Immortal of the Nine Realms

The speaker glanced at Zuo Xu and continued. ”By the way, when do you plan to return to Qiufeng? The immortal ruins are about to open. I heard there’s a Lightning Bearing River there. You need to take some Pifu Sand with you and collect some Azure Lightning.”

From his tone and demeanor, he maintained an air of superiority, as if Zuo Xu was nothing more than a servant to be ordered around at will.

”Our Azure Lightning reserves are running low, and we can’t continue producing Spirit Lightning Generals. If we fail to deliver enough Spirit Lightning Generals within the deadline, even Father will be reprimanded, let alone you!”

”Also, did you meet that Spirit Immortal? What was his response? He accepted our benefits, so if he doesn’t provide us with satisfactory Blood Spirit Pills, we’ll have to have a proper discussion with him.”

The speaker rattled off one statement after another, making Zuo Xu’s expression grow darker. Finally, he couldn’t help but interject, ”Big Brother, these are our guests. They have come to see Father.”

The other man sized up Fang Chen and Stone Dragon, his brows furrowing slightly. Though he couldn’t discern Stone Dragon’s cultivation level, he assumed it was comparable to that of Immortal Golden Lion. As for the other one, his cultivation was even lower, merely at the Nascent Soul Realm.

With that thought in mind, Zuo Ding said indifferently, ”Not just anyone can meet Father at will. State your purpose first.”

Qiufeng, Azure Lightning, Spirit Lightning Generals, reprimand, Spirit Immortal, Blood Spirit Pills...

In just a short exchange, the other party had provided Fang Chen with a wealth of useful clues. Perhaps, in their view, these matters weren’t particularly confidential, which was why they spoke so freely.

Fang Chen smiled. ”Young Master Zuo Xu, is this your eldest brother?”

Zuo Xu’s expression was somewhat unpleasant, but he nodded lightly. ”Sword Leader Fang, this is my elder brother, Zuo Ding.”

Fang Chen nodded and turned to Zuo Ding with a smile. ”Your fourth brother and I have had some misunderstandings, so I came today to meet with the Carefree Immortal Monarch. We should sit down and discuss how to resolve things.”

The old servant’s expression shifted slightly. ”Misunderstanding?”

His gaze toward Fang Chen and Stone Dragon became more scrutinizing.

Zuo Ding also reacted, realizing that these two were not just ordinary guests as Zuo Xu had described.

They seem to have come to demand answers?

With that thought, Zuo Ding’s gaze suddenly fell on Stone Dragon, his expression growing increasingly serious.

”Senior, you are...?”

How could an Immortal King dare to come knocking for answers? That could only mean the person before him was a First Rate Sect Leader.

Stone Dragon didn’t respond. Instead, his gaze drifted toward a certain spot as he spoke indifferently. ”Fellow Daoist, since you’re already here, why not come out and meet us? Hiding isn’t the proper way to treat guests.”

The crowd was slightly startled and turned their eyes in the same direction.

A middle-aged man in a cyan robe emerged from the void. He exuded a scholarly elegance, yet his entire being carried a carefree and unrestrained aura, like a passing breeze.

Upon seeing him, Zuo Ding and the others hurriedly cupped their fists in greeting.

Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao indifferently ordered, ”Aside from Zuo Xu and the Immortal Golden Lion, the rest of you may withdraw.”

Zuo Ding hesitated but ultimately said nothing. He led his people, including the old servant, away. Though his brows remained furrowed in doubt.

Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao turned to Stone Dragon, cupped his hands, and smiled, ”How should I address you, Daoist Brother? Why is it that I have never seen you before in the Central Continent Empire, Celestial Heavens, or Northern Dipper?”

Stone Dragon smiled faintly. ”I’m just like you. There’s no need to ask too many questions. The world is vast, surely you haven’t met every wandering immortal.”

Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao nodded lightly. ”You speak the truth, Fellow Daoist.”

Zuo Xu and the Immortal Golden Lion exchanged glances, their expressions turning somewhat strange.

So he isn’t from this region either....

If that were the case, then the origins of this ”Sword Leader Fang” were even more worth investigating.

Stone Dragon recounted the so-called ”misunderstanding” in a casual, lighthearted manner. After finishing, he smiled. ”Fellow Daoist, how do you think this matter should be resolved?”

The Carefree Immortal Monarch pondered for a moment before turning his gaze toward Zuo Xu.

Zuo Xu immediately lowered his head, guilt written all over his face.

The Immortal Golden Lion also avoided eye contact, his gaze drifting uneasily.

”If my son has made a mistake, then punishment is only natural,” said the Carefree Immortal Monarch. ”Fellow Daoist, how do you think we should handle this matter appropriately?”

Stone Dragon turned to Fang Chen. ”What do you think, heir?”

Up until now, Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao had remained calm, but the moment Stone Dragon uttered that phrase, a barely perceptible flicker of shock and doubt flashed through his eyes.

At that moment, he scrutinized Fang Chen more carefully and suddenly realized he couldn’t see through his cultivation at all.

Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao’s expression grew noticeably more serious.

Fang Chen looked at the Carefree Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao with a smile. ”Young Master Zuo Xu and the Immortal Golden Lion did not hold back in their attack; they truly intended to take my life. If I take five high-grade spirit stones as compensation, that shouldn’t be excessive, right?”

Zuo Xu gasped. ”Five high-grade spirit stones...!”

The Immortal Golden Lion, on the other hand, felt somewhat relieved. It was still within an acceptable loss for him. But if Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao truly admitted defeat, his losses would be immeasurable!

The Carefree Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao mused, ”Five.... To be honest, my fourth son’s life isn’t worth 5 high-grade spirit stones.”

Zuo Xu’s face grew even paler.

Fortunately, Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao soon changed his tone. ”However, if it’s 3 high-grade spirit stones, there’s room for negotiation. What do you think?”

Fang Chen’s thoughts stirred.

It seemed that Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao was indeed quite wealthy. If he could readily offer 3 high-grade spirit stones, then he likely had even more. He probably had five or even ten!

Recalling Zuo Ding’s earlier words, Fang Chen speculated that the Carefree Immortal Monarch might be a businessman in Celestial Heaven.

After a brief consideration, Fang Chen nodded in agreement.

The Carefree Immortal Monarch wasted no words. He immediately retrieved three high-grade spirit stones and sent them to Fang Chen using his spiritual energy.

Immortal Golden Lion instinctively gulped in fright.

As an Immortal King, the only time he had ever used a high-grade spirit stone was when he had just ascended to his realm and needed to stabilize his cultivation.

Aside from that one time, he had never obtained a second high-grade spirit stone.

Those spirit stones, just like the one Elder Xun had once given him, seemed to contain a myriad of stars within. Even taking a single breath of the spiritual energy they emitted gave an illusion of his cultivation bottleneck loosening.

After receiving the spirit stones, Fang Chen and Stone Dragon were about to take their leave. However, to their surprise, the Carefree Immortal Monarch enthusiastically invited them to a tea house for a drink.

In the tea house on the highest mountain ridge

Zuo Xu personally poured tea for the guests before standing respectfully behind Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao. In contrast, Fang Chen was invited to sit among them, as one of those savoring the tea.

At first, the conversation between Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao and Stone Dragon revolved around cultivation matters. Gradually, however, the topic shifted. The Carefree Immortal Monarch began discussing his business affairs in this region.

Fang Chen remained silent, listening intently.

Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao spoke openly, showing no hesitation in revealing that he was purchasing Blood Spirit Divine Pills in this area. He also mentioned supplying Spirit Lightning Generals to a sect in Qiufeng that was currently embroiled in conflict.

According to him, Spirit Lightning Generals were weapons of war forged using Azure Lightning. In an instant, they could unleash power comparable to a Profound Immortal.

The Carefree Immortal Monarch smiled, his gaze flickering meaningfully toward Fang Chen. ”Fellow Daoist, is there anything here that has caught your interest? Perhaps we could work together in some way.”

Fang Chen’s thoughts stirred.

He had a feeling... that this was the real reason the Carefree Immortal Monarch had invited them for tea.

It seemed he was about to step into something he had never encountered before...