Chapter 146 - 145: New Main Quest

To Young Hero Fang Can:

Greetings!

I am Yang Kuanye, a third-rank official of the Imperial Court and the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

I was filled with respect upon hearing of your arrival in the Capital City. Your potential is limitless, and your concern for the world makes you a true light of the Martial World. I have prepared a humble banquet and sincerely invite you to my residence tomorrow evening to discuss how the Martial World and the Imperial Court might coexist in harmony.

The purpose of this gathering is to befriend a hero, discuss the changing tides of the Martial World, and explore the true essence of martial arts. I am well aware that the Martial World and the Imperial Court share a common goal: to protect the well-being of all people under Heaven. Your wisdom and courage will surely grace this gathering with their brilliance.

At that time, dedicated staff will be waiting to welcome you and guide you to the banquet hall. The feast will feature rare delicacies, as well as zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting for your refined enjoyment. I shall personally accompany you to discuss the great affairs of the world.

I implore you to grace us with your presence. Should it be inconvenient, please inform me in advance, and I will do my utmost to accommodate you.

I eagerly await your arrival. May our friendship blossom like spring as we build a brighter future together.

Yang Kuanye

Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices

Date: Xth day of the Xth month, Year X of the Tonghe Era

Fang Can: "..."

Cross-legged on his bed, Fang Can looked at the pile of invitations his followers had sorted for him.

There was a thick stack of two or three hundred of them, each one lacquered in red and brushed with gold dust—so ornate you could probably scrape it off and sell it.

The tone of every invitation was exceedingly cordial. It made Fang Can think that the dignitaries of the Capital City were of exceptionally high caliber, to be so polite to a junior like himself.

By the light filtering in from outside, Fang Can pondered for a long time before finally pulling out a gold-gilded card.

This one was from the Head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine. Since the man had helped him, Fang Can felt he ought to pay him a visit.

As for the rest of the stack, Fang Can skimmed through them and picked one out.

It was an invitation for the Martial Artists on the Hidden Dragon Ranking to gather at the Drunken Sun Tower. It called for every Martial Artist preparing to participate in the international Grand Tournament to come and meet.

The inviter called himself Prince Qing, one of the handful of Third Turn experts in the entire Great Derivation Imperial Court.

Of course, he had another, more important identity: Jiang Ning'an's great-grandfather. He had to give the man some face for that.

Reaching out, he pushed aside the stack of invitations. His brow furrowed tightly, because his Calamity Reversal was reacting again.

All this time, Fang Can's Calamity Reversal had possessed an ability to predict fortune and disaster.

The more dangerous the situation, the more his aptitude would increase.

This also made him naturally immune to any sneak attacks or assassinations.

After all, the moment someone with ill intent got close, Fang Can's talent would shoot up like a rocket. Even an idiot would know what was about to happen.

But right now, Fang Can's talent wasn't increasing. It was decreasing...

That's right. It had dropped from its normal 60-times multiplier to around 10-times.

This was the first time Fang Can had ever seen his talent drop. With a guess in mind, he spoke in a calm voice, "May I ask which elder has arrived?"

"Quite perceptive. But how did you know I was here?"

Following the cold yet melodious voice, a flash of blue lightning flickered, and a graceful blue figure materialized before Fang Can.

The newcomer wore elegant, ancient-style robes that fluttered around her. Her features were cold and aloof, and a waterfall of blue hair cascaded over her shoulders, adding an otherworldly, transcendent quality to her, like a winter plum blossom untouched by dust.

"Elder Liu..."

Fang Can stared at the familiar face before him, thinking that she was always appearing and disappearing like a ghost.

It was a good thing she hadn't shown up while he was teaching Ye Qingshi how to cultivate. Bumping into her then would have been incredibly awkward. Fang Can probably wouldn't have known whether to make a move or stay still.

"You still haven't answered my question." Liu Qingmeng's eyes shifted, her curious gaze fixed on Fang Can. She had subconsciously concealed her aura as she approached. How had a mere Ninth Layer like Fang Can discovered her?

The real reason was that Liu Qingmeng was so powerful that with her nearby, it would be difficult for anyone to harm him. With no danger present, his Calamity Reversal had basically crashed.

But Fang Can couldn't just say, 'I felt super safe with you around, Elder Liu, so I sensed you the moment you got close.' What kind of 2D dating sim dialogue was that?

"Um... It's my superpower," Fang Can said vaguely.

Seeing this, she didn't press the matter.

"But wasn't Elder Liu staying on Jiejian Mountain?" Fang Can asked curiously. "Why did you come here now?"

Jiejian Mountain was in Liangzhou, after all. With the international Grand Tournament still half a month away, why come so many days in advance?

"It's a journey of a little over a hundred thousand li, a distance I can cover within the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Whether I'm on Jiejian Mountain or not is irrelevant. After we finish talking, I'll return to the mountain to continue my secluded cultivation."

Liu Qingmeng's words made Fang Can suddenly recall her identity as a Fourth Turn expert.

Her light, gentle, and unpretentious demeanor in the mortal world had given him a bit of a skewed impression.

Thinking about it now, the seemingly vast territory of the Great Derivation, with a diameter of over two hundred thousand li, was nothing to a Fourth Turn. They could probably leave the country during an after-dinner stroll. It was just absurdly overpowered.

'The ancient fantasy of 'roaming the North Sea at dawn and reaching Cangwu by dusk' would be no challenge for a Fourth Turn expert.'

'But... the Elder Liu before me now feels a little unfamiliar.'

Fang Can looked at her exquisitely beautiful, ice-cold face and saw a phantom of their first meeting.

'As I thought, her previous incarnation was just a fading flower of yesterday, a result of her diminished power. Coldness and solitude are what truly suit an elder like her,' Fang Can thought for some reason.

Looking at the youth before her—his back ramrod straight, his features greatly changed but now even more handsome and spirited—Liu Qingmeng said with gratification:

"I have heard of your deeds. To be able to defeat a First Turn expert... you've done so sooner than I expected. But you must not grow complacent."

"Yesterday, while I was meditating on my comprehensions at the North Sea, I passed through Great Chu and heard that Xiang Longtao also defeated a First Turn expert a few days ago. The entire nation is celebrating."

"When the Grand Tournament begins, he will be your formidable rival. Do not underestimate the heroes of this world," Liu Qingmeng reminded him.

'The number one on the Hidden Dragon Ranking also defeated a First Turn?' Fang Can was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "Alright, that certainly sounds challenging. Thank you for the reminder, Elder Liu."

As he spoke, Fang Can looked at the woman and asked, "Elder Liu, you still haven't said why you came looking for me."

"Through divination, I have determined that a Sixth Turn secret realm will appear within a year. At that time, all the Fourth Turn experts from the various nations will gather in an attempt to advance."

"I need you to accompany me then. I wish to borrow your luck. If we gain anything, it will be of immense benefit to you as well," Liu Qingmeng summarized.

"Alright, I accept," Fang Can agreed without hesitation after hearing her out.

But seeing his quick acceptance, Liu Qingmeng cautioned him, "A Sixth Turn expert has already begun to touch upon the Dao of Rules. The laws within their Grotto Heaven may differ from those of the outside world."

"We speculate that the Sixth Turn expert may have failed at the final moment of their breakthrough, leading to their demise and a possible deterioration of the secret realm's environment. Therefore, I will give you ten days to consider this carefully."

"It's fine. You've given me guidance, Elder Liu, so it's only right that I help. Besides, you said it would be of great benefit to me. Why would I pass up an opportunity like that?" Fang Can said, waving his hand dismissively.

Just now, the moment he chose to accept the invitation, his talent had spiked again, soaring straight to an eighty-something-times multiplier.

Clearly, there was something special about that secret realm.