Qingcheng Sect.
The Hall of Elders' Deliberation.
Dozens of powerful figures stood tall in the hall, like majestic divine statues.
Holy thoughts intertwined and surged, like a turbulent ocean.
"A severely injured, dying Great Emperor?"
"What is his origin?"
"Why didn't he bring him to see us."
"What! This half-dead outsider actually dares to put on such airs, demanding that we lower ourselves to see him!"
"Hmph, this is too much. Even if he were a Great Emperor in his prime, he must obediently follow the rules of our Qingcheng Sect once he sets foot on our territory. Does he think our Qingcheng Sect has no Great Emperors? Our Qingcheng Sect is also a renowned sect with a Great Emperor presiding over it. In this Han Shan region of eighty billion li, we are second to none. When have we ever been so underestimated?"
"Quickly summon this person and tell him to scram over here to see us, otherwise, don't blame our Qingcheng Sect for being impolite and treating him as a spy from another power."
...
In Lan Gu's secluded courtyard.
Ling Fan's injuries had improved slightly, and he had regained some self-preservation ability. Although the Dao wounds on his body were still extremely troublesome, he could at least suppress them to a degree, no longer facing immediate mortal danger.
"Lan Gu, you've done very well. This is a reward for you."
Ling Fan flicked his finger, and a vast stream of Holy Dao rule fragments transformed into a torrent, surging into Lan Gu's body.
Rumble!
Lan Gu's aura immediately expanded, surging from the seventh stage of the Manifestation Realm to the peak of the eighth stage, just one step away from becoming a Saint King.
"Senior!"
Lan Gu was ecstatic.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior."
It was no wonder Lan Gu was so excited.
Although she was a true disciple of the Qingcheng Sect and held a respectable position, it would take at least another hundred years of cultivation to become a Saint King and a core member of the Qingcheng Sect.
Ling Fan had greatly shortened this process for her, saving her countless arduous efforts, so how could she not be grateful?
She never imagined that a single act of kindness would immediately yield such immense rewards.
"It's a small matter,"
Ling Fan waved his hand dismissively.
After refining a Demon Emperor, the rules within his world were on the verge of transformation. Bestowing power upon a Saint Realm cultivator was incredibly simple. In fact, if he wished, he could have directly elevated Lan Gu to the level of a Saint King.
"Lan Gu, this is a pill formula. I need to refine the medicinal pills listed on it to recover my physical body. If you can help me gather all the materials, I will bestow even greater fortune upon you."
Ling Fan casually wrote down a pill formula.
High-grade Emperor Pill.
Qian Yuan Wu Ji Di Yuan Da Dan.
Lan Gu solemnly accepted the formula and was greatly surprised.
"Are there any difficulties?" Ling Fan asked.
"Senior, this pill formula you've given is too advanced. This is a high-grade Emperor Pill. It will be very difficult for our Qingcheng Sect alone to gather the materials, especially this core ingredient, the Myriad Emperor Blood Fruit. This heavenly treasure is rumored to require the essence and blood of over ten thousand Great Emperors to be poured onto it for cultivation. It's a divine fruit that might not even be found in the entire Han Shan region!"
Ling Fan said, "Try your best to gather it for me. If you absolutely cannot, I will find a way myself."
"Yes! Senior, I will do my best."
One day later.
Lan Gu came to see Ling Fan.
"Have the materials for the pill formula been located?" Ling Fan asked.
Lan Gu looked ashamed and said, "Reporting to Senior, my influence is limited. Many materials are indeed in the Qingcheng Sect's treasury, but they are sect treasures, and I cannot access them. I have come to see you today to report something."
"Speak."
Ling Fan said.
"Senior, you should leave our Qingcheng Sect as soon as possible." Lan Gu seemed hesitant to speak.
"What has happened?" Ling Fan's calm gaze fell upon her, making Lan Gu feel as if all her secrets were being seen through.
She quickly said, "Senior, Zhang Wan might act against you. These past few days, he has been active within the sect, stirring up dissatisfaction among many high-ranking members towards you. Although I have tried my best to explain on your behalf, the effect has been minimal. Zhang Wan's father is a senior elder of the Qingcheng Sect, so I have no influence."
"Who is Zhang Wan?" Ling Fan asked.
"Reporting to Senior, Zhang Wan is that eighth-stage Manifestation Realm true disciple who discovered you that day."
"Oh, so it was him."
"He wants to kill me and seize the Emperor Dao origin from my body, doesn't he?" Ling Fan chuckled coldly.
"Senior, since you already understand his intentions, there is no need to stay here and take risks. If you leave now, you might still be able to escape!" Lan Gu urged.
"Hmph! You ungrateful wretch, how dare you ruin my plans!"
Just then.
A cold snort echoed.
Several powerful figures descended.
That true disciple Zhang Wan was among them.
Zhang Wan stood behind a powerful middle-aged man who bore some resemblance to him, looking menacing.
"Father, this is the person. I suspect he is the criminal from the lower realm who has recently been wanted by the Central Heavenly Court. Otherwise, ordinary people wouldn't be so arrogant, daring to act so presumptuously on our Qingcheng Sect's territory. If you capture him and interrogate him rigorously with the elders, you will immediately know his true identity!"
"Zhang Wan, you're talking nonsense! This Senior is not some wanted criminal at all. He himself said he was injured by enemies and ended up here. What kind of hospitality is this!"
Lan Gu argued passionately.
"Hmph, you b*tch, are you falling for this sick man? It's a pity he's a mud Buddha crossing the river, unable to save himself!"
Zhang Wan chuckled coldly.
His eyes were unkind.
A string of dark thoughts surfaced in his mind.
He had been eyeing Lan Gu for a long time, but unfortunately, Lan Gu was also a true disciple with excellent talent and had gained the appreciation of some elders, so he had never succeeded.
This time, he could use her harboring this person as an opportunity to take her into his harem.
"You! Zhang Wan, you can't say anything good from your dog's mouth. If you don't get out, I'll go find the elders to uphold justice for me."
Lan Gu was furious.
"Heh heh, my father is an elder, and he is right here. What justice do you want? Get lost quickly and don't delay our important business, or we'll capture you too!" Zhang Wan said triumphantly.
He looked at Ling Fan with eagerness.
This was an excellent opportunity.
If he could personally suppress a Great Emperor, even a severely injured and dying one, it would be a great opportunity to gain fame instantly.
"Kid, you can only blame yourself for coming to the wrong place!"