Immortal of the Nine Realms

Qingzhou Sword Sect.

Jiang Zhong and Jiang Tianai were seated in the reception hall’s chairs, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. They had been very sure that Fang Chen couldn’t be from a sect in the Flame Empire since he knew about their family, but here they were, sitting in the Qingzhou Sword Sect, which was in the Flame Empire....

This left them very puzzled about Fang Chen’s background, so they had a certain level of vigilance in their eyes as they looked at him.

”Have you two decided on where you want to go?” asked Fang Chen casually.

Liu Mu was brewing tea on the side.

Jiang Zhong’s expression was full of doubt. ”You know about our identities, Sect Leader Fang, but I don’t feel like you have any ulterior motives. Are you willing to let us leave?”

”I know the Spirit Blood Sect wants you, but to be honest, I have a feud with them, so I just don’t want to let them have their way.” Fang Chen chuckled. ”As for why they want you, I don’t want to know.”

”A feud with the Spirit Blood Sect?” Jiang Zhong’s brow scrunched up. He seemed suspicious.

After a moment of contemplation, he stood up and clasped his hands together. ”In that case, I would like to thank you for helping us. My young lady and I will take our leave.”

”Alright.” Fang Chen nodded with a faint smile. ”Just remember to stay far away. Don’t let the Spirit Blood Sect catch you again.”

Jiang Zhong immediately left with Jiang Tianai quickly.

Fang Chen turned to Liu Mu. ”Wasn’t that young lady quite beautiful?”

Liu Mu’s face turned pink, too shy to respond.

Fang Chen couldn’t help but chuckle. ”I noticed you’ve been sneaking glances at her. Feeling lonely without anyone your age in the sect?”

Liu Mu shook his head slightly.

”A cultivator must, and will, endure loneliness.” Fang Chen sighed softly. “You’ll feel this more the more you continue on your path. This is just the beginning.”

Fang Chen knew that, if he advanced to the Foundation Building Realm, and even to the Golden Core Realm one day, his lifespan would be much longer than that of an ordinary person. At that point, he would face a dilemma; he would have to bid farewell to his loved ones sooner or later. This was a challenge that most cultivators had to face. Perhaps, if one didn’t make a few good friends along the way, then he’d have no one—those who remembered him would’ve all turned to dust.

”It’ll be lonely....” said Fang Chen self-mockingly. If that day truly came, he might even hesitate to kill his enemies.

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the hall’s door. ”Um....”

Fang Chen turned to see that Jiang Zhong had returned with the young girl. He was watching Fang Chen with embarrassment.

Fang Chen chuckled. ”I thought you left?”

Jiang Zhong smiled wryly. ”I’ve had my doubts, Sect Leader Fang, but now I’m finally sure that you’re really not related to the Spirit Blood Sect.”

He had considered that Fang Chen might’ve been putting an amiable front to trick them, masking his true intentions, but it seemed not. Also, when he thought about it carefully, he realized that it’d be difficult for him to set out alone with the young lady to a faraway place with their cultivation.

”So, where do you want to go?” asked Fang Chen with a smile. “I can see if it’s on the way.”

Fang Chen was planning to go to the Fang Family’s main branch. This was the wish of the old master, and he had to fulfill it for him.

”Sect Leader Fang, we plan to head to the fifth-tier empire, Grand Qian. There’s a noble family over there whose ancestors once served as servants of the Jiang Family. They should be willing to take us in,” said Jiang Zhong.

Fang Chen was taken aback. What a coincidence; the Fang Family’s main branch was in the Grand Qian Empire too.

Fang Chen nodded. ”I’ll send you over there in a few days. You can stay here for now.”

”Thank you, Sect Leader Fang,” said Jiang Zhong.

Fang Chen turned to Liu Mu with a bit of a smile. ”Liu Mu, why don’t you take them to where they’ll be staying.”

Liu Mu’s face immediately turned red. He silently gestured for the two of them to follow him.

***

Fang Chen focused on practicing the five elements to quickly deplete his spiritual energy over the next few days.

Finally, after several more days passed, the Sixth King and the others came to the sect, handing over a full ten thousand low-grade spirit stones to Fang Chen.

***

In the main hall of the sect.

Zhang Yue and others stood below with solemn expressions, while Ye Wenxiu and Liu Mu stood by Fang Chen’s side, their positions subtly highlighting the difference in status.

”Everyone, I have an announcement to make,” said Fang Chen calmly.

The others’ expressions slightly stiffened, their faces becoming even more respectful.

”From now on, Ye Wenxiu will be the junior sect leader of the Qingzhou Sword Sect.” Fang Chen looked at Zhong Yue and the others. “I hope everyone can help guide him while I am not here. ”

Everyone nodded silently, not surprised at all. They had already come to the conclusion that Ye Wenxiu’s position in the sect would be extremely high, way back.

”We don’t dare claim that we’ll provide him with guidance, but we’ll surely do our best to assist him while you’re not here,” replied Zhong Yue quickly. The other two similarly expressed their willingness to support Ye Wenxiu.

They had already witnessed Fang Chen’s power, and pledging allegiance to such a powerhouse was a matter of wholehearted commitment. They dared not have any other thoughts.

Fang Chen nodded slightly and then took out a batch of spirit stones from his storage ring. ”Here are two thousand low-grade spirit stones. The three of you can distribute them on my behalf.”

Hearing that, the disciples around were struck with a sudden, secret delight. Even if the spirit stones were distributed among everyone, they’d get about ten or more spirit stones, which was still a windfall to them fourth stage Qi Refining Realm cultivators!

***

An hour later, Fang Chen left the Qingzhou Sword Sect with Jiang Zhong and his young lady.

Ye Wenxiu and Liu Mu watched them leave, reluctance in their hearts.

When their figures finally disappeared, Ye Wenxiu subconsciously rubbed his ring; inside were twenty peak-grade Purple Lightning Talismans Fang Chen had given him for his protection.

Ye Wenxiu then looked at Liu Mu. ”Junior Brother Liu, Master said that when your martial arts reach a certain level, he will guide you onto the path of cultivation.’ He gave Liu Mu a pat on the shoulder. ”Both of us need to work hard. I hope we can impress Master the next time he’s here.”

Liu Mu nodded heavily with determined eyes.

Suddenly, Zhong Yue spoke up. ”Someone’s coming,” he said.

The three turned around, toward the stone steps in front of the sect. When they saw who it was, they immediately recognized him.

”We meet again.”

The Bai Family’s ancestor stepped forward briskly with Bai Qianqian, bowing respectfully with a warm smile on his face. He didn’t dare look down on them just because they were in the Qi Refining Realm.

”Are you here to see the sect leader?” asked Zhong Yue with a smile. “Sorry to say this but he has already left on a journey and he won’t be back for a while.”

The Bai Family’s ancestor was taken aback. He has left?

A wry smile rose on his lips. He would’ve come sooner if he knew.

Zhong Yue made the introductions. ”Let me introduce you. This is our sect’s junior sect leader. He’s also our sect leader’s disciple.”

Ye Wenxiu clasped his fist. ”I’m Ye Wenxiu. Nice to meet you.”

The Bai Family’s ancestor quickly returned the gesture. ”No need for formalities!”

He didn’t care about Ye Wenxiu’s status as the junior sect leader. What he cared about was that Ye Wenxiu was the disciple of that mysterious sword cultivator! That in and of itself was enough for him to walk the Flame Empire unbridled!

Bai Qianqian secretly envied Ye Wenxiu. Being the disciple of such a powerful figure would undoubtedly lead to a boundless future!

The Bai Family’s ancestor looked at Zhong Yue. ”Daoist Zhong, I am actually here to ask you if it’s possible for this disciple of mine to enter your sect....”

Zhong Yue glanced at Bai Qianqian and smiled. ”That’s not a problem. Please come in so we can discuss the details.”