Immortal of the Nine Realms

Seeing the elderly woman work so hard, the middle-aged couple hesitated.

The man said, ”Mother... let me carry Jing’er instead....”

The elderly woman glanced at the couple. ”Though I’m old, I still have the strength to carry him. Why argue?”

The couple silently nodded.

”Yes....”

At that moment, a group of martial artists descended from the mountain. Upon seeing the elderly woman’s group, a look of surprise flashed across their faces. One of the white-haired martial artists laughed heartily. ”Isn’t this Sect Leader Zhong of the Azure Point Sword Sect?”

The elderly woman’s gaze shifted slightly. ”Who are you?”

The white-haired martial artist announced loudly, ”I am He Hai from the Green Mountain Fleet.”

Upon hearing that, the members of the Azure Point Sword Sect immediately turned cautious, taking a few steps back.

The elderly woman remained composed. She said, ”So it is the leader of the Green Mountain Fleet. Over the years, your fleet has gained a great reputation. I heard that you entered the Martial King stage not too long ago. Congratulations, that’s truly an achievement.”

The middle-aged couple and the other members of the Azure Point Sword Sect wore cautious expressions. The Grand Xia Empire had grown much stronger compared to several decades ago. Since martial arts from the Frost Empire had entered Grand Xia, the cultivation of martial artists had gradually increased.

In the past, a fourth-rank Human Profound Stage could be considered the peak in Grand Xia. Now, even the Earth Profound Stage was no longer rare.

To be considered a top-tier martial artist these days, one had to be in the Heaven Profound Stage.

The first stage of Heaven Profound Stage was Fatal Qi, and the second was Profound Qi, which was the standard for top-level experts these days. The third stage was Royal Qi, and the fourth was Imperial Qi. These two realms were still rare. Practitioners of these stages were honored as Martial Kings and Martial Emperors, respectively.

Once a martial artist became a Martial King or Martial Emperor, it could finally be said that they reached the pinnacle. These two stages were incredibly rare in both the southern and northern regions.

A long time ago, the Green Mountain Fleet was just an insignificant faction in the southern region. It was hardly even considered a real sect. It was deemed by many as a band of second-rate martial artists. Because of some event, the martial artists of the Azure Point Sword Sect had even killed a dozen or so of Green Mountain Fleet’s thugs.

However, not long after, the Green Mountain Fleet moved to the northern region to develop. By chance, they gradually grew into a well-known large faction. The leader of the fleet, He Hai, continuously improved his cultivation. It was rumored that upon arriving in the northern region, he had befriended a certain influential figure, which led to his rapid rise to power.

Unexpectedly, as everyone was heading to the Seven Profound Sect today, they would meet He Hai halfway up the mountain. He had likely come to pay a visit to the elder of the Seven Profound Sect, Huangfu Jie.

He Hai laughed heartily. ”Did everyone hear that? Sect Leader Zhong, the leader of the Azure Point Sword Sect, is congratulating me. There was a time when the major righteous sects didn’t even acknowledge us.”

His booming laughter caused birds in the forest to scatter into the sky. The martial artists beside him also laughed along, looking at Zhong Ying and the others with mockery and disdain.

Zhong Ying smiled and propped up the child on her back, preparing to continue up the mountain. ”We still have to go to the Seven Profound Sect. Let’s talk next time.”

He Hai glanced at the child and noticed the pale complexion and the aura of death surrounding the child. His thoughts shifted, and he stepped forward with a cheerful expression, blocking Zhong Ying’s path. ”It’s rare for us to meet. Why don’t we chat a little longer? I happen to have some matters from the past that I’d like to ask you about.”

The members of the Azure Point Sword Sect immediately saw through He Hai’s intentions and were furious.

He wanted to delay their ascent up the mountain!

Zhong Ying’s smile widened, and she handed the child to the middle-aged couple. ”You all go ahead. I’ll stay here and have a good chat with Sect Leader He.”

The middle-aged man grew worried. ”Mother!”

Zhong Ying’s face darkened. She ordered, ”Go up the mountain.”

”Yes....”

Just as the middle-aged man was about to take the child and the others and continue up the mountain, He Hai’s subordinates intercepted their way.

Zhong Ying frowned slightly. ”What is the meaning of this?”

He Hai looked at her and grinned. ”It’s rare for us to meet, yet you send your subordinates on their way while I still haven’t left. It looks like you’re refusing to show me some respect. Let’s sit and have a chat overnight.

”I heard that when the Giant Sword Gate rebelled, you happened to be present that day. You even met the legendary Duke Fang. I, He Hai, started practicing martial arts late, so I missed out on those events. I never met Duke Fang. I’d like to hear your account. I wonder how my skills compare to his?”

The Azure Point Sword Sect members were slightly stunned. He Hai actually dared to compare himself with that legendary figure!

Zhong Ying fell silent for a moment, then slowly spoke. ”There are some things you may not know. Let me advise you—when one grows too arrogant, disaster follows. When one defies the heavens, the rain will come.”

As He Hai mentioned this name, Zhong Ying’s thoughts drifted back in time. She recalled that young man—broad-shouldered and upright, appearing gentle like jade, as graceful as a nobleman, but holding immense power. With every word, every action, he could stir the winds and thunder, shaking the heavens and earth of Grand Xia!

Zhong Ying seemed to experience a brief moment of disorientation, her eyes gradually focused on the familiar yet distant figure.

”Arrogance brings disaster?” He Hai suddenly let out a cold laugh. ”Look at me, born in humble circumstances, everything I have achieved I did through blood, sweat, and tears! After struggling for decades, I’ve earned everything I have now. What’s wrong with being a bit arrogant? In the south, no one dares to look down on me. And even in the north, many live by my favor.”

At that point, He Hai noticed that Zhong Ying seemed to have lost focus, staring intently in one direction as if not hearing his words. Face darkening, he turned around and looked in the direction she was staring at.

He saw a young Daoist standing not too far away. He Hai hadn’t noticed this person appear, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Fang Chen smiled faintly. ”Is that Zhong Ying of the Azure Point Sword Sect?”

Zhong Ying snapped out of her reverie. She looked at Fang Chen with a face full of confusion. ”I am, but... how is it that you look exactly like Duke Fang?”

He Hai was slightly taken aback. ”Looks like Duke Fang?”

He discreetly scanned Fang Chen with his eyes.

”Has it been forty or fifty years?” Fang Chen smiled softly, looking at the child in the middle-aged man’s arms. ”Is this your grandson?”

The child had been tainted by a trace of sinister energy, and it was gradually sapping away his life force. If this sinister energy wasn’t dealt with, the child’s vitality would completely fade within a day or two.

”Forty or fifty years...?” repeated Zhong Ying.

She was stunned for several moments, then gasped in disbelief, staring at Fang Chen. Her voice trembled as she uttered, ”Y-You... are you Duke Fang?” 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

The members of the Azure Point Sword Sect were shocked, but excitement began to stir within them. If this person truly was Duke Fang, it meant their sect leader had indeed known him! With such a connection, what was He Hai, the leader of the Green Mountain Gang, compared to them?

He Hai’s expression kept changing.

Before Fang Chen could speak, He Hai sneered coldly. ”Playing tricks. So many decades have passed. How could Duke Fang look this young after many years?”

One of He Hai’s subordinates whispered cautiously, ”There are rumors that Duke Fang is an immortal, that he has already ascended. If that’s true... it shouldn’t be difficult for him to retain his youth....”

This remark immediately froze He Hai’s expression.