Immortal of the Nine Realms

The next day, several pieces of news were spreading wildly in the Grand Qian Imperial Capital:

The first piece of news was how the Fang Family’s genius, Fang Lingxing, was attacked the day before and narrowly escaped death.

The second was that the Fang Family’s third branch member Fang Chen, a 12th stage Qi Refining Realm cultivator, triumphed over Fang Lingxing in the third branch Minor Competition, becoming the number one genius among Fang Family’s younger generation.

The third was how an amazing treasure appeared again in the Immortal Origin District after a hundred years. Fang Chen successfully extracted a mid-grade spirit stone, selling it for ten thousand low-grade spirit stones.

Finally, the Lin Family’s head and several high-level Qi Refining Realm cultivators from the Lin Family didn’t return all night, and their whereabouts were still unknown.

The fourth piece of news didn’t attract too much attention. At most, it was discussed among some people in the outer city. As for the people in the inner city, they were more curious about Fang Chen.

Two of the hot pieces of news were related to him.

Being a 12th Qi Refining Realm cultivator was nothing special, and whether Fang Lingxing or Fang Chen was the number one among the younger generation of the Fang Family didn’t concern them.

But the news about the Immortal Origin District caused a stir among many cultivators in the Imperial Capital. Ten thousand low-grade spirit stones! That was an astronomical number that they found hard to imagine!

Early in the morning, Fang Jue and Fang Yun, accompanied by a dignified young man, arrived at the courtyard.

”Who is this?” Fang Chen walked out and casually asked when he saw the two accompanied by a stranger.

The young man smiled warmly. ”Brother Fang Chen, I am Qian Jiuye.”

He had a friendly smile and lively eyes that were constantly sizing up Fang Chen. When he saw how Fang Chen’s eyes remained closed, he couldn’t help but be surprised inwardly. He’s really blind?

”Fang Chen, this is the Ninth Prince,” introduced Fang Jue.

He’s someone from the imperial family?

Fang Chen nodded lightly and clasped his fists. ”Greetings, Ninth Prince.”

Qian Jiuye smiled. ”Don’t be so polite. Today, I asked Fang Jue to bring me here to ask you for a favor.”

Fang Yun’s expression was complicated. Even a prince came to seek Fang Chen out. Fang Jue wasn’t qualified enough for that.

”What’s the matter? Ninth Prince, please,” said Fang Chen.

”It’s simple. I made an appointment with my second brother to gamble at the Immortal Origin District today, and I want to invite Brother Fang Chen to oversee it,” said Qian Jiuye. ”Brother Fang Chen, rest assured, I understand the rules. I will pay fifty low-grade spirit stones for each Immortal Origin Stone, and in addition, if you win the bet, you will get one-tenth of the winnings.”

Fang Chen smiled and said, ”Brother Jiuye, I’m blind. Do you still want me to take part in your bet? The Immortal Origin Stone I found the other day was just a fluke.”

”Fang Chen, luck matters in things like opening Immortal Origin Stones. I think you are lucky. It’s okay to help Brother Jiuye and earn yourself some spirit stones. If you lose the bet, you won’t have to worry about anything. The Ninth Prince has agreed to the conditions. That is why I brought him to look for you...” said Fang Jue.

Qian Jiuye immediately nodded and said, ”Yes, it’s okay to lose the bet. There is an Immortal Origin Stone expert on my second brother’s side. If I fail to switch things around, I am destined to lose. Now I’m trying a desperate measure.”

Fang Chen pondered, then asked, ”How will it take place?”

Qian Jiuye understood that his final chance had arrived and he quickly replied, ”My second brother and I agreed to have the match at the Jade River Pavilion.

”When the time comes, Young Master Tong Baizhou from Jade River Pavilion will bring out a hundred Immortal Origin Stones from his collection, and we will each choose ten to gamble with.”

Fang Chen smiled. ”As Fang Jue said, I can’t guarantee whether you’ll win or lose, Brother Jiuye, but I can go and watch the fun. As for a fee for me helping you, there’s no need for something like that.”

”No, no, that fee must be paid.” Qian Jiuye immediately took out five hundred low-grade spirit stones and handed them to Fang Chen. ”I’ll pay in advance to avoid trouble later.”

”Fang Chen, please accept it,” said Fang Jue, feeling a bit envious.

When a martial artist like Li Cang saw this scene, he couldn’t help but sigh. His young master earned spirit stones faster than he could rob them.

***

Immortal Origin District, Jade River Pavilion.

Since it was well known that a bet between two imperial princes, the second prince, Qian Feng, and the ninth prince, Qian Jiuye, the Jade River Pavilion was much livelier than usual today, with hundreds and thousands of cultivators entering and exiting the hall.

The servants were busy, and Immortal Origin Stones were continuously being sold, bringing in a steady stream of spirit stones.

The knowledgeable cultivators who saw this scene were filled with envy. Many people would lose everything they had on gambling Immortal Origin Stones, but places like the Jade River Pavilion were making a fortune every day, becoming extremely wealthy!

Because of what happened with Fang Chen last time, the entire Immortal Origin District, which had been sealed for many years, was now selling Immortal Origin Stones at extremely low prices, and they were being snatched up by people frantically. The Jade River Pavilion was no exception; a batch of Immortal Origin Stones in stock was almost sold out within a morning.

Everyone wanted to replicate the scene from Fang Chen’s day.

”Prince Qian Jiuye is here.”

Someone with sharp eyes spotted Qian Jiuye and the others entering Jade River Pavilion.

”Huh, isn’t that Fang Chen?”

”It really is him. Did Prince Qian Jiuye invite him? Looks like today’s gambling match is going to be interesting!”

The cultivators became extremely excited.

Tong Baizhou was originally welcoming guests, but when he saw Fang Chen and the others, a smile appeared on his face, and he stepped forward to greet them.

”Prince Qian Jiuye, you’ve come early today.”

He then nodded gently at Fang Chen as a sign of acknowledgment.

Fang Chen also nodded slightly in return.

”Master Tong, has my second brother not arrived yet? There’s only half an hour left until the agreed time,” said Qian Jiuye with a faint smile.

Facing Tong Baizhou, Qian Jiuye didn’t show the same enthusiasm he had shown Fang Chen earlier, but rather, he displayed a bit of indifference.

Tong Baizhou smiled. ”The Second Prince should be on his way.”

”In that case, please bring out the hundred Immortal Origin Stones for me to inspect,” said Qian Jiuye.

Tong Baizhou looked a bit embarrassed. ”Um... according to the rules, we have to wait until both sides are present before we can take out the Immortal Origin Stones.”

”The rules are dead; people are alive,” said Qian Jiuye.

Suddenly, a faint voice sounded from behind the crowd. ”Brother Qian Jiuye, you’re not being fair. Why make things difficult for Master Tong? Rules are rules, and as long as we’re alive, we must abide by them.”

Fang Chen glanced over at the source of the voice.

Behind them stood a group of young men and women, including the formidable Jue Wudi and Fang Lingxing. These people’s cultivation levels were no lower than the 12th stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

The person who spoke just now was now standing next to Jue Wudi. He had a gentle face, a slender figure, and emitted the aura of the 12th stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

Jue Wudi and Fang Lingxing furrowed their brows slightly, their gazes falling on Fang Chen.

”He’s here too?”

Qian Jiuye’s turned a little serious when his gaze landed on them. He smiled without much sincerity and said, ”Second Brother, why isn’t Master Wu, the Immortal Origin Stone Master, here? I’m afraid you won’t stand a chance against me by yourself, right?”

Suddenly, just as Qian Jiuye had said that, there was a commotion outside.

”The price has shot up! What’s inside has to be worth at least three hundred low-grade spirit stones!”

Everyone was taken aback. Did someone just cut open something valuable?

Qian Feng suddenly chuckled. ”Master Wu happened to see a good Immortal Origin Stone on our way here and bought it. That must be what increased in value just now.”

The surrounding cultivators were amazed at the news.

Qian Jiuye’s expression changed slightly, and his complexion didn’t look too good.

”Brother Qian Jiuye, let’s go see what Master Wu has opened,” said Qian Feng with a faint smile, leading the way out of the Jade River Pavilion with his entourage.