Immortal of the Nine Realms

Jiang Tian’ai felt confused.

Family? Why hadn’t she heard about any family? Her old servant, Jiang Zhong, was the person closest to her.

The first to look toward Jiang Tian’ai was Profound Immortal Xiu Yue. Upon seeing the confusion on Jiang Tian’ai’s face, she thoughtfully looked at Xun Xiyin, suspecting she was trying to pull a trick.

”Tell the person to go back the way they came,” said Profound Immortal Xiu Yue.

Sun Yi smiled and waved his hand. ”Profound Immortal Xiu Yue, this is not the proper way to treat a guest. Since the person claims to be Tian’ai’s family, I should meet them. After all, Tian’ai will be marrying into my family. How can I not show some courtesy?”

Profound Immortal Xiu Yue thought for a moment before nodding. She said to the visitor, ”Please take them to the side hall. We will be there shortly.”

***

On the Immortal Giant Sect’s Chaotian Peak, in the side hall.

”Please wait here. The Peak Master will arrive shortly.”

The Giant Immortal Sect female cultivator who guided Fang Chen had a cold expression. After speaking, she turned and left.

Not only was there no tea served to Fang Chen, but there wasn’t even a servant to attend to him in the side hall.

In order to avoid suspicion, Su Lingzhu did not accompany Fang Chen. Instead, she pretended to have just learned of Fang Chen’s arrival and came to join him after leaving the main peak.

Su Lingzhu wore a grim expression. ”Sword Leader Fang, I just met with Mother. She said she cannot interfere with this matter. The visitor’s background is quite significant. She mentioned... that even that person from the Desolate Academy would have to show them some respect.”

If Su Mo hadn’t known that Fang Chen was at the Giant Immortal Sect, she might not have given such a stern warning.

”Even Elder Xun needs to give them face?” mused Fang Chen.

He couldn’t help but feel that these people might have a special background after all. However, if they weren’t locals, they had to have used a large teleportation formation to arrive here. The cost to operate these was significant. Was it really possible for them to operate a formation of such scale only to come and find a few Dao companions?

The two of them waited for about two hours before Profound Immortal Xiu Yue finally arrived.

Jiang Tian’ai spotted Fang Chen at a glance, her expression brightening. ”Sir Fang!”

Xun Xiyin nodded slightly toward Fang Chen. She simultaneously sent a voice transmission. ”Those young men come from the Prison Wind Lands. Their background is quite substantial. Be cautious.”

Fang Chen glanced at Sun Yi and the others. So they’re really not locals.

They were all at the Soul Splitting Realm, an entire realm above his own.

This may not be a coincidence. The Soul Splitting Realm held a natural advantage—they couldn’t be killed easily. Even if a soul spirit perished, the body wouldn’t necessarily fall.

”I wondered who it was. So it’s Sword Leader Fang. We met once in Grand Qian,” said Profound Immortal Xiu Yue, her brows slightly furrowing.

She might not have shown herself back then, but she had been aware of everything that transpired.

She had seen Fang Chen. At that time, he seemed like an ant in her eyes, hardly worth her attention, so she didn’t think much of him.

Had Fang Chen not made a name for himself in the Central Continent Empire later, she would have probably forgotten him entirely, only recalling that he had once taken Jiang Tian’ai in for a while.

Fang Chen cupped his hands in respect. ”Greetings, Profound Immortal Xiu Yue.”

”No need for such formalities,” said Profound Immortal Xiu Yue coolly. ”What brings you here? Are you here to light incense for my disciple?”

Fang Chen smiled and shook his head. ”I am not here for that.”

As the two conversed, Sun Yi and the others were sizing up Fang Chen. Upon hearing the title ”Sword Leader,” they were hit with realization, and a faint look of disdain flashed in their eyes.

”Oh? You’re not here for that? Then what are you here for?” asked Profound Immortal Xiu Yue. ”Please, tell us. The Giant Immortal Sect is currently hosting a few distinguished guests, so we may not have much time to entertain you. How about...”

She glanced at Su Lingzhu. ”It seems Lingzhu and you are quite acquainted. Perhaps she can show you around?”

Jiang Tian’ai vaguely guessed that Fang Chen’s visit might have something to do with Su Lingzhu.

She felt both worried and grateful.

Fang Chen smiled and said, ”To be honest, Profound Immortal Xiu Yue, I’ve heard that someone is about to become Tian’ai’s Dao partner. How can I not be informed of such a major event?”

”Informed?” Profound Immortal Xiu Yue smiled softly. ”Is that necessary? I am Tian’ai’s master, and her marriage is naturally under my control. You, posing as her maternal family, is rather laughable. As far as I know, you simply took her in for a while when she was stranded on the streets. You have no significant ties to the Jiang Family.”

Xun Xiyin suddenly spoke up, smiling as she looked at Fang Chen and Jiang Tian’ai. ”You can’t say that. When Tian’ai was still young and stranded on the streets, Sword Leader Fang took her in. Tian’ai long considered him an elder. So, it’s not unreasonable for him to consider himself her family.”

Jiang Tian’ai was taken aback at first, but she nodded her head. ”Sister Xiyin, I do regard Sir Fang as my older brother.”

Xun Xiyin glanced at her, her gaze shifting slightly. She smiled and nodded. ”An older brother is also an elder. Therefore, as Tian’ai’s big brother, Sword Leader Fang naturally has a say in her marriage.”

Seeing the two of them reinforce Fang Chen’s status, Profound Immortal Xiu Yue’s gaze grew colder. Before she could speak, Sun Yi suddenly laughed and cupped his hands. ”So, what is your opinion on me becoming Lady Tian’ai’s husband?”

Smiling, Fang Chen replied, ”This matter should naturally be discussed with Tian’ai herself. If it is mutual affection, I, of course, will not intervene.”

He turned to Jiang Tian’ai and asked, ”Do you wish to become his Dao partners?”

Jiang Tian’ai bit her lip, as if she had come to some kind of decision in her heart. She bowed to Profound Immortal Xiu Yue and said softly, ”Master, I do not wish to marry so early.”

Profound Immortal Xiu Yue’s face suddenly darkened. ”Tian’ai, have you forgotten how I have nurtured you over the years?”

Jiang Tian’ai murmured, ”I will always remember your kindness, Master. In the future, I will repay it tenfold.”

”Tenfold? Hmph.” Profound Immortal Xiu Yue shook her head. ”I don’t need you to repay me. You’re my disciple, and I am looking out for you. I want you to have a good marriage. Under normal circumstances, you wouldn’t have the qualifications to marry into their household because of his background.

”But because you’re a descendant of the Jiang Family, I am willing to help you. You are not young anymore. You must know your place. Understand who treats you well, and who has ulterior motives. You must be able to distinguish between the two.”

After saying that, she glanced coldly at Fang Chen. ”You follow the path of the sword, Sword Leader Fang. Do not covet the Jiang Family’s inheritance that Tian’ai carries. This won’t end well for you, nor for the Void Immortal Sword Sect behind you.”

She then turned to Sun Yi, her face lighting up with a smile. ”Please excuse me, Young Master Sun. I will handle this matter properly.”

Sun Yi’s smile didn’t change. He gently waved his hand. ”Profound Immortal Xiu Yue, no need to apologize. I was unaware of Lady Tian’ai’s background. Since she recognizes a sword cultivator as her older brother, she has lost her qualifications for marrying into my family. I will arrange for her to have a cave dwelling outside. She can be treated as a concubine.”