Chapter 589: Chapter 589: The Third Challenge Letter Ning Fan sat atop the Incense Carriage, chatting along the way with the Third Elder.
The Third Elder was an eminent figure of the Void Fragmentation realm, who would not ordinarily lower himself to converse with a Void Refinement cultivator.
But Ning Fan was a High-Level Sixth Revolution Alchemist, so naturally, the Elder treated him with utmost respect and courtesy.
The Incense Carriage proceeded under the watchful gaze of all the cultivators in the city, heading towards Jishui Palace.
On this day, every cultivator in the city learned of Ning Fan’s grand entrance into the city...
Some astute individuals recognized Ning Fan as someone wanted by the Vine Emperor, and were greatly alarmed.
No one expected that Ning Fan, wanted by the Vine Emperor, would boldly come to the Eastern Tree Ocean and openly arrive at the Bamboo Hall.
No one expected that Ning Fan, wanted by the Vine Emperor, was a High-Level Sixth Revolution Alchemist!
Some old monsters from the Western and Northern Forest Seas, in the Void Fragmentation realm, secretly recognized Ning Fan’s identity and initially wanted to kill him to claim a reward from the Vine Emperor.
But upon learning of Ning Fan’s identity as a High-Level Sixth Revolution Alchemist, and seeing the aura of the Absolute Void Stage about him, no one dared to make a move openly.
Some cultivators from Hancang Kingdom in the Eastern Tree Ocean recognized Ning Fan as the formidable force that had single-handedly destroyed the Snow Cedar Four Clans.
As such, Ning Fan’s legendary feat of obliterating the Snow Cedar Four Clans also spread throughout Jishui City. Many rumors speculated that Ning Fan’s true power might rival that of the Return to Origin Grand Void Stage...
Those old monsters who initially thought of assassinating Ning Fan for the reward gave up their plans upon hearing the terrifying extent of his power.
Though the bounty from the Vine Emperor was tempting, their lives were more precious, and there was no need to offend a master alchemist renowned across the Tree World, whose combat prowess was on par with the Return to Origin stage...
Inside Jishui Palace, the Bamboo Sovereign had shed his usual indifferent demeanor and, unusually, wore a slight smile as he hosted a banquet for Ning Fan.
At this banquet, besides the absence of the Fusang Old Demon who was not in Jishui City, all seven Fragmented Void Elders of the Bamboo Hall attended.
If Ning Fan were merely a Low-Grade Sixth Revolution Alchemist, the Bamboo Sovereign would have valued him, but not as highly.
But Ning Fan’s dan refinement had reached High-Level Sixth Revolution, enough to be unparalleled in the Tree World, even the Bamboo Sovereign dared not underestimate him.
Among the seven Fragmented Void Elders of the Bamboo Hall, four expressed goodwill towards Ning Fan, while three showed hostility.
The Sixth Elder was an inflexible devil cultivator, who practiced the divine way of tree spirit cultivation and rarely engaged in conflict throughout his life, disliking those like Ning Fan who were quick to kill.
The Fourth Elder was a First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm cultivator with ties to the Baili Clan. Presently, the eight Fragmented Void Elders of the Bamboo Hall each held three nomination slots to recommend candidates for the Eighth Elder succession. Among those recommended by the Fourth Elder, one of them was the Chief of the Baili Clan...
The Fourth Elder gazed at Ning Fan with a hint of hostility.
However, due to Ning Fan’s status as a High-Level Sixth Revolution Alchemist, he did not pose any difficulties for Ning Fan on the spot, but it was unlikely that they would become allies.
The Great Elder was a cultivator at the Third Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm and similarly looked unkindly upon Ning Fan.
In his youth, he had received some favors from a former clan leader of the Stone Tree Clan.
The Stone Tree Clan was originally one of the Twelve Clans of Hancang, but it had been destroyed by Ning Fan... thus the Great Elder regarded Ning Fan with hostility.
After the banquet, the Bamboo Sovereign summoned Ning Fan and promised once again that if Ning Fan could cure the Ancestral Bamboo, he would certainly reward Ning Fan with enough Tree Ancestor Fruit to help him break through to Second-Grade Rain Intent.
When Ning Fan left the Royal Palace Hall, it was already the third watch of the night, and the night was deep.
Currently, within Jishui City, aside from Ning Fan, there were no other High-Level Sixth Revolution Alchemists present.
The Bamboo Sovereign decided to wait for another month, until other Alchemy Grandmasters arrived, to let everyone help cure the Ancestral Bamboo together.
Ning Fan pondered in his heart, it seemed he would have to stay in Jishui City for a month. After curing the Ancestral Bamboo and receiving the reward of the Tree Ancestor Fruit, he could leave the Eastern Tree Ocean...
But where should he go after that?
Should he obey the Rain Emperor’s order and head to the Fire Tree Clan of the Western Tree Ocean?
Ning Fan shook his head slightly. He had thoroughly offended the Vine Emperor; heading to the Western Tree Ocean at this moment would be dangerous.
Perhaps the Zhurong Spring of the Fire Tree Clan was a significant opportunity, but this opportunity was located in a dangerous place and might be better left alone.
Should he go to the Southern Tree Oceans and pay a visit to the Snow Willow Devil Sovereign?
After some contemplation, Ning Fan shook his head again. His acquaintance with Liu Haoyue was merely fleeting, and there was no necessity to go to the Southern Tree Oceans.
So, should he stay in the Tree World for a while longer, or head back to the Rain Immortal World after getting the Tree Ancestor Fruit?
Ning Fan sighed lightly. He had just entered Jishui City but was already at odds with three of the Fragmented Void Elders of the Bamboo Hall. The Eastern Tree Ocean was not a place to linger...
"Whether to stay in the Tree World or return to the Rain Immortal World, the pressing matter is to find a way to reach First-Grade Rain Intent... I wonder when my Rain Intent can break through to the first grade."
Ning Fan walked alone in the night streets, without realizing from when, no cultivator was present by his side.
He suddenly stopped, his gaze deepened, and with a sweep of his sleeve, a gust of wind arose, blowing in all directions, causing the street in front of him to shatter into fragments!
"This is... the Immortal Abode’s Magical Treasure!" Ning Fan said with a frown.
Moments ago, he was walking on the streets of Jishui City, and now he had been drawn into this Immortal Abode’s Magical Treasure by someone.
Without a doubt, someone in Jishui City had set him up, daring to trap him despite knowing his unparalleled dan refinement in the Tree World!
Within the Immortal Abode’s Magical Treasure, suddenly a burst of blood-red light emerged, revealing the figures of two elders riding tigers, both were Void Refinement Realm experts.
The two elders stared at Ning Fan, their gazes hollow and indifferent, yet filled with fierce killing intent!
They were assassins sent by the Baili Clan! Planning to assassinate Ning Fan on his way from the Jishui Palace!
Behind the two elders were seven Void Inquiry and Void Refinement Realm assassins, all riding blood tigers, their gazes cold.
The seven Void Inquiry and Void Refinement Realm assassins took out Blood Banners simultaneously, shaking them vigorously, causing the sky to be filled with blood light.