Immortal of the Nine Realms

A protector had a grim expression. ”Protector Bai Li, his cultivation is not as it appears on the surface. This person is likely also at the grand completion stage of the Golden Core Realm. It’s not easy to deal with him. We should work together; otherwise....”

He glanced around at the many onlookers, indicating that their actions were drawing unwanted attention. ”If we delay too long, the Nine Yang Dao Sect will lose more face. The Elder may already be watching us.”

Although Protector Bai Li did not respond verbally, he tacitly acknowledged the concern.

In the next moment, nearly a hundred Golden Core Realm cultivators simultaneously tried to use their techniques. However, they found that any techniques related to the Five Elements were unusable.

Unbeknownst to them, all the Five Elements power had been isolated by Fang Chen.

Seeing that they couldn’t use their elemental techniques, the group of Golden Core Realm cultivators decided to use their flying swords.

Fang Chen, within the formation of swords, skillfully maneuvered his body, using the Protector Bai Li’s sword as a weapon to wreak havoc. Within moments, several flying swords were severely damaged, their blades shattered into pieces.

Watching the chaotic scene above, Li Daoye couldn’t help but muse, ”Has it really only been twenty years?

His eyes reflected a mixture of admiration and contemplation. ”In the grand scheme of things, twenty years might seem like a small fraction of a cultivator’s life, but for mortals, it could signify significant growth and change.”

For cultivators, twenty years was but a fleeting moment, brief and insubstantial. Many cultivators might not advance even a minor realm in that time. Were it not for the Divination of the Stars, he would still be languishing in the Qi Refining stage.

”I can calculate the heavens and the earth, but I still can’t match Lord Fang. No wonder he’s a man who’d died once before.” Li Daoyan sighed softly, then shifted his tone with a chuckle. ”However, aside from Lord Fang, figures like Xia Ji are no match for me. The little nun likely hasn’t reached Foundation Establishment yet. So among these people, I’m second only to one!”

Everyone thought they would witness an exciting battle, but it unexpectedly devolved into a melee. Truth be told, fighting with flying swords was more dangerous and prone to casualties than dueling with spells, yet it was visually less impressive.

”What’s going on? Why aren’t the Nine Yang Dao Sect’s protectors using their techniques and instead fighting with flying swords?”

”Did you notice? The power of the five elements has vanished. I just tried to use the Five Elements Control Technique, but it was completely useless!”

”Is that true?”

People hurriedly tried to cultivate the power of the five elements, but it was evident that the surrounding power of the five elements seemed to have disappeared entirely. They could not use it at all.

”What kind of method is this? A formation? I’ve heard that many formations can isolate the power of the five elements.”

”It seems this person from the Grand Thousand Dao Sect came prepared and had already set up the arrangement before the Nine Yang Dao Sect’s protectors arrived.”

With a soft moan, Qin Xuan opened her eyes, her forehead wrinkling with a frown. ”Uh... my head hurts.”

She looked around in confusion, not understanding what was happening around her. After a few breaths she suddenly remembered what had been happening before she was knocked out cold!

She had been knocked out by a residual shockwave!

The second to regain consciousness were Qin Nie and Qi Fa. The two exchanged glances, both looking somewhat displeased. The former was the Immortal Qin Clan’s heir, and the latter was the son of the city lord. For both of them to be knocked out by a shockwave in a battle was quite embarrassing.

”Young Master, how do you feel?” asked a black-clad cultivator beside them, stepping forward anxiously.

”No problem.” Qin Nie shook his head, his expression darkening as he looked up at the sky.

When he saw that Fang Chen was being besieged by nearly a hundred Golden Core protectors yet still holding his own, his expression grew even darker.

Qi Fa stood up, his hands on his hips. Glaring at the fighting above with dissatisfaction, he spat, ”Could this kid be doing this on purpose? Engaging in battle and still dragging us into it?!”

At his reminder, Qin Xuan finally realized that Fang Chen was in the midst of a fierce battle with the Nine Yang Dao Sect’s protectors. After watching for a moment, she was suddenly astonished. How could the scammer Fang Chen’s methods be so powerful!? Nearly a hundred Nine Yang Dao Sect protectors were still unable to subdue him?

Fang Chen’s eyes flickered.”Is it about time...?”

In the next moment, a figure shot through the air and, with a casual wave of his hand, completely separated the two sides.

”Everyone, this is the Immortal Qin Clan. Such open fighting in broad daylight shows a lack of respect for us.”

The newcomer was dressed in black, resembling the attire of He Baiyan and others. Upon seeing the newcomer’s appearance, the Nine Yang Dao Sect’s protectors immediately recognized him as a high-ranking member of the Immortal Qin Clan.

”It’s Guardian Wang,” Qin Nie said calmly.

The black-clad cultivators around looked at Wang Jiang with a hint of reverence. Among the Immortal Qin Clan’s protectors, there were few with a cultivation level in the Enlightenment Realm, and the one before them was one of those rare figures. At that level, even the Immortal Qin Clan could not afford to be careless.

”Senior, how should we address the insult inflicted on the disciples of the Nine Yang Dao Sect?” Protector Bai Li asked Wang Jiang, maintaining an air of both respect and resolve.

He was determined to regain some face for the Nine Yang Dao Sect, even if he had to settle it himself.

Wang Jiang sneered, his eyes showing a faint, cold mockery. ”This? It’s not worth caring about at all. If you truly want to address it, let Hua Qianchi fulfill his bet.”

”A bet had been made, how can a prominent disciple go back on his word? If your disciples lack even this basic integrity, why are you even out and about? Even if this incident didn’t occur today, your Nine Yang Dao Sect would still attract scorn for other reasons.”

The crowd was slightly taken aback. ”A bet?”

Protector Bai Li’s eyes showed confusion. ”May I ask what kind of bet was made, Senior?”

Hua Qianchi’s face changed dramatically, and he wished he could immediately break free from the golden ropes and flee the scene.

”He knows best,” Wang Jiang said, pointing at Fang Chen.

Protector Bai Li turned his gaze to Fang Chen, his expression serious. ”Fellow Daoist, may I ask what kind of bet this is?”

”It’s nothing much,” replied Fang Chen.

He smiled and recounted the bet between him and Hua Qianchi. By the time he had mentioned only half of it, the expressions of the Protector Bai Li and others had already changed noticeably.

After Fang Chen finished speaking, nearly a hundred Nine Yang Dao Sect protectors were eager to leave, feeling the surrounding gazes filled with mockery. Protector Bai Li’s face turned ashen as he slowly turned to Hua Qianchi. “Junior Brother Hua, is what he said true?”

Hua Qianchi forced a weak smile. “Senior Brother... It was just a joke, nothing serious. He’s the one who took it seriously.”

Despite trying to bullshit his way through, Hua Qianchi had already gone limp from fear.

“I understand,” Protector Bai Li said with a nod.

In the next moment, he transformed into a streak of light and left the scene.

The other protectors exchanged looks and began to depart, none of them paying any more attention to Hua Qianchi or Protector Zhao.

Looking at them leaving, Hua Qianchi and Protector Zhao’s expressions shifted from one extreme to another.

Face flushing with anger, Hua Qianchi cursed inwardly. You truly deserve to die, Bai Lixiao!

“Thank you, Senior, for speaking up for me,” Fang Chen said, cupping his fist in thanks as he looked at Wang Jiang.

Wang Jiang sneered and turned to leave, ignoring Fang Chen’s gratitude.

Fang Chen smiled, glanced at Hua Qianchi and Protector Zhao, then lightly waved his sleeve. The golden ropes binding Protector Zhao and the others instantly vanished.

“What is this...” Protector Zhao and the others were bewildered.

“You may leave now,” Fang Chen said.

“And him...” Protector Zhao asked, pointing at Hua Qianchi with a strange expression.

“Him? Just let him hang.”

With that, Fang Chen left with Li Daoyi.