Decisions needed to be made.
"We'll see."
Qian Si's tone also became much lower. "When he arrives, we'll see what his intentions are."
"...Alright."
Wu Xing had no other choice.
They could only wait.
Wait for the storm that would sweep across the land to arrive.
The Ninth Land, perhaps... was about to descend into chaos.
...
Outside the Ninth Land.
"We're here."
Gazing at the rule barrier before them, the four stopped.
At this moment, one more step forward would mean entering the Ninth Land.
The Ninth Land's status was higher than the Tenth Land.
The Nine Heavens and Ten Lands were ranked according to strength.
Except for the Thunder Lord, who, in defiance of the rules, insisted on being stationed in the weakest Tenth Land, all other rankings were based on power.
"Let's go in," Chen Fan said.
Hum.
As soon as he spoke, the rule barrier rippled.
A figure with the demeanor of an immortal emerged from the Ninth Land.
"Hold."
The immortal-like figure blocked the path of the four.
This person held a horsetail whisk across his elbow, appearing like a banished immortal descending to the mortal realm.
His voice, light and airy, spread out: "I am Fang Yan, under the imperial order of Emperor Qian Si, stationed at this passage."
"Fellow Daoist Fang Yan."
At this moment, Chen Fan appeared calm.
Guests were to be treated with respect. At this moment... they were the guests.
Since they were visiting, they couldn't be too impolite.
Fang Yan nodded gently, "May I ask the purpose of your visit to the Ninth Land, four esteemed guests?"
He then added an explanation, "This is by the command of Emperors Qian Si and Wu Xing. If there has been any offense, I hope you will forgive us."
An eighth-rank Emperor personally guarding the passage.
His words were devoid of any condescension.
It had to be said, Qian Si was adept at choosing his subordinates.
This Emperor Fang Yan was indeed a person of great tact.
"It's like this."
Sword Master spoke, "I, Sword Master, have come to the Ninth Land to seek a discussion on the Dao."
This was indeed his purpose.
Fang Yan nodded, "Within the Ninth Land, the pursuit of the Dao is prevalent. Fellow Daoist, I believe your journey will be fruitful."
After speaking, his gaze fell upon Chen Fan, "And this esteemed Daoist?"
"..."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Chen Fan said, "I have come to seek Emperor Qian Si and Emperor Wu Xing to discuss some matters."
He had done his research before arriving.
The Ninth Land was different from the Tenth Land.
In the Ninth Land, Qian Si and Wu Xing... two ninth-rank powers dominated the world.
Fang Yan looked at Chen Fan seriously and shook his head, "I am afraid, Fellow Daoist, you cannot enter the Ninth Land."
"Hmm?"
"You carry malice in your heart."
Fang Yan's tone remained unchanged.
He continued to speak in a calm voice, "Our Ninth Land welcomes all who come with good intentions, but you, Fellow Daoist, harbor animosity."
"I am truly sorry, but I cannot allow you into the Ninth Land."
"Heh."
Before Chen Fan could speak, Old Demon Chu behind him let out a cold laugh, "You say we can't enter, so we can't? What if I insist on entering?"
Old Demon Chu was displeased.
Damn it.
Who do you think you are, blocking us?
Being of the same eighth rank, do you believe I won't kill you?
Fang Yan was not angered by Old Demon Chu's rude words.
He shook his head calmly and said, "Fellow Daoist, there is no need to be angry. I am aware that I am no match for any of you."
"If you wish to force your way in, it is simple... as long as Fellow Daoist can pass the Path of Heart's Examination, you may enter."
"Heh heh."
Old Demon Chu sneered, "Is this a trial?"
"Yes."
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Demonic energy surged.
Old Demon Chu was enraged.
A chilling cold spread out, "Are you something special? You dare to make our City Lord undergo a trial? Come, let me teach you a lesson, and let you know that no one can act superior in front of me, go and..."
Boom.
Old Demon Chu chose to act directly.
A trial, acting superior... What was a ninth-rank compared to this? What was he? The trials they set up for the younger generation, yet they wanted the City Lord to undergo them? What were they?
"Kill."
Demonic energy churned.
Old Demon Chu was now immensely powerful.
His strike was filled with murderous intent.
A demonic blade descended, striking fiercely...
On the other side, Fang Yan's expression drastically changed.
He instantly retreated, intending to duck behind the rule barrier and escape.
Clang.
The demonic blade arrived in an instant.
He couldn't dodge.
Boom.
The demonic blade cleaved through a starry river, appearing at Fang Yan's brow.
"You..."
A look of terror flashed in Fang Yan's eyes.
The black blade descended, cutting off his words.
Rumble.
The sound of an explosion instantly echoed.
Fang Yan's physical body was directly shattered by the demonic blade.
In an instant, in the distance... Fang Yan reappeared.
At their level of cultivation, physical bodies were no longer important.
As long as their Great Dao remained, they could not die.
Fang Yan, who reappeared, had boundless terror and fury in his eyes, "You dare..."
"Heh."
Old Demon Chu let out a wild laugh.
Demonic clouds churned above his head, and colossal demonic souls rolled within.
Overwhelming killing intent spread out, "The first strike, to sever your physical body. The second strike... to shatter your Great Dao."
"Kill."
Old Demon Chu struck again.
Chen Fan, standing behind, did not intervene.
The other party's attitude had greatly displeased him.
The so-called trials were meant for the younger generation and the weak.
For the other party to want him to undergo a trial was to look down on him.
Since the other party had acted disrespectfully first, Old Demon Chu's actions were naturally justifiable.
Fang Yan's face contorted in panic as he felt a potent killing intent.
Suddenly, he roared, "Someone is trespassing, quickly come..."
Boom.
A black blade shook heaven and earth.
Fang Yan's words were cut short as the demonic blade descended.
This strike was meant to sever the Dao.
"Shatter."
The demonic blade fell.
A roar echoed through heaven and earth.
Fang Yan, a dignified eighth-rank Emperor, had his Great Dao shattered by this single strike before he could even unleash its power.
The Dao of Demons was truly boundless in its might.
"No..."
Fang Yan cried out in terror.
His roar echoed through the heavens and earth, filled with utter unwillingness.
Hum.
Suddenly, the rule barrier rippled.
Another figure emerged from within, softly exclaiming, "Gather."
His single word resonated with the鸣音 of the Great Dao.
The myriad Daos of heaven and earth converged, and the shattered Great Dao was instantly reconstituted.
Fang Yan reappeared.
With his Great Dao reformed, he was reborn.
"Phew."
Fang Yan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly clasped his hands in thanks to the figure who had emerged, "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Wan Hua."
Emperor Wan Hua, the supreme expert of the Dao of Rebirth.
This person was a very special existence in the Ninth Land.
He did not belong to either Qian Si or Wu Xing's subordinates, yet everyone, except for those two ninth-rank powers, showed him great respect.
There was no helping it. Wan Hua could gather a shattered Great Dao.
Of course, it could only be done for a limited time.
This Dao was exceptionally powerful.
Wan Hua paid no mind to Fang Yan's respectful address.
Instead, he looked at Chen Fan and said with a smile, "My subordinate was ignorant, I apologize. I have come here to invite you all into the Ninth Land."
Beside him, Fang Yan's face was filled with surprise.
Wan Hua... had personally come to greet them?
"Haha."
Chen Fan let out a hearty laugh, "You are too kind, Daoist. My brother here is a little too hot-tempered..."
As he spoke, he turned to Old Demon Chu and chided him, "Learn to control your temper in the future. You resort to violence at every turn. Is that necessary?"
Old Demon Chu quickly bowed his head and admitted his mistake, "City Lord, I was wrong."