Immortal of the Nine Realms

Soon after entering the Long Family Manor, the group realized just how many sword cultivators the Long Family had. However, these sword cultivators were confined to minor roles. Most of them served as guards, while a smaller number acted as attendants to the Long family cultivators.

Seeing this, the expressions of the group darkened, though they kept their thoughts to themselves.

After entering the main hall, Li Changsheng instructed his subordinates to arrange accommodations for Fang Chen and the others before leaving with the woman in the plain dress.

With Li Changsheng departing, Yan Kun took on the role of a leader, speaking as if he were a seasoned veteran.

”Everyone, this is the main hall of the Long family. We must remember one thing: sword cultivators aren’t well-regarded around here. You need to be mindful of what you say and do. Don’t act as arrogantly as before, lest you offend the Long Family disciples of the main branch. Not everyone will be as fortunate as Sword Leader Fang.”

The representatives from the Divine Wind Sword Hall and the Seven Star Sword Sect nodded silently.

Though the others were dissatisfied, they had no choice but to comply, as they were now under someone else’s roof. They all nodded in agreement.

At that moment, a green-robed sword cultivator approached, his gaze sharp as it swept over Fang Chen and the others. ”Which one of you is named Dongfang Haojie?”

Seeing the newcomer, Yan Kun’s face immediately lit up with a smile, and he clasped his fist in greeting. ”Daoist Wu.”

The green-robed sword cultivator smiled softly and said, ”I’ve been sent by the third branch to invite Young Master Dongfang for a discussion.”

Despite knowing that Yan Kun was Li Changsheng’s disciple, his demeanor lacked any trace of pandering as he maintained a calm and lackadaisical demeanor.

Yan Kun made a brief introduction to the crowd. ”Everyone, let me introduce you. This is Daoist Wu Qi, a sword cultivator from the third branch and a Dao Union stage cultivator. He serves as a close attendant to Lady Long Wu of the third branch.”

He then chuckled and pointed at Dongfang Haojie. ”Brother Wu, the person you’re looking for is him.”

”Wait, no... why is the third branch looking for me? I’m here to participate in the Burial Sword Heavenly Steps,” said Dongfang Haojie, looking confused.

Wu Qi smiled. ”Perhaps Master Li didn’t make it clear to you. Your purpose here isn’t to participate in the Burial Sword Heavenly Steps. Please come with me.”

Dongfang Haojie shook his head desperately. ”Without Ancestor Li’s explicit instructions, I dare not go anywhere.”

”If it weren’t for his orders, I wouldn’t be here either. Young Master Dongfang, please don’t keep Lady Long Wu waiting,” said Wu Qi indifferently.

Yan Kun sternly advised, ”Dongfang Haojie, Master has brought you here for a different purpose. Hurry and follow Brother Wu to meet Lady Long Wu. Don’t keep her waiting.”

Dongfang Haojie couldn’t help but shrink behind Fang Chen, murmuring, ”Lady Long Wu? Why does she want to see me? I don’t even know her....”

Fang Chen said calmly, ”If it’s fortune, it won’t be misfortune; if it’s misfortune, you can’t avoid it. You should go and meet her. Perhaps it might turn out to be a good thing.”

Seeing Fang Chen’s reassurance, Dongfang Haojie could only grit his teeth, put on a brave face, and follow Wu Qi.

Early the next morning, while everyone was still meditating, Yan Kun woke them up one by one. When they stepped out, they saw not only Yan Kun but also Li Changsheng’s daughter, Long Xuan, along with a few young men and women they hadn’t met the day before.

”Yan Kun, why did you wake us up? If there’s nothing important, I’m going back to meditate,” said Bai Qingming impatiently.

Yan Kun gave him a cold glance before speaking indifferently, ”To ensure we achieve outstanding results in the Burial Sword Heavenly Steps, Master has specifically instructed Junior Sister Long Xuan to lead us to the Sword Academy for observation.

”The Long family has thirty-six sword path inheritances. Each of us can choose one to study and compare with our own sword path. This might help improve our sword cultivation to some extent.”

The group’s eyes lit up with interest.

Bai Qingming immediately perked up. ”You should’ve said so earlier. I thought you were just being a nuisance.”

Yan Kun turned to Long Xuan with a smile. ”Junior Sister Long Xuan, please excuse their behavior. Sword cultivators from the Void Immortal Sword Sect have always been arrogant. Even after coming here, they can’t shake off this bad habit.”

Long Xuan wore a smile. ”It’s fine. Father mentioned that sword cultivators from your side cultivate an invincible sword heart, so you might achieve remarkable results in the Burial Sword Heavenly Steps.”

She looked at Fang Chen and gave a slight nod. ”Sword Leader Fang, I’ll be counting on you during this Burial Sword Heavenly Steps event.”

The group was slightly taken aback. Among all of them, Long Xuan had only addressed Fang Chen directly.

Did that mean she didn’t value the rest of them?

A young man couldn’t help but glance at Fang Chen a few more times and said with a faint smile, ”I heard that Daoist Fang defeated two sword cultivators from the second branch yesterday. It seems Daoist Fang will bring glory to the main branch this time.”

”Not just glory for the main branch, but to secure victory for the Long Family in this wager,” corrected Long Xuan.

”Right, right.” The young man nodded. He then introduced himself, ”I’m Chen Zuozu, a disciple of the Chen Family.”

The other young men and women showed no intention of introducing themselves, merely scrutinizing Fang Chen and the others with appraising looks.

Yan Kun said, ”These individuals are all from prominent families here. If any of you have the opportunity to stay here in the future, you might need their assistance from time to time.”

”Brother Yan, you’re too kind. All of you are sword cultivators, and sword cultivators are known for their combat prowess. Why would you need our help?” Chen Zuozu chuckled. ”It’s getting late. Let’s head to the Ninth Sword Academy now.”

***

At the Ninth Sword Academy.

Bai Qingming frowned slightly, glancing at Yan Kun. ”Wait a minute... wasn’t it the Ninth Sword Academy’s sword cultivator that Fang Chen defeated yesterday? Why is Ancestor Li sending us here? Isn’t he worried about causing trouble?”

Yan Kun coldly answered through voice transmission, ”The other Sword Academies aren’t on good terms with Master. Only the dean of the Ninth Sword Academy owes Master a favor. If it weren’t for that favor, you wouldn’t have the chance to study the Long Family’s sword scriptures.”

The Ninth Sword Academy’s sword cultivators first noticed Long Xuan and the others, preparing to greet them. However, when they saw Fang Chen and his group, their expressions immediately turned serious, and a faint hostility flickered in their eyes.

”Are those the people from the countryside that Master Li of the main branch found?”

”We don’t even have the qualifications to enter the Burial Sword Heavenly Steps. Why do they get to go?”

”Xue Zhong was utterly defeated yesterday. Among all the Enlightenment Realm sword cultivators in the nine Sword Academies, Xue Zhong ranked in the top five in terms of strength. Yet he still lost. It seems these people have some skills.”

The group whispered among themselves as they watched Fang Chen and the others. It wasn’t until they saw Long Xuan leading Fang Chen’s group into the Sword Transmission Pavilion that their expressions turned to surprise.

”Why are they going to the Sword Transmission Pavilion? Are they going to study our Ninth Sword Academy’s four sword scriptures?”

”No way. Why would these country bumpkins get that privilege? We haven’t even been allowed to study the four sword scriptures yet...”

”Quick, go inform the senior brother.”

***

Looking at the group, Long Xuan stated, ”The Ninth Sword Academy has four sword scriptures: the Green Pine Sword Scripture, the Longevity Sword Scripture, the Mountain-Shaking Sword Scripture, and the Illusionless Sword Scripture.

”My father has already spoken with the dean of the Ninth Sword Academy. You can choose one of these four sword scriptures to study. You can only study it here and cannot take it away. The study period is three days.”

”After three days, regardless of whether you’ve gained any insights or not, you must leave the Sword Transmission Pavilion. Any of these four sword scriptures has the potential to help a sword cultivator break through to the Loose Immortal Realm. So, for you, this is a rare opportunity.”

A chance to break through to the Loose Immortal realm?

The group’s spirits lifted. Even Bai Qingming, who was cultivating the Void Immortal Sword Scripture, wasn’t guaranteed to reach the Loose Immortal realm.

According to Long Xuan, these four sword scriptures were nothing short of a great opportunity for sword cultivators.