Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen had Zhao Yan open the boxes and inspect them. After a while, Zhao Yan nodded at Fang Chen.

”There are 136 martial arts techniques inside, with varying grades. Among them, three can be cultivated to the pinnacle of the Earth Profound Stage. There are also 437 martial skills with varying grades,” reported Zhao Yan.

Fang Chen smiled and focused his attention back at Ji Congyun. ”Hurry up with your arrangements, I want those remaining thirty percent,” he said. “I’ll take these back to Grand Xia first.”

”Please rest assured, my lord. I will catch them.” Ji Congyun nodded slightly, then paused for a moment, seemingly hesitating to say something. In the end, he couldn’t swallow the words. ”What about the cultivation methods of immortality...?” he asked.

Fang Chen waved his hand with a smile. ”No rush.”

Ji Congyun didn’t press any further.

***

The next day.

A convoy escorted by Nightmare Knights left the imperial capital of the Frost Water Empire.

In the Crane Forest Valley.

That was a place that must be passed through when traveling from the Frost Water Empire to the Grand Xia. Fang Chen had passed through here when he first arrived. He had even spotted a few fierce beasts at the time.

Inside the carriage, the little sword shuttled back and forth between Fang Chen’s fingers, extremely fast and precise. It didn’t so much as nick him as it moved around.

Now that the little sword had devoured two Spiritual Treasures, its aura had gotten slightly stronger. Unfortunately, Fang Chen still couldn’t see the Soul Imprint on it.

”Sword cultivators....” murmured Fang Chen. The attitudes of Senior Brother Zhou and Junior Sister Wang towards sword cultivators were still fresh in his mind, and he couldn’t but have his curiosity sparked toward these practitioners.

Why did these two, who considered themselves extraordinary cultivators, show such fear toward sword cultivators?

”Swords can break through myriad techniques. I estimate that the Sword is the ultimate offensive path. If there’s a chance in the future, perhaps I can give it a try,” murmured Fang Chen.

”Hungry, hungry...”

Now that the little sword had played around for a bit, it began to howl and cry for food again.

Fang Chen felt a little helpless. He sighed, ”I am afraid even if I had a mountain of gold, it would still be difficult to appease that hunger of yours.”

Fortunately, Fang Chen had a thousand low-grade spirit stones now. He could stop by Dragon Ridge Lane to purchase some better yellow talisman paper and cinnabar on the way back to the Grand Xia.

Fang Chen had been very cautious the last time he had been to Dragon Ridge because of how low his cultivation had been, so he hadn’t stayed for long. This time, however, he could afford to linger for a little longer.

Outside, Zhao Yan and Xu Ge rode side by side on their steeds, while Ji Lengxing and the Unmoving Bright King Sword of the Forgotten Sea Sword Sect, Xu Qingfeng, trailed behind them by half a body length.

”Xu Qingfeng, it’s not for me to say this, but your Forgotten Sea Sword Sect doesn’t understand the situation. What’s the harm in handing over the martial arts legacies? You’all would rather degrade into bandits with no homes instead?” commented Xu Ge.

Xu Qingfeng’s expression changed slightly, and he forced a smile. ”Everyone has their aspirations. I can’t control the sectmaster’s thoughts.”

Ji Lengxing hurriedly interjected, ”Brother Xu, Qingfeng really can’t influence the decisions of the Forgotten Sea Sword Sect. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Glazing at Ji Lengxing, Xu Ge suddenly laughed. ”Why would I take such a trivial matter to heart? I just spoke on a whim. But I have to say, it seems like your Forgotten Sea Sword Sect might have missed a great opportunity.”

He knew Fang Chen well; now that he’d taken these sects’ martial arts legacies, he’d essentially owe them a favor; Fang Chen was no bandit. If these sects ever encountered any trouble in the future and sought Fang Chen’s help, he would likely resolve their issues.

Missed opportunity? thought Xu Qingfeng as anger flashed in his eyes, but in the end, he remained silent.

At that moment, shadows were flickering around Crane Forest Valley, and several pairs of eyes were fixed on the convoy

”A hundred Nightmare Knights. Ji Congyun’s grandson, Ji Lengxing, is also with them. And our sect’s Xu Qingfeng. Only about ten of these knights reached the Vajra Qi Stage. There’s not much to worry about.”

The one who had spoken was an elderly man with snow-white, long hair. Around him stood three figures, both male and female. Besides them, there were also hundreds of martial artists hidden around Crane Forest Valley. Even the lowest among them was at the Vajra Qi Stage, and the highest had reached the Returning Essence Qi Stage!

It was worth noting that each Nightmare Knight, who possessed a Qi Core Stage combat strength on average, was considered an elite among elites in the Frost Water Empire. However, now, the enemy lying in wait had more than ten times their strength!

Even Ji Congyun would find it challenging to gather so many experts.

”Master of the Forgotten Sea Sword Sect,” called an old woman slowly, a hint of concern in her eyes. “I heard... that the strength of Fang Chen from the Grand Xia is unfathomable. Even his attendants are Longevity Qi Stage warriors. Just a while ago, at the Frost Empire Port, he even slaughtered the envoy experts from the Yincang Empire!

”Isn’t it too risky for us to try and ambush him instead of escaping from the Frost Water Empire?”

The white-haired elder glanced at the old woman, then looked at the other two, and snorted coldly. ”All three of you are Longevity Qi Stage warriors, and your sects are among the top in the Frost Water Empire. Now, because of this kid, we’ve lost our sects and become bandits, targeted by everyone. Are you willing to quietly escape from the Frost Water Empire like this?”

The expression of the old woman changed slightly as she whispered, ”Of course, we’re unwilling. But who can guarantee that Ji Congyun won’t be lurking nearby, waiting for us to make a move?”

”We have four Longevity Qi Stage warriors. Two can deal with Fang Chen, and two can handle Fang Chen’s attendants. As for this squad of Nightmare Knights, the others are more than enough to deal with them,” said one of the Longevity Qi Stage martial artists in a deep voice. “However, if Ji Congyun is also here, then things might not be so easy.”

”He’s currently sitting on the Dragon Throne, lost in his daydreams.” The white-haired elder snorted. ”Even if he’s an old fox, he couldn’t have anticipated that we would be lying in ambush here for Fang Chen. Revenge is only secondary. Fang Chen is bringing nearly seventy percent of the Frost Water Empire’s martial arts legacies back with him to Grand Xia. We must destroy them; otherwise, Grand Xia will produce countless experts at the Earth Profound Stage.”

These words stirred the emotions of the three old individuals. Their eyes were pensive, but shortly later, they steeled their resolve.

”What the Forgotten Sea Sectmaster said is correct. Ji Congyun chose to collude with the Grand Xia, betraying the Frost Water Empire and destroying its foundation. He’s a traitor of the empire. We are different. Today, we must intercept these martial arts legacies and prevent them from flowing into the Grand Xia!”

”For the future glory of the Frost Water Empire, we, the people of the martial world, should also pay some price.”

Seeing everyone reach a consensus, a faint smile appeared on the face of the white-haired elder. His gaze remained fixed on the convoy, observing their movements. ”There is a narrow passage ahead. We will take action there,” said the white-haired elder.

”Good!”

In the void, Fang Chen watched silently as the white-haired elder discussed their plans. Listening to their plots, he couldn’t help but sigh. Even though these people were just martial artists, they were willing to sacrifice themselves for their country, risking everything to ambush him.

With his divine soul retracted, Fang Chen said, ”There’s an ambush ahead. Be careful.”

The others were slightly surprised, and Zhao Yan’s face immediately turned serious. Everyone held their breath and pricked up their ears. Indeed, now that they really focused, they could barely hear heartbeats, from all directions.

An ambush?

Ji Lengxing’s expression changed slightly, and he inadvertently glanced at Xu Qingfeng, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes. Xu Qingfeng’s face showed a trace of panic as he looked at Ji Lengxing, ”Lengxing, are we being ambushed? Could Fang Chen be mistaken? Who would dare ambush us now?”

Ji Lengxing sighed softly. ”Qingfeng, you’ve picked the wrong side.”

His words immediately caused Xu Qingfeng’s expression to change drastically. He looked at Ji Lengxing and swung his sword toward him reflexively as he shouted, ”We’ve been found out!”