Chapter 169: Negotiation

Standing behind Duanmu Ci are two supreme elders and three major noble families. Do you think you can withstand that kind of pressure?

Yunxi offered a teasing smile. Though it sounded like she was reprimanding Lin Fan, she was actually giving him a reminder.

So two out of the three supreme elders are supporting him?

Lin Fan felt a slight ripple of surprise. He had not expected Duanmu Ci to have accumulated such a massive force behind him. No wonder the sect's high-level executives had not taken substantial suppressive action against him despite their dissatisfaction.

The supreme elders were the foundation of the Heaven Capital Sect, every single one of them a peak Void Breaking Realm powerhouse. In fact, the Heaven Capital Sect had a total of four supreme elders, though one of them had been in secluded closed-door cultivation for a long time. Rumors had it that this elder had already broken through to the Title Realm, though it had never been officially confirmed.

The fact that Duanmu Ci could win the favor of two supreme elders showed his immense capability, though those two supreme elders were likely also eyeing the influential figure from Polu Commandery who stood behind Duanmu Ci.

Weren't there eight major noble families in total? Why are only three supporting him?

Lin Fan seized upon the crucial point. If four major noble families supported the Divine Court, shouldn't another four be supporting the Divine Son Alliance?

That was originally my thought as well, but for some reason, the Ji family has not stepped forward to state their stance. They are currently maintaining neutrality.

Yunxi also revealed a puzzled look, feeling that the whole situation was somewhat inexplicable.

Then let's disregard that for now. We can consider it good news.

Lin Fan smiled. To be honest, regardless of how many families supported Duanmu Ci, the outcome would be the same: he was bound to die.

How do you plan to make your move?

Yunxi asked the most critical question. It was obvious that Lin Fan would not make a move in broad daylight, or else he would leave behind incriminating evidence.

Didn't they say an ancient tomb has appeared in the Abyss? I think that place is just right for burying the Divine Son of the Divine Son Alliance.

Lin Fan voiced his thoughts. In fact, the moment he learned about the ancient tomb in the Abyss, this idea had already taken root in his mind. If Duanmu Ci were to perish there without leaving any evidence behind, then no matter how much suspicion the Heaven Capital Sect's upper echelons and the influential figure from Polu Commandery held, it wouldn't matter much. As long as he could completely clear himself of any involvement, that would be enough.

So you've already had this planned out. Hearing that, I can finally set my mind somewhat at ease.

Yunxi nodded, also feeling that this was a brilliant idea.

This matter sounds easy, but carrying it out has one major hitch. I need to get inside the Abyss.

Lin Fan let out a bitter laugh. The execution of the entire plan lacked only this final step.

Aside from the sect elders, outsiders had no way of entering the Abyss at all. This was precisely why a meeting of the elders had been called and a gag order issued. Apart from the elders, only the Divine Son and Divine Goddess of the Heaven Capital Sect were permitted to enter. This was the greatest problem plaguing Lin Fan.

If he spoke to Chen Daolin and the others, they might be able to pull some strings, but the probability of success was simply too low. After all, they were only ordinary elders, even if they had noble families backing them up. Chen Daolin's voice might carry slightly more weight, but it was still limited. In that case, the only person who could truly help Lin Fan was Yunxi.

If his guess was correct, the person standing behind Yunxi should be the final supreme elder of the Heaven Capital Sect; otherwise, Duanmu Ci would never have tolerated her presence.

That's true. This matter was decided by the supreme elders, and the roster of those entering has actually already been finalized. Duanmu Ci and I are both on it. It's probably impossible for you to force your way in.

Yunxi glanced at Lin Fan, a trace of a smile playing at the corners of her lips, as if finding it quite amusing to see Lin Fan stumped.

That's why I have to trouble Senior Sister. After all, even the Sect Master of the Heaven Capital Sect would find it somewhat difficult to meddle in this.

Lin Fan rubbed his nose with a slightly awkward expression. He hadn't expected that he would need Yunxi's help the moment he returned.

Since you've already asked, I will naturally put in a good word for you and plead your case, though I can't guarantee success.

Dropping the teasing tone, Yunxi spoke directly. In truth, even with her speaking out, it would be a difficult problem to resolve, but it wasn't entirely impossible. It all depended on how resolute the faction opposing Duanmu Ci was.

As long as Senior Sister does her best, that's enough.

Lin Fan replied, possessing absolute confidence.

Come to think of it, aside from slaying Duanmu Ci, there was another reason why he wanted to secure a qualification to enter the Abyss: to gain official recognition from the Heaven Capital Sect. In other words, he needed a formal status; otherwise, whether he was governing the Divine Court or carrying out a major purge, he would inevitably encounter various constraints.

A title without legitimacy leads to unpersuasive words, and unpersuasive words lead to unsuccessful deeds. While the position of Divine Lord of the Divine Court sounded extremely prestigious, it was ultimately just an organization among disciples and was not acknowledged by the higher-ups of the Heaven Capital Sect.

Therefore, Lin Fan needed an identity—an identity powerful enough to command the multitude of disciples.

Do you want to become an elder?

Suddenly, Yunxi asked, a strange gleam flashing in her eyes.

Aren't Heaven Realm cultivators elders?

Lin Fan furrowed his brow slightly. Becoming an elder was already part of his plan because that status was practically prestigious enough, but listening to Yunxi, it seemed things were not so simple.

I was just asking. Aside from becoming an elder, don't you want to become the master of the Heaven Capital Sect?

Yunxi dropped a remark startling enough to stun anyone, one that would undoubtedly cause a massive earthquake within the Heaven Capital Sect if it ever leaked out.

Even Lin Fan was shocked, gazing at Yunxi with a look of utter astonishment.

Senior Sister, what do you mean?

Yunxi smiled, her expression blooming like a hundred flowers in an instant, carrying a breathtaking and stunning beauty.

Just take it as a casual question of mine. I only noticed that you harbor great ambitions and grand goals, which is why I asked.

Hearing this, Lin Fan breathed a sigh of relief. To be honest, he did harbor certain thoughts regarding the Heaven Capital Sect. After all, this was a sect with a legacy spanning ten thousand years and a profound foundation. Securing control over it would undoubtedly add a massive bargaining chip to his path of cultivation.

However, after deep reflection, Lin Fan still felt that the Heaven Capital Sect was not suited for him. Because it was an established, old-fashioned power where a single move could affect the whole body, it was incapable of accommodating his ultimate ideals. What Lin Fan desired was an organization whose members could reach the highest heavens to pluck stars and descend into the abysses to slaughter demonic gods, rather than the Heaven Capital Sect, which merely guarded a single territory and squabbled for power.

Though the Divine Court was weak at present, it was young, and its future trajectory would be shaped by Lin Fan, its leading figure. As long as Lin Fan integrated his vision during its growth, the Divine Court had a fighting chance of evolving into that kind of organization in the future.

Between the Heaven Capital Sect and the Divine Court, Lin Fan would still choose the Divine Court, because the former's horizon and framework were simply too small. Having gone through a series of trials, Lin Fan no longer looked down upon the petty rivalries within the Heaven Capital Sect; what he wanted was a colossal force capable of sweeping across the world with invincible might.

I do have ambitions in my heart, but the Heaven Capital Sect is not where my ultimate aspirations lie. One day, I will choose to leave, and I may even take the Divine Court away with me.

Lin Fan spoke, his face no longer showing the slightest trace of shock, returning to a state of absolute tranquility.

All right, then I understand. There's no time to lose; I'll go see the supreme elder first and bring up your matter. That way, even if you can't enter the Abyss, you will at least acquire an official status—which, in truth, is something you deserve anyway.

Yunxi rose to her feet and looked deep into the heart of the Heaven Capital Sect. There, suspended in the air, was a massive palace—understated yet magnificent—which was none other than the Taihe Hall, the residence of the Heaven Capital Sect's supreme elders.