Immortal of the Nine Realms

Zhou Bufan and the others, while not as visibly shaken, slowly set down their teacups, their expressions indifferent as they looked at Fang Chen.

The beggar Daoist suppressed his shock and leaned toward Wu Weizi, speaking softly. ”Daoist Wu, about earlier misunderstandings… Please don’t take it to heart.”

Wu Weizi’s lips curled into a faint sneer as he glanced at the beggar Daoist without a word.

The beggar Daoist’s heart sank, and he began pondering how to pacify the Purple Sun Dao Sect.

Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, he raised his teacup and hurled it toward Fang Chen. Rising to his feet with an air of righteous indignation, he declared, ”Foul heretic! How dare you humiliate your fellow Daoists! Today, I’ll stand against you to the bitter end!”

The teacup shattered at Fang Chen’s feet, spilling its dark yellow tea. However, the liquid was blocked by the protective spiritual energy surrounding Fang Chen.

Wu Weizi glanced at the beggar Daoist, his anger dissipating somewhat. In a detached tone, he said, ”I’ll overlook the previous misunderstanding. When we settle accounts later, make sure to pull your weight.”

The beggar Daoist nodded repeatedly. ”Of course, of course.”

Daoist Li and the others were fuming, glaring at the group with seething anger. However, given the current situation, they had no room to interject and could only wait quietly.

Meanwhile, the three Immortal Kings stood in the void, about a dozen meters away from Fang Chen.

”It’s truly an honor,” Fang Chen said with a cupped fist and a smile, ”to have the three Immortal Kings grace the re-establishment of the Three Thousand Dao Sect. This junior is most fortunate.”

The Qin Clan’s patriarch and the others were momentarily stunned, their expressions flickering with a trace of peculiarity. Why was Fang Chen so calm and composed, even in the presence of the three Immortal Kings?

Could it be that he didn’t realize the situation he was in? These three Immortal Kings were not here to observe the ceremony, they were here to settle scores!

Qin Feng, restrained by the Immortal Qin clan cultivators to prevent his departure, couldn’t help but exclaim, “Young Master Fang truly lives up to his name! Even in the face of such an imposing lineup, he shows not a hint of fear!”

Chu Lan, gazing at this face whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, smiled faintly and said, “Naturally. How else could he have saved your life back then?”

“Madam, regardless of Young Master Fang’s reputation or skill, I fear he may not survive today,” said the Qin Family’s patriarch with a solemn expression. “With the three Immortal Kings present, even if he escapes alive, the Three Thousand Dao Sect will likely face total annihilation.”

Dragon Sovereign and Immortal King Gu Xi watched Fang Chen with an indifferent gaze, remaining silent.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Xuanzhen chuckled. “Young one, tell me, do you stand here as a disciple of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, or a member of the Dao Sect?”

Fang Chen smiled calmly. “Senior, I am both a member of the Dao Sect and a disciple of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. There is no contradiction between the two.”

“How greedy you are,” Ouyang Xuanzhen remarked with a hint of amazement.

“Greedy?” Fang Chen chuckled lightly. “There are three thousand Grand Daos. If given the opportunity, why shouldn’t I claim ninety percent of them for myself? Your insistence on following a single path to the end, senior… if we speak in Buddhist terminology, it would be called an attachment to form.”

At that moment, wandering Dao cultivators from various regions gathered closer. Upon hearing Fang Chen’s words, their faces were all filled with shock and astonishment.

The leaders of the great clans and the powerful figures of the Dao Sect exchanged bewildered glances.

This guy… Is he lecturing an Immortal King?!

Xu Qingsong bellowed in fury, “Fang Chen, you’re far too presumptuous! The patriarch of my sect holds an exalted status in the Dao Sect. How dare you criticize him? Kneel and apologize immediately!”

Daoist Yuan Ju spoke in a detached tone, “Immortal King Xuanzhen is a venerable senior of the Dao Sect, having immersed himself in its arts for countless years. Few in this world can rival his mastery. And you, a mere junior who hasn’t even studied for a century, dare to spout such arrogance.”

Voices of reprimand erupted from countless Dao cultivators, filling the heavens and earth with their anger, drowning out all else.

Only when Ouyang Xuanzhen gently raised his hand did the crowd gradually fall silent.

“Young one,” Ouyang Xuanzhen began with a light smile, “you’ve certainly absorbed seven or eight parts of the Void Immortal Sword Sect’s arrogance. But what you don’t seem to understand is that their sword cultivators have the strength to back up their pride. You, however, are still a fledgling. How dare you preach your grand theories before me?” ℞аꞐó𐌱ƐꞨ

He chuckled softly, his tone sharp with subtle mockery. “There are three thousand Grand Daos, and you seek to monopolize ninety percent of them? What arrogance… No, your arrogance knows no bounds! Even the ancestor of the Dao Sects wouldn’t dare to act like you.”

The elders from Fang Chen’s side grew uneasy. Before them stood an Immortal King, an immortal powerhouse capable of plucking stars and seizing the moon if they so wished. If he continued to do what he was doing, how would their confrontation end?

“But…” Ouyang Xuanzhen’s tone suddenly shifted, his smile fading as he turned his piercing gaze toward Zhou Bufan and the others. “Young as you are, you’ve already become the Sword Leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. A touch of arrogance is understandable.”

He sneered and added, “However, since you’ve admitted to being a Dao Sect cultivator, why have you humiliated your peers? Offering them mortals’ filthy concoctions under the guise of Dao discussions… Explain yourself!”

Zhou Bufan and the others knelt down, their voices trembling as they pleaded for justice. “Immortal King Xuanzhen, please uphold our honor! If not for us enduring bitterly and accepting humiliation, we would have lost our lives long ago!”

“He’s far too ruthless.”

“To humiliate his peers like this… Does he even regard the Dao Sect?”

“At such a young age, he’s already so malicious. If he’s allowed to cultivate for another century, wouldn’t even the ancestor mean nothing to him?”

Daoist Yuan Ju and the others added fuel to the fire, their reprimands echoing through the crowd.

Nearby wandering Daoists, initially believing that the gathering was to celebrate the reestablishment of the Three Thousand Dao Sect, were now utterly dumbfounded. It was clear that these immortal figures had come with hostile intent. The survival of the Three Thousand Dao Sect seemed precarious.

Bai Lixiao, who had once crossed paths with Fang Chen in the Immortal Qin clan, watched the scene unfold. Seeing Fang Chen remain so audacious even in the presence of Immortal Kings, he suddenly felt less bitter about his past defeat at Fang Chen’s hands. His gaze turned increasingly complex.

“Father, look at this! How can someone like this restore the Three Thousand Dao Sect? Not only have we made this trip for nothing, but we’ve also offended the Nine Yang Dao Sect. I fear we can no longer remain in the Azure Dao Manor,” whispered one of Qi Gongxu’s sons through voice transmission.

Qi Gongxu stood silently among the crowd, his eyes fixed on Fang Chen. After a long pause, he spoke softly. “After today, you will leave the Azure Dao Manor. Find a safe place and devote yourselves to cultivation. Never come back.”

“Father, what are you planning to do?” one of his sons asked in alarm, his voice quivering.

“The ancient texts record that during the calamity of the Three Thousand Dao Sect, nine thousand cultivators perished as martyrs. Today, I shall be one of them.”

Before anyone could react, Qi Gongxu transformed into a streak of light, soaring past Bai Lixiao.

Bai Lixiao sensed the movement but, wary of the presence of the Immortal Kings, dared not intervene. He could only watch as the old man sped toward Fang Chen.

The Immortal Kings observed Qi Gongxu’s actions with indifferent expressions, making no move to intervene.

Qi Gongxu’s voice rang out sonorously as he swept his sleeve and cupped his hands in obeisance toward Fang Chen. “My Qi Family has practiced the teachings of the Three Thousand Dao Sect for generations, since the time of our ancestors. Today, I have come to recognize our roots and return to the sect. I humbly request the Dao Sovereign to accept me.”

The surrounding crowd was stunned into silence. At such a perilous moment, seeking to acknowledge one’s lineage wasn’t just bold, it was suicidal!

Even Li Daoye and the others couldn’t hide their surprise at Qi Gongxu’s declaration.

Fang Chen scrutinized Qi Gongxu carefully before breaking into a smile. “I am hardly worthy of the title of Dao Sovereign. Aren’t you afraid of death, coming to reclaim your heritage today? These Immortal Kings are not here to congratulate us.”

Qi Gongxu replied resolutely, “My ancestor once lamented not being able to stand with the Three Thousand Dao Sect during its darkest hour, and he passed away in regret. Since then, our family has upheld a solemn vow: when the Three Thousand Dao Sect is restored, the descendants of the Qi Family must return to their roots.”

Nearby, the gathered wandering cultivators exchanged conflicted glances, many faces betraying inner turmoil.

“Well said.” Ouyang Xuanzhen nodded slightly. “I permit you to return to your roots and acknowledge your heritage.”

Having spoken, he shifted his gaze to Fang Chen with a faint smile and said, “Young one, as a host, it’s only proper to serve your guests. Pour me a cup of the same tea you served the others. I am quite thirsty.”

The crowd looked at one another, and Zhou Bufan and the others couldn’t help but gloat.

If Fang Chen dared to serve that tea, would he still have any chance of surviving today?

However, if he didn’t, how could he claim the capability to restore the Three Thousand Dao Sect?

Just then, a thin, frail old man appeared unnoticed beside Zhou Bufan and the others. Picking up a cup of tea, he waved toward Ouyang Xuanzhen and said, “Ouyang Xuanzhen, come down and have a drink.”