Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 564: The Grand Thousand Dao Sect

One month later, Fang Chen arrived at Azure Dao Manor. Perhaps coincidentally, the destination within the map the Greenwood Sect’s Ancestor had handed him happened to be within the territory of the Immortal Qin Clan.

The Immortal Qin Clan was dominated by the Qin Family, with several other clans serving as its vassals. Within the clan, there were numerous Dao sects, but temples were conspicuously rare. Most Daoists here followed the path of martial arts cultivation rather than immortal cultivation.

Even in the Central Continent Empire, the inheritance of Daoism was considered unattainable for ordinary people.

On his journey, Fang Chen sensed an impending storm within the Immortal Qin Clan. The soldiers dotting the territory were on high alert, as if preparing for war. He knew that was the result of Qin Nie's orchestration.

As Fang Chen walked, lost in thought, he unknowingly arrived at a mountain range. Looking around, he could see scattered buildings. Checking both Senior Yun He's map and the Greenwood Sect Ancestor's map, the Three Thousand Dao Sect's site appeared within the mountain range.

However, the spiritual energy here was thin, so much so that there were no traces of protective formations around the mountains. That almost confirmed what the black and white paper figure had said. Perhaps the Three Thousand Dao Sect had ceased to exist many years ago.

With a light sigh, Fang Chen turned into a streak of sword light and entered the mountain range. Before long, he appeared in front of a Dao temple gate.

There was a young Daoist present, seemingly standing watch. When he saw Fang Chen, he exclaimed in a mix of shock and anger, "Who are you, and how did you trespass here!"

The young Daoist's flying sword was trembling faintly. He was ready to strike Fang Chen at any moment.

“I wish to meet your Sect Leader,” Fang Chen said, bowing respectfully.

Growing even more vigilant, the young Daoist barked in reply, “Meeting the Sect Leader isn’t something you can just request! He has been secluded in the enlightenment of the Golden Core Realm for a hundred years and hasn’t shown himself!"

He discreetly lit up a Communication Talisman as he stared intently at Fang Chen.

This was the inner sanctum of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect. It was separated from the outer courtyard by a formation, Fang Chen had infiltrated silently, demonstrating considerable skill. Clearly, his intentions were likely hostile.

Glancing at the plaque, Fang Chen asked, “Daoist, may I ask, has this place always been called the Grand Thousand Dao Sect?”

The plaque bore the words "Grand Thousand Dao Sect." It differed only by one word from the "Three Thousand Dao Sect." That was clearly no coincidence.

The youth turned visibly irritated. “You barge into the inner sanctum of our Grand Thousand Dao Sect and ask such questions?”

He felt that Fang Chen was mocking him.

At that moment, several figures arrived swiftly through the air, standing aloft on flying swords and glared coldly at Fang Chen. Their positions seemed to fit into some kind of formation, with Fang Chen at its center.

Greeting the new arrivals with a bow, the youth was visibly relieved. He hastily said, “Master, Elder Xu, Elder Huang, you’ve arrived just in time. This person sneaked into the inner sanctum and is likely an agent of the Profound Ghost Dao Sect!”

The master he referred to was a woman with a cold demeanor. Her aura indicated that she was at the early stage Foundation Building Realm. Her gaze was icy as she looked at Fang Chen. “Who are you, and how did you intrude here? We hope you can explain yourself, or else...”

“Elder Guan, there’s no need to be so courteous to him. Let’s subdue him first,” another elder interrupted, his tone decisive.

Elder Xu suddenly smiled faintly, waving his sleeve lightly. Instantly, golden beans fell around Fang Chen. In the next moment, these beans transformed into towering golden-armored giants, each tens of feet tall, and attacked Fang Chen simultaneously.

"Five Elements Controlling Technique? No, although it's related to the power of metal, this technique clearly leans more towards All Things as Soldiers."

All Things as Soldiers was also a Daoist technique, originating from figures like Yu Donglai. While it utilized the Five Elements Controlling Technique, it was a more potent variant and consumed less energy. The golden beans seemed refined and were infused with a formidable power of metal. When using this technique, the caster would barely expend any spiritual energy.

At the same time, the golden-armored giants closed in on Fang Chen. Seeing that, Fang Chen lightly waved his sleeve and the power of metal on the giants dissipated, reverting back into golden beans.

With the Radiant Divine Eyes, unless the opponent's cultivation far surpassed Fang Chen's by a large margin, the control over the surrounding Five Elements belonged solely to him.

"Please don't misunderstand, I arrived hastily and intruded here without notification. That was my mistake, but I harbor no ill intent," Fang Chen said, bowing respectfully.

The several Foundation Building Realm cultivators were somewhat stunned. The way Fang Chen dispelled the technique was quite bizarre.

Why did the power of metal dissipate like that?

Elder Guan furrowed her brow slightly. "You say you mean no harm, but you've intruded into the inner sanctum of our Grand Thousand Dao Sect. This is a grave offense.”

Fang Chen smiled faintly. "Since I could infiltrate here without a sound, if I had malicious intent, do you think you could stop me?"

The three of them exchanged looks, slightly taken aback. Elder Xu, who had just thrown out the golden beans, swept her sleeve to collect them back and gazed at Fang Chen. "What’s your name, and what brings you here?"

Fang Chen pondered silently for a moment before explaining, "I am Fang Chen. I am not a cultivator from Azure Dao Manor. I came here today to inquire about the matter concerning the Three Thousand Dao Sect."

Upon hearing the words "Three Thousand Dao Sect," the three were visibly shocked, and they promptly denied, "We have never heard of any Three Thousand Dao Sect. This is the Grand Thousand Dao Sect. Could it be that you do not know how to read, sir?"

Elder Guan waved her hand. "If you are looking for the Three Thousand Dao Sect, you might have come to the wrong place. If you truly have no ill intentions, please leave now."

Fang Chen sighed. "Your reactions clearly indicate that you know about the Three Thousand Dao Sect."

Elder Xu's eyes revealed a hint of anger. "Three Thousand Dao Sect this, Three Thousand Dao Sect that. You people hear a few rumors and start daydreaming all day, attempting to gain something from our Grand Thousand Dao Sect? After all these years, haven't you taken enough from us?

“Whether it’s useful or useless, you have taken everything. You even snatch away disciples with a bit of talent from us. Are you only satisfied when you've exterminated us completely!?"

Fang Chen was slightly surprised. "What do you mean by this?"

Elder Xu was about to burst into a tirade but was stopped by Elder Guan with a wave of her hand.

Elder Guan looked at Fang Chen with suspicion. "Are you a Dao cultivator? What are your intentions in coming here? Please speak frankly."

"In that case, I'll be straightforward. I was able to step onto the immortal path because I met a senior. This senior instructed me to register at the Three Thousand Dao Sect after reaching Foundation Building Realm. I became aware that... the Three Thousand Dao Sect may have ceased to exist long ago, but I still wanted to come and see for myself," Fang Chen said calmly. "The location that senior pointed me to led me here.”

The three were slightly stunned, their expressions very odd. "A senior instructed you to register at the Three Thousand Dao Sect after Foundation Building Realm?"

Elder Huang, who had remained silent until now, murmured, "Could it be Ancestor Hong Qing who has been missing for hundreds of years. Back then, he also strongly wanted to change our name back...."