Chapter Seventy-Five: Junyang Arrives at the Clan of the Candle Dragon

Junyang was invited into the main hall of the Candle Dragon Clan.

Fan Wuwei swaggered in through the grand entrance.
“Well, this truly is a rare guest.”
Junyang glanced at Fan Wuwei with a hint of disdain. “Why do you look so old?”
Fan Wuwei’s smile froze instantly. Indeed, this old serpentine was best suited for fighting.
“Are you here to pick a fight?”
Junyang raised his brows indifferently. Whether he was here to provoke or not, the old Candle Dragon would surely drag him into a brawl anyway; so getting in a jab felt even more satisfying.
“I’m here to ask a favor.”
“And you address me like this when you want something?”
The more Fan Wuwei looked at Junyang, the more irritated he felt. The old fellow sheds his skin every millennium, always appearing so young.
“It’s not a big deal. If you won’t help, I’ll just go to the Azure Dragon Clan.”
Fan Wuwei flared his nostrils and snorted twice. “The Azure Dragon Clan? That old man atop Jade Mountain does nothing but seclude himself. Can you even find him?”
Junyang took a sip of tea, savoring it leisurely. “How can you be so certain that he wouldn’t emerge if I sought him out?”
Fan Wuwei grew anxious. “Alright, alright, what do you need?”
He’d finally caught this old fox—how could he let him slip away?
“Are you aware of the Wandering Immortal Map?” Junyang asked.
Fan Wuwei pondered for a moment. “Isn’t that the artifact forged by someone named Cang Yu? I heard it’s formidable—once sealed within, cultivation plummets rapidly.”
“That’s the one. Do you know who’s ever been sealed inside?”
“Who’s been sealed inside?” Fan Wuwei was hooked, staring curiously at Junyang.
Junyang shot him a glare. “I’m asking whether you know of anyone who’s been sealed inside, not telling you a story. You old fool! After all these years, you’re still so dense.”
Fan Wuwei was inexplicably scolded again, but didn’t mind; perhaps he was long used to it. He stroked his beard. “You know I never bother with such gossip, but I can help you ask around.”
Junyang set down his teacup and fixed his gaze on Fan Wuwei.
Fan Wuwei glanced down at himself in confusion. “What?”
“Go inquire, then!”
“Oh…”
Fan Wuwei hurried to his feet, exited the hall, and summoned a servant. “Go fetch the steward.”
“Yes, sir.”
The servant quickly obeyed, rushing out.
Once the servant had gone, Fan Wuwei suddenly realized something was amiss. “Why am I so obedient to that old rascal?”
He muttered under his breath, reflecting on himself.

Everyone was now at the same cultivation realm; there was no need to fear that fellow. It must be a shadow from having been beaten so badly in his youth.
“I must reclaim my dignity next time.”
Fan Wuwei resolved silently, pacing back and forth in the courtyard.

Steward Fan Wenyuan, knowing his ancestor’s impatience, rushed over at top speed.
“Ancestor, you called for me?”
“Yes. Send someone to find out who has ever been sealed within the Wandering Immortal Map.”
“The Wandering Immortal Map? Understood. I’ll look into it immediately.”
Though puzzled by his ancestor’s sudden interest, Fan Wenyuan dared not question it and promptly instructed all clan members to investigate.
The ancestor hadn’t managed clan affairs for years. Fan Lihua, unable to locate You Xiyue, was currently staying obediently at home.
Receiving this command, she was quite curious.
“Grandpa Steward, why does the ancestor want to know this?”
“It seems he’s inquiring on behalf of a friend.”
“The ancestor has friends?” Fan Lihua acted as if she’d uncovered a startling revelation. “That must be someone of ancestor-level status, then?”
Fan Wenyuan recalled peeking into the main courtyard earlier—the man seemed very young, about the same age as Fan Lihua.
“It looked like a young friend, seemed quite youthful.”
“A young friend? Very young?”
Fan Lihua’s curiosity deepened.
“I understand, Grandpa Steward. You go notify the others.”
“Alright. If you’re free, ask around yourself. The ancestor seems quite anxious.”
“I know, I know.”
Fan Lihua dismissed Fan Wenyuan perfunctorily.
Once the steward departed, she slipped quietly toward the main hall.
Anyone whom her ancestor regarded as a young friend must be special; she simply had to see for herself.

Fan Wuwei, having finished his instructions, returned to the main hall.
“I’ve sent word. Wait a bit; we should have news soon.”
“Oh.” Junyang replied, idly sipping his tea.
Fan Wuwei grew more bored and edged closer to Junyang.
“It’s been a while since we fought. How about a match?”
Junyang had expected as much—this old man was always eager for a thrashing.
Fifty thousand years ago, he was beaten every day; now, not even a quarter hour had passed before he grew restless. Yet now that their realms were similar, Junyang was also curious about Fan Wuwei’s skills.

“Is there a place?” Junyang asked.
“What place?”
Junyang sighed. Conversing with this old Candle Dragon was truly exhausting. “Do you mean to fight in your own main hall? If the roof gets blown off, I won’t pay for repairs.”
Fan Wuwei grew excited, rubbing his hands together. It had been ages since he found a worthy opponent.
“There’s a place, there’s a place—the back mountain. Let’s go!”
He stood, pulling Junyang toward the rear mountain.

When Fan Lihua arrived, all she saw was Junyang’s back.
“That silhouette… Why does it look so familiar? Where have I seen it before?”
She pondered left and right, unable to recall, but was certain she knew that back.
Driven by curiosity, Fan Lihua followed after them.

The matter of the Wandering Immortal Map having been lent out was exceedingly secretive. Tracking down who had borrowed it and who had been sealed inside was no easy task.
Cang Yu had merely handed the map to the then-head of the Cang family, and it was that patriarch who lent it out. Thus, You Xiyue found no clues in Cang Yu’s memories.

Fan Lihua trailed Junyang and Fan Wuwei to the back mountain, only to discover their true purpose was to spar.

Fan Wuwei and Junyang, naturally, sensed a junior following them.
“Your youngster could use some proper discipline,” Junyang remarked, his gaze flicking toward where Fan Lihua hid. He recalled how, back at the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, a Candle Dragon junior had called him shameless, and did not hold back his words.
Fan Wuwei coughed, uncertain how Fan Lihua had become so bold as to follow even him.
“I’ll deal with her later.”

To avoid excessive disturbance, the two set up a soundproofing array; Fan Lihua could not hear their conversation.
She peered out, trying to catch a glimpse.

Junyang swept his sleeve, summoning the Ancient Azure Dragon Sword.
Fan Wuwei’s face lit up with excitement at the sight. “Jade Mountain’s old man still hasn’t managed to reclaim that sword?”
“He has no right to take it.”
Junyang hadn’t unleashed his full aura in ages.
Around You Xiyue, he always appeared gentle and obedient.
This was the true Junyang—domineering and powerful.

A gust of spiritual wind swept by; Fan Wuwei revealed his own weapon—the Candle Dragon Mace.