Chapter 146: Heaven-Shocking Conspiracy, Sacrificial Formation!

Putting the letter away, Fang Xu sat cross-legged and began cultivating.

The next morning, Kuang Ju came to the villa and told Fang Xu that Gong Wanyong wanted to see him.

Following Kuang Ju to Gong Wanyong's presence, Fang Xu bowed and saluted, then looked at Gong Wanyong and said: "Elder Gong, has the news about the Immortal Isle arrived?"

Gong Wanyong shook her head: "I didn't summon you for this matter."

Saying this, she handed him an invitation: "Take a look."

Fang Xu took the invitation, opened it, glanced at it, and immediately frowned: "The king of Fushan Kingdom wishes to banquet me?"

Gong Wanyong sighed softly: "It seems that as soon as you arrived here, the king of Fushan Kingdom received the news."

"Elder Gong, perhaps I should decline the king of Fushan Kingdom's banquet?"

The carriage slowly arrived before the palace of Fushan Kingdom.

"If I insist on entering today?" Gong Wanyong said calmly.

A banquet was held in this strange atmosphere and ended.

Passing through the tasting corridor, arriving at a pavilion, I saw three people sitting inside at that moment.

The Yanshen Sect is unwilling to give up on the Yanshen inheritance on my body; this time they summoned me, surely to confirm my identity.

In the blink of an eye, night fell.

Looking at Lishan Po Po and Zhong Zhou before me, Xia Kuan angrily said.

Gong Wanyong saw this and smiled: "You need not be so humble before me."

"I say, do not provoke the Ascension Immortal Assembly now; delay if you can, and after success, simply flee Fushan Kingdom!"

"I truly did not know that Fushan Kingdom had two Martial Venerable-level experts."

"News also came from this side of the palace: Xia Kuan seems to be constructing a larger altar in the direction of the prince's summer residence."

"Tomorrow, at the latest the day after, we must act."

Seeing Fang Xu arrive, Gong Wanyong spoke.

"Let's go."

Or perhaps, Xia Kuan is confident he has the means to resist a Seventh Realm Martial Venerable expert.

Hearing this, Xia Kuan's eyes flashed with a sharp gleam once again.

Xia Yan then slightly bowed his hands toward Fang Xu: "This one should be Brother Fang, the Ascension Immortal Assembly disciple from Yu Kingdom?"

Following Gong Wanyong's command, the people in the field rose one after another and followed her toward the palace to kill.

"Elder Gong surely knows that Yan'er will be married in a few months; he needs a proper palace to reside in."

Fang Xu scratched his head and gave a shy smile: "Luck, luck."

"Everyone here is an elder; this wine, let the junior pour it."

The guard lowered his head, not daring to meet Gong Wanyong's gaze, and replied: "It is the Emperor's order; otherwise, how dare this lowly one block Elder Gong?"

"Fang Xu, when the operation begins, you follow me."

Xia Yan smiled again, bowed to Gong Wanyong, and said: "This time, Father Emperor originally wished to invite Elder Gong to attend the banquet together, but fearing Elder Gong is busy with many affairs, he only invited Brother Fang alone."

At this moment, Gong Wanyong had changed into a luxurious red-gold-trimmed standing-collar palace robe, her hair coiled behind her head, lightly powdered, her visage appearing even more dignified and noble.

"Capture him, and Father Father has great confidence in using that boy to comprehend the secret of Yanshen; then our Yanshen Sect will surely rise swiftly."

They seemed to have always believed the Ascension Immortal Assembly does not know their identity.

Xia Yan gestured with his hand.

"But I am curious: why did the king of Fushan Kingdom specifically invite you?"

Saying this, he raised the wine cup in his hand: "Elder Gong, Young Hero Fang, National Teacher, Grandmother, let us all drink together."

The man arrived before the palace gate, glared at the guard, then bowed to Gong Wanyong and said: "Xia Yan pays respects to Elder Gong."

Fushan Kingdom Palace.

"Elder thinks, the people they captured..."

"Your Majesty, will you not introduce these two?"

Six Martial Venerable Third Realm martial artists!

"Everyone is assembled; I will now speak."

The king of Fushan Kingdom and the Yanshen Sect are collaborating, seemingly plotting some evil sacrifice.

The palace of Fushan Kingdom is heavily guarded; she previously did not send people to investigate deeply, fearing discovery would be hard to explain.

"Lishan Po Po is the National Teacher's martial elder sister."

Sacrifice Gong Wanyong?

Xia Kuan's expression froze: "This way, are we not completely tearing our faces with the Ascension Immortal Assembly?"

In the eyes of the Ascension Immortal Assembly, vigorous men and women are potential disciples; even if not, their children may one day become disciples of the Ascension Immortal Assembly.

As fellow senior elders, Gong Wanyong and Jiang Feng have a good relationship; she knows Jiang Feng, and this arrogant person actually wrote to ask her to take care of Fang Xu, which proves Fang Xu's great potential, making Jiang Feng value him highly.

Martial Venerable Peak!

Upon hearing this, Xia Kuan could not help but breathe hurriedly: "Can I truly become a Martial Venerable Peak existence?"

But beneath the palace, an underground altar far surpassing the above-ground structures is being arranged in great haste.

Gong Wanyong slowly lifted the wine cup before her, about to drink, when Fang Xu tugged slightly at her sleeve.

I feel like I am actually the main guest of the Fushan Kingdom king's banquet; now, no matter how I look, I seem like a runner doing odd jobs.

Gong Wanyong's beautiful brows slightly furrowed, she glanced at the guard and said lightly: "Is this Xia Kuan's meaning?"

"Then, I will go with Elder Gong tonight."

Saying this, he picked up the wine pot and poured wine for several people; when it came to Gong Wanyong's turn, Fang Xu hesitated.

"Your Majesty also forgot to mention one thing: these two are also members of the Yanshen Sect." Gong Wanyong said.

Gong Wanyan shook her head: "This seat is worried that the recovery of the Immortal Island has arrived, and the fate of those commoners is likely gone."

"Your Majesty is afraid?" Lian Shan Po Po said with a grim smile: "There is one thing this old one forgot to remind Your Majesty about—after the great formation is completed, a special sacrifice is still needed."

Gong Wanyan nodded: "This seat has also long suspected this matter."

"No need, this seat will accompany you tonight." Gong Wanyan pondered for a moment before speaking.

I can only accompany Xia Muankuang in continuing the act.

After thinking it over repeatedly, he spoke.

Zhong Zhou nodded: "That boy bears the inheritance of the Yan God, and is the one personally named by the Lord Father."

"However, the altar used for the sacrifice has been destroyed, and we currently cannot determine the final outcome of this sacrifice."

"Let's not talk about this, let's not talk about this." Xia Muankuang, seeing the situation somewhat awkward, quickly laughed and smoothed things over: "Today is mainly to entertain Young Hero Fang, and incidentally to explain things to Elder Gong."

She was also curious what medicine the Yan God Sect and the ruler of Fu Shan State were selling in their gourds.

"I never thought Elder Gong would have time today—naturally, that is best."

Sacrifice!?

Gong Wanyan's face suddenly changed upon hearing it.

At this time, deliberately asking like this, it was just to see Xia Muankuang's reaction.

Gong Wanyan slightly startled, her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she said: "You mean the disciple from the Law Enforcement Hall supervising your mission this time?"

"Has Your Majesty heard of my name?" Fang Xu clasped his hands and spoke.

"Although I have established the Yan God Sect as the state religion, I still keep my agreement with the Ascension Immortal Association unchanged—everything is for the people of Fu Shan State."

"After returning, this seat will have people quickly investigate the Yan God Sect's stronghold on Qian Shan Island and what Xia Muankuang is secretly plotting within the palace."

Upon seeing Gong Wanyan, Xia Muankuang hurriedly rose and clasped his hands.

"Yan'er, pour the wine!"

Jiang Feng had specially written to her to take good care of Fang Xu, and she could not allow Fang Xu to have any concern for his life during this operation.

As for the matter of being personally requested, he had already figured it out on the way back.

Thinking of this, he immediately returned to his room and carefully examined all his methods.

Xia Muankuang heard this, slightly stunned, then laughed: "Hehe… I overlooked it, I overlooked it!"

This matter looks quite simple.

"Hahaha… Elder Gong is talking about this matter." Xia Muankuang laughed a few times: "Saying it out loud, I'm not afraid Elder Gong will laugh—these people we captured are for Yan'er to build a palace."

Inviting myself to the banquet—there must be something fishy about this.

Now I can't bother with so much anymore.

"This seat heard from Senior Brother Jiang that you are the first newly recruited disciple of the Yu State branch this time?" Looking at Fang Xu opposite her, Gong Wanyan said with a light smile.

After the two got off the carriage, the martial guards guarding the palace gate saw Gong Wanyan and hurriedly clasped their hands: "Paying respects to Elder Gong."

Gong Wanyan glanced at him without speaking.

The two beside him also immediately rose and clasped their hands toward Gong Wanyan.

"I am Xia Yan, Crown Prince of Fu Shan State."

Hearing her words, Fang Xu slightly startled, then carefully pondered for a while, as if he had gained some insight.

To carry out some evil sacrifice under her very eyes—do they not fear Gong Wanyan launching a great slaughter?

……

"The special sacrifice mentioned by Senior Sister Lian Shan is so that, at that time, Your Majesty's cultivation can advance further!"

Fu Shan State Imperial Palace.

"In this purge operation, Senior Brother Jiang said that if you cannot produce strength satisfactory to this seat, then this seat will deem your promotion mission a failure."

On the surface, this great hall appears to be just an ordinary palace.

Previously, he was obsessed with power and status, clinging to the Fu Shan throne, utterly indifferent to martial progress.

Anyway, it won't be long before the Immortal Island's order arrives—by then, the entire Fu Shan royal family and the Yan God Sect on the island will likely be eradicated, and I won't need to come to Fu Shan State even if I'm fine.

"Elder Gong!"

"Hehe… yes yes." Xia Muankuang laughed and said.

"Elder Gong, Elder Brother Fang, please come inside."

Fang Xu nodded: "Elder Gong, is that senior brother from the Law Enforcement Hall still in Divine Water City now?"

Fang Xu looked at her, then at himself, and couldn't help but wryly smile.

Xia Muankuang could not possibly be unaware of Gong Wanyan's strength as a Martial Sovereign Seventh Realm.

Fang Xu's brows tightened.

Gong Wanyan smiled faintly: "The Ascension Immortal Association focuses on cultivating its disciples—many things, you must experience them."

"Remember, as a martial artist, you cannot always hide your clumsiness—when it's time to reveal your sharpness, you must reveal it; only then will your martial heart advance without hesitation."

"Within the Qian Shan Island stronghold, the corpses of commoners number nearly one hundred thousand, their blood completely drained."

"How could we deceive Your Majesty?" Zhong Zhou quickly said: "Your Majesty has already agreed to join the Yan God Sect—from now on, we are naturally family."

He naturally knew this so-called "long admiration" was merely polite talk—actually, the other party might have just heard his name for the first time.

"This person is Lian Shan Po Po, she who cured the poison that afflicted Your Majesty."

"Fang Xu, you're overthinking it—the Law Enforcement Hall of the Yu State branch has always been the strictest; he would absolutely dare not collude privately with the Fu Shan royal family or the Yan God Sect."

Immediately after, a man wearing a dark blue long robe, tall and slender, with a somewhat Yin-like face, walked out from within the palace.

"Not waiting for the Immortal Island's reply?" Fang Xu asked doubtfully.

"Does Your Majesty know the status of the Yan God Sect in Yu State?" Fang Xu, seeing the situation, also laughed and added: "It's a heretical cult..."

Gong Wanyan slightly nodded, then immediately prepared to walk into the palace.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was the third day.

But ever since I was unknowingly poisoned with a strange toxin, and my life hung in the balance, I realized that nothing—no throne, no power—matters as much as one's own strength.

Zhongzhou's words carried a strong temptation.

Xia Mukuan felt a little embarrassed, then cupped his hands toward Fang Xu and said: "This must be Fang Xu, the young hero Fang, long admired, long admired. Today I rashly invited you; I hope Young Hero Fang will not take offense."

"Fang Xu, it seems we must act ahead of schedule." Gong Wuran said with a solemn expression.

"It's just that too few commoners were found earlier to build the palace, so the palace prepared for the grand wedding remains unfinished to this day. That is why I had no choice but to adopt this plan."

Xia Mukuan shouted, and Xia Yan immediately came over, ready to pick up the wine jug to pour wine for everyone.

Gong Wuran had already received news that the Yanshen Sect had hidden on Qianshan Island and secretly captured commoners, but at the time she did not know what the Yanshen Sect intended to use the captives for.

As a martial artist of the Seventh Realm of Martial Veneration, she naturally had seen in ancient texts that some evil martial cultivators of antiquity would resort to extreme measures to seek self-breakthrough.

Fang Xu said nothing, his awareness glancing at the three names appearing in the friend list, then he raised his wine cup and drank the wine within.

The leading man, though his complexion was somewhat pale, yet his dignity remained undiminished, his face bearing a resemblance to Xia Yan—clearly the ruler of Fusang State, Xia Mukuan.

"Grand Elder Gong has graced us with your presence; if Father Emperor knew, he would naturally be delighted!" At that moment, a voice came from within the palace gates.

Gong Wuran said nothing, merely silently observing the hunchbacked woman, her expression somewhat solemn.

Seeing this, Xia Mukuan said nothing, directly tilted his head back and drank the wine in his cup.

Lian Shan Po Po and Zhongzhou also raised their wine cups before them and drained them in one gulp. Lian Shan Po Po set down her cup, still not forgetting to mock Fang Xu: "Kid, are you relieved now?"

Is this not the status brought by strength?

Having understood these things, he then witnessed the miraculous methods of the Yanshen Sect, and immediately decided to join the Yanshen Sect, unwilling to sacrifice millions of Fusang State's able-bodied men and women as offerings to gain his own strength.

Fang Xu said nothing, he always felt something was off about this matter.

"Naturally, as long as we offer Gong Wuran together as a sacrifice at that time, borrowing her Martial Veneration Seventh Realm power, Your Majesty will surely become an existence at the peak of Martial Veneration!" Lian Shan Po Po said with a cheerful laugh.

"Your Majesty, as a participant in this incident, you will surely receive the favor and reward of the Father Father when the time comes."

"This... this..." the guard did not know how to respond for a moment.

Hearing her words, Xia Mukuan's face changed, and he said anxiously: "You are deceiving me!?"

"There is one more person." Fang Xu spoke slowly.

Seeing the members of the Ascension Immortal Association coming to kill, the palace guards guarding the imperial palace knew they were no match, yet still fearlessly rushed forward.

"Could it be that Your Majesty does not wish to become an existence at the peak of Martial Veneration?"

The Fusang State branch originally could recruit only few disciples each year.

Now, everything has already been prepared, we only await the start of the sacrifice, and then I might become a power surpassing Gong Wuran!

Deep within the imperial palace, a huge palace is under construction.

Without introducing identities for both sides, Gong Wuran directly said: "According to news sent back by disciples who went to Qianshan Island, the Yanshen Sect's outpost on Qianshan Island has indeed carried out an evil sacrificial ritual."

Lian Shan Po Po and Zhongzhou exchanged glances and laughed: "We are all family, no need to hide it from him."

If this is truly the case, then I fear I must be extra careful this time.

"Grand Elder Gong, do you think my mission's disclosure might be due to this journey?"

If the Yanshen Sect has mastered this method... then everything can be clearly explained!

Now, hearing Fang Xu say this, she vaguely understands what the strange aura she felt from Lian Shan Po Po that old woman earlier was all about.

"These naturally need not worry Your Majesty; the Ascension Immortal Association has its own enemies." Lian Shan Po Po said.

Gong Wuran looked at him with a half-smile: "Naturally, it is the imperial clan's large-scale capture of young men and women."

Fang Xu was also puzzled, I am merely an outer disciple of the Yu State Ascension Immortal Association, utterly unworthy of such attention from them.

"How could family deceive family?"

My purpose in this journey is to investigate the Yanshen Sect's outpost on Fusang State's Qianshan Island, but now the Yanshen Sect has already become the state religion of Fusang State. If my mission has been leaked, the Yanshen Sect could very well use this banquet to test me... or even capture me!

"Impossible." Gong Wuran immediately rejected: "Your task is likely known only to Senior Brother Jiang, your transmission master, and myself."

"I still do not understand why you all care so much about that brat called Fang Xu."

"Kid, the victor is king; the Li clan of Yu State once seized Zhongzhou from my Yanshen Sect, to exterminate us completely, they labeled my Yanshen Sect as an evil cult—such despicable conduct, do you also believe it?"

"If you have not spoken of it, then no one else will know."

"Grand Elder Gong."

Early that morning, Gong Wuran had Let Xiaoju call Fang Xu over.

Behind them, hundreds of Ascension Immortal Association disciples also followed, weapons in hand, charging toward the imperial palace.

"Grand Elder Gong, Young Hero Fang, please hurry and take your seats."

Fang Xu hesitated a moment, then said: "I once had contact with the Yanshen Sect, knowing they are a bunch of madmen, their methods strange, and they are highly skilled in certain evil sacrificial arts."

But thinking that my friend list now only has three spots, I no longer hesitated, and directly poured a cup for Gong Wuran as well.

But recalling the information the Ascension Immortal Association had previously gathered, she simply did not believe Xia Mukuan's words.

He always felt there were still some things he had not figured out.

Otherwise, when Gong Wuran is detained and has no time to attend to me, then I will surely fall into the Yanshen Sect's trap.

Upon hearing this, Xia Mukuan's expression froze for a moment, then he smiled faintly: "What exactly is the 'proper business' that Grand Elder Gong speaks of?"

In the secluded small courtyard, Fang Xu stood in the courtyard, pondering the banquet just now.

This time, the able-bodied men and women seized in large numbers by the Fusang State imperial clan will mean fewer disciples can be recruited afterward.

Every bit of strength, at critical moments, can save one's life.

Fang Xu glanced at her, said nothing.

Gong Wuran looked toward Fang Xu and said.

In the prison cells surrounding the underground altar, large numbers of Fusang State's able-bodied men and women have been captured and imprisoned here, all unaware of what fate awaits them.

But at this moment, the recovery of the Immortal Island has not yet arrived, and she does not wish to now break with the Fusang State imperial clan.

Xia Mukuan listened, and although he was still worried in his heart, the thought that he would soon become a Martial Sovereign Peak existence instantly dispelled that trace of anxiety.

"Elder, when will you make your move?" Fang Xu asked.

Gong Wanrong also tilted her head and finished the wine in her cup.

Gong Wanrong walked expressionlessly into the palace, and Fang Xu followed closely behind.

Upon hearing this, Lian Shan Po Po and Zhong Zhou's faces changed slightly.

When seeing Gong Wanrong, Fang Xu also saw all the top combat power of the Fushan Kingdom Ascension Immortal Association!

The two got onto a carriage and slowly drove toward the palace.

But the guard stepped forward to block her way and said: "Elder Gong, please forgive us, His Majesty today only wishes to entertain Fang Xu, Elder you..."

Xia Mukuan was slightly stunned, then hehe laughed: "Naturally, naturally."

His words caused Gong Wanrong's brows to furrow slightly.

"This is Zhong Zhou, the newly arrived National Preceptor of my Fushan Kingdom."

Even though Gong Wanrong of the Ascension Immortal Association was not the ruler of Fushan Kingdom, every time I saw her I had to carefully accompany her with a smiling face, daring not to show the slightest defiance.

Seeing him lower his head in thought, Gong Wanrong nodded satisfactorily.

"Alright, let's set out."

Fushan Kingdom Ascension Immortal Association branch.

"Ah?" After hearing this, Fang Xu looked at Gong Wanrong with a bitter face and said: "With Elder personally taking action, what strength does this disciple still need to exert?"

"Ha... haha..."

"The wine has been drunk; shouldn't His Majesty now speak of serious matters?" Gong Wanrong said lightly.

This remark made the faces of the three people instantly turn ugly.

"Therefore, our goal this time is to storm that underground altar, destroy the altar together with the living forces of the Yan Shen Sect."

"As for the Fushan Kingdom royal family, temporarily imprison them, and wait for the reply from the Immortal Dao before deciding."

Fang Xu clasped his hands in salute: "Fang Xu pays respects to the Crown Prince."

Myself and Gong Wanrong attending the banquet... are they numbing ourselves, buying time?

Under Xia Yan's guidance, the two soon arrived at a rather unique garden.

But Fang Xu grabbed his hand with a light smile and said: "The Crown Prince's status is exalted; how could I let you pour wine for me?"

"Elder Gong, before drinking this cup, I still need to say something to you." Xia Mukuan raised the cup before him and slowly began to speak.

Gong Wanrong shook her head: "Your mission this time has already changed; he no longer needs to supervise you, I have already sent him back to Yu State."

In her perception, that Lian Shan Po Po's strength is very strange—fluctuating between high and low, and the blood evil aura on her body is excessively thick, clearly indicating she has slain many living beings.

Knowing full well that this banquet is almost certainly a Hongmen Feast, Fang Xu does not want to place himself in danger just to go die.

Under Xia Mukuan's greeting, Fang Xu and Gong Wanrong slowly sat down in their respective seats.

Outside the palace, in the carriage, Fang Xu looked at Gong Wanrong and said: "Elder Gong, those people captured by the royal family must certainly be related to the Yan Shen Sect."

A Martial Scholar realm outer disciple of the Ascension Immortal Association, Xia Mukuan truly could not understand why these two would care so much.

Fang Xu nodded, secretly calculating that once the fight began, how he should act to maximize his own benefit.

As for the two beside him, one held a crutch, hair somewhat messy, hunched-backed old woman; the other was a man who looked as thin as a bamboo pole, with yellowish pupils and a goat beard under his jaw.

Lian Shan Po Po's hoarse voice sounded.

After Fang Xu and Gong Wanrong returned, many disciples of the Ascension Immortal Association took advantage of the night to leave the manor.

With Gong Wanrong present, Fang Xu felt that even if the Yan Shen Sect and the Fushan Kingdom monarch had some conspiracy, before a Martial Sovereign Seventh Realm expert, it was nothing to worry about.

"Destroy it completely!"

Gong Wanrong gave an order, and the disciples of the Ascension Immortal Association immediately rushed forward, knocking those palace guards to the ground one after another.

Afterwards, the crowd surged forward in great numbers, storming into the palace and rushing straight toward the palace under construction deep within!

(End of Chapter)