Chapter 2618: That Boast... Is a Bit Much!
In the next moment, the Carefree Immortal Emperor descended upon the Cultivation Resource Exchange Market, standing before Fang Bai’s stall.
After a millennium, this was Fang Bai’s first time seeing the Carefree Immortal Emperor.
The Carefree Immortal Emperor before him restrained his divine energy, appearing as if he were the most ordinary of Immortals.
This made Fang Bai secretly surprised, knowing he had reached the realm of returning to simplicity, his strength now comparable to the few top-tier Immortal Emperors in the Immortal Realm.
"In this millennium, could he have encountered some great opportunity?"
Fang Bai pondered secretly.
In his previous life, Fang Bai, although not deeply acquainted with the Carefree Immortal Emperor, had met him several times, knowing the Carefree Immortal Emperor was limited by innate aptitude, and reaching the Emperor Realm was his utmost limit.
But unexpectedly, upon meeting him again now, his strength had improved significantly from a thousand years ago, something impossible without a great opportunity.
However, as Fang Bai continued to observe the Carefree Immortal Emperor, he felt something was amiss, as if the Carefree Immortal Emperor was deliberately hiding something.
Fang Bai recognized the Carefree Immortal Emperor before him, but the Carefree Immortal Emperor did not know that the Wushuang Immortal Emperor was Fang Bai.
This was due to Fang Bai’s enhanced ability to conceal his aura after advancing to the mid Immortal Emperor Realm, otherwise he might not be able to escape the extraordinary sight of the Carefree Immortal Emperor.
"Wushuang Immortal Emperor, though we meet for the first time, I feel a sense of familiarity..."
As Fang Bai observed the Carefree Immortal Emperor, the Carefree Immortal Emperor also scrutinized him. After several breaths, he spoke slowly, his smile warm and gentle.
Fang Bai’s heart skipped a beat, thinking he might have been discovered, and was about to speak, when the Carefree Immortal Emperor continued, "This, perhaps, is what fate is all about! Some Immortals, though known for a lifetime, never see eye to eye; while some Immortals, after one meeting, become kindred spirits... I believe we are such!"
Fang Bai laughed heartily and said, "To speak truthfully... I feel the same way!"
The Carefree Immortal Emperor found it astonishing that the Wushuang Immortal Emperor, merely at a mid Immortal Emperor Realm cultivation level, showed no anxiety when facing an Immortal Emperor like himself.
Yet, upon thinking further, the Carefree Immortal Emperor felt relieved.
This Wushuang Immortal Emperor excels in Pill Dao Array, possesses Dual Attribute Innate Spiritual Root, and will most likely ascend to the Emperor Realm, such an Immortal would surely possess some arrogance?
Wasn’t he like this back in the day?
"I heard that Wushuang Immortal Emperor has profound insights into the Way of Array. I have some understandings of Array as well. Why don’t we head to the Carefree Palace for a discussion?"
After a brief chat, the Carefree Immortal Emperor was convinced that this Wushuang Immortal Emperor had an astounding talent for Array, and might achieve not less than himself in the future. Thus, he invited Fang Bai with increased interest.
Fang Bai’s purpose of entering Bluewater Immortal City was to protect the Emperor’s Palace disciples, who might be under the Carefree Immortal Emperor’s shelter, and to gain news of these disciples, he must rely on the Carefree Immortal Emperor, so he gladly accepted the invitation.
"You all stay here and wait for my return."
Fang Bai turned to tell Fengyu Immortal Fairy and the five others, then set off with the Carefree Immortal Emperor, riding the Auspicious Clouds towards the Carefree Palace.
From beginning to end, the Carefree Immortal Emperor never spared Fengyu Immortal Fairy a glance.
To the Carefree Immortal Emperor, Fang Bai’s cultivation might lack somewhat, but his prowess in Alchemy and the Way of Array is renowned, possessing great potential in the Immortal Dao, thus worthy of the invitation.
While Fengyu Immortal Fairy and the others, an initial Immortal Emperor Realm and four Immortal King Realm cultivations, with no noteworthy abilities, are no different from ants, hence the Carefree Immortal Emperor disregarded them.
Upon arriving at the Carefree Palace, Fang Bai and the Carefree Immortal Emperor engaged in a lengthy discussion centered on the Way of Array.
The Carefree Immortal Emperor was surprised to find that the Wushuang Immortal Emperor’s understanding of Array was even more profound than imagined, increasing his desire to recruit.
During the discussion, Fang Bai intended to bring up the matter of the Emperor’s Palace disciples but felt that the Carefree Immortal Emperor seemed different from a thousand years ago. Despite the Carefree Immortal Emperor’s subtle concealment, he couldn’t discern the exact difference at the time.
Having lived through two lifetimes, Fang Bai grew more cautious and meticulous, especially regarding matters concerning the Emperor’s Palace, made him doubly cautious.
Therefore, regarding the Emperor’s Palace disciples, he decided not to mention it to the Carefree Immortal Emperor for now, planning to bring it up later since he was to reside in Bluewater Immortal City for a while.
Previously, outside Bluewater Immortal City, Fang Bai discovered some marks left by the Emperor’s Palace disciples, speculating that there must be disciples residing in the city, and intended to search slowly.
"Forgive my impertinence, but I’ve heard that the Carefree Immortal friend is at odds with the eight top-tier Immortal Emperors and has sheltered the surviving disciples of the Emperor’s Palace... Is this merely a rumor, or is there truth to it?"
Fang Bai casually mentioned this matter, while his gaze landed on the Carefree Immortal Emperor’s face, hoping to find some clues.
The Carefree Immortal Emperor surprisingly did not deny it, calmly laughed and said, "This matter has spread widely, now known across the Immortal Realm. Haha... The actions of the eight top-tier Immortal Emperors over this millennium are clear to all Immortals, detesting them more than just me..."
Pausing, he continued, "Not to hide from you, a millennium ago, I met the Emperor’s Palace Master several times and we became kindred spirits. Later, when the Emperor’s Palace fell, and its disciples were hunted, in both feelings and reasoning, I felt I should do something... I sheltered the Emperor’s Palace disciples, it is moral righteousness, what can the eight top-tier Immortal Emperors do to me?"
With a solemn expression, standing righteously, he then added, "The eight top-tier Immortal Emperors sent disciples to persuade me to abandon the shelter of Emperor’s Palace disciples. I scolded them harshly and chased them away! Later, they threatened me, claiming if I didn’t hand over the disciples, they would join forces to destroy my Bluewater Immortal City..."
Fang Bai said, "Carefree Immortal friend, do you truly fear not the joint offense of the eight top-tier forces?"
The Carefree Immortal Emperor laughed proudly, "If they dare invade, they will be taught to come with no return!"
Fang Bai thought to himself: "Even my Emperor’s Palace struggled against the joint forces of the eight top-tier powers, not to mention your Bluewater Immortal City? Although there are a million Immortals within Bluewater Immortal City, not all follow your lead to fight against the eight top-tier forces! Carefree Immortal Emperor ah Carefree Immortal Emperor, your boasting... is a bit excessive!"
Fang Bai remembered the Carefree Immortal Emperor of past years, albeit very arrogant, but not unaware of limits, now he clearly became more vain, his words tinged with more hostility.
"Hostility..."
Fang Bai seemed to vaguely catch onto something, but was interrupted by the Carefree Immortal Emperor’s next words.
"I intend to create a sect, named Carefree Palace, and widely invite Immortals from all sides to join... May I ask if the Wushuang Immortal Emperor wishes to become one? If honored by the Wushuang Immortal Emperor, a future Elder seat in the Carefree Palace will be reserved for you!"
The Carefree Immortal Emperor asked with a smile, his expression showing eagerness.