course, there better be no accidents. After all, it was the uncalculatable Shang Qing Sect he was going against. In the entire Yuezhou, who dares to provoke them?

“There is no need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you.”

Hong Yan Jun Zhu brandished his hand and smiled, “I told you, as long as you can get me out of here, I would agree to even 100 favors from you. I wasn’t joking.”

“Yes, then please remember, you owe me 99 other favors.”

The corner of Ling Xian’s lips curled up and the two of them stared at each other, feeling a connection.

Though they haven’t met for a long time and they don’t know much about each other, they felt very close and felt like they were friends.

“Haha, I will remember it!”

Hong Yan Jun Zhu brightly laughed. “After this whole ordeal is done, I plan on building my own force. I wonder if you are willing to be my Vice Supreme Headmaster?”

“That’s alright. I am used to being alone and by myself. Plus, it’s not my goal to stay here.” Ling Xian declined, shaking his head.

“It appears you have chosen the difficult path to walk on. A path that hasn’t been paved.” Hong Yan Jun Zhu wasn’t disappointed.

“Exactly. So forgive me for saying no.” Ling Xian softly smiled. The path he was going to walk on was the path of being undefeatable, it was the Path of Endeavors.

Though it was going to be as hard as hell, he will not regret it!

“That’s okay.”

Hong Yan Jun Zhu rolled up his sleeves and thought about it, “Can you give me a hint in advance? What kind of object are you planning on taking? It’s taking so much energy out of you.”

“I cannot reveal that. Please forgive me.” Ling Xian shook his head. What a joke! The fortune he was talking about was extremely important and was linked to the power distribution of the world. He was not going to tell anyone.

Or else, an endless amount of trouble would await him!

“Fine. I will stop asking.” Hong Yan Jun Zhu smiled, but very quickly, he began to frown.

“Honestly speaking, though I am angry towards the Shang Qing Sect, I have fallen to the fifth level after all. If I have to go against that entire sect, it will be hard for me to protect you.”

“I know what you mean.”

Ling Xian grinned. “Don’t worry. I have planned carefully and I will ensure the possibility of needing you is avoided.”

“Good. Taking your treasure discreetly is much easier than fighting head on.”

Hong Yan Jun Zhu’s brows relaxed and he sighed softly. “I wish my cultivation level didn’t fall. If it didn’t, I can take you and fight them head-on. Who can stop me?”

“That may not be the case. Back then, the people who sealed your powers may be of the same level as you before.”

Ling Xian frowned. He suddenly realized he should consider the possibility of those old monsters still being alive.

“Don’t worry about it. My physique is special and my lifespan is very long. Those monsters cannot outlive me.”

Hong Yan Jun Zhu waved his hand and smiled. “Plus, if those people are still alive, they would’ve sensed my chains coming loose. They would be here by now.”

Hearing this, Ling Xian stopped worrying, “If that’s the case, then I will go prepare myself. I wonder what plans you have?”

“I haven’t seen the Sun in 3,000 years. Naturally, I am going out to take a stroll and breathe in the fresh air.” Hong Yan Jun Zhu’s face was full of hope as if he was about to see heaven.

“I wonder how I should contact you later?” Ling Xian asked carefully. He didn’t want to lose touch at a critical moment.

“Easy.”

Hong Yan Jun Zhu peeled a tiny piece of his soul off himself, “If any accidents occur, signal for me. I will rush over that second.”

“Then please don’t walk too far away. Or else by the time you find me, I will be a corpse,” Ling Xian joked and kept the soul to himself.

“Haha, don’t worry. I am just going to pace around. I won’t be far.”

Hong Yan Jun Zhu snickered. Then, in a flash, he disappeared where he stood and left behind one statement to echo.

“Ask for me if something comes up. I will not bite back my words.”

Ling Xian smiled at this. He was very happy with this trip.

First of all, coincidentally, he had broken through to the grandmaster level and became the youngest grandmaster of ancient arrays.

Second of all, he had gained chains made out of Dark Immortal Gold, the treasure that is immeasurably valuable.

Third of all, he gained the support from an ultimate fighter, Hong Yan Jun Zhu. With him there, Ling Xian has gained protection.

Three gains, one more shocking than the other. If this news got passed around, many people would die from jealousy.

“Alright, now that this is over, I have to focus on my fortune.”

Ling Xian murmured to himself. To ensure nothing goes wrong, he began to replay all the details he could remember from the Hidden Territory.

After the series of events, he was now certain that other than what happened to himself, everything that happened during the lost century was real. After all, those were illusions and they differed from reality.

At the very least, he wasn’t certain of when that fortune will appear. What he was certain of, however, was the location of that fortune.

“Luckily, I remember where it will appear. Or else I would be lost.”

Ling Xian softly smiled. Then, he paved out a thin path to walk on and left the Volcano of Demons.

However, on his way to the location in his memory, he heard a piece of horrible news that disrupted his entire plan.