Immortal of the Nine Realms

Elder Xun’s sudden appearance took Zhou Bufan and the others by surprise. They had been in this place for so many years, but never once had they noticed the presence of such an old man nearby.

Soon, their expressions turned into one of fear. They recognized Elder Xun as the one who had intervened once and caused the great Daoist Sects to halt their plans against the Three Thousand Dao Sect years ago. The result was that they, the cultivators of the Purple Sun Dao Sect, became scapegoats, bearing all the blame.

Among the Immortal Kings who had come today, many had close ties to the Desolate Academy, such as the Immortal Kings of the four continents. They immediately bowed to Elder Xun before standing to the side with complex expressions.

Besides them, some Immortal Kings from the Incense Sect and the Respect Immortal Sect were secretly shocked. They faintly felt that today’s situation might lead to a battle between First Rate Sect Leaders.

Ouyang Xuanzhen’s expression shifted slightly. He exchanged a glance with Immortal King Gu Xi and Dragon Sovereign, and they all saw the confusion in each other’s eyes.

But soon, that moment of doubt faded. After all, there were two First Rate Sect Leaders practicing the Sword Dao present, and one of them was even Li Changsheng, the number one on the Emperor Ranking. The Three Thousand Dao Sect would not be able to survive even with Elder Xun’s help.

”Elder Xun, I pay my respects,” Li Changsheng said with a cupped fist.

”He asked me to come down for a cup of tea.” Lu Qingshu couldn’t help but chuckle. ”Is this the one you mentioned? The founder of the Desolate Academy in the Central Continent Empire, Xun Guozhu?”

From the shadows, Fang Chen’s eyes flashed with surprise. Xun Guozhu? Is that Elder Xun’s true name?

This also seemed to be the first time the nearby Immortal Kings learned of Elder Xun’s name, and it caused their eyebrows to raise a little.

This name was rather... ordinary.

”Li Changsheng, what’s with you and spreading my name like that?” Elder Xun said indifferently.

Meanwhile, Li Daoye and the others had already arrived at the mountain gate, calmly looking at the figures in the void. It was as if they had long anticipated the arrival of Li Changsheng and the others, and their expressions showed no surprise, only a slight sense of gravity.

”Elder Xun’s name, I have only occasionally mentioned it. I did not deliberately publicize it,” Li Changsheng replied with a faint smile.

”Enough nonsense. I told you to have your people come down for tea. This brat’s tone is extremely arrogant, and it suits my taste,” Elder Xun said calmly.

Lu Qingshu pointed at Zhou Bufan and the others, laughing. ”Drink what? Are you planning to have me drink this filthy stuff meant for ordinary people? Do you take me for one of these ants?”

All eyes fell on Zhou Bufan.

Elder Xun raised an eyebrow. ”What? Is it because you’re a sword cultivator now that you’re no longer an ant?”

Heavenly King Zhen’s expression was strange. Unable to help himself, he transmitted a message. ”Elder Xun, these two are both sword cultivators at the level of First Rate Sect Leaders, and Li Changsheng is the first on the Emperor Ranking. Perhaps it’s best not to make a show of force, lest we bring about a catastrophe for the Central Continent Empire.”

Elder Xun ignored him and just looked at Lu Qingshu with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Ouyang Xuanzhen, Gu Xi, and Dragon Sovereign exchanged glances, surprised. They believed in Elder Xun’s strength as one of the oldest First Rate Sect Leaders in the Central Continent Empire, but now he was up against a sword cultivator of the same rank. They didn’t believe he could beat someone like that.

Moreover, there wasn’t just one sword cultivator, but two. With them joining forces, they could sweep the Central Continent Empire from north to south without opposition.

The cultivators from the Immortal Worshipping Sect and the Incense Sect naturally leaned toward the Central Continent Empire in terms of stance. They had only come due to the Divine Dao Sect. As the saying goes, ”if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.”

They were curious whether Li Changsheng and the others would have any plans for them. Unexpectedly, the leader of the Desolate Academy clashed with them first.

Lu Qingshu’s expression darkened. He immediately waved his hand and lightly pointed at Elder Xun. A terrifying surge of immortal essence transformed into a sword beam, speeding toward Elder Xun.

”Again with this trick,” said Elder Xun lazily.

He lightly waved his hand, as though swatting away a fly. The sword beam, powerful enough to seriously wound a same-tier Loose Immortal, disappeared instantly.

”Hmm?”

Lu Qingshu was surprised by this outcome. However, he didn’t hesitate and sent his terrifying sword domain surging like a tidal wave, attempting to envelop Elder Xun.

”Do you truly think your sword domain is invincible?”

A faint immortal aura suddenly surged from Elder Xun. Not only did it block Lu Qingshu’s sword domain, but it also reversed it, sending it crashing back toward him like a flood.

Lu Qingshu grunted, staggering slightly, his face showing a hint of uncertainty.

The crowd was stunned.

Though the exchange consisted of only a few simple moves, it had allowed them to glean a terrifying piece of information.

The Headmaster of the Desolate Academy could actually deal with a sword cultivator at the same rank with complete ease. He didn’t seem to have even used his full strength, yet he was able to gain the upper hand.

Fang Chen’s eyes showed a glimmer of curiosity. In the Ancient Immortal Road, there were countless immortal sects. Every immortal disciple who completed the Ancient Immortal Road would usually be able to comprehend some form of immortal intent.

This was one of the key advantages that made Immortal Seedlings far superior to ordinary cultivators. With their immortal intent, they could overcome countless obstacles in the path of cultivation. Whether in combat or technique mastery, immortal intents played a crucial role.

Fang Chen was curious about what kind of immortal intent Elder Xun had obtained during his early cultivation days.

”Elder Xun is truly a great talent.” Li Changsheng suddenly cupped his hands and bowed in respect. ”Congratulations on your ascension to the second transformation, Elder Xun. You truly deserve to be number one on the Emperor Ranking.”

What?! A second-transformation Loose Immortal?!

The crowd froze in shock. Some instinctively took out their Heaven Profound Mirror to check, and sure enough, they saw the Emperor Ranking beginning to change.

Li Changsheng’s name had slid down the rankings. Instead, the words ”Desolate Academy” appeared prominently at the very top.

Although the official stance was that the particular order of ranking had no meaning, those in the know understood that that was not the case.

Now that ”Desolate Academy” was listed above Li Changsheng, it was clear that Elder Xun had surpassed him and earned the system’s recognition.

Suddenly, the words ”Desolate Academy” morphed into two words—Xun Guozhu.

Some cultivators from Zhongzhou looked on with countless speculations in their hearts. As for the Zhongzhou royal family, they were overwhelmed with emotion, letting out joyful cries, striking celebratory drums and bells normally reserved for grand festivals.

Zhao Jiaolong and the others were en route to the Three Thousand Dao Sect when they received the shocking news. Upon witnessing the changes on the Emperor Ranking, their spirits were lifted, and they couldn’t help but smile in joy.

”The elder has finally broken through! With how much the elder cares for that person, the Three Thousand Dao Sect may just avoid catastrophe,” Zhao Jiaolong remarked with a deep sense of awe.

***

On the other side, in the chambers of the Xu Family, Xu Qingsong had just put away his Heaven Profound Mirror, his face pale with shock and astonishment.

”Has the one from Desolate Academy surpassed Li Changsheng in the rankings?” he asked, his voice trembling. ”Father, do you think he has already ascended to a second-transformation Loose Immortal?”

Xu Sijiu narrowed his eyes, his tone serious. ”It’s most likely true.”

Xu Qingsong gritted his teeth in frustration. ”Why is he the one to make the breakthrough to the second transformation but not our ancestor? He holds such a grudge against Fang Chen, and as his power grows, Fang Chen’s arrogance will only worsen. I truly wish I could have a one-on-one life-and-death battle with him to avenge the humiliation I suffered.”

A faint, almost imperceptible smirk flashed in Xu Sijiu’s eyes before he replied, ”There may indeed be an opportunity this time. I will consider it for you.”

***

Back at the Three Thousand Dao Sect, Lu Qingshu’s face turned grim as he spoke with a tone full of menace. ”So what if he reached the second transformation? Li Changsheng, if you and I join forces, there’s no way we can’t defeat him. And if that’s not enough...”

He suddenly paused, his eyes flashing with a dangerous gleam as they locked on Elder Xun with an intense, bloodthirsty stare.

Li Changsheng, who had been silently observing, finally spoke after a long pause. ”Lu Qingshu... I think you’d better drink your tea now.”

The tension in the air thickened, as everyone knew that the brewing conflict was only moments away from reaching its peak.