Immortal of the Nine Realms

Immortal blood rained down in torrents, and a thick fog of blood mist spread like wildfire. The death of the second-transformation sword cultivator had released an overwhelming wave of spiritual energy, suffusing a hundred thousand miles with oppressive intensity.

Xu Qingsong stood dumbfounded. His mouth was agape, and his eyes locked on Fang Chen. He was overwhelmed with shock, terror, and disbelief.

Had this man... Had Fang Chen hidden his true cultivation all along?

”It all makes sense now...” muttered Xu Qingsong to himself as he recalled the battle that had occurred long ago at Immortal Dynasty Mansion.

Qu Ge and the others exchanged glances of dread. ”To slay a second-transformation sword cultivator with a sword, could it be...”

Could it be that Fang Chen was never a mere mortal cultivator? And that all this time, he had been a Loose Immortal sword cultivator in disguise? Was the Fang Chen that had fought beside them merely a facade?

Nangong Yuanzhen’s expression darkened.

Yan Haoran swallowed hard. With a sharp turn, he barked at Wang Chongsong, ”Martial Uncle, isn’t Li Wuwang here too? Let him attack!”

Wang Chongsong sighed deeply. How could Li Wuwang dare to step in now?

Two unknown forces still lurked in the shadows. If Li Wuwang dared move, he’d risk losing another arm, or perhaps even more. Fang Chen had just slain a second-transformation sword cultivator. Who could truly grasp the limits of his strength?

”Candle dragons...” whispered Nie Yunqian, her voice trembling as she gazed at the dragons coiled around Fang Chen’s armor. Her expression shifted from doubt to horror.

Having dealt with the Yin Holy Sect for many years, she recognized the signs. The presence of the candle dragons... matched a terrifying legend.

Wang Chongsong suddenly spoke up. ”Fang Chen, your strength is undeniable. Would you consider joining the Spirit God Sect? With your talent, you’d soon command great power in the Ancient Desolate Realm.”

Yan Haoran perked up with a spark of hope. If Fang Chen accepted the offer, perhaps this disaster could be averted.

However, Fang Chen simply smiled. ”Would you consider joining the Killing Spiritual Division instead? With your skills, it won’t be long before you can trample over the Spirit God Sect.”

Without another word, Yan Haoran turned and bolted. He fled straight toward the Starry Teleportation Formation leading to the Chaotic Star.

He had originally chosen to ambush Fang Chen in the Immortal Demon Sea because of the proximity of the formation. If something went wrong, he could escape swiftly. He hadn’t expected to use it.

Du Anxian, Qu Ge, Nie Yunqian, Nangong Yuanzhen, Wang Chongsong, and Fairy Yu scattered in different directions. Only Ouyang Xuanzhen and the Great Expansion Dao Sect cultivators under his command remained rooted, as they were too afraid to flee.

Fang Chen walked calmly to his true body. Standing beside it, he cast a glance in the direction that Fairy Yu had fled.

”If I can just return to the Prison Wind Lands, I’ll report this matter to my master. He will deal with this monster!” Yan Haoran muttered to himself.

He burned his inner immortal essence and fled at lightning speed. Excuses formed in his mind.

He thought bitterly, This wasn’t my fault. It was Wang Chongsong’s plan that failed!

Then something changed. His cultivation power began to vanish, and he grew weak. His power left him like water leaking from a shattered vase.

Yan Haoran fell from the sky with a splash and plunged helplessly into the Immortal Demon Sea.

As he thrashed in the waves, he gasped, ”What’s happening!?”

His cultivation power was gone. He was mortal now.

He felt the same as the time he’d secretly ascended a few steps of the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps in his youth. It was the suffocating powerlessness of being stripped bare of his cultivation power.

It wasn’t just him. Qu Ge, Du Anxian, Nie Yunqian, and everyone who had fled were the same. They had all become mortals.

Wang Chongsong cried out. ”Sword Domain!”

He began treading water as he turned to look back at Fang Chen. Then, gritting his teeth, he gave up and swam toward the drifting boat.

The sea churned and guided them back. Before long, the fleeing cultivators were all forced to return. Their faces were pale, and their hearts sank.

Ouyang Xuanzhen could only watch as his allies returned like beaten dogs. His blood ran cold.

What kind of technique is this?

”The sea is cold. Let’s talk onshore,” reminded Fang Chen casually, beckoning them to board his boat.

They exchanged glances. The reality was clear—resistance was futile. One by one, they clambered aboard the boat.

”My lord, surely you won’t kill me? After all, I am still the Fairy Yu you once knew... We’re no different,” pleaded Fairy Yu sweetly.

Fang Chen ignored her and looked toward the bow of the boat instead. A mysterious woman was standing there with otherworldly grace, her aura calm and cold.

The others felt a chill crawl up their spines.

When had she arrived? Was she always here?

They hadn’t sensed her at all.

Fairy Yu recoiled in shock. ”It’s you! You spoke to him that day... You returned and told him!”

”If not for her, I might never have known who you really were,” said Fang Chen softly.

The woman’s gaze grew colder as she studied Fairy Yu. ”Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo... No wonder the Crimson Fiend Demonic Sovereign appeared that day. It came for you.”

Turning to Fang Chen, she spoke solemnly, ”Fellow Daoist, the woman you knew is dead. This woman before you is now a vessel for the Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo. You wouldn’t let me kill her before, but now, surely you believe me. I must take her with me today.”

Though her tone was calm, a flicker of uncertainty passed through her eyes.

Back at Jade Bamboo Peak, she had warned Fang Chen and had planned to strike. However, he had told her then that if she did, she might not leave alive.

She hadn’t believed him then, but she did now. Nevertheless, she believed she had a seventy percent chance of winning.

Fang Chen frowned and replied, ”I still don’t know who you are. There might be ways to purify her and save her from the Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed. ”There are no such ways. The Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo is a special existence and an omen of calamity. Letting her cultivation level grow stronger is courting disaster.”

”Ask him. He’s the one who planted it in her,” said Fang Chen coldly, signalling to Wang Chongsong.

Wang Chongsong sighed. ”Ahhh... This bone destiny is ruined, but regardless, we’ll meet again.”

Before anyone could stop him, he crumbled into dust and vanished like a sand sculpture washed away by the tide.

”No soul detected,” muttered Fang Chen, eyes narrowing.

There was no remnant nor any essence left behind of Wang Chongsong. He had never truly been alive in this realm!

What kind of immortal technique is this Thirty-Six Bone Destinies that the Era Immortal King spoke of?

The mysteries deepened.

Fang Chen, with his sword in hand, remained unmoved amidst the waves.