Immortal of the Nine Realms

Sword Burial Palace.

Zhu Kexiu noticed that Fang Chen had yet to move from, even though most cultivators had already stepped onto the first level of the Heavenly Steps. He chuckled lightly and said, ”What’s the matter? You were talking big earlier. Didn’t expect things to turn out like this, huh? Scared now?”

Zhu Yunchen glanced at Zhu Kexiu but said nothing.

He had never cared about conflicts among the younger generation. At this moment, his attention was entirely focused on Li Changsheng.

The two stared at each other across the void, their gazes seemingly clashing with sparks in the air.

Fang Chen saw that Bai Qingming and another person had already stepped onto the first level of the Heavenly Steps. He reached into the air, and a surge of metal-element energy instantly condensed into a longsword in his palm.

In the next moment, fire-element energy surged forth, tempering the longsword from end to end.

Now, this sword no longer needed Fang Chen to channel spiritual energy to exist. It had become a true, tangible object.

There were no imprints on it; it wasn’t a treasure. It was just like the longswords commonly used by mortals.

With the sword in hand, Fang Chen walked straight toward the waterfall-like vines, completely ignoring Zhu Kexiu.

Zhu Kexiu’s expression darkened. Seeing that the Sun Family’s sword cultivators were also moving alongside Fang Chen, he finally let out a cold sneer.

Many people revealed faint smiles on their faces.

”He finally moved.”

Zhao Yunlu, who had been conversing with a Loose Immortal from the Sun Family, stopped speaking and slowly turned to look at Fang Chen.

A second-transformation Loose Immortal from the Sun Family revealed a faint smile, his gaze toward Fang Chen carrying a trace of subtle disdain. ”Fellow Daoist Yunlu, there’s no need to worry. This boy can’t even make it past the first level of the Heavenly Steps, let alone reach the summit. This time, a disciple from our family has gone missing, his fate unknown. Once Fellow Daoist Yunlu performs a soul search on this boy, we should be able to get some clues.”

Whether it was Fang Chen or the missing Sun Gu, he didn’t take either of them seriously. Instead, it was Zhao Yunlu who truly caught his attention. As long as the other party could completely sever ties with the Long family and form an irreconcilable grudge, it would bring endless benefits to the Sun family.

Zhao Yunlu slightly nodded. He also didn’t believe Fang Chen could go far. A prey that’s been marked, no matter how well it runs, how long can it escape?

As Fang Chen stepped forward, he suddenly felt all the power in his body continuously draining away.

”This feeling...”

In just an instant, the blood energy of his Sword Body and the spiritual energy from cultivation vanished without a trace. He couldn’t help but close his eyes and savor the sensation.

It was very familiar and comforting, like walking ten days and nights through a snowy land and suddenly returning home to a warm bed.

At that moment, dozens of sword cultivators from the Sun Family had already blocked off Fang Chen’s path. One of them, seeing Fang Chen close his eyes, couldn’t help but chuckle. ”What’s wrong? Can’t get used to the feeling of being a mortal?”

Fang Chen opened his eyes and smiled at him. ”You misunderstood. I was just savoring the feeling.”

Savoring?

The other party slightly frowned. What was there to savor about this feeling? If not for the Sun Family’s orders, none of them would be willing to come here. They couldn’t reach the summit anyway, and this feeling of becoming a mortal and losing all power made them extremely uncomfortable, even fearful. They couldn’t shake the fear that their power might never return, even after leaving this place.

A mocking smile played on the lips of one of the sword cultivators. ”Since you enjoy this feeling so much, why don’t you stay and have a nice chat with us? We’re not planning to reach the summit anyway. We’ll keep you company right here.

”You should really thank that Senior Yunlu. If not for him, following Lady Susu’s orders, you’d already be dead by now.”

The sword cultivator speaking had originally been at the Dao Union Realm before stepping onto the steps, so he didn’t put the Enlightenment Realm Fang Chen in his eyes. To him, that was a person he could crush at any time. Not to mention, he had dozens of senior and junior brothers at his side, each with a sword. That was more than enough to chop Fang Chen into minced meat.

Fang Chen smiled but didn’t say much. Holding his sword, he walked straight toward them.

The group of sword cultivators was slightly stunned to see Fang Chen approaching on his own.

The leading sword cultivator’s expression darkened. As Fang Chen drew closer, he let out a cold snort and suddenly thrust his sword forward.

Even though he was now a mortal, as a Dao Union Realm sword cultivator, his sword was still incredibly fast!

Pffft.

Fang Chen brushed past him without even sparing him a glance and continued walking toward the next sword cultivator.

The surrounding sword cultivators looked at each other in disbelief. Just as they were about to speak, the Dao Union Realm sword cultivator fell to his knees, his head sliding off his shoulders and rolling far away.

”Kill!”

The sword cultivators of the Sun Family immediately turned bloodthirsty, but there was now a trace of fear in their hearts. They no longer dared to underestimate Fang Chen. Instead of sending just one person to face him, they all swarmed at once from every direction.

In a few breaths, dozens of heads fell to the ground. The only one still alive had collapsed to the ground, going limp.

His sword had been tossed aside. Both hands were braced against the ground as he desperately scooted backward, trying to distance himself from Fang Chen, his face filled with sheer terror.

Fang Chen stopped and spoke softly. ”Pick up your sword.”

The sword cultivator didn’t choose to pick up his sword but instead begged for mercy. ”I... I... I’m a sword cultivator too. Since we walk the same path, spare me.”

”You’re a sword cultivator?” Fang Chen frowned slightly and shook his head. ”At best, you practice the sword. You’re no sword cultivator.”

The longsword sliced through the air, and blood gushed like a spring.

Passing over the fallen man, Fang Chen reached the vines, bit down on the sword in his hand, and freed both hands to climb upward at an astonishing speed.

All of this took only a dozen breaths or so.

Yet, Fang Chen’s slaughter of dozens of sword cultivators left many speechless, even showing looks of disbelief.

Zhu Yunchen frowned, his gaze lingering on Fang Chen. ”That boy’s sword....”

Even with his strength as a first-transformation Loose Immortal, he couldn’t guarantee such clean swordplay after becoming a mortal.

What he found strange was that Fang Chen didn’t seem to be hindered by his cultivation being sealed. Instead, he seemed like an unbridled wild horse as a mortal!

Zhu Yunchen’s eyes grew deeper and more thoughtful. This scene reminded him once again of that person he once deeply disliked.

Zhu Kexiu’s face was gloomy. He never expected that the dozens of sword cultivators from the Sun Family would be slaughtered like pigs and dogs so easily.

Zhu Kexiu couldn’t help but secretly curse. Useless sword cultivators. No wonder they’re crooked and heretical! They lost their cultivation, and they’ve become utter trash!

Many people from the Long and Sun families also noticed this. For a moment, they all looked at each other in disbelief.

Long Ao gave Li Changsheng a sinister glance, then muttered under his breath, ”Li Changsheng has quite the eye... that boy might actually reach the top.”

Several noblewomen tried to reassure him.

”Dear, the Sun Family won’t let him reach the summit.”

”That’s right, even if that person from Yunlu City hadn’t come today, the Sun Family wouldn’t easily allow him to reach the top.”

Hearing their words, Long Ruo curled her lips disdainfully. Then she looked up at the figure climbing higher, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

On the main Immortal Boat, Chen Qingtai and the others exchanged glances, smiles blooming across their faces.

The woman in the plain dress also looked at Li Changsheng and said with a smile, ”Dear, we have a real chance this time.”

Li Changsheng gently patted her shoulder. ”All these years, I’ve never failed. This time won’t be any different.”

The woman in the plain dress nodded softly, her gaze toward Li Changsheng filled with admiration. ”Mm.”