Immortal of the Nine Realms

Before Fang Chen could speak, Li Wuwang had already let out a sneer, fixing his half-smiling gaze on the Grand Elder of Nine Immortal Mountain.

He said, ”Grand Elder, I’ve heard that in ancient times, the cultivators here referred to themselves as ’Immortal Folk.’ This heritage has lasted for countless years. From top to bottom, the disciples are all more or less bound by blood, unlike any ordinary sect. So calling it a Holy Land isn’t an exaggeration.

”But now suddenly, you want an outsider to become the Holy Master of Nine Immortal Mountain? If word gets out, will everyone in the mountain agree? I fear it would spark an unprecedented upheaval.”

Zhu Yunchen silently nodded in agreement.

He had grown up in Nine Immortal Mountain. He was originally just an ordinary mortal. By a twist of fate, he had come to the true immortal mountain, entered the sacred land, and walked the path of sword cultivation. Only then had he reached his current cultivation and position.

Over the years, he had come to understand the Nine Immortal Mountain very deeply.

This place was far more cohesive than an ordinary sect, for a simple reason. Most of the cultivators were descendants of the ancient Immortal Folk. He himself was one of those descendants. The Grand Elder before them was also of Immortal Folk lineage.

From top to bottom, the Nine Immortal Mountain’s cultivators were all closely connected. Even if not direct relatives, they could at least be called distant kin.

He had joined the Heavenly Sword Division due to ideological alignment, not because of dissatisfaction with Nine Immortal Mountain. His respect for this Grand Elder had never wavered.

Yet now, hearing the Grand Elder invite an outsider to become the Holy Master, Zhu Yunchen couldn’t help but lose focus for a moment.

Why?

Fang Chen looked at the Grand Elder of Nine Immortal Mountain, looking just as puzzled as anyone else. ”Why?”

He had visited the Nine Immortal Mountain just to try his luck, wanting to see if he could buy the three top-grade spirit stones the old flood dragon had mentioned. He hadn’t expected the grand elder to not only offer him the spirit stones for free but to go as far as offering him the entire Nine Immortal Mountain Sacred Land.

When something was too unusual, there was always a catch.

”Someone once said that Young Friend Fang is a dragon among men, capable of leading the Nine Immortal Mountain Sacred Land to further prosperity,” the Grand Elder of Nine Immortal Mountain said softly.

Lies....

Fang Chen smiled and shook his head. ”It seems the Grand Elder doesn’t intend to sell the spirit stones. I’ve disturbed you. I’ll take my leave.”

Fang Chen stood up and turned to go.

Li Wuwang didn’t hesitate either and followed him out.

The Grand Elder of Nine Immortal Mountain was slightly stunned by Fang Chen’s sudden departure. ”Young Friend Fang, won’t you reconsider? If you become the Holy Master of Nine Immortal Mountain, all its resources would be at your disposal.”

”What I lack right now isn’t resources. Nine Immortal Mountain is indeed strong, but...”

Fang Chen shook his head, unwilling to say more.

As he was about to leave the main hall, the Grand Elder let out a soft sigh. ”Young Friend Fang, wait.”

Fang Chen stopped.

The Grand Elder stepped forward in a single stride and appeared in front of him, handing over the three Grand-grade spirit stones.

”Then let this be the start of a good connection with you.”

Each of the three spirit stones contained unique types of spiritual energy. To determine whether they belonged to one of the ninety-nine types of spiritual power recorded in the Great Heavenly Sovereign Codex, he would need to examine them carefully later.

Fang Chen studied them briefly, then smiled and shook his head. ”Thank you, Grand Elder, but I must decline.”

The Grand Elder seemed genuinely surprised that Fang Chen would refuse such a generous gift. By the time he processed what had happened, Fang Chen and Li Wuwang had already walked a hundred feet away.

”Why did you turn down the free Grand-grade spirit stones? You don’t want to form a good relationship with Nine Immortal Mountain?” Li Wuwang gave Fang Chen a sidelong glance, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

”I heard that this Grand Elder of theirs has mastered an immortal technique passed down from the Immortal Realm—one so powerful that even Song Zhi Li once viewed it with caution.”

Could it be that this man named Fang was already planning to make a move against Nine Immortal Mountain Sacred Land?

But why? There was no connection between this place and the Spirit God Sect. Could it be a personal grudge?

Fang Chen smiled meaningfully. ”This kind of ’good connection’ isn’t so easy to form.”

Li Wuwang suddenly understood, his expression turning strange. ”It was just a verbal gesture of goodwill. Even if you accepted the top-grade spirit stones, if Nine Immortal Mountain ever came asking for help, wouldn’t it still be your choice whether or not to get involved?”

The Grand Elder had tried to draw Fang Chen in, first offering the position of Holy Master, then offering him valuable spirit stones. Clearly, there was something important he hoped Fang Chen would help with. Li Wuwang had already seen through that. Still, a benefit was a benefit. What harm was there in accepting it?

”If you take someone’s gift, and they come to ask a favor later, how can you justify refusing them?” Fang Chen chuckled. ”So, if I refused to help you search for that immortal medicine, would that be fine?”

Li Wuwang’s expression darkened slightly, and he snorted coldly. ”I’m not begging you for help. That’s a mutual agreement between the two of us. As for Nine Immortal Mountain’s Grand Elder, he never gave a clear reason for the offer. It wasn’t an agreement. It’s a completely different situation.”

”To me, it’s more or less the same,” replied Fang Chen.

Fang Chen didn’t feel like talking any further. Just as he was about to leave with Li Wuwang and the others on the immortal boat, the giant crane flew over again, ready to lead the way.

Once they safely exited the formation protecting Nine Immortal Mountain Sacred Land, the giant crane turned to Fang Chen and said, ”The Grand Elder wishes for you to stay a little longer.”

Fang Chen thought for a moment, then nodded and turned to Li Wuwang. ”You all go ahead.”

Without a word, Li Wuwang waved his hand. Zhu Yunchen immediately activated the Immortal Boat and departed without lingering.

”It was you who brought me to Wolong Temple back then,” Fang Chen said, looking at the giant crane.

The crane was about to deny it, but just then, the Grand Elder of Nine Immortal Mountain appeared, tearing through the sky and smiling.

”Young Friend Fang has already recognized you. No need to keep hiding it.”

Seeing this, the giant crane nodded. ”Yes, it was indeed me who brought you to Wolong Temple back then.”

Fang Chen cupped his hands politely. ”Grand Elder, if you have something to say, just say it. If Nine Immortal Mountain is facing trouble and I can help, I will lend a hand where I can.”

The Grand Elder was silent for a moment, then sighed softly. ”Back then, a certain Daoist came to me, requesting that I send you to Wolong Temple in the True Martial Domain.”

A guess appeared in Fang Chen’s mind. He asked, ”Was it Master Yunhe?”

The Grand Elder nodded. ”Correct. Because he is the Anomaly of Tuxiong Star, I agreed to help him. At the same time, he told me that Nine Immortal Mountain Sacred Land would one day face a catastrophe—one tied to you.”

Fang Chen smiled faintly. ”Tied to me? I have no grievance with Nine Immortal Mountain. Don’t tell me, Senior... you’re also part of the Spirit God Sect?”

”You misunderstand me, Young Friend Fang,” said the Grand Elder. ”Nine Immortal Mountain is fated to face a calamity—one with almost no chance of survival. But the anomaly of Tuxiong Star said that through you, there is still a sliver of hope.”

He sighed. ”I believe that calamity may be approaching. That’s why I rashly asked you to take the position of Holy Master.”

”First, I won’t take that seat,” said Fang Chen, making himself clear. ”Second, I’ll need to meet Master Yunhe in person and confirm this matter with him. Third, if what you say is true, and Nine Immortal Mountain faces disaster, I’ll help if I have the ability. If I don’t, then I won’t be able to.”

The Grand Elder fell silent for a few breaths, then slowly nodded. Once again, he handed Fang Chen the three top-grade spirit stones.

”Young Friend Fang, don’t refuse. Take these as a deposit. If you are able to help the Nine Immortal Mountain when the calamity comes, there will be more gratitude to follow. If you’re unable to help, then this deposit does not need to be returned.”

Fang Chen thought for a moment, then asked, ”May I ask the cause of this coming calamity?”