Immortal of the Nine Realms

After Fang Chen finished reading the book, he asked, ”Elder Xun, this ancient text talks about refining the primordial spirit. Is the ’primordial spirit’ referring to the Nascent Soul?”

Elder Xun smiled slightly but did not answer. Instead, he handed Fang Chen another ancient text. It described a technique called Three Heads and Six Arms, which piqued Fang Chen’s interest.

The other technique he had just read didn’t interest him much since he could only cultivate the Nascent Soul chapter of the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

Fang Chen got engrossed. ”Three Heads and Six Arms...”

At some point, phantom heads appeared on his left and right shoulders, and four phantom arms appeared on his body. These phantoms seemed unreal, as if formed by spiritual power, yet carried a faint sense of flesh and blood, mysterious and profound.

Fang Chen did not notice what was happening to him and continued reading intently.

”Elder Xun, this technique called ’Three Heads and Six Arms’ seems extraordinary,” Fang Chen remarked in surprise, closing the ancient text.

Are all ancient texts inside here secret arts?

”You may freely browse the texts here. Take your time,” Elder Xun smiled and nodded before turning to leave.

Fang Chen realized this was a rare opportunity. One can never have too many techniques, and this Three Heads and Six Arms technique was essentially a life-saving method. The three heads could be considered as having three lives.

At the same time, it was also an offensive technique. If he could master the Three Heads and Six Arms form, he could cast three different spells simultaneously in battle.

Fang Chen could already envision himself wielding a sword in one hand, casting the Azure Lightning Technique in another, and the Skin Peeling Technique with the third.

***

Seeing that it was getting late, Xia Ji began searching for Fang Chen. However, even after searching for a long time, Xia Ji couldn’t find him.

Xia Ji frowned slightly. ”Fang Da? Where are you? Could he have gone back already? But that doesn’t make sense.”

He returned to the cave to check, but Fang Chen wasn’t there. He then went to find Ning Tieniu and the Fifth Princess, but neither were back at their caves.

Xia Ji shook his head and returned to his own cave. ”Forget it.”

He waited for Fang Chen for five more days. During that time, he went to Senior Brother Li to ask about Fang Chen’s whereabouts, but Senior Brother Li also didn’t know.

He mentioned that the Desolate Academy was actually vast and mysterious and that it wasn’t uncommon for people to accidentally wander into certain areas and get trapped inside for a while. However, he reassured Xia Ji that there was no danger to these people’s lives.

Xia Ji wasn’t worried about Fang Chen encountering danger here. After waiting a few more days for Fang Chen to no avail, he decided to leave the Desolate Academy and return to the capital.

***

”Qi divided into three parts, blood divided into three parts, spirit divided into three parts...” Fang Chen murmured to himself, contemplating the meaning between the lines of the ancient text.

The golden veins in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

After activating the Primordial Immortal Eye, his thoughts had never been clearer. He was finally beginning to grasp the essence of the Three Heads and Six Arms technique.

At some point, he suddenly turned his head and saw a face identical to his own. He looked to the other side and saw another identical face.

”What a strange feeling....”

Fang Chen was certain that his mind was very clear at the moment, and equally sure that the other two heads were also fully alert. Each head could think independently from the other two heads.

It felt very mystical. There was no confusion or overlap between the three heads’ thoughts.

Intending to test this, Fang Chen reached for three more ancient texts and began reading with relish. One of the texts was a cultivation method, while the other two were techniques. Fang Chen found that he could comprehend all three simultaneously without discomfort.

His understanding of the Three Heads and Six Arms technique deepened even further. This technique didn’t turn out to be useful just for survival and offense; it was very useful for cultivation as well.

With the aid of this technique, Fang Chen’s speed in studying the ancient texts increased rapidly. He didn’t focus on comprehending every detail but instead memorized the content.

After an unknown amount of time, Fang Chen had finished reading over a thousand ancient texts. After placing the last one down, he turned and left the chamber, returning to the Hall of Ancient Records, where he happened to run into Senior Brother Li.

Fang Chen greeted him with a smile, cupping his fist. ”Senior Brother Li.”

As he did so, Fang Chen glanced around, looking for Elder Xun. However, he was nowhere to be seen.

”What are you doing here? A few days ago, Junior Brother Xia was looking for you, saying you had gone missing,” Senior Brother Li said, surprised.

”Oh, I ran into Elder Xun. He took me to a chamber where I studied various ancient texts filled with cultivation methods and techniques,” Fang Chen explained.

”Elder Xun?” Senior Brother Li was momentarily stunned. He asked in confusion, ”There’s no one named Elder Xun in the Desolate Academy. Who did you meet, Junior Brother Fang?”

”You know... Elder Xun, the one who watches over this place?” Fang Chen responded, slightly taken aback.

”Someone who watches over the Hall of Ancient Records? There’s usually no one stationed here. After all, the texts here only record some vague and unverified stories, and no one would deliberately damage them, so there’s no need for someone to guard this place,” Senior Brother Li said, his expression growing more serious. ”I think you may have encountered one of the instructors.”

Fang Chen’s expression turned grave. ”Is there anyone surnamed Xun among the Instructors?”

”There isn’t.” Senior Brother Li’s frown deepened. ”The six Instructors of the academy are surnamed Ji, Zhao, Han, Chu, Long, and Yue. There isn’t anyone surnamed Xun. But... Xun is the name of the royal—”

Senior Brother Li froze. He suddenly stared at Fang Chen in disbelief and astonishment.

”Did you... meet the Headmaster?”

Fang Chen was struck by lightning. ”The Headmaster?”

Could Elder Xun be a First Rate Sect Leader?

”It’s very possible that you have.... Although I’ve never known the Headmaster’s surname... I need to report this to Instructor Ji. Come with me,” Senior Brother Li said solemnly.

Without delay, he led Fang Chen to find Era Immortal King.

***

As they walked, Senior Brother Li asked curiously, ”This Elder Xun took you to read some ancient texts? What were they about?”

”Cultivation methods and techniques,” Fang Chen replied, his expression growing strange. ”There was a technique for refining the Ancient Primordial Spirit, the Three Heads and Six Arms technique, the Five Elements Escape Technique... and even the Lightning Evasion technique...”

Senior Brother Li’s expression became even more serious. ”I’ve never heard of these techniques before. As for the Five Elements Escape technique... our Desolate Academy’s Techniques Division only has Water Escape and Earth Escape techniques, but we lack Metal, Wood, and Fire Escape techniques...”

”Is that so...” Fang Chen muttered, lost in thought.

If Elder Xun was truly the Headmaster of the Desolate Academy, why did he allow Fang Chen to study techniques even the Senior Brother Li, a well-informed instructor, had never heard of?

The two soon arrived at Era Immortal King’s cave. After hearing about Fang Chen’s encounter, Era Immortal King fell into an odd, silent contemplation for a long time.

”Instructor Ji, about this matter...” Senior Brother Li asked cautiously.

”There is still a hidden collection of ancient texts in our Desolate Academy. These texts might have come from various immortal ruins, or perhaps they were passed down from ancient times, or even... from the Immortal Realm,” Era Immortal King said, his expression becoming even stranger as he looked at Fang Chen. ”But these texts... when we look at them, they appear blank. None of us can read their contents...”

Senior Brother Li drew a sharp breath. ”Hiss...”

”It won’t be long before the Desolate Academy welcomes its seventh Instructor,” Era Immortal King said, staring at Fang Chen with an increasingly peculiar expression.

Fang Chen was momentarily stunned. An Instructor? Me?