Immortal of the Nine Realms

”Immortal ruins… you can think of them as the cultivation caves left behind by immortals in your world when the two realms had yet to be completely sealed off,” Mirror of the Universe explained.

”Cultivation caves of immortals? That means there must be a lot of good stuff inside,” Fang Chen replied, intrigued.

”That’s certainly true, but how could the cultivation caves of immortals allow outsiders to covet their treasures? The restrictions they set are specifically aimed at cultivators; even a powerful expert from this realm would find it hard to force their way in. Only cultivators recognized by the Immortal Realm, what you call Immortal Seedlings, would have any chance of entering,” Mirror of the Universe elaborated.

”What’s in there exactly? Immortal Artifacts?” Fang Chen asked with growing interest.

”There may be some Immortal Artifacts inside, but… I can assure you, even if you get your hands on an Immortal Artifact, you won’t be able to use it. That little dumbass can forget about eating it as well,” the Mirror of the Universe said.

”Nonsense!” Little Sword immediately retorted.

Ignoring the interruption, the Mirror of the Universe continued, ”Little Brother, if you ever find yourself inside, look for high-grade spirit stones or top-grade spirit stones. In this world, it’s nearly impossible to find such items anywhere other than immortal ruins.”

After a pause, it added, ”If you’re lucky enough to find an immortal crystal, then you’ll truly have hit the jackpot.”

High-grade spirit stones, top-grade spirit stones, immortal crystals… Fang Chen pondered.

He had never seen high-grade spirit stones; such items were likely only circulated among cultivators of the Upper Three Realms. As for top-grade spirit stones… he hadn’t even heard other cultivators mention them.

”Little Mirror, are immortal crystals a type of spirit stone used by immortals?” Fang Chen asked.

”You could say that, but there are some differences. No matter the grade, an immortal crystal holds immense value in the Immortal Realm,” Mirror of the Universe replied. ”This is because it can extend lifespan.”

Fang Chen’s eyes widened in surprise. ”It can extend lifespan?”

At that moment, Fang Chen heard Jing Xu speaking suddenly. ”The heirs of the Heavenly King Zhen Manor and the Ninth Generation King Manor have arrived. Looks like we will really be leaving empty-handed.”

Everyone looked up to see a familiar Immortal Boat; it was Gai Hong’s, whom Fang Chen and Langya Wenqiu had met not long ago.

Another Immortal Boat, extravagant and exuding a formidable aura, came into view. Both boats halted at a distance, clearly trying not to disturb the two players’ chess game.

”Brother Jing, judging by the situation, it seems that we wandering cultivators will at most just be spectators this time,” the chubby man said dejectedly.

”It’s fine; it’s rare to attend such an exciting show. Just relax and enjoy it,” Jing Xu reassured him, patting him on the shoulder.

Suddenly, Fang Chen’s attention was drawn to a specific spot. He noticed an old man holding a little girl’s hand, standing under a tree, munching on fruit while glancing at the chess game. They looked like an ordinary grandfather-granddaughter pair, where the Gramps took his granddaughter for an outing in the countryside.

”Everyone, I’ll be back shortly,” Fang Chen informed Jing Xu and the others before darting toward the old man.

Seeing Fang Chen approach an acquaintance, the others paid it no mind; the ongoing chess game was their primary focus.

A few breaths later, Fang Chen arrived at the tree and cupped his fists in respect. ”I pay my respects to you, Senior Qingmu.”

He was curious; when he first met the grandfather and granddaughter in Grand Qian, the little girl appeared to be around 7 or 8 years old. 20 years had passed since then, yet she looked the same.

”Brother, it’s you!”

The little girl blinked her big eyes, took a bite of the spiritual fruit in her hand, and tilted her head to examine Fang Chen.

”You remember me?” Fang Chen asked with a smile.

The little girl’s nostrils twitched slightly, and she nodded. ”I remember! Your scent is different from others.”

Fang Chen was taken aback. ”Different scent?”

Ancestor Qingmu chuckled, ruffling the little girl’s hair with a doting smile. ”My dear granddaughter is unique; she enjoys smelling things and doesn’t need her eyes to observe people or events. This is somewhat similar to you.”

After a pause, he continued, ”Young Friend Fang, I heard you’ve visited the Azure Dao Manor. Did you gain anything?”

Fang Chen couldn’t help but smile wryly. ”You already know everything, Senior Qingmu. You don’t have to tease me.”

When the Ancestor heard Fang Chen mention Yun He in the past, a hint of unusual interest had shown on his face. At the time, Fang Chen thought it was simply because Senior Yun He had a formidable reputation in the Central Continent Empire. It was only after visiting the Grand Thousand Dao Sect that he understood why Ancestor Qingmu reacted that way.

Ancestor Qingmu gazed at Fang Chen for a moment before his eyes suddenly turned to the distant figure of Senior Yun He.

”You once told me that your cultivation method was imparted to you by Yun He… I now ask you whether this is true. You have only one chance to answer; no matter your response, I won’t ask a second time.”

Fang Chen’s expression shifted.

Why is he asking about this again?

His tone was peculiar, as if he was preparing to make some kind of decision.

After pondering for a moment, Fang Chen nodded gently. ”I was not lying, senior. Senior Yun He was really the one who imparted this technique to me.”

Ancestor Qingmu withdrew his gaze and looked back at Fang Chen, his expression softening slightly. ”Alright, looks like you’re my junior brother then.”

”…”

Fang Chen hadn’t expected this turn of events and was momentarily stunned, staring blankly for several breaths before reacting with an odd expression. ”So, your cultivation technique also came from Senior Yun He, Ancestor Qingmu?”

Ancestor Qingmu chuckled. ”Don’t believe it?”

Before Fang Chen could respond, he continued, ”Whether you believe it or not, with Master’s appearance in this game against someone, according to past rumors, he should have regained some of his senses, but it’s uncertain whether he remembers you and me.”

”Ancestor Qingmu—”

”Call me Senior Brother.”

”Senior Brother, did you come here for the inheritance of spells?”

”Haha… I have yet to comprehend the things Master taught me. What use would a few more spells do for me? I am here for a simple reason.”

Ancestor Qingmu’s gaze slowly swept over the cultivators of the Morning Star Dao Sect, the Innate Dao Sect, and the Great Expansion Dao Gate.

”I am here only to kill.”

His voice was soft, yet at that moment, Fang Chen felt as if he were staring at an ancient ferocious beast. The overwhelming killing intent sent chills down his spine.

”You’re still young, so you might not know this… but many of our senior brothers and sisters have died at the hands of these Dao Sects. Oh, it’s not just the Dao Sects; various factions are secretly scheming behind the scenes as well. They want Master’s inheritance but mock and ridicule him as merely a remnant soul, a madman. Junior Brother… what do you think we, as disciples, can do? Can we stand by and do nothing?”

Ancestor Qingmu looked at Fang Chen, a faint smile on his lips. ”Let me ask you this: if someone were to insult Master in your presence, would you be willing to join me in taking action? Even if your enemies might be cultivators in the Middle or Upper Three Realms and it’s a sure path to death… would you still tread it?”

Fang Chen fell silent. At that moment, he didn’t weigh the pros and cons; he simply thought about whether he would act if someone were to insult Senior Yun He in front of him, regardless of their cultivation.

After a few breaths, Fang Chen nodded lightly. ”Senior Brother Qingmu, I have a technique that, once cast, might not distinguish between friend and foe, but it should be able to injure cultivators in the Upper Three Realms.”

Ancestor Qingmu suddenly burst into laughter, patting Fang Chen’s head. ”Your senior brother isn’t so foolish; how could I let you go to your death? Don’t be afraid; the Sword Sects can ask for duels, and we can ask to practice the Dao. Today, we will be questioning their Dao. As long we adhere to the rules, they can’t do anything to us.”