To avoid being disturbed by ordinary folks, the Hunling Sect set up a large Magical Array outside their sect. To common people, the island where the Hunling Sect resides seems like a mirage, elusive and intangible. Without an invitation marked by a golden leaf, even if someone accidentally sees the sect, they cannot approach. Forcing one’s way in would only lead to being trapped in the surrounding sea, crashing into hidden reefs.

However, for a cultivator as powerful as Duan Ze, the array was of no consequence. He put away his communication token into his storage ring. Although he didn’t know what Xiao Wuchen was planning, this trip was likely not going to be easy.

Duan Ze stood up from the deck, then leapt lightly into the air, gracefully landing on the mast by stepping on the rigging. The people playing around on the deck didn’t notice him at all.

As time passed and the ship crossed most of the sea, a perfectly round island finally appeared beneath the clouds. Duan Ze squinted slightly, thinking, ‘How can it be so round…’

The island was filled with mountains, with countless pavilions built among them. On the side facing the ship, a stretch of yellow beach extended outward. Many people in green robes stood there to greet guests, and one person stood still, as if waiting for someone.

His attire was the most lavish, and his cultivation was the highest among them. He was likely the sect leader of the Hunling Sect—Du Ling. However, only Duan Ze could see these scenes clearly; the rest could only vaguely make out the shape of an island due to the array.

“We’re almost there, I’ll go call Shizun,” Li Qingyuan glanced outside and said to the elders standing beside him.

At that moment, Duan Ze descended from the mast, his white robes fluttering like a blooming ice lotus, cool and elegant. “No need.”

The previously noisy disciples fell silent immediately, their actions becoming somewhat restrained. They had no idea when Duan Ze had appeared above them, nor whether their previous behavior had left a bad impression.

In reality, Duan Ze had been zoning out the whole time, not paying attention to what the group was doing.

After a brief silence lasting half a cup of tea, the ship finally reached the sandy beach of the Hunling Sect. As the ship’s bottom touched the sand, the Hunling Sect leader Du Ling was already eagerly waiting at the ship’s side, seemingly expecting the Cangyu Sect’s arrival.

Li Qingyuan led a few elders down first and was slightly surprised to see the Hunling Sect leader. The latter was known in the cultivation realm for being aloof, refusing to meet even the human emperor or the leaders of the four great sects if he didn’t want to.

Why today…

Their complaints stopped abruptly when they remembered who else had come from their sect today. Duan Ze usually never participated in such long-distance activities, so his sudden appearance was quite unexpected for them.

Following them were several disciples of the Cangyu Sect, and finally, Duan Ze descended leisurely.

Du Ling’s eyes lit up. As a fellow sect leader, he was different from Li Qingyuan, who took good care of himself and looked barely over thirty. The Hunling Sect leader, however, appeared as an old man with white hair and wrinkles, like someone in his eighties. But his spirit was excellent.

He directly bypassed Li Qingyuan and the others, walked up to Duan Ze, his eyes gleaming with excitement, and cupped his hands, “It’s an honor for a small sect like ours to have an immortal visit.”

‘Small sect? Small cultivator?’ The crowd’s expressions turned colorful upon hearing his words. If this was a small sect and a small cultivator, then what were those sects that didn’t even rank among the four great sects…

“That’s too much. Thank you for your generosity in allowing us to witness the Sky-reaching Iron Tree,” Duan Ze replied. Although Du Ling couldn’t compare to him in cultivation or status, there was no need for such respect. However, in terms of seniority, the Hunling Sect had been in the position of one of the four great sects for far longer than Duan Ze had existed.

Moreover, as the saying goes, never offend a healer; no one can guarantee they’ll never get hurt. Not to mention, the highest-grade elixirs of each sect were all purchased from the Hunling Sect.

This ‘senior’ address made the Hunling Sect leader both flustered and excited. His usually solemn face now smiled so broadly that his eyes were barely visible. The old man’s vanity was greatly satisfied, even a bit inflated.

However, he knew how to restrain himself, so he quickly waved his hand, “I can’t bear the title of ‘senior,’ and inviting you to view the tree is what our sect should do.”

With that, he took out a pure gold branch from his storage ring and handed it to Duan Ze, “If the immortal ever needs anything, feel free to come to our Hunling Sect. Whether it’s medicine for any injury, even if you need to bring the dead back to life, I can refine it for you.”

“Thank you.” Duan Ze accepted it without much hesitation, keeping a straight face while feeling delighted inside. Envious gazes were cast around them.

What is the Hunling Sect? It’s the place where the continent’s top alchemists are produced. If someone can’t be saved even by the Hunling Sect, then even a god would only be able to act as a grim reaper, collecting souls.

With this golden branch, no matter what happens in the future, he can come to the Hunling Sect for treatment. Having received the item also subtly announced to others that the Hunling Sect was under Duan Ze’s protection. This was the true intention behind the Hunling Sect’s gesture.

Since the Sky-reaching Iron Tree was discovered, it had been coveted by outsiders. Over the years, countless spies from various forces had infiltrated the Hunling Sect, making it difficult to clean them out. To prevent people from using the excuse of the Hunling Sect privately possessing the divine item to openly rob them, Du Ling simply invited them to come and see it. This way, they could promote the Hunling Sect’s generous image, and since it was an invitation, those people would have to consider their reputation before making a move on the tree.

The most important point was to seek protection. Du Ling had now found that protection.

“This way, immortal. We’ve prepared a special resting place for you. The iron tree is expected to bloom in two or three days.” The Hunling Sect leader smiled, ignoring the other guests around him. His eyes were all on Duan Ze.

The other sects, who had originally wanted to get close to Duan Ze, were quietly blocked out by him.

Duan Ze glanced at Li Qingyuan and the others, who were being led by other Hunling Sect disciples. Seeing that everyone was being taken care of, he turned to the Hunling Sect leader and nodded, “Alright.”

In the distance, a man with the upper half of his face hidden under a pure white mask slightly curled his lips and gestured to the person beside him, “Did you bring the chessboard?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, I did.”

…

Duan Ze was led to a pavilion. From the outside, it seemed only about ten square meters, smaller than a toilet. But upon opening the door, the interior was as large and luxurious as Xiao Wuchen’s main hall.

“Space array?” Duan Ze tilted his head slightly to look at the Hunling Sect leader beside him. The latter did not deny it, “The sect’s usable area is too small.”

“Mm,” Duan Ze nodded, glancing at the other pavilions, “Do the other pavilions have them too?”

“Yes, there should be over a thousand space arrays of various sizes,” Du Ling didn’t hide anything from Duan Ze, stroking his beard, “If the immortal likes, I can give you a few.”

“No need.” Duan Ze waved his hand; the gift was too heavy. A space array like this, if sold, would provide enough money to easily sustain the Cangyu Sect’s expenses for a whole year, and the Hunling Sect had over a thousand of them.

Duan Ze: ‘Hiss…’

The Hunling Sect leader noticed a hint of fatigue on Duan Ze’s face and added, “Alright, if you need anything, just pull the pendant over there, and a disciple will come to assist.”

“Okay.” After responding, Du Ling cupped his hands and left, and Duan Ze stepped into the room.

Closing the door, Duan Ze scanned the room with his divine sense. The process of creating a space array was very complex, and few cultivators could do it, but coincidentally, he could. The original owner was very diligent in his lifetime, learning everything he could to find his area of expertise.

Especially after practicing forbidden techniques, the knowledge in his mind had been deconstructed and upgraded countless times. A space array was not difficult for him, just too troublesome.

Duan Ze sat for a while and then took out the communication token from his storage ring. The Demon Lord would definitely not be invited by Du Ling, but the array outside the Hunling Sect was also useless against Xiao Wuchen. Now that Du Ling had just exchanged a golden branch for his protection, he couldn’t turn around and attract a powder keg.

However, just as he dialed, the door outside suddenly knocked.

It was probably Li Qingyuan and the others.

So when the voice transmission token on the other side just transmitted Xiao Wuchen’s voice, filled with sarcasm and gunpowder, saying, “What? You…” Duan Ze immediately hung up.

He put the communication token back into his storage ring, adjusted his emotions, and with a wave of his hand, the door opened automatically.

But it wasn’t anyone from the Cangyu Sect who came, but a man dressed in white, with a five-clawed dragon embroidered in silver thread on his robe. The man wore a white jade hair crown, with half of his ink-black hair draped, and most of his face was covered by a pure white mask, revealing only a thin pair of lips.

Duan Ze was slightly stunned, quickly going through his mind, and found this person’s image in the original owner’s memory and the book. Wearing a dragon robe and a mask, this person was the current human emperor, a long-term patron of the Hunling Sect, and later Xie Qingyu’s good brother—Jiu Sheng.

This person seemed mysterious, and indeed was very mysterious, particularly good at disguising, with deep scheming, and his age was a mystery. The last time the original owner met him was a hundred years ago, but now, he looked like he was only in his twenties.

Can ordinary people live this long? Eating ginseng and bird’s nest every day wouldn’t make someone live this long. It’s rare for a father to outlive all his sons and grandsons.

He clearly came to a new place, yet encountered familiar faces, the original owner’s acquaintances.

He quickly recalled the original owner’s attitude towards the human emperor, leaning back slightly, sitting properly, then elegantly poured himself a cup of tea from the teapot beside him, took a sip, and with cool eyes, said, “What do you want?”

Jiu Sheng heard his words, a smile playing on his lips, gestured to the people beside him, “Set up another round.”

Duan Ze watched as those people skillfully entered his room and set up a chessboard, recalling the original owner’s relationship with Jiu Sheng, which was a one-sided claim by the human emperor as chess friends.

Jiu Sheng loved playing chess and had once defeated all opponents with his chess skills, until he was beaten by the original owner for three days and nights, leading to a complete breakdown, and he never played chess again.

Has Jiu Sheng thought he’s capable again after over a hundred years?

But now with a new core, Duan Ze wasn’t sure if he could still play chess well.

The human emperor sat opposite Duan Ze, nodded slightly, picked up a white piece, and placed it, “Didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Duan Ze looked at the chessboard, moved his hand, and a black piece flew out from the chess box, landing steadily in a spot.

Jiu Sheng glanced at it, looked up at Duan Ze, who didn’t respond, then silently continued playing.

Duan Ze, while thinking about his next move, controlled the black pieces to land in the corresponding positions.

As piece by piece fell, the person’s face opposite grew increasingly grim, until finally, Duan Ze made a decisive move, and Jiu Sheng lost again.

He rubbed his forehead with one hand, sighed deeply, “Practiced for so long, still can’t beat you.”

Duan Ze looked up at him, mimicking the original owner, controlled a white piece from the opponent’s chess box, placed it in a corner, and instantly turned the deadlock into a living one.

This should be exactly like the original owner.

Jiu Sheng’s mouth twitched, then he laughed, propping his chin with one hand, suddenly said, “They say chess best reflects one’s heart. Has something happened to you recently, immortal? Why has your chess style changed so much?”

Duan Ze’s fingers suddenly trembled at his words.

Author’s Note: Xiao Wuchen: “? Are you kidding me?”

——

Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated with nutrient solution between 2020-09-12 20:40:36 and 2020-09-14 20:30:51~

Thanks to the little angel who threw a grenade: Beishang Nantian 1;

Thanks to the little angels who threw landmines: No Nickname 2; Lu Qiwu 1;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solution: Beishang Nantian 10 bottles; Yun A 6 bottles; Mo Li Happy 3 bottles; Long Night No Desolation 2 bottles; Little Bay Fish, Seven Gardens 1 bottle;

Thank you all for your support, I will continue to work hard!