Immortal of the Nine Realms

In the blink of an eye, seven days passed since the immortal sects started accepting disciples. Apart from Xia Yu and Pancake Zhang, several others had managed to join the Heavenly Southern Sect and Spirit Beast Valley. However, they only had intermediate aptitudes, as they were only able to achieve six chimes at most.

Daoist Ya and Fire Cloud Immortal had also taken in some disciples, and the sixth princess’s aptitude was no longer considered outstanding. In fact, a few ragged and disheaved children stood by her side. Some of them had the aptitude similar to hers, while some others even surpassed her.

More than ten cultivators arrived at the Grand Xia Capital on that day. Some came from the Flame Empire, and others from other sixth-tier empires. The sects of these cultivators were comparable to, or even better, than the Heavenly Southern Sect and Spirit Beast Valley.

Now, there were more than ten Spiritual Measuring Bells in front of the imperial palace, accelerating the testing process even more. At this rate, the spiritual test would be completed in another three to five days.

Besides the cultivators from these well-established sects, some wandering cultivators had also arrived, one of whom was a Foundation Building expert. The rest were in the Qi Refining Realm.

Those who were in the 11th and 12th stages of the Qi Refining Realm didn’t dare act out of line in front of Jin Nan. They also didn’t have a Spiritual Measuring Bell of their own, so they were only able to select the disciples whom Jin Nan had rejected, such as those who had achieved three chimes at most.

”So Ancestor Xia Yu really didn’t lie to me,” exclaimed Ye Qinghe excitedly. Both he and Tao Yu had felt as though they had fallen into a slump after none of the immortal masters accepted them, since the two of them had only been able to achieve three chimes. But thankfully, each of them was taken in by wandering cultivators.

Even though they knew that their masters were incomparable to Jin Nan, they were content to be able to step onto the immortal path either way!

What’s the point of having good talent?

Li Huafeng had a superior aptitude, yet his immortal fate was ultimately destroyed by Fang Chen. On the other hand, both of them got off scot free. Ye Qinghe couldn’t help but feel a little grateful toward Fang Chen just for that alone.

Finally, several days later, the spiritual test came to an end.

A total of four hundred and seventy-six people had talent of three chimes and less! Sixty of whom were accepted as disciples by wandering cultivators.

One hundred and nineteen people had talent that fell between three chimes and five chimes. Those were divided between the sects who had come.

Seven people had managed to achieve six chimes. Those had joined the Heavenly Southern Sect.

Other than Fairy Yu who was taken away, there were no other people who had managed to achieve eight chimes, much less nine.

With the spiritual test done, cultivators started leaving with their disciples in tow.

Scenes of tearful farewells were a common sight during this period, with people saying goodbye to their families.

It was a scene that evoked a mixture of emotions in the onlookers, and much prevalently, envy.

A faint smile on his face, Elder Jin Nan looked at Ancestor Xia Yu and the other disciples of his sect. ”Xia Yu, Liu Suifeng, and Zhantai Qingxuan, are you finished with your matters here?”

Two figures stood behind Elder Jin Nan; other than Xia Yu, he had managed to recruit a young girl with a seven chime talent. Surprisingly, the girl was from the Hall of Compassion.

The three of them hurriedly bowed and replied that they were not yet done with their matters in the empire. Elder Jin Nan nodded upon seeing that and briefly chatted with the rest before getting ready to leave the capital with Crown Prince Xia Yu and the young girl.

”Brother Xia Yu, your talent has risen from two chimes to four chimes. After returning to your sect, they’ll definitely spare no effort to nurture you better.”

Liu Suifeng and Zhantai Qingxuan looked at Ancestor Xia Yu with a smile in their eyes.

Ancestor Xia Yu was happy and he politely said, ”The same goes for both of you. You have also benefited from the Spiritual Marrow.”

”That’s true.” Zhantai Qingxuan smiled. “Speaking of which, we have to thank you for that. You ought to take the bigger share if we find anything good next time.”

”Thank you in advance,” replied Ancestor Xia Yu joyfully.

”By the way,” Liu Suifeng suddenly signaled toward a figure in the distance, ”can you introduce us to him?” he asked, then added, “You should get to know him better too. The sect he belongs to is stronger than our Heavenly Southern Sect. It will only bring us benefits in the future.”

Fang Chen was conversing with the Grand Xia Emperor not too far away. The empress was also standing beside them along with Consort Hua and some other people.

It was clear that Consort Hua hadn’t let the fact that Xia Yu joined the Heavenly Southern Sect get to her head, as she was even more cautious than before when in front of Fang Chen.

Ancestor Xia Yu nodded slightly. “Alright.” He then took the two of them and went to join the rest.

Seeing that the ancestor was walking over, the Grand Xia Emperor immediately stopped speaking, looked at him, and bowed with a clasped fist.

Smiling, Ancestor Xia Yu waved his hand. He then looked at Fang Chen. ”Daoist Fang, please forgive me if I’ve offended you before.”

”It’s fine,” replied Fang Chen with a faint smile.

Upon seeing that, Li Guozhu and the others seemed conflicted. They didn’t know when exactly, but at some point, Fang Chen had reached a completely different level from them. Even Ancestor Xia Yu, Jin Nan, and the other immortal masters had to treat him with respect now.

Liu Suifeng clasped his fist, then humbly said, ”Daoist Fang, the three of us will be leaving. If there’s a chance in the future, we hope to meet you again and discuss the Dao.”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Sure.”

It was then that Li Guozhu spoke. ”Duke Fang, my son didn’t know any better before. Could you please give him a chance and not strip him off of his immortal fate?”

Everyone was slightly surprised. Then, they looked at Fang Chen with strange expressions. Li Huafeng did have a good aptitude, but because of a single word from Fang Chen, no sect dared to accept him. It was truly a pity.

Fang Chen laughed. ”I didn’t strip him off of his immortal fate, but it’s rather that Li Huafeng didn’t believe in me. If he has enough patience and is willing to wait, he might still be able to walk this path in the future.”

”Will your immortal sect accept Huafeng?” muttered Li Guozhu.

Fang Chen smiled, but he didn’t bother to reply.

Just then, two figures appeared at the empty imperial city gate. An old man was walking slowly toward the crowd, a child by his side.

Seeing that, Yan Beihan ordered General Jin to stop them.

”General, my grandson has not undergone the test,” said the old man with a broad smile.

General Jin frowned slightly. ”The spiritual test has already ended. Why didn’t you bring him earlier? Now that the immortal masters have mostly left, there are no more Spiritual Measuring Bells. You should return.”

”Can we please meet Duke Fang?” asked the old man.

General Jin hesitated. ”Well...”

”Never mind.” The old man sighed as he left in low spirits with his grandson. General Jin felt a little regretful, but he suddenly saw the old man pivot around and flash him a smile—a smile that sent shivers down his spine!

”Even if your background is formidable, my Spirit Blood Sect is not weak either. We live by resolving our vendettas, so... go to hell.”

As the old man’s words fell, he lightly swished his sleeve, and a flying sword that flashed with twenty-six Soul Imprints and was wreathed in majestic spiritual energy whizzed in the air toward Fang Chen!

The hierarchy within the Spirit Blood Sect was strict, with the higher-ups controlling the soul lamps of those beneath them. Therefore, it was inevitable that the old man would immediately know when his subordinate died.

At first, he thought it was an accident, but he grew suspicious when he discovered that the entire group that had been stationed in Grand Xia was killed. After observing for a while, he came to the conclusion that Fang Chen was the most suspicious of all. He had suspected that Fang Chen’s men were the ones who had eliminated Zhou Yiseng and the others!

Even though he didn’t have conclusive evidence, it didn’t matter! His suspicion alone was more than enough to warrant Fang Chen’s death!

The terrifying surge of spiritual energy astonished Ancestor Xia Yu and the others. Even those wandering cultivators who were still in the capital, accompanying their disciples to bid farewell to their families, sensed the anomaly. They rushed to the streets and looked in horror toward the direction of the imperial palace.