Immortal of the Nine Realms

”By the way, is this Immortal Pitu considered a big shot in the Immortal Realm?”

”Probably. Otherwise, how else would he have a cave-dwelling left behind in the mortal world? If we can find some mid-grade spirit stones, or even high-grade ones, this trip won’t be in vain.”

”I actually hope we come across an immortal inheritance.”

”Since the Pitu Ruins were discovered, no one has seemed to obtain the inheritance left by Immortal Pitu. We still have a chance.”

”I wonder how long immortals live. Before I entered the immortal path, I thought immortals could live forever.”

”Living forever? It’s not that simple.”

A few Golden Core Realm and Nascent Soul Realm cultivators whispered amongst themselves, their gazes occasionally sweeping warily around them. They were cautious, not daring to be careless in this environment.

Wu Tai withdrew his gaze from the distance and looked toward Fang Chen, not far ahead. He smiled and said, ”Brother Dongfang, are you really a wandering cultivator? How did you come by your eye technique?”

The attention of all the Golden Core cultivators, Nascent Soul cultivators, and even Xu Chenfeng shifted to Fang Chen. Even in the Immortal Demonic Sea, Celestial Heaven, and Northern Dipper, eye technique inheritances were incredibly rare. They were rarer than those of alchemy, talismans, and weapon crafting.

Everyone had already noticed the occasional golden veins that appeared in Fang Chen’s eyes, realizing that it was some form of eye technique.

”From the Ancient Immortal Road,” Fang Chen casually replied with a smile. ”It’s possible that because I have an eye condition, I was fortunate to acquire this technique on the Ancient Immortal Road.”

The others nodded thoughtfully. They were all cultivators, and each had encountered some opportunities or treasures along the Ancient Immortal Road.

The gates of the Immortal Realm have long been closed, but some immortal sects had already prepared certain inheritances that would automatically pass on as long as they were recognized.

”I’ve heard that there are thirty-six eye techniques considered the pinnacle of the world,” Wu Tai remarked with a hint of admiration. ”The Central Continent Empire has four, the Immortal Demonic Sea has six, and the rest are divided between Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper.”

He then looked at Fang Chen with interest. ”Since your eye technique comes from the Ancient Immortal Road, it must have been taught by an immortal sect. I wonder what it’s called, perhaps it’s one of the thirty-six pinnacles.”

Fang Chen glanced at him and smiled, ”Brother Wu, the immortal sects have rules, and some things should not be spoken too freely. Although we’re no longer on the Ancient Immortal Road, I’ve still been touched by its karmic influence. Revealing the secrets of heaven without permission would surely lead to great tribulations, so I hope you understand.”

Wu Tai nodded, looking as if he suddenly realized. ”Yes, yes, I almost forgot about that. Some matters from the Ancient Immortal Road certainly can’t be casually mentioned. My apologies, my apologies.”

”There’s a building ahead,” Xu Chenfeng suddenly said.

Everyone looked ahead and saw, about two miles away, a grand building faintly visible among the trees.

Wu Tai immediately smiled. ”We’re almost there. This is the breeding ground left by Immortal Pitu, where true dragons were once raised. It must be where the Dragon Essence Fruits are produced.”

Everyone was taken aback and exchanged looks, clearly impressed by how well the Forbidden Demon Island seemed to know the Pitu Ruins.

Before coming here, they had inquired about the place and learned that Immortal Pitu loved to raise immortal beasts. The Pitu Ruins had many such breeding grounds scattered throughout, though they had long since been abandoned, and no one knew what kind of immortal beasts had once lived there.

”Wu Tai, are you sure this building used to house true dragons? It doesn’t seem likely,” Xu Chenfeng asked, slightly skeptical.

”True dragons come in many types. The ones raised here were Literary Dragons, which prefer to consume literary energy. Not only do their dwellings need to be exquisite, but the four paths of knowledge. The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone must be present to maintain spiritual resonance,” Wu Tai shared with a calm smile. ”The Forbidden Demon Island bought this information for a high price. You can doubt me, but you can’t doubt the Forbidden Demon Island. The Four Treasures are still with my father.”

”I knew following Brother Wu would bring us good fortune,” said a Golden Core Realm Immortal Seedling, laughing with delight.

Fang Chen silently nodded in his heart. Since Wu Tai had prepared so thoroughly, it was very possible that he knew the whereabouts of the Dragon Essence Fruit.

Xu Chenfeng also believed Wu Tai’s words, and the group carefully approached the building, remaining alert for any potential dangers nearby.

Finally, they reached the building and were immediately greeted by a strong, lingering ink fragrance. Almost at the same time, they noticed a small tree, about half the height of a person, nearby. It had three bright red fruits hanging from its branches.

The fruits looked incredibly fresh, emitting a refreshing fragrance. Upon closer inspection, one could see a faint swirling mist inside, resembling the shape of a dragon.

”There really are Dragon Essence Fruits,” someone exclaimed in joy.

Since this path was pointed out by Wu Tai, they refrained from acting hastily and waited for his instructions.

”Xu Chenfeng, go ahead and pick the Dragon Essence Fruits. Use your spiritual energy to wrap them; they must not be touched by the flesh, or a trace of the Dragon Essence inside will dissipate, and they will lose their true value,” Wu Tai instructed.

Xu Chenfeng nodded and, following Wu Tai’s instructions, carefully picked the three Dragon Essence Fruits. However, when he returned to Wu Tai, he made no move to hand them over.

”We took a huge risk to come to the Pitu Ruins this time, so these 3 Dragon Essence Fruits will belong to us. When we find the rest of the fruits, we will divide them equally,” Xu Chenfeng said.

Wu Tai’s smile froze for a moment, and he chuckled awkwardly. ”Xu Chenfeng, there will definitely be more than just 3 Dragon Essence Fruits nearby. Why are you in such a rush? Since this was the path I pointed out, it’s only fair that I distribute these three fruits. You can take one for now.”

”That seems fair,” Xu Chenfeng said after a few moments of thought, nodding slowly and handing two of the Dragon Essence Fruits to Wu Tai.

The others, especially the Golden Core Realm Immortal Seedlings, had already begun to suspect that Xu Chenfeng’s plan was exactly this.

”Brother Dongfang, I told you that following me wouldn’t be a loss. This Dragon Essence Fruit is yours; take care of it. Don’t place it in your storage ring, or the Dragon Essence will dissipate,” Wu Tai said, handing one of the fruits to Fang Chen.

Fang Chen took it, inspecting it for a moment before enveloping it with his spiritual energy and storing it in his sleeve.

”Um... Brother Wu, Brother Dongfang only scouted ahead briefly and didn’t encounter any real danger. It doesn’t seem entirely appropriate for him to take the Dragon Essence Fruit so easily like this,” one of the Golden Core Realm Immortal Seedlings said, contemplating the situation.

Several others voiced their agreement.

The first Golden Core Realm Immortal Seedling who raised the objection looked at Fang Chen with a smile and said, ”Brother Dongfang, why don’t we have a sparring match to determine the rightful owner of this Dragon Essence Fruit?”

”Yes, a sparring match would be the fairest way to decide its ownership,” said another Golden Core Realm Immortal Seedling, with the others chiming in.

They were convinced that a wandering cultivator like Fang Chen wouldn’t be a match for them. They believed that their ancient cultivation paths and the advantages of their noble origins would give them the upper hand. Their skills and techniques would surely be far superior to those of a wandering cultivator.

”Very well,” Fang Chen said lightly, nodding before cupping his hands in salute. ”I, Dongfang Haojie, will discuss the sword Dao with you.”

The Golden Core Realm Immortal Seedling who had just spoken was about to agree when he suddenly froze for a moment. After some hesitation, he cautiously asked, ”What did you just say? Are you a sword cultivator?”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Yes.”

”But you just said you have no inheritance and that you’re a wandering cultivator?”

”Does being a wandering cultivator mean I can’t be a sword cultivator?”

”... Well...” The Golden Core Realm Immortal Seedling hesitated, clearly confused. ”Then... there’s no need for a sparring match. You truly deserve this Dragon Essence Fruit.”

”Once we choose to discuss the sword Dao, there’s no taking it back,” Fang Chen said calmly.

The Golden Core Realm Immortal Seedling broke out in a cold sweat, looking for help from Wu Tai and the others.