Immortal of the Nine Realms

The group arrived at the depths of the Sword Transmission Pavilion, where a pitch-black door slowly materialized. As the door opened, a black-robed elder emerged from within. His gaze was cold, and even when he saw Long Xuan, he only gave a slight nod.

”What brings you here?” he asked.

Long Xuan explained, ”Elder Zhao, my father has already spoken with Head Lin. They have been granted permission to choose one of the sword scriptures to study for three days.”

”Them?” The black-robed elder glanced at Fang Chen and the others, his brow furrowing slightly. ”They are not disciples of the Ninth Sword Academy. Do you have the Head’s written order?”

Long Xuan nodded and handed the black-robed elder a jade slip. He pinched the slip and closed his eyes, a stream of light flowing from his arm into the jade slip.

After a moment, the black-robed elder opened his eyes and nodded, stepping aside slightly. ”It is indeed the Head’s order. You may enter. But remember, each person can only choose one of the four sword scriptures. If anyone breaks this rule, even if they were brought here by Ancestor Li, I will not hesitate to strike them down without mercy.”

Bai Lingyue and the others grew nervous. With the way this elder spoke, he clearly didn’t put Li Changsheng in his eyes at all.

Long Xuan wasn’t angered, clearly accustomed to the black-robed elder’s attitude. She was about to give Fang Chen and the others a few words of caution when footsteps echoed from behind.

The group turned to see a group of swordsmen approaching. The leader had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, his appearance exceptionally handsome, and his aura seemed slightly stronger than even Yan Kun and Bai Qingming.

He quickly approached the group and bowed to the black-robed elder and Long Xuan. ”Fu Donghai, chief disciple of the Ninth Sword Academy. Greetings, Elder Zhao and Miss Long Xuan.”

Yan Kun’s expression grew solemn upon seeing the newcomer.

On the other hand, Chen Zuozu and the others seemed quite familiar with Fu Donghai, greeting him with smiles.

Elder Zhao asked indifferently, ”Why have you come?”

Fu Donghai’s expression was serious. ”I heard that outsiders wish to study the four sword scriptures of the Ninth Academy. I urge Elder Zhao to handle this matter with caution.

”Although sword cultivators follow the path of combat and do not seek immortality, the thirty-six sword scriptures are an important heritage of the Long Family and should not be easily shared with outsiders. My master, Xue Shan, learned of this matter and specifically sent me to stop it.”

Elder Zhao said indifferently, ”They already have the Head’s written order. I have no reason to stop them.”

”This is the written order from the second branch,” said Fu Donghai, handing Elder Zhao another jade slip.

Elder Zhao glanced at the jade slip, nodded slightly, and said to Long Xuan, ”You can take them and leave now.”

Long Xuan was shocked. She hurriedly asked, ”The head of the academy has already agreed, so why...?”

Old Zhao answered, ”Second Master Long Ao has given orders that no outsiders are allowed to peruse the sword scripture of the Ninth Sword Academy. The other eight academies may have received similar instructions.”

He waved his hand, turned, and entered the black gate, which then slowly closed behind him.

Long Xuan’s face grew slightly darker.

Bai Lingyue and the others gritted their teeth in anger. Such a rare opportunity was casually destroyed with a single decree.

Long Xuan looked at Fu Donghai, her expression turning colder. ”Fu Donghai, what good does it do you and your Master Xue Shan to do this? My father worked so hard, only to give the Long and Sun families a better chance in their gambling match!”

”Lady Long Xuan, this has nothing to do with me. It is the will of my master, as well as that of the second master from the Long Family,” replied Fu Donghai, neither humble nor arrogant.

At that moment, another group of young people slowly approached. The leader was a woman who looked around the same age as Long Xuan. She taunted, ”That’s right, it’s my father’s wish. If you’re dissatisfied, you can ask your father to find mine. Or you can go to my father personally. But do you dare?”

A flicker of irritation crossed Long Xuan’s face. ”Long Ruo!”

Long Ruo smiled sardonically. ”However... what you said earlier holds some truth. If these backwater sword cultivators could comprehend a sword scripture, they might improve their strength and achieve good results in the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps. I can give you a chance to let them gain the opportunity to view the scriptures. Whether or not they seize it, that depends on you.”

Long Xuan’s brows furrowed. ”What opportunity?”

Long Ruo pointed at Fang Chen. ”I’ve heard that this person’s sword technique is nearly invincible at the Enlightenment Realm. Yesterday, even Xue Zhong was defeated by him. If you can lend me this person for a few days, the others will be able to enter and comprehend the sword scripture.”

Everyone was stunned.

Yan Kun’s eyes flickered, and he whispered to Long Xuan, ”Junior Sister Long Xuan, perhaps this is the only way.”

Bai Qingming interjected, ”This is the only way? My junior brother is not an object that can be borrowed at will.”

Yan Kun glared at him. ”Bai Qingming, put the big picture first.”

Bai Qingming sneered and didn’t respond.

Long Xuan furrowed her brows, looked at Fang Chen, then at Long Ruo, and said, ”Why do you want to borrow him?”

A faint smile played on Long Ruo’s lips. ”You ought to have heard that I run a Sword Duel Palace. Recently, there have been some troublemakers causing trouble in my palace. Seeing that this kid’s sword technique is outstanding, he’ll do well to teach these arrogant guys a lesson by fighting a few rounds.

”What do you think? As long as you agree, I’ll talk to Elder Zhao so he lets the others enter the view the sword scripture. You should know... how important it is for your family to have a better chance.”

Long Xuan shook her head. ”They are here to go to the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps. If they get hurt in your Sword Duel Palace, wouldn’t that ruin everything? I can’t agree to this condition. Come up with another one.”

Long Ruo glanced at Fang Chen. ”You’d better ask him first. Perhaps he is willing to go.”

Long Ruo’s voice sounded in Fang Chen’s mind. The Division Head says you can be of help.

Fang Chen was slightly stunned. He couldn’t help but look at Long Ruo a few more times.

Is this young lady from the second branch of the Long family a disciple of the Killing Spiritual Division? Or... is she possibly a disciple of the Spirit Blood Sect, pretending to be someone else?

Given the current situation, the latter possibility seemed more likely.

So, Fang Chen did not respond.

The Division Head also mentioned that you have a woman stranded in Prison Wind Lands. If you want to find her, you will need my help.

Fang Chen cupped his hand toward Long Xuan. ”Lady Long Xuan, comprehending the sword scripture here is also an opportunity for sword cultivators. I’ll go with this one.”

Bai Qingming’s expression shifted slightly, and he sent a voice transmission, ”Junior Brother, don’t be impulsive.Whether or not you comprehend the sword scripture here doesn’t matter. That woman is clearly up to no good. They might be planning to sell you to the Sun Family in exchange for benefits. At worst, they might try to kill you and make Li Changsheng lose his leverage.”

”Senior Brother, don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

Since Long Ruo had already mentioned Fairy Yu, he had no choice but to go. As for safety, he had many trump cards for survival.

Long Ruo smiled faintly. ”Long Xuan, look, he has agreed. What reason do you have to refuse now?”

Long Xuan glanced at Fang Chen and said, ”I need to consult with my father first.”

She activated a transmission talisman.

A few moments later, Long Ruo smiled and asked, ”What did your father say?”

Long Xuan’s brows were furrowed. She answered, ”He said that if Fang Chen agreed on his own accord, then we don’t need to bother with him.”