Immortal of the Nine Realms

Division Head Duan left together with Huang Qingque.

As soon as the two departed, the atmosphere in the private room immediately grew more lively. After all, be it Duan or Huang Division Head, their identities, cultivation levels, and sheer presence were enough to make the other division heads feel restrained.

Even Old Dragon became more animated. Not only did he have the room redecorated, but he also ordered a variety of exquisite dishes to be served. He brought in over a hundred female cultivators in the Middle Three Realms to perform elegant dances.

Fang Chen inwardly sighed. Loose Immortals were truly in a class of their own. These female cultivators, if placed in the mortal world, would each be considered rulers in their own right. But compared to Loose Immortals, their cultivation simply didn’t measure up.

Still, for them, the chance to perform in such a setting was no doubt a rare opportunity, and they danced with earnest effort. Some even cast flirtatious glances in Fang Chen’s direction.

Old Dragon was just as hospitable to Head Mo as he was to Fang Chen. Everyone present could see clearly. Fang Chen not only possessed formidable strength, but he might also become a close confidant of Huang Qingque in the future. Even though he was a sword cultivator, it was more than worthwhile to forge ties with someone like him.

Studying Fang Chen’s eyes, Head Mo suddenly asked curiously, ”Division Head Fang, what’s the story with your eyes? Were they injured when you were younger? But now that we’re all Loose Immortals, there should be many ways to heal such things, right?”

Everyone’s expressions tightened with caution.

They had long noticed something odd about Fang Chen’s eyes. But to bring it up so directly? That was hardly appropriate. Pointing out someone’s flaws only fosters animosity.

Still, Head Mo was a third-transformation Loose Immortal, so he had the boldness to say such things.

Fang Chen replied with a calm smile, ”You may not know, but this is simply a side effect of cultivating an eye-based technique.”

An eye technique?

Everyone began to consider this thoughtfully.

Normally, the topic would have ended there, but to their surprise, Head Mo chuckled and added, ”Division Head Fang, you don’t look that old, yet you’ve come this far on the path of the sword. It’s clear your comprehension of swordsmanship is extraordinary. Would you be willing to take the stage and perform a sword dance for us? Let us witness the skill of a true sword cultivator. After all, it’s rare to see a sword cultivator at your level of cultivation.”

Fang Chen’s thoughts stirred. This old dog is getting desperate. It seems his relationship with Song Zhili goes far deeper than simple exchanges of benefit.

He smiled and waved his hand. ”How can a sword cultivator’s sword be used for performance? Head Mo, you’re putting me in a difficult position. If my sword heart or sword bones are damaged, how am I to slay the Spirit God Sect’s cultivators in the future?”

”Yes, yes, exactly.”

”Division Head Fang speaks with great reason.”

”Head Mo must’ve just been joking.”

Voices rose in agreement one after another, and the tension that had begun to build once again dissipated.

”Division Head Fang, you look so young. Do you have a Dao companion yet? My eye for people is never wrong. Look at these girls, every one of them is talented, beautiful, and gifted with strong roots and high comprehension. Why not pick a few to take back with you?”

Halfway into the drinking, one division head grew rather unrestrained. With a few dancers already in his arms, he began trying to play matchmaker for Fang Chen.

Chu Jia’s gaze turned cold, and she curled her lip. ”Shameless old man.”

”It’s rare for everyone to gather like this. He’s probably just a bit too happy,” said Pu Yuanzhu quietly with a soft laugh.

He looked at Fang Chen and said, ”Division Head Fang, if you don’t have a Dao companion, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take in a few from here. It would be good to pass on your bloodline and legacy.”

The one hundred female cultivators on the stage had already realized Fang Chen’s status. Even among this powerful group, he ranked near the top, if not the top. And more importantly, he looked so young. What kind of terrifying power would a cultivator that young already wield, to have become a division head and a revered figure? If they could latch onto someone like him, their cultivation road would be smooth forever.

”You’ve misunderstood. I’m actually not that young anymore. After all, a sword cultivator’s lifespan is only half that of everyone here.”

Fang Chen gave a light wave across his face, and his youthful appearance suddenly faded, replaced with one that looked weathered with age.

The crowd was momentarily stunned, their expressions shifting.

They now understood. Fang Chen had altered his appearance with a technique. This old face was his real face.

As Loose Immortals, their lifespans were exceptionally long. Unless one’s lifespan was nearly exhausted, it was rare to show signs of aging. Fang Chen smiled again and waved a hand, returning his face to its youthful state.

After that, the tone of the conversation with him shifted. No longer did they subconsciously treat him like a junior. They began speaking to him as a peer, realizing his age likely wasn’t so different from theirs after all.

Even Head Mo no longer acted so aggressively, nor did his tone sound mocking. Perhaps because he now saw Fang Chen as someone with little time left, and therefore not worth offending.

At that moment, someone changed the topic, saying, ”By the way, I heard there’s going to be an Immortal Exchange soon. A lot of treasures and pills will be sold there, and some folks are planning to trade peak-grade spirit stones to help comprehend ancient spiritual energy.”

”Oh? Where’s this Immortal Exchange being held? Who’s organizing it? Is it safe?”

”It’s safe. It’s being held in the Ancient Desolate Realm. Supposedly, it’s being hosted personally by the Grand Desolate Immortal.”

”Grand Desolate Immortal? He’s known to be fairly trustworthy. If I’ve got time, I might head over for a look too. With a bit of luck, maybe I’ll come back with a spiritual treasure.”

”A spiritual treasure? Don’t kid yourself. If there really are spiritual treasures, they’ll be fought over by Immortals. You and I won’t even get close.”

”What’s that supposed to mean? Some of the treasures might be damaged or incomplete. Immortals might not even bother with them. But we’re not that picky. And besides, if fate is on our side, even an Immortal might not win the fight.”

Fang Chen listened to the lively chatter, lost in thought.

He possessed a peak-grade spirit stone, which was a gift from the old flood dragon. It contained Azure Lightning Energy, a type of ancient elemental energy that had long since gone extinct in the current era. Only someone like him, who had earned the approval of the Azure Lightning God Beast, could harness it.

If someone at this Immortal Exchange really was looking to trade peak-grade spirit stones, then it might be worth attending. There was a chance he could acquire one of the ninety-nine special elemental energies mentioned in the Great Heavenly Sovereign Chapter.

As for the ”Immortals” they spoke of, when referring to a cultivator as only an ”Immortal,” they were referring to Loose Immortals at the third-transformation and above. For instance, Division Head Duan, being a fourth transformation Corpse Transcending Immortal, qualified as an Immortal.

”Division Head Fang, since this Immortal Exchange is taking place in the Ancient Desolate Realm, how about we attend together? Most of us here are from the True Martial Realm and aren’t familiar with the Ancient Desolate Realm. Today, among everyone present, only you and Pu Yuanzhu seem to have a good understanding of that place.”

Fang Chen smiled and nodded. ”No problem. I’m quite interested in this Immortal Exchange myself. I’d be glad to go along with you all.”

Their conversation reminded him of something else. He glanced at Pu Yuanzhu and sent him a message through voice transmission, ”Does the position as Division Head of Chaotic Star come with complications?”

Huang Qingque was from the True Martial Realm, and nearly all the division heads here were too.

Only Pu Yuanzhu and himself had different backgrounds.

”There are some complications, but probably nothing major. Now that both of us are aligned with Huang Qingque’s faction, his appointment of you as division head could technically be seen as approval.

”The previous division head of Chaotic Star not only neglected his duties, but his superiors also turned a blind eye as they didn’t want trouble. Your appointment may now serve as a test of their attitude.”

”So when you went to Chaotic Star before, it was to test their stance?”

”Exactly. And judging by how things turned out, it seems he truly doesn’t want to get involved in anything related to Chaotic Star. Or... maybe he just thought your cultivation was too low, and didn’t consider you worth a response. But this time, things are different.”

Pu Yuanzhu glanced at Fang Chen with meaningful eyes.