Chapter 108: The Wind God Sect

“Of course, my decision to save you wasn’t solely because of Leng Ye. I risked exposing the Wind God Sect to come rescue you because there is something I need to discuss with you,” Zhang Fang said as he continued. Chu Han nodded, having long suspected as much; he had simply been waiting for Zhang Fang to speak.

The Wind God Sect had always been concealed behind the Eastern Wilderness, unknown to outsiders. This time, they nearly revealed themselves to save him. If Zhang Fang had acted solely on Leng Ye’s request, it wouldn’t make sense—after all, as the sect leader, he had to consider the sect’s interests.

“We’ve been covertly investigating the Wolf Clan. I’ve also heard about your connections with them, so I wanted to gather some intelligence from you. The Wolf Clan has always stayed hidden, but recently they’ve become active—suddenly active at that. I have a feeling something major is happening within their ranks,” Zhang Fang said bluntly, revealing his intent. Chu Han nodded inwardly. The higher-ups in the Eastern Wilderness had long taken notice of the Wolf Clan and had been quietly investigating, but the clan had always remained well-hidden, leaving them at a loss.

As for the Wolf Clan’s sudden activity, Chu Han understood it best: the Nine Poisons Sorceress had been successfully cultivated, granting the clan the strength to rival the major sects. In sect battles, the Nine Poisons Sorceress was virtually unbeatable. Anyone caught in her toxic assaults would suffer heavy casualties; no one could withstand her poisons—truly terrifying.

“The Wolf Clan’s success in cultivating the Nine Poisons Sorceress is frightening. She was already at the Yang Realm before, and now she must be even more formidable. I don’t recommend your sect engaging them directly. The danger posed by the Nine Poisons Sorceress is beyond imagination,” Chu Han said gravely. He certainly didn’t want them to confront the Wolf Clan head-on. After all, the sorceress was Liu Qingli. The three major sects undoubtedly had experts at or above Dragon Transformation level. If they recklessly harmed or killed Liu Qingli, he would regret it for life.

Hearing the name “Nine Poisons Sorceress,” Zhang Fang was shocked. He hadn’t expected such a legendary figure to be cultivated by the Wolf Clan. Experienced as he was, he knew well the terror she embodied.

“I don’t know the Wolf Clan’s ultimate goal, but they won’t act hastily. Though the Nine Poisons Sorceress is mighty, she’s not yet powerful enough. The three major sects always have means to counter her. If the Wolf Clan intends to launch a full-scale war, they will wait until she matures before making a move,” Chu Han analyzed firmly. His reasoning was sound. The Wolf Clan was no fool; they had endured quietly for so long. If they struck now, the three great families would be overwhelmed. This would be their only chance at survival.

Zhang Fang nodded in agreement, but he couldn’t allow the Wolf Clan to grow unchecked. The three major sects had to take action.

“Here’s what we’ll do: contact a man named Li Fu. He’s one of my people and has been secretly investigating the Wolf Clan. Share intelligence with him; it will make things easier. He has insights into the Wolf Clan that you can’t match,” Chu Han suggested. Weakening the Wolf Clan’s power would benefit him too—he intended to rescue Liu Qingli eventually, and the less powerful the Wolf Clan, the greater his chances.

Zhang Fang’s face brightened at Chu Han’s words. Although the three great sects were powerful, their intelligence was lacking. Having an expert like Li Fu was undoubtedly good news in the struggle against the Wolf Clan.

By then, the two had arrived at the Wind God Sect’s entrance. Chu Han realized the sect was hidden right within the bustling Eastern Wilderness—a modest little eatery with hardly any business. This was the sect’s secret base.

Chu Han silently admired their cunning: the most dangerous place was the safest. Who would have guessed one of the three major sects hid in a busy market?

The two entered the eatery and ascended to the fourth floor, where they entered a room. Zhang Fang walked over to a decorative piece and gently turned it, revealing a hidden door in the wall. They stepped inside.

Inside was another world: a spacious chamber filled with seated figures, presumably the Wind God Sect’s elders. The sect’s disciples were generally stationed on Nine Immortal Island or concealed among the populace.

“Brother Chu, are you all right?” Leng Ye rushed forward, checking his condition. Seeing no serious wounds, she relaxed.

Chu Han hadn’t yet decided how to face Leng Ye’s concern when Zhang Fang intervened. “Enough, don’t fuss. Chu Han is injured,” he said, approaching him. “I’ve prepared a secret chamber for you to heal. If you need anything, just say the word. Whatever I can do, I’ll arrange it. We’re partners now.”

Hearing this, Chu Han had intended to be polite, but it was clear Zhang Fang was right. Both shared a common enemy: the Wolf Clan. It wasn’t unreasonable for him to request certain things—after all, he knew much more about the Wolf Clan than the Wind God Sect did.

“I need Thunder-Struck Wood,” Chu Han said quietly. This was a rare and valuable item, difficult to obtain. He hadn’t expected Zhang Fang to agree.

“No problem. We happen to have some in our collection. Go to the secret chamber; I’ll have someone deliver it to you,” Zhang Fang replied promptly. The Wind God Sect was ancient, with countless treasures. The Thunder-Struck Wood was among them, though it had limited use—only practitioners of the Lightning Element could benefit from it, so it had been stored away.

Chu Han was thrilled and thanked him before entering the secret chamber. He waited quietly. He was now at the Dao Palace’s Second Palace level, and his system was only 23% loaded. He needed the Thunder-Struck Wood to strengthen himself and to pause the system’s progress—a perfect solution.

After a few minutes, two disciples carried in the Thunder-Struck Wood and closed the door behind them. The chamber was said to be forged from mysterious iron and lined with secret silver. Growing up in a blacksmith family, Chu Han knew the value of such materials. Protected by this chamber, even experts at Dragon Transformation level would find it difficult to penetrate.

Looking at the massive Thunder-Struck Wood on the floor, Chu Han nodded with satisfaction. At his current level, ordinary Thunder-Struck Wood would be ineffective; only wood of this size could help him absorb energy and increase his power.

He sensed the electric energy within the wood. Though the lightning was not abundant, it was sufficient.

Placing his right hand on the wood and holding a dagger in his left, he stabbed himself in the chest—a method he hadn’t used in a long time. Primitive as it was, it allowed him to fully absorb the wood’s energy.

Enduring the pain, Chu Han absorbed the lightning energy as it surged into his dantian. The aftereffects of the pills he had taken were gradually fading.

The wound on his chest was healing, and the lightning energy within the wood was diminishing. His dantian was now filled with explosive electric power.