"Then, we need to have a plan first."
Ye Fan stroked his chin. "I am currently residing in Lingxu Cave Heaven —a very small cultivation sect."
I need to go back and tell them where I am, and also... see if I can get any help.
Although Ye Fan knew in his heart that, given the size of Lingxu Cave Heaven, it was impossible for it to provide any assistance related to the Heavenly Court.
That is an existence that even Desolate Ancient Family and immortal holy lands look up to. A small Grotto-Heaven probably doesn't even know which way the gates of the Heavenly Court face.
But what if?
What if the masters of Lingxu Cave Heaven know some clues?
What if they could provide some maps, tokens, or suggestions?
More importantly, Ye Fan needs to give Lingxu Cave Heaven an explanation.
After all, he was still nominally a disciple of Lingxu Cave Heaven... although his position in the sect was rather awkward due to the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body.
" Lingxu Cave Heaven?"
Qiu'er tilted her head. "Never heard of it. But whatever, you're taking us to the Heavenly Court anyway."
Ye Fan nodded. "Then let's go back to Lingxu Cave Heaven first."
This small town is located at the foot of Lingxu Cave Heaven, so at Ye Fan's current speed, plus having his Xiao Nannan with him, it will only take him a few hours to get back.
On the way, Ye Fan tried to extract more information from Xiao Nannan and Qiu'er, but to little avail.
The Xiao Nannan's memory seems to be really messed up; apart from her obsession with "going to Heavenly Court to see Lin Hao," everything else is blurry and unclear.
She didn't even remember how she got to the capital of the Yan Kingdom; she only remembered that "she just kept walking and then she arrived."
Although Qiu'er could speak and seemed to know some things, whenever Ye Fan asked about the key points, she would either change the subject or brush it off with "I don't know" or "I can't remember".
However, Ye Fan still managed to catch some details.
For example, Qiu'er would occasionally mention words like "fate" and "cause and effect." Although she spoke vaguely, Ye Fan had a feeling that this little beast might really be extraordinary.
For example, although the Xiao Nannan looks frail, she walks without difficulty and has walked for several hours without showing any signs of fatigue.
Ye Fan tentatively asked her if she was tired, but she just shook her head and said, "No, I'm not tired."
This is clearly not the physical strength that a typical five- or six-year-old child should have.
In the evening, Ye Fan finally brought Xiao Nannan and Qiu'er to the gate of Lingxu Cave Heaven.
When the disciples guarding the mountain saw Ye Fan, they were first surprised, and then their expressions became complicated.
"Senior Brother Ye Fan? You're back?"
Ye Fan nodded. "Junior Brother Li, please inform the sect leader or an elder that I wish to see them."
The disciple hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "Senior Brother Ye Fan, you've come back at the wrong time..."
The Ji Family came a few days ago. Although they didn't say anything, the elders in the sect were all a little nervous.
"After all, you are related to that little princess of the Ji Family..."
Ye Fan's heart sank.
He knew that the disciple referred to was Ji Ziyue.
Outside the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, Ji Ziyue did have a brief exchange with him, but it was just a chance encounter, and the two did not have a deep relationship.
However, for a small sect like Lingxu Cave Heaven, anything related to the Desolate Ancient Family is enough to make them feel like they are walking on thin ice.
"I see."
Ye Fan said calmly, "But I have important matters to report, please inform me."
The disciple guarding the mountain sighed and turned to report.
A moment later, Ye Fan was brought to the council hall of Lingxu Cave Heaven.
Several elders were seated in the hall, including the sect leader.
The expressions on everyone's faces were somewhat solemn, and their gazes toward Ye Fan were quite complex.
" Ye Fan, you're back."
The sect leader spoke, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, "I heard you've been going down the mountain frequently these past few days?"
"Yes."
Ye Fan bowed respectfully, "Furthermore, I encountered some issues at the foot of the mountain that I need to report to the sect, and... I would also like to request the sect's assistance."
"Help?"
An elder raised an eyebrow. "You should know that although you are a disciple of our sect, your Desolate Ancient Sacred Body... sigh."
The sect has already done more than enough to take you in.
As for other matters, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do to help.
This was a blunt statement, but Ye Fan wasn't surprised.
The Desolate Ancient Sacred Body is now considered a useless body, making it difficult to navigate the Bitter Sea and almost impossible to cultivate.
The Lingxu Cave Heaven initially took him in mainly because he had emerged from the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, hoping to glean some secrets about the forbidden land from him.
However, several months passed and Ye Fan's cultivation made no progress, so the sect's attitude towards him naturally cooled down.
"Disciple understands."
Ye Fan replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "But what this disciple seeks is not cultivation resources, but rather information about a certain place."
Where?
Ye Fan took a deep breath and uttered two words: " Heavenly Court."
The hall fell silent instantly.
The elders exchanged bewildered glances, and the sect leader frowned even more.
" Heavenly Court?"
The sect leader repeated, his tone tinged with suspicion, "Why are you inquiring about the Heavenly Court?"
"This disciple... has been entrusted to make a trip to the Heavenly Court."
Ye Fan carefully chose his words, "Does your sect have any records about the Heavenly Court? Or do you know Heavenly Court location?"
An elder scoffed, " Ye Fan, you overestimate our sect."
What is the Heavenly Court? It is an unparalleled power that surpasses all holy lands and aristocratic families, and the Heavenly Emperor Lin Hao is a legendary and forbidden figure.
"Let alone our sect, even the Desolate Ancient Family of the Eastern Wasteland might not know the exact location of the Heavenly Court."
Another elder shook his head. " The Heavenly Court is mysterious and unpredictable. It is said that its entrance is located in the Nine Heavens, and it is elusive."
Unless there is a special token or guide, it cannot be found at all.
Ye Fan, I advise you not to be overly ambitious; it's better to be down-to-earth.
Ye Fan's heart sank.
Although he had expected it, he still felt powerless upon hearing the elders' firm reply.
"Then... is there any map, ancient book, or any clues that might be related to the Heavenly Court inside the gate?" Ye Fan asked unwillingly.
The sect leader pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "There is a clue... but it may not be useful."
Ye Fan's eyes lit up. "Please enlighten me, Sect Leader."
White Emperor City.
The sect leader spoke, "As the Heavenly Court's largest stronghold in the Eastern Wasteland, White Emperor City is the best place to find White Jade Capital if you truly want to do so."
" White Emperor City..." Ye Fan murmured, repeating.
"However, Ye Fan, I must remind you," the sect leader's tone became serious, " White Emperor City is located in the Northern Region of the Eastern Wilderness, more than ten thousand miles away from here."
Moreover, the journey is fraught with danger; with your current cultivation level, going there would only be suicide.
"Disciple understands."
Ye Fan bowed, "But this disciple has a reason why I must go."
After all, the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body cannot be cultivated. If anyone could break this curse, Ye Fan thought the Heavenly Emperor was the most likely candidate.
Having witnessed the wonders of this world, how could Ye Fan possibly be content to... remain just an ordinary person?