Those who possess the power of demonic whispers can determine a person's soul with a single word.
To Huanzong and Guangming, Chen Fan's voice was like demonic whispers.
The expressions of the two stiffened for a moment, but they quickly masked it.
After all, they were Ninth Rankers, standing at the very pinnacle of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.
Fear could exist, but not terror.
This was their bottom line.
Even in death, Ninth Rankers must die with dignity.
"City Lord Chen."
Huanzong's expression was calm. "Long time no see."
"Long time?"
Chen Fan smiled faintly. "It doesn't seem that long, does it?"
Huanzong: "..."
I was just making conversation... Huanzong's teeth ached.
It was Lord Guangming who had to step forward, sighing and saying, "City Lord Chen, the two of us have already withdrawn from the Ninth Land. We have no intention of becoming your enemy. Perhaps City Lord Chen could state your demands? Tell us what you need us to do, and we will comply."
He no longer wished to remain in ambiguity.
This feeling was not good.
He needed to know Chen Fan's true intentions.
Was it a fight, or something else?
"Haha."
Chen Fan burst into laughter. "Lord Guangming is truly forthright."
"Then this City Lord will not beat around the bush. I need to consolidate the strength of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands to jointly resist the Million Calamity. What are your thoughts on this, seniors?"
"..."
Silence.
After a long while, Lord Guangming finally spoke. "City Lord, are you asking us to submit?"
"No."
This statement was not entirely accurate.
Chen Fan shook his head. "Ninth Rankers have their own dignity. I only need the two of you to guarantee that when the Million Calamity arrives, you will actively resist, rather than choosing to surrender immediately. Ninth Rankers have their own dignity, and your word is enough."
This was what he needed.
Just like Dao Master Hanyuan.
I need your promise, not an ambiguous attitude.
Upon hearing this, Lord Guangming finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He clasped his fists. "City Lord Chen can rest assured on this matter. Because of the matters concerning the Order Heavenly Strategy, the two of us would not have the chance to surrender even if we wanted to. The Upper Nine Heavens would not let us go, and there is no escape outside the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands."
"Besides resistance, the two of us have no other path."
Huanzong nodded. "If this is all City Lord requires, please rest assured. The Upper Nine Heavens and I have a sworn enmity that can never be reconciled."
"Good, I believe in you two seniors."
Ninth Rankers were as good as their word.
A Ninth Ranker who couldn't keep their word was simply not worth worrying about.
After a long period of contemplation, Chen Fan spoke again. "Senior Huanzong, you were the one who informed us about the Million Calamity back then. I'd like to ask, what else do you know about the Million Calamity?"
Huanzong shook his head. "I don't know much. After all, I haven't been a Ninth Ranker for very long. These matters are only clear to those at the Ninth Rank."
"What about matters outside the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands?"
This matter was also very important to Chen Fan.
"Are you referring to the matter of the Chaos going mad, City Lord?"
"Exactly."
"I do know some things about that."
Huanzong recalled for a moment and then recounted everything he knew.
To Chen Fan's disappointment, Huanzong knew even less than Dao Master Dao.
"Never mind."
Although disheartened, Chen Fan couldn't say much.
This matter was, after all, a top secret.
He presumed that Lord of Order and the Lord of the First Heaven would know more about matters outside the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.
To find out, he would have to find these two.
Boom.
Their conversation did not disrupt the battle in Hanyuan.
Within Hanyuan, an evil aura permeated the heavens and earth, and the Hanyuan's energies churned ceaselessly.
The sounds of immense clashes continuously emanated from within Hanyuan.
At a certain moment...
Bang.
The figure of the Evil Lord was blasted out of Hanyuan.
Covered in blood, the Evil Lord's entire body was frozen.
His form flickered between ethereal and solid, as if a force was trying to assimilate him into the Chaos.
"So strong."
Seeing the Evil Lord's state, Chen Fan's expression grew increasingly grave.
The Evil Lord was powerful, he knew this very well.
He had known this since the day he slew Dao Master Thousand Silk.
And after the restraint of Dao Master Thousand Silk was gone, the Evil Lord's power had begun to grow unchecked.
Yet, he had been heavily wounded by Dao Master Hanyuan.
"Chii."
From within Hanyuan, another wave of icy power surged forth.
The icy power transformed into a spear, aiming to pierce the Evil Lord.
"Roar."
At the critical moment, Dragon King intervened.
The Evil Lord was now his comrade, and he would not stand by and watch him be killed here.
The dragon's true form appeared, its massive tail sweeping out.
Boom.
The icy light shattered.
Dragon King's colossal body retreated nearly ten thousand meters in the void before stopping.
A dense layer of frost appeared on its tail.
The next moment, its tail shook, shattering the frost.
The shattered frost, along with scales and blood, rained down, and the void evaporated.
"So strong."
Dragon King also let out a sigh of awe.
A single touch had inflicted such a heavy price upon him.
Like Chen Fan, Dragon King's face was extremely solemn.
Buzz.
Beneath Hanyuan, giant waves began to churn.
Beneath the waves of rules, a suffocating aura began to ascend.
"Not good."
Huanzong's expression suddenly changed.
He quickly said, "City Lord Chen, be careful, she is about to emerge."
Chen Fan: "..."
Huanzong's words put everyone on high alert.
Old Demon Chu, Immortal Emperor, Golden Crow... everyone prepared themselves to face heavenly might.
Danger.
Unimaginable danger.
At this moment, Lord Guangming suddenly stepped forward from the crowd and said, "Dao Master Hanyuan, please refrain from your anger. You have sealed yourself within Hanyuan for a million years to resist the Million Calamity. Why must you emerge for a momentary dispute?"
The aura within Hanyuan paused, but soon began to churn again.
Dao Master Hanyuan remained silent, but persisted in her desire to emerge.
"Haha."
A sudden burst of laughter attracted everyone's attention.
Chen Fan bowed towards the direction of Hanyuan. "Dao Master Hanyuan, today I acted rashly. I unintentionally disturbed your serene cultivation without understanding the situation. I am truly sorry."
"This junior will depart now. Senior, please quell your anger."
With that, he directly turned and led his people away.
There was no hesitation, very decisive.
This scene left everyone somewhat bewildered.
The churning waves beneath Hanyuan were momentarily unsure whether to erupt or recede.
Because Chen Fan had truly taken his people and left.
"Hmph."
In the end, Dao Master Hanyuan could only express her dissatisfaction with a cold snort.
Since they had already left, what was the point of emerging?
The power she had accumulated for so long was meant to resist the Million Calamity. Now that she had emerged... it was not worth it.
"Seniors."
At this moment, Chen Fan suddenly transmitted a message to Huanzong and Lord Guangming. "If you two seniors do not mind, perhaps we could chat again?"
The two exchanged glances. "Alright."
They had already discussed what needed to be discussed. If he invited them again, there must be a reason.
Regardless, the Heartstone of the Earth could no longer be obtained.
There was no point in staying here any longer, so it was better to leave for now.
Perhaps there would be other ways to heal their Great Dao wounds.