Chapter 777: Being Beyond the Variables

However, it might have just been Xu Bai's imagination. That chilling intent vanished in a flash. A moment later, when he looked again, the other person's face held the same warmth as before.

"It's nothing, really. I was just startled because I didn't expect your Taiyan Sect to possess so many Dao-harmonizing cultivators," Xu Bai said, feigning great shock. "As expected of a sect renowned since ancient times, your profound foundation is truly beyond imagination," he added, clicking his tongue in admiration.

Everyone enjoys flattery. The moment these words were spoken, not only did the cultivators leading the way react, but even the casual bystanders along the path turned their satisfied gazes towards him. However, this only further confirmed the Taiyan Sect's unusual nature to both Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji. Their expressions of satisfaction had appeared at the exact same instant!

"Mr. Fang, are you confident we can escape from here?" Xu Bai subtly asked Fang Zaiji, all the while conversing lightheartedly with the Taiyan Sect cultivators.

"Sect Master, rest assured, I'm working on it. This place has incredibly stable spatial barriers. It will take some effort to break through and escape," Fang Zaiji replied, a hint of solemnity in his voice. With their lives on the line, Fang Zaiji, usually so cavalier, finally became serious.

"No rush. Let's first observe the situation with this Taiyan Sect," Xu Bai reassured him.

As the two exchanged thoughts, they were led by the Taiyan Sect disciples to a uniquely shaped building in the city center. The entire structure was composed of blue transparent crystals. From the outside, it was clear that the interior was segmented into numerous rectangular compartments. In each compartment, a cultivator was busily at work.

"This..." Xu Bai and Fang Zaiji exchanged a look.

"Let's go. My senior brother is already waiting inside," the middle-aged cultivator said casually.

Similar to his experience entering the Myriad Immortals Alliance's Formation Hall, Xu Bai felt the space beneath his feet subtly shifting as he stepped into the blue crystal building. The transparency of the surrounding walls gradually diminished, making it impossible to discern anything outside. Simultaneously, the decor and furnishings within the space were continuously transforming. Only Xu Bai and his companions, standing still, remained unaffected.

When the crystal walls finally solidified into opaque surfaces, an ethereal blue figure suddenly materialized before them.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Chen!" The Taiyan Sect cultivators who had led them bowed in unison.

The blue light slowly solidified, revealing a rather handsome man.

"Chen Tianhai?!" Fang Zaiji gasped in astonishment after getting a clear look at the man's face.

Everyone present froze for a moment. Chen Tianhai, however, merely glanced at Fang Zaiji, appearing unsurprised by his presence.

"You've completed this mission very well. You may go now; I have some matters to discuss with this old friend," he instructed everyone. The Taiyan Sect cultivators, evidently having received some benefit, all broke into smiles and quickly exited the space.

Fang Zaiji had calmed down somewhat by now, yet the shock in his eyes remained, as he continued to scrutinize Chen Tianhai. "It's truly him. I never imagined he'd still be alive..." While muttering to himself, Fang Zaiji secretly transmitted a message to Xu Bai, explaining, "Chen Tianhai was once the Taiyan Sect's foremost direct disciple, destined to inherit the Sect Leader position. However, for reasons unknown, he was later stripped of all his titles and disappeared, even becoming a wanted man by the Taiyan Sect. Back then, Taiyan Sect disciples were involved in hunting me, and I couldn't shake them. It was this fellow who intervened and saved me, allowing me to safely go into hiding within the Medicine King Sect. When I heard what happened to him, I felt a pang of regret. I never thought..."

"Are you somewhat surprised to see me?" Chen Tianhai asked with a smile. "Many years have passed, and you haven't changed. No, for us, it's been thousands of years. But for your Medicine King Sect, it was merely a fleeting moment."

With his words, Chen Tianhai immediately revealed that the Medicine King Sect had experienced the Immortal Ruins and traversed a millennium.

"So, you also knew that the Medicine King Sect's attempt to escape with the cauldron back then was simply a suicidal act?" Fang Zaiji narrowed his eyes.

"I only found out afterward. Otherwise, given my nature at the time, I would have insisted on joining you," Chen Tianhai replied, slightly startling Fang Zaiji.

"Join us?" He couldn't help but feel a little confused.

"That was the Immortal Ruins. What truly lies within? Are you not curious, Brother Fang?" Chen Tianhai countered. "How many people in the entire Xuanhuang Realm have witnessed such a marvel and returned safely? Brother Fang, you are truly one of the fortunate few."

Fang Zaiji shrugged. "That might disappoint you. Shortly after entering the cauldron back then, I directly entered the Grand Dream Array and fell into a deep sleep."

Chen Tianhai nodded slightly. "That's typical of you. Brother Fang, you truly are free-spirited."

It was then that Xu Bai suddenly interjected, "You're very interested in the Immortal Ruins? Actually, we recorded our experiences from that time."

Only then did Chen Tianhai turn to Xu Bai, his gaze somewhat solemn.

"Beyond the variables..." he murmured softly, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. "As expected, this variable originated from the Medicine King Sect!"

"Old Chen, what are you muttering about?" Fang Zaiji asked, perplexed by Chen Tianhai's words.

"Brother Fang, who is this? You haven't introduced him to me yet," Chen Tianhai prompted.

"Oh! This is..." Fang Zaiji glanced at Xu Bai. After receiving a subtle nod from Xu Bai, he truthfully declared, "This is our Medicine King Sect's current Sect Leader, Xu Bai!"

"Hmm?" A flicker of astonishment crossed Chen Tianhai's eyes. He then stared intently at Xu Bai again, frozen like a statue. It was only after Fang Zaiji's repeated calls that he finally snapped out of it, his interest in Xu Bai growing even more intense.

"So, the Medicine King Sect Leader actually wants to join our Taiyan Sect. You certainly aren't harboring any good intentions," Chen Tianhai said, shaking his head slightly.

"The Myriad Immortals Alliance intends to unify all the Xuanhuang Realms. In the future, sects like the Medicine King Sect and the Taiyan Sect will all be absorbed into the Immortal Alliance. We'll all be part of the Immortal Alliance; there'll be no distinction between sects. To be frank, if you offer sufficient benefits, it's not impossible for me to genuinely join your Taiyan Sect," Xu Bai stated calmly.

Chen Tianhai was momentarily speechless. "You're not wrong. The era of individual sects has indeed passed," he said, a hint of melancholy in his voice.

"However, your joining our Taiyan Sect..." Chen Tianhai's movements paused slightly again. He then shook his head slightly. "Let's forgo that idea. We cannot accommodate a person like you. Besides, the cost of joining us... perhaps you wouldn't be willing to accept," Chen Tianhai's tone was enigmatic.