Chapter 1331: Pointing Out

Jiang Fan's heart skipped a beat.

There shouldn't have been any traces left at the scene, right?

With a hint of trepidation, he silently followed Venerable Heart Demon away.

They first arrived at the Grand Yin Sect.

"Greetings, Sect Master Jiang!" Upon learning of Jiang Fan's arrival, Feng Yuanzong pushed past the crowd and stepped forward to greet him first.

Jiang Fan surveyed the recently maintained mountain-protecting formation and the various machines designed to combat ancient giants.

He couldn't help but feel a secret shame.

Although he was the Grand Yin Sect Master, he had always been a hands-off leader.

To his surprise, the Grand Yin Sect was well-managed on its own.

"It seems the Grand Yin Sect can function perfectly well without me," Jiang Fan thought, feeling too awkward to issue commands.

Feng Yuanzong bowed deeply and quickly said:

"Sect Master Jiang, you must not say such a thing!"

"Without your sagely guidance, how could we have reformed ourselves and focused on combating the ancient giants?"

"It is your foresight and brilliant strategies that have made the Grand Yin Sect so well-ordered!"

Not only did Jiang Fan look at him with a bewildered expression,

but even the disciples of the Grand Yin Sect stared at each other in disbelief.

"Is that our Junior Brother Feng?"

"If I recall correctly, Junior Brother Feng used to curse anyone who acknowledged Jiang Fan as sect master."

"How did he end up becoming a sycophant himself?"

"Is it really that hard to understand? If you had six friends who were Demonic Venerables, Junior Brother Feng would worship you like his own father!"

Jiang Fan was momentarily stunned before saying, "No need for formalities."

"If your Grand Yin Sect... cannot withstand the ancient giants, you can evacuate to our Heavenly Secret Pavilion."

After all, Sage Heavenly Eye had entrusted the Grand Yin Sect to him.

If the Grand Yin Sect truly faced difficulties, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

Feng Yuanzong was overjoyed; with this promise, the Grand Yin Sect gained a fallback option.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion now possessed formations capable of defending against a Venerable's attack, as well as several precious treasures gifted by various Venerables.

It was certainly safer than the Grand Yin Sect!

"Thank you, Sect Master Jiang!"

Jiang Fan nodded slightly and said, "I am now issuing an order."

"Aside from the disciples required for battle preparations, everyone else should disperse and search for Wang Chongxiao."

Wang Chongxiao?

Feng Yuanzong was puzzled. Venerable Heart Demon had already come to the Grand Yin Sect several times searching for him.

Was he really that important?

However, he was naturally willing to carry out such a simple order: "Yes, Sect Master!"

Jiang Fan's eyes flickered. He said, "Remember to visit the Three Divine Sects, the Seven Great Cults, and all other sects, big and small."

"And solemnly inform them that this is the person Venerable Heart Demon is looking for. Anyone who dares to hide him will bear the consequences!"

"Also, if found, immediately send him to the White Horse Temple market!"

In his mind, Jiang Fan murmured:

"My dear Lü Zhu, I've told you Venerable Heart Demon's location."

"You need to hurry and come save your husband!"

After giving his instructions, Jiang Fan flew into the clouds.

Venerable Heart Demon was very satisfied with Jiang Fan's performance. "This master appreciates diligent disciples."

"Take this."

He took out a spirit pill wreathed in lightning, emitting a powerful spiritual pressure.

Jiang Fan's pupils contracted. "A sixth-grade spirit pill?"

He wasn't even confident he could refine a spirit pill of this grade himself at the moment; logically, it would require his soul to reach the Venerable level.

Venerable Heart Demon showed appreciation. "Good eyesight."

"This is a sixth-grade spirit pill from Young Emperor Mountain, the Sky-Breaking Pearl. It has a breakthrough effect for cultivators in the late Nascent Soul stage."

"This pearl was originally for a disciple of mine with an eight-aperture Nascent Soul, to help him break through to a nine-aperture Nascent Soul."

"Since you are my true disciple, you get priority."

Jiang Fan took it and said, "Thank you, Master."

Venerable Heart Demon truly was as he described himself; although he was ruthless, even incredibly cruel,

he was not bad to his own people.

Venerable Heart Demon, sweeping through the clouds, headed towards the White Horse Temple and asked:

"Have you found your own Dao?"

Jiang Fan shook his head. "Not yet."

Venerable Heart Demon stroked his beard and said, "Have you seen a meteor?"

He was actually trying to guide Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan hesitated for a moment, then sat cross-legged and replied, "I have."

Venerable Heart Demon asked, "Was it beautiful?"

Jiang Fan nodded. "Brilliantly splendid for a fleeting moment, exhausting all its radiance."

Venerable Heart Demon nodded gently. "The Dao of Soul Transformation is a meteor's trajectory, sublimated to its utmost limit."

"It burns itself, exhausts its life, and transforms into a world-shining brilliance, diving towards the vast earth."

"Without madness, there is no demon!"

Jiang Fan felt as if he had been struck by an epiphany.

It was the first time anyone had explained the Dao of Soul Transformation to him in such a way.

This also coincided with his understanding of "madness."

So-called madness was the result of pursuing something to its absolute extreme.

Examples included Shu Buxu's thieving and Song Lingyu's depression.

He pondered, "Then, how should I find my own Dao?"

The Heart-Questioning Crystal had offered him many paths, but deep down, he had no obsessive pursuit for any of them.

Without obsession, how could one go mad for it?

He believed that most nine-aperture Nascent Souls remained trapped in madness, unable to awaken.

This was because they had rashly chosen a Dao.

If their madness wasn't deep enough, how could they fully sublimate?

Venerable Heart Demon said, "Look back at the path you've traveled; your Dao lies within it."

Look back at the path he had traveled?

Jiang Fan closed his eyes, falling into deep thought.

His path was truly too long and arduous.

Unwilling to be trapped in Solitary Boat City, he entered the Azure Cloud Sect.

Soon after, the demon race invaded the Nine Sects.

After defeating the demons, he encountered his lifelong nemesis, the Demon Emperor.

After slaying the Demon Emperor, he faced the ancient giant catastrophe, which continued to this day.

During this time, he had encountered countless hardships, dangers, and life-or-death crises.

For a moment, Jiang Fan didn't understand what obsession had driven him all this way.

Venerable Heart Demon looked back at Jiang Fan, who was deep in thought.

He said, "The Great Thousand World is prosperous, and the seductive mortal world can disturb one's heart."

"Think more about your original intentions; perhaps you'll find the answer."

Having said this, he spoke no more.

As a master, this was all he could do; whether Jiang Fan could ultimately comprehend his own Dao depended on him alone.

Meanwhile.

At the Heavenly Secret Pavilion.

When Venerable True Word learned that Venerable Dust Mirror had attacked the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, she immediately rushed over.

"Venerable, Venerable Dust Mirror is here."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master had Venerable Dust Mirror brought out.

Venerable True Word looked at Venerable Dust Mirror's broken wrist and numerous wounds, a pang of heartache flashing in her eyes.

She didn't blame Jiang Fan.

She had heard about the battle between Venerable Dust Mirror and Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan had shown mercy at every turn, while Venerable Dust Mirror had used killing moves throughout, nearly killing Jiang Fan with his madness in the end.

"Jiang Fan said he wants me to redeem him?" Unclear emotions flickered in Venerable True Word's eyes.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master replied, "Yes."

Venerable True Word nodded blankly, then grabbed Venerable Dust Mirror and declared:

"Alright!"

"For me, for Dust Mirror."

"There should be a decisive end between Jiang Fan and me."

"I'll see him one last time, settle all past grievances, and from then on, we will be strangers!"

With a leap, she, carrying Venerable Dust Mirror, headed for White Horse Temple.

Soon after.

Venerable Heart Demon and Jiang Fan, having traveled continuously, finally arrived at the market town near White Horse Temple.

They went directly to the alley where Wang Chongxiao had been rescued.

Jiang Fan's heart tightened. "Master, it's been so long, can we still find clues?"

Venerable Heart Demon replied, "Always."

"It's just that the cost required is too great; I was reluctant to use it before."

"Now, I can only make a sacrifice."

From his sleeve, he took out a piece of paper that Jiang Fan was all too familiar with!

The Wish Paper of Hunyuan Province!