"M-Me?" Xu Qingsong was stunned.
Daoist Yuanju and the others instinctively exchanged glances, then lowered their heads, focusing on their toes as if there were gold beneath them.
"Yes." Ouyang Xuanzhen nodded lightly. "If you drink this tea on behalf of the Sect Leader, the enmity between you and Young Friend Fang will be settled."
Xu Qingsong, initially pale from fright, now turned a deep shade of red, looking angry and ashamed. An up-and-coming immortal who had reached the Fusion Realm at such a young age like him drinking such filth?
Is this tea to serve as an apology for settling matters with Fang Chen?
"Xu Qingsong, don't keep the Dean waiting," urged Ouyang Xuanzhen coldly.
Xu Qingsong slowly began walking toward Elder Xun, each step feeling as heavy as if he were carrying a mountain.
A brief flicker of pity appeared in Qi Jian's eyes, and he quietly glanced at Fang Chen. He understood that after today, the big players in the Central Continent would no longer dare to personally participate in the struggle.
If the Central Continent Empire, Celestial Heaven, and Northern Dipper were viewed as a chessboard, the people residing on them were mere pieces scattered across it.
"Very well," said Elder Xun.
He nodded lightly and casually handed the teacup to Fang Chen, the tea inside still steaming hot.
Fang Chen took the teacup and, with swift steps, moved to Xu Qingsong's side. He smiled and said, "Qingsong, I offer you a toast."
Xu Qingsong stared deeply at Fang Chen. After a brief moment, he lightly nodded and took the teacup. "Then I shall drink to show my respect."
Without hesitation, he drank it all, not showing the slightest sign of dissatisfaction. He treated it as if it were really a cup of clear tea.
Zhou Bufan and the others were pale with fear.
What a twist of fate! They had been a hair's breadth away from witnessing an Immortal King drink the same "tea" as them.
The Immortal King had avoided the disaster, but the genius of the Great Expansion Dao Sect, Xu Qingsong, had taken his stead in drinking the tea.
Thinking back, their humiliation over the past few days seemed insignificant. Even the Great Expansion Dao Sect's young prodigy was now in the same position as them.
Fang Chen smiled and nodded "Good, others settle their grudges with a smile, but Qingsong and I have settled ours with a cup of tea."
Xu Qingsong smiled as well. "Yes, our misunderstanding has now been cleared."
The two exchanged a smile before turning, each walking toward Ouyang Xuanzhen and Elder Xun.
However, the instant they turned, although the smiles on their faces remained, their eyes were filled with a chilling frost.
Elder Xu, standing with his hands behind his back, spoke. "You three."
Dragon Sovereign and the other stood upright, assuming a respectful posture.
"Please, Dean," they called in unison.
"The Three Thousand Dao Sect have been re-established, and this is my intention. The imperial edict from the Central Continent Empire is also in my hands," Elder Xun said with a faint smile.
With a casual wave of his hand, a stream of light flew out from his sleeve, landing at the entrance of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect.
The crowd instinctively looked over and saw a white lotus slowly blooming, its surging spiritual energy radiating from it, sweeping in all directions.
These spiritual energies flowed into the surrounding plants, trees, soil, stones, and rivers. In just a few moments, the Grand Thousand Dao Sect transformed into a scene of immortality.
The three Immortal Kings exchanged shocked glances.
Qi Jian couldn't help but gasp in awe. This was a sacred item of the Central Continent Empire imperial family. Only a sect that had accomplished extraordinary feats could be granted the Great Dao White Lotus.
It was said that this lotus originated from the Ancient Immortal Road, and some could be found in Immortal Ruins. It was an item that belonged to immortals.
Wherever this lotus was planted, it would, over time, transform into a holy place for cultivation. The concentration of spiritual energy would be so immense that it was unimaginable to ordinary people.
The others, including Fang Chen, were unaware of the origins of the Great Dao White Lotus. However, seeing the dramatic changes around them, they understood that this was no ordinary item.
This was no imperial edict from the Central Continent Empire. It was clearly a personal gift from the legendary First Rate Sect Leader before them!
Fang Chen clasped his hands tightly above his head and bowed deeply. "Elder Xun, I this junior owe you yet another favor."
"Your words, not mine," Elder Xun boomed with a hearty laugh. "Once this matter is settled, come find me at the Desolate Academy."
"Understood," Fang Chen responded immediately.
By the time he had straightened his back, Elder Xun had already disappeared without a trace.
The moment Elder Xun left, the atmosphere at the scene grew awkward. Thankfully, Fang Chen broke the silence, cupping his hands toward the three Immortal Kings.
"Honored seniors, please take the seats of honor."
The three Immortal Kings remained silent for a moment before giving faint nods of acknowledgment.
Before long, many grand chairs were placed at the entrance of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect. Naturally, the seats for the three Immortal Kings were the most distinguished and closest to the forefront.
After a quick glance around, the Immortal Qin Clan's patriarch burst into a hearty laugh and approached Fang Chen warmly. "Young Friend Fang, it has been such a long time since we last met!"
Fang Chen nodded and smiled politely. "Senior Qin, please take a seat as well."
The Qin patriarch beamed with delight and promptly took his place.
Following him were others like Qi Jian and the Wei Clan patriarch, leaders of various clans who had previously encountered Fang Chen on the Cloud Platform. They managed polite exchanges as they settled into their seats.
However, figures like Daoist Yuanju and his group found themselves in an awkward position. While the other sect leaders had yet to make any move against them, the forced smiles on
Daoist Yuanju approached with a faint smile, accompanied by a group of Nine Yang Dao Sect cultivators. "Young Friend Fang."
"There's not much room left here, so why don't you and your group take seats over there?" said Fang Chen.
He glanced at Li Daoye, who immediately caught on. With a warm smile, Li Daoye stepped forward to lead Daoist Yuanju and his entourage to the seats near Zhou Bufan and his group.
Zhou Bufan stood up with an odd expression, cupping his hands in greeting. "Daoist Yuanju…"
Daoist Yuanju said nothing, seemingly lost in thought. Behind him, the Nine Yang Dao Sect cultivators wore flushed faces, heads bowed, as though wrestling with their own thoughts.
To dispel the tense atmosphere, other attendees began striking up casual conversations and commenting on the magnificent Dao Lotus. Yet, their gazes frequently flickered toward Yuanju's group, clearly watching their every move.
Some cultivators couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness on Yuanju's behalf.
Daoist Yuanju stole a glance toward Ouyang Xuanzhen, hoping for some acknowledgment.
However, Ouyang Xuanzhen paid him no mind, engrossed in lively conversation with Dragon Sovereign and Gu Xi. Seeing this, Daoist Yuanju's heart sank.
With a slight nod, he led the Nine Yang Dao Sect cultivators to their assigned seats, one by one, his movements slow and deliberate, a stark contrast to his usual poise.