Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen discerned the underlying message in Pei Qingfeng’s words. He was implying there were spies from the Profound Ghost Dao Sect within the Grand Thousand Dao Gate. The timing of their attack was too precise, indicating a leak of information.

Perhaps what the Profound Ghost Dao Sect was really after was the Dao techniques Fang Chen had just bestowed on them!

”Nephew Pei, you don’t need to say anything more; let’s go together.”

Fang Chen didn’t elaborate further. Patting Pei Qingfeng’s shoulder, he flew toward the outer courtyard.

Pei Qingfeng furrowed his brow slightly. In the end, he sighed before leading Guan’e and the others to follow Fang Chen.

The Grand Thousand Dao Sect was divided into the outer courtyard and the inner sanctum. The inner sanctum was the true place for orthodox cultivation of immortal techniques. The outer courtyard, however, hosted martial artists responsible for receiving pilgrims and managing the sect’s secular affairs.

Due to the decline of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect, the outer courtyard’s influence had dwindled. It could only attract a few hundred local villagers as pilgrims daily. Today, these villagers stood by, visibly shocked.

All the disciples of the outer courtyard had already been captured. Some of them had even been executed.

Facing these outer courtyard disciples was another group dressed in Daoist robes. Everyone in the group exuded an aura belonging to at least the Foundation Building Realm. There was an elderly Daoist with sparse hair and a very aged appearance among them. A few Foundation Building Realm were standing close to this elder, visibly protecting him.

Unlike the Grand Thousand Dao Sect’s green robes, these Daoists wore robes with a black base and red accents. The red threads embroidered eerie ghostly figures.

The old Daoist cleared his throat lightly before turning to the villagers with a kindly expression. “Ahem... No need to fear. From now on, the Grand Thousand Dao Sect will merge with the Profound Ghost Dao Sect. Those who come for incense may come for incense, and those seeking blessings may seek blessings.”

The villagers, having likely experienced similar situations before, immediately felt relieved upon hearing the old Daoist’s words. At least this incident wouldn’t implicate them.

After reassuring the villagers, the old Daoist smiled and turned to look in a certain direction.

”Your Sect Leader should be arriving soon. If not, I’m afraid he’ll only be here to collect your bodies.”

Hundreds of outer courtyard disciples of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect showed expressions of fear, anger, or despair. They were mostly martial artists, with their cultivation levels mostly in the Human Profound Stage, with some in the Earth Profound Stage and Heaven Profound Profound.

When they encountered these Profound Ghost Dao Sect cultivators, they were subdued in an instant except for a dozen or so Martial Emperors who managed to exchange a few moves. The methods of these Profound Ghost Dao Sect cultivators were too strange and extremely formidable; they were capable of manipulating evil creatures.

A young Daoist approached the old man and suggested softly, ”Master, why spare their lives? Just kill them directly.”

This young man had sunken eyes, and his lips were tinged with purple-black, exuding a sinister aura even under the sunlight.

”Kill them? Then will you manage this outer courtyard?” the old Daoist replied calmly.

The young Daoist was momentarily stumped, remaining silent.

“You... you all should stop dreaming! We are disciples of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect; there’s no way we would do anything for your Profound Ghost Dao Sect. If you want to kill us, then just do it quickly!”

A strong middle-aged Dao cultivator fiercely resisted. However, strong spiritual energy suppressed him and restricted his movement. His face was flushed with anger as he glared at the old Daoist and the others.

The young Daoist sneered. “If you want to die, I can grant your wish.”

Just as the young Daoist was about to make a move, the void in front of them flickered with light.

The light was like an opened door, and numerous cultivators flew out from beyond it.

“The immortals from the inner sanctum have arrived!!”

The Daoists from the outer courtyard were instantly uplifted, and even the villagers around them showed expressions of joy.

These villagers preferred dealing with the Daoists from the Grand Thousand Dao Sect. They had heard that the Daoists from the Profound Ghost Dao Sect were ruthless. There were even rumors circulating that they had secretly killed quite a few mortals!

Pei Qingfeng’s gaze was as sharp as lightning as he stood in the void, coldly staring at the old Daoist cultivator. “Daoist Five Ghosts, we’re the ones you’re after. Why take your anger out on them?”

“Daoist Pei, I heard you went into seclusion to break through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core Realm. Now that you’ve come out early, I assume you’ve failed?”

The corners of Daoist Five Ghosts’ mouth lifted slightly, his expression a mix of a smile and a sneer as he looked at Pei Qingfeng.

The aura emanating from him was far more powerful than Pei Qingfeng’s, clearly showing he was a mid-stage Golden Core Realm cultivator.

After speaking, Daoist Five Ghosts cast a fleeting glance at Fang Chen, the amusement in his eyes growing even more obvious.

”Immortal cultivation is arduous; breaking through realms is never easy.” Pei Qingfeng shook his head lightly. ”Daoist Five Ghosts, over the years, there hasn’t been much enmity between the Grand Thousand Daoist Sect and the Profound Ghost Dao Sect. Why are you being so aggressive?”

”Aggressive? Why do you say that, Daoist Pei?” Daoist Five Ghosts looked somewhat surprised. ”We are of the same origin. I merely wish for you all to return to the orthodox path.”

Unable to hold back, Elder Xu snapped, ”We of the Grand Thousand Daoist Sect are the orthodox ones!”

Daoist Five Ghosts glanced at him coldly. ”Just a Foundation Building Realm cultivator, what qualifications do you have to interrupt us?”

With that, he glanced at his disciple and nodded lightly. ”Kill ten people, give them a small punishment.”

The young Daoist’s lips curved up slightly as he raised his hand, striking toward the middle-aged Daoist.

The middle-aged Daoist clenched his teeth. He stared fiercely at the young Daoist as if etching his face into memory and vowing revenge even if he became a ghost.

”Enough!” Pei Qingfeng’s voice boomed like thunder.

The aura unique to a Golden Core Realm cultivator radiated from Pei Qingfeng. A sword light flew out from his sleeve, dispelling the attack of the young Daoist.

The young Daoist’s expression darkened. He cast a cold glance at Pei Qingfeng.

At that moment, Daoist Five Ghosts also took action. He smiled faintly, and the sound of wailing ghosts seemed to echo through the heavens and earth. Dozens of paper figures suddenly appeared, wailing as they grabbed hold of Pei Qingfeng’s flying sword.

Pei Qingfeng’s expression turned grim. When these paper figures seized his flying sword, it was tainted. The connection between them was severed. He couldn’t even recall the sword.

”The Spiritual Attachment Technique?” Fang Chen mused.

The paper figures Daoist Five Ghosts conjured were different from the black and white paper figures. They seemed to be evil creatures devoid of intelligence refined and controlled through the Spiritual Attachment Technique.

Crack!

After snapping Pei Qingfeng’s flying sword, these paper figures returned to Daoist Five Ghosts’ side. They constantly emitted eerie cries that sent shivers down the spines of the nearby villagers.

The cultivators of the Profound Ghost Dao Sect gloated and looked smugly toward the Grand Thousand Dao Sect.

Witnessing this scene, the cultivators of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect felt their hearts sink, and their faces turned grim. Pei Qingfeng was the strongest among them, yet his sword was broken in just one exchange. What could they do next?

”Daoist Pei, it seems that the methods of your Grand Thousand Dao Sect... are still as weak as before.” Daoist Five Ghosts shook his head lightly. ”This just proves that your lineage is no longer orthodox. It would be better to submit to our Profound Ghost Dao Sect.”

Pei Qingfeng chuckled lightly, shaking his head. ”In this world, who could reverse the natural order? If our ancestors knew I brought my disciples to merge with a branch sect, they would probably jump out of the underworld to give me a beating.”

The young Daoist glared coldly at Pei Qingfeng. ”Master, he says we’re a branch sect. He simply doesn’t know what’s good for him even in the face of death.”

Daoist Five Ghosts sighed softly and then changed his approach. ”How about this, I’ll give you all a way out, as long as you agree to one thing for me.”