Immortal of the Nine Realms

At Elder Lin’s table sat various Loose Immortals. Those with minor backgrounds were seated further away, while those of higher status, like Nangong Yuanzhen, were seated closer to Elder Lin.

A first-transformation Loose Immortal noticed Xing Jintuo and Marshal Xiao and was immediately intrigued. “Huh? Those two look unfamiliar. Are they cultivators too?”

While Marshal Xiao didn’t give off much of an impression, the presence of Xing Jintuo stirred a faint sense of unease in the crowd. It was a sign that his cultivation was at least on par with theirs. He was undoubtedly another Loose Immortal.

Elder Lin was surprised as well; he didn’t recognize either of the men. But today was a joyous occasion, and guests were to be treated with respect. So he stood with a smile and cupped his hands to greet them.

“Lin Yuan greets you both. May I ask who you are?”

“It’s him,” Marshal Xiao Lang said.

Without a word, Xing Jintuo suddenly vanished like a bolt of lightning and appeared before Elder Lin, delivering a crushing punch.

Elder Lin didn’t even have time to retract his smile. His immortal energy surged instinctively, but in the next instant, it was utterly annihilated.

He had been blown apart.

A first-transformation Loose Immortal from the Nine Immortals Mountain Holy Land had been killed on the very day of his wedding celebration by two strangers of unknown origin, with a single punch.

A mist of blood sprayed over the table and onto the guests, bringing with it a chilling air.

After this, Xing Jintuo glanced around at the stunned onlookers, then turned and left with Marshal Xiao without another word.

They had arrived suddenly and left just as cleanly.

From beginning to end, not a single word was wasted. Only once the two disappeared completely from sight did the Loose Immortals present begin to react.

In truth, they had already reacted the moment Elder Lin was struck down, but no one dared to move. Anyone who could so openly kill an elder of the Nine Immortals Mountain Holy Land had to be from a power at least as great, if not greater.

And that punch, none among them had the confidence to withstand such force. It was unlike anything they had ever seen.

The wedding guests looked at one another, stunned. The Lin Clan descendants finally snapped out of their daze, faces pale and full of disbelief.

An old man among them dropped to his knees with a thud at the spot where Elder Lin had died, his voice hoarse with grief. “Senior Nangong! My father died unjustly!”

Nangong Yuanzhen stood solemnly and immediately called out, “Who were those men? Why did they kill Elder Lin of the Nine Immortals Mountain?”

A distant voice replied, “The Killing Spiritual Division executes cultivators of the Spirit Blood Sect. None may interfere.”

Everyone exchanged looks. Spirit Blood Sect?

A few Loose Immortals glanced at one another in guilt. They had known Lin had dealings with the sect, but had assumed it was just a loose alliance, not that he was a member.

“They were from the Killing Spiritual Division...” Nangong Yuanzhen’s face turned grim. He turned to the elderly man kneeling beside the bloodstained spot. “If Elder Lin was your father, then tell me, did you know he was part of the Spirit Blood Sect?”

The old man stared blankly. “Impossible...”

“The Killing Spiritual Division has unique authority. Since this concerns them and the Spirit Blood Sect, we should not interfere lightly. I will report this to the elders of Nine Immortals Mountain and see how they choose to handle it.”

With that, Nangong Yuanzhen departed quickly.

Qu Ge and Du Anxian also rose and took their leave.

Seeing this, the other Loose Immortals no longer wished to linger. Elder Lin was dead, and they had no sympathy for his descendants. Without a word, they left one after another.

Nangong Yuanzhen, Qu Ge, and Du Anxian regrouped a hundred miles away.

“Monarch Xing’s technique is truly extraordinary. I heard it’s the path of a martial artist?”

Du Anxian’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as she tried to learn more from Qu Ge and Nangong Yuanzhen.

“No need for polite probing. We don’t know any more than you do,” Qu Ge replied. “Back then, I thought the Martial God Division was just a smokescreen. Now I realize I was naive. The path of martial arts... can actually kill immortals.”

He looked solemn. “I wonder if the Mortal Realm’s living can follow that path too?”

Du Anxian immediately caught the implication. Behind her and Qu Ge were the Qu and Du clans, two of the great families of Prison Wind.

With countless family members under their banner, if the path of martial arts worked for them, it would be like having a new road to ascend.

“I’ve heard the Martial God Division has no strict entry requirements; even wandering souls from the Underworld can join. When we next meet the lord, we should ask him.”

Nangong Yuanzhen nodded thoughtfully. “When I saw Monarch Xing in the Underworld, I couldn’t discern his path. Now, having seen his strength, I’d wager he’s no weaker than a sword cultivator of the same realm.”

“Lin Yuan has been executed. There are still many Loose Immortals on the list, some from your Qu and Du Clans. There are also two more from Nine Immortals Mountain. I’ll return to monitor them. You should return to your respective clans as well.”

With that, Nangong Yuanzhen turned and sped off toward Nine Immortals Mountain.

Qu Ge and Du Anxian also departed.

Everyone had their own tasks. They were all operating under the unified plan laid out by Marshal Xiao.

Fortunately, he had not asked them to act openly. Instead, they remained hidden, prepared to handle any possible contingencies from the Spirit Blood Sect.

The later their positions were exposed, the better it would be for them.

***

Yin Holy Sect.

The protective formation had been active for over a year. The second-transformation Loose Immortals that Nie Changkong had invited had also been eating and drinking for free for over a year.

On this day, the quiet room where Yu Tingzhai had been in seclusion suddenly opened. As he stepped out, he was met with a familiar figure.

“Lord,” Yu Tingzhai greeted calmly, cupping his hands.

Deep in Yu Tingzhai’s gaze was a flash of excitement and gratitude.

He had once believed he would never reach the fourth transformation. Yet after a few short years under Monarch Yan’s banner, he had received a rare fourth rank immortal herb, the Garan Seed of Immortality.

With it, he successfully advanced to the rank of fourth transformation and became a Great Luo Immortal.

“So you’ve succeeded? That’s good.” Fang Chen smiled. “The major mortal powers of the Nine Realms value fourth-transformation Loose Immortals highly. This news should be kept secret for now. Otherwise, the origin of the herb would be too difficult to explain.”

“If I act carefully and directly eliminate Song Zhili, there won’t be much evidence left behind,” Yu Tingzhai said softly. “At most, some will suspect, but there will be no proof.”

“Even suspicions cause trouble. For now, stay as you’ve been. The matters in Prison Wind are not yours to handle.”

With that reminder, Fang Chen turned and left.

***

The Heavenly Sword Division’s base in the Qiufeng region was known to few. Those who did know were mostly Spirit Blood Sect members.

Though the sword cultivators’ circumstances had improved in recent years, and they had made some major moves, they still retained their old cautious habits.

If unnecessary, the Heavenly Sword Division remained hidden in the shadows, with no need to show themselves.

On the surface, the base resembled an ordinary sect in the middle ranks

Suddenly, the sword cultivator guarding the gate saw a familiar figure appear at the mountain entrance. Alarmed, he immediately began transmitting messages in all directions.