Treasure Gathering Immortal Furnace

Lu Fan hadn't expected that Ye Lingxi had contacted him about this matter...

Although Lu Fan was not opposed to becoming a Daoist couple with Ye Lingxi at the moment, there was something that had been on his mind.

That's the problem with Jian Ge.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, there's naturally no problem with becoming Daoist partners. However, there are some things I need to tell you frankly, because I can't harm you," Lu Fan said slowly, looking at Ye Lingxi.

"You say it," Ye Lingxi said.

"As you know, I killed Gu Shuo and Gu Chen, and the Sword Pavilion will never let this go. Furthermore, the Heavenly Fire Ancestor of the Xuan Yang Sword Sect is seriously injured and is currently in seclusion. It's all up to Ancestor Jing to hold the line. If the Sword Pavilion comes knocking on our door in a year or two, I will be in no condition to protect myself with my current strength."

"Therefore, even if we were to become Daoist partners, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to protect you completely."

Lu Fan said slowly.

Although he was unaware that the Sword Pavilion had already set its sights on the Xuan Yang Sword Sect, as a former cultivator of the Great Yan Dynasty, how could Lu Fan not know the Sword Pavilion's modus operandi?

They couldn't afford to suffer any loss. Back then, he only took a few top-grade magic artifacts from Gu Chen, and the other party posted bounties all over the world. Just for that, his Sword Pavilion would definitely retaliate.

Moreover, they will definitely take advantage of the current unfavorable situation of the Xuan Yang Sword Sect to make their move.

"Do we know each other for the first time? How could I not know about all the trouble you've gotten yourself into? But I don't care. As long as you're willing, I'm willing to share any trouble with you," Ye Lingxi said.

Upon hearing this, Lu Fan was quite shocked. He hadn't expected Ye Lingxi to go to such lengths. But since she had said so, what was there for him to hesitate about? He said, "In that case, let's become Daoist partners."

"Alright, now come back to the Thousand Shadows Sect with me and make this public!" Ye Lingxi suddenly changed the subject and said.

Upon hearing this, Lu Fan looked astonished: "Do we really need to announce our marriage as Daoist partners to the Thousand Shadows Sect?"

Lu Fan vaguely sensed something was wrong. After all, Shi Fengtian hadn't thought much of him back then. If he went to the Thousand Shadows Sect and they didn't agree, that would be troublesome.

"It's complicated. In recent years, the Xuanming Sect has brought generous gifts to the Qianying Sect more than once, hoping to establish a relationship with me and Shi Fengtian. So, the Blood Longevity Old Monster brought the Xuanming Sect's young master, Zhao Xun, to visit the sect many times, wanting to become my Daoist partner."

"Although my master consulted me, the gifts brought by the Xuanming Sect are becoming more and more tempting. If this continues, I cannot guarantee that my master will really agree."

Ye Lingxi said with a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

Upon hearing these words, Lu Fan finally understood why Ye Lingxi was in such a hurry to find him—it was because the Xuanming Sect had taken notice of her.

What puzzled him was why the Xuanming Sect insisted on maintaining a good relationship with the Qianying Sect, even going so far as to form a Daoist partnership with Ye Lingxi.

Currently, the Xuanming Sect is a sect that everyone in the Feng Kingdom hates. It has offended not only the Xuanyang Sword Sect, but also the Wangyue Sect, and not just these two.

Half of the six sects in the Phoenix Kingdom have a grudge against the Xuanming Sect. The reason why the Xuanming Sect has not been wiped out is because there are two Nascent Soul elders in the sect. In addition to the Blood Longevity Old Monster, the other is a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator. This is probably the source of the Xuanming Sect's confidence.

"It seems that even after joining the Thousand Shadows Sect, you can't make decisions on everything," Lu Fan said, frowning slightly.

"If you can't reach the Nascent Soul stage, no matter how much you are valued, you're just a pawn in the sect's power struggle. Perhaps Shi Fengtian still treats me as his personal disciple, but if the Xuanming Sect really gives me some supreme treasure, I'll be a pawn that can be sold at any time," Ye Lingxi sighed.

Upon hearing this, how could Lu Fan not understand? Wasn't this the same way Wang Qingzhu was taken away by the Sword Pavilion back then? At that time, Lu Fan was penniless and powerless to stop it. But now, a familiar scene has appeared again. This time, he will never allow the same tragedy to repeat itself.

No matter how difficult it is, he has to do it!

Lu Fan had already made up his mind: he would follow Ye Lingxi to the Thousand Shadows Sect and establish a relationship with her before the Xuanming Sect.

Whether for Ye Lingxi's sake or for the injured Heavenly Fire Ancestor, he absolutely could not let the Blood Longevity Monster succeed!

Three years ago, Lu Fan still remembered the incident when the Blood Longevity Old Monster ambushed the Heavenly Fire Ancestor during his trip to the Fire Cave.

In other words, his strength is currently insufficient. If he were to reach the Nascent Soul stage, the Xuanming Sect would definitely be the second sect he would want to eliminate!

"Don't worry, now that I've decided to become your Daoist partner, I naturally won't let you suffer any injustice. I'll ask Ancestor Jing to come with me to the Thousand Shadows Sect to settle this matter," Lu Fan said slowly.

"Okay, I'll wait for you!" Ye Lingxi felt relieved when she saw Lu Fan agree without hesitation.

Compared to Zhao Xun, the so-called young master of the Xuanming Sect, Ye Lingxi's feelings for Lu Fan were genuine.

If she weren't currently in a situation where she had no choice, she probably would have already left the Thousand Shadows Sect and joined the Profound Sun Sword Sect.

In fact, it doesn't matter whether he leaves the Thousand Shadows Sect or not. As long as Lu Fan can really get Shi Fengtian to agree to his relationship with Ye Lingxi as a Daoist couple, it would be a way to let Ye Lingxi join the Xuan Yang Sword Sect.

Lu Fan then asked Ye Lingxi to wait for him in the cave, while he went to the back mountain Taoist temple to meet Ancestor Jing.

...

The temple on the back mountain.

After meeting with Elder Jing, Lu Fan explained his relationship with Ye Lingxi and the whole story behind it.

At this moment, Elder Jing, who was guarding the alchemy furnace, was quite surprised after hearing Lu Fan's account.

"So you and that girl from the Thousand Shadows Sect weren't really Daoist partners?" Ancestor Jing said slowly.

"Yes, disciple did not intend to hide it, it was just that the circumstances were special at the time, so..."

Before Lu Fan could finish speaking, Ancestor Jing raised his hand slightly: "These things don't matter, but you should think it over carefully. Although Shi Fengtian has some connections with the Xuan Yang Sword Sect, they are more focused on their own interests. If we can't offer them a treasure that will tempt them, or if your strength isn't recognized by that old fellow Shi Fengtian, then this matter of becoming Daoist partners will most likely be difficult to achieve."

"Moreover, the Xuanming Sect has also gotten involved, which means we are competing with them. You might even have to face Zhao Xun directly."

Hearing what Elder Jing said, Lu Fan nodded slightly and said, "What I thought is also true. Since we are going to compete for Ye Lingxi, our own strength must be tested. As long as Zhao Xun is not in the late stage of Golden Core, I am not afraid of him."

Upon hearing this, Ancestor Jing said, "This Zhao Xun has not reached the late stage of Core Formation, but he is at the peak of the mid-stage of Core Formation. His strength is even much stronger than Chu Lingxue's. Moreover, he is ruthless and vicious. Among the younger generation of the six sects, his reputation is really not good."

Upon hearing this, Lu Fan said, "Then I must not let him succeed, otherwise it would harm Ye Lingxi."

"Since you've made up your mind, I'll accompany you to the Thousand Shadows Sect. However, you should also think about your escape route. If the Thousand Shadows Sect doesn't agree to you becoming Daoist partners, we'll have to use other methods. I can only do my best to help you, but I can't directly clash with the Xuanming Sect," said Ancestor Jing.

In reality, even Elder Jing is facing difficulties now, since the Xuan Yang Sword Sect is entirely supported by him alone.