Wan Qianxin sighed, and said earnestly,
"Brother Wan, that is the Five Elements Hall."
Wan Lei's face was dim.
Yes, that was the Five Elements Hall, where immortals were as common as dogs, saints walked everywhere, and the Immortal Venerable personally presided. If it were so easy for a mere Tai Xu realm cultivator like him to infiltrate it, the Five Elements Hall would have no secrets in the eyes of the demons.
His only recourse was to enter openly, use legitimate means, follow the proper procedures, and find a way to rescue Fang Xiaoyu.
However, after calming down, Wan Lei acutely sensed the infeasibility of this plan.
"But... I'm a wanted criminal. I'm afraid I can't use the official channels. I heard wanted criminals can't even take the interstellar train, let alone enter the Five Elements Hall. They'll surely screen me, right?"
"You're a wanted criminal? Why?"
Wan Qianxin asked curiously.
Wan Lei was stunned. Wasn't he supposed to be wanted?
"I practiced the Wind Blade Escape technique."
"Who knows? Or, do you think Sister Xiaoyu would betray you? Or would we betray you?"
Wan Lei was surprised. It seemed that way.
"I killed a lot of Five Elements Hall disciples."
"But we killed them in the lawless territories. The Five Elements Hall won't interfere with that. At most, when you arrive at the Five Elements Hall, disciples from the Fire Hall will recognize you and target you. But just don't linger around the Fire Hall.
The Five Elements Hall only issues warrants for serious crimes like murder, jailbreak, theft, or robbery of major treasures in legal territories."
"Hundreds of people on Jing Mountain were killed by me."
"All of them?"
"Yes."
"Then what are you afraid of? Who knows you killed them? Who has proof that you killed them? When you leave later, use fire to burn all the bodies. The Origin Fire can disrupt the spiritual energy magnetic field, making it impossible for the Five Elements Hall's law enforcement team to trace back.
According to the information you gave me, if nothing unexpected happens, your record in the Five Elements Hall is, at most, for fighting and brawling. That can be settled with mediation and a fine. The Five Elements Hall might not even bother to actively demand the fine from you; you can pay it whenever you remember.
The immortal realm is full of cultivators; fighting and brawling are too common. It won't affect your evaluation during the Five Elements Hall assessment. In other words, would the Five Elements Hall want cultivators who can't even fight?"
Hearing this, Wan Lei felt relieved. He had been worrying needlessly. The Five Elements Hall wouldn't pay much attention to a small fry like him. As long as he proceeded stealthily according to the plan, there was a glimmer of hope to rescue Fang Xiaoyu.
The first step now was to become a disciple of the Five Elements Hall!
"Alright, I understand. Thank you, Qianxin. I'll remember this favor."
"No need for favors, we are friends after all.
If you do successfully rescue Sister Xiaoyu and escape the Five Elements Hall, remember to immediately change your appearance, turn tail, and run without looking back. Contact me then, and I'll give you a few addresses in the lawless territories. You'll have to make a living in those places from now on. You probably won't be able to survive in the immortal realm."
"Alright, we'll talk about it then. One step at a time."
"Well, if you're going to the Five Elements Hall, you should take a vehicle from Linmo City. That's the closest major city to you.
Then buy a ticket to Chang'an City. Chang'an City is the capital of the Great Tang Empire, and the largest and most prosperous city in the immortal realm. It has many space-jumping points, with countless vehicles going back and forth every day.
When you arrive in Chang'an City, fly east. The Five Elements Hall is located on the Yinglong Mountain Range east of Chang'an City."
"Okay, is there anything I should pay attention to for the Five Elements Hall assessment?"
"I'm not sure about the specifics; I haven't checked. But this matter is public, and there seem to be three assessment stages?
With your talent, it should be fine.
You can check the specific assessment content on the spiritual network while you're on the vehicle; you'll find it."
"Okay, I understand. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Good luck to you..."
Wan Qianxin sighed.
After the call ended, Wan Qianxin put away the spiritual message slip and found everyone around him looking worried.
"Will Wan Lei die? Alas, he's the first friend we made after coming out. It would be a pity if he died, but the Five Elements Hall is not an easy place to infiltrate."
Bao Bao was frowning, filled with worry.
"Die? He won't die. This matter, the fact that his father, who caused the hail, isn't intervening, shows there must be some inside story. It's not something we can know. We should help him as much as we can based on how things unfold."
A strange smile played on Wan Qianxin's lips.
He thought to himself, "The big shots are really dirty..."
Feeling slightly relieved, Wan Lei put away the spiritual message slip, stood up from the Creation God Disk, and put it away. He looked at the corpses scattered on the ground, and the Origin Fire within him erupted again, burning them all into nothingness.
Then, Wan Lei's figure shot up, flying towards the direction of Xiangren Sect.
No matter how anxious and worried he was about Fang Xiaoyu's safety, he hadn't forgotten what he came to Jing Mountain for this time. Qingwu was still unconscious and waiting for him to save her.
Thinking of this, Wan Lei gave a self-deprecating laugh. He was truly a lone star of calamity.
Since he started cultivating, the people he cared about most were Fang Xiaoyu, Gouzi, and Qi Manyao, who had accompanied him the longest.
But now? Qi Manyao was dead, Gouzi was lost, Xiaoyu had been captured, and he was alone once again.
Upon reaching Xiangren Sect, Wan Lei went straight to the main hall and met the Ancestor Xiangren and the three Fire Phoenix women.
"Little friend has returned?"
Ancestor Xiangren immediately stood up.
Wan Lei handed the Grand Supreme Engraving Knife to Ancestor Xiangren.
"Save her."
"It really is the Grand Supreme Engraving Knife, it really is..."
Ancestor Xiangren was so moved that tears streamed down his face.
Huofeng and Yuanjun noticed something was wrong. Why hadn't Fang Xiaoyu come back, and why was Wan Lei's face so grim?
"Where is Xiaoyu?"
"Xiaoyu was captured by people from the Five Elements Hall."
Wan Lei's voice was deep, filled with anger.
"What happened?"
Huofeng immediately asked.
Ancestor Xiangren finally realized that the girl was missing and immediately understood what had happened.
"Did you encounter some accident? This... how can this old man bear this? To find the engraving knife for me, you even lost your wife. What should be done? This old man has no face to live in this world."
Wan Lei shook his head. No one wanted such a thing to happen, but since it had, they had to find a way to deal with it.
"Senior, this junior is going to save my wife. It's a journey of nine deaths and one life, and it's inconvenient to bring these three with me, so I'll have them stay with you for a while.
Please, for the sake of the engraving knife, do your best to treat Qingwu. This junior is deeply grateful."
"This old man will definitely, definitely. What happened on Jing Mountain..."
"You don't need to worry about enemies seeking revenge. Jing Mountain is gone."
Wan Lei's tone was flat, yet filled with killing intent.