Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen quietly left the courtyard, planning to depart from the Li Xiao Empire. However, he noticed that Gai Wu was not heading toward the imperial palace but instead took a different direction.

In a long-abandoned house in a corner of the capital, a deep black dagger lay silently on the ground. Gai Wu picked up the dagger and chuckled lightly. ”Is it really necessary to be so cautious? What difference does it make if you hand it to me directly?”

The next moment, the deep black dagger transformed into a small black snake, slithering up Gai Wu’s arm and disappearing into his robe. After completing this task, Gai Wu quietly left.

”Little Mirror, where did that dagger come from?” asked Fang Chen softly.

”Since you have seen it with your own eyes, a token of appreciation of ten mid-grade spirit stones will suffice,” answered Mirror of the Universe.

A few moments later, a message appeared

[Celestial Abyss Snake, also known as the Karma Snake. This snake has the power to stir karma; if bitten, karma will become chaotic, bringing great terror. It is quite common in the Immortal Realm.]

Mirror of the Universe explained, ”Little brother, this Celestial Abyss Snake is not an ordinary creature. Don’t let its small size fool you; if bitten, even an ordinary immortal would find it difficult to withstand the backlash of karma.

”It must have been found in some immortal ruins; I wonder which immortal has been secretly raising it to undermine others.”

Fang Chen understood why Qin Hucheng had personally come over. It had to have been to deliver this Celestial Abyss Snake.

Even an ordinary immortal wouldn’t be able to withstand it…. Then, even a Tribulation Realm cultivator would suffer a lot under its bite, even if they don’t die, right?

”Little Mirror, do you think it’s possible that this snake is meant to be used on the Profound Immortal preparing to become an Immortal King? The one from the Spirit Blood Sect,” mused Fang Chen.

Mirror of the Universe replied awkwardly, ”Well... I can’t say for sure.”

”Perhaps even Yu Qingmei and the others don’t realize that Gai Wu is also connected to the Spirit Blood Sect, or that he has joined a faction opposed to them. After the incident with the Void Immortal Sword Sect, it’s even harder for them to suspect that Gai Wu, who has become a pawn of the Spirit Blood Sect, would have this identity. This way, he can quietly seek opportunities and strike at critical moments, perhaps even retreating unscathed...”

Fang Chen shook his head and turned to leave. ”Alright, let’s go.”

***

In the Central Continent, at the Fourth Princess’s manor.

”Aren’t you supposed to be gone?” Shen Ji looked at Fang Chen in surprise. ”My residence is heavily fortified with formations; how did you slip past them unnoticed and come to my room?”

Fang Chen smiled but said nothing.

Shen Ji watched him for a moment and ultimately stopped pressing for answers. Instead, she asked lightly, ”Do you have news about the incident at the Desolate Academy?”

”The younger brother of Yu Qingmei is a disciple of the Desolate Academy and is likely a cultivator of the Spirit Blood Sect. However, I can’t confirm if he is indeed related to the Radiant Sun Spirit Lord,” replied Fang Chen.

Shen Ji paused and frowned. ”Is this information accurate? Is there any solid evidence?”

”Of course, there isn’t any. I just wanted to inform you. I’ll take my leave now.”

Having delivered the message, Fang Chen clasped his fist in a salute before turning to depart.

Shen Ji was about to ask a couple more questions, but when she looked up, she found that Fang Chen had already vanished without a trace, and the surrounding formations showed no signs of disturbance. 𝘙ἈΝộΒÊ𝐒

Shen Ji pondered thoughtfully. ”This kid...”

Fang Chen didn’t linger in the capital and headed straight toward Azure Dao Manor. Before going to the Immortal Demonic Sea, he needed to finalize matters regarding the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

He decided not to concern himself with the issues in Li Xiao Empire any longer, having already informed Shen Ji about the lead regarding the Radiant Sun Spirit Lord. The Killing Spiritual Division would naturally handle the rest.

However, he didn’t mention anything about Qin Hucheng and Gai Wu to Shen Ji. Since even Qin Hucheng was a suspected Spirit Blood Sect cultivator, Fang Chen was unsure if he could truly trust Shen Ji.

***

At the Azure Dao Manor, the Grand Thousand Dao Sect.

The incense offerings outside the Dao Palace were becoming increasingly prosperous, and the number of ordinary Daoists had noticeably increased compared to before.

”Esteemed elder, I see you’re having trouble with your legs. What do you seek by coming here to offer incense?”

Li Daoye was wearing a Dao robe that made him look ethereal. Currently, he was engaging in some ordinary tasks typically done by welcoming Daoists outside the palace.

The other Daoists in the outer palace dared not interfere, knowing that he was someone of considerable importance—not only was he a direct disciple of the esteemed Senior Pei from the inner sanctum, but he also had connections with an ancestor who was even more senior than Senior Pei.

Hearing Li Daoye’s inquiry, an elderly man, who leaned on a cane and had only one leg, smiled wryly and replied, ”Daoist, my grandson has been bedridden with illness these days. This old man only wishes to seek a blessing from the immortal for his recovery.”

”That’s easy to handle. Here, take this pill back for your grandson. If it’s not a serious issue, he should be able to recover on the spot,” said Li Daoye.

He handed the elderly man a bright red pill that was about the size of a longan.

The old man was momentarily taken aback, his face displaying an expression of disbelief. It took him several breaths before he finally reacted, hurriedly accepting the pill with countless thanks before walking away with his cane excitedly.

Not far away, Qin Feng and Qin Xuan watched the scene with strange expressions. Once the old man left, they approached Li Daoye.

Qin Xuan said hesitantly, ”Senior Brother Li, while that pill was just an ordinary one for replenishing qi and blood, it was worth at least one or two low-grade spirit stones.… You just gave it away like that….”

Li Daoye smiled lightly. ”You said it yourself: it’s only worth one or two spirit stones. That’s nothing. Ancestor Fang gave me plenty of spirit stones back then, and I still have some left.”

”Though that may be true…” said Qin Feng, still looking confused. ”But what are we doing here? What does this have to do with cultivation?”

The siblings initially planned to cultivate in the inner sanctum but were instead caught by Li Daoye and brought to the outer sect to do some ordinary tasks that Daoists typically handle, leaving them quite puzzled. If they didn’t know that Li Daoye and Fang Chen had a good relationship, they would’ve just quit long ago.

”How is this not related to cultivation? This is called entering the world, experiencing the feelings of the people. Ancestor Fang you respect most enjoys doing such things; if he thinks it’s beneficial for cultivation, then it must be right.” Li Daoye grinned. ”Now let me ask you, have you gained any insights during this time?”

”Insights?”

The two exchanged bewildered glances before shaking their heads.

”Looks like you two haven’t matured enough yet. On the other hand, I have gained quite a bit of insight during this time,” revealed Li Daoye.

Qin Feng raised a brow. ”What insights have you gained, Senior Brother Li?”

Li Daoye chuckled. ”Wait, no. Actually, no insights at the moment.”

The two were rendered speechless.

At that moment, a beggar came down from the mountain.

It wouldn’t be accurate to call him a beggar, though. He wore a patched-up Daoist robe, and his dirty face bore a strange smile as he sang Daoist verses while walking. His rough yet resonant voice drew the attention of many worshippers and Daoists in the outer palace.

A wealthy-looking worshipper spotted him and eagerly stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting. ”I’m Wang Fugui. I have the honor of meeting you, immortal. May I ask—”

”Annoying.”

The beggar Daoist waved his sleeve lightly, and a fierce wind swept through, instantly reducing the worshipper to mere bones scattered on the ground.

The attendants and relatives were horrified at the sight, screaming and fleeing in all directions.

Li Daoye’s expression darkened at this scene. He turned to the siblings and instructed, ”ming.”