"If you're thinking that someone had opened the Nine Heavens Eternal Grotto, then you're right, unfortunately." Senior Bai sighed.
"Shouldn't there be someone to guard that place? It would be disastrous if the criminals inside escaped, or am I wrong?" Yuan asked.
"No, you're right. However, there are people guarding the grotto. In fact, there are at least a dozen Immortals guarding that place around the clock, and there hasn't been a single moment when the grotto isn't guarded since the Primordial Era."
"Then how did someone open the grotto?"
"Simple. Someone managed to kill the guards and open the grotto."
"So all of the criminals inside are free now?" Yuan then asked.
"No, not all, which is the most fortunate part in all of this. Although the perpetrator managed to open the grotto, it was only for a brief moment, as the guards were able to call for backup before they died."
"However, that brief moment had allowed 4 incredibly dangerous criminals to escape."
"The entire upper heavens are on the lookout for these criminals right now, but none of the criminals have been caught yet."
Hearing his words, Yuan sighed, "Since you called me here… Do you want me to capture these criminals or something?"
Senior Bai looked at him with wide eyes.
After a moment of silence, he burst out laughing.
"Of course not! You're only a Spirit Lord while these criminals are all Immortals that have existed since the Primordial Era. You will die before you can even touch them."
"Then why did you call me here?" Yuan raised his eyebrows.
"I just wanted to warn you about the current situation in the upper heavens, and although very unlikely, these criminals could escape to the lower heavens." Senior Bai said.
"Even if they escape to the lower heavens, how will I be able to identify them when I don't even know them?" Yuan then asked.
Senior Bai retrieved a red crystal and handed it to him.
"All criminals in the grotto have a seal in their soul that cannot be removed, and as long as they're within 1 mile of this crystal, it will begin reacting to its seal. That's how you know there's a criminal nearby." Senior Bai said.
"If that happens, I want you to report it to me so that we can come to you. Don't even think about confronting these people by yourself. You'll, without a doubt, die."
Yuan nodded, "I won't. I am not that reckless."
"Here's a jade slip that you can use to contact me. The moment you activate it using your spiritual energy, it will notify me, and I will come to you. However, since I am in the upper heavens, it will take some time for me to get there."
Senior Bai handed him a jade slip.
Ding!
<You have been given a Faction Quest by an Overlord!>
[Faction Quest: Escaped Immortals]
[Difficulty: Impossible]
[Description: Report, catch, or kill all four criminals that escaped from the Nine Heavens Eternal Grotto]
[Reward: ???]
"Also, here's a life-saving treasure for you just in case. As long as you have it in your body, it will be able to protect you from any grievous injuries once— even if it was given to you by an immortal."
"Thank you." Yuan accepted the life-saving treasure which was a small crystal ball that contained some sort of red liquid within.
"Eat it." Senior Bai said to him afterward.
"Eh?" Yuan raised his eyebrows. This is his first time seeing a life-saving treasure that required consumption.
"This life-saving treasure is a little different compared to your ordinary life-saving treasure in the way it functions. Normal life-saving treasures will protect you from harm. However, this life-saving treasure will basically give you a second life, but it will not protect you from harm."
"I understand." Yuan nodded his head before tossing the treasure inside his mouth like it was a monster core.
Ding!
<You have consumed a 'Phoenix Rebirth Pill'>
"Phoenix Rebirth Pill?" Yuan mumbled in a low voice.
"Indeed. It was crafted with phoenix blood and many other priceless treasures. There are not many of them out there."
"T-Thank you for giving me such a priceless treasure!" Yuan immediately bowed to him.
Senior Bai smiled and said, "Consider it a gift for ranking up in the faction."
"Eh? How did you know?" Yuan was surprised that he knew about it.
"Did you forget my identity? I can tell your faction rank the moment I look at you."
"By the way, speaking about the faction, my friends would like to join the faction as well. Is that possible?"
"Your friends, huh? In order to join the faction, they must pass our test, but this test can only be done in the Fifth Heaven and above. Therefore, they must climb to the Fifth Heaven in order to join. This is a rule that even I cannot do anything about. The reason you were able to join is because of Xu Jiaqi, who is a Celestial Overlord, allowing her to bend the rules to some extent."
"I see… I will let them know." Yuan said.
"Good. Now, before I let you go, may I speak with a certain someone in your body? More specifically, the lass from the Primordial Realm." Senior Bai suddenly narrowed his eyes.
Yuan's eyes widened with surprise, and he asked in a nervous voice, "Senior Bai… Why do you want to speak with Xiao Hua?"
"Calm down, I am not going to harm her." Senior Bai smiled.
"It's okay, Brother Yuan."
Xiao Hua's voice resounded as she materialized beside him.
"What do you want from Xiao Hua?" She asked him with a calm face, yet her heart was beating nervously.
After all, Senior Bai could easily kill her if he wished, and she would have no way to defend herself.
"So you're the exile that has been following my little friend here, huh? Since your surname is 'Xiao', are you perhaps from the Asura Clan?" Senior Bai asked her.