Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen clearly felt that after Song Zhili revealed his identity as a ”sword cultivator,” the crowd’s attitude cooled a little.

Only after Huang Qingque spoke again did their gazes thaw. His words reminded them of what it meant to cross swords with a third transformation sword cultivator.

For many of the Loose Immortals present, even stepping into the second transformation was a dream for this lifetime. Fewer still would ever glimpse the third. Realizing that, they understood the value in forging ties with a cultivator capable of slaying a second transformation sword cultivator.

Something else also lingered in their minds. Huang Qingque had mentioned that after the third transformation, the path of sword cultivation led nowhere.

Among ordinary cultivators, one might walk the loose immortal path and still rely on rare immortal herbs for breakthroughs. Difficult as it may be, there was at least hope.

If a sword cultivator truly had no road beyond the third transformation... then was that not a dead end?

Fang Chen quickly dismissed that thought.

What others believed, even a scion like Huang Qingque, was not necessarily true. The one who created the Eight Desolation Supreme Sword Scripture could not possibly have been limited to just three transformations.

Still, if even Huang Qingque believed it so, then it stood to reason that most of the cultivation world thought the same.

Did Li Wuwang know that his own advancement beyond the third transformation was nearly hopeless? If he knew, why would he still serve as Song Zhili’s blade? To ensure that when he fell one day, the Heavenly Sword Division would at least have a powerful backer?

”Young Lord Qingque is most right,” said Song Zhili with a smile, as if he hadn’t just tried to discredit Fang Chen. ”With Division Head Fang’s abilities, he is undoubtedly among the elites of this realm. Who would dare take him lightly? Otherwise, I wouldn’t have shamelessly come here today.”

Huang Qingque beamed and recommended, ”Division Head Fang, once this matter concludes, you should stay a little longer on Yuxu Star. Division Head Duan and I shall show you around to view the differences between our star and Tuxiong Star.”

Several division heads couldn’t help but cast envious glances. It was clear that Fang Chen had won Huang Qingque’s favor, perhaps even being groomed to become a core member of the Huang Family, just like Division Head Duan.

After all, it was all thanks to the immortal herb bestowed by the Huang Family that Division Head Duan was able to advance to the fourth transformation, becoming a Corpse Transcending Immortal.

”Gaining Young Lord Qingque’s favor guarantees a bright future in the division,” remarked Song Zhili. ”Perhaps, one day, we can all set aside our blades and sit down for tea instead. Wouldn’t that be the greatest sight?”

Fang Chen looked at him calmly.

Still trying to provoke me?

It was clear that Song Zhili was hoping to use Huang Qingque’s influence to pressure him, or maybe even force a transfer away from Tuxiong Star.

Just then, Old Dragon, who had been silent till now, stepped forward abruptly and reported to Huang Qingque, ”Young Lord Qingque, another important figure from the Spirit God Sect has arrived. He says he must speak with someone inside....”

The hall stirred.

”Oh?” Huang Qingque’s gaze turned to Song Zhili. ”You didn’t come alone? Were you afraid I might break the rules and detain you? Do you distrust me or Ji Tiandu?”

”Young Lord Qingque, please don’t misunderstand,” replied Ji Tiandu with a bow. ”Brother Song did come alone. This must be a misunderstanding. Let the guest enter and clear things up.”

Huang Qingque nodded. Old Dragon turned towards the door and yelled, ”Let them in.”

The door opened, and Xu Changshi entered along with a group of Spirit God Sect cultivators, all robed in black embroidered with golden flames. Their expressions were stern, their auras sharp, and their eyes filled with killing intent.

They did not spare anyone a glance and headed straight for Song Zhili.

”Song Zhili, your crime has been exposed. Come with us,” said Xu Changshi coldly.

A ripple passed through the hall.

”Are they Spirit God Sect Enforcers?” murmured someone.

Everyone knew who they were. The Spirit God Sect, like all great sects, maintained its own enforcers. The selection for enforcers was stringent. Their job was to surveil their peers.

They were rarely seen in person, but whenever they appeared, bloodshed always followed.

Song Zhili’s eyes widened with shock. His eyes flicked over the enforcers, then locked onto Xu Changshi, growling, ”You’re framing me?”

Ji Tiandu frowned but said nothing. He waited to see how this played out. Huang Qingque was mildly surprised, though he too said nothing in Song Zhili’s defense.

”The Frost Water Immortal Flame was stolen under your watch, yet you have not reported to the higher-ups till now,” accused Xu Changshi coldly. ” Our enforcers went to Thousand Dao Tower and confirmed it’s missing. And you dare say I’m framing you?”

He smiled grimly. ”Even your senior, Yuanhua, tried to hide the matter. He’ll be joining you soon as your cellmate. No doubt a fitting reunion.”

”Song Zhili, you’re under arrest. Come with us willingly or suffer in our hands,” said another enforcer harshly as he stepped forward.

Song Zhili’s expression flickered with fury and disbelief.

He did not expect to get caught regarding the missing Frost Water Immortal Flame.

He had relied on Yuanhua to buy him enough time to reach a deal and to clean up the aftermath. But now? The secret had already been exposed.

It had to be Xu Changshi. He must’ve had spies planted in Thousand Dao Tower!

Xu Changshi’s ancestor, a sixth-transformation Loose Immortal, had been slain by Song Zhili’s senior brother—Wang Chongsong—dragging down the entire Heavenly Sage Sect. For generations, the Xu family had oppressed Heavenly Saint Sect cultivators over this.

It all fell into place.

”Brother Ji, if they take me away, the matter you asked of me may be delayed...” pleaded Song Zhili.

Ji Tiandu frowned. He looked at the enforcers and said, ”I am Ji Tiandu of the Minor Immortal Realm. May I ask your name, honorable enforcers?”

The third-transformation enforcer’s eyes flickered with recognition. The Minor Immortal Realm?

Despite that, the enforcer’s tone remained monotonous.

”The internal affairs of the Spirit God Sect are no concern of the Minor Immortal Realm.”

Ji Tiandu smiled and bragged, ”My brother is close with Du Yue Immortal from your sect. I hear he is also an enforcer? Perhaps...”

”Du Yue Immortal will not break the laws,” replied the enforcer, his tone, albeit softer than before. ”Rest assured, if Song Zhili is proven innocent, we will release him. We do not punish our own without proof.”

Then he turned to Song Zhili and ordered, ”Now move, or die.”

Seeing Ji Tiandu remain silent, Song Zhili gave up all hope in Huang Qingque’s intervention. His face darkened, his eyes burning with venom. Glaring hatefully at Xu Changshi, he followed the enforcers.

Xu Changshi walked behind him, never once glancing Fang Chen’s way.

Not a single word or look.

It was as if Fang Chen never existed.