Immortal of the Nine Realms

”Junior Brother... why didn’t your physical body stay behind in the mortal world?” asked Bai Qingming.

”That’s... a long story,” replied Fang Chen, sighing. ”Senior Brother, do you have any siblings?”

”I do.”

Fang Chen nodded. ”That’s good. At least your family can still have progeny.”

”What do you mean by that?”

Before Bai Qingming could finish his sentence, Zhao Yunlu suddenly opened his eyes and struck out with a palm, blasting Bai Qingming’s physical body into a mist of blood.

Bai Qingming was both shocked and furious. ”This damned bastard!”

Fang Chen explained, ”When people die, they become wandering souls. Cultivators are no exception. But becoming a wandering soul after death is different from venturing into the Underworld. With your current cultivation, you’ve managed to preserve your soul.

”Try to look at it positively. Death comes to us all. At least your death wasn’t too miserable.”

Bai Qingming said angrily, ”How can I look at it positively? I’m going to be a wandering ghost from now on! What do you mean ’At least your family can still have progeny?’’? Are you saying I can’t have children anymore?”

Fang Chen gave a nod. That was indeed the flaw of a wandering soul. They could no longer bear children.

Bai Qingming was silent for a while, then stared firmly at Fang Chen. ”Alright, tell me. What’s your next move? We have to take revenge.”

”Follow me, Senior Brother.”

***

Li Changsheng and the others didn’t have to wait long before Lu Qingshu and his group returned one after another.

Li Changsheng asked indifferently, ”Where is he?”

Lu Qingshu replied, ”That kid has some tricks. He managed to escape.”

Li Changsheng was slightly surprised. Fang Chen escaped?

From a distance, Long Ruo, upon hearing the news, couldn’t help but show a trace of joy in her eyes.

Li Changsheng’s brows furrowed slightly. ”Zhao Yunlu is a third transformation Loose Immortal. Yet you’re telling me he still let him escape?”

”This boy is ruthless and cunning. To escape, he drained his senior brother’s remaining lifespan. That spiritual treasure of his must have been a life-saving artifact,” said Lu Qingshu calmly. ”If you had discovered that he was hiding a spiritual treasure, none of this would have happened. We might have even claimed it for ourselves.”

Li Changsheng looked coldly at Lu Qingshu. ”What are you trying to say now?”

Lu Qingshu said nothing. He just let out a cold snort and began discussing with Li Changsheng how to deal with the Long Family disciples in front of them.

Yan Kun, standing off to the side, felt a chill run down his spine.

Bai Qingming didn’t die on the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps, but instead at Fang Chen’s hands?

***

At the same time, in the Void Immortal Sword Sect, Bai Qingming’s life lamp suddenly went out. An elder who noticed it immediately rang the bell to send out a message.

A few days later, the Immortal Peak King personally arrived at the Void Immortal Sword Sect, took away Bai Qingming’s belongings, and cleared out his cave residence.

Everyone in the Void Immortal Sword Sect now knew that Bai Qingming had fallen.

First, it was Qin Hucheng, then Bai Qingming, and years earlier, the old sword immortal had passed away. The Void Immortal Sword Sect had been steadily declining over the years.

Wang Zhenlong stood before Wang Chongsong and the other peak lords, his gaze sweeping across each of their faces.

”I’m ready to take the final step,” said Wang Zhenlong. ”If I succeed in my tribulation, I will return. During this period, do not send anyone to search for me. Let the sect operate as it will.”

Wang Chongsong said softly, ”Father, isn’t this a bit too hasty? You still have plenty of lifespan left. Why not wait a little longer?”

Zhang Ling and the others looked at each other with heavy expressions.

Now that Wang Zhenlong was the number one expert of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, if he failed his tribulation, the sect’s strength would suffer another heavy loss. It might not even be one-thousandth of its peak.

”Time waits for no one. If we wait any longer, even the last bit of willpower will be worn away,” said Wang Zhenlong.

He flicked his sleeve and quickly left the great hall, transforming into a sword and flying off.

The bearded sword cultivator looked at Wang Chongsong. ”Sect Master, what do we do now?”

Wang Chongsong said calmly with his back to the crowd, ”Do as we should. Even without the old sword immortal overseeing us, the Void Immortal Sword Sect is not something petty villains can trample.”

Seeing his confidence, the others let out a breath of relief. Perhaps the Void Immortal Sword Sect still had hidden cards left.

***

Underworld, Youhuan City, Qing Sui’s residence.

Qing Sui respectfully served tea to Fang Chen and Bai Qingming, then stood quietly in a corner awaiting instructions.

Bai Qingming took a sip of the tea and nodded. ”This tea is decent. I didn’t expect the Underworld to be like this. This is not much different from the mortal world.”

Fang Chen smiled but said nothing.

Bai Qingming turned his gaze to Qin Hucheng and said, ”Junior Brother Qin, you were too careless.”

Qin Hucheng nodded. ”You are right, Senior Brother.”

Bai Qingming’s face held a frown. ”Do you regret it now? If you do, apologize to Sword Leader Fang. Maybe then you’ll be able to live a bit more comfortably here.”

Qin Hucheng realized Bai Qingming was pleading on his behalf. After thinking seriously for a few moments, he shook his head. ”I have never regretted it.”

Bai Qingming scolded angrily, ”Who did you inherit this stubbornness from? You knew full well the Spirit Blood Sect was not upright, yet you still got involved with them. How can sword cultivators like us feed on mortal blood? How is that any different from heretical paths?”

Qin Hucheng was silent for a few moments. He then slowly said, ”If the Spirit Blood Sect can change the fate of sword cultivators in Prison Wind Lands, then sacrificing some mortals... is nothing.”

Fang Chen suddenly asked, ”How much more do you know about this matter?”

Qin Hucheng smiled faintly. He asked, ”Has the situation there changed?”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Li Changsheng led the sword cultivators in rebellion. It’s said that a third-transformation sword cultivator has emerged. Now, two of the great clans have been crushed. What you hoped for has already come true. From now on, sword cultivators there will no longer live in such lowly conditions. On the contrary, orthodox cultivators who seek longevity will have to live under the shadow of sword cultivators.”

A soft smile flowed through Qin Hucheng’s eyes like a quiet stream. ”So they really didn’t lie to me.”

Two tears slid down his cheeks.

Fang Chen said calmly, ”However, Senior Brother Bai has lost his physical body over this matter. Just like you, he’s now a wandering soul.”

Qin Hucheng’s expression froze. He stared blankly at Bai Qingming, realizing now that Bai Qingming hadn’t merely traveled through the Underworld. He had truly died.

Bai Qingming said calmly, ”Junior Brother Qin, what you wanted to see has already come true. Why not tell us what you know? You know I’m the kind of person who holds grudges.”

After four or five moments of silence, Qin Hucheng nodded and said, ”I don’t know much. I only know that the Spirit Blood Sect promised to cultivate several third-transformation sword cultivators to change the fate of sword cultivators in Prison Wind Lands.”

Fang Chen asked, ”And what are you supposed to do in return for the Blood Spirit Sect?”

Qin Hucheng answered, ”Naturally, to become their sword and take control of Prison Wind Lands, Minghu, Longyuan, and Sihui. By then, the Spirit Blood Sect will be able to easily and continuously refine one Blood Spirit Pill after another.”

Bai Qingming’s expression shifted slightly. He exchanged a look with Fang Chen, both feeling a bit shocked.

That meant things had only just begun. Next, the remaining two great clans, the three major sects, and even the Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land would come under pressure. Longyuan and the other regions would be no different. Over time, the entire Ancient Desolate Region’s Chaotic Star would fall into the Spirit Blood Sect’s control.

Qin Hucheng sighed. ”Senior Brother Bai, Junior Brother Fang, you two should go back to the Central Continent. Don’t get involved in this matter. The Spirit Blood Sect’s methods are far beyond your imagination. The Prison Wind Lands isn’t their only target. Even throughout the Ancient Desolate, they are making moves. I believe in a few years, the entire Ancient Desolate will become a slaughterhouse ruled by the Spirit Blood Sect.”

At this point, Qin Hucheng glanced at Fang Chen. ”I heard... The Spirit Blood Sect cultivator in charge of Prison Wind Land is from a Dao Sect.”