Immortal of the Nine Realms

The three major cultivation families in Spirit Void City were the Ye Family, Xu Family, and Zhou Family. All three family heads were at the 12th stage of the Qi Refining Realm, putting them amongst the top experts of the Spirit Void City, second only to the Citylord and the Spirit Void Sect Master.

The three family heads had shown up to meet the Qingzhou Sword Sect Head, which showed just how highly they regarded the Qingzhou Sword Sect.

”I’ve heard that the relationship between the three families of the Spirit Void City and the Qingzhou Sword Sect is quite good.”

”Looks like the Qingzhou Sword Sect supports them.”

People exchanged covert messages among themselves.

Long Tianxing looked calmly at the three people and nodded slowly. ”Thank you for personally welcoming us.”

”Not at all, not at all,” replied the Ye Family Head hurriedly, his tone flattering. ”Elder Dragon, do you have a place to stay? Why not come to my Ye Family Manor...?”

Just as the Ye Family Head finished his words, the heads of the Xu Family and Zhou Family also chimed in, inviting Long Tianxing over to stay at theirs.

Ye Wenxiu was amongst the people who had come with the Ye Family, and he stood in silence as he watched his family head try his best to please Long Tianxing, all bent and toadyish. His fists clenched slowly.

If only he was as strong as Long Tianxing... there was no way the Passing Dragon Island Master would dare to snatch his woman!

Unfortunately for him, let alone the mid-stage Foundation Building Realm, he was far from reaching the early-stage Foundation Building Realm.

Long Tianxing glanced at them before turning to the Ye Family Head. ”Make the arrangements; we’ll be participating in the auction for the Spirit Void Sect site tomorrow.”

Everyone was surprised. They didn’t expect Long Tianxing to be participating in the auction.

As Long Tianxing and his group stayed at the Ye Family’s residence, there was a sudden surge of undercurrents in Spirit Void City. Many cultivators who wanted to compete for the Spirit Void Sect site chose to join forces. Among them were many wandering cultivators who hadn’t been able to find a nice spot to establish themselves.

***

In a secluded courtyard.

The Third Elder sighed softly. ”First Brother, now that even Long Tianxing, the head of the Qingzhou Sword Sect, has come, can we still take back our sect site?”

Glancing at him, the Second Elder sneered. ”Third Brother, do you really think that Long Tianxing cares about our Spirit Void Sect’s site? Compared to the Qingzhou Sword Sect’s site, how much is our’s worth?”

”That’s true; the First Sword of Qingzhou is surely here to avenge Yao Dan. Looks like we can be considered allies,” said the Grand Elder.

Suddenly, his expression shifted, and his eyes drifted toward the courtyard, outside.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound of knocking on the door echoed through the air.

The Spirit Void Sect disciple looked toward the Grand Elder. After he nodded, someone crossed to open the courtyard door.

Outside the courtyard, stood a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor. He wore a gray robe and stood pretty tall. The disciple who opened the door felt suffocated standing before the newcomer.

As soon as the Grand Elder saw the man, he laughed heartily before walking toward him, his voice booming. ”Brother Xia, you’ve finally arrived!”

The Second and Third Elders exchanged a glance before standing up to greet him too.

Xia Xuanji smiled. ”Brother Lu, have you finally made up your mind?”

If Fang Chen were here, he would surely recognize this man as the former Grand Xia Emperor. His appearance had changed somewhat, and he no longer had that sinister aura about him. Instead, he exuded a hint of dominance.

The Grand Elder’s face turned solemn, and he spoke earnestly. ”I have made up my mind. As long as Brother Xia can help our Spirit Void Sect through this difficult time, my sect will be at your beck and call!”

The Second and Third Elders were startled. Letting themselves be at someone’s “beck and call”? What was going on here?

The Third Elder, who was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve, questioned, “What do you mean by ’at his beck and call,’ First Brother?”

Hearing that, Xia Xuanji sneered coldly. ”Looks like you haven’t discussed it thoroughly with them...” he said, turning to leave.

The Grand Elder hurriedly stepped forward to block his way out before yelling at the Third Elder. ”Third Brother, Brother Xia’s sect is extremely powerful. It would be just a matter of moments for them to annihilate the Sea Dragon Sect. If our Spirit Void Sect joins the sect behind Brother Xia, it would only benefit us,” he rumbled. “Are you just going to sit around and watch as our sect’s site is auctioned off? For us to become the laughingstock of the empire?

The Second Elder pondered for a moment before speaking up. ”Third Brother, let first brother have the final say in this.”

Slightly skeptical, the third elder opened his mouth and asked Xia Xuanji, ”What is the name of the sect behind you?”

”You’re not qualified to know about us,” said Xia Xuanji indifferently.

The Third Elder was about to speak again when a terrifying aura surged from Xia Xuanji, enveloping him instantly.

Cold sweat broke out on the Third Elder’s forehead. He sensed that if he uttered one more word, the other party would directly attack him.

The Grand Elder quickly intervened to calm Xia Xuanji’s anger before he respectfully led him into the courtyard.

”Junior Brothers, Brother Xia is a true genius, a true talent of cultivation! When I first met Brother Xia, he was only at the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Now, Brother Xia has already reached the Foundation Building Realm!” said the Grand Elder.

”Foundation Building Realm?”

The Spirit Void Sect cultivators who heard what he said showed faces full of respect, and relief washed over them. Now that they had a Foundation Building Realm helping them, they didn’t have to be so worried about the coming next few days.

The Grand Elder spoke slowly, explaining the situation. ”Brother Xia, the enemy should be a sword cultivator, but... we’re not sure if he’s truly one. All we know is that the flying sword in his hand is extremely terrifying, and his physical body is incredibly resilient. He was able to block Third Brother’s flying sword before he easily destroyed it with his hand.”

”He’s either a body-refining cultivator or a swordsman with a robust body.” Xia Xuanji’s eyes flickered. ”What’s his cultivation level?”

”We don’t know his exact realm,” answered the Grand Elder, ”but we know he isn’t at Foundation Building. He probably has a hidden treasure that masks his aura.”

”A swordsman is among the top experts in the world when it comes to offensive power. Even if he’s not at the Foundation Building Realm, we can’t underestimate him.” Xia Xuanji smiled lightly. “What do you want me to do? Shall I go up there now and kill him?”

”Aren’t you afraid of retaliation from the faction behind him?” asked the Third Elder, unable to help himself.

Xia Xuanji glanced at the Third Elder, his eyes rife with meaning. ”My backers aren’t afraid of these ordinary sword cultivators....”

Seeing Xia Xuanji so confident, the Third Elder gradually began to believe him.

”The auction of the Spirit Void Sect’s site is tomorrow. I hope you can take action then. There will be cultivators from all around the land here tomorrow, so it should be the perfect opportunity for the Spirit Void Set to regain its reputation,” said the Grand Elder. “Besides, this way, we can let the Spirit Void Citylord and the First Sword of Qingzhou know that our Spirit Void Sect possesses extraordinary power!”

Xia Xuanji nodded. ”As you wish.”

The Grand Elder was very excited. ”Many thanks!

***

On Mount Spirit Void, with his eyes closed, Fang Chen’s divine soul wandered around the city. He saw Long Tianxing of the Qingzhou Sword Sect staying at the Ye Family’s residence and he went over to the Citylord’s Mansion to observe the Passing Dragon Island Master closely.

He eventually heard the Passing Dragon Island Master muttering to himself, ”If I want to intimidate the cultivators of the Flame Empire, tomorrow will be perfect. I’ll have them know that if anyone dares to offend the Sea Dragon Sect, this will be their fate.”

It’s either your death or mine, thought Fang Chen with a light smile. Then, his divine soul left.

He went to observe the courtyard where the Grand Elder of the Spirit Void Sect and the others were staying in order to see if they were cooking up any plans, but he was met with an unexpected sight.

Xia Xuanji!