Immortal of the Nine Realms

The young man quickly pushed through the crowd with Mi Sheng toward Gai Wu. After he introduced himself, the crowd exchanged strange glances.

Someone blabbered, ”Wuchang Mountain? I’ve never heard of it. Where is this sect from? An immortal manor from Central Continent?”

Someone said, ”I recall they came with the delegation from Three Mountain Empire.”

Another snorted, ”Three Mountain Empire? That third-tier empire?”

Expressions of disdain flickered across the faces of those present.

A mere third-grade empire? These people barely qualified to attend the funeral.

However, the presence of Mi Sheng piqued some interest. Her attire was unlike that of ordinary cultivators. Beneath her stunning beauty, there was an air of quiet obedience. This contrast set her apart from the usual female cultivators and drew the attention of many young men in attendance.

Gai Wu glanced at the young man, then at Mi Sheng. He knew their intentions. He smirked faintly but did not drive them away, allowing them to remain and converse.

As the young man spoke, he grew increasingly excited but remained careful with his words, fearing he might offend those present.

As long as he could build some rapport with Gai Wu, he would have a chance to send Mi Sheng straight to his bed!

Suddenly, voices rang out in the distance.

”Zhao Jiaolong of the Combat Department has come to pay respects to Brother Yu!”

”Hua Miaoqing of the Talisman Department has come to pay respects to Brother Yu!”

”Han Xiuxian of the Technique Department has come to pay respects to Brother Yu!”

The crowd in the side hall was stunned at the majestic sight.

Disciples from the Desolate Academy had arrived!?

Excitement surged through them as they rushed forward eagerly to witness these figures firsthand.

A person had to be an unrivaled genius to be accepted into the Desolate Academy. Not only was the academy itself a formidable backing, but the web of power behind it was beyond ordinary comprehension.

Then, more voices followed.

”Han Linqiu of Grand Dao Library has come to pay respects to Brother Yu!”

”Wang Yi of Lingyun Sword Sect has come to pay respects to Brother Yu!”

”Xu Peng of the Green Elephant Sect has come to pay respects to Brother Yu!”

”Su Lingzhu of the Immortal Giant Sect has come to send off Senior Brother Yu.”

Gasps filled the side hall.

All of them were disciples of the Celestial Court!

If the presence of disciples from the immortal manors was already significant, then the disciples of the Celestial Court represented the very pinnacle of power in the world.

Near the funeral hall, many cultivators were taken aback.

Each of these young figures had an extraordinary background. At the forefront stood Zhao Jiaolong, whose mere presence sent a chill down the spines of those around him.

Yu Qingzhi’s father stepped forward with his hands clasped in gratitude. He thanked, ”It is kind of you all to come.”

Then, he guided them to offer incense and take their seats.

As Zhao Jiaolong completed his incense offering, his gaze swept across the room and landed on Qin Hucheng. Their eyes met, and Qin Hucheng gave a knowing smile.

Zhao Jiaolong turned to Yu Qingzhi’s father, King Li Xiao, and inquired, ”Uncle, Brother Yu’s death seems suspicious. Were there any anomalies when he crossed into the underworld?”

King Li Xiao instinctively turned to an elder behind him and asked, ”Father, when Qingzhi’s soul departed, did you notice anything unusual?”

The elder shook his head slightly at Zhao Jiaolong. With a raspy voice, he added, ”I was protecting him as he passed. There were no anomalies detected. However, it seems now that something must have happened in the Underworld.”

Pausing for a moment, he asked, ”Is the Desolate Academy investigating this matter?”

Zhao Jiaolong mused, ”The academy’s masters also suspect the issue lies in the Underworld. If that is the case, we will need to cross the Underworld ourselves to uncover the truth. Unfortunately, few have mastered the Path of Yin technique, and it will take some time.”

”Sure. If we can one day learn how Qingzhi truly died, our hearts will be at ease,” said the elder.

The mention of crossing the Underworld made the surrounding cultivators stir uneasily.

Some older, experienced cultivators had heard of the technique. Others had already caught wind of rumors regarding its recent resurgence. They strained their ears, eager to gather more information. However, before they could learn much, King Li Xiao arranged for Zhao Jiaolong and the others to take their seats.

At that moment, another group arrived.

A man and a woman walked in front and were followed closely by an elderly servant.

The woman greeted, ”Xun Xiyin of the Divine Dao Sect has come to pay respects to Yu Qingzhi.”

The Divine Dao Sect... Xun Xiyin?

Gasps erupted among the crowd.

The four disciples from the Grand Dao Library, Green Elephant Sect, Immortal Giant Sect, and Lingyun Sword Sect had all originated from the Divine Dao Sect. However, they were merely ordinary members who identified themselves by their sects. Only a true direct descendant, such as Goddess Shen Ji, would openly represent the Divine Dao Sect itself!

Furthermore, she bore the surname Xun!

That was a name of imperial blood, belonging to the Central Continent’s imperial family!

In an instant, the crowd realized that this woman was a princess from the Central Continent!

Han Linqiu and the others who had just taken their seats instinctively rose and stared blankly at Goddess Shen Ji. They had never expected her to appear here.

The side hall buzzed with murmurs.

Someone whispered in surprise, ”Uncle had ties to the Divine Dao Sect?”

Another replied, ”Yes, he was a disciple of the Pill-Making Division in Desolate Academy, so it makes sense he’d be acquainted with Goddess Shen Ji!”

A young man secretly whispered to Mi Sheng, ”Little Junior Sister, do you know of the Divine Dao Sect? The four great sects from before all belong to it. The sect is ruled by a Sect Founder, and its power is terrifying!”

His eyes shone with admiration as he gazed at Goddess Shen Ji. If a man could take such a woman as his Dao companion, wouldn’t he follow the legendary saying—one man attains the Dao, and even his dogs and chickens rise to the heavens?

Mi Sheng barely heard her senior brother’s words. She was staring blankly at Fang Chen.

Even after all these years, she could never forget his face. That year, in Grand Qian, he had wielded a lone sword and severed the past and future alike.

Had it not been for him, she might not even be alive today.

She murmured, ”It’s just a resemblance, right? That man died long ago...”

Suddenly, Gai Wu sneered coldly. ”I see Fang Chen is here too. Always poking his nose where the excitement is.”

Mi Sheng turned in shock.

Fang Chen....

Could there really be such a coincidence? Someone who looked exactly the same and even shared the same name?

Mi Sheng asked frantically, ”Cousin, is that man Fang Chen? The Sword Leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect? The one who once defended the Fairy Yu?”

Everyone was flabbergasted.

He dared to step foot into Li Xiao Empire?

Was he here to cause trouble or to mourn?!

Back then, even though the incident wasn’t disastrous, it had driven a wedge between Heavenly King Zhen Manor and the Void Immortal Sword Sect.

Li Xiao Empire had a close relationship with Heavenly King Zhen Manor and with Yu Qingmei and Gai Wu’s ties, they naturally stood against the Void Immortal Sword Sect.

Qin Hucheng rose and glanced between Xun Xiyin and Fang Chen. He chuckled, ”Junior Brother, you’re here too?”

He was a junior brother of Qin Hucheng and a sword cultivator of the Void Immortal Sword Sect!?

The crowd’s attention instantly shifted to Fang Chen.

Fang Chen smiled lightly and replied, ”I have come to offer incense for Yu Qingzhi.”

Yu Qingmei’s face darkened. She immediately stood up and yelled, ”You are not worthy to offer incense to my brother! Leave this funeral hall at once or don’t blame Li Xiao Empire for taking action!”