rán ér huò xǔ zhǐ shì xǔ bái de cuò jué 。 nà sēn rán zhī yì zhuǎn shùn jí shì ， chà nà zhī hòu ， zài kàn zhī shí 。
然而或许只是许白的错觉。那森然之意转瞬即逝，刹那之后，再看之时。
However, perhaps this was just Xu Bai's misperception. The ominous intent flashed by in an instant, and when he looked again, the other party's face had returned to its previous enthusiasm.
duì fāng liǎn shàng ， què yòu shì gēn zhī qián yī yàng de rè qíng 。
对方脸上，却又是跟之前一样的热情。
"Nothing happened. Just that I didn't expect Taiyin Sect to have so many cultivators who've reached the Dao of Union. It was just a bit of a scare." Xu Bai pretended to be extremely shocked.
“ méi shì ， méi shì 。 zhǐ bù guò ， méi xiǎng dào nǐ men tài yǎn zōng ， jū rán hái yǒu rú cǐ duō de hé dào xiū shì 。 shòu le diǎn jīng xià ér yǐ 。” xǔ bái zhuāng zuò yī fù shí fēn zhèn jīng de mú yàng 。
“没事，没事。只不过，没想到你们太衍宗，居然还有如此多的合道修士。受了点惊吓而已。”许白装作一副十分震惊的模样。
"Worthy Master, you truly are famous from ancient times. The depth and breadth of your sect's foundation is beyond imagination," Xu Bai praised with a chuckle.
“ bù kuì shì shàng gǔ zhī shí jiù hè hè yǒu míng de zōng mén ， dǐ yùn zhī shēn hòu ， dàng zhēn shì nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng 。” xǔ bái zé zé chēng zàn dào 。
“不愧是上古之时就赫赫有名的宗门，底蕴之深厚，当真是难以想象。”许白啧啧称赞道。
Flattery was always welcome. With this statement, not only did the few Taiyin Sect cultivators leading the way receive approving glances, but even the idle bystanders cast satisfied looks in their direction as well.
fèng chéng zhī huà shéi dōu ài tīng 。 cǐ yán yī chū ， bù jǐn shì qián fāng dài lù de nà jǐ gè xiū shì 。 jiù lián lù páng nà xiē xián sǎn rén wù ， quán dōu fēn fēn tóu lái mǎn yì de mù guāng 。
奉承之话谁都爱听。此言一出，不仅是前方带路的那几个修士。就连路旁那些闲散人物，全都纷纷投来满意的目光。
However, this further confirmed to Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji that there was something unusual about Taiyin Sect. They had all shown a look of satisfaction at the same instant!
rán ér ， zhè què shì gèng ràng xǔ bái yǐ jí fāng zài jì què dìng le tài yǎn zōng de yì cháng 。 yīn wèi tā men lù chū
然而，这却是更让许白以及方再济确定了太衍宗的异常。因为他们露出
"Mr. Fang, do you think we can escape from here?" Xu Bai casually asked while chatting with the Taiyin Sect cultivators.
“ mǎn yì ” zhè ge shén qíng ， shì zài tóng yī shùn ！
“满意”这个神情，是在同一瞬！
"Worry not, Master. I'm working on it. This place is very enclosed, and breaking through to another space will take some effort," Fang Zaiji replied solemnly.
“ fāng xiān shēng ， yǒu bǎ wò cóng zhè lǐ táo chū qù ma 。” xǔ bái yī biān gēn tài yǎn zōng xiū shì tán xiào fēng shēng ， yī biān qiǎo rán xún wèn fāng zài jì 。
“方先生，有把握从这里逃出去嘛。”许白一边跟太衍宗修士谈笑风生，一边悄然询问方再济。
With his usual carefree attitude, Fang Zaiji finally became serious as their lives hung in the balance.
“ zōng zhǔ fàng xīn ， zhèng zài xiǎng bàn fǎ 。 zhè ge guǐ dì fāng ， kōng jiān shí fēn láo gù 。 xiǎng yào pò kōng dùn zǒu ， yào fèi diǎn gōng fu 。” fāng zài jì yǒu xiē sù mù de huí dá dào 。
“宗主放心，正在想办法。这个鬼地方，空间十分牢固。想要破空遁走，要费点功夫。”方再济有些肃穆的回答道。
"Be patient; let's first see what Taiyin Sect is all about." Xu Bai comforted him. While exchanging thoughts with each other, they were led by a Taiyin Sect disciple to an oddly shaped building at the city center.
shēng sǐ yōu guān ， xiàng lái yǒu xiē wán shì bù gōng de fāng zài jì ， zhōng yú biàn dé zhèng jīng qǐ lái 。
生死攸关，向来有些玩世不恭的方再济，终于变得正经起来。
The entire structure was made of blue transparent crystals, and from outside, one could clearly see it divided into several rectangular spaces.
“ bù jí ， xiān kàn kàn zhè tài yǎn zōng dào dǐ shén me qíng kuàng 。” xǔ bái ān fǔ dào 。 liǎng rén bǐ cǐ jiāo huàn niàn tou de gōng fu ， yǐ jīng zài tài yǎn zōng dì zǐ de dài lǐng xià ， lái dào le chéng zhōng yāng ， yī zuò zào xíng qí tè de jiàn zhù zhōng 。
“不急，先看看这太衍宗到底什么情况。”许白安抚道。两人彼此交换念头的功夫，已经在太衍宗弟子的带领下，来到了城中央，一座造型奇特的建筑中。
Each space had a cultivator working diligently inside.
tōng tǐ yóu lán sè tòu míng jīng tǐ gòu chéng 。 cóng wài miàn ， hè rán kě yǐ kàn qīng chǔ lǐ miàn bèi fēn gē chéng yí gè gè cháng fāng xíng kōng jiān 。
通体由蓝色透明晶体构成。从外面，赫然可以看清楚里面被分割成一个个长方形空间。
"Ah…" Xu Bai exchanged glances with Fang Zaiji.
měi gè kōng jiān zhōng ， dōu yǒu yī wèi xiū shì zài máng lù zhe 。
每个空间中，都有一位修士在忙碌着。
"Let's go. Senior Brother is waiting for us inside," said the middle-aged disciple casually. Similar to their experience entering Wanhuachambers of Commerce, Xu Bai felt as if he was stepping into a moving space when he entered this blue crystal building. The transparency of the surrounding walls gradually decreased until they could no longer see anything else. At the same time, the decorations and furnishings within the space kept changing.
“ zhè ……” xǔ bái gēn fāng zài jì hù kàn yī yǎn 。
“这……”许白跟方再济互看一眼。
Only Xu Bai and his companions remained unchanged. When the crystalline wall fully transformed into a solid wall-like structure, a faint blue figure suddenly appeared before them.
“ zǒu ba 。 shī xiōng yǐ jīng zài lǐ miàn děng zhe le 。” zhōng nián xiū shì suí kǒu shuō dào 。 gēn jìn rù wàn xiān méng cè zhèn táng de tǐ yàn lèi sì ， xǔ bái bù rù zhè lán sè jīng tǐ jiàn zhù nèi ， zhǐ gǎn jué jiǎo xià suǒ chù de kōng jiān sì hū zhèng zài yí dòng 。
“走吧。师兄已经在里面等着了。”中年修士随口说道。跟进入万仙盟策阵堂的体验类似，许白步入这蓝色晶体建筑内，只感觉脚下所处的空间似乎正在移动。
"Salutations to Senior Brother Chen!" The leading Taiyin Sect disciples bowed in unison. As the blue light condensed, a rather handsome man revealed himself.
ér zhōu wéi qiáng bì de tòu míng dù yě màn màn jiàng dī ， zài yě kàn bù qīng bié chù yàng mào 。 yǔ cǐ tóng shí ， kōng jiān nèi de zhuāng shì 、 bǎi shè ， yě zài bù tíng biàn huàn 。
而周围墙壁的透明度也慢慢降低，再也看不清别处样貌。与此同时，空间内的装饰、摆设，也在不停变幻。
"Meng Tianhai?!" Fang Zaiji exclaimed, his eyes widening. Everyone present was momentarily stunned.
zhǐ yǒu jìng jìng chù lì de xǔ bái děng rén ， méi yǒu biàn huà 。 dāng jīng bì chè dǐ biàn zuò qiáng tǐ mú yàng de shí hòu ， yī dào xū huàn de lán sè shēn yǐng hū de chū xiàn zài zhòng rén miàn qián 。
只有静静矗立的许白等人，没有变化。当晶壁彻底变作墙体模样的时候，一道虚幻的蓝色身影忽的出现在众人面前。
Meng Tianhai merely glanced at Fang Zaiji and seemed unsurprised by his appearance.
“ jiàn guò chén shī xiōng ！” dài lù de jǐ míng tài yǎn zōng xiū shì fēn fēn xíng lǐ dào 。 lán sè guāng huá zhú jiàn níng shí ， yī wèi pǒ yǒu xiē yīng jùn de nán zi xiǎn chū zhēn róng 。
“见过陈师兄！”带路的几名太衍宗修士纷纷行礼道。蓝色光华逐渐凝实，一位颇有些英俊的男子显出真容。
"Your mission this time has been quite successful. You can go down now; I have some words to share with an old acquaintance," he instructed the others.
“ chén tiān hǎi ？！” dāng kàn qīng chǔ nán zi xiàng mào zhī hòu ， fāng zài jì jìng rán shī shēng hǎn dào 。 zài chǎng zhòng rén ， quán dōu chà nà lèng zhù 。
“陈天海？！”当看清楚男子相貌之后，方再济竟然失声喊道。在场众人，全都刹那愣住。
The Taiyin Sect disciples, who had gained some benefit, were all smiling broadly and quickly left the space.
chén tiān hǎi zé shì kàn le yǎn fāng zài jì ， sì hū duì yú tā de chū xiàn bìng bù yì wài 。
陈天海则是看了眼方再济，似乎对于他的出现并不意外。
Fang Zaiji's shock gradually subsided, but his eyes still held a trace of astonishment as he continued to scrutinize Meng Tianhai.
“ zhè cì rèn wù ， nǐ men wán chéng de hěn bú cuò 。 xiān xià qù ba ， wǒ gēn zhè wèi gù yǒu ， yǒu xiē huà yào jiǎng 。” tā xiān fēn fù zhòng rén dào 。
“这次任务，你们完成的很不错。先下去吧，我跟这位故友，有些话要讲。”他先吩咐众人道。
"Indeed, it is him. I never thought he would be alive…" Fang Zaiji muttered under his breath while explaining to Xu Bai telepathically: "Meng Tianhai was the first direct descendant and heir to Taiyin Sect in ancient times. However, for some reason unknown to me, he lost all his identity and has been missing ever since, with Taiyin Sect issuing a warrant for his arrest.
bù zhī dé le shén me hǎo chù ， lǐng lù de nà qún tài yǎn zōng xiū shì ， fēn fēn xǐ xiào yán kāi 。 hěn kuài jiù lí kāi le cǐ chù kōng jiān 。
不知得了什么好处，领路的那群太衍宗修士，纷纷喜笑颜开。很快就离开了此处空间。
"Due to Taiyin Sect disciples' involvement in pursuing my life, I could never escape. It was only this young man who saved me, allowing me to hide safely within the Medicine King Sect."
fāng zài jì cǐ shí yě shāo wēi lěng jìng le xià lái ， zhǐ shì tā yǎn zhōng de zhèn jīng zhī sè réng rán méi yǒu xiāo tuì ， bù tíng dì dǎ liàng zhe qián fāng de chén tiān hǎi 。
方再济此时也稍微冷静了下来，只是他眼中的震惊之色仍然没有消退，不停地打量着前方的陈天海。
"I felt sorry for him when he disappeared. I didn't expect…"
“ jiù shì tā běn rén méi cuò le 。 méi xiǎng dào tā jū rán hái huó zhe ……” dī shēng zì yǔ de tóng shí ， fāng zài jì chuán yīn wèi xǔ bái jiě shì dào ：“ chén tiān hǎi dāng nián shì tài yǎn zōng dì yī dí chuán ， xià yī rèn zōng zhǔ de jì chéng rén 。 bù guò hòu lái bù zhī yīn wèi hé shì ， bèi bō duó le suǒ yǒu shēn fèn 。 běn rén gèng shì xià luò bù míng ， bèi tài yǎn zōng tōng jī 。”
“就是他本人没错了。没想到他居然还活着……”低声自语的同时，方再济传音为许白解释道：“陈天海当年是太衍宗第一嫡传，下一任宗主的继承人。不过后来不知因为何事，被剥夺了所有身份。本人更是下落不明，被太衍宗通缉。”
"Are you surprised to see me?" Meng Tianhai smiled.
“ dāng nián yīn wèi yǒu tài yǎn zōng dì zǐ cān yù duì wǒ de zhuī shā ， dǎo zhì wǒ shǐ zhōng bǎi tuō bù liǎo 。 hái shì zhè xiǎo zi chū shǒu xiàng jiù ， wǒ cái dé yǐ zài yào wáng zōng lǐ ān quán zhé fú xià lái 。”
“当年因为有太衍宗弟子参与对我的追杀，导致我始终摆脱不了。还是这小子出手相救，我才得以在药王宗里安全蛰伏下来。”
"It's been many years since we last met, and you still look the same. No, it feels like millennia have passed for us, but just a moment in time for your Medicine King Sect," Meng Tianhai said, revealing that his sect had experienced the Immortal Desolation and traversed thousands of years.
“ tīng shuō tā shì fā de shí hòu ， wǒ hái wǎn xī le huì 。 méi xiǎng dào ……”
“听说他事发的时候，我还惋惜了会。没想到……”
"So, you knew about the Medicine King Sect's attempt to escape using the Daocauldron? It was a suicide mission?" Fang Zaiji narrowed his eyes.
“ jiàn dào wǒ ， shì bú shì yǒu diǎn yì wài ？” zhè shí hòu ， chén tiān hǎi wēi xiào zhe kāi kǒu shuō dào 。
“见到我，是不是有点意外？”这时候，陈天海微笑着开口说道。
"I only found out later. Otherwise, I would have insisted on joining with you," Meng Tianhai's response left Fang Zaiji momentarily speechless.
“ duō nián bú jiàn ， nǐ hái shì zhè fù mú yàng 。 bú duì ， duì wǒ men lái shuō ， shì shù qiān nián shí guāng 。 duì nǐ men yào wáng zōng ér yán ， yě bù guò shì duǎn duǎn yī shùn ér yǐ 。” chén tiān hǎi kāi kǒu ， jiù dào pò le yào wáng zōng jīng lì le xiān xū 、 chuān yuè le qiān nián shí guāng zhī shì 。
“多年不见，你还是这副模样。不对，对我们来说，是数千年时光。对你们药王宗而言，也不过是短短一瞬而已。”陈天海开口，就道破了药王宗经历了仙墟、穿越了千年时光之事。
"Joining us?" he asked in confusion.
“ zhè me shuō ， nǐ yě zhī dào dāng chū yào wáng zōng xiǎng yào yù dǐng táo lí zhī shì ， bù guò shì zì xún sǐ lù ？” fāng zài jì mī qǐ le yǎn jīng 。
“这么说，你也知道当初药王宗想要御鼎逃离之事，不过是自寻死路？”方再济眯起了眼睛。
"That is the Immortal Desolation! What lies within? Could it be that Brother Fang isn't curious about it?" Meng Tianhai countered.
“ wǒ yě shì shì hòu cái zhī dào de 。 fǒu zé ， yǐ wǒ dāng shí de xìng zi ， shuō shén me yě yào gēn nǐ men yì qǐ 。” chén tiān hǎi de huí dá ， ràng fāng zài jì wēi wēi lèng zhù 。
“我也是事后才知道的。否则，以我当时的性子，说什么也要跟你们一起。”陈天海的回答，让方再济微微愣住。
"How many people in the entire Xuanhuang realm have ever witnessed such a spectacle and returned safely? You are one of those rare lucky ones," Fang Zaiji shrugged. "That might disappoint you. Shortly after entering the Daocauldron, I fell into the Great Dream Spring Array and went to sleep."
“ gēn wǒ men yì qǐ ？” tā bù jīn yǒu xiē yí huò 。
“跟我们一起？”他不禁有些疑惑。
Meng Tianhai nodded slightly.
“ nà kě shì xiān xū a 。 xiān xū zhī nèi ， jiū jìng yǒu shén me ？ nán bù chéng fāng xiōng jiù bù hǎo qí me ？” chén tiān hǎi fǎn wèn dào 。
“那可是仙墟啊。仙墟之内，究竟有什么？难不成方兄就不好奇么？”陈天海反问道。
"That is indeed something you could do. Brother Fang truly has a carefree spirit." Xu Bai suddenly interjected: "You are very interested in the Immortal Desolation? Actually, we recorded our experiences from that time."
“ zhěng gè xuán huáng jiè ， yǒu duō shǎo rén néng gòu mù dǔ zhè yī qí guān ér néng ān quán fǎn huí de ？ fāng xiōng kě wèi shì nà jí shǎo shù de xìng yùn ér zhī yī liǎo 。” fāng zài jì sǒng le sǒng jiān ：“ nà kě néng ràng nǐ shī wàng le 。 dāng nián rù dǐng hòu bù jiǔ ， wǒ jiù zhí jiē jìn rù 【 dà mèng chūn qiū zhèn 】 zhōng chén shuì le 。” chén tiān hǎi wēi wēi diǎn tóu ：“ shì nǐ néng zuò chū de shì qíng 。 fāng xiōng dàng zhēn shì sǎ tuō 。” zhè shì ， xǔ bái què shì hū de chā zuǐ dào ：“ nǐ duì xiān xū hěn gǎn xìng qù ？ qí shí ， dāng nián de zāo yù ， wǒ men yǒu jì lù xià lái 。” chén tiān hǎi zhè shí hòu ， cái yǒu xiē zhèng zhòng dì kàn xiàng xǔ bái 。
“整个玄黄界，有多少人能够目睹这一奇观而能安全返回的？方兄可谓是那极少数的幸运儿之一了。”方再济耸了耸肩：“那可能让你失望了。当年入鼎后不久，我就直接进入【大梦春秋阵】中沉睡了。”陈天海微微点头：“是你能做出的事情。方兄当真是洒脱。”这是，许白却是忽的插嘴道：“你对仙墟很感兴趣？其实，当年的遭遇，我们有记录下来。”陈天海这时候，才有些郑重地看向许白。
Meng Tianhai looked at Xu Bai more seriously.
“ biàn shù zhī wài ……” tā zuǐ lǐ dī shēng shuō zhe ， yǎn zhōng què shì shǎn guò yī sī xīng fèn 。
“变数之外……”他嘴里低声说着，眼中却是闪过一丝兴奋。
"Beyond the variable…" he muttered under his breath, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
“ guǒ bù qí rán ， zhè biàn shù lái zì yào wáng zōng ！”
“果不其然，这变数来自药王宗！”
"Sure enough, this variable comes from the Medicine King Sect!"
“ lǎo chén ， nǐ zuǐ lǐ niàn dāo zhe xiē shén me ne 。” duì yú chén tiān hǎi suǒ shuō zhī huà ， fāng zài jì yǒu xiē mí huò 。
“老陈，你嘴里念叨着些什么呢。”对于陈天海所说之话，方再济有些迷惑。
"Old Meng, what are you muttering about?" Fang Zaiji was puzzled by what Meng Tianhai had said.
“ fāng xiōng ， zhè wèi shì ？ nǐ kě hái méi yǒu wèi wǒ jiè shào ne ？” chén tiān hǎi dào 。
“方兄，这位是？你可还没有为我介绍呢？”陈天海道。
"This is Brother Fang? You haven't introduced me yet," Meng Tianhai asked.
“ a ！ zhè wèi shì ……” fāng zài jì kàn le yǎn xǔ bái 。 dé dào le duì fāng yǎn shén shì yì hòu ， zhè cái shí huà shí huà dào ：“ zhè wèi shì zán men yào wáng zōng xiàn rèn zōng zhǔ ！ xǔ bái ！”
“啊！这位是……”方再济看了眼许白。得到了对方眼神示意后，这才实话实话道：“这位是咱们药王宗现任宗主！许白！”
"Oh! This is… " Fang Zaiji glanced at Xu Bai. With a nod from him, he truthfully said: "This is the current Master of our Medicine King Sect! Xu Bai!"
“ ń ？” chén tiān hǎi de yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī cuò è 。 ér hòu zài cì jǐn dīng zhe xǔ bái ， yóu rú shí xiàng bān dāi zhù 。
“嗯？”陈天海的眼中闪过一丝错愕。而后再次紧盯着许白，犹如石像般呆住。
"Hmm?" A look of surprise flashed across Meng Tianhai's eyes before he fixed his gaze on Xu Bai like a statue.
hái shì zài fāng zài jì zài sān de hū hǎn xià ， cái zuì zhōng huí guò shén lái 。 tā kàn xiàng xǔ bái de xìng qù zhī sè yuè nóng 。
还是在方再济再三的呼喊下，才最终回过神来。他看向许白的兴趣之色越浓。
It was only after repeated calls from Fang Zaiji that Meng Tianhai finally regained his composure. His interest in Xu Bai grew even stronger.
“ yào wáng zōng zhǔ ， jū rán xiǎng yào jiā rù wǒ men tài yǎn zōng 。 nǐ men hái zhēn shì méi ān shén me hǎo xīn nà 。” chén tiān hǎi wēi wēi yáo tóu dào 。
“药王宗主，居然想要加入我们太衍宗。你们还真是没安什么好心那。”陈天海微微摇头道。
"Medicine King Sect Master actually wants to join our Taiyin Sect. You truly have no good intentions," Meng Tianhai shook his head slightly.
“ rú jīn wàn xiān méng yào yī sǎo xuán huáng wàn jiè 。 shén me yào wáng zōng 、 tài yǎn zōng ， rì hòu dōu yào tǒng tǒng guī rù xiān méng zhī zhōng 。 dōu shì xiān méng de yī fèn zi ， nǎ hái yǒu shén me zōng mén zhī bié 。 zhēn yào shuō qǐ lái ， rú guǒ nǐ men gěi de hǎo chù gòu duō ， wǒ zhēn de jiā rù nǐ men tài yǎn zōng ， yě bú shì bù xíng 。” xǔ bái miàn sè zì ruò dì shuō dào 。
“如今万仙盟要一扫玄黄万界。什么药王宗、太衍宗，日后都要统统归入仙盟之中。都是仙盟的一份子，哪还有什么宗门之别。真要说起来，如果你们给的好处够多，我真的加入你们太衍宗，也不是不行。”许白面色自若地说道。
"Now, the Wanhuachambers of Commerce aims to cleanse Xuanhuang's myriad worlds. The Medicine King Sect and Taiyin Sect will all be subsumed into the Alliance. As members of the Alliance, there is no distinction between sects. If you offer enough benefits, I might consider joining your Taiyin Sect," Xu Bai said calmly.
chén tiān hǎi dùn shí yǎ rán 。
陈天海顿时哑然。
Meng Tianhai was momentarily speechless.
“ nǐ shuō de dào yě méi cuò 。 shǔ yú zōng mén de shí dài ， yǐ jīng guò qù le 。” tā yǒu xiē chàng rán dào 。
“你说的倒也没错。属于宗门的时代，已经过去了。”他有些怅然道。
"You're right; the era of sects has passed." He sighed.
“ bù guò nǐ jiā rù wǒ men tài yǎn zōng ……” chén tiān hǎi de dòng zuò zài dù wēi wēi tíng zhì le piàn kè 。 jiē xià lái ， tā wēi wēi yáo tóu 。
“不过你加入我们太衍宗……”陈天海的动作再度微微停滞了片刻。接下来，他微微摇头。
"But if you join our Taiyin Sect…" Meng Tianhai hesitated for a moment before shaking his head again.
“ hái shì miǎn le ba 。 wǒ men kě róng bù xià nǐ zhè děng rén wù 。”
“还是免了吧。我们可容不下你这等人物。”
"Better not. We can't accommodate someone like you."
“ kuàng qiě ， jiā rù wǒ men de dài jià ……”
“况且，加入我们的代价……”
"Moreover, the cost of joining us…"
“ huò xǔ nǐ yě wèi bì yuàn yì jiē shòu 。” chén tiān hǎi yǔ qì mò míng dào 。
“或许你也未必愿意接受。”陈天海语气莫名道。
"Perhaps you might not be willing to accept it," Meng Tianhai said with an ambiguous tone.
However, perhaps this was just Xu Bai's misperception. The ominous intent flashed by in an instant, and when he looked again, the other party's face had returned to its previous enthusiasm.
"Nothing happened. Just that I didn't expect Taiyin Sect to have so many cultivators who've reached the Dao of Union. It was just a bit of a scare." Xu Bai pretended to be extremely shocked.
"Worthy Master, you truly are famous from ancient times. The depth and breadth of your sect's foundation is beyond imagination," Xu Bai praised with a chuckle.
Flattery was always welcome. With this statement, not only did the few Taiyin Sect cultivators leading the way receive approving glances, but even the idle bystanders cast satisfied looks in their direction as well.
However, this further confirmed to Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji that there was something unusual about Taiyin Sect. They had all shown a look of satisfaction at the same instant!
"Mr. Fang, do you think we can escape from here?" Xu Bai casually asked while chatting with the Taiyin Sect cultivators.
"Worry not, Master. I'm working on it. This place is very enclosed, and breaking through to another space will take some effort," Fang Zaiji replied solemnly.
With his usual carefree attitude, Fang Zaiji finally became serious as their lives hung in the balance.
"Be patient; let's first see what Taiyin Sect is all about." Xu Bai comforted him. While exchanging thoughts with each other, they were led by a Taiyin Sect disciple to an oddly shaped building at the city center.
The entire structure was made of blue transparent crystals, and from outside, one could clearly see it divided into several rectangular spaces.
Each space had a cultivator working diligently inside.
"Ah…" Xu Bai exchanged glances with Fang Zaiji.
"Let's go. Senior Brother is waiting for us inside," said the middle-aged disciple casually. Similar to their experience entering Wanhuachambers of Commerce, Xu Bai felt as if he was stepping into a moving space when he entered this blue crystal building. The transparency of the surrounding walls gradually decreased until they could no longer see anything else. At the same time, the decorations and furnishings within the space kept changing.
Only Xu Bai and his companions remained unchanged. When the crystalline wall fully transformed into a solid wall-like structure, a faint blue figure suddenly appeared before them.
"Salutations to Senior Brother Chen!" The leading Taiyin Sect disciples bowed in unison. As the blue light condensed, a rather handsome man revealed himself.
"Meng Tianhai?!" Fang Zaiji exclaimed, his eyes widening. Everyone present was momentarily stunned.
Meng Tianhai merely glanced at Fang Zaiji and seemed unsurprised by his appearance.
"Your mission this time has been quite successful. You can go down now; I have some words to share with an old acquaintance," he instructed the others.
The Taiyin Sect disciples, who had gained some benefit, were all smiling broadly and quickly left the space.
Fang Zaiji's shock gradually subsided, but his eyes still held a trace of astonishment as he continued to scrutinize Meng Tianhai.
"Indeed, it is him. I never thought he would be alive…" Fang Zaiji muttered under his breath while explaining to Xu Bai telepathically: "Meng Tianhai was the first direct descendant and heir to Taiyin Sect in ancient times. However, for some reason unknown to me, he lost all his identity and has been missing ever since, with Taiyin Sect issuing a warrant for his arrest.
"Due to Taiyin Sect disciples' involvement in pursuing my life, I could never escape. It was only this young man who saved me, allowing me to hide safely within the Medicine King Sect."
"I felt sorry for him when he disappeared. I didn't expect…"
"Are you surprised to see me?" Meng Tianhai smiled.
"It's been many years since we last met, and you still look the same. No, it feels like millennia have passed for us, but just a moment in time for your Medicine King Sect," Meng Tianhai said, revealing that his sect had experienced the Immortal Desolation and traversed thousands of years.
"So, you knew about the Medicine King Sect's attempt to escape using the Daocauldron? It was a suicide mission?" Fang Zaiji narrowed his eyes.
"I only found out later. Otherwise, I would have insisted on joining with you," Meng Tianhai's response left Fang Zaiji momentarily speechless.
"Joining us?" he asked in confusion.
"That is the Immortal Desolation! What lies within? Could it be that Brother Fang isn't curious about it?" Meng Tianhai countered.
"How many people in the entire Xuanhuang realm have ever witnessed such a spectacle and returned safely? You are one of those rare lucky ones," Fang Zaiji shrugged. "That might disappoint you. Shortly after entering the Daocauldron, I fell into the Great Dream Spring Array and went to sleep."
Meng Tianhai nodded slightly.
"That is indeed something you could do. Brother Fang truly has a carefree spirit." Xu Bai suddenly interjected: "You are very interested in the Immortal Desolation? Actually, we recorded our experiences from that time."
Meng Tianhai looked at Xu Bai more seriously.
"Beyond the variable…" he muttered under his breath, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Sure enough, this variable comes from the Medicine King Sect!"
"Old Meng, what are you muttering about?" Fang Zaiji was puzzled by what Meng Tianhai had said.
"This is Brother Fang? You haven't introduced me yet," Meng Tianhai asked.
"Oh! This is… " Fang Zaiji glanced at Xu Bai. With a nod from him, he truthfully said: "This is the current Master of our Medicine King Sect! Xu Bai!"
"Hmm?" A look of surprise flashed across Meng Tianhai's eyes before he fixed his gaze on Xu Bai like a statue.
It was only after repeated calls from Fang Zaiji that Meng Tianhai finally regained his composure. His interest in Xu Bai grew even stronger.
"Medicine King Sect Master actually wants to join our Taiyin Sect. You truly have no good intentions," Meng Tianhai shook his head slightly.
"Now, the Wanhuachambers of Commerce aims to cleanse Xuanhuang's myriad worlds. The Medicine King Sect and Taiyin Sect will all be subsumed into the Alliance. As members of the Alliance, there is no distinction between sects. If you offer enough benefits, I might consider joining your Taiyin Sect," Xu Bai said calmly.
Meng Tianhai was momentarily speechless.
"You're right; the era of sects has passed." He sighed.
"But if you join our Taiyin Sect…" Meng Tianhai hesitated for a moment before shaking his head again.
"Better not. We can't accommodate someone like you."
"Moreover, the cost of joining us…"
"Perhaps you might not be willing to accept it," Meng Tianhai said with an ambiguous tone.