Immortal of the Nine Realms

The annual competition of the Three Branches rolled around with hundreds of young cultivators participating.

Members from the main branch, second branch, and third branch would be coming to join in on the excitement.

Li Cang was leading the way for Fang Chen, and the passing cultivators would occasionally cast curious glances at Fang Chen.

Fang Chen had been at the third branch for a little over half a month now, and people were starting to get to know him—he was the side branch member whom Fang Ao favored, and the one who owned the courtyard that was equipped with spiritual springs and fields.

”Young Master, this is where we practice our cultivation techniques on a daily basis here in the third branch,” said Li Cang, leading Fang Chen through a long corridor before entering a spacious area.

It was an open space measuring thirty feet in length and width, large enough to accommodate thousands of people without anyone feeling cramped. There were formations that encircled the area, ensuring that the competiton wouldn’t damage the surroundings.

By the time Fang Chen arrived, there were already many disciples from the third branch present.

Fang Chen spotted Fang Ao, who was talking with the cultivators from the branches. His wife, Jing Jing, was standing nearby. Fang Chen saw Fang Yun and Fang Jue in the vicinity, too.

”Amitabha,” a Buddhist chant sounded.

Master Chanyuan had arrived too with Wu Ruochou and Xia Ji, moving slowly.

”Master Chanyuan.”

Fang Ao and the other cultivators immediately gave their greetings.

The young disciples of the Fang Family naturally weren’t interested in the elders’ conversation; their attention was more on Xia Ji, their eyes filled with mockery and disdain.

Everyone knew by now that Xia Ji had caused significant trouble in the imperial capital, offending a formidable figure like Jue Wudi.

Xia Ji was sweeping the crowd with his eyes when he spotted Fang Chen, causing his eyes to brighten.

”Fang Da!” called Xia Ji as he walked over with Wu Ruochou.

Li Cang was a little surprised when he saw them.

”Are you planning to participate today?” asked Xia Ji in a low voice.

Fang Chen gently shook his head. ”This kind of competition is of no use to me.”

Xia Ji nodded. ”I see.”

Xia Ji knew that, for someone like Fang Chen, this competition wouldn’t bring him any benefits.

Li Cang hesitated to speak, remembering that Fang Hao had mentioned the day before that he’d be looking to cause Fang Chen trouble at the competition.

They only waited for half an hour when the Fang Ao and the other Foundation Building Realm experts suddenly floated into the air before sitting cross-legged.

”Today is the Three Branches Minor Competition. We will first compete in alchemy and talisman crafting. To save time, disciples participating in these two competitions can skip the third one, the spell technique exchange.” Fang Ao’s voice echoed in everyone’s ears. ”Simply speaking, those participating in these two competitions are excused from the third one.”

As Fang Ao finished speaking, more than a dozen figures walked out one after another.

Mockery appeared on everyone’s faces immediately. In the three branches, there were no genuine inheritances for the Dao of Talismans or the Dao of Alchemy. Everyone had mediocre talent in both arts.

The only reason those who participated, participated, was because they didn’t wish to take part in the third competition, which focused on spell techniques.

Suddenly, someone noticed Fang Chen and gasped, ”Hey, that guy looks familiar, who is he?”

Another sneered and said, ”Seems like a side branch newcomer. This is his first time participating in a Minor Competition. Why is he pretending to be competent?”

”I heard Elder Fang Ao granted him a unique courtyard. I thought he was someone outstanding, but now it seems otherwise.”

Whispered conversations continued to be heard.

Even those Fang Ao and the others showed looks of confusion in the air.

Only Master Chanyuan remained calm as he looked at Fang Chen quietly.

”He’s new here. For him not to participate in the spell technique competition wouldn’t be appropriate, right?” said a Foundation Building Realm cultivator in a deep voice.

Another Foundation Building Realm cultivator shook his head slightly. ”There’s no such rule. He can choose to participate in whichever competition he wants.”

In the crowd, Fang Ao’s wife couldn’t help but shake her head. ”He has been given such a good courtyard.... If he doesn’t participate in the third part of the competition, he won’t be able to earn everyone’s respect.”

”Exactly,” said Fang Yun with a sneer, looking at Fang Chen.

Fang Jue, who was beside them, hurriedly said, ”Mother, little sister, everyone has their specialization when it comes to the arts. Perhaps Fang Chen is more proficient in talisman crafting or alchemy.”

Jian Jian frowned slightly. ”Even you haven’t touched a genuine alchemy or talisman dao inheritances before. You’re trusting him to possess skills like that?”

”Look at those people from the previous years, what kind of pills did they refine? All pills for martial artists. And those talismans that people draw—Strength Talismans, Speed Talismans, these things that you can buy for a few measly spirit sones. What’s the point in studying if that’s all you could craft?”

Fang Jue didn’t have any counter to that, so feeling a little embarrassed, he didn’t say anything else.

On the other side of the crowd, Fang Hao and the others looked somewhat strange when they saw that Fang Chen wasn’t planning to participate in the spell technique competition.

”Let it be.” Fang Hao sighed softly, pushing back any mocking thoughts. “Big brother has a good impression of him. I won’t be the bad guy.”

”Fang Ao, the competition is starting so soon? Didn’t even wait for me,” a voice rang out.

Two figures were coming over slowly, and as everyone saw them, a trace of seriousness appeared on their faces.

The man who just arrived was called Fang Mosheng, a Foundation Building Realm cultivator from the main branch, and his cultivation wasn’t weak at all! He was at the mid-stage Foundation Building Realm.

The woman who came with him was the chief disciple of the main branch, Fang Lingxing!

Glancing at the sky, Fang Ao lightly said, ”You’re late, Fang Mosheng.”

Fang Mosheng chuckled lightly but did not argue. He soared into the air to sit with everyone else.

”Sister Lingxing.”

The disciples from the main branch around Fang Lingxing greeted her one after another, their eyes showing reverence, and admiration—but also a hint of wariness.

Fang Lingxing remained indifferent, just nodding lightly without saying a word, adopting an aloof attitude that discouraged others from approaching.

However, that only served to increase the awe and respect others felt toward Fang Lingxing. Those who were angered by her reaction were few, and more people added a few more points of respect for Fang Lingxing in their hearts after seeing everyone’s reaction.

When Fang Lingxing scanned the area, she noticed that Fang Chen was already among the participants in the competition, and a trace of suspicion appeared in her eyes.

The competition of talisman crafting and alchemy?

”You may begin,” announced Fang Ao.

In an instant, everyone started drawing talismans or trying to refine pills. There was only one thing in common among all those who started—all of them were mediocre at best!

Some couldn’t even finish drawing a talisman before the talisman paper burned up, resulting in a failed attempt and a flushed face as they left the scene in embarrassment.

Fang Chen sat quietly, with a talisman pen and a piece of ordinary talisman paper in front of him. Seeing what was happening around him, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

The Fang Family, who had Golden Core Realm experts at its helm, seemed to lack true talisman crafting and alchemy inheritances. They were truly lacking in foundations. On the other hand, the Introduction to the Three Thousand Daos covered various talismans, including the powerful Purple Lightning Talisman! This only served to prove how deep the foundations of the Three Thousand Dao Sect ran.

After about a dozen breaths, someone in the crowd couldn’t help but burst into laughter, which immediately sparked a chain reaction of laughter that permeated the air uncontrollably.

Fang Ao was about to quiet them down when he noticed that the Foundation Building Realm cultivators beside him were also chuckling, so he could only resign, sighing.

If given the chance, he really needed to find some talisman crafting and alchemy inheritances for the third branch. He didn’t want these two competitions to be treated as jokes in every competition.

That said, aside from a few who were really just participating to dodge the third competition, there were people who were genuinely interested and passionate about these arts who were also participating. Despite the continuous mocking laughter around them, they weren’t affected and continued to earnestly craft their talismans or concoct their pills.

Fang Mosheng’s gaze fell on Fang Chen. ”This child is also participating in one of these two competitions? Looks like he’s crafting a talisman.”

His voice only circulated among a few Foundation Building Realm cultivators, unheard by those below.

Fang Ao nodded with a strange expression.”It seems his sect has a talisman crafting inheritance, so he should be proficient in this field.”

Fang Mosheng’s expression suddenly changed. ”Was this child the one who crafted those... Purple Lightning Talismans you acquired?”