The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"I feel like I could break through at any moment. But this blessed land isn't suitable for that."

Hai Yuanbai, the Ocean-Taming Flood Dragon, said seriously to Fang Luo.

Huangfeng Valley, a second-grade cultivation haven, was an excellent place for residence and daily cultivation, but lacked defensive strength. The protective formations around it weren't particularly robust either.

This meant that for cultivators beneath the Saint Realm, training or even fighting inside posed no issue. But once one reached above the Saint Realm—especially during breakthroughs or intense battles—it could easily lead to damage.

Breaking some buildings or terrain in the blessed land wasn't a big deal; the compensation fees were manageable. But if the outer formation was damaged, the compensation cost would skyrocket.

That's why Hai Yuanbai, who was about to break through to the Great Saint Realm, voiced his concern.

He needed to find a more suitable place for his breakthrough. In truth, anywhere outside the city would do.

However, considering that Xiang Zhantian had been keeping people stationed to spy on them, any of Fang Luo's group leaving the city would surely be noticed. If caught during the breakthrough process, they might be swarmed by powerful enemies before the process was even completed.

Fang Chen said calmly, "No problem. I'll head out first and draw Xiang Zhantian's people away. Then you can leave the city and find a good place to break through."

Fang Chen possessed numerous life-saving artifacts and techniques. As long as Xiang Zhantian didn't send an Emperor Realm powerhouse, Fang Chen was confident he could escape.

Although Xiang Zhantian had such a powerhouse as his backing, an Emperor wouldn't bother taking action over something this petty.

That was the source of Fang Chen's confidence.

Fang Luo nodded. "After your breakthrough, you don't need to return right away."

In his past life, when Fang Luo met Hai Yuanbai, the latter had already reached the Emperor Realm. To achieve that, it wasn't just talent that mattered—but also countless opportunities.

If Hai Yuanbai stayed confined to Seven Kings City, he might miss those crucial opportunities. It would be better to let him roam, hone himself, and return once he'd grown strong enough to help.

"I was thinking the same," Hai Yuanbai replied.

He'd spent most of his life in the secret realm of the Myriad Beasts Sect. After escaping, he'd followed Fang Luo to Cangzhou, and then to this city—without once getting the chance to truly explore the wider world.

Now that they had earned the enmity of the local tyrant Xiang Zhantian and were constrained in both Seven Kings City and even most of East Province, it seemed like the right moment to venture out and seek his fortune.

Now, on the cusp of breaking through to the Great Saint Realm, it was the perfect time to go.

With the plan decided, Hai Yuanbai began meditating and preparing within the blessed land. Fang Chen, meanwhile, left Huangfeng Valley first.

Xiang Zhantian's men were still keeping watch at the valley entrance. The moment they saw Fang Chen leave, they immediately followed and sent word to Xiang Zhantian.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Zhantian instantly perked up.

"Call Uncle Wang and the others—move out!"

As long as they could catch just one of the group, they could dismantle them one by one.

With that, over ten Great Saint Realm cultivators and two Saint Kings moved out alongside him.

When they learned that Fang Chen was heading out of the city, Xiang Zhantian was overjoyed.

"Good, good, good! He's finally lost his patience. This time, we're catching him for sure!"

His squad was charged with energy, eager to capture Fang Chen alive.

For safety's sake, Fang Luo left Huangfeng Valley about half a stick of incense later, wandering throughout the city. He stayed only in crowded areas.

This was to mislead any secondary surveillance Xiang Zhantian might've set up.

Lastly, Hai Yuanbai left the valley and exited the city directly.

By that time, Fang Chen had already left Seven Kings City, flying more than a million miles away.

Xiang Zhantian's group, led by Saint Kings, were fast in pursuit.

"Set up a net! Trap him alive!" Xiang Zhantian shouted.

Just as he gave the order, Fang Chen seemed to sense something. He suddenly pulled out a white jade disk the size of a millstone and stood at its center, forming a seal with his hands.

"Swish, swish!"

Several hand seals shot out, and the jade disk suddenly lit up with dazzling brilliance.

"Buzz..."

In the next instant, Fang Chen vanished on the spot. The jade disk shattered into dust.

Just a few breaths later, Xiang Zhantian's group caught up.

"What the hell? Where is he?!" Xiang Zhantian roared.

A Saint King beside him furrowed his brows and examined the surroundings carefully. A moment later, he spoke with frustration.

"He used a transmission platform from the ancient era. It's a one-time-use item, but it's extremely efficient—allows instant, random transmission across millions of miles."

"What?!"

Xiang Zhantian was livid.

"He got away again! Damn it all!"

This wasn't the first time Fang Chen had evaded him. Each time he left Huangfeng Valley, he would easily shake off the spies Xiang Zhantian assigned, leaving no trail at all. It was maddening.

Now, even after mobilizing such a powerful group, they'd still failed. Fang Chen had slipped through their fingers with unbelievable ease.

Xiang Zhantian had never felt so humiliated in his life. He wanted nothing more than to storm Huangfeng Valley, capture Fang Luo and the others, and torture them thoroughly.

Fortunately, he still retained some reason. If he really did break the city's laws, not even being the grandson of an Emperor Realm cultivator would save him.

After raging helplessly for a while, Xiang Zhantian ordered his people to search the area—still harboring hope they might find Fang Chen by sheer luck.

But it was obviously a futile effort. By then, Fang Chen had already changed his appearance and returned to Seven Kings City, leisurely wandering the streets and looking for hidden treasures.

Fang Luo had also returned to Huangfeng Valley.

Hai Yuanbai had successfully found a secluded place to begin his breakthrough.

Although they'd escaped unscathed this time, Xiang Zhantian's hatred had only deepened. The next time an opportunity presented itself, he would undoubtedly go all out to take revenge.