Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen and Madam Qin returned outside. As soon as they arrived, He Baiyan cast a cold, scrutinizing gaze at Fang Chen, clearly displeased with his private conversation with the madam.

“Daoist Fang will be accompanying us back to the Qin Family,” Madam Qin said to He Baiyan.

“Madam, why are we bringing him back?” He Baiyan asked in surprise.

Pei Qingfeng also looked puzzled.

“Daoist Fang claims to know the whereabouts of another Three Solar Fruit. He will retrieve it for us if we provide him with a hundred mid-grade spirit stones,” the beautiful madam explained with a smile. “The little daoist’s calculations were correct. There truly is a chance to save Feng’er here in the Grand Thousand Dao Sect.”

“He’s only at the Foundation Building Realm... Does he really know the whereabouts of a saint grade herb such as the Three Solar Fruit?” He Baiyan asked incredulously.

A black-clad cultivator scrutinized Fang Chen quietly. A Foundation Building Realm cultivator? Knows the whereabout of a Three Solar Fruit?

He appeared pensive, but was not particularly worried.

“Madam, I think he’s trying to swindle you,” He Baiyan whispered in front of Fang Chen and Pei Qingfeng.

“At this point, I won’t miss any chance, no matter how small,” Madam Qin replied, shaking her head. “The decision is made, he will come with us.”

“Martial Uncle, are you really going to the Qin Family?” Pei Qingfeng asked, his expression odd.

Fang Chen nodded with a smile, “Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon. There’s a shortage of spirit stones in the sect, and with a hundred mid-grade spirit stones, we should have enough to last us for a while.”

Pei Qingfeng felt a surge of respect in his heart.

He Baiyan grew more convinced that Fang Chen was a fraud, while the black-clad cultivator’s eyes remained indifferent, with a hint of cold mockery flickering in his gaze.

Soon, everyone prepared to depart. Fang Chen boarded an immortal boat with Madam Qin and set off into the sky.

Guan’e and the others quickly approached Pei Qingfeng.

“Sect Master, why did Martial Uncle Ancestor leave with the Qin Family’s madam?” Elder Xu asked, his expression puzzled.

Pei Qingfeng sighed softly. “He went to earn spirit stones for our sect.”

The three of them exchanged looks, feeling a mix of emotions.

***

Aboard the immortal boat, Fang Chen was assigned to a chamber not far from Madam Qin’s. Over the next few days, his divine soul wandered through the boat, eventually confirming that the only one who had revealed their tails was the black-clad cultivator.

Although no other suspicious activity was detected, he couldn’t rule out all possibilities.

After about ten days, the immortal boat slowly approached a city.

He Baiyan arrived in front of Fang Chen’s door and knocked.

When Fang Chen opened, He Baiyan said coldly, “We’ve arrived at the Qin Manor. You’d better not deceive the lady, or I will show you what it means to wish for death but to be unable to have it.”

“Excuse me, Daoist He,” Fang Chen replied with a smile.

He Baiyan was slightly taken aback but stepped aside, allowing Fang Chen to pass by him and walk toward Madam Qin.

Fang Chen then chatted with her as they disembarked from the immortal boat.

He Baiyan’s expression darkened even further as he silently followed behind.

As soon as everyone disembarked from the immortal boat, it began shrinking and was recalled back to the madam’s sleeve.

At the same time, a group of people approached from afar. The leader of this group was another striking woman. Even though she was only at the Golden Core Realm, she was accompanied by many black-clad cultivators, including several at the Nascent Soul Realm like He Baiyan. Compared to the madam, this new arrival seemed a bit more delicate and carried a hint of vulnerability.

She quickly moved forward and came to stand before Madam Qin, her face full of concern.

“Sister Chu Lan, was there any chance to improve the situation at the Grand Thousand Dao Sect?” she asked anxiously.

“Wu Wan, let me introduce you. This is Daoist Fang from the Grand Thousand Dao Sect. He claims to know the location of a Three Solar Fruit. If I can find this Three Solar Fruit, there might be hope for Feng’er’s situation and it might also calm the anger of the Ancestor.”

Wu Wan looked at Fang Chen with surprise, taking in his appearance closely. She then asked hurriedly, “Do you really know where the Three Solar Fruit is? Where is it exactly? I’ll send someone to retrieve it immediately.”

“Don’t rush, Wu Wan. I have a transaction with Daoist Fang. He won’t reveal the location of the Three Solar Fruit unless I provide him with a hundred mid-grade spirit stones,” Chu Lan said softly. “Since you’re here today, would you be able to lend me fifty mid-grade spirit stones?”

Wu Wan hesitated, showing a hint of discomfort. “I... recently handed all my spirit stones to Nie’er.”

“It’s fine. I’ll ask my husband. I’m sure he’ll provide the hundred mid-grade spirit stones for Feng’er’s sake,” replied Chu Lan.

Wu Wan’s smiled bitterly. “Husband has been furious about this matter recently. It would be difficult to approach him now....”

Chu Lan sighed softly. “What else can I do? Feng’er has indeed made mistakes, but he is my flesh and blood. How can I not try to save him?”

She then continued, “I will take Daoist Fang to get settled first.”

“Go ahead, Sister. I’ll think of a way to help you as well,” said Wu Wan as she nodded quickly.

Once Chu Lan and Fang Chen left, Wu Wan’s previously vulnerable demeanor vanished and she said indifferently, “Can a cultivator from the Grand Qian Dao Sect really know the whereabouts of the Three Solar Fruit?”

The Nascent Soul Realm cultivator beside her pondered for a moment before replying, “The Grand Qian Dao Sect claims to be the orthodox sect of the Three Thousand Dao Sect, so they might indeed have a few tricks up their sleeve.”

Wu Wan shook her head lightly. “I suspect Chu Lan has been deceived. If the Grand Qian Dao Sect really knew the location of the Three Solar Fruit, they would have taken it for themselves long ago, rather than just asking for a hundred mid-grade spirit stones.”

She then smiled slightly. “Let’s go and visit Nie’er. He’s been preoccupied with this matter lately. Everything is Qin Feng’s fault. He dared to steal the Three Solar Fruits from the ancestor to please that woman from the Langya Clan, causing a disastrous calamity.”

Fang Chen contemplated as he watched Wu Wan and the others leave. From their brief conversation, it was unclear whether this woman was also involved with the Spirit Blood Sect. However, she clearly did not harbor the same friendliness she displayed outwardly. She seemed to have concealed her hostility towards Chu Lan and her son.

On the other side, He Baiyan saw Fang Chen standing with his eyes closed and felt increasingly displeased that a mere Foundation Building Realm cultivator dared to play tricks. He couldn’t help but remind Chu Lan a few times.

Chu Lan, however, remained patient and did not respond to the remarks. When Fang Chen opened his eyes, she said, ”Daoist Fang, you can stay at my place. I will gather one hundred mid-grade spirit stones today, and I hope you will retrieve the Three Solar Fruit within the agreed timeframe.”

”No problem,” Fang Chen replied with a smile and a nod.

The group arrived at Chu Lan’s residence. It was a large courtyard with several pavilions. There was a flowing spiritual spring in the center of the courtyard, so the spiritual energy in the surroundings was very rich. If the spiritual spring were to be placed outside, it could establish a sect on its own, but here it seemed to be just a decorative feature.

“Madam, you’ve returned. Any good news from the visit to the Grand Thousand Dao Sect?”

A young dao cultivator approached slowly with a confident smile until he saw Fang Chen.

Fang Chen noticed the young dao cultivator as well, and both of them discreetly pretended not to recognize each other.