Immortal of the Nine Realms

”Father.”

”Citylord.”

Zihan and the young man were brought before the Spirit Void Citylord together. They couldn’t help but steal a glance at the Passing Dragon Island Master as they bowed in unison.

The Spirit Void Citylord beckoned toward Zihan. ”Come here,” he said. “Let me introduce you. This is the Passing Dragon Island Master, a cultivator in the late-stage Foundation Building Realm.”

Late-stage Foundation Building Realm?

Both Zihan and the young man were momentarily stunned, and reverence appeared in their eyes as they quickly bowed once more toward the Island Master.

”Is this your daughter?” said the Passing Dragon Island Master as he looked Zihan up and down. He then turned and showed a slight smile to the Spirit Void Citylord. “She doesn’t look much like you.”

If any other, more ordinary expert were to have said something like this to the citylord, then a fight would’ve most definitely broken out. But since it was the Passing Dragon Island Master from the Sea Dragon Sect who said this, then the Spirit Void Citylord didn’t take it to heart. He instead chuckled and said, ”That’s right. She takes after my late wife. My wife was also a peerless beauty in the sect. Many of my fellow sect disciples tried to court her back then.”

Zihan turned red.

The Passing Dragon Island Master looked at the young man. ”And who is this?”

The young man was clearly nervous, and he hurriedly said, ”I am Ye Wenxiu, Senior, of the Ye Family of Spirit Void City.”

The Passing Dragon Island Master furrowed his brow. ”Ye Family?”

The Spirit Void Citylord quickly laughed it off. ”It’s one of the three major cultivation families in Spirit Void City. The ancestor of the Ye Family has a cultivation level at the 12th stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

”Oh...” The Passing Dragon Island Master nodded indifferently.

A cultivator at the 12th stage of the Qi Refining Realm was not worth mentioning in front of him. Learning that the young man’s background was so humble, he lost interest.

The young man seemed to sense the Passing Dragon Island Master’s thoughts and he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. His family was really nothing in front of a cultivator in the late-stage Foundation Building Realm.

The Passing Dragon Island Master’s eyes drifted toward Zihan once again, assessing her. ”Your daughter has already reached the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Her cultivation is quite good. It seems you’ve been feeding her a lot of spiritual medicines over the years.” He seemed mildly curious.

The Spirit Void Citylord chuckled with some pride. ”Zihan’s talent is even better than mine. She has also consumed many elixirs and spiritual medicines over the years, yeah.” Pausing for a moment, he continued, ”I wonder if the Passing Dragon Island Master can offer her some guidance? Zihan should be able to take that step and condense her tenth immortal vein with your help.”

”Are you hoping that I will accept her into my Sea Dragon Sect?” rumbled the Passing Dragon Island Master. ”You help me out this time, and I will help you out too. This way, neither of us will owe the other any favors.”

The Sea Dragon Sect!

Both Zihan and Ye Wenxiu were shocked. It turns out that the cultivator in the late-stage Foundation Building Realm in front of them was from the Sea Dragon Sect. They were both surprised and enlightened.

No wonder they had never heard of him before. After all, there were not many cultivators in the late-stage Foundation Building Realm in the Flame Empire, and they mostly heard about their titles.

”In that case, I won’t beat around the bush.” The Spirit Void Citylord’s face was filled with anticipation. “I wonder if it’s feasible for you to do so?”

”I already have more than enough disciples,” replied the Passing Dragon Island Master.

The Spirit Void Citylord’s heart sank. He was immensely disappointed. But before he could speak, he heard the Passing Dragon Island Master continue, ”I don’t have to take her in as a disciple. My wife passed away a few years ago, and I was considering remarrying,” he said. “I think your daughter is very suitable for me; her talent is good, so it wouldn’t be a loss for me to dual cultivate with her.”

The Spirit Void Citylord felt as if he had been struck by lightning. The Passing Dragon Island Master was interested in his daughter?

Zihan was stunned, then she grew scared. Lowering her head down quickly, she tried not to show him her emotions.

Ye Wenxiu looked at the Passing Dragon Island Master blankly, his mind in a daze.

”What? Are you unwilling?” the Passing Dragon Island Master said lightly. ”If she follows me in the future, I’ll take it upon myself to get her a Foundation Building Pill.”

The Spirit Void Citylord had been reluctant, but when he heard ”Foundation Building Pill,” his expression waned, and he began to think it over in hesitation.

”Think it over carefully,” said the Passing Dragon Island Master as he stood up, his hands clasped behind his back. “By the way, I’m quite curious about that sword cultivator from the Spirit Void Sect. You should find someone to probe him and see if he’s really a sword cultivator.” He turned and walked away, leaving the room.

The Spirit Void Citylord watched his departing figure with a pensive expression.

”Dad, Wenxiu and I love each other...” whispered Zihan softly.

”I know you two are childhood sweethearts, but this is very important. The Passing Dragon Island Master is at the late-stage Foundation Building Realm. How many people in the Flame Empire have such a cultivation?” The Spirit Void Citylord’s face was solemn. ”If I refuse him, it might bring disaster upon us. But if I agree, you’ll have something you can rely on so you can advance to the Foundation Building Realm,” he said. “A Foundation Building Pill... is really valuable....”

After a moment, he turned to Ye Wenxiue. ”Speaking of which,” he began, ”if you truly love Zihan, Wenxiue, you should do what’s best for her. Ye Family can’t obtain Foundation Building Pills, and even I’m not confident that I can get one for her. But the Passing Dragon Island Master can.”

”But, Citylord...” Ye Wenxiu’s face was pale, and his eyes were unwilling, filled with anger.

Seeing that he was about to argue, the Spirit Void Citylord decided to directly kick him out. ”That’s enough. You may leave.”

Ye Wenxiu was immediately escorted away by the servants. Although he was unwilling, he dared not resist.

Zihan’s face was pale. The Spirit Void Citylord gently patted her on the shoulder. ”We cultivators cannot let a little romantic affair ruin our path to immortality. Now you have a brighter future ahead of you. I hope you can understand what I did today and why I did it in the future.”

Zihan’s eyes were blank, her mind a swirl of emotions all jumbled up.

Thinking of the Passing Dragon Island Master’s instructions just now, the Spirit Void Citylord ordered a few of his subordinates to be called over, all of whom in the Qi Refining Realm.

”Go to the Spirit Void Sect. Be polite, and find out what the other party really wants,” instructed the Spirit Void Citylord.

”Citylord, what happened in the Spirit Void Sect?” one of the cultivators asked, seemingly in the dark.

”The Spirit Void Sect has offended a powerful individual who is rumored to be a sword cultivator. Their sect has been taken over. You just need to inquire about that sword cultivator’s background in a polite manner,” said the Spirit Void Citylord.

The cultivators were shocked. A sword cultivator? The Spirit Void Sect had really been raided?

***

Abbess Qing He brought over a chair and sat in front of the room where Fang Chen was cultivating, her hands supporting her chin as she stared blankly ahead into the air.

Before long, several figures came into view. Abbess Qing He was surprised. Face turning serious, she stood up and looked at the newcomers.

Noticing Abbes Qing He’s shock, one of them opened his mouth. ”May I ask... are you the one who raided the Spirit Void Sect?”

”No, it wasn’t me.” Abbess Qing He shook her head slightly, her eyes wary. ”What are you here for?”

”Oh, we’re from the Citylord’s Mansion. We’ve heard that Spirit Void Sect has been raided and decided to come and take a look. We’re wondering where that sword cultivator is?” asked one of the newcomers.

”The lord is currently in seclusion. If you have any business, wait until he comes out,” said Abbess Qing He.

In seclusion?

They peered behind Abbess Qing He, at the room’s door behind her.

Hesitation appeared on the faces of one of the cultivators. ”We’re just following the citylord’s orders. Please don’t make it difficult for us....”

It was then that they heard a voice travel from inside the room, saying, ”Tell your citylord that I will come out of seclusion in a few days. If you have any questions, you can come and ask me then.”

The few people exchanged glances, nodded slightly, and then turned to descend the mountain.

Inside the room, Fang Chen focused on controlling the brush in his hand, but there was a faint hint of mockery in his eyes.

The citylord came to know about what had transpired in the Spirit Void Sect, and naturally, so did the Passing Dragon Island Master. Yet, instead of coming personally, they sent their disciples to ask around.

It seemed that even with a late-stage Foundation Building Realm cultivator, he remained very cautious.

Well, that suited Fang Chen just fine. It gave him a few days to consolidate his foundations.

Little Sword had already finished digesting the rest of the treasures, and its strength had increased by a level. Fang Chen could clearly feel that his sword body had become even stronger.

But he still wanted to wait until his 11th immortal vein was condensed before meeting that late-stage Foundation Building Realm cultivator.