Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 1521: Then I’ll Hit You

Fang Xiaotian’s brows furrowed slightly. He could already tell that the newcomer and Duan Lingkong were likely family. However, the way the man reprimanded Duan Lingkong in front of so many people showed that he had no intention of saving Duan Lingkong any face.

Ignoring the varying expressions of the group, the newcomer looked at Sheng Wu and said with a smile, ”Lady Sheng Wu, my brother is the genius of the Duan Clan, known for his World Shattering Sword. You two becoming Dao Companions is no different from a dragon and a phoenix uniting. I wonder, what are your thoughts?”

”Brother, Lady Sheng Wu already has someone in her heart. There is no need to mention this further,” said Duan Lingkong.

”Shut up!” Duan Lingxiao snapped coldly, shooting a harsh, reprimanding glare at Duan Lingkong.

He turned his gaze toward the Fang siblings and said indifferently, ”I have heard of you two. Your talent is decent, and you managed to reach the Fusion Realm in just two hundred years. That means you’ll have a fair future in the Great Victory Dynasty.”

He paused, then continued, ”However, you come from an ordinary background. You have no father or mother. You are orphans. You two are an ill omen. If Lady Sheng Wu were to marry into your family, wouldn’t she become a laughingstock?”

The surrounding crowd was startled. However, considering Duan Lingxiao’s status, he had the standing to voice his thoughts openly.

Fang Xiaotian’s eyes narrowed slightly. ”Orphans? Ill-omens?”

A sharp light erupted from within his eyes. His gaze was like a sword as he stared directly at Duan Lingxiao. ”Why do you insult my family? You speak such words without knowing the true circumstances of my household. You are... unrefined and lacking in manners.”

”Exactly! No manners at all!” Fang Xiaohua said angrily. ”Who said my home has no parents? They just had business elsewhere! We also have an Eldest Brother! If he heard you insulting our family like this, he would definitely give you what’s coming to you!”

Sheng Wu was also feeling quite indignant. She felt that Duan Lingxiao was being far too arrogant and overbearing, spewing such wild insults on an occasion like this.

Duan Lingkong spoke up slowly, ”Brother, mind your words. Daoist Fang has not offended you.”

Duan Lingxiao laughed out of pure anger. ”So you’re lecturing your elder brother now? I’m lacking in manners? If everyone were as weak and easily bullied as you, who would uphold the banner of the Duan Clan in the future? To think the ancestors actually discussed letting you take the reins. Truly ridiculous!”

”Brother, that is the ancestors’ business and has nothing to do with me. Do not take your anger out on me because of it, and certainly do not take it out on others.” Duan Lingkong took a deep breath. ”Today’s matter ends here. You may leave.”

Fang Xiaotian understood now. It appeared as though Duan Lingxiao was insulting them siblings, but in reality, he was venting his resentment toward Duan Lingkong over family politics. Nevertheless, the man had indeed spoken out of turn, calling them orphans and ill omens. That required an explanation.

Many nearby cultivators noticed the situation and stopped to watch. In a gazebo quite a distance away, several high-ranking individuals were drinking tea and discussing the Dao, occasionally casting glances in this direction. One of the elders looked at a middle-aged man and chuckled. ”That eldest son of yours is quite overbearing.”

The middle-aged man took a sip of tea and said dismissively, ”He’s just frustrated that Lingkong is so unmotivated and indecisive. Lingkong’s background and circumstances are clearly superior to that junior, so why give up on pursuing Sheng Wu? Regardless, it’s just a squabble between juniors. Let them cause a scene. What does it have to do with us?”

The middle-aged man shook his head with a smile. ”It’s rare for us to gather like this; let’s discuss something else.”

The people present were all prominent figures within the Great Victory Dynasty. Gathering for tea and a conversation was indeed a rare occasion.

”Fair enough. Sixth Prince hasn’t arrived yet, so let’s move on to other topics,” agreed someone with a nod.

The middle-aged man immediately asked, ”Over two hundred years ago, an Immortal Boat appeared at the Immortal Conference. Do any of you know the background of that boat’s owner?”

A somber-looking elder replied flatly, ”A core disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace.”

The middle-aged man lowered his voice. ”I’ve heard that news as well, but... just what kind of power is the Enlightenment God Palace?”

”There are things you don’t know now and likely never will. There is no need for your Duan Clan to know such details,” said the elder indifferently.

The middle-aged man was stunned. He didn’t take offense. Instead, he smiled to mask his awkwardness. The elder’s cultivation was higher than his own, his background was stronger, and he maintained excellent relations with several Loose Immortals of the Third Ancestor’s lineage.

***

”As for your business, we’ll discuss it properly when we get back. I’ll give you a bit of face in public,” said Duan Lingxiao, pointing a finger at Duan Lingkong.

He then turned to Fang Xiaohua and smiled. ”I happened to hear someone mention your origins. It seems that over two hundred years ago, your parents were killed in action elsewhere. Their cultivation wasn’t high at the time, minor cultivators at best. As for the Eldest Brother you mentioned, I’ve never heard of him. You say he’ll teach me a lesson? Why not call him here so I can have a word with him?”

Fang Xiaohua huffed. ”Big Brother isn’t in the Great Victory Dynasty right now, but he said he would come back for us. When he gets here, I’m definitely telling him about today!”

”Even if Big Brother isn’t here, you must give our Fang Family an explanation for today’s actions.” Fang Xiaotian demanded, staring at Duan Lingxiao as he enunciated every word.

”You may insult me, but you may not insult Xiaohua. And you absolutely shall not insult my parents.”

Duan Lingxiao smiled thinly. ”I shall not? And if I have already insulted them, what then?”

”Then I’ll hit you.”

Fang Xiaotian took a step back.

The crowd was stunned.

If he intended to hit him, why was he taking a step back?

Duan Lingxiao could hardly contain his amusement. Just as he was about to burst into laughter, the hair on the back of his neck suddenly stood on end. A terrifying sword intent surged through the air, causing countless people to look up in alarm.

”Damn it!”

In the distant gazebo, the middle-aged man cursed under his breath. Without a moment’s hesitation, he sacrificed a spiritual treasure, hurling it toward that incoming sword intent to intercept it.

”How dare you commit murder in this place!”

Countless other powerful auras surged forth, joining forces with the middle-aged man’s treasure to resist the sword intent.

Boom!

Their combined defenses were shattered in an instant. The horrifying sword intent ruthlessly sheared through Duan Lingxiao’s kneecaps.

Puchi.

A thin crack appeared across Duan Lingxiao’s lower legs as blood began to seep out. Then, his lower legs detached from his thighs. Unable to maintain his balance, he collapsed instantly to the ground.

Duan Lingkong and the others were petrified. It took several breaths for them to shake off their shock. They looked at Fang Xiaotian instinctively, their eyes filled with disbelief.

”Was that for the Fang siblings?”

”Did someone launch out that sword intent... for Fang Xiaotian’s sake?”

”How is this possible? Who would stand up for him and chop off Duan Lingxiao’s legs!?”

”Several experts stepped in just now, but none of them could stop that sword intent. It’s a master of the sword, someone in the Immortal Realm!”

”The background of these Fang siblings is much deeper than we imagined...”

By now, the middle-aged man had rushed to Duan Lingxiao’s side. Seeing his son in such a pathetic state, he shot a cold glare at Fang Xiaotian before looking behind the boy.

Standing there was a figure, watching him with a faint smile.

”My thanks to Sir Huang for your intervention.”

Fang Xiaotian turned around and cupped his fists in one fluid motion, confirming to everyone that the person behind the sword intent was related to him.