Chapter 1754: Ownerless Prohibited Zone
Yun Xiujie was left dazed by what he heard. Once he processed the situation, he gasped and looked at Yun Xiuxue with profound gratitude.
"Sister... the price you paid to save me must have been enormous."
Fang Chen said with a light smile, "Indeed, the price your sister paid is staggering. The Demonized Alliance planned to trap and kill dozens of core disciples from the Fangcun and Shengwang Realm. Nearly all of whom have comprehended Formation Immortal Arts. To save you, your sister intercepted us early, rendering the Alliance's entire ambush useless."
Yun Xiujie had assumed the "price" involved certain resources or interests; he hadn't expected it to be this. He stood frozen, at a loss for words. Based on his experience, severe punishment awaited his sister if his father didn't personally intercede for her. The punishment from the upper echelon would likely be more than she could handle alone.
Thinking of that, Yun Xiujie didn't blame her. Instead, he was moved even further. He looked at her solemnly. "Sister, don't worry. I will beg Father to settle this. Given his status, the upper echelons won't dare do anything to you."
"Enough talk. Get in," urged Yun Xiuxue impatiently as she produced a black gourd.
The gourd looked similar to the Yang Gourd, but its aura was much weaker.
Recognizing the intent, Yun Xiujie immediately flew into the gourd.
Yun Xiuxue looked toward Fang Chen, seeking permission. "Monarch Yan, shall I take my leave then?"
Fang Chen nodded. "Yes, go."
Both returned to the Mortal Realm almost simultaneously. Upon waking, Yun Xiuxue swept a cold gaze across the crowd.
"The deal is done. I, Yun Xiuxue, am no oath-breaker. You may go."
Fang Chen, accompanied by Daoist Mi Yu, was the first to fly toward the location Yun Xiuxue had specified. Seeing that, Wang Ye immediately followed, bringing along a young girl from among the crowd.
"Let's keep up," Xian Yueguan called out.
He grabbed a young boy from the group and sped off after Fang Chen and Wang Ye.
"Xian Yueguan, what exactly is going on with you guys?" Ye Qingqiu asked through voice transmission, sounding suspicious and uncertain.
Xian Yueguan replied via transmission, "The deal is finished. Monarch Yan returned Yun Xiujie's soul to Yun Xiuxue. Stay any longer, and she might just change her mind."
Before Ye Qingqiu and the others could press him further, he vanished into the horizon. Seeing no other choice, the others gathered the reincarnations of the Heavenly Dao they were responsible for escorting and chased after them.
The remaining people looked at one another in confusion. Si Jianzhong couldn't help but ask, "Lady Yun, what about us?"
"The Starry Teleportation Formation can be reactivated. Your itineraries remain unchanged," Yun Xiuxue stated indifferently.
Everyone immediately let out a sigh of relief. They had no interest in the conflict between the two sides. As their own journey wasn't delayed, that was all that mattered.
The old woman asked in a low voice, "The young master's soul... has it really been returned?"
Yun Xiuxue smiled and nodded. "It has been returned."
The old man frowned slightly. Finally, he sighed. "Before long, those above will surely impose punishment. We must also give an explanation for Ji Lintong's death."
Yun Xiuxue revealed a faint, composed smile. "Don't worry, you were only following orders. I will take full responsibility for this matter. As for Ji Lintong, his status amounts to nothing. In my homeland, he's worth less than a penny."
***
Several days later, Fang Chen arrived at the location Yun Xiuxue had provided. He was the first to arrive.
Wang Ye, Xianyue Guan, Ye Qingqiu, and dozens of other core disciples arrived one after another.
On the way, Ye Qingqiu and the others had already learned from Xianyue Guan that Fang Chen was here. They were all filled with curiosity toward him, but even when they saw him, they didn't dare step forward to greet him. This wasn't merely another core disciple. He was Monarch Yan, the ruler of an entire realm! In ancient times, such a figure could stand on equal footing with the Immortal Emperor of the Immortal Realm.
Even the ninth-transformation immortals backing their factions would, in ancient times, have merely been ordinary ninth-transformation immortals, far inferior.
With a look of emotion, Ye Qingqiu stepped forward to greet him. "Lord Fang, we met last time at the Great Thunder Sound. At that time, we did not know your identity. If there was any offense in our words, please forgive us."
Fang Chen smiled and waved his hand. "Daoist Ye, you are too polite."
Seeing that, the others also stepped forward to greet him, at least making themselves familiar.
Xianyue Guan looked around curiously. "Lord Fang, that other Starry Sky Great Transfer Formation mentioned by her should be here. But this place is completely open and empty. There is clearly nothing on the surface. Could it be underground?"
Fang Chen nodded. "It is indeed underground."
He then glanced at the crowd. "Yun Xiuxue said that the other end of this formation leads to a dangerous region. Have you all made your preparations?"
Ye Qingqiu looked surprised. "A dangerous region? Even with our combined strength, there would still be danger?"
Fang Chen nodded. "The teleportation formation leads to an Ancient Forbidden Zone in the Taicang Realm called Corpse Mountain."
"The Corpse Mountain Forbidden Zone? I've heard of it," revealed a core disciple from Shenwang Realm, his expression grave. "I've been in the Taicang Realm for several years. Back then, I heard about the Corpse Mountain Forbidden Zone from a local cultivator. Rumor has it that, to this day, none of the forces in the Taicang Realm have been able to establish a foothold there."
"Are you saying... the Corpse Mountain Forbidden Zone is an ownerless forbidden zone?"
Someone's expression changed. "Ownerless forbidden zones usually contain immense danger. Even ninth-transformation immortals would likely be affected upon entering. Either their physical body or their divine soul could become corrupted. The Shengwang Realm also has several ownerless forbidden zones. Even the Ancient Dragon God Palace does not dare approach them lightly."
"So... the other end of this Starry Sky Great Transfer Formation is quite close to the Corpse Mountain Forbidden Zone?" Ye Qingqiu frowned. "If that's the case, we really need to be careful. We might be fine as long as we don't enter the forbidden zone, as there shouldn't be much danger."
She glanced at the people beside her. "But they..."
Everyone immediately understood. They themselves might not have much of a problem, but these escorts had extremely low cultivations, the best of them at the Lower Four Realms. If they approached the Corpse Mountain Forbidden Zone, there was no guarantee they wouldn't be affected.
"Lord Fang, logically speaking, you should also have someone under your protection. Where are they now?" Xianyue Guan asked, suddenly remembering.
Everyone quickly realized that aside from Mi Yu, there was no sign of anyone else by Fang Chen's side.
Could it be that he had no one to escort? Or had the one he was escorting already died, or met with some other mishap?
Fang Chen glanced at the Heavenly Dao reincarnations present. "These youngsters do need proper protection. Why don't you all hand them over to me?"
Their cultivation levels were no different from Zhang Shaoming's. The better ones were only at the Golden Core Realm. There wasn't even a single Nascent Soul among them. Going near a forbidden zone with their cultivations would make them highly susceptible to unknown influences. Unlike those in the Immortal Realm, they might not be able to resist things that would be fatal to ordinary people.
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