Chapter 685: Winning Over Saints

Outside the Thirty-Third Heaven, Pangu Hall.

Pan Xin and Jin Shen sat facing each other in meditation. Pan Xin's brows were tightly furrowed, his expression filled with deep dissatisfaction.

"It's been several thousand years. Still no word from the prodigies you arranged?"

Pan Xin said in a deep, reproachful tone.

Jin Shen remained silent for a moment before replying, "I never had Disciples to begin with. I've been cultivating in low-key within the Heavenly Dao. Those seven I sent out merely received some pointers from me in the past. We're not that close."

"Then why did you send them?" Pan Xin asked angrily.

"You arranged for me to do it. What choice did I have?"

"You should have said so earlier!"

Pan Xin nearly flew into a rage.

So, after all this, this fellow has no trusted confidants under his command.

Jin Shen remained silent.

For some reason, Pan Xin couldn't shake the feeling that this guy was mocking him.

Well, it made sense. After attaining Sainthood, Jin Shen wasn't afraid of him anymore.

He was stronger than Jin Shen, but within the Heavenly Dao, Heavenly Dao Sages were unkillable. Unless a Sage went mad, lost their reason, and other methods were used to sever their connection to the Heavenly Dao's fortune…

Pan Xin realized he needed something beyond sheer strength to win people over.

No wonder those other Sages were so full of empty schemes, always playing at various calculations.

Sometimes, schemes were more useful and more lethal than brute force.

Pan Xin sighed. "Forget it. Let's set the Hidden Sect aside for now. Great Emperor Xiao has already found a suitable Chaos domain. In at most ten thousand years, I will open a passage to the Chaos. It certainly won't be accessible to just anyone. We'll need to set up entry criteria initially. This is a perfect Opportunity for you to Cultivate your own forces. I'll let your Disciples enter this path early, journey to the Chaos, and seek their Opportunities."

Hearing this, Jin Shen was visibly moved and immediately bowed in thanks to Pan Xin.

Pan Xin wasted no further words, waving his hand to indicate Jin Shen could leave.

Jin Shen stood up and departed.

Watching his retreating back, Pan Xin's eyes flickered thoughtfully.

"It seems I need to find a way to win over other Sages. Only after forming a significant faction will this fellow truly pledge his allegiance."

…

In the Dark Forbidden Zone, the Tower of the Great Dao floated silently. Around it coiled countless Demonic Birds and Heavenly Soldiers and Generals. Between the two forces was a floating stone pavilion where Zhou Fan and the Evil Heavenly Emperor sat facing each other.

Han Tuo and Yi Tian stood behind the Evil Heavenly Emperor, their bodies as imposing as mountains.

Zhou Fan smiled and said, "Then it's settled. From now on, the Hidden Sect and the Heavenly Court will share the Dark Forbidden Zone equally."

The Evil Heavenly Emperor nodded with a smile.

After preparing for several thousand years, he had finally devised a grand plan that satisfied Zhou Fan.

Once this plan succeeded, the Heavenly Court was bound to soar to new heights!

The Evil Heavenly Emperor asked with a smile, "How has your Master been lately? What was his attitude regarding the killing of the Seven Dao Sages?"

Zhou Fan replied, "He's been cultivating all along. There's not much 'good' or 'bad' to speak of. As for the Seven Dao Sages, how would he know them?"

He wasn't foolish enough to reveal that the true culprit behind the killing of the Seven Dao Sages was Han Jue.

The Seven Dao Sages were Great Dao Sages!

How old was Han Jue? To actually possess the power to slay a Great Dao Sage!

If such heavenly talent were to spread, the trouble would be immense!

He had heard that the Seven Dao Sages were on good terms with many great powers. The series of calamities that had previously assaulted the Heavenly Dao were all orchestrated by these powers from behind the scenes.

"That's true," the Evil Heavenly Emperor said, a look of nostalgia appearing on his Face.

After experiencing many things, he often found himself missing the past.

In his time, he had been infinitely glorious within the Heavenly Dao, with countless descendants. Yet, in the end, none of the subordinates following him were his own kin.

On the other hand, Han Jue—his son was alive and well, and filial too—yet he had always let him roam free.

Come to think of it, he and Han Jue had walked completely opposite paths. Whether in destination or process, they were utterly different.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Yi Tian asked, "Earlier, when Han Tuo experienced that Bloodline resonance, was it because of his brother or his sister? How is their heavenly talent?"

Mentioning this, Han Tuo also showed a look of curiosity.

Zhou Fan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Since you already know, I won't hide it. Master's son is extraordinary. He's still in gestation even now. I've never heard of a Human Race fetus gestating for so long. In the future, he is bound to be a world-shaking figure, perhaps even inheriting my Master's heavenly talent."

Upon hearing this, Yi Tian's Face was full of curiosity, while Han Tuo's expression became complicated.

The Evil Heavenly Emperor sighed with emotion, "That is indeed possible. Back when Han Jue fathered Han Tuo, he had not yet Attained the Dao. Now, he is an existence comparable to a Free and Unfettered Saint. His Bloodline can only be stronger."

Zhou Fan nodded and continued chatting casually with the Evil Heavenly Emperor.

Yi Tian whispered to Han Tuo with a laugh, "Don't you go getting jealous of your little brother."

Han Tuo rolled his eyes. "We're blood relatives. How could I be jealous? I'm just a bit curious about how Father will treat him."

Yi Tian understood his meaning.

Han Tuo had walked the world alone since adulthood, with no one to rely on, much like Yi Tian himself. That's why the two were close—they resonated emotionally.

If Han Tuo's younger brother were to be doted on in every way, even Yi Tian would feel a bit sour about it.

Several hours later.

The Evil Heavenly Emperor stood up. "That settles it then. Next time, I will have Han Tuo come find you. Master the Tower of the Great Dao as soon as possible. That treasure is key!"

Zhou Fan nodded. "Then I won't see you off."

The Evil Heavenly Emperor waved his hand and led his Immortals and deities away.

…

Han Jue entered seclusion once more, this time for five thousand years.

His lifespan had already surpassed two hundred and twenty thousand years. He was getting closer and closer to Perfection in the Free Primal Chaos Realm.

Han Jue was quite satisfied with this pace of cultivation.

He estimated that about three more sessions like this would allow him to Breakthrough.

Upon reaching the realm of Perfection, it would be time to charge towards becoming a Great Dao Sage!

Just as Han Jue was about to observe the Immortal Realm, a voice sounded in his ear:

"Fellow Daoist Han, come to the Qiankun Hall for a gathering."

Venerable Xuandu!

Talk about perfect timing!

Han Jue glanced around, confirming there were no unfamiliar Saints Outside the Thirty-Third Heaven, before teleporting into the Qiankun Hall.

Venerable Xuandu smiled and motioned for Han Jue to sit.

"Fellow Daoist Han, with your diligence, you might just Attain the Great Dao within ten million years."

Ten million years?

Who did he think he was looking down on?

Han Jue chuckled. "How could that be possible?"

Venerable Xuandu said, "For any other Prodigy, even the Peacock Divine Lord, I would think it impossible. But for you, I believe anything is possible."

Han Jue could only smile wryly.

This old man will directly Attain the Great Dao within a hundred thousand years!

Of course, Han Jue didn't dare to boast so arrogantly. He couldn't fully reveal his strength in front of others.

"So, what's the matter?" Han Jue asked.

The Heavenly Dao's fortune had increased quite a bit again. Everything seemed to be going smoothly.

Venerable Xuandu began, "Recently, Pan Xin has been trying to win over other Saints. Wu Fa Heavenly Venerate, Qiu Xilai, and Sect Master Tianjue have been getting very close to him. We must be on guard."

Han Jue frowned.

He nearly laughed out loud.

If it were other Saints, he might genuinely be concerned.

But Pan Xin was trying to win over his three slaves.

Wasn't that like walking right into the line of fire?

Han Jue asked, "Do you need me to go ask them? They were defeated by me before, so they should give me some Face."

He no longer placed Pan Xin in his eyes.

If Pan Xin truly intended to shatter the Heavenly Dao's peace, then he shouldn't blame him for being impolite.

Although they were friends, Pan Xin's favorability wasn't particularly high.

Venerable Xuandu shook his head. "Not for now. I'm just reminding you. Do you have a way to defeat him?"

Han Jue replied, "We've never fought. But if he truly threatens the peace of the Heavenly Dao, I will certainly give my all. Of course, that goes not just for him—I won't let any Saint who dares to disrupt the Heavenly Dao's peace get away with it!"