Immortal of the Nine Realms

In the blink of an eye, Fang Chen found himself surrounded by several first-transformation sword cultivators. Razor-sharp sword intent filled the air around him.

Among these sword cultivators, at least one had already comprehended a sword domain, and his aura was particularly distinct.

No second-transformation sword cultivators appeared. Only Li Wuwang came forth to receive him. ”Guests are guests. What are you doing? Stand down.”

His word, within the Heavenly Sword Division, was law.

The surrounding sword cultivators reluctantly withdrew to the sides. Though they obeyed, their eyes remained wary, with a trace of suspicion still lingering.

How had this man found their location?

The Heavenly Sword Division had branches in many places, some even mistaken for the division’s true headquarters. But those were diversions. No one would suspect that the real stronghold was hidden in a place with such meager spiritual energy.

”Fellow Daoist Li, your Heavenly Sword Division really is tucked away. It took me quite some time and effort to get here,” Fang Chen said, cupping his hands.

”No need for small talk. I invited you for tea. Come in,” Li Wuwang replied calmly.

The nearby sword cultivators stared intently at Fang Chen, their eyes filled with suspicion and amusement.

Would he dare enter?

Before they could think further, Fang Chen had already turned into a flash of sword light and appeared beside Li Wuwang, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with him into the Heavenly Sword Division’s inner region.

”He’s got guts, I’ll give him that. Maybe capturing him outside would’ve been tricky, but this is our turf.”

”Exactly. If the leader chooses to act, he won’t leave this place alive.”

The surrounding sword cultivators exchanged glances, then quickly followed behind.

The interior of the Heavenly Sword Division was far simpler than Fang Chen had expected. Though he’d heard countless descriptions from his subordinates, seeing it in person was different.

There wasn’t even decent tea, let alone quality spirit fruits.

It wasn’t that Li Wuwang was being stingy. It was simply that this place genuinely didn’t care about such things.

”My place is unlike others. I don’t have much to offer. Now speak, what’s your purpose in coming here?” Li Wuwang asked coolly.

Fang Chen glanced around as he spoke. ”Where’s your deputy leader? I’ve never seen this famed third-transformation sword cultivator. Why not invite him out so we can all chat together?”

He had indeed never seen this third-transformation cultivator. Not even the Day Walkers or Night Walkers could locate him.

”You won’t see him,” said Li Wuwang, smiling. ”The Heavenly Sword Division doesn’t put all its eggs in one basket. We’ve toiled for many years and can’t risk losing it all overnight.”

”I see...” Fang Chen nodded. ”Understandable. Your partnership with the Spirit Blood Sect is about giving sword cultivators more dignity in this world.”

Li Wuwang didn’t respond. He simply shot Fang Chen a cold glance.

”But you’ve chosen the wrong path. Working with the Spirit Blood Sect won’t give you more dignity. Yes, maybe you’re no longer subject to the whims of local clans and sects, but you’re still at the mercy of the Spirit Blood Sect. They tell you to kill, and you kill... no matter the reason, no matter the consequences. In their eyes, you’re emotionless blades, meant only to slaughter.” Fang Chen chuckled. ”Is that what you call dignity?”

The first transformation sword cultivators around bristled with anger. He was questioning the path they had taken for years.

One of them finally yelled, ”Easy for you to say! Have you ever experienced what we’ve gone through? Do you even know why the Sword Duel Palace were so popular in places like Prison Wind, Longyuan, Minghu, and Sihui?! It’s because everyone saw us sword cultivators as hot-headed fools with no future. We are usually short-lived, with no one ever making it to the second or third transformation, so they acted without fear of retaliation.

”But the Spirit Blood Sect gave us the chance to ascend. And now in Prison Wind, who dares cross the Heavenly Sword Division? The Long Clan? Gone. Sun Clan? Gone. The only reason the Qu and Du Clans still stand is because they sided with the Spirit Blood Sect.”

”That’s right! Now we strike whomever we please. Even the Nine Immortals Mountain Holy Land trembles before us!”

”None of this existed before the Spirit Blood Sect got involved!”

”Without the Spirit Blood Sect, there’d be no Heavenly Sword Division today. If you came here to sow discord and drive a wedge between us and them, you’d better leave now.”

”Our leader won’t stand for it, and neither will we.”

”From your standpoint, I get it. The Spirit Blood Sect did do something for you,” Fang Chen said thoughtfully.

No one responded, but the mocking and disdain in their eyes said enough.

”You might’ve come here for nothing today.” Li Wuwang smiled. ”I won’t fight you now, but next time we meet, we’ll have to settle things one way or another.”

”Song Zhili’s in trouble,” Fang Chen said calmly.

A look of shock gripped the faces of everyone present, except for Li Wuwang, who remained composed. He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said flatly, ”What trouble could he possibly be in?”

”He lost the Frost Water Immortal Flame. The Spirit Blood Sect’s enforcers have taken him in for investigation. I suspect someone new will soon come to oversee the sect’s affairs here,” Fang Chen shared.

”Even if that’s true, what does it have to do with us? We’ve worked with the sect for years. Whoever replaces him will still find us useful,” Li Wuwang said with a faint smile.

”No, the person coming won’t use you—they’ll suppress you. In the future, your Heavenly Sword Division won’t even get a single Blood Spirit Pill,” Fang Chen replied with a knowing smile.

The mood in the hall turned icy. They instinctively believed he was talking nonsense, but the confidence in Fang Chen’s expression made them waver.

Fang Chen shook his head with a smile. ”Fellow Daoist Li, all you want is for sword cultivators to have a foothold in this world... but you don’t even have a chance of reaching the fourth transformation. When you and your hidden deputy pass on, there will only be a few second transformation-sword cultivators left. And when they pass... what then?

”At this rate, your years of effort will amount to nothing. Sword Duel Palaces will open their doors for business across the region once more.

”I’m not saying your path was wrong, but your next decision will determine your future.”

A sword cultivator snapped, ”Our leader is a rare genius. Reaching the fourth transformation is just a matter of time. If you keep talking nonsense, don’t blame us for acting against you.”

Fang Chen frowned. ”So... you really don’t know?”

He revealed, ”In all the Nine Realms, not a single fourth transformation sword cultivator has appeared. That is because the path to the fourth transformation... has already been severed.”

Severed?

Not a single fourth transformation sword cultivator?

Seeing the confusion spreading among the others, Li Wuwang furrowed his brow.

”All of you, leave us.”

”Understood.”

Though reluctant, they exited the hall, still mulling over what Fang Chen had just said.

”I’ve heard the same,” Li Wuwang admitted. ”After the third transformation, there really is no way forward for sword cultivators. Our path is unique. Even if we take the usual Loose Immortal route, immortal herbs are useless to us.”

He smiled faintly. ”That being the case, I have even less reason to sever ties with the Spirit Blood Sect and turn to work with you, unless you can offer something more valuable.”

”What about the path to the fourth transformation for sword cultivators?” Fang Chen asked softly. ”Would that be valuable enough?”