Chapter 367: Three Possibilities

The two returned to the inn without acting rashly for the time being.

This was one of the core cities of the Cang Blood Tribe, and there were definitely hidden experts within the city. Cultivators in the Three Blossoms Realm and the Tribulation Crossing Realm were by no means few.

Even if Gu Fan was confident, he did not dare to stir up trouble in someone else’s stronghold, especially when his own identity could not withstand scrutiny.

Thus, the two were left a little bewildered. If they could not leave the city, how could they get to Xiyao City?

This Extreme Western Lands was already a remote area. The only nearby city that had an Immortal Boat was Xiyao City. The waiting time was very long—sometimes even ten days to half a month might not guarantee a single departure.

Since their disappearance, the two had yet to contact their sect. If they were delayed in returning, they feared that even their current positions might be stripped away…

“What should we do? Wait for them to open the gates?”

Gu Fan also found it difficult to decide, his expression looking rather grim as he said:

“Right now, we still can’t figure out the real purpose of this lockdown…”

At this, Fang Xue also nodded, attempting to analyze:

“According to what you said yesterday, this summoning order was mainly to gather cultivators from the Extreme Western Lands to come here together and resist the Four Major Sects’ Gu Family… By reason, now should not be the time to close the city gates!”

“Since they want to gather cultivators, shouldn’t they throw the gates wide open? To close them now is no different from lifting a rock only to smash one’s own foot.”

This was something Gu Fan clearly could not understand either.

He looked out the window. The city itself seemed unchanged, and for the local residents, the lockdown appeared to have no impact.

“Actually, what concerns me the most… is the true reason for this lockdown.”

“Just like you said, the Cang Blood Tribe is trying to gather every cultivator from the Extreme Western Lands and should be welcoming everyone. But now, they’ve suddenly locked down the city… what exactly for?”

“What kind of major event could force the Cang Blood Tribe, at such a crucial moment, to take such an action? It definitely isn’t something trivial!”

Saying this, Gu Fan looked at Fang Xue. Both wore expressions of deep puzzlement.

“But worrying aimlessly won’t help us now. Let’s split up and see if we can gather some useful information.”

Hearing this, Fang Xue nodded and said:

“Alright, let’s regroup here later.”

After agreeing, the two each left to make preparations.

Gu Fan concealed his divine sense and swept across the city. Soon after, he opened his eyes.

“Good thing I had a backup plan prepared in advance. Found you…”

With that, his figure disappeared from the spot.

Moments later, inside a shabby little teahouse within the city, Gu Fan found the man he had been seeking.

At that moment, Bai Qianhe was sitting in a corner drinking tea. When he saw Gu Fan appear, he seemed a bit surprised.

Gu Fan strode forward and sat down directly before him, saying:

“I’m here to buy information.”

Bai Qianhe’s lips curled into a grin, though the several scars across his face made it look somewhat hideous.

“Dao Brother has impressive means, to be able to find me so easily.”

“Just a small trick. Bai Brother’s intelligence network is so strong, who wouldn’t want to leave themselves some backup routes?”

Hearing this, Bai Qianhe was not offended but instead laughed and said:

“Business coming to my door is naturally a good thing. I just don’t know what matter Dao Brother wishes to inquire about?”

Gu Fan leaned forward slightly and directly stated his purpose:

“I want to know the reason behind the Cang Blood Tribe’s lockdown!”

Bai Qianhe raised an eyebrow, then said:

“Lockdowns aren’t exactly rare occurrences, are they? Dao Brother, are you in a hurry to leave?”

“Leaving is one reason. But on the other hand, you and I both know the Cang Blood Tribe’s intentions. At this juncture, if I were them, I absolutely wouldn’t close the city gates. Isn’t this just rejecting all the cultivators they’ve worked so hard to summon?”

Bai Qianhe took a sip of his tea, then smiled at Gu Fan and said:

“I understand. Dao Brother wants to know about this matter?”

Gu Fan nodded, his intent very clear—he wanted the reason.

“This will cost quite a bit more than last time. One Seven-colored Yuan Crystal Stone.”

Gu Fan didn’t even blink. With a flip of his hand, a Yuan Crystal Stone appeared on the table.

Bai Qianhe was briefly stunned, clearly not expecting Gu Fan to be so straightforward.

“Dao Brother truly has strength. Then, based on the intelligence I have, I’ll tell you a few things. But I will not make conclusions—the judgment will be yours alone.”

“Please speak!”

Gu Fan gestured for him to continue.

Bai Qianhe paused, gathered his thoughts, and began:

“Rumor has it that the news of the Twelve Holy Sons’ appearance spread much faster than expected. The Four Major Sects, upon hearing this, made no overt moves on the surface, but their intelligence agents in the Extreme Western Lands grew in number. To ensure the smooth progress of their subsequent plans, the Cang Blood Tribe prepared to carry out a cleansing operation within the city. That’s the first reason!”

Gu Fan nodded. This explanation was plausible, but he didn’t believe it was the main reason.

“The secret of the Blood Pool—since the Cang Blood Tribe dared to speak of it, they naturally aren’t afraid of others coveting it. The Twelve Holy Sons’ matter is the same. So I don’t accept ‘cleansing’ as the key reason for the lockdown.”

Bai Qianhe nodded in agreement and said:

“I think so too. So, there’s another explanation.”

“Supposedly, the Blood Pool suffered a fierce attack last night. The determination of the attackers exceeded the Cang Blood Tribe’s expectations, almost causing an accident with the Blood Pool. However, the assailants themselves were gravely injured. The most critical thing is… it’s said that the attacker carried a sect-protecting treasure of incredible power!”

Hearing this, Gu Fan immediately thought of the Dao Bell.

If the force that attacked was one of the Four Major Sects, then could it be that the sect-protecting treasure they used was on par with the Dao Bell?

Even if it wasn’t equal, it must have been close!

If that were true, then indeed, the lockdown made sense. Even if not to capture the injured attacker, just for that treasure alone, it was worth it.

If they could seize it, then the Cang Blood Tribe’s campaign against the Gu Family would already be half won!

“But there are two suspicious points here. First, why would this force take such a huge risk? To launch the attack and even bring a sect-protecting treasure… the risk here is far more than simply losing a single cultivator.”

As Bai Qianhe spoke, he glanced at Gu Fan, seemingly trying to read his expression.

But unfortunately, Gu Fan’s face remained calm—only filled with silent contemplation.

“The final point—this is another rumor I’ve heard—supposedly, something came out of the Blood Pool. The Cang Blood Tribe failed to stop it, and it escaped, hiding somewhere in the city!”

Gu Fan was startled and exclaimed:

“What?! There’s a living thing inside the Blood Pool?”

“No one has ever entered the Blood Pool. No one knows what lies within. Even if one day the Blood Pool were to vanish entirely, people could only accept it without understanding why.”

“So even if something alive did come out, I wouldn’t find it strange.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep