Immortal of the Nine Realms

The Immortal Kings of the Incense Sect and the Immortal Worshipping Sect left one by one. Once the outsiders had departed, only the inner circle remained.

Heavenly King Zhen briefly glanced at Fang Chen before turning to Elder Xun.

”Elder Xun, about the matters with the Divine Dao Sect...”

Elder Xun waved his hand. ”It won’t affect you much. Their situation is complicated. If the Divine Dao Sect hadn’t moved, it would have caused some impact on the Central Continent Empire. You cannot fathom the methods of Pu Yuanzhu. Instead of worrying about this, you should focus on how to advance to a Loose Immortal. The Central Continent Empire has already fallen behind Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper. When compared to other places, it’s even worse.”

”Understood.”

Heavenly King Zhen ceased asking further questions. He took a final glance at Fang Chen before turning around and taking his leave.

”Everyone else can leave as well,” said Elder Xun with another wave of his hand.

The others gradually made their way out, with Ouyang Xuanzhen being the quickest to leave.

Only Immortal Peak King remained standing still.

Fang Chen gestured with his hand to invite him. ”Uncle, let’s speak inside.”

Immortal Peak King glanced at Elder Xun, who gave him a nod.

Seeing that, he followed Fang Chen into the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

Inside the meeting hall, with no one around, Immortal Peak King sighed and asked, ”Sword Leader Fang, did my son suffer any torment before his death?”

”The situation is a bit complicated,” replied Fang Chen. ”You might want to personally speak with Senior Brother Bai to understand more, Uncle.”

Immortal Peak King faltered a little when he heard that, confused. However, a figure soon appeared beside Fang Chen, and to the Immortal Peak King’s surprise, it was actually Bai Qinming, his supposedly dead son!

Bai Qingming laughed heartily. ”Ah, that was great! I never expected those guys to get outmatched the moment they set foot on the Central Continent. What’s even more surprising is that Elder Xun can actually send a first-transformation Loose Immortal Sword Cultivator scampering so easily! Hahaha!”

Bai Qingming turned to his father and cupped his hands. He greeted, ”Father.”

”You.... how?” The Immortal Peak King was bewildered. ”But... your life lamp was extinguished...”

The Immortal Peak King vaguely felt that Bai Qingming’s aura was quite peculiar, but he couldn’t pinpoint what was strange about it.

His aura is a little... colder than before?

”Father, it’s a long story. I did die, but now I can cultivate in the Underworld and appear in the Mortal Realm,” Bai Qingming explained. ”Other than not being able to have children and pass down my bloodline, there is little difference from when I was alive, though my life sword has to be re-refined.”

Immortal Peak King pondered, ”The Underworld...” ℯℯ𝑙.

The three of them sat down, and they began recounting everything that had happened in Prison Wid.

After listening, Immortal Peak King fell into a long silence. After a while, he spoke softly. ”There were once disciples from the Spirit Blood Sect who came to visit, hoping I would join their sect. I gave them a vague answer.”

”Father, this sect’s actions are harmful to the heavens. They are never on the right path,” Bai Qingming said.

”Li Changsheng has plotted against you. Once I break through to become a Loose Immortal, I’ll find a way to settle this score with him.” Immortal Peak King nodded. ”As for the Spirit Blood Sect, I plan to join them for now. From what you said, they are already powerful here. If we fail to align ourselves with them, we will face certain destruction.”

He paused for a moment, then asked, ”If I receive any useful information, how will I communicate with you?”

Bai Qingming and Fang Chen exchanged glances.

After a moment, Bai Qingming whispered, ”Father, have you ever practiced the Path of Yin Technique?”

”The technique is widely known. I’ve studied it a little, but I’ve never actually tried it. After all, the Underworld is not the Mortal Realm, and I’m wary of encountering dangers,” Immortal Peak King replied.

”If you enter the Underworld, father, we can set a meeting place. Any important news, just pass it to me then,” Bai Qingming said.

Immortal Peak King nodded. He then turned his gaze to Fang Chen. ”Sword Laeder Fang, from now on, please take care of Qingming.”

”Uncle, you’re too kind. Senior Brother and I are walking the same path, working together. There’s no need to talk of favors,” Fang Chen replied, cupping his hands respectfully.

Immortal Peak King shook his head. ”I know you are different from him. I’ve had people look into your experiences over the years. Not only does Elder Xun think highly of you, but even these two anomalies here are quite favorable toward you. Qingming may be a dragon among men, but you... are not even human.”

With those words, Immortal Peak King turned and left.

Bai Qingming was stunned for a moment, then awkwardly laughed, ”My father doesn’t mean to insult you; he just doesn’t know how to express himself well.”

”...”

Fang Chen smiled. He was just about to speak when one of his split souls walked in from outside, accompanied by Xia Ji and Wu Ruochou.

Bai Qingming, having experienced the Soul Splitting Realm himself, didn’t find it strange. Xia Ji and Wu Ruochou had seen such things before, but it always felt odd when it happened to someone close.

Xia Ji curiously observed the two Fang Chens. ”Fang Da, what exactly does it feel like to have... two of you?”

Fang Chen smiled. ”Very strange. You’ll understand it once you reach the Soul Splitting Realm yourself.”

Xia Ji laughed. ”Then... which one of you is the real one?”

Bai Qingming and the two Fang Chens exchanged knowing looks, and a strange smile appeared on their faces.

Xia Ji and Wu Ruochou quickly realized what that meant.

So neither of them is the ”real” one, after all....

***

On the way to the Starry Teleportation Formation, Lu Qingshu remained expressionless, his face dark and gloomy.

It wasn’t until the group reached the array that he coldly looked at Li Changsheng and said, ”Did you already know that Xun Guozhu advanced to the second transformation?”

”You think I brought you to the Three Thousand Dao Sect to embarrass you on purpose?” Li Changsheng replied indifferently.

”Isn’t that the case? When he dealt with me, you were just standing by, not saying a word in my defense!” Lu Qingshu retorted angrily.

”I did try to intercede for you, but they clearly weren’t willing to give me any face. They must know everything about Prison Wind already,” Li Changsheng said flatly.

As the two faced off, the nearby sword cultivators dared not speak a word. It was only when Li Wuwang appeared that the tense atmosphere was broken.

Lu Qingshu quickly cupped his hands and bowed respectfully. ”Master!”

Li Changsheng bowed respectfully. ”Father.”

”What a pity, we couldn’t force that one to show himself,” Li Wuwang said softly.

”If Father had intervened back then, suppressed Xun Guozhu, perhaps that one would have appeared,” Li Changsheng replied.

Lu Qingshu, still in a state of uncertainty, thought to himself, Could it be that Li Wuwang was nearby all along? Did he watch me get humiliated without lifting a finger? And who was this ”one” they are trying to force out?

”Although I was only at the second tribulation when I was injured, Yun He is an anomaly and an ancient being. With my current strength... facing him head-on would likely be futile.” Li Wuwang shook his head. ”I must wait for him to reveal himself before I have any chance.”

Lu Qingshu gasped. So Master has been waiting for an anomaly to appear!

In his eyes, these anomalies were nothing more than ageless beings who appeared from time to time. They didn’t seem particularly powerful, and he hadn’t even heard of them acting against others.

Yet, this anomaly had wounded his master, and now Li Wuwang was so cautious of him?

Li Changsheng furrowed his brow. ”What about here...?”

”Leave this matter for now,” Li Wuwang said calmly. ”Since the Divine Dao Sect has moved out, we will leave the rest to the Spirit God Sect.

”As for that kid, if he stays here for now, let him be. But if he sneaks into Qiufeng again, make sure to capture him alive.”

Li Changsheng immediately nodded. ”Understood.”