Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen’s thoughts stirred. He remembered that Fairy Yu had mentioned something similar before, but he hadn’t paid much attention at the time. Now that Mirror of the Universe had brought it up again, he couldn’t help but feel a bit curious.

”Old liar, don’t slander me. Even if I were at the sixth or seventh rank, I wouldn’t harm Little Chen,” Little Sword retorted angrily.

The Mirror of the Universe sighed. ”You’re just a naive young one. I said you wouldn’t harm him, but that doesn’t mean the nine evil entities you can’t control won’t. Besides, some things will happen whether you want it or not.”

”Little Mirror, be more specific,” Fang Chen said, handing Mirror of the Universe ten mid-grade spirit stones.

The Mirror of the Universe didn’t seem satisfied. It had been a long time since it had received any spirit stones. Fang Chen gave it another ten, and the Mirror of the Universe reluctantly began to explain in detail, ”Firstly, your path as a sword cultivator seems somewhat similar to the path of the Heavenly Supreme Tome. The method it used is to refine itself into a pill, while you sword cultivators refine yourselves into a sword.”

”Your sword body is like the Heavenly Supreme Divine Flame. You can achieve mutual enhancement, but the prerequisite is that you must be able to suppress the sword body with your cultivation.”

”If you can’t suppress it, whether the young sword wants it or not, there’s a possibility that he could become sentient, with it taking control of you. At that point, your fate will no longer be under your control.”

Fang Chen pondered. He understood Mirror of the Universe’s words. Currently, with his sword body at the fourth rank, he indeed felt as if he were a flying sword. His physical body was strong enough not to fear experts in the Nascent Soul Realm.

If his cultivation could not suppress the sword body, it might turn into a true flying sword, much like Little Sword with its own consciousness....

”That’s one aspect. The other issue is the immortal bloodline on the young sword body, which contains nine evil entities. These evil entities grow stronger with the strength of the sword body. Though the young one can suppress them now, who can guarantee they can still be controlled once he advances to the fifth rank?”

Little Sword wanted to refute but fell silent, realizing the hidden danger. This danger might cause harm to befall Fang Chen.

”Little Mirror, in your opinion, should I wait until I advance to the Nascent Soul Realm before allowing Little Sword to reach the fifth rank?” Fang Chen pondered.

”That would be more prudent. Additionally, before that, you need to find a way to refine those nine evil entities. They are very strong... At least compared to this youngin for now. If they exert their control over you, you will have no chance of resisting,” Mirror of the Universe advised.

Little Sword said, ”Little Chen, just listen to the old liar. Refine them first, and I’ll advance to the fifth rank later.”

”I’ve tried before, but I am essentially refining you too in the process. We’ll look for another way,” Fang Chen said softly.

”Actually, after your advancement to the Nascent Soul Realm, using the Spiritual Attachment Technique might force them to come out and negotiate with you,” the Mirror of the Universe suggested.

Negotiate?

Fang Chen’s gaze shifted to the mottled bloodstains. He sensed something watching him from within.

”Yes, negotiation is useful. Although the evil entities are powerful, they lack physical bodies to exert their full strength. Once you reach the Nascent Soul Realm, the Spiritual Attachment Technique will be significantly more effective. If you can hold out for a moment, I believe these evil entities will eventually yield,” the Mirror of the Universe said.

Fang Chen shook his head lightly. ”Negotiation? Why would they even listen to me?”

Mirror of the Universe replied, chuckling. ”They just might. If they are willing to be refined voluntarily, you give them a chance at survival, and in exchange, you get to use their power occasionally. If they refuse, the Spiritual Attachment Technique at that stage will be powerful enough to destroy them one after the other until they are no more, erasing the danger.”

Just then, Little Sword suddenly shuddered, emitting a sword cry. The mottled bloodstains seemed to come alive, constantly twisting and changing.

”Little Chen, they’re very angry. It seems the old fool was right,” Little Sword said with surprise.

It shouted angrily, ”Be quiet!”

Terrifying sword intent enveloped its surroundings, immediately suppressing the mottled bloodstains.

Fang Chen nodded. ”If it’s useful, then that’s good.. We’ll do as Little Mirror says and refine them after I advance to the Nascent Soul Realm to eliminate the hidden dangers.”

About half a month later, the ten-year period in the Three Thousand Dao Realm ended, and Fang Chen returned to his meditation chamber.

Although only one day had passed outside, Fang Chen had spent 10 years inside.

Fang Chen touched his still smooth and fair face, feeling a bit wistful. ”I’ve been to the Three Thousand Dao Realm three times, totaling 30 years. I’m no longer young....”

Fang Chen was now over 70 years old.

Soon, he left the meditation chamber and found Langya Wenqiu. Upon learning that the senior brothers from the Extreme Sword Peak would take a few more days to arrive, he asked her about some alchemy materials.

”Senior Brother Fang, you know how to refine pills too!? We should have these materials in the Langya Clan. Even if we don’t have them, we can instruct the lower ranks to find them for you, though it might take some time,” Langya Wenqiu said with surprise.

”I wouldn’t say I’m skilled at it, just wanting to give it a try. But let’s discuss it when we get to the Void Immortal Sword Sect,” Fang Chen replied, smiling.

The Immortal Giant Sect was aware he and Jiang Tian’ai had spent a while alone before she had left on the Immortal Boat. If word got out that he was now looking for alchemy materials, Profound Immortal Xiu Yue could catch wind of it and become suspicious, spelling disaster.

”Senior Brother Fang, actually...” Langya Wenqiu showed a hint of hesitation and carefully advised, ”We should really focus on the sword path. Alchemy has always been considered an auxiliary path, not to mention it’s very costly. I’ve heard that pill masters who are lacking in skill end up losing a lot of resources by ruining batches of pills. It’s one thing to lose spirit stones, but wasting time is another matter altogether. We sword cultivators have limited lifespans; practicing alchemy could be very detrimental for us.”

”You make a good point.” Fang Chen nodded. ”I’ll just give it a try and won’t spend too much time on it.”

The short lifespan of sword cultivators was widely acknowledged, and Fang Chen didn’t believe he would be an exception. While ordinary Golden Core Realm cultivators could live up to 400 years, sword cultivators typically only lived around 200 years. By that calculation, he still had about 120 to 130 years left, but advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm would add an extra 400 years.

***

A few days later, four sword lights pierced through the sky from a distance. The auras of their owners were not very strong, around the level of the Golden Core Realm, comparable to Jing Yuehan. As soon as the four sword lights approached the vicinity of the Cloud Platform, Fang Chen noticed them. He extended his divine soul and saw that they were two men and two women.

”Do you think... will we be in trouble for arriving late? Will Junior Sister Wenqiu be angry?” asked the slightly older male sword cultivator with a worried expression.

”It depends on whether the Langya Clan has suffered any losses. But with Junior Sister Wenqiu and Senior Brother Fang here, the Azure Dao Manor should at least give us some face,” one of the female cultivators replied.

”Yes, yes, yes. Senior Brother Fang is not ordinary. If the Azure Dao Manor knows his background, they should give us some face. We must ensure that we bring him back no matter what,” another added.

After discussing, they quickened their pace and arrived on the Cloud Platform one after another. The slightly older male sword cultivator called out directly:

”Junior Sister Wenqiu, we’re here! Hurry up and send the Immortal Qin Clan out to face us!”

The sword cultivators from the Langya clan’s expressions slightly brightened. However, they soon exchanged puzzled looks.

The Immortal Qin Clan had already left....

The visitors had missed out on the party....