Immortal of the Nine Realms

“Esteemed immortal masters, this way please,” invited the Frost Water Emperor, very respectfully.

The hundreds of court officials didn’t think much of his attitude. Those were immortal masters, and they naturally should be treated as such.

Brother Zhou and Sister Wang chuckled lightly and led Han Qin and Lin Li to their seats. Soon, various delicious dishes were served one after another, accompanied by graceful dancing and singing performances.

Despite the lively atmosphere, Han Qin continued to stare at Fang Chen with fixated eyes. Suddenly, she asked, “Are you Fang Chen?”

The atmosphere abruptly quietened. Everyone focused on the two. Their expressions constantly changed as they subtly communicated with one another through their eyes.

Fang Chen smiled. “You are?”

“Immortal Master Fang, this is the empire’s fourth princess,” replied Ji Congyun as he deliberately emphasized the term ”immortal master.” He had hoped that this would cause their enemies to hold back. However, when he saw the playful smile playing on Senior Brother Zhou and Senior Sister Wang’s lips, his heart dropped. He was very familiar with that smile. This was the smile of someone who was very confident in themselves!

“Oh I see. What an impressive talent you must be to be able to reach the Heaven Profound Stage at such a young age,” said Fang Chen with a faint smile.

Han Qin did not bother to hide her killing intent. She coldly stared at Fang Chen and said, “Did you know that I get along the best with my elder brother since young? He treated me exceptionally well. Although we have different mothers, our bond is stronger than that of blood-related siblings.”

“Your elder brother? Oh, you mean the former crown prince of the Frost Water Empire?” asked Fang Chen nonchalantly.

Han Qin couldn’t contain deep-seated hatred when she sensed his unusually casual tone, and she erupted like an active volcano. Waves of Fatal Qi emanated uncontrollably from her before wrapping around her.

“So this is the Heaven Profound Stage!”

The martial artists watching were shocked. The aura of Fatal Qi was stronger than the Longevity Qi and it alone was enough to cause these martial artists immense pressure.

Ji Congyun was not an exception. He had a feeling that if he were to fight Han Qin, he could at most take only ten moves from her.

“Guards,” Han Qin suddenly commanded.

Everyone was confused. Soon after, four eunuchs carried a coffin carefully into the hall. Several ministers’ faces turned pale upon seeing this sight. This was the Grand Hall! The place where the emperor spent most of his day, every day! There were countless rules and unspoken taboos, this place had its sanctity! Han Qin actually had the guts to bring a coffin in here?

Everyone instinctively turned to the Frost Water Emperor. Seeing his expressionless face, they immediately understood that he approved of Han Qin’s actions!

Bang.

After the four eunuchs had put the coffin down, they respectfully bowed and retreated.

Han Qin walked slowly toward the coffin. Gently pushing the lid open, she peered inside.

Two streaks of tears rolled down her cheeks and dropped into the coffin.

A pale corpse with clear stitches on its neck lay slumbering in the coffin. It was the deceased former crown prince of the Frost Water Empire, who had died several days ago!

Wiping away her tears, Han Qin looked up at Fang Chen. Her red, puffy eyes were filled with deep-seated hatred. She seethed, “Kneel down and kowtow nine times to my elder brother.”

“Fang Chen, just do as she says,” said the Frost Water Emperor, sighing. “My son is worthy of your nine kowtows.”

“Kneel!”

“Kowtow!”

The imperial offspring shouted angrily. Many court officials joined in too. They knew that the tides had shifted. They now had both the confidence and ability to kill off Grand Xia’s Divine General!

Ji Congyun’s face was dark. “You’re making a mistake, Your Majesty.”

“Ji Congyun you traitor! You’re from Frost Water and yet you’re colluding with outsiders to go against us!?”

“Traitor, you too must kowtow today!”

“Yes! It was you who brought Fang Chen to this hall back then. You allowed Fang Chen to kill the crown prince!”

“The Ji family has long harbored disloyal intentions. We must completely eradicate them!”

The imperial family and its many ministers directed their anger toward Ji Congyun. They cursed vehemently. Their words were so malicious that the officials from the Ji family turned pale.

Droplets of cold sweat appeared on their foreheads. They could sense the impending danger. One small misstep and the Ji Family might be no more in Frost Water!

Ji Congyun sighed inwardly. He had long suspected that the emperor of the Frost Water Empire wanted to use the banquet to deal with both the Ji Family and Fang Chen. That’s why he had made up his mind to stand on Fang Chen’s side.

Ji Congyuan looked at Fang Chen.

Now it was time to see whether he had made the right call or not.

“Kowtow!” bellowed Han Qin sternly, her voice filling the entire hall, bouncing off its walls and echoing back deafeningly.

“Were you two close?” asked Fang Chen.

“Kowtow now, and I’ll let you die with some dignity. Otherwise, not only will I torture you for ten days and nights, I will also send my troops to exterminate the entire Grand Xia,” threatened Han Qin coldly.

Fang Chen looked at Senior Brother Zhou and Sister Wang indifferently. “Are the both of you here to support her? You should know that mere martial artists can’t harm me at all.”

“A Heaven Profound martial artist is different. There have been quite a few wandering cultivators who have died at the hands of Heaven Profound martial artists. If you wish to make the first move, be our guest,” challenged Senior Brother Zhou.

Fang Chen nodded. “As you wish.”

A streak of chilling glow flashed and Han Qin suddenly stiffened. The next moment, her body collapsed into the coffin, joining her dead, cold brother. A pinkish-white liquid was oozing out from the center of her forehead.

Everyone gasped in disbelief. What just... happened? A Heaven Profound martial artist...had been killed so quickly? They hadn’t even seen how Fang Chen struck!

The Frost Water Emperor, who had assumed he’d snatch victory today, turned incredibly pale. He stared blankly at Han Qin’s lifeless body as it slowly sat in what had happened.

Lin Li sprung to his feet and rushed to her side. “Qin’er!”

Tears streaming down his face, he turned and stared at Fang Chen devastatingly, his expression contorted. Voice trembling with anger, he barked, “Y-you deserve to die!”

Just as he was about to rush towards Fang Chen, Brother Zhou pulled him back abruptly.

“You are not his match. His cultivation...is not simple,” Brother Zhou spoke slowly. Then he looked at Fang Chen and asked, “What sect do you come from?”

“I am a mere wandering cultivator. How would I have a sect?” Fang Chen responded with a smiled

“Really? A wandering cultivator?” Brother Zhou questioned doubtfully with a slight frown.

Senior Sister Wang glanced at Han Qin’s lifeless body, then looked coldly at Fang Chen and said, “She was chosen as part of my followers. Since you killed her, you owe me an explanation.”

As she spoke, two Walking Corpses emitting a strong Corpse Qi suddenly appeared behind her.

The Walking Corpses were clad in black armor with their heads hanging low. Their exposed hands had extremely sharp black nails which radiated a chilling glow, making them look exceptionally sharp!

That scene truly shocked everyone. The foul stench of decomposing flesh that permeated the air could only be emitted by bodies that had been decaying for a long time.

Senior Sister Wang laughed and said, “Let’s not harm innocents. Fight me outside.” She then began walking toward the exit of the hall.

The two Walking Corpses followed behind her.

Everyone could hear every step they took very clearly, and it resembled the clashing of metal and stone.