Immortal of the Nine Realms

The Falling Whale King was also very curious about the elderly figure who had suddenly appeared. He could face the Sword King of the Qiankun Sword Sect with the demeanor of an elder.

Is he one of the oldest among the few Sword Kings?

She quietly glanced at Zuo Xu and saw that his expression had turned somewhat grim.

”Young Master Zuo Xu, who is this senior?” she asked through voice transmission.

Based on the senior’s background, Zuo Xu might recognize who he was.

Zuo Xu responded through voice transmission, ”Former emperor of the Central Continent Empire, the previous ruler of the land, now the Headmaster of Desolate Academy and the leader of the Desolate Sect—Xun Qianqiu.”

The Falling Whale King inhaled sharply, shock flashing in her eyes. This person is actually a First Rate Sect Leader of Central Continent!?

As a demon cultivator who had lived for many years and cultivated for many more, she had reached the Dao Union Realm. Such cultivation placed her among the rulers of any region. The next step would be to enter the Profound Immortal Realm.

Even so, she had never personally met a First Rate Sect Leader until today.

Not to mention Dao Union Realm cultivators—apart from the Profound Immortals in the Desolate Academy, very few Profound Immortals in the world had met First Rate Sect Leader, including those from the Qiankun Sword Sect and Kunlun Sword Sect.

Therefore, they did not recognize Elder Xun.

Just as they were feeling a little suspicion, Ke Xian Wang, Qiankun Sword Sect’s Immortal King, froze for a moment. Then, he waved his sleeve, cupped his hands, and respectfully bowed. ”I, Ke Qifeng, pay my respects to you, Headmaster of the Desolate Academy.”

At this moment, even those at the Lower Four or Middle Three Realms understood who this elder truly was. The vast Qiankun Island suddenly fell silent. Even the birds in the forest seemed to sense the tense atmosphere and closed their beaks.

”Little Ke, what were you just saying?”

Elder Xun stood with his hands behind his back, his spine slightly bent, resembling an ordinary elderly man, with no pretensions at all. It was hard to imagine that he had once sat on the unique dragon throne of Central Continent Empire, receiving homage from all the empire and holding immense power.

Immortal King Ke was momentarily stunned. He then pondered for a moment before replying, ”I was just saying that one should forgive when possible....”

”No.” Elder Xun shook his head. ”The sentence before that.”

Immortal King Ke’s eyes flashed with confusion. ”The sentence before that?”

Elder Xun said, ”I remember you said you regretted not going to the Void Immortal Sword Sect to see Li Jingnian? You didn’t send him off for his final journey and didn’t discuss sword techniques with him?”

Li Jingnian? So, the old sword immortal of the Void Immortal Sword Sect was named Li Jingnian.....

Fang Chen and the other cultivators present couldn’t help but inwardly sigh. If Elder Xun hadn’t revealed this, they would have never known the real name of that old sword immortal.

Li Jingnian, Li Changsheng.

Both famous sword immortals shared the surname Li. Many people quietly muttered to themselves, their eyes showing a trace of doubt.

Immortal King Ke’s expression suddenly became awkward. ”The younger generation—”

Elder Xun, with no hesitation, remarked, ”You’re simply talking nonsense. I remember that you once exchanged a move with Li Jingnian. Since then, you’ve never dared to step foot in Central Continent. Now that Li Jingnian has passed away, how is it that you’ve changed your tune?”

Wang Zhenlong and the others all wore expressions of mockery.

When an Immortal King boasted, no one dares to speak up. Even if everyone knows it’s just bragging, no one has the qualification to refute them.

But when a First Rate Sect Leader speaks, it’s an entirely different matter. Their words naturally carry more weight and persuasion.

Upon hearing Elder Xun’s remarks, the crowd couldn’t help but exchange strange glances. So, this Sword King from the Qiankun Sword Sect had actually been defeated by the old sword immortal and was so terrified that he dared not set foot in Central Continent again?

No wonder, in all these years, it seemed no one had ever seen the Qiankun Sword Sect’s Immortal King in Central Continent. Apparently, he had been frightened into avoiding it.

Immortal King Ke was silent for a moment. He forced a strained smile and said, ”Elder Xun is right. I misspoke just now.”

The Qiankun Sword Sect’s sword cultivators couldn’t help but feel frustrated, but the person before them was a First Rate Sect Leader—the leader of the most powerful sect, the ruler of the once mighty Central Continent Empire. Even their Immortal King had to back down in front of him. What could they possibly say?

Immortal King Ke paused, glancing at Fang Chen. He suddenly said respectfully, ”But after Li Jingnian’s passing, Elder Xun, would you consider taking care of the Void Immortal Sword Sect? If I had known this earlier, I would have told my disciples not to take things too seriously. I still respect you.”

Kunlun Sword Sect’s Profound Immortal murmured, ”Outsiders.. shouldn’t interfere with the affairs of the Sword Sect.”

The crowd’s expressions shifted slightly, and they turned their gaze toward Elder Xun.

Even though he was a First Rate Sect Leader, there was still a sword immortal who was also a First Rate Sect leader—Li Changsheng, who was said to be the number one sword cultivator in the world. If a First Rate Sect Leader from the outside world were to forcefully intervene, it seemed unlikely that this one would simply let it slide.

Elder Xun smiled. ”Interfere? I couldn’t care less about your sword cultivators’ matters. I came here today just because this boy happens to be at my academy. I came to see him off. If he had to come on his own, it would have taken him a year or more.”

”Elder Xun personally sent him over here?!”

The crowd stared at Fang Chen in disbelief, their eyes filled with shock. Some cultivators from Zhongzhou had heard that Fang Chen had joined the Academy, but they never imagined that the headmaster would show him such favor and even personally accompany him.

Falling Whale King’s eyes flickered.

The Green-Headed Sea Turtle behind her was trembling with fear, looking for an opportunity to leave, worried that it might be seen and old debts might be brought up.

”This boy didn’t say anything wrong,” Elder Xun said with a faint smile. ”If you don’t dare to continue fighting, then you’ve lost your ambition. That’s not a small matter for sword cultivators, is it?”

Immortal King Ke looked conflicted. He noticed that the Nascent Soul Realm sword cultivators behind him looked even more distressed after hearing this.

If Fang Chen had said those words earlier, they might have convinced themselves otherwise, but hearing the words come directly from the First Rate Sect Leader, they could no longer fool themselves.

Immortal King Ke quickly realized that Headmaster Xun was intentionally retaliating for the thoughts he had just expressed.

Upon hearing that, a wry smile appeared on Immortal King Ke’s face as he cupped his hands toward Elder Xun. ”Headmaster Xun, Qiankun Sword Sect is indeed no match for the Sword Chief of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. I will lead them into closed-door seclusion for ten years to focus on their cultivation, hoping that in the future, we won’t lose so disgracefully.”

Elder Xun nodded lightly. ”Know shame, then have the courage to rise again. Go.” .

Immortal King Ke bowed once more, then turned with his disciples, heading back to the mountain gate.

”We shall take our leave as well.”

Various sword cultivators, including the Kun Lun Sword Sect’s Profound Immortal, didn’t wish to linger any longer and also began to take their leave.

As they departed, many of their gazes briefly swept over Fang Chen, filled with seriousness and contemplation.

Elder Xun looked at Wang Zhenlong and said calmly, ”Wang Zhenlong, with Li Jingnian no longer here, you must step up. If your cultivation continues to stagnate, I fear that the Void Immortal Sword Sect will find it hard to survive in the future.”

Wang Zhenlong cupped his hands in response. ”I understand, Senior. Once the sword contest is over, I will prepare for the tribulation.”

Zhang Ling and the others were slightly startled, their expressions turning serious.

So, the Grand Elder had already decided when he would face the heavenly tribulation?

”Hmm.” Elder Xun nodded faintly. ”If you can withstand it, you’ll become the new generation of sword immortals in the Void Immortal Sword Sect. If not, be careful. Li Jingnian might rise from his grave to deal with you.”

After saying that, he glanced at Fang Chen before stepping into the air and disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.