Immortal of the Nine Realms

A faint smile appeared on Fang Chen’s lips. He asked, ”How can you be so sure that the Old Flood Dragon has not already endured the Heavenly Tribulation?”

Wang Chongsong chuckled. ”If he had succeeded, do you really think Lu Qingshu would be able to escape?”

”Fair enough,” murmured Fang Chen.

Fairy Yu frowned. ”I’m surprised you had someone so formidable in Grand Xia. Today, you knew the Spirit God Sect would move against you here, at the Immortal Demon Sea. Yet, you still risked it all and placed your own safety in jeopardy?”

Yan Haoran laughed softly as he stepped forth from the void with his followers, his presence like a blade drawn in silence. ”Men become arrogant with strength. Perhaps Fang Chen believed he could face today’s dangers alone.”

Ouyang Xuanzhen emerged soon after, leading a group of the Great Expansion Dao Sect cultivators who had stayed hidden till now. The disciples beside Xu Qingsong exchanged looks and silently trembled. They knew their presence here today was no coincidence.

Yan Haoran’s eyes gleamed as he said, ”That day, someone sneaked into Thousand Dao Tower and stole the World Gourd and the Frost Water Immortal Flame. Was that you?”

Before Fang Chen could reply, Yan Haoran continued speaking with a knowing smile. ”The World Gourd contained the Heaven Calamity Dragoness and her companions. She is closely related to the Old Flood Dragon. No wonder he aided you today. Let me guess, he’s nearing the end of his life, soon to be struck by another tribulation, and now lives without restraint?”

Fang Chen shook his head slightly. ”You’re wrong. He attacked because the Spirit God Sect dared to target Chen Qianlong. This is just a warning from the Old Flood Dragon.”

”A warning we shall repay by tenfold,” replied Yan Haoran coldly.

A dark shadow loomed over the crowd as Nangong Yuanzhen stepped forward with a gaze like ice. ”My brother Nangong Yuancheng... Did you kill him?”

”I did,” replied Fang Chen.

He made no excuses or any attempts to evade the question. Fang Chen’s response was as calm as still water.

A moment passed in silence.

Then Nangong Yuanzhen whispered, ”Don’t let him die too easily.”

Yan Haoran agreed. ”Certainly.”

Xu Qingsong’s heart turned cold. These were not idle threats. Fang Chen had made enemies of First-Rate Sect Leaders and even slain one of their brothers. What kind of storm had he stirred in the Prison Wind Lands?

Yan Haoran narrowed his eyes. ”How many First-Rate Sect Leaders have you brought with you today? Why don’t you call them out?”

”None,” said Fang Chen simply.

Yan Haoran laughed in disbelief.

Wang Chongsong frowned as he peered into the Heaven Profound Mirror. ”He might be telling the truth. Several unidentified Loose Immortals have appeared and killed many from Heavenly Demon, Flying Star, and Holy Puppet factions...”

He studied Fang Chen with renewed suspicion. ”You didn’t believe I’d cause internal strife here, so you moved your forces away just to thwart our plans?”

He continued, ”You know this will only delay the inevitable. Many have yet to act. Take Li Wuwang, for example. If he makes a move, even the Old Flood Dragon wouldn’t survive.”

Fang Chen laughed. ”Li Wuwang? Do you think he would dare act so recklessly? Has he forgotten that two extraordinary beings still lurk in the shadows? If he faces off against Old Flood Dragon, he’ll be forced to guard his own back.”

He paused, his gaze calm. ”If he does appear, I will exterminate them all myself.”

A furious voice rang out from the void, echoing across the sea like thunder. ”How arrogant!”

It belonged to a second-transformation sword cultivator who had stayed hidden during the conversation, but he could not hold back any longer. He had long revered Li Wuwang, a man who had elevated the presence of Prison Wind Lands. Hearing Fang Chen belittle him so casually, the second-transformation sword cultivator found it unbearably offensive.

He unleashed a terrifying sword intent, darkening the heavens and freezing the sea. Unable to withstand the pressure, thousands of sea creatures died in an instant.

Wang Chongsong and Yan Haoran shouted in unison, ”Stop! We still have use for him!”

However, the second-transformation sword cultivator ignored them. A beam of sword light shot down from the sky.

At once, everyone—including Wang Chongsong, Fairy Yu, and Yan Haoran—retreated a hundred miles in panic. None of them dared intercept this attack.

Staring into the rippling void, their faces turned grim. There was no way Fang Chen could survive a blow like that, especially with the Soul Locking Needle pinning his true form. However, Fang Chen was no ordinary Soul Splitting Realm cultivator.

A faint fog began to spread across the battlefield, unnoticed by ordinary eyes. It flowed upward from the Underworld. From the fog, a man stepped forth.

The entire battlefield froze.

The man was tall and clad in green armor, standing atop two candle dragons. Nine candle dragons coiled around him.

What shook the hearts of all who beheld him was not his power but his face... It was Fang Chen’s face.

The man extended his hand, and a sword of pure light emerged from Fang Chen and flew into his grip. Then, with a swing of his arm, he unleashed the First Sword of the Eight Desolation Supreme Sword Scripture. The raging sword tide recoiled like a wave breaking on stone.

The second-transformation sword cultivator reeled, then he struck again.

Fang Chen’s expression remained cold. He unleashed the Second Sword. The heavens came to still as the sword intent vanished.

Then came the Third Sword. From the void, a muffled groan echoed.

Then the Fourth Sword fell.

Splash!

A torrent of blood burst from the sky as if the heavens had wept crimson. The sea turned scarlet, dyed by the slain immortal’s flesh and blood. A mangled limb fell, clutching the hilt of a sword that quickly dissolved into dust.

”Managed to survive till my Fourth Sword,” whispered the man softly. He reached out to retrieve the Soul Locking Needle that had pierced Fang Chen and crushed them into ash.

Wang Chongsong’s face twisted in disbelief. ”Y-you’re Fang Chen too?”

”I am Fang Chen,” said the man, Fang Chen, with a smile.

The world seemed to fall silent.

Wang Chongsong laughed bitterly. ”No wonder you do not need protection. You are capable of protecting yourself.”

No one had expected this. They had all underestimated one thing—the terrifying power of Fang Chen himself.