Immortal of the Nine Realms

”A Foundation Building Realm cultivator must’ve made a move! This spiritual energy is really powerful and dense!”

”Didn’t the spirit test end? Why would a Foundation Building Realm cultivator make a move? Did a fight break out?”

”Let’s go and take a look!”

In front of the imperial city gate.

The old man summoned his flying sword and left without looking back. He was certain that Fang Chen was doomed.

How could a mere mortal escape the flying sword he unleashed?

The next moment, another flying sword appeared. Under the astonished gaze of Xia Yu and others, it not only stopped the old man’s flying sword but it also seemed to have gained the upper hand.

A figure had silently appeared by Fang Chen’s side without anyone noticing.

Ancestor Xia Yu was somewhat shocked. ”Abbess Zhu Yue of Concealed Moon Hermitage? Didn’t she leave a long time ago?”

She was clearly the one who had sent out the flying sword earlier.

Abbess Zhu Yue glared at the old man in the distance with a frosty look in her eyes.

The old man paused slightly. He turned around slowly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. ”Didn’t you leave?”

”Why did you make a move against him?” asked Abbess Zhu Yue.

She knew that the old man wouldn’t reveal his identity easily. Not even a Foundation Building Realm cultivator from the Spirit Blood Sect would dare put themselves out in the light.

”Can’t I have a grudge against a mere mortal?” The old man chuckled. ”I advise you to leave now to avoid bringing disaster to your sect.”

It was then that a voice rang out. ”A mere early Foundation Building Realm cultivator dares to speak so arrogantly?”

Xia Yu and the others were greatly taken aback. This voice clearly belonged to Elder Jin Nan!

He hadn’t left either!

A streak of green light descended from the sky. Seeing this, the old man immediately grabbed the child beside him and threw him toward the incoming green light.

Trembling slightly, the green light avoided the child then continued to rush toward the old man.

”Damn thing,” grumbled the old man as fury crept on his face. He raised his hands, and the tiles around him rose into the air. The earth seemed to have come alive as an earthen shield formed before the old man.

Boom! The green light fell on the shield, shattering it completely.

Seizing this opportunity, the old man recalled his flying sword. Holding it in front of him, he stared at Jin Nan with vigilance.

The green light also transformed into a flying sword that returned to Elder Jin Nan.

Everything had happened in the blink of an eye, leaving those present dumbfounded.

Was that the power of an immortal?

Be it the flying sword or the old man manipulating the earth to form a shield, those methods far exceeded the understanding of the Grand Xia Emperor and the others.

”Hehe. I can manipulate the elements too.” Elder Jin Nan sneered. With a slight lift of his hand, the earth around the old man started to surge and coil, forming a large snake that tightly entangled him.

Elder Jin Nan cracked a smile. ”What do you think of my mastery over element manipulation? Am I more proficient than you are?”

The wandering cultivators who had rushed over and witnessed the scene were shocked.

The five elements consisted of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Among them, the power of earth was the easiest to grasp. That was why cultivators who practiced manipulating the five elements typically started with earth manipulation.

However, ordinary Qi Refining Realm cultivators would only be able to use the earth to create figures or puppets. Those who were a little more skilled could turn them into beasts, like wolves or tigers.

This seven or eight feet long giant python was not something an ordinary cultivator could conjure. It required precise control over the power of the earth and a foundation of vast spiritual power!

”It’s Elder Jin Nan from Northern Heavenly Sect!”

”Didn’t he leave?”

”Who is this old man? Since he’s a Foundation Building Realm cultivator, we should have seen him before...”

”The cultivation world is vast; it’s normal not to have seen everyone. But he must be out of his mind to engage in a fight with Elder Jin Nan. Elder Jin Nan is at the mid Foundation Building Realm....”

While the difference between the early Foundation Building Realm and mid Foundation Building Realm might’ve been just a single word, the difference in strength was like heaven and earth. Even in the Flame Empire and the vast cultivation world, there were only a few mid Foundation Building Realm cultivators!

Many outstanding individuals, after advancing to the Foundation Building Realm, found it difficult to reach the mid Foundation Building Realm. Many fought to reach that level till their last breath, but to no avail. At their level, even attempting a minor breakthrough was more than enough to drain them completely.

”Elder Jin Nan, don’t waste your words on him. Just kill him,” said Abbess Zhu Yue.

”Hehehe...” The old man suddenly cackled darkly, then his cackle turned into a hearty laughter. ”I didn’t want to fight you. That’s why I deliberately waited for you to leave before making my move. But you insist on making an enemy of me, so you’ve brought this upon yourself!”

After he spoke, a red mist gradually appeared around him. With a thought from the old man, the mist rushed into him.

Suddenly, he started to grow younger at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Sensing that something strange was afoot, Jin Nan’s thoughts flickered, and the earth snake unhinged its jaw for the bite.

Boom!

Suddenly, the earth snake shattered into rubble, flinging rocks everywhere and raising a cloud of dust.

When the dust settled, a middle-aged man appeared where the old man was. He still had very few strands of hair on his head, but other than that, he didn’t resemble his former self at all.

Jin Nan was a bit surprised; he clearly sensed that the man’s aura had somehow managed to match his own now.

Mid Foundation Building Realm?!

Abbess Zhu Yue’s expression changed slightly; evidently, she also sensed it.

”It’s true...”

Jin Nan gradually understood. The other party probably was already at the mid Foundation Building Realm, but his cultivation had fallen to the early Foundation Building due to his lifespan nearing its end. However, he had to have used some strange method and managed to extend his life, restoring himself to a state of youth and regaining his cultivation!

”Who exactly are you?!”

Elder Jin Nan’s expression turned solemn. He had initially thought that the deal he had struck with Fang Chen was very profitable, but now it seemed he might have hit a steel plate instead. However, since things had already come to this point, he had to resolve the situation for the sake of the Northern Heavenly Sect, even if it meant facing a formidable opponent!

”Who I am is none of your business,” said the old man, a slight smile playing on his lips. ”But why not go to the underworld and ask Yama yourself?”

”What’s so impressive about you? Senior Fang has an unfathomable background, and his teacher’s cultivation far surpasses yours. Today, if you act against Senior Fang, it’s only natural for me to intervene on his behalf. Are you really trying to threaten me? Too naive. I advise you to surrender, explain the situation, and maybe you’ll keep your life. Otherwise... you’re doomed!” said Jin Nan in a low voice, his teeth gritted.

He deliberately brought up Fang Chen’s background, hoping to gauge the old man’s reaction. However, the result was disappointing; the old man showed no fear or hesitation.

Jin Nan couldn’t help but feel a chill in his heart.

The old man, however, didn’t give him much time to think. With a gentle wave of his hand, the flying sword shot toward Abbess Zhu Yue at lightning speed.

He couldn’t maintain this state for too long. He needed to deal with the early Foundation Building Realm cultivator first, and he would have a seventy to eighty percent chance against Jin Nan. If not, his chances of winning against the two would be quite low.

Abbess Zhu Yue reacted swiftly, commanding her flying sword to meet the attack. However, unlike before, the old man’s cultivation had risen, reaching the mid Foundation Building Realm, and so, his flying sword was much stronger than before.

With just one exchange, Abbess Zhu Yue’s flying sword was unexpectedly chipped! And the Soul Imprints on it started to fade, showing signs of dissipation!

”Elder Jin Nan, attack together!” shouted Abbess Zhu Yue.

Without further thought, Elder Jin Nan pointed at the old man, and his green-colored flying sword immediately launched an assault.

The man was unexpectedly able to hold his own against the two of them.

The onlooking cultivators were horrified. As the battle progressed, the three of them fought into the sky, displaying dazzling and colorful lights. There was also spiritual power that surged and clashed, but that was only visible to cultivators.

Fang Chen’s gaze suddenly fell on Xia Yu, who had returned with Elder Jin Nan. Xia Yu seemed somewhat uneasy at this moment, as if he had realized something, his face turning pale.