Just who was the other person?
"Shadow."
Dense black shadows materialized in the expanse of heaven and earth.
"The Way of Shadows?"
The brocade-clad youth frowned. "According to the intel from the Twelve Palaces, Han Ye controls the Great Dao of Darkness. Shadows are but a minor path. Yet this individual's combat strength is not weak, to be able to fight Chen Fan to this extent. Hmm, not bad."
In the past, although Han Ye was renowned, no one had ever seen him in action.
Those who had seen him fight were all dead.
Furthermore, Han Ye rarely attacked top-tier powers, and seldom accepted missions involving them.
Thus, little was known about him in the outside world.
Even the top-tier powers only knew that Han Ye's combat strength was formidable.
This time, the top-tier power, the Twelve Palaces, finally managed to uncover some of Han Ye's secrets.
The Great Dao of Darkness.
Watching the distant battle, the brocade-clad youth finally closed his fan. "Go and bring him back."
"Yes."
The assembled Supremes soared into the sky, heading towards the direction of the battle.
As for Pang Tong, he was left behind by the brocade-clad youth.
Pang Tong, being perceptive, did not express any dissatisfaction and obediently stood to the side.
...
In the distance.
"They're here."
Chen Fan transmitted a message to Han Ye opposite him. "Prepare your ultimate move. I'm going to run. Seize this opportunity to infiltrate their group. I'll be back soon."
"Alright."
Han Ye was not skilled in strategy.
However, at this moment, he and Chen Fan were in the same boat.
There was no need for animosity.
He nodded.
"Open."
With a 'boom,' shadows spread boundlessly across heaven and earth.
For Han Ye, who mastered the Great Dao of Darkness, shadows were something he could summon with ease.
A vast screen of shadow descended, enshrouding the land. His voice boomed, "Everyone, attack together."
His words were directed at the Supremes who were rushing towards them.
"Good."
He received their assent.
A group of Supremes launched a combined assault, shattering even space.
An immensely powerful attack descended, pressing down on Chen Fan.
"Explode."
Chen Fan's expression changed.
He could not withstand so many individuals.
In an instant, he detonated all the incoming attacks. As the Great Dao trembled, the power of the 'Speed' rule descended, instantly whisking him away. The text indicated a novel source: DaFeng Novel Network.
The screen of shadows was torn apart, and he vanished without a trace.
"Rumble."
The attack landed.
Unfortunately, all the attacks struck empty air, unable to touch Chen Fan.
"A pity."
Those who had arrived let out sighs of regret.
Chen Fan was simply too elusive. Seeing that the situation was unfavorable, he immediately fled.
"It's all your fault."
Everyone began to blame Han Ye. "Useless! You couldn't even stop him."
Han Ye tilted his head and looked at the speaker. A trace of killing intent flickered across his cold face. "Are you blaming me?"
Someone nearby quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "My esteemed Daoist friend, please don't be offended. Old Wu here is just blunt..."
"Blunt?"
Han Ye sneered, then looked at the mediator. "So, you also believe he's speaking the truth and that it's my fault for not stopping him?"
"..."
The mediator's expression faltered.
"Heh heh."
Han Ye sneered. "I discovered Chen Fan. You lot, you useless wretches, waited there for so long and never found him? Now you blame me? What, do you think Ye Wei is easy to bully? Or do you think that having a major power behind you gives you confidence?"
Han Ye was Han Ye, his attitude towards everyone was the same.
A chilling aura emanated from his eyes.
His fighting spirit began to surge.
"Swish."
The brocade-clad youth appeared, gently fanning himself, and said with a smile, "My esteemed Daoist friend, please forgive him. My subordinates speak carelessly."
The brocade-clad youth held a high status, also a Supreme, yet he reprimanded his subordinates, "If you can't speak properly, then shut up."
The speaking Supreme's face flushed with embarrassment, and he quickly retreated to the side.
He did not utter a single word of protest.
"Hmph."
Han Ye snorted. "Make way. I'm going to Freedom City."
"My esteemed Daoist friend, don't be in such a hurry," the brocade-clad youth said, though he made way. "We are all heading to Freedom City. If you don't mind, perhaps you could wait a moment and we could travel together? We can keep each other company. If we happen to encounter Chen Fan again, we can join forces."
"...Alright."
Han Ye agreed.
This was a plan Chen Fan had devised long ago: to join this group.
As for how Chen Fan would get here, that was his problem.
Now that the infant was in Chen Fan's hands, joining the group would not be simple.
But he believed Chen Fan could do it.
Along their journey, he had witnessed the extent of that man's power.
...
Watching Han Ye join the group, Chen Fan, hidden in the distance, revealed a smile.
"Not bad. Nothing went wrong."
Originally, he had thought Han Ye's personality might ruin things, but it seemed to have worked out well.
He glanced down at the infant in his arms, a smile gracing Chen Fan's face.
The infant had to be held close.
However...
Heh heh, a little disguise wouldn't hurt.
Chen Fan's smile held a hint of mystery. He summoned his Rule Great Dao and cast it upon the infant.
Moments later, an old woman, with a bird perched on her shoulder, emerged from the hiding spot and slowly walked towards Freedom City.
The bird on her shoulder was, of course, the infant.
With Chen Fan's ever-changing Rule Great Dao, transforming the infant into something else was a simple matter.
"Coo."
The infant happily nestled on his shoulder.
As its laughter emerged, it transformed into the melodious chirping of a bird.
Chen Fan moved unhurriedly, slowly walking forward.
Soon, he arrived before the brocade-clad youth's group.
"Who goes there?"
At this moment, anyone approaching would attract the group's attention.
Chen Fan stopped, but did not reply, instead choosing to go around them.
"Halt."
This was the arrogance of a powerful faction.
If they asked you a question, you had to answer; you weren't even allowed to leave.
The old woman Chen Fan had disguised himself as frowned. "Esteemed Daoist friend, I am heading to Freedom City. Why do you block my path?"
As she spoke, a sliver of Supreme aura leaked out.
Revealing her cultivation level was intended to make them wary, which was his plan.
As expected, upon seeing that Chen Fan was a Supreme expert, they became a little more courteous.
They cupped their fists. "Esteemed Daoist friend, please forgive us. We are here to intercept someone. To prevent disguises, we have stopped you."
"You suspect I am Chen Fan in disguise?" Chen Fan retorted.
"..."
The other party did not answer.
However, the implication was clear: we don't believe you.
The other party cupped their fists again. "I implore esteemed Daoist friend not to make things difficult for me. Could you please prove your identity?"
"How does a rogue cultivator prove their identity?" Chen Fan asked again.
"Heh heh."
The other party chuckled. "The identity of a rogue cultivator from the Eastern Continent naturally proves little, as it is a loose organization. However, with your cultivation level, senior, you should not be an unknown figure, should you?"
Although smiling, the speaker's nerves were taut.
Just in case.
He needed to be on guard.
"Yes."
Chen Fan nodded. "Is this sufficient?"
As his voice fell, a massive demonic silhouette suddenly appeared above Chen Fan's head.
"A demon?"
The other party was taken aback, then visibly relaxed.
Chen Fan was a human, but this old woman before them exuded an overwhelming demonic aura.
Clearly, this person was a great demon.
Chen Fan was a proper human; he would certainly not know demonic arts.
Alas...
No one knew just how perverse Chen Fan's newly opened Dao was.
Let alone a demonic aura, he could even generate the aura of a human-demon for you.
It was merely the application of rules, simple.
"Please."
The other party stepped aside.
Since the old woman was a great demon, there was no need to examine the bird on her shoulder any further.
It was confirmed. It wasn't Chen Fan.