Walk away as soon as you decide, without any hesitation.

Fang Zhixing followed Cen Shujun and Ma Zhao'an, flying towards the Interstellar Teleportation Formation.

The day gradually turned to dusk, the setting sun like blood.

The three of them flew side by side, like three large wild geese.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, a stern voice rang out unexpectedly, sounding like a thunderclap, shaking the heavens and earth.

Cen Shujun was startled, quickly stopped, and turned around to look, shouting, "Uncle Wu, are you calling me?"

Seven or eight figures flew over rapidly, each one exuding overwhelming majesty and arrogance.

They were all Second-grade powerhouses!

They approached aggressively, suddenly split up, and stopped around the three, forming an encirclement.

"This..."

Cen Shujun and Ma Zhao'an were inexplicably nervous and at a loss, but they quickly noticed that everyone's gaze was focused on Fang Zhixing.

Fang Zhixing frowned slightly, looked around, couldn't help but sigh, and his modest posture expanded as he stood with his hands behind his back.

This scene, this moment...

Cen Shujun immediately recalled something, shocked to the core, and pulled Ma Zhao'an back little by little.

"What's going on?" Ma Zhao'an looked confused, not understanding the situation.

Cen Shujun broke out in a cold sweat, motioning him to hurry away.

The two hid behind Uncle Wu.

At this moment, Ma Zhao'an noticed that next to Uncle Wu stood a handsome and graceful young man in white clothes.

"Senior Brother!"

The chief disciple of Haoran Heavenly Sect, Baili Dongting, also a descendant of the Baili Sect Master's bloodline.

"Senior Brother is heavenly blessed, holding an immortal artifact in his hand."

Cen Shujun shuddered.

Sure enough!

Baili Dongting looked at Fang Zhixing, slowly raised his hand, and the silver bracelet on his wrist flashed, as if giving some kind of signal.

Fang Zhixing saw this, unhurriedly took out the Peace Pendant hanging from his neck.

At this time, the Peace Pendant was radiating rings of white light visible to the naked eye, seemingly responding to the silver bracelet.

The two immortal artifacts, reflecting each other, were like old friends who hadn't met for many years.

Baili Dongting's expression changed, exclaiming, "I didn't expect the newly promoted Second-grade Golden Immortal to be hiding within my Haoran Heavenly Sect. May I have your name?"

Ma Zhao'an quickly answered, "He is Guest Elder Fang Zhixing, from Mu Chen Immortal Domain."

Uncle Wu squinted slightly, nodded, and said, "That's right, I personally brought him here, I remember him somewhat."

Master Feiyu directly asked, "Guest Elder Fang, could you explain how you obtained that immortal artifact?"

Fang Zhixing replied indifferently, "No comment."

Master Feiyu's expression froze, coldly said, "What if I insist on knowing?"

Fang Zhixing glanced at him and said, "I possess an immortal artifact, which allows me to unleash Second-grade power at will. Do you have one?"

"..."

Master Feiyu was suddenly at a loss for words.

Fang Zhixing sneered, his expression full of disdain, mocking, "Though you're Mid Stage Second-grade, you're not qualified to bargain with me. Go play elsewhere."

Master Feiyu's face alternated between blue and white, his fists clenched tightly, cracking with tension.

"Heh, do you think I'm qualified?"

Baili Dongting stepped forward, suddenly releasing a powerful oppressive force.

"Late Stage Second-grade!"

Fang Zhixing found it amusing how these people postured in front of him, completely unaware that they were all just jokers.

Indeed!

In their eyes, Fang Zhixing had only just advanced to Second-grade, merely at the Early Stage Second-grade, possibly without fully consolidating his cultivation yet, making him an easy target.

But the truth was, he had reached Second-grade Perfection, standing proudly above all, and Baili Dongting and these people couldn't do anything to him.

Fang Zhixing raised an eyebrow and said, "Is there so much malice? I ask myself, have I done anything to offend you?"

Baili Dongting said coldly, "How have you not offended? You advanced to Second-grade without permission, violating the rules."

Fang Zhixing laughed wryly, speechless, "Do I need your approval to advance to Second-grade?"

"Of course!"

Baili Dongting said righteously, eloquently, "In the mortal world empires, First Grade has several, Second-grade has how many, and so on for Third-grade, Fourth-grade, etc., the number of officials is all fixed.

Additionally, the promotion pathways for officials are also set.

Lower level officials must wait for vacancies to be promoted, such as when high-ranking officials pass away or retire, then with the Emperor's approval, they can receive promotions.

This is because resources are limited, and the number of officials cannot be infinite.

Likewise, the path for promotion to Golden Immortal under the Heavenly Court is similar.

This is the heavenly rule, this is order!"

Baili Dongting pointed at Fang Zhixing and reprimanded, "You violated the heavenly rule, disrupted the order!"

Fang Zhixing sneered, "Since I can advance to Second-grade, it means it was permitted by heaven, destiny's will!"

"Sophistry!"

Baili Dongting erupted in fury, "You're shielded by immortal artifacts, disrupting fate."

Master Feiyu added hastily, "Indeed, without the immortal artifacts, you wouldn't possibly ascend to the Second-grade."

Uncle Wu supported, "You're cheating!"

"Sour grapes, eh? You fail to acquire immortal artifacts and pin the blame on me?"

Fang Zhixing laughed heartily, "Turns out, your so-called heavenly laws and order are not impressive; why should I adhere to what doesn't affect me?"

"You..."

The fury of Baili Dongting and others was boiling.

Just then, another ray of light sped over, transforming into a maiden.

Fang Zhixing immediately noticed the maiden was not human.

Her true form should be that of a bluebird.

The maiden spoke, "Guest Elder Fang, the Sect Master wishes to meet you; please follow me."

After a brief contemplation, Fang Zhixing nodded, "Lead the way, please."

The maiden instantly reverted to her original form, transforming into a gigantic bluebird, flames swirling all over her, an impressive sight.

Understanding the situation, Fang Zhixing stepped onto the bluebird's back and, under the gazes of the crowd, rode off triumphantly.

Moments later...

The bluebird glided across the sky, flying deep into the mountains, eventually landing gracefully in a garden.

Fang Zhixing descended, observing that the garden held only one old man with thick white hair, double pupils, and a purple robe.

"Greetings, Elder Sect Master," Fang Zhixing offered a casual salute.

Sect Master Baili examined him, nodding with a smile, "Worthy of being the Thousand-Autumn Bell's inheritor, man and bell as one, even I cannot fully discern your secrets."

Fang Zhixing replied promptly, "Sect Master overpraises me; it's merely trickery."

Sect Master Baili paused briefly, then slowly said, "You've encountered Dongting and his group; do you find them making much ado about nothing?"

Fang Zhixing responded, "I wouldn't dare; I think they're not targeting me personally but anyone who might ascend to Second-grade."

Sect Master Baili chuckled, "Their tension stems from two reasons.

The first is that the number of Second-grade Golden Immortals is fixed, not one more.

If one extra emerges, inevitably someone else must fall, whether by demotion or demise."

Fang Zhixing understood deeply, pondering, "The issue is, who will be the unfortunate one?"

Sect Master Baili nodded, sighing, "The result is completely random; it could be any Second-grade.

In other words, your ascension instigates a huge survival crisis for all Second-grade Golden Immortals; everyone is panic-stricken, potentially dropping dead at any time."

Fang Zhixing maintained composure, stoutly saying, "Everyone has their fate; my ascension to Second-grade is the result of my effort, owing nothing to anyone, not obliged to care for their life or death."

Sect Master Baili laughed, "Though true, they boarded the carriage before you, so they have the right to shut the door, barring others."

Fang Zhixing inquired, "And the second reason?"

Sect Master Baili replied, "It concerns First-grade Golden Immortals. In our Haoran Immortal Domain, no more than three First-grade Golden Immortals are allowed; currently, two are in position, with one vacancy.

The opportunity is rare, with every Second-grade Golden Immortal competing to ascend to First-grade, becoming one of the three giants.

But your presence diverted much fortune, lowering others' success in breaking into the First-grade realm, disrupting their plans; don't you think they hate you?"

Fang Zhixing realized and directly asked, "What is the Sect Master's wish?"

Sect Master Baili replied with hands behind, "I won't interfere in the Second-grade affairs, but as the head of Haoran Heavenly Sect, I naturally wish to prevent disciples from mutual slaughter."

Upon hearing, Fang Zhixing secretly sighed in relief.

As long as First-grade Golden Immortals don't intervene, I hold the advantage!

Fang Zhixing pondered, earnestly saying, "Sect Master, might you lend some advice?"

Sect Master Baili chuckled, reminding, "Given the situation, it's destined that a Second-grade Golden Immortal will meet bad luck; why not select one, send him off, giving everyone closure, how about it?"

Fang Zhixing thought inwardly, as expected.

Indeed, this old fellow harbors ill intentions.

If he is only in the early stages of Second-grade, can he challenge and defeat any veteran Second-grade?

The old man's words are clearly sentencing him to death!

But indeed, if Fang Zhixing patiently avoids danger, there's no need for such risky affairs.

Ultimately, the unfortunate one won't be him.

Once a Second-grade falls, others will be safe, no longer holding Fang Zhixing in their focus.

Seemingly recognizing his thoughts, Sect Master Baili spoke meaningfully, "If you don't give everyone closure, all Second-grade Golden Immortals will obsessively target you, viewing you as a public enemy, eager to kill."

Moreover, don't think hiding ensures safety; were you not found today?"

Fang Zhixing paused briefly, asking, "Who should I kill then?"

Sect Master Baili sighed, pondering, "That's tough to choose; be aware, all Second-grade Golden Immortals arose with our consent, given the chance to ascend."

Fang Zhixing coldly chuckled, "Which Second-grade Golden Immortals are not from Haoran Heavenly Sect?"

Sect Master Baili replied, "Merely four: Old Immortal Tianxing, Godless Taoist, Hundred Birds Cave Master, Master Xuanji."

Fang Zhixing hadn't heard of any, only asking, "Can I choose any from them to kill?"

Sect Master Baili chuckled, "Don't you want to know who among them is the weakest?"

Fang Zhixing also chuckled, "Why not tell me directly, who among them do you wish dead the most?"

Just at this moment, another four rays of light swiftly approached, respectively.

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