Immortal of the Nine Realms

The next guest to arrive was the Nine Generations King, who brought many of his direct relatives. Ji Liang was among them, and when he saw Fang Chen, his gaze wavered for a moment. He forced a smile and greeted Fang Chen with a polite but insincere bow. Then Ji Liang followed the Nine Generations King through the mountain pass.

Not long after that, the Immortal Peak King arrived. He spoke with Fang Chen in a gentle tone and introduced his descendants to him. They were Bai Qingming’s brothers and sisters, and they knew very well that Fang Chen had a close relationship with Bai Qingming. However, Fang Chen was the only one who had returned from that place he and Bai Qingming had gone to together. Knowing that made Bai Qingming’s siblings wary of him, and as a result, they didn’t react warmly to his greeting.

Then another immortal boat arrived.

”Old Yue, what’s the point of talking to a junior like him?”

The person who spoke and disembarked resembled Xia Xuanji. Behind him were a number of cultivators, and Fang Chen recognized a few of them from when he was in Yong’an City. They were the adopted sons of the Corrosive Dragon King.

One of them was Chen Mang, a peak Dao Union Realm cultivator who had already passed through nine tribulations. His cultivation base was stronger than Bai Qingming and Yan Kun. He still remained at the peak of the Dao Union Realm, and it was clear that taking the next step toward the Ascension Realm would not be easy.

Another of the Corrosive Dragon King’s adopted sons was Feng Ya. He was a minor figure with relatively low cultivation and little significance.

Fang Chen’s attention was focused on the Corrosive Dragon King. His appearance, figure, and even his voice were identical to Xia Xuanji. It was as if they had been carved from the same mold. The only difference was that Xia Xuanji’s cultivation level had only reached the peak of the Lower Four Realms, the Nascent Soul Realm. Whereas, the man standing before Fang Chen now was in the Upper Three Realms, a peak Ascension Realm cultivator, and one of the Immortal Kings of the current era.

That was the second time Fang Chen had seen the Corrosive Dragon King. The first time had been some time ago at the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

Immortal Peak King remarked casually, ”You’ve come too? I heard that the Heavenly Demon Empire in the north has been a bit restless lately.”

Fang Chen’s train of thought shifted. It seemed the Spirit God Sect had indeed begun making moves. Even the Immortal Peak King had received news of it. That indicated that strange occurrences were also happening outside of the Southern Continent.

”The Heavenly Demon Empire has been a little restless for years. Why make a big deal of it? I heard your most outstanding son, Bai Qingming, passed away? My condolences, Old Yue,” said the Corrosive Dragon King with a slight smile.

The Immortal Peak King snorted coldly. Refusing to talk to him any longer, he walked toward the mountain gate.

As the Corrosive Dragon King passed by Fang Chen, he maintained his smile as he looked Fang Chen up and down. ”I heard that you took my adopted son, Xia Ji, to the Three Thousand Dao Sect. What’s the meaning of this?”

After bowing, Fang Chen straightened his back and replied calmly, ”Xia Ji wanted to stay at the Three Thousand Dao Sect. Do you intend to meddle in this?”

He was not as polite as he had been with the Immortal Peak King.

Chen Mang’s expression darkened, and he snorted coldly. ”You’re the Sword Chief of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, and yet you’re speaking to my father in such an impolite manner. Have you lost all sense of propriety? Is this how the Void Immortal Sword Sect teaches its disciples?”

”Do you think this is any of your business?” retorted Fang Chen, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

Chen Mang sneered, ”I see that you don’t understand manners at all.”

Chatter arose among the sword cultivators behind Fang Chen. They looked at Chen Mang with half-smiles, showing no fear on their faces.

Chen Mang was the adopted son of an Immortal King, but that wasn’t something to boast about in the Void Immortal Sword Sect.

”Xia Ji is a good child, but he has never truly opened his heart to me. I arranged a place for him to stay, but he refused and insisted on going to the Three Thousand Dao Sect. Oh, well. What is the use of an adopted son like that?” The Corrosive Dragon King chuckled softly. ”Go back and tell him that he is no longer my adopted son.”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Understood.”

The Corrosive Dragon King’s expression darkened, and he glared at Fang Chen for a moment. Then he snorted coldly and walked toward the mountain gate.

Chen Mang and the others exchanged glances and quickly followed, secretly feeling pleased that Xia Ji had been expelled from their sect so easily.

Most of the prominent Immortal Kings arrived over the next few days, including those from the Desolate Academy. Aside from Instructor Jin of the Artifact Department and Instructor Wen of the Achievement Department, the rest of the academy’s instructors were present: Instructor Lu of the Combat Department, Instructor Han of the Technique Department, and Instructor Zhao of the Talismans Department.

Instructor Zhao knew Fang Chen was researching talismans at the Desolate Academy. Nevertheless, he wasn’t surprised to see another Fang Chen greeting guests at the mountain gate of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. He assumed the one in the Void Immortal Sword Sect was Fang Chen in his true body.

Peach blossoms were in full bloom on the immortal mountain, their fragrance filling the air. Immortal tables were arranged neatly in this divine place, and the spirit wine on the tables emitted an intoxicating aroma that wafted through the venue.

All the Immortal Kings took their seats and harmoniously congratulated the host of the event, Wang Zhenlong.

Only the Immortal Kings could attend the banquet. Everyone else, including Fang Chen, had to stand on the sidelines.

”Daoist Wang, your successful advancement to Immortal King is truly a great event for the Central Continent. Let me offer you a toast,” said one of the Immortal Kings, raising his cup with a smile.

Everyone was smiling, but their eyes secretly examined the aura around Wang Zhenlong, comparing it with the Old Sword Immortal.

The conclusion they came to was that Wang Zhenlong was far inferior to the Old Sword Immortal. Perhaps he could make a name for himself among the Immortal Kings, but he wouldn’t pose a threat to a First Rate Sect Leader.

Once they realized that, they all breathed a sigh of relief. After all, sword cultivators were known for their fiery temper. If another Sword Immortal like the Old Sword Immortal were to appear and take the helm of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, they would all feel uneasy.

Feeling quite pleased, some disciples of the Void Immortal Sword Sect whispered among themselves.

”These Immortal Kings probably wouldn’t even spare us a glance if it weren’t for Supreme Emperor Wang’s successful advancement, let alone come to a banquet like this.”

”Fortunately, his advancement was successful, and we can all focus on our cultivation without worry.”

Fang Chen sighed inwardly as he swept his gaze over the Immortal Kings in front of him.

How many of them have been bought off by the Spirit God Sect? How many of them were originally members of the Spirit God Sect?

With Wang Chongsong currently overseeing the Void Immortal Sword Sect, he could ensure the sect wouldn’t be harassed by the Spirit God Sect, at least for the time being. However, in the long run, the Void Immortal Sword Sect would inevitably have a second Qin Hucheng, followed by a third and even a fourth....

”Daoist Wang, how could you not invite me to such a major event like advancing to Immortal King?!”

A hearty laugh rang out in the air, followed by a flash of light. Ouyang Xuanzhen, Immortal King Gu Xi, and Dragon Sovereign appeared one after the other.

The Void Immortal Sword Sect had poor relations with the Dao Sects, particularly the Great Expansion Dao Sect, and had not sent invitations to these three people. They had arrived at the banquet uninvited!

The Immortal Kings present exchanged odd glances. Who had given Ouyang Xuanzhen the courage to show up at the Void Immortal Sword Sect during such an occasion?

Wang Zhenlong gave a slight smile and was about to speak.

However, Ouyang Xuanzhen spoke first. ”Today, we have another distinguished guest. Shouldn’t everyone rise and show him some respect?”

Everyone froze. Rise and show him some respect?

Yan Haoran appeared beside Ouyang Xuanzhen and said, ”There’s no need for such formality. I’m just passing by and decided to sit in for a while.”

He swept his gaze over the crowd, nodding with a smile.

Wang Chongsong furrowed his brows slightly upon seeing this.

”This... is the aura of a First Rate Sect Leader...?”

The Immortal Kings were shocked. They stood up in unison, looking at Yan Haoran and the other three with apprehension.

No wonder the three of them seemed so pleased. They had formed an alliance with a First Rate Sect Leader!