As a father, I just want to quietly watch you live a long life Chapter 1871: 483: Emperor Xi Xi Returns Home in Glory to Qian Yuan, Ancestral Ceremony Approaches as She Becomes Martial Saint at Age 8

Fang Hanshu maintained a stern countenance, yet his thoughts drifted.

How many Soul Capturing entities had Li Che positioned outside? What intricate webs of deceit had he spun?

This Mr. Lian, a most trusted confidant of the Emperor of Dajing, was arguably more esteemed by him than even the Empress or the enchanting Noble Consort Su Da.

Yet, here he was, prostrating himself before Li Che with profound reverence and fervent devotion, his deference exceeding that shown to the Emperor himself.

Fang Hanshu could not help but marvel at Li Che’s methods.

As a scholar, Fang Hanshu harbored little fondness for the blunt force of martial artists, instead favoring the calculated elegance of strategic plotting and meticulous consideration of each move.

Li Che, despite his status as an unparalleled Martial Immortal, eschewed the rash impetuosity common among martial artists. He possessed the ability to strategize and plot, employing cunning tactics rather than resorting to reckless slaughter—a quality Fang Hanshu deeply admired.

“My Lord!”

Mr. Lian, kneeling on the ground, repeatedly touched his head to the earth in a deep bow. For a eunuch, pledging unwavering loyalty to one’s master was an ingrained art, as natural as breathing.

“A Venerable from the Dark Heavenly Court’s All Gods Camp, belonging to the Second Calamity and Third Tribulation Realm, has arrived. They seek to requisition the Gathering Immortals Mysterious Banner from His Majesty.”

Mr. Lian spoke with utmost solemnity.

Li Che's form radiated a brilliant luminescence, his entire being alight, having recently ascended to the Martial Immortal realm. His current state was exceptionally vigorous.

Upon hearing this, Fang Hanshu’s eyes narrowed. “Borrow the Gathering Immortals Flag?”

“Their intentions are anything but pure. It appears… the unyielding presence of the Ghost Emperor has driven them to genuine desperation.”

Fang Hanshu declared with gravity.

“The three Supremes of Qi Tian Inner City are growing increasingly anxious, desiring absolute dominion over Qi Tian City. To achieve this, they must neutralize the Human Martial Immortal Ghost Emperor. Whether the Ghost Emperor has depleted his might or not, they cannot afford further risk, and the formidable figures within the Inner City hesitate to act rashly, fearing a potential trap laid by the Ghost Emperor.”

“Therefore, borrowing the Gathering Immortals Flag from the Emperor of Dajing signifies the Supremes’ intent to personally intervene!”

Li Che nodded his assent. “The Gathering Immortals Flag possesses the unique ability to obscure oneself from the perception of Heaven and Earth Will… indeed, a Supreme could act, much like the Great Saint once wielded the Gathering Immortals Flag to breach the Inner City’s defenses, directly targeting those concealed within the Small Cave Heaven…”

Even Li Che had not foreseen the lengths to which Supreme Xuanzhen of Qi Tian Inner City would go, even petitioning the Emperor for the Gathering Immortals Flag…

“Did they traverse the Strange Que passage?” Li Che inquired.

Mr. Lian nodded vigorously. “A Supreme from the Dark Heavenly Court has indeed managed to rend a passage through the Mysterious Fog, establishing a direct link to Qi Tian Inner City…”

“Consequently, within the Strange Que, the location of Qi Tian Inner City is no longer a concealed secret.”

Hearing this, Li Che could not suppress a frown. That situation was exceedingly perilous. Fang Hanshu, having absorbed a Soul Capturing entity, was on the precipice of achieving the Supreme Level. This implied that the Underworld also possessed Supreme combat capabilities…

However, if the Strange Que passage were breached and a resurrected deity were to descend, it would undoubtedly create immense trouble. Despite his Martial Immortal cultivation, Li Che would stand no chance against an authentic deity.

Even a deity in the process of resurrection, not yet fully restored and possessing only Supreme-level power, would present a formidable challenge for Li Che to overcome…

It was akin to Qi Tian, immediately after his resurrection, who could suppress his opponents merely by siphoning the blood and essence of several Second Calamity Venerables—a demonstration of overwhelming and transcending might.

The comparison was like a university student confronting elementary school problems; it was an endeavor of effortless execution.

Li Che fell into deep contemplation, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. The intricately embroidered golden lotus on his Mo Shan garment fluttered in the turbulent winds generated by the brewing storm, his eyes gleaming with a radiant golden light.

His underlying sentiment was a resolute refusal to allow the Gathering Immortals Flag to fall into the possession of the Supremes within Qi Tian Inner City. Should the three great Supremes emerge in force, even Li Che would find himself in a precarious position, perhaps forced to relinquish Qi Tian City temporarily.

After all, Li Che’s ascension to greater strength was a process that required time; it was not an instantaneous transformation.

Fortuitously, the contingency plans he had meticulously laid in advance were now bearing fruit, exposing the clandestine agreement and transaction between the Emperor and the Supreme of the Dark Heavenly Court.

“His Majesty has commanded me to personally escort the Gathering Immortals Mysterious Banner to Qi Tian Inner City…”

“Within my grasp, I possess a Divine Talisman. Should any mishap occur, shattering this talisman will ensure the Gathering Immortals Banner’s return to the Dajing Imperial Mausoleum.” Mr. Lian offered a respectful bow.

Clearly, the Gathering Immortals Flag holds immense significance for His Majesty. Despite his agreement with the All Gods Camp’s Supreme, the Emperor still desired a trusted subordinate to accompany it, fearing the other party might abscond with the banner without enabling its return.

Furthermore, if the counterpart harbored intentions of ending Mr. Lian’s life, he would undoubtedly crush the Divine Talisman before succumbing.

This profound responsibility stirred a sense of emotion within Li Che.

Fang Hanshu’s gaze also narrowed slightly: “A Che, do you plan… to seize the flag?”

If the Gathering Immortals Flag were to reach Supreme Xuanzhen, this Supreme could undoubtedly break free from Qi Tian Inner City’s confines, evading the scrutiny of Heaven and Earth Will, thereby posing a substantial danger.

The might of a Supreme is undeniably terrifying; once unleashed, the entire intricate plan meticulously laid out in Qi Tian City thus far would dissipate like mist, crumbling into nothingness.

The newly reconstructed Equal Heaven Temple would also face an inevitable collapse, succumbing once more.

Should the Equal Heaven Temple fall yet again, Fang Hanshu would find the task of its rebuilding exceedingly difficult.

Under the banner of the Equal Heaven Temple, numerous cultivators from all corners of the land had flocked over the preceding months, allowing the temple to flourish in a remarkably short period, elevating it to the status of a Great Divine Sect.