Immortal of the Nine Realms

Wang Yi stared blankly at the puddle of foul mud and ash that used to be Wu Changzai, his mind struggling to comprehend the situation. ”Is he… dead?”

Wang Yi wasn’t the only one left reeling with shock. Ding Hao and the others were equally dazed.

The people around were similarly confused, unsure of what had just happened. Even Wu Changzai’s two senior brothers were bewildered; had they grasped what transpired, they would have attacked Fang Chen immediately.

They could see that Fang Chen hadn’t used any spiritual power during his sword dance. So why had Wu Changzai perished right after the performance? His death was particularly bizarre, as if he had suddenly exhausted his lifespan, aging from a young man to a frail elder in an instant.

On the high platform, the sword cultivators brought by Yan Kun looked on in shock. They scanned the area as if searching for the real culprit, ready to draw their swords at any moment.

Wu Changzai was the most promising young talent of the Kunlun Sword Sect, a key figure being groomed to inherit the position of sword leader from Yan Kun. How could they tolerate witnessing such a brilliant prospect perish before their eyes?

Ge Hong instinctively looked at Ge Yunnuo, asking, ”What just happened?”

However, she, too, was clueless, her expression mirroring his confusion.

Ji Liang furrowed his brows, unable to believe the outcome. ”What is this?”

Instead of losing face, Fang Chen had made Wu Changzai, who had been watching, meet his end instead.

Xun Ye frowned slightly and glanced at Yan Kun. ”Brother Yan, is your junior disciple suffering from an old ailment? Such a strange death… even I find it difficult to comprehend. Has he visited any immortal relics recently?”

Yan Kun chuckled. ”Your Highness, didn’t you hear what Sword Leader Fang said? Wu Changzai’s death should have something to do with him. The Central Continent needs to give us an explanation.”

The others exchanged glances. They had also heard Fang Chen’s words, but just because they heard them didn’t mean they understood their implications. After all, they hadn’t noticed any signs of Fang Chen’s involvement from start to finish.

Could it be that a First Rate Sect Leader made a move?

That thought arose briefly but was quickly suppressed by everyone.

That was Impossible. Why would a First Rate Sect Leader bring themselves to kill a mere sword cultivator?

He certainly wouldn’t lift a finger to kill a cultivator from the Kunlun Sword Sect, especially when the current top-ranked figure on the Emperor Ranking, Li Changsheng, hailed from Kunlun.

”Brother Yan, you’re wronging us. It was your disciple who wanted to watch the sword dance, and our Central Continent’s Sword Leader Fang humbled himself to perform a piece according to his demand.”

Xun Ye was astonished. ”So now you expect us to provide an explanation? That doesn’t seem right.”

Yan Kun suddenly laughed lightly ”Bai Qingming, they can’t see it, but you must have noticed.”

Bai Qingming raised an eyebrow, glancing at him. He indifferently said, ”I saw it. Your disciple Wu Changzai died to Fang Chen’s sword intent. He deserved to die.” 𝘙Ἀ₦ȫꞖÈŚ

He died to Fang Chen’s sword intent?!

Everyone was slightly taken aback. Although they knew sword cultivators’ sword intent could be terrifying, they also understood that comprehending sword intent was quite challenging.

Nine out of ten sword cultivators had never comprehended sword intent. Even for powerful figures like Bai Qingming, who possessed sword intent, would not be as mysterious as what had just transpired.

”Even if I don’t question the sword, you still harmed a cultivator from my sect. I’ve decided to take your sword leader’s life today,” Yan Kun said with a smile. ”What do you think?”

”Oh? Not questioning the sword?” Bai Qingming was taken aback for a moment. ”Wait a minute, let me ask Junior Brother Fang.”

With that, he leaned over and called to Fang Chen, ”Brother Fang, Kunlun Sword Sect’s Yan Kun says that since you didn’t inquire about the sword and killed Wu Changzai, it’s against the rules. Am I mistaken, or is he mistaken? Didn’t you question his sword?”

Everyone looked up and suddenly realized that so many significant figures were watching this sword dance from the high platform.

Fang Chen smiled and replied, ”Didn’t Wu Changzai ask me to perform a sword dance in public? Isn’t that a form of questioning my sword? Now that his strength is too weak, he felt ashamed after watching my performance and died; who can he blame for that?”

After laughing, he turned to Wang Yi and said, ”Wang Yi, if someone were to ask you to perform a sword dance in public, what would that mean?”

Wang Yi paused for a moment, his expression darkening. ”That would be akin to questioning my sword, a matter of life and death.”

”What do you all think?” Fang Chen looked toward Ding Hao and the others. ”We are all sword cultivators, so let’s not hide our thoughts.”

Ding Hao pondered for a moment and said, ”Of course that’s questioning the sword. Asking me to perform a sword dance in public is no different from insulting my parents and sect to my face.”

Another sword cultivator laughed. ”Sword Leader Fang, does this even need to be said? Wu Changzai was clearly looking for trouble as he tried to question your sword.”

Fang Chen chuckled. ”Brother, please inform Sword Leader Yan Kun that he had indeed questioned my sword. Does he think this is just a child’s game? If I finish my sword dance and Wu Changzai does not die, then that’s his victory. If I finish my sword dance and Wu Changzai dies, then that’s his loss. It’s very simple. How could Sword Leader Yan Kun fail to understand it.”

Seeing this, Bai Qingming smiled. ”Good, I’ll let him know; I believe he should understand now.”

Bai Qingming turned to Yan Kun and said, ”You heard that? This is indeed questioning the sword, and now it is your sect that has lost. But I find it strange. I heard that my old Sword Immortal had already agreed with your sect to give Junior Brother Fang ten years before questioning his sword path. Why are you so eager to act? This breaks the rules.”

Yan Kun remained expressionless, quietly staring at Bai Qingming.

In terms of cultivation and swordsmanship, he had to surpass Bai Qingming by a fair margin. Yet Bai Qingming showed no signs of fear, with his mocking smile fully visible.

Xun Ye nodded gently. ”Yes, that was indeed a sword questioning. The laws of Central Continent have made it convenient for you sword cultivators. Otherwise, the Yongan City Left Patrol would have intervened long ago; how could cultivators fight privately on the streets?”

He looked at Hong Xian and asked, ”General Hong Xian, is that right?”

Hong Xian’s powerful frame shook slightly as he stepped forward and clasped his fist. ”Your Highness, I did not intervene because I could see that this was a sword questioning. Otherwise, according to Central Continent’s regulations, cultivators are not allowed to fight in the street!”

Xun Ye smiled and said, ”Brother Yan, you see... you shouldn’t take it too seriously. When a sword questioning takes place, someone will inevitably lose their life.

”If Sword Leader Fang had died and the Void Immortal Sword Sect sought revenge, I would’ve ensured your safe departure. Now that the situation has turned around, my attitude remains fair. I hope we do not harm the harmony between Kunlun and Central Continent. The newly discovered immortal relics should be explored together by both of us.”

Newly discovered immortal relics?

Many people were surprised to hear that, revealing a trace of seriousness and alarm, their breaths becoming heavier.

How many years had it been since new immortal relics had appeared?

Yan Kun looked at Xun Ye for a long while before suddenly laughing. ”You are right. Since Wu Changzai died after losing the sword questioning, that is also his fate. Your Highness, let’s discuss proper business.”

”Please.”

As they spoke, the two began to walk away.

The sword cultivators brought by Yan Kun exchanged glances, ultimately suppressing their inner fury. One flew down to take away the remains of Wu Changzai and the other two sword cultivators, glaring fiercely at Fang Chen as they left.

As everyone witnessed this scene, they finally understood that this matter was settled. The expressions of people like Feng Ya and others as they looked at Fang Chen had already become unusual, filled with caution and a hint of fear.

”Ten Thousand Year Sword…” murmured Ding Hao, sighing. ”I really want to know what it felt like for Wu Changzai to witness that just now.”

Fang Chen glanced at Ding Hao. In the end, he chuckled lightly, tossing the sword back to Wang Yi. ”You wouldn’t want to see it, unless you can live for ten thousand years.”

With that, he turned and left.

Xia Ji noticed that and followed along with Wu Ruochou. Wang Yi stared blankly at the sword in his hand.

Has this sword killed a sword cultivator from Kunlun, or not?

He found it difficult to discern.

Ding Hao looked at the flying sword in Wang Yi’s hand and suddenly asked, ”Junior Brother Wang Yi, if I had known it would turn out like this, I would have lent him my immortal sword instead. This sword of yours will be something extraordinary in the future. Why don’t we swap?”

Wang Yi immediately showed a wary expression. ”What are you saying, Senior Brother? I have matters to attend to, I’ll take my leave now.”

He quickly beetled off, as if he believed that moving slowly would result in Ding Hao snatching the sword from him.

Ding Hao snorted. He turned to the people around and said regretfully, ”In just three days, everyone across Central Continent will know that Sword Leader Fang never drew his sword. With just his sword intent, he subdued a sword cultivator from the Kunlun Sword Sect.”

”Sword intent? How does Senior Brother know it was sword intent….”

”I can guess. What other means could be so miraculous besides sword intent?” Ding Hao licked his lips. ”The sword leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect is a remarkable man. The centuries to come will surely be very exciting. I hope we can have the fortune to be part of it.”

The others fell into silence.