Immortal of the Nine Realms

”That’s right. I heard that even the Spirit Beast Valley is sending someone. Even that genius who had been paired up with Daiost Yu in the past to be the ‘Twin Prides of the Flame Empire’ is also coming.”

”They’re not called the Twin Prides anymore, haha.”

”Do you know if the imperial family will be sending anyone?”

”Of course they will. I just wonder who they’ll send.”

Suddenly, everyone felt a formidable aura coming from behind them. Turning around to see who it was, they found a peasant woman carrying a mother hen climbing up the stairs. She had a gorgeous young lady and an honest-looking young man with her.

”Daoist Ya.” The woman smiled when she saw them. “Been a while.”

Daoist Ya and the rest quickly clasped their fist in salute.

”Elder Su.”

She was an Elder from the Spirit Beast Valley—at the mid-stage Foundation Building Realm. She held an equivalent position to Elder Jin Nan in the Heavenly Southern Sect.

Daoist Ya’s gaze swept over to the young and beautiful woman beside her with envy.

That was Yan Ruyue, one of the Flame Empire’s Twin Prides. Judging by her aura, she had to still be at the 12th stage of Qi Refining. She hadn’t made her own breakthrough yet.

Then, Daoist Ya’s eyes drifted toward the honest-looking young man beside Yan Ruyue, feeling envious once again.

That was a disciple recruited by Elder Su in Grand Xia who had a seven resonance aptitude. Elder Ya had heard that, before he became a cultivator, he used to sell pancakes on the streets of the imperial city. He had earned himself the nickname “Pancake Zhang.”

After Elder Su and her disciples appeared, two more people arrived. It was the Fire Cloud Immortal and the sixth princess, who was following close behind her. ”What a coincidence to meet you all here,” said the Fire Cloud Immortal.

Through her peripheral vision, she could see the magnificent scenery around the mountain. She could also feel the dense spiritual energy in the air, which filled her with envy. The Heavenly Southern really deserves to be the top sect of the empire....

Daoist Ya chuckled. ”You’ve also received an invitation, Fire Cloud Immortal?”

The Fire Cloud Immortal’s eyes narrowed. ”What? Am I not good enough to receive one?”

”Oh,” Daoist Ya laughed awkwardly, “that’s not what I meant...”

”Someday, you’ll wind up in trouble because of how loose tongued you are.”

The woman who dressed as a peasant chuckled lightly and nodded in agreement with Fire Cloud Immortal.

The sixth princess’s gaze fell on Pancake Zhang, seemingly a little intrigued. Pancake Zhang had clearly recognized her, but he only spared her a look before he ignored her.

The sixth princess felt a twinge of annoyance. He used to be the lowest of the low. But now, he was a disciple of the Spirit Beast Valley. As for her, while her master was a Foundation Building cultivator, her sect was still inferior to the Spirit Beast Valley.

”Elder Su, is that the disciple you recruited in Grand Xia?” Fire Cloud Fairy looked at Pancake Zhang. “Looks like he has already condensed his immortal vein?”

Elder Su smiled and nodded. ”He has recently just condensed his first immortal vein, so I brought him out to broaden his horizons.”

The sixth princess was secretly amazed. He condensed his immortal vein so quickly? So he has already entered the ranks of cultivators....

A sliver of jealousy glittered in her eyes; Fire Fairy Immortal had told her that it would take her at least half a year to condense her first immortal vein.

”He really lives up to being a seven chimes talent,” sighed Fire Cloud Immortal.

Daoist Ya chimed in there. ”I remember Elder Jin Nan took in a female disciple with a seven chimes aptitude that day, too. She has probably condensed her first immortal vein by now.”

”Yes, she was from the Hall of Compassion back at Grand Xia,” said Elder Su, the mother hen in her hand. “Speaking of which, I remember that another girl from the Hall of Compassion joined the Concealed Moon Hermitage. She must’ve made some progress herself, too.”

The sixth princess knew she was referring to Fang Qingyao, and her fists clenched involuntarily. Those who were once lowly individuals were all doing better than her!

As they walked toward the gate of the Heavenly Southern Sect, they chatted about the recent events that had transpired in the cultivation world.

Suddenly, one of the Foundation Building Realm cultivators changed the topic, saying, ”Do you know that a mysterious sword cultivator has appeared in our empire?”

Everyone was surprised.

”A sword cultivator?” Elder Su frowned. ”When did someone like that appear in the empire?”

The Foundation Building cultivator shook his head. ”I’m not sure, but I heard that he has offended the Sea Dragon Sect.”

Sea Dragon Sect!

Everyone’s expression turned serious. Even though the Sea Dragon Sect didn’t belong to the Flame Empire, its maritime territory was not far from it.

”So?” Daoist Ya asked. ”The Sea Dragon Sect probably won’t easily make enemies with a sword cultivator. They’re all lunatics.”

”What do you mean ‘so’? It seems the Sea Dragon Sect suffered heavy losses. Two Foundation Building Realm cultivators died, one was the Green Mountain Island Lord, and the other was the Passing Dragon Island Lord.”

Everyone gasped.

Fire Cloud Immortal couldn’t believe it. ”The Passing Dragon Island Lord died? But he was at the late-stage Foundation Building Realm....”

”If what I heard was right, then yeah, he’s dead.”

”I can’t believe it. A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator died like that. Sword cultivators really live up to their fame. Better not offend him; they are all a bunch of lunatics!”

Everyone was horrified.

Before long, they arrived at the gate. Two rows of Heavenly Southern Sect disciples welcomed them, along with Elder Jin Nan, who was there to receive Foundation Building cultivators.

Ancestor Xia Yu was standing with the rest of the disciples. ”Elder Su from the Spirit Beast Valley is here,” he whispered.

Liu Suifeng and Zhantai Qingxuan looked up immediately.

”Even such a figure has come to attend senior brother’s celebration banquet. His name will surely be on everyone’s lips from now on,” muttered Zhantai Qingxuan.

Xia Yu nodded gently, his eyes filled with envy. He couldn’t help but wonder when he’d reach such heights.

”Elder Su, Daoist Ya, and everyone, you’ve finally arrived. I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival!” said Elder Jin Nan warmly.

Everyone responded politely.

”You’re too polite. How could we not come to Daoist Yu’s celebratory banquet?”

Just as Elder Jin Nan was about to invite everyone into the Heavenly South Sect, a faint light descended from the sky and landed right in front of them. As the light dispersed, an old man with white hair came into view.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Who was that?

He came here flying. This was very disrespectful to the Heavenly Southern Sect!

Elder Jin Nan’s face turned wary. Clasping his fist, he asked, ”May I ask who you are?”

The old man’s lips touched a smile. ”I am Immortal Sea Dragon. I am here to congratulate Junior Yu Yuefan on his breakthrough.”

They were all astonished to hear that, freezing for a moment. Then, they hurriedly bowed and paid their respects.

Immortal Sea Dragon! That was the Golden Core ancestor of the Sea Dragon Sect, the sect’s founder! This powerful figure had actually come to congratulate Yu Yuefan in person? That was a terrifying notion!

Everyone’s hearts began to pound heavily, almost leaping out of their chests. Yu Yuefan, one of the empire’s twin prides, had silently made friends with such a powerful figure!

”I-Immortal Sea Dragon, p-please come inside quickly!” stuttered Jin Nan as he bowed repeatedly.

Even the imperial family would get all worked up if such a cultivator appeared. That was the terror of the Golden Core Realm; a Golden Core cultivator could easily destroy an empire with a wave of his hand!

Immortal Sea Dragon smiled faintly and walked into the Heavenly Southern Sect under everyone’s escort.

”Phew...” Xia Yu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and smiled bitterly at Liu Suifeng and Zhantai Qingxuan. ”That was intense.”

The two of them nodded in agreement, having felt the pressure, too.

Before long, the Foundation Building cultivators from the imperial family arrived, and they were about to get angry when they realized that Jin Nan wasn’t here to welcome them; however, when they learnt that he had left to greet Immortal Sea Dragon, their faces went blank.

Xia Yu checked the guest list. ”Are all the guests here?”

Glancing over at the list in Xia Yu’s hand, Zhantai Qingqxuan commented, ”Abbess Zhu Yue from the Concealed Moon Hermitage hasn’t arrived yet, and neither has the leader of the Qingzhou Sword Sect, Long Tianxing.”

Suddenly, several figures approached slowly. The leader wore a silver mask and a green robe with fancy patterns.