Zhou Fan considered simply breaking through it and making a run for it, but an idea sprang into his mind. The Rule of Growth appeared on his fingertip.
He began to use it to change the darkness covering the cave entrance, essentially compressing its growth.
A hole began to open up, when Zhou Fan saw something beyond it. Some sort of sensory array was right behind it. As soon as the gap opened, it was triggered.
It was a double trap, something Zhou Fan hadn't expected. Without hesitation, he smashed the restrictions covering the cave, startling the elder inside.
He grabbed the elder by the neck and flew away. He barely took a step before an overwhelming presence could be felt from the center of the sect. It was not the founder, but one of the other two strongest beings.
Since there was a spatial restriction covering the entire Inner Sect, Zhou Fan was unable to directly teleport to the array. However, he moved incredibly fast. He appeared on top of the array in moments. At the same time, a hand appeared behind him.
However, the teleportation array activated, and Zhou Fan disappeared. The array instantly destroyed itself. A man appeared, a deep frown on his face.
Before long, another person appeared.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Someone just kidnapped the Pill Elder."
The other man's face turned dark as well. "Should we report to the founder?"
"He already knows."
"Who could have done it?"
"Surely one of the sects from other Universes. As for what they wanted with the Pill Elder, I have no idea."
Suddenly, another figure appeared. "Drop it."
The two instantly quieted down, confused. They couldn't understand why the founder wasn't in a rage.
The founder spoke. "That person had the aura of the Origin Universe surrounding him. We can't casually make enemies with anyone from there."
His words caused the two to nod in understanding. No matter how big of a loss this was, they could only endure. The Fire Spirit Universe had already become the center of attention across all of existence. It was unlikely their sect would even exist for much longer considering the beings soon to get involved with the release of news mentioning Lord Lu of the Nine Heavens.
Zhou Fan appeared far away from the Fire Spirit Sect. Even the sect's powerful founder couldn't tell where he had gone, which showed just how far away he had moved.
The Pill Elder was bewildered. He looked around, not knowing what to say.
"I just have a few questions. Answer them truthfully, and I can even let you go." Zhou Fan said.
He had no need to keep the elder if he got what he needed.
The Pill Elder slowly nodded.
"How can I get to the Nine Heavens Universe?" He asked.
The Pill Elder spoke. "You'd have to go through a series of teleportations. I can tell you how to get there, but the Nine Heavens Universe is not something that can be casually entered. Unless you have citizenship or are a Celestial Emperor, good luck. Even our sect's founder would struggle to get in. As for forcing your way in, even a Celestial Emperor wouldn't know how they died."
Zhou Fan nodded. "Tell me how to get there."
The Pill Elder quickly explained the teleportation path he would have to take.
Zhou Fan memorized it and left. He put an hour-long restriction on the Pill Elder to ensure that he wouldn't tell the Fire Spirit Sect's founder about his soon to be whereabouts.
Zhou Fan was able to move rather quickly even in this expanded Universe. Within ten minutes, he arrived at a "Teleportation Hub".
He had to admit it, Ying Xiong's idea was genius. This was something that existed even multiple Era's in the future. Zhou Fan had never expected the design to last so long, though he was sure that nobody knew who had created it.
He arrived, and the area was bustling. Every single person here was an Immortal of some sort.
There were surely a bunch of powerful people keeping watch.
Zhou Fan observed the area, and he saw two types of payment. One was using some stones, and the other was using a card. He imagined the stones were some form of Spirit Stones, which he did not keep on him. Naturally, he didn't have a card either.
Despite that, he looked around. Before long, he spotted the teleportation array he was supposed to take. This array was extremely advanced and clearly held in higher regard than the others. He assumed it was because this array was used to travel between Universes.
He was just about to start considering how he was going to get the money necessary to use the teleportation array, when a man in a suit appeared in front of him. Zhou Fan hadn't even been able to see how he had appeared. One instant he wasn't there, and the next he was.
The most noticeable feature of the man was a pair of wings on his boots.
He looked directly at Zhou Fan. "Excuse me, sir. Are you Mr. Zhou Fan?"
Zhou Fan nodded.
The man looked through his bag and grabbed an envelope. He then handed it to Zhou Fan. "Here you are. Have a great day."
Zhou Fan was naturally surprised at this development, but opened the envelope nonetheless. A letter and a card were inside.
"Dear Zhou Fan, I sensed your presence and put some pieces together. Although I have long ceased to participate in any matters regarding them, I am still the owner of the Teleportation Hubs across the Universe. This should help you move around. My regards, Ying Xiong."
Zhou Fan chuckled and pulled a card out of the envelope.
It didn't come as too much of a surprise. Ying Xiong was surely far more powerful than he could imagine at this point. Zhou Fan took the card and walked up to the Teleportation array he was supposed to take.
"Card or Stones?" An attendant asked.
Zhou Fan held up the card.
The attendants eyes widened with utter disbelief before he kowtowed on the ground.
"My mistake, your highness. Please continue."
Zhou Fan shrugged his shoulders and stepped onto the array.