Immortal of the Nine Realms

The disciples of the Long family and the local sword cultivator had already burst into laughter upon seeing Bai Lingyue in such a sorry state. When they heard him pleading for help from Fang Chen, they howled with laughter.

”You should at least ask a Soul Splitting Realm sword cultivator for help. Why are you turning to an Enlightenment Realm sword cultivator? What can he possibly do for you?”

”Stop running. As a sword cultivator, why fear death? Just accept your fate. Dying in Prison Wind Lands is an honor in itself.”

Bai Lingyue’s face was pale. Seeing that Fang Chen hadn’t moved from his spot, his eyes shut, he realized he wouldn’t be receiving any help.

At that moment, a look of determination flashed across his face, and his two split souls converged as he turned to face the Long family sword cultivator.

Even though Bai Lingyue knew his strike wouldn’t injure his opponent, he unleashed the most dazzling sword technique he had ever performed.

The Long family swordsman’s gaze was filled with cold mockery. With a single stroke, he reduced Bai Lingyue’s attack to a joke.

Bai Lingyue subconsciously closed his eyes, awaiting death.

In that fleeting moment, his entire life flashed before his eyes.

He had begun his journey into the immortal path at the age of three. At seven, an elder of the Heavenly Secrets Sword Sect noticed his talent and brought him into the sect. From then on, he became obsessed with the sword, deeply aware of how unattainable the status of a swordsman was in the eyes of ordinary people.

Over countless years, he had broken through from the Lower Four Realms to the Middle Three Realms, and now he had reached the Soul Splitting Realm. If he could continue to live, he was confident he could reach the Fusion Realm stage, or even the Dao Union Realm!

When he set out for the Prison Wind Lands, he had even imagined himself shining brightly on the Burial Sword Heavenly Steps, soaring to new heights.

Never did he expect that on the very day he arrived at the Long family, he would meet his end in this foreign land.

I wonder... if they will send my ashes back to Northern Dipper.

The surroundings suddenly became eerily quiet.

Bai Lingyue felt a strange sensation.

Am I dead? Was my opponent’s sword so fast that I couldn’t even feel the pain of death?

Fang Chen’s voice rang in Bai Lingyue’s ears. ”Let me borrow your sword.”

At that moment, Bai Lingyue’s sword, an extension of his life, was taken from his hand.

Bai Lingyue opened his eyes in shock and saw Fang Chen walking toward the Long Family sword cultivator with the sword in hand. That face still bore a trace of astonishment.

Having closed his eyes, awaiting death, Bai Lingyue had missed what happened. The crowd, however, was focused on the fight and saw when Fang Chen had raised his hand and effortlessly dispersed the attack of the Long Family’s sword, saving Bai Lingyue.

Bai Lingyue murmured in a daze, ”Why... why...”

The swordsmen who had come with them also felt a hint of confusion rise in their minds.

Yes, why?

Fang Chen had resolved his own troubles, so why was he now taking on Bai Lingyue’s problems as well?

”Back home, we came from different backgrounds, but now that we’re here, we’re fellow countrymen. If I don’t stand up for you today, tomorrow I could be in your place.”

Fang Chen chuckled lightly, then turned to the Long Family sword cultivator. ”You’re no match for me. Step back, or die.”

The Long Family sword cultivator was stunned. ”I’m no match for you?”

He was at the early Soul Splitting Realm, while Fang Chen was only at the Enlightenment Realm. What gave him the guts to utter such audacious words?

Bai Lingyue and the others had previously been dissatisfied with Fang Chen’s arrogance, finding him thoroughly detestable from head to toe. But now, they suddenly found Fang Chen’s words incredibly satisfying, as if the pent-up frustration in their hearts had been dispelled.

”We’ve left our homeland and come here... so we’re all fellow countrymen now....”

”Just now, Bai Lingyue looked at me, but I didn’t dare to meet his gaze. I’ve only been here for a day, yet I’ve already grown timid...”

Some murmured to themselves, while others’ eyes flickered with uncertainty. But in the end, their gazes grew increasingly resolute.

The Long Family swordsman sneered. ”You say I’m no match for you? Don’t think that just because you killed Xue Zhong, you can act arrogantly in front of me. Xue Zhong was only at the Enlightenment Realm. If he faced me, he would undoubtedly lose!”

Just as he was about to draw his sword again, the Long Family swordsman found that he couldn’t move an inch.

It was as if control of his body had been stripped away.

Furthermore, he noticed his arms were going numb, followed by his legs. Before long, his entire body felt heavy. He was hit with a wave of drowsiness so powerful he struggled to keep his eyelids open, threatening to close.

A drop of blood fell to the ground.

Looking at the splattered blood drop painting the ground, a huge question arose in his mind.

When... had he struck?

The nearby Long family sword cultivators were now glaring at Fang Chen with fiery eyes.

First, the Enlightenment Realm Xue Zhong had been defeated, and now this Soul Splitting Realm sword cultivator had fallen in battle.

The Long family disciples didn’t seem particularly moved by the deaths of two of their sword cultivators. Instead, their attention was focused on Fang Chen’s sword techniques.

”The sword cultivator brought back by the young master... Seems quite skilled, doesn’t he?”

In two moves—the first without even drawing his sword, and the second using someone else’s sword—he had effortlessly dealt with two prodigies from the Long family’s Sword Academy. Such skill... didn’t seem like it came from someone from a backwater place.

Zhang Gaotian had already held Fang Chen in high regard, but now, a trace of wariness appeared in his eyes.

If Fang Chen’s cultivation level were on par with his, could he withstand such a sword strike?

Zhang Gaotian asked himself this question but couldn’t find an answer. Perhaps only by testing it could he know for sure.

Li Changsheng let out a cold snort. ”Fang Chen, don’t be rude.”

With a slight wave of his hand, the sword in Fang Chen’s grasp flew into his own. He turned to Long Ao with a smile and said, ”Don’t take the squabbles between juniors too seriously. Fang Chen’s sword techniques are indeed somewhat strange, but that’s all there is to it.”

”Why would I take it to heart?” Long Ao chuckled lightly, glancing at Fang Chen. ”An Enlightenment Realm sword cultivator defeating a Soul Splitting Realm sword cultivator is indeed quite remarkable. Even in Prison Wind, he would be considered top-tier. I never expected such a prodigy to emerge from that backwater place of yours. Impressive.”

He paused, then added, ”Young man, would you be willing to serve under me? If you agree, I’ll help you resolve the trouble with the Sun family. With the support of my branch, you’ll have a far brighter future than following Li Changsheng.”

Seeing Long Ao openly recruit Fang Chen, the woman in the plain dress could no longer contain her anger and immediately rebuked, ”Cousin, please show some restraint.”

”Hahaha, I was just joking. Why so serious? No matter how strong a sword cultivator is, they’re still as lowly as an ant. How could I possibly care? Today, I’ve seen that the sword cultivator brought back by my brother-in-law does indeed have the ability to ascend the Burial Sword Heavenly Steps. That puts my mind at ease. Farewell.”

With a hearty laugh, Long Ao turned and left with his entourage.

As Xue Shan passed by Fang Chen, he suddenly gave him a deep, meaningful look. Though he didn’t speak, the killing intent in his eyes was unmistakable.

Watching Long Ao and his group depart, the woman in the plain dress visibly relaxed.

”Follow me,” said Li Changsheng, glancing at the group before leading the woman in the plain dress into the residence.

Yan Kun finally seized the opportunity to approach Long Xuan, engaging her in conversation with an air of familiarity.

Bai Lingyue quickly approached Fang Chen and said, ”Sword Leader Fang, I won’t waste words on gratitude. I know how I should conduct myself from now on.”

He didn’t use a voice transmission, ensuring everyone could hear him—clearly a deliberate move to declare his stance.