Immortal of the Nine Realms

Seeing the man, Goddess Xiao trembled, and hatred flashed in her eyes. That person was the mysterious Daoist who had been hunting her down since she left the city!

The manor guards are way too relaxed lately; both Goddess Xiao and this Daoist managed to sneak in. Seems like Ol’ Huang is slacking in his duties, Fang Chen’s thoughts flickered. The next moment, his soul left his body and stood in the void, silently observing the Daoist. In this out-of-body state, everything around him was under his control. If there was any sudden movement, he could immediately respond accordingly.

”Is that him?” Fang Chen’s eyes flashed with surprise when he saw the Daoist’s face. He recalled seeing that face five or six years ago at a banquet in the city. He couldn’t recall which banquet exactly, however. But that wasn’t strange, really. He used to attend at least a dozen of them every month after all!

”Only those with spiritual energy can force out my Generational Silkworm,” said the Daoist slowly, staring at Fang Chen.

Spiritual energy? What’s that? Goddess Xiao was confused, but the name “Generational Silkworm” caught her attention. So, that’s what was inside her just now?

“You are a cultivator. So, why did you attack her? What is your purpose for being in Grand Xia?” asked Fang Chen calmly as his soul returned to his body.

“It’s not in your best interest to know so much. I’m not here today as an enemy. I’m just here to kill her,” the Daoist replied in a deep voice.

“I have already let her return to Qingsong alive.” Fang Chen smiled indifferently.

The Daoist snickered at his words. “Fang Chen, don’t think that your words are absolute just because everyone here calls you ‘Divine General.’ In my eyes, you are nothing. I will not hesitate to attack if you get in my way.”

“Your cultivation... doesn’t seem to be very high. Don’t you think it’s a bit reckless to make a move?” Fang Chen was puzzled; he could sense that the other party’s spiritual energy was similar to his own. At best, the Daoist would be at the third stage of the Qi Refining Realm. He could be easily subdued with a Purple Lightning Talisman.

“Hehe. It seems like you are new to cultivation, and there are many things you don’t understand. Since I’m also curious about how you suddenly gained spiritual energy, I guess I’ll capture you and slowly dig the words out of your mouth.” The Daoist suddenly took out a small palm-sized bell and lightly tapped it.

Hum!

A mysterious force emerged from the bell. It attempted to pry into Fang Chen’s Divine Soul and manipulate it. But too bad for the Daoist, Fang Chen’s soul was akin to a giant mountain, and the force was counteracted, causing the small bell in the Daoist’s hand to explode with a bang. As the bell turned into scrap metal, the Daoist hacked out a mouthful of blood and revealed an incredulous look. How could my Soul Subduing Bell be destroyed! That’s impossible!

The Soul Subduing Bell was strong enough to subdue cultivators at the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. It was a treasure bestowed upon him by his master after he made great contributions to the sect!

Despite herself, Goddess Xiao was dumbfounded. She never expected that the mysterious Daoist would cough up blood after exchanging a single glance with Fang Chen. From start to end, Fang Chen did not even move a single finger!

”Which idiot is causing trouble for my lord? Die!” Suddenly, a loud shout echoed, and a giant figure appeared behind the daoist. Then, fists the size of sand bowls smashed at the Daoist, shattering his bones and snapping his tendons.

That wasn’t all.

A sword suddenly stabbed through the Daoist chest twice!

”My lord, are you alright?” Tie Ma asked, sheathing his long sword back into its scabbard.

”This person dares to cause trouble for you, my lord! He must be seeking death!” Huang Sihai cursed and spat at the Daoist.

”Don’t kill him. I have some questions for him,” said Fang Chen, a little helpless.

“He’s not dead yet. We made sure not to kill him. Although, he’s... only hanging by a thread.” Picking up the Daoist, who was sprawled on the ground like a pile of mud, Huang Sihai said, ”Young Master, go ahead. Ask him whatever you want. If he dares to lie, I’ll crush his skull.”

”Giant Spiritual Dragon General! He has left the prison of the Grand Brilliance Bureau?” Seeing Huang Sihai, Goddess Xia was momentarily lost in a moment of reflection. The people of the Xiao family were very familiar with Huang Sihai. Back then, he was one of the four Dragon Generals under Fang Chen. He was born with innate divine strength!

When her eyes fell on a certain someone by chance, she was suddenly pulled out of her reverie. Then, astonishment took over, followed by shock, anger and disbelief.

Tie Ma.

“What are you doing in Grand Xia? Who ordered you to kill Goddess Xiao?” asked Fang Chen calmly as he approached the Daoist.

It was clear to him that the Daoist did not act on a whim. There had to be someone orchestrating this behind the scenes. But who in the empire had the ability to command a cultivator of this level?

Fang Chen suddenly realized that the situation in the capital was much more complex than he had previously imagined. He had thought that he understood Grand Xia well. However, it seems like that was far from the case.

”Cough, cough, cough...” The Daoist hacked up blood continuously, his eyes filled with unwillingness and resentment. He never expected that, as a cultivator at the third stage of Qi Refining Realm, he would be killed by two martial artists. He knew that his injuries were extremely severe. Without any healing pills, he would soon die.

”Fang... Fang Chen, my Spirit Blood Sect will avenge me. It won’t be long before you come down to accompany me. Hahaha...” The Daoist laughed maniacally for a moment before his head lolled to the side, breathing his last.

Spirit Blood Sect? Fang Chen’s expression shifted. That was obviously a sect of immortal cultivators.

Huang Sihai and Tie Ma frowned as they had never heard of the Spirit Blood Sect.

”Tie Ma, were you working for Fang Chen this entire time?” Goddess Xiao asked suddenly.

”Yes.” Tie Ma nodded indifferently.

”What a great Divine General Fang!” Goddess Xiao said with sarcasm. “None of my Xiao family’s people detected the spies you planted over the years. Even my father was deceived by Tie Ma!”

Goddess Xiao laughed bitterly. Now she understood why the Wolf Army had lost several crucial battles and suffered defeat back then.

”Tie Ma is a Hidden Dragon under my command. Your Xiao family has also planted many spies in Grand Xia over the years. What’s there to fuss over? In war between two armies, extreme measures had always been employed. There’s nothing to be mad about,” Fang Chen said calmly. ”Since you’re injured, you should rest for now. Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to escort you out of the capital.”

”No, I won’t leave until I find out what’s going on,” growled Goddess Xiao, glancing at the corpse of the Daoist.

”Ol’ Huang, send her to the guest house. You can break her legs if she misbehaves,” instructed Fang Chen.

Huang Sihai grinned, approached Goddess Xiao and grabbed her before walking off. In his hands, Goddess Xiao was as helpless as a little chick. She was not able to resist at all.

When Tie Ma crouched to search the Daoist’s body, Fang Chen shook his head slightly. ”I’ll do it. There might be something strange on him that we need to be careful of. He might have left behind some weird means to deal with us after his death...”

Fang Chen squatted in front of the Daoist and searched his body himself. Soon, he found a small porcelain bottle and a small leather pouch that seemed to contain a large number of items.