Immortal of the Nine Realms

Which First Rate Sect Leader was this?

Among the Immortal Kings present, only a few figured out Yan Haoran’s identity, while the majority knew nothing about him.

First Rate Sect Leaders were rarely seen, even by Immortal Kings. For some people, the number of times they had met a First Rate Sect Leader could be counted on one hand.

Yan Haoran’s gaze inadvertently swept over Wang Chongsong and then lingered on Wang Zhenlong for a moment. He smiled and said, ”I am Yan Haoran from the Ten Thousand Dao Tower. I’ve come here uninvited... Please don’t take offense, fellow Daoists.”

The Immortal Kings quickly replied, ”How could we take offense? We are honored by your presence and welcome you here!”

Accompanied by Ouyang Xuanzhen and the other two from the Dao Sects, Yan Haoran took a seat at the banquet.

Upon hearing the name Ten Thousand Dao Tower, Wang Zhenlong figured out who Yan Haoran was. Wang Zhenlong’s face bore a smile, but a deeply wary expression flashed in his eyes.

”Ten Thousand Dao Tower!?”

”Which faction is that? Why have we never heard of it before?”

Many Immortal Kings exchanged confused looks; they were clueless about what Ten Thousand Dao Tower represented. Could it be that there was a secret sect with a First Rate Sect Leader, one that they had no knowledge of?

Fang Chen quietly observed from the crowd. ”Yan Haoran arrived with Ouyang Xuanzhen and the other two. It seems that those three have made their choices as well.”

The Ten Thousand Dao Tower came from the Dao Sects, so it made sense that Yan Haoran would seek out the three major Dao Sects upon arriving. Yan Haoran wouldn’t have even needed to use the Spirit God Sect’s name to compel them to obey him. The power of the Ten Thousand Dao Tower alone was enough to make these three sects submit and participate in the unfolding events.

Aside from these three, there might be other Immortal Kings present whose allegiances were not as clear-cut.

The once lively banquet became solemn after Yan Haoran’s arrival. No one dared speak loudly. Everyone kept their heads down, sipping their drinks. Only when Yan Haoran spoke would they occasionally chime in with a response or a smile.

Glowing with vitality, Ouyang Xuanzhen poured wine for Yan Haoran and conversed cheerfully with the others. He occasionally steered the conversation toward the Void Immortal Sword Sect, recounting embarrassing stories of Wang Zhenlong from before he ascended to an Immortal King.

The expressions of the Void Immortal Sword Sect’s members grew increasingly dark. If it weren’t for the First Rate Sect Leader’s presence, how could Ouyang Xuanzhen dare come here and mock them?

”By the way, Xuanzhen, I heard you mention that there is a sword cultivator in this sect who not only cultivates the sword Dao but also excels in Dao arts and is a disciple of the Dao Sect?” Yan Haoran asked. He raised his cup and directed his gaze at Ouyang Xuanzhen before downing it in one go.

”There is indeed such a junior. I’ll look into it.”

Ouyang Xuanzhen glanced around and quickly spotted Fang Chen among the crowd.

Turning back to Yan Haoran with a smile, Ouyang Xuanzhen pointed at Fang Chen and said, ”Senior Yan, he’s the one. His Dao inheritance is extraordinary and comes from the Three Thousand Dao Sect, a place that once held great reverence in ancient times and claimed to be the origin of all Dao teachings in the world.”

Ouyang Xuanzhen chuckled softly and swept an arrogant gaze over the other Immortal Kings.

”Even the Ten Thousand Dao Tower, which Senior Yan represents, would never claim to be the birthplace of Dao techniques. But this claim has persisted here for many years. Some uninformed people even believe it and think that our three major Dao sects are somehow defying the Three Thousand Dao Sect’s teachings—that we secretly follow their tradition but refuse to acknowledge it. It’s truly laughable!”

”The Ten Thousand Dao Tower is also part of the Dao Sects? And it even has a First Rate Sect Leader?”

The crowd looked surprised.

The three major Dao Sects were well-known in the Central Continent, but they were seen as much weaker than the other major sects because they lacked a First Rate Sect Leader. Unexpectedly, it turned out that there was a Dao Sect with a Sect Leader, so the rumors about the Three Thousand Dao Sect... might actually hold some truth.

”Sometimes, when rumors are passed down, we simply refuse to refute them. But others will believe them as truth,” commented Immortal King Gu Xi with a smile and a shake of his head.

Dragon Sovereign chuckled. ”It’s just that we don’t want to bother with it.”

Their words were veiled criticisms of Fang Chen and the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

Instructor Lu from the Desolate Academy glanced at Ouyang Xuanzhen, Immortal King Gu Xi, and the Dragon Sovereign but remained expressionless, pouring himself a drink.

Instructor Han and Instructor Zhao also remained silent.

Since the focus was now on the Three Thousand Dao Sect and not the Desolate Academy, they saw no reason to offend a Loose Immortal with considerable power because of Fang Chen.

The Ten Thousand Dao Tower, one of the three great sects of the Prison Wind Lands, was well known. As elders of the Desolate Academy, Instructors Lu, Han, and Zhao certainly knew of it.

”As Immortal Kings, should the three of you really be quarreling with a junior? We are not beings who have existed since time immemorial; which of us knows the past in detail?” Wang Zhenlong asked with a chuckle, giving Ouyang Xuanzhen, Immortal King Gu Xi, and the Dragon Sovereign a look that seemed like a friendly reprimand. Then he turned to Yan Haoran and smiled. ”Senior Yan, today, everyone has graciously given me some face to celebrate my ascension to an Immortal King. Let me offer you a cup in return.”

When Yan Haoran saw Fang Chen, he was surprised, so much so that he ignored Wang Zhenlong’s toast. He put on a bright grin as he said, ”Ah, so it’s you.... You were the first sword cultivator to ascend the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps during the wager between the Long and Sun families, right? I didn’t expect you to have Dao teachings as well. I heard that Senior Zhao Yunlu from Yunlu City wanted to meet you due to some matters. No wonder I’ve never seen you; it turns out you’re a member of this sect.”

The crowd looked puzzled. ”Do these two know each other?”

Zhang Ling and the peak masters exchanged curious glances, wanting to know about what Fang Chen had encountered during his trip to the Prison Wind Lands.

How could such a powerful First Rate Sect Leader like Yan Haoran know his name?

Some of them recalled the earlier event when Li Changsheng led a group of sword cultivators to the Divine Dao Sect. Since the Divine Dao Sect members had left, they were unable to find the right person. So, they went to the Three Thousand Dao Sect, where they encountered Elder Xun.

Now, they had an inkling that the Divine Dao Sect’s First Rate Sect Leader had likely offended someone significant in the Prison Wind Lands, and it was very likely that it was the same person that Fang Chen had crossed paths with.

Zhao Yunlu?

They silently took note of the name.

Fang Chen returned the smile. ”It’s just a misunderstanding, nothing to worry about.”

”Since my Ten Thousand Dao Tower is quite renowned in the Prison Wind Lands, and you come from a Dao Sect, how about waiting a while and then returning to the Ten Thousand Dao Tower with me? I can arrange for someone to speak with Senior Zhao Yunlu and help clear up the misunderstanding,” suggested Yan Haoran warmly.

Wang Chongsong had been mostly silent all this time, but a flicker of disdain flashed across his face.

With such methods, how could he possibly lure this young man to the Ten Thousand Dao Tower?

”You need not trouble yourself, Senior,” replied Fang Chen with a bow. ”It’s safest for me to stay here for now. I value my life, so I have no intention of going to the Prison Wind Lands again in the short term.”

Yan Haoran smiled and nodded gently. ”You’re right.”

He did not press the matter any further. Instead, he continued discussing various topics with the others in a refined and graceful manner, completely shedding the demeanor of a First Rate Sect Leader.

The banquet lasted for an entire month. During that time, Yan Haoran generously offered guidance to the Immortal Kings present, helping many of them with their cultivation issues.

When the banquet ended, the Immortal Kings gradually departed, and the Void Immortal Sword Sect returned to business as usual.

Just as Yan Haoran was about to leave, he suddenly appeared in Wang Chongsong’s sanctum instead. Wang Chongsong stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from him.

”In the future, don’t embarrass yourself with little tricks like that,” said Wang Chongsong in a cool voice. ”That kid is sharp. Your methods will only alarm him and make him suspect your true identity.”

Standing in hiding nearby, Fang Chen nodded in agreement. It appeared that Wang Chongsong understood him quite well.