Immortal of the Nine Realms

Li Wuwang and Huang Wuji both understood that the so-called choice no longer had anything to do with the immortal herb. Yu Tingzhai was now stationed just outside. If Huang Wuji did not accept the imperial decree, what awaited him would be overwhelming suppression.

Right now, only Yu Tingzhai’s aura had revealed itself. Who knew if the Dangyin Mountain Lord had arrived? Or Xu Changshi?

Li Wuwang wasn’t angry. A trace of contemplation flickered in his eyes. Over the past decades, he had come to appreciate the benefits that came with the title of a True God of the underworld. If in the past he entered the Underworld out of necessity, now he was enjoying the privileges that came with being appointed through an Underworld decree.

What happens when a sword cultivator is no longer bound by lifespan?

Even though they were no longer pure sword cultivators, this path was still viable. In the Nine Mortal Realms, he could still unleash his sword domain.

Huang Wuji glanced at Li Wuwang and suddenly let out a light sigh. ”I’ve been waiting for you to come. Now I understand your intention. I’m willing to accept the decree.”

”All’s well, then.” Fang Chen smiled and nodded, placing a few Soul-Guiding Lamps to the side.

Without needing further urging, Huang Wuji sat down cross-legged on the spot and began the ritual.

Sect Master Chen and the bearded sword cultivator finally grasped what was going on. Their eyes flared with shock and anger at once.

The Void Immortal Sword Sect had actually been hiding such a traitor all along? And they hadn’t noticed a thing?

The two exchanged a glance and suddenly let out a breath of relief. Luckily, everything was resolved smoothly today. Otherwise, who knew what kind of trouble it might’ve caused down the line?

In the next moment, their vision flickered, and Fang Chen had already disappeared.

The bearded sword cultivator gave Li Wuwang a few looks, cupped his hands, and asked cautiously, ”Sir... are you the Division Head of the Heavenly Sword Division from the Chaotic Star, Li Wuwang?”

Li Wuwang initially didn’t want to respond, but after a moment’s thought, he shook his head. ”The Heavenly Sword Division of the Chaotic Star was destroyed by Myriad Immortal Palace. I am not Li Wuwang.”

”Oh...”

The two of them nodded. That was Li Wuwang.

It seemed that before the destruction of the Heavenly Sword Division, they had already walked the path of Ghost Gods. In that case, the foundation of the Lesser Underworld was becoming increasingly strong.

After a brief moment, Huang Wuji slowly regained consciousness, and Fang Chen appeared again.

The three did not linger long at the Void Immortal Sword Sect. They arrived and left in a hurry.

Sect Master Chen looked toward the direction the three had gone and suddenly asked, ”What do you think Sword Leader Fang has been busy with all these years?”

The bearded sword cultivator thought for a moment. ”Probably busy fighting with the Spirit God Sect?”

”The Spirit God Sect’s power here has already been so scattered and broken that they’re no longer a true force,” said Sect Master Chen.

The bearded sword cultivator sighed softly. ”Apart from this place, there’s also Chaotic Star. Now that I think about it, although we may be considered big shots by others, compared to the real big players, what they’re doing is something we don’t even have the qualifications to get involved in.”

The Golden Soul Flower was planted by Fang Chen in Grand Xia, right in the old Fang Manor, inside a very ordinary porcelain pot.

This old mansion had always been kept clean by a dedicated caretaker, and after the old servant died, his descendants took over. It could be said that this had passed down two or three generations already. It had been over a hundred years since the Fang Family left the capital city.

Over that hundred years, the capital of Great Xia had changed beyond recognition. The deeds Fang Chen left behind there had long since faded into the realm of old folks’ tales—stories, rumors, with no proof remaining.

”The spiritual energy here is still quite abundant, but cultivators are rarely seen, only a few,” said Huang Wuji, following behind Fang Chen as he looked around.

Fang Chen smiled. ”Grand Xia aims to keep cultivators and ordinary people clearly separated, so they don’t interfere with each other. First, I’ll take you two to see an old gentleman, then we’ll go retrieve the immortal herb.”

Li Wuwang immediately guessed who the old gentleman Fang Chen was referring to. The ancient old dragon of Longyuan.

Back when the Heavenly Sword Division was in Grand Xia, they suffered a heavy defeat.

The teahouse was thick with the scent of life. A storyteller spun words with a flying tongue, while the listeners sat enraptured. Elders teased their grandchildren with pastries. Waiters weaved between tables with trays, offering greetings and courtesies.

”Back then, Qingsong Manor wasn’t called Qingsong Manor; it was the Qingsong Empire! That kingdom was powerful and often harassed Grand Xia. The two countries fought repeatedly, and the common people suffered terribly. The Qingsong martial artists rampaged through our capital city, treating people in Grand Xia like inferior beings.”

”No way! Did the Qingsong martial artists ever have such glory? From what I see now, they’re quite polite to others, especially when they come to our capital. They behave very obediently.”

”Exactly! Our Qingsong was never that arrogant before. You are slandering us!”

Someone from Qingsong Mansion stood up and challenged the storyteller.

”Hey! All of this is recorded in the annals. How dare I speak nonsense? Am I not afraid that the Valiant Saber Guards will take me away? Look at those military officers from the Valiant Saber Guards over there. Ask them, and you’ll know the truth.”

The storyteller grew angry and then glanced toward the teahouse’s entrance, where several figures stood in Valiant Saber Guards uniforms.

The crowd turned to look, and sure enough, someone spoke up to inquire. The soldiers smiled as they replied, ”There are records within the Valiant Saber Guards confirming the storyteller’s words. Back then, it wasn’t just the Qingsong martial artists acting arrogantly. Places like Guhe and Longdu also looked down on Grand Xia.”

Hearing that, the people from Qingsong Manor lowered their voices but still seemed skeptical, murmuring, ”If that’s true, then how do you explain the current situation? Grand Xia’s territory is vast beyond count. Even if you fly to the heavens, you can’t see the borders. Qingsong, Guhe, and Longdu are just local regions. We are Grand Xia. The people of Qingsong Manor are not from the Qingsong Empire.”

”That brings up Lord Fang, whom you may not know about, but my ancestors passed down many stories related to Lord Fang, all recorded in my Storytelling Divine Tome. If you’re patient and come to listen daily, you’ll get a rough understanding.”

The storyteller took a sip of tea, shaking his folding fan with a hint of pride.

Fang Chen led the two others to a window seat on the second floor.

The old dragon was sitting alone, drinking tea. Seeing Fang Chen, he showed no surprise, just smiled and nodded.

”Sit.”

After they took their seats, the old dragon glanced at Li Wuwang and Huang Wuji, then fixed his gaze on Fang Chen.

”For years I’ve been drinking tea here. At first, his grandfather was the storyteller, then his father. Now it’s his turn, and nine times out of ten, it’s all about you. You’ve nearly become a legend in Grand Xia.”

”A legend, huh? Maybe in three or five hundred years, people will forget.”

Fang Chen smiled and shook his head. He had no desire to leave any reputation in Grand Xia. It was useless to him and was even a hindrance.

He hoped his traces would vanish without a trace, so that years later, even if someone wanted to find out about him, there would be nothing to find.

”Old sir, these two are the Head and Deputy Head of the Heavenly Sword Division, Li Wuwang and Huang Wuji. They’re now one of us.”