The Skull Society, the foremost figure besides the Skull King, the Heavenly Skull.
A vast black cloak enveloped him, shrouding everything in darkness.
Only a pair of pupils burned with a pale blue flame.
The Heavenly Skull stood atop a towering mountain, awaiting the arrival of a powerful overlord.
"The Skull King is in seclusion."
His first words upon meeting were an explanation from the Heavenly Skull, followed by: "May I inquire, City Lord, why you grace the Skull Society with your presence?"
Chen Fan's arrival had left the Heavenly Skull somewhat bewildered.
"I've come to borrow something," Chen Fan stated.
"What is it?"
"Anything related to the Eight Ancient Demon Generals."
Indeed, he needed everything.
Furthermore: "I will also be visiting the Dark Church shortly. I require all items pertaining to the Eight Ancient Demon Generals, even the most trivial pieces of information."
"..."
The Heavenly Skull's tone faltered: "You... you came just like that?"
"Otherwise?"
The Heavenly Skull chuckled: "Are you not afraid that the Skull Society will mobilize all its forces to detain the City Lord?"
Chen Fan shook his head, subtly indicating that there were others by his side.
"The City Lord underestimates our Skull Society."
The Old Demon was present, but... in a real fight, would he be useful?
The Heavenly Skull continued: "The Angelic Holy Assembly possesses immense depth. Do you believe our Skull Society lacks it as well?"
"That has nothing to do with me."
Chen Fan shook his head, unwilling to discuss the matter further: "I am here with but one purpose: to obtain all information regarding the Eight Ancient Demon Generals. I have no intention of engaging in hostilities."
"But what if our Skull Society wishes to engage?"
The atmosphere instantly turned grim.
Indeed, Chen Fan had only considered his own intentions, not whether the Skull Society was truly willing to let him leave.
Such an opportune moment to eliminate a powerful overlord – surely many would not let it pass.
"Very well."
Chen Fan decided against beating around the bush: "If your Skull Society wishes to expend lives to clear me as an obstacle for others, I have nothing more to say. If you are unwilling to serve as a pawn for others, tell me, what must I pay to obtain information about the Eight Ancient Demon Generals?"
His words echoed the anxieties of various factions.
It was true, Chen Fan's power was evident for all to see.
The leaders of each faction were at the Half-Step Supreme realm. To kill such a formidable expert would come at an immense cost.
Even if they managed to kill Chen Fan in a desperate struggle, the Skull Society would suffer catastrophic losses.
In such a precarious situation, the Skull Society would face annihilation.
The Dark Church would not hesitate to strike. Though they appeared to be a united front to outsiders,
the truth was known to both the Dark Church and the Skull Society.
"Alright."
The Heavenly Skull produced a folded piece of white paper: "This is a transcription from a golden page, identical in content to the original."
Chen Fan accepted the paper: "So, all the information your Skull Society possesses about the Eight Ancient Demon Generals is recorded on a golden page?"
"Precisely."
The Heavenly Skull nodded.
Before Chen Fan's arrival, the Heavenly Skull had already learned of his objective.
The Southern Domain had spies for the Skull Society who had gathered intelligence.
Chen Fan had not attempted to conceal his intentions; he had come specifically for information on the Eight Ancient Demon Generals.
He had made this clear to Geli at the port.
Therefore, Chen Fan was not surprised that the Skull Society had received word.
Seeing Chen Fan accept the paper, the Heavenly Skull added: "The Skull Society has but one request: once the City Lord deciphers the script, please inform us."
'Certainly.'
Such a simple request, Chen Fan had no reason to refuse.
"Thank you."
The Heavenly Skull showed no intention of detaining Chen Fan, stating directly: "City Lord, you will likely be proceeding to the Dark Church next. We shall not detain you."
"Mm."
Chen Fan nodded and turned to leave.
His time was now extremely pressing.
He needed to swiftly find all information related to the Eight Ancient Demon Generals, then return to Wenlan City to seek out the Fire Demon.
The Dark Church's governance style was somewhat similar to Wenlan City's, characterized by a laissez-faire approach.
The Dark Holy Mountain stood aloof, and the lives of ordinary people were left unattended, as long as they paid their regular tithes to the Dark Church.
There was no swamp, no endless darkness, only tranquility.
Upon Chen Fan's arrival at the Dark Church, he was intercepted by the First Dark Bishop.
"City Lord, what you require."
The First Dark Bishop tossed an object in his hand to Chen Fan. Chen Fan received it, and…
This was interesting; it was a bottle containing three blood-red threads.
The threads moved within the bottle as if alive.
The First Dark Bishop explained: "This originates from the body of an ancient demonic beast. Originally, there were seven threads; now only three remain. Each thread carries a sentence."
"Oh?"
Chen Fan was surprised. Was it truly this miraculous?
From the First Dark Bishop's words, it seemed the Dark Church had used four threads.
"What did the previous four threads reveal?" Chen Fan inquired.
As stated earlier, he intended to leave no stone unturned regarding the Eight Ancient Demon Generals.
It was *all* information.
There were four sentences in total, and the First Dark Bishop did not withhold them.
"I am not a traitor..."
"Kill."
"The Eight Ancient Demon Generals."
"They crossed the portal of space..."
The first three sentences were of no use.
The fourth sentence, "portal of space," caused Chen Fan's pupils to constrict.
Was the "portal of space" referring to the grand gate suspended in the sky?
"Could it be that the Eight Ancient Demon Generals, or perhaps all powerful ancient demonic beasts, are sealed behind the portal of space?" Chen Fan could not conceive of any other explanation.
After a moment of contemplation, he nodded: "I understand. Thank you."
As he prepared to depart, the First Dark Bishop's voice echoed behind him: "If, one day, the City Lord discovers the portal of space, and on account of our current understanding, would you be willing to inform the Dark Church?"
The Dark Church possessed more knowledge than the Skull Society and the Demonic Beast Legion.
Perhaps the Dark Church knew of the portal of space.
"Agreed."
There was no need to conceal such a matter.
If the Eight Ancient Demon Generals indeed existed behind the portal of space, Chen Fan would certainly open it.
He had to obtain information about the crown.
"Then, thank you."
The First Dark Bishop said no more, watching Chen Fan depart.
...
He came quickly, and he left just as swiftly.
Returning to Wenlan City, Chen Fan's first stop was the Fire Demon's chambers.
He needed to understand the reason for the Fire Demon's departure.
The Fire Demon's chambers were exceptionally luxurious. Lan Kuang had even specially constructed a private kitchen for her, complete with chefs.
Within the room, there was no sign of anything out of the ordinary.
"City Lord."
Lan Kuang accompanied him: "We have searched everywhere. There are no traces."
"..."
Chen Fan remained silent.
Just because others could not find it did not mean he could not.
"Buzz."
The Dragon Patterned Compass appeared in his hand, its needle spinning rapidly.
Lan Kuang quickly turned away; only the City Lord was present here.
Chen Fan paid no mind to Lan Kuang's actions, his gaze fixed on the compass needle.
Finally, the needle stopped, pointing towards the kitchen.