Does breaking through to the Emperor Realm require condensing Emperor Qi?
All the way here, Chen Fan had always been searching for the path ahead alone.
No one could help him.
Even the Emperor Realm was something he had learned from Han Ye not long ago.
Now, he finally knew how to proceed.
To enter the Emperor Realm, one needed to condense Emperor Qi.
But then there was another question: how to condense Emperor Qi?
Chen Fan didn't know. He needed to research further, or perhaps… find someone to ask.
...
"Everyone."
Yi Fu finally spoke again. "My City of Freedom was built between the East and Middle Continents. When I established the city, I said that the City of Freedom welcomes anyone, inside or out. As long as you don't violate the rules I've set, you can do anything."
"..."
No one spoke.
They knew City Lord Yi Fu wasn't finished yet.
"I don't care what happens outside the city. I didn't let you two factions in to manage your killing and fighting. On the contrary, I'd be happy to watch you kill each other. However..."
Yi Fu's tone shifted, and he continued, "Because the target of your struggle saved my grandson, Yi Fu, I must say this here: within the City of Freedom, no one is allowed to touch him."
Yi Fu pointed his finger at Chen Fan.
"This..."
Everyone's expression changed.
No one dared to disregard City Lord Yi Fu's words.
Was the City of Freedom going to stand against all the forces of both continents on its own?
Yi Fu continued, "I won't repeat myself. As long as I, Yi Fu, am here, this command is effective. Those who violate it will be permanently banned from the City of Freedom, and my City of Freedom will hunt them down to their death."
"City Lord..."
Someone's face changed, and they raised a question. "What if Chen Fan never leaves the city..."
"Then I will protect him for a lifetime."
Yi Fu's words were without hesitation. "I'll only say this once. Whether you abide by it is up to you. That's all I have to say. You may leave now."
No one moved.
"Lord City Lord."
No one was willing to accept this outcome.
Tian Wen spoke, "I believe the City Lord is also aware of Chen Fan's background. The East and Middle Continents are determined to obtain him. I believe… the other three continents will also be interested when they receive this news."
"Is the City Lord truly going to make an enemy of everyone for the sake of a person from the lower realm?"
Without any threat, Tian Wen was merely stating facts.
Chen Fan's identity was too important to the Immortal Realm.
"City Lord, I believe you also know the reason for the existence of the lower realm passages."
Tian Wen spoke again. "Back then, the Immortal Lord set up seals, with a strong expert guarding each passage. But as time passed, the power maintaining the passages vanished, and the passages began to collapse. Now, all the passages have disappeared."
Yi Fu remained silent.
Qing Luan stood up. "What do you want to say?"
"The Immortal Lord left behind great treasures in the lower realm."
Tian Wen looked at Yi Fu, who was still rotating the roast chicken, and said in a deep voice, "The Heavenly Crown came from the lower realm. I believe you all understand what that means."
His gaze shifted.
Tian Wen looked at everyone in turn.
Some were confused, some suddenly understood.
More, however, had a divine glint in their eyes, and a trace of greed appeared.
"So, you all now understand what the lower realm passages mean, and what a divine weapon like the one in Yi Fu's hand signifies, don't you?"
Whoosh.
The crowd stirred.
"Fellow Daoist Tian, are you telling the truth?"
"Are there truly divine weapons like the Heavenly Crown in the Wasteland?"
"You're not lying to us?"
"..."
Those who understood, understood.
Those who didn't, now understood what the lower realm passages represented.
"Everyone."
Qing Luan spoke again. "Are you finished speaking? If so, please leave."
Yi Fu hadn't said much from beginning to end.
His command was given. Whether they obeyed or not was up to them.
If they had the audacity to act within the City of Freedom, then so be it.
He was seeing them out.
Although unwilling, everyone could only cup their fists and leave.
Who dared to act presumptuously before Yi Fu?
As everyone left, Chen Fan also withdrew.
From a distance, he cupped his fists towards Yi Fu. "Thank you."
Sincerely.
Although his goal here was the Heavenly Crown, it didn't prevent him from accepting this favor.
Yi Fu didn't move.
The chicken was roasted, ready to be eaten.
"Buzz."
As everyone retreated,
Di Long, covered in wounds, descended from the sky.
Everyone's expression tensed.
He was injured, severely injured.
Di Long's body was covered in countless scars, he was spitting blood, and his body swayed.
Yet, his eyes were filled with even more immense fighting spirit.
"Good."
Yi Fu's voice gently echoed. "Two strands of Emperor Qi are within reach. Go into seclusion."
Yi Fu paid no attention to the injuries on his second disciple.
How many of those who reached this level hadn't fought their way out of seas of corpses and blood?
The hothouse could not produce supreme experts.
"Heh."
Di Long grinned.
He didn't care about his injuries and directly entered the second thatched hut.
Yi Fu raised his hand, and the second thatched hut was sealed.
...
"Boom."
At this moment, Yi Fu's eldest disciple also returned.
He was also injured, but not severely.
Yi Fu, however, frowned.
The fiery red figure was a woman. She restrained her fiery aura and lowered her head. "Master, I couldn't keep him."
"..."
Yi Fu said nothing.
The fiery red figure stood up and sat down in front of her thatched hut.
The fighting within the city had ceased.
One by one, the experts from the thatched huts returned. The severely injured entered their huts.
Those unharmed sat before their huts.
"Young friend."
Just then, Yi Fu's voice echoed in Chen Fan's ear. "Are you willing to cultivate here before my thatched hut for a while?"
His voice was heard by everyone.
Those who were leaving stopped and looked at Yi Fu, then at Chen Fan.
"Alright."
Chen Fan smiled, then added, "But I'm not interested in being someone's subordinate."
"..."
Silence.
Everyone looked at Chen Fan with strange expressions.
Only Yi Fu was unconcerned.
He waved his hand.
"Buzz."
Rules appeared.
Dense rules condensed into the shape of wild grass, falling to the ground and piling up to form a thatched hut.
This scene...
"Hiss—"
There were gasps of shock all around.
Was that how thatched huts were made?
Looking at Yi Fu again, their eyes were filled with astonishment.
To transform rules into grass, and cultivate within the domain of rules, such a feat was astonishing.
"Thank you."
Chen Fan cupped his fists, but turned to Pang Tong. "Find a place and wait for me."
"Yes."
Pang Tong was so excited his body trembled.
Chen Fan had Yi Fu's protection, and he had established a thatched hut. Wasn't he now allied with the City of Freedom?
In that case, he had a great backer in this city.
Few would dare to touch him.
As long as Chen Fan didn't leave the city, he would be safe.
No one would test Yi Fu's bottom line over a nobody like him.
As for Han Ye... he had already left.
He didn't look back, nor did he say another word to Chen Fan.
The two of them were never on the same path.