Immortal of the Nine Realms

A few days later, the group drew closer to the territory of the Li Xiao Empire.

Even though the Killing Spiritual Division cultivators, including Li Fu, were well-traveled and knowledgeable, they were now deeply alarmed by the speed of Tai Yin Dragon King.

A journey that would typically take ordinary cultivators several years was nearly completed in just a few days. If they hadn’t been riding on the dragon’s back but were instead on the ground, they likely wouldn’t have even caught a glimpse of Tai Yin Dragon King’s figure, nor would they have sensed it flying above at all.

”Something’s wrong ahead,” said Shen Ji, her expression grave as she activated her Primordial Immortal Eye. ”I see the celestial soldiers of Heavenly King Zhen’s Manor carrying out some business. Something must have happened.”

”This place is...”

Fang Chen focused his thoughts, signaling the Tai Yin Dragon King to stop. He then began observing the surroundings.

”This is within the territory of the Giant Antler Empire. Gai Hong is the emperor there, and you’re no stranger to him.” Shen Ji frowned. ”He’s always been reluctant to mobilize the forces of Heavenly King Zhen’s Manor. These celestial soldiers usually don’t set foot here. Why have so many of them come this time?”

”He’s also a Killing Spiritual Division cultivator. Could he be trying to use the forces of the Heavenly King Zhen’s Manor to deal with the Spirit Blood Cult’s schemes?” speculated Fang Chen.

After activating his Primordial Immortal Eye, Fang Chen’s vision extended far into the distance. He could already see numerous celestial soldiers capturing cultivators for questioning, their attitudes harsh. If met with resistance, they would kill on the spot!

”That’s not possible.” Shen Ji shook her head lightly. ”Heavenly King Zhen is a shrewd and calculating man. Although he turns a blind eye to Gai Hong becoming a Killing Spiritual Division cultivator, he would never personally intervene in the affairs between the Killing Spiritual Division and the Spirit Blood Cult. He is a neutral party. Unless something major happens, he won’t easily take a stance.”

As the two spoke, many cultivators were already being captured by the celestial soldiers. Some were killed on the spot, their blood splattering everywhere.

These celestial soldiers acted without restraint. Even when the residual waves of their spiritual energy occasionally swept into areas where mortals lived, they paid no heed.

Some mortals died in their sleep due to the residual energy. Others were in the middle of a meal with their families, just picking up a bite of vegetables, when their flesh and blood were obliterated, leaving behind only skeletons.

Their wandering souls were bewildered, unaware of why they had died or where they should go next.

Fang Chen’s gaze grew cold. ”It’s indeed necessary to separate the realms of immortals and mortals and establish laws.”

What was truly terrifying wasn’t their methods but their callous disregard for life.

”Gai Hong, the eldest son of Heavenly King Zhen’s estate and the emperor of the Giant Antler Empire, has been treacherously killed in the Giant Antler Empire.

”Anyone with information, please come to the capital to report. The Heavenly King Zhen’s Manor will offer a generous reward. Those who know but fail to report will, upon verification, have their ten generations exterminated.

”From this day forward, no cultivator in Giant Antler is permitted to leave. Those who disobey will be executed. If no explanation is provided within ten days, Giant Antler will be annihilated!”

The voice, like the tolling of a great bell, echoed throughout.

Hearing the proclamation, both mortals and cultivators turned pale with fear.

Li Fu and the others were utterly shocked and whispered among themselves.

”The legitimate son of Heavenly King Zhen is dead!?”

”Who is bold enough to kill the son of an Immortal King?”

”Could it be related to the Spirit Blood Sect?”

”Impossible! The Spirit Blood Sect is planning something major this time. They wouldn’t provoke Heavenly King Zhen....”

The leader of the Wutong Dao Sect furrowed his brows and said, ”The situation isn’t settled yet. Everyone, refrain from speaking too much.”

The group immediately fell silent, but their emotions remained unsettled.

Fang Chen glanced at Shen Ji, and she returned the look. Both saw a hint of gravity and suspicion in each other’s eyes.

Gai Hong is dead!?

If the news were true, it would explain why so many celestial soldiers were present here. Heavenly King Zhen’s Manor had indeed encountered a major crisis, one much bigger than they had imagined.

Fang Chen asked in a deep voice, ”Fourth Princess, do you think Gai Hong’s death is related to the Spirit Blood Sect?” The proclamation had already made it clear: If the culprit wasn’t found, they would make the Giant Antler Empire pay for Gai Hong’s death. If that happened, the deaths wouldn’t be limited to just a few hundred million or a few billion lives. Giant Antler Empire’s vast territories, with countless beings, would see that number multiplied by ten, or even a hundred times. Such a loss was unimaginable.

Shen Ji said thoughtfully, ”Li Xiao’s old ancestor is planning to ascend to Immortal King. If Gai Hong were killed at this time, Heavenly King Zhen Manor would certainly respond quickly. He’d have to personally intervene in Li Xiao. For them, there’s no advantage in this.”

No advantage?

Fang Chen’s gaze flickered, and he suddenly looked at Shen Ji with a solemn expression, ”Fourth Princess, if something happens to you in the Handan Empire, it would likely affect Li Xiao as well, wouldn’t it? You said those Immortal Kings are unwilling to intervene because they don’t feel threatened. But your situation is different. You’re not just the fourth princess of the Central Continent; you’re also the goddess of the Divine Dao Sect.”

Shen Ji furrowed her brow. ”If something happens to me....”

She said, ”Then Li Xiao Empire’s old ancestor would have almost no chance of advancing to the Immortal King Realm.”

”I considered this before, which is why I planned to take a trip and bring this person from the Wutong Dao Sect with me. I owe him a favor from years ago.”

”Who told you about the situation in Handan Empire?”

”Naturally, it was a colleague from the Killing Spiritual Division.” Shen Ji looked at Fang Chen with a heavy gaze. ”What are you trying to say?”

”The Spirit Blood Sect’s Profound Immortal who died in the Handan Empire was not from the faction of Li Xiao’s old ancestor,” Fang Chen said. ”I may have already guessed who is behind Gai Hong’s death.”

”You mean...” Shen Ji’s face darkened, and her fists involuntarily clenched. ”Someone in the Spirit Blood Sect doesn’t want Li Xiao’s old ancestor to ascend to the Immortal King realm, so they’ve secretly stirred up these schemes, using me and Gai Hong to force the Central Continent to take action?”

She had never expected someone to use her as a tool.

”Go to the capital and ask where Gai Hong died. Let’s check it out,” said Fang Chen.

After speaking, he motioned for Tai Yin Dragon King to continue on its path.

Shen Ji looked at Fang Chen. ”Who did you guess was behind this?”

Fang Chen answered, ”Qin Hucheng. However, it’s not him directly, but someone behind him.”

Shen Ji’s eyes flashed with shock. ”Qin Hucheng?”

The Spirit Blood Sect had infiltrated even the Void Immortal Sword Sect?

Shen Ji’s expression was complicated. ”Do you have evidence? Sword cultivators like you should be the least likely to join the Spirit Blood Sect. What you seek is not immortality.”

Fang Chen said indifferently, ”Yes, immortality isn’t what we’re after, but flowers bloom in a hundred shades of red, and people come in a thousand varieties. Who knows what Qin Hucheng is after? There’s no need for evidence. He and Gai Wu are both members of the Spirit Blood Sect. I saw it with my own eyes in Li Xiao.”

”That time... why didn’t you inform me earlier?”

Shen Ji’s mind raced, and she looked at Fang Chen with a hint of suspicion.

”Even Senior Brother Qin has joined the Spirit Blood Sect. How would I know if I can really trust you as well?”Fang Chen sighed softly. ”I should have informed Gai Hong in advance so he could be more prepared and avoid getting killed.”

Shen Ji was silent for a few breaths before nodding. ”I just thought about it. If I were in your position, I wouldn’t have easily told myself about this either.”

An hour later, Tai Yin Dragon King arrived above the capital of the Giant Antler Empire.

Looking down from the sky, the capital resembled a divine deer standing on a cloud, seemingly about to leap over the Immortal Gate. An old man in a blue robe stood with his hands behind his back in the void, his indifferent gaze fixed on the celestial soldiers who were rounding up cultivators and raiding homes.