Immortal of the Nine Realms

In the tranquil valley, a formation was operating, forming a barrier that enveloped the entire valley. From the outside, the valley appeared ordinary. Even if wild beasts accidentally wandered in, they would be guided by a force to leave in another direction. However, the illusionary effect created by the formation had no effect on Fang Chen’s divine soul

A human figure with a lion’s head was standing quietly in front of a huge ancient tree. Hanging on one of the branches of this tree was a golden fruit, the Vajra Bodhi.

”Calculating the time, it will take three days at the fastest, and fifteen days at most,” muttered the manager softly. His eyes were flashing with greed and desire as he looked at the Vajra Bodhi.

”Third brother got really unlucky to meet such an unknown enemy. Fortunately, he left a soul lamp by my side just in case. Thanks to my timely response, Eldest Brother has already received the message and will arrive in the Demon Cloud Empire soon. With his help, we can surely take the head of that cultivator,” murmured the manager chillingly.

”Third brother, you can rest assured. Eldest Brother and I will avenge you, ” he murmured, his eyes flickering with killing intent as he looked toward the direction of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

However, there was a hint of worry in his eyes as he realized that he had made a mistake. Besides himself, Shopkeeper Lin also knew about where the fruit was. He should’ve made sure he silenced him before he left. This was a slip-up on his end.

”Before the puppet was destroyed, I deliberately mocked him, so it’s possible that the opponent has already massacred all those in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and didn’t come to know about this place. It doesn’t matter even if that guy betrayed me. I am a Golden Core Realm cultivator, so I can hold this formation up for a few days. I’ll hold out until the Vajra Bodhi ripens, then I can leave freely. Or I could wait for the eldest brother to arrive and take that cultivator’s head.”

A faint smile appeared on the manager’s face as he waited in front of the ancient tree patiently.

Fang Chen was standing in the void.

Third brother? Eldest brother? Demon Cloud Emperor and this demon cultivator are sworn brothers. They seem to have an eldest brother, too, who should also be a Golden Core Realm cultivator.

Fortunately, he had confirmed his opponent’s whereabouts. He could deal with this demonic cultivator today.

As for that eldest brother, if he didn’t come, so be it. If he arrived before the Vajra Bodhi ripened, he would also be dealt with. With the Shadow Shadow Buddha Technique as his trump card, Fang Chen had enough control over the situation.

***

Shopkeeper Lin stared fixedly at Fang Chen. He didn’t dare move, as a flying sword was pointed at his forehead. He had no doubt that if he made any sudden movements, he would likely meet his end right there.

Shopkeeper Lin felt anxious.

Is he thinking it over? Will he go back on his word?

His subordinates were pale-faced too. They too did not dare make any rash moves.

Fang Chen opened his eyes.

He retracted Little Sword, smiled at Shopkeeper Lin, and said, ”You may leave.”

He then turned and left the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, blending into the shadows and disappearing.

Shopkeeper Lin stared blankly as Fang Chen vanished right before his eyes. It took him several moments to snap out of his daze.

“He really didn’t kill me?!”

”Shopkeeper Lin, what should we do next?” one of his subordinates asked in a low voice.

”What should we do? We’ll naturally leave this place first and see how the situation develops,” Shopkeeper Lin muttered to himself. Then, he struck out with a palm, instantly killing the subordinate who had spoken.

The people around were stunned. After the shock subsided, they began to flee.

”Shopkeeper Lin?!”

A slight smile appeared on Shopkeeper Lin’s lips. ”You witnessed me betraying the manager. How can I let you live?”

Before long, Shopkeeper Lin walked out of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion alone.

He would now wait quietly for news.

***

Fang Chen returned to the valley.

This formation could even hold off a Golden Core Realm cultivator for a while. However, in Fang Chen’s eyes, it was full of flaws. He was easily able to enter the valley without alerting the manager to his intrusion.

The manager had no idea that there was someone standing in the shadows, ready to strike.

Puchi!

A sword pierced through the back of the manager’s head and came out of his forehead.

”Cough!”

A strange sound came from the manager’s throat.

Fang Chen withdrew Little Sword and then thrust it back into the manager’s heart, creating multiple holes in his body within moments. Even the Golden Core in his abdomen was shattered by the sword.

The life force of demon cultivators was terrifyingly strong; even after being repeatedly stabbed by Fang Chen hundreds of times, the manager did not perish on the spot. With his last bit of strength, he twisted his body to look back at Fang Chen, staring at him with bitterness, confusion, and resentment.

”How...?” he asked.

With another push, Fang Chen struck again.

The sword plunged into the manager’s skull, severing any hope for him to survive.

He had died puzzled. How had Fang Chen been able to silently pass through his formation without him noticing? How had he been able to quietly creep up behind him?

And what he found most difficult to swallow was how fragile his physical body was in front of Fang Chen’s blade. This had been the aspect he was most confident in, yet it had seemed as though it was nothing but tofu at that critical moment.

His assailant... hadn’t even used much spiritual energy! He had relied purely on the techniques of an ordinary martial artist to slaughter him up close!

All of the manager’s questions would accompany him to his grave, never to be resolved.

Fang Chen gazed at the lifeless body and muttered, ”Golden Core Realm cultivators... are not as invincible as they claim. If a skilled martial artist can get near them and break through their defenses, even they could kill them.”

Throughout the encounter, Fang Chen used very limited spiritual energy. He had killed a Golden Core Realm cultivator almost effortlessly, relying only on the Shadow Buddha and the sharpness of Little Sword. He hadn’t even needed to use the Eight Desolation Supreme Sword Scripture.

Fang Chen’s eyes drifted toward one of the manager’s fingers, where he saw a black storage ring.

Sliding the ring off, Fang began to refine it.

Half a day later, Fang Chen successfully refined the storage ring. He was astonished by the vast amount of resources inside.

He could easily tell with a glance that there were at least seventy thousand spirit stones inside! These were likely all the profits the manager had accumulated over the years from this shady business he pulled.

Apart from the spirit stones, there were also over a dozen mid-grade, yellow-rank treasures and several high-grade, yellow-rank treasures. There were many spiritual materials, pills, and spiritual fruits inside too. Fang Chen didn’t know their specific value, but he was sure that this was a bountiful harvest.

Fang Chen also found a jade slip among the piles of stuff.

After infusing it with spiritual energy, he discovered that it contained a formation inheritance. Inside were records of more than ten different formations, each with its own unique effects, ranging from weak to strong. One of the formations was precisely the one surrounding this valley.