Immortal of the Nine Realms

”Stop with the constant talk of killing. In this world, a sword alone isn’t enough. If it were, why would the matter be entrusted to me instead of you?” the young man in white said with a light laugh.

The black-clad cultivator’s expression darkened instantly. After a moment of silence, he said quietly, ”What are your thoughts, Young Master Qin? If he really manages to find a Three Solar Fruit, it’s likely that the arrangements you made earlier will be for naught.”

”Let me ask you this. Has Chu Lan concealed anything from you regarding this matter?” the young man in white asked thoughtfully.

The black-clad cultivator pondered for a moment and then shook his head gently. ”She hasn’t concealed anything.”

”Then that’s settled. The Three Solar Fruit is very important. She should have kept it a secret and only revealed it once it was found,” the young man in white said with a faint smile. ”Why do you think she didn’t even hide it from you? Doesn’t she fear that the information might leak and cause complications? It’s not only our Qin clan’s ancestors who need the Three Solar Fruit. Who in the world doesn’t?”

The black-clad cultivator seemed to have caught a clue at what his young master was hinting at, but he wasn’t certain. ”So, what does the young master mean...?”

”After today, it’s likely that everyone in the Qin Manor will know that the First Lady has a lead on the Three Solar Fruit. As a result, Qin Feng’s punishment may be postponed,” the young man in white said with a smile. ”It’s quite commendable of the First Lady to go through such lengths for Qin Feng.”

The black-clad cultivator’s expression was one of surprise. ”So, you mean... this is all just an act by the First Lady to delay Qin Feng’s punishment?”

”I’ve been to the Grand Thousand Dao Sect. There’s nothing left there; how could one possibly find the whereabouts of the Three Solar Fruit? It just doesn’t make sense.

”The First Lady probably used the name of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect to make this matter seem more credible. As for the Foundation Building Realm cultivator she brought back, there’s no need to worry. Just keep an eye on him for now. In half a month, the battle between the Immortal Qin Clan and Lang Ya Clan will begin, and no one can stop it.”

A profound look appeared in the young man’s eyes.

”No wonder you’re the young master. Only you could come up with such a scheme, effortlessly making the two major factions dance in the palm of your hand,” the black-clad cultivator said, his eyes showing a hint of jealousy.

Though, the cultivator in black’s tone was quite flattering.

”You can leave now. If there’s nothing else, you don’t need to come see me again,” Qin Nie said, waving his hand.

”Understood, young master.”

The black-clad cultivator cupped his fist and turned to leave.

Seeing that Qin Nie was convinced that Chu Lan was merely staging an act, Fang Chen decided to leave. Since Qin Nie was only at the grand completion stage of the Foundation Building Realm, Fang Chen could kill him whenever he wished. However, he intended to use Qin Nie to draw out more of the Spirit Blood Sect’s minions, as killing just one wouldn’t be enough to satisfy his vengeance.

Just as Fang Chen’s soul returned to his body, he heard a maid’s voice outside the door.

”Young Master Fang, are you there? The First Lady requests your presence.”

”Brother Li, remember, we’re only meeting for the first time today. Don’t let anything slip,” said Fang Chen.

He patted Li Daoye’s shoulder and then stepped out of the room.

He followed the maid to Chu Lan’s residence.

Chu Lan, maintaining her composure, signaled for the maid to leave, and then looked at Fang Chen with a serious expression.

”I’ve done everything you asked of me. Will they really believe that I’m just putting on a show for Feng’er by bringing you in?”

”Under normal circumstances, they should believe it. Even if they don’t, they won’t take me seriously,” Fang Chen replied with a faint smile.

Chu Lan was silent for a moment before suddenly asking, ”Why do it this way? You could have come here secretly without revealing yourself, and Qin Nie wouldn’t have known you were here. If you guessed wrong, the Spirit Blood Sect would definitely come after you, which would be quite dangerous.”

After a pause, Chu Lan’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. ”Are you using yourself as bait to lure out more Spirit Blood Sect members? What exactly is your grudge with the Spirit Blood Sect?”

She was somewhat shocked. Any cultivator who encounters the Spirit Blood Sect would avoid them, yet the man in front of her seemed to be actively seeking them out.

”My grudge with the Spirit Blood Sect is complicated. It’s best if you don’t inquire further. Just know that in this matter, you and I have the same goals and interests,” Fang Chen said softly.

Chu Lan nodded slightly and ceased her inquiries. She was about to instruct the maid to see Fang Chen out when she heard the maid outside exclaim in surprise, ”Young Master Qin Nie!”

Chu Lan’s expression shifted slightly. ”Qin Nie has arrived.”

She looked at Fang Chen, who remained unperturbed and calm. This subtly increased her confidence in the situation.

Moments later, Qin Nie, led by the maid, walked in. With a faint smile on his face, he bowed respectfully to Chu Lan. ”Greetings, First Lady.”

”Nie’er, there’s no need for such formality,” Chu Lan said, showing a tired expression.

Qin Nie smiled. ”I heard that you went to the Great Thousand Dao Gate and encountered a cultivator who claimed to know the whereabouts of the Three Solar Fruit, one who asks for a hundred mid-grade spirit stones.”

Glancing at Fang Chen, Qin Nie took out exactly one hundred mid-grade spirit stones from his storage ring and handed them to Chu Lan.

”Feng’er has caused quite a commotion this time. Even I cannot speak well for him in front of the ancestors. If there’s any chance to rectify Feng’er’s mistake, a hundred mid-grade spirit stones is a small price to pay. Please accept them.”

Chu Lan seemed hesitant to accept them. ”This... If your mother knew, she might blame me.”

”My mother is a reasonable person. She wouldn’t blame you for this,” Qin Nie replied amiably.

”Many thanks!” Chu Lan thanked.

She took the spirit stones and handed them to Fang Chen. ”Fellow Daoist Fang, can you now reveal the whereabouts of the Three Solar Fruit?”

Fang Chen took the mid-grade spirit stones and stored them in his storage ring. He then clasped his hands and smiled. ”First Lady, this isn’t the right time yet. Please allow me some more time.”

Chu Lan frowned slightly. ”How long will it take?”

”At the earliest, three to five days; at the latest, seven to eight days. Please rest assured, I will handle this matter thoroughly,” Fang Chen said.

Seeing this, Qin Nie’s eyes flickered with a faint smile. He clasped his hands and said, ”I will take my leave for now.”

Chu Lan nodded slightly and called for the maid to see Qin Nie off.

After Qin Nie left, the two of them fell into silence for a while. Chu Lan sighed softly and said, ”He was indeed testing both of us just now.”

Only at this moment did she truly believe that Qin Nie was involved in the matter.

”First Lady, I’ll be back shortly,” Fang Chen said with a smile as he headed toward the door.

Chu Lan instinctively reached out to stop him but hesitated, realizing that he had no reason to be a fraud. In the end, she let him leave.

About half an hour later, Fang Chen returned to Chu Lan’s residence.

”Fellow Daoist Fang, can you tell me now? Where exactly is the Three Solar Fruit you know of?” Chu Lan asked, her eyes fixed on Fang Chen.

Fang Chen had a peculiar expression. After thinking for a moment, he said, ”The Three Solar Fruit is actually in the Qin Manor.”

The Qin Manor?

Chu Lan’s eyes flashed with anger. ”There was only one Three Solar Fruit at the Qin Manor, and Feng’er has already been given it to Langya Yu. You....”

Her words were abruptly cut off as she looked at Fang Chen in disbelief. ”Are you saying... that the Three Solar Fruit hasn’t yet reached Langya Yu? This is impossible. The Langya clan has already acknowledged this, and Langya Yu did indeed recently undergo the first tribulation of the Golden Core Realm.”

”That’s the fact. The Three Solar Fruit is not only at the Qin Manor, but it is also with Qin Nie,” Fang Chen explained. ”Langya Yu might not be as clean as one would hope. Have you inquired thoroughly with Young Master Qin Feng? Did he see Langya Yu actually consume the Three Solar Fruit?”