Immortal of the Nine Realms

It had been over a month since Fang Chen and the rest had left the Kunlun Sword Sect. Along the way, Wang Zhenlong hadn’t spoken a word. Zhang Ling and the others didn’t ask any questions. While they were curious about what was going on, they noticed that Fang Chen too was deep in thought, so they decided not to disturb him.

Fang Chen’s expression grew somber. He mumbled, ”The Sword Burial Heavenly Steps, the bet....”

Li Changsheng had selected three people from the Void Immortal Sword Sect. They were Fang Chen, Bai Qingming, and Qin Hucheng. The bet would begin in three years, so the three of them would need to go to Kunlun Sword Sect and join Li Changsheng for the agreement in Qiufeng.

According to Li Changsheng, Fang Chen only needed to stay in the Kunlun Sword Sect and cultivate in seclusion for the next three years. However, Wang Zhenlong was adamant about taking him away.

Wang Zhenlong suddenly broke the silence, interrupting Fang Chen’s thoughts. ”Kid, if you don’t want to get involved in the bet, I can think of a way to hide you.”

Fang Chen was stunned. That’s what he has been thinking about the entire time?

”Master, if Ancestor Li wasn’t lying, then this bet is of immense importance. It will affect the Central Continent Empire, Celestial Heaven, and Northern Dipper.”

”Do you think I don’t know?” said Wang Zhenlong calmly. ”Li Changsheng deliberately took the lives of nine Wu Family disciples just to let me vent my frustrations. He wants me to fully commit to this matter. Apart from that, he can save Kunlun Sword Sect’s truly talented Enlightenment Realm experts from being slain needlessly. Truly killing two birds with one stone.

”But... this matter has nothing to do with you. You’re just an Enlightenment Realm cultivator. You’re like a child babbling among humans. There’s no need for you to get involved.

”If you don’t want to go, I’ll find a way to make sure Li Changsheng can’t find you.”

”And what about Senior Brothers Bai Qingming and Qin Hucheng?” Fang Chen asked.

”They’re going. We can’t ignore Li Changsheng, no matter what. Besides, the Void Immortal Sword Sect bears a responsibility toward this as well.”

Fang Chen thought for a moment. In the end, he said, ”Then I’ll go with them. Just consider it an opportunity to broaden my horizons.”

”Are you sure about this?” asked Wang Zhenlong. ”You heard Li Changsheng. He keeps cracking jokes about how he’s just a lackey over there. If you go, the cultivators there might not show you much respect. Perhaps... the reason the old Sword Immortal couldn’t become a First Rate Sect Leader for so long is also related to his experience in Qiufeng.”

Fang Chen suddenly understood. So, that’s what Wang Zhenlong is worried about.

Wang Zhenlong was afraid that the disdain of the Qiufeng cultivators might shake the cultivation Fang Chen had accumulated over the years.

However, Wang Zhenlong was overthinking it. Ever since Fang Chen condensed his Nine Heavens Profound Mother Primordial Spirit, he was no longer a pure sword cultivator. Even though he was still practicing the Sword Dao, trivial matters like this wouldn’t shake him.

Half a year later, everyone returned to the Void Immortal Sword Sect. All the disciples came out to greet them, and two grand elders who were also Profound Immortals also came forward.

Fang Chen had never seen these two before. The elders from all the peaks stood behind them and gave Fang Chen approving glances, including the elder of the Extreme Sword Peak.

After staying in the Void Immortal Sword Sect for a few days, Fang Chen returned to the Desolate Academy.

”Senior Xun, is Li Changsheng a subordinate of some big shot in Qiufeng?” Fang Chen asked softly.

Elder Xun lay back in his chair, glancing casually at Fang Chen. He replied softly, ”You already know about Qiufeng?”

Fang Chen nodded lightly. ”The Sword Questioning might have been orchestrated by Ancestor Li of Celestial Heaven.”

Elder Xun pondered for a moment before smiling faintly. ”I suspected as much. I just didn’t expect it to be tied to a bet. It seems he believes you have a chance of achieving remarkable results on the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps.”

After a pause, he continued, ”You just asked if Li Changsheng is a subordinate of some big shot in Qiufeng? Actually, that’s not the case. He’s just a man who chose to marry into his wife’s family.”

Fang Chen was taken aback, looking confused and in disbelief. ”He married into his wife’s family?”

Li Changsheng is a son-in-law of someone in Qiufeng?

Not to mention a sword cultivator, even ordinary men would rarely choose to marry into their wife’s family, let alone a top figure like Li Changsheng, a First Rate Sect Leader....

”Don’t look down on Li Changsheng’s status,” Xun Lao said with a smile. ”His father-in-law is a renowned powerhouse in Qiufeng. With just a flick of his finger, he can suppress all the First Rate Sect Leaders on the Emperor Rankings.”

Elder Xun paused. ”The story goes like this. Originally, it was supposed to be Li Jingnian from your Void Immortal Sword Sect who would take on the position. However, he was too proud and didn’t want to become a lowly son-in-law who married into his wife’s family. That’s when Li Changsheng seized the opportunity.”

Elder Xun smiled lightly, as though he had witnessed this event firsthand.

Fang Chen’s expression turned grim. ”With just a flick of his finger, he could suppress all the sect leaders on the Emperor Rankings....”

Could such a person be a Second Transformation Loose Immortal? Or perhaps a Third Transformation Loose Immortal?

What he found even more surprising was the past between the Old Sword Immortal and Li Changsheng. There was actually such a story hidden beneath their connection....

”Such a pity.” Elder Xun sneered. ”If Li Jingnian hadn’t been so stubborn, he would’ve been ranked first by now. With his talent, he would’ve definitely been more powerful than Li Changsheng. After all, at the same level, Li Changsheng was far inferior to Li Jingnian. He abandoned such a promising future because of his pride. Hmph.”

Fang Chen replied thoughtfully, ”The Old Sword Immortal has his own perspective. Perhaps, in his eyes, a position obtained by compromising isn’t worth anything?”

”Don’t make the same mistake he did.” Xun Lao immediately stood up, pointing at Fang Chen. ”Remember, nothing in this world is more important than strength. The process doesn’t matter; all that matters is the results! If you become as stubborn as Li Jingnian, one day, you’ll destroy yourself and take many unnecessary detours.”

Fang Chen nodded thoughtfully. ”I understand.”

He didn’t reject Elder Xun’s perspective, but he also understood the reasoning behind both Li Jingnian’s and Li Changsheng’s actions.

There were countless paths in life, and each person walked their own. The choices they made and the paths they took were all different.

”Eh...” Elder Xun seemed a little surprised. ”You really took it to heart?”

Fang Chen nodded earnestly. ”I did.”

”You truly are a good seed,” Elder Xun said.

A hint of regret flashed in his eyes, as though lamenting his inability to become the mentor to such a promising individual.

He nodded. ”It’s good that you took it to heart. Going to Qiufeng this time may bring dangers, but there may also be opportunities. Just seize them well. As for this bet, you need to stay alert. Li Changsheng may be at the top of the Emperor Rankings here, but if the bet truly fails, the consequences for the three regions may be beyond his control. If that happens, the world will be thrown into chaos.”

Elder Xun sat back in his chair, a faint trace of helplessness in his eyes. ”I’m getting old. Many things are beyond my power now. The future depends on you, the younger generation. Go on, I need to take a nap.”

Fang Chen cupped his fist in respect. ”Then, I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Fang Chen turned and left. However, instead of departing from the Desolate Academy, he found Instructor Ji and called for the others.