Immortal of the Nine Realms

”Senior brother, do you feel anything?”

”What kind of feeling?”

”I think... I just had a breakthrough.”

”A breakthrough? Why don’t I feel anything at all?”

”Maybe because your cultivation is too high. You’re in the Fusion Realm, and I’m only in the Enlightenment Realm.”

As Fang Chen spoke, he leapt forward with force and landed steadily on the 90th level of the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps.

As soon as Fang Chen arrived on this step, he noticed how empty it was. There wasn’t a single soul in sight.

However, he could make out a few figures clinging to the vines between the 90th and the 91st levels. Some of them were resting while others were steadily climbing. Fang Chen even spotted Fu Donghai and the others, as well as those sword cultivators from the Sun Family.

Fang Chen grinned. ”Caught up at last.”

Bai Qingming’s expression indicated he was having a rough time. ”Junior brother... I can’t seem to catch my breath.”

The pressure from the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps had increased considerably after they arrived on the 90th level. It was to the point where just exchanging a few words left Bai Qingming gasping for air and tight-chested.

Fang Chen smiled and said, ”Just take your time and adjust. We’ll rest here for a few days before continuing.”

***

Long Jingyao indifferently said, ”So the main branch’s sword cultivator this time isn’t simple. Who would’ve thought that Li Changsheng’s disciple would have a shot at reaching the top? Li Changsheng had failed to achieve results the last two times.”

Upon hearing that, Long Ao quickly laughed and replied, ”Grandfather, Fu Donghai and Zhang Gaotian are already close to the 91st level. Li Changsheng’s disciple had only just started climbing toward it. He is still far behind.”

Long Jingyao’s expression turned slightly serious, and he asked in a low tone, ”Several of our second branch’s men were lost to Li Changsheng’s hands this time. How do you intend to deal with that?”

Long Ao thought for a moment before glancing at Lu Qingshu. ”Let Lu Qingshu handle this matter. Since they’re all sword cultivators, let it be resolved in the way of sword cultivators.”

Lu Qingshu nodded. ”That was my intention as well.”

”Brother Yao, I think this matter... should be approached with more caution. I noticed that the one from the third branch seems to have an unusual attitude toward that young man. I’ve heard he’s the grand-disciple of Li Jingnian. Chances are, they’ll step in to protect him. It wouldn’t be wise to create a grudge with the third branch over this.”

An old man walked up beside Long Jingyao. He was also a second transformation Loose Immortal from the second branch. When Long Jingyao had taken Lu Qingshu to hunt down the Zhengde, this elder had been left in charge of the second branch. However, he wasn’t part of the direct bloodline, and his cultivation was far inferior to Long Jingyao’s. Most of the time, he remained silent, quietly awaiting instructions.

”Jingguang makes a fair point. How about this: go to the main branch and talk to them. See how they plan to compensate for Lu Bingbing’s death. After all, he was Qingshu’s son, one of our own. For him to die just like that without any explanation will cause people to talk.”

Long Jingyao frowned slightly, then gave a light nod.

The expressions of those around them grew somewhat strange. They had already picked up on the fact that Long Jingyao didn’t plan to invest too much effort in this issue. His earlier stance had simply been a public gesture to appease Lu Qingshu. Now, by sending Long Jingguang to negotiate with the main branch, it was clear he merely wanted to prevent a major conflict between the families over a sword cultivator.

Lu Qingshu, however, seemed oblivious to the implications. His expression remained unchanged, seemingly leaving everything in Long Jingyao’s hands.

***

Several days later, Fang Chen, feeling adequately rested, set out again with Bai Qingming.

Dan Zixu clutched at the vine, trembling uncontrollably. Every foot he climbed now felt like unbearable torment. ”Senior Brother Yan... I can’t go any further...”

The pressure from the Burial Sword Heavenly Steps, the physical strain, and the constant fear of falling and being smashed to pieces had stripped him of any will to compete.

Yan Kun said in a low, stern voice, ”You’re only ten steps away from the top. If you don’t go up, you can’t go down either. The only path left is death.”

With that, he paid no more attention to Dan Zixu. After glancing briefly at Huo Yuanwei, who was in a similarly broken state, he resumed climbing.

He had fallen far behind Fu Donghai and the others and had to catch up.

It was only now that Dan Zixu and Fu Donghai truly understood why so many cultivators were terrified at the mere mention of the Burial Sword Heavenly Steps. Despite knowing the immense rewards to be gained and the possibility of soaring to greatness in a single leap, many sword cultivators ultimately chose not to attempt the climb, not even Immortal Kings or Loose Immortal sword cultivators.

To walk this path was to throw one’s life away. Before the 30th stage, a person could still retreat. There was a chance, however slim, to land safely. But beyond the 30th stage, like where they were now, they were caught in a deadly dilemma.

At the higher levels, the chances of climbing back down successfully didn’t exceed one percent. As for pushing through and continuing the climb to the top, they no longer had the heart or strength to do it. They had no one to rely on. No one could help them but themselves. Even Loose Immortals would be reduced to nothing but mortals on these steps. How could they possibly lend a helping hand when they could barely fend for themselves?

”If I make it out of here alive... I swear I’ll never come back to this cursed place again,” said Dan Zixu.

He gritted his teeth and cautiously began to climb back down.

Seeing that Dan Zixu had already given up on reaching the top, Huo Yuanwei let go of his final shred of determination as well and followed him in climbing down.

Although getting back to the ground from this point was extremely difficult, it was still far easier than reaching the top. There was still some hope of survival.

A few days later, Fang Chen and Bai Qingming encountered Dan Zixu and Huo Yuanwei.

Dan Zixu looked at Bai Qingming, then at Fang Chen. A flicker of envy flashed through his eyes, and he couldn’t help but say, ”Sword Leader Fang, taking your senior brother with you to the top is no different from chasing a fool’s dream. Let him go and you might have a sliver of hope to reach the top.”

Huo Yuanwei was too exhausted to speak. He simply gave a light nod toward Fang Chen as a greeting.

Fang Chen smiled and replied, ”Then how about you do me a favor. Help send my senior brother back down?”

An awkward look appeared on the faces of the two men. They quickly shook their heads.

Dan Zixu weakly said, ”We can barely protect ourselves. That’s not something we can help with.”

Fang Chen said no more. He continued his slow climb upward. Though he could only move a foot at a time, ten times made a yard, a hundred times ten yards, and a thousand times... would eventually bring him to the next level of the steps.

As they watched Fang Chen and Bai Qingming gradually disappear above them, Dan Zixu’s expression turned dark. He grimly said, ”This kid is too arrogant. Even now, he’s still thinking about bringing Bai Qingming to the top. His arrogance will be his downfall.”

Huo Yuanwei let out a soft sigh but said nothing, continuing his descent. He knew that after today, the sword hearts of the two of them would be damaged beyond repair. Not to mention staying in this place, they would struggle to find a foothold even if they managed to return to their homeland. The Tribulation and Ascension Realms had become nothing more than distant dreams.

***

Half a month later.

Noticing how pale Fang Chen’s complexion was and how often he would take deep breaths, Bai Qingming couldn’t help feeling distressed. He persuaded, ”Junior Brother, how about this. You reach the top first. I’ll just hang here and wait for you. Once you’ve made it to the top, you can come back and find a way to bring me up too. How does that sound?”

Fang Chen smiled and replied, ”Senior Brother Qin was someone I personally sent off. If I go out alone again this time, how do you think our fellow disciples at the Void Immortal Sword Sect will look at me?”

”Stop with the nonsense. You’re getting sentimental like a girl.”

Another seven days passed.

Suddenly, Bai Qingming looked off to the left and saw Yan Kun glaring at them, his face ashen.

”Yan Kun, you’re still here?” called out Bai Qingming, waving with a grin. ”Look, Junior Brother Fang’s managed to carry me all the way up here. Could it be... Are you not able to get it up?”

Yan Kun was so furious that he almost slipped and fell into the abyss just from that one comment. He forcibly composed himself. Ignoring Bai Qingming and swallowing his anger, resumed his climb upward.

At the same time, the Loose Immortals of the Long and Sun families suddenly began leaving the area in haste with an anxious expression, as if they had received some urgent news.