Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 1021: Divine Dao Sect’s Patriarch

The visitor wore a smile. ”You’ll find out soon enough if you follow me, Fellow Daoist Fang. It’s all within the Long Family anyway, not far at all. I ask that you come with me.”

Though the man’s smile appeared warm, his gaze gradually sharpened.

To the man’s surprise, the door slammed shut in his face. The visitor’s smile slowly froze before his face turned ashen, staring darkly at the tightly closed door.

They were in the First Courtyard. He couldn’t use force here. He had no choice but to take a deep breath and knock softly. ”Fellow Daoist Fang, the person inviting you is the eldest son of the Fourth Courtyard, Long Ying.”

It was completely quiet as no reply came.

The visitor’s face darkened further as he said coolly, ”This matter involves someone from the Sun Family. Don’t you want to hear about it?”

”I’m preparing for the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps. Please leave,” Fang Chen’s voice came from within.

The visitor stood in silence for a few breaths, then spoke again. Still, there was no reply. After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, he finally turned and left.

In the Fourth Courtyard, the sword cultivator who had approached earlier now stood respectfully before a young man.

”He refused to meet me?”

The youth sprinkled fish feed into a lake before him, drawing a crowd of azure carp scrambling for food.

Around him stood several young men and women, watching the carp and chatting leisurely, mainly about the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps and the man from Yunlu City.

Someone laughed. ”Brother Long Ying, I heard the sword cultivators brought by Li Changsheng are all quite arrogant, apart from Yan Kun. Seems the rumors were true. I’m curious, do they think their path of sword cultivation compares to our own path to immortality?”

Long Ying tossed the rest of the feed into the lake and smiled. ”In places like that, cultivation resources are scarce. Our path seeks longevity, but we can’t just sit in closed meditation forever. That’s why sword cultivators, with their offensive strength, stand out.”

”Those bumpkins really come from the countryside. Why don’t I go see this guy myself, see if he’s really arrogant enough to refuse even your invitation?”

”No need. I’ll go see him personally,” said Long Ying.

He smiled faintly and turned to leave.

Everyone looked at one another, puzzled. With Long Ying’s status, why would he personally go see that sword cultivator? Could it be related to the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps?

Back at Fang Chen’s residence, the previous sword cultivator knocked again, this time more politely. ”Fellow Daoist Fang, Young Master Long Ying is here.”

The door opened, and Fang Chen looked at the newcomer. Though a man, his features were more delicate than most women’s. He had skin as fair as snow, untouched by wind or frost.

Long Ying smiled without the slightest arrogance. ”Fellow Daoist Fang, I am Long Ying. May we speak inside?”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Please, Young Master Long.”

The sword cultivator at the door remained outside to stand guard.

Long Ying casually placed a restriction on the entrance, then looked Fang Chen over and said with a light smile, ”I’ll get straight to the point. When you killed Sun Yi’s clone, you took his storage ring. He said you can keep everything else, but there’s one item he wants returned. If you give it back, the matter is settled. He won’t bother you again. What do you think?”

Fang Chen’s smile deepened. ”I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.”

So the Long Family is still in touch with the Sun Family. Sun Yi has even managed to ask this person to intercede on his behalf...

Judging from Long Ying’s aura, he had likely already passed his tribulation and was awaiting ascension.

”Sun Yi didn’t tell me what the item was. He just said you would know. Do you truly not understand?” Long Ying asked.

”I don’t. I only know that by the rules of the cultivation world, since he was defeated, the storage ring no longer belongs to him. Anything inside is mine to do with as I please,” Fang Chen said calmly.

”That is the rule of the world.” Long Ying nodded with a smile. ”And that rule applies here in Qiufeng as well. But if the item in question is too valuable, keeping it may only bring trouble. You’d be better off trading it for a favor. No need to worry about Sun Yi breaking his word. I’ll vouch for him.”

Fang Chen sighed lightly. ”I’m afraid I can’t help you, Young Master Long.”

”No matter. I’ve delivered the message. Whether it works out or not has little to do with me. I’ll take my leave.”

Long Ying remained unbothered, nodding as he laughed. He then released the restriction and left.

Fang Chen was slightly surprised. It seemed Long Ying had only passed on the message casually. He truly didn’t know the item Sun Yi sought was an immortal crystal.

A few days later, Li Changsheng appeared again, accompanied by the woman in the plain dress and Long Xuan.

Li Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, smiling. ”Have you all gained anything during your time here?”

”Master, I’ve gained some insight into the Green Pine Sword Scripture. Perhaps I’ll soon be able to condense the Green Pine Sword Intent,” Yan Kun replied respectfully.

Bai Lingyue and the others also shared their own insights.

Li Changsheng nodded. He summoned an immortal boat and said with a smile, ”Board the boat.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up. They were finally heading to the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps.

As the First Courtyard’s immortal boat took off, boats from the Second, Third, and Fourth Courtyard rose in turn. For a brief moment, the four boats flew side by side, their occupants visible to one another.

Bai Lingyue stood beside Fang Chen, glancing at the boats full of sword cultivators. He appeared puzzled as he looked at some boats with hundreds aboard. ”Looks like Grandfather Li’s group is a bit sparse... There’s just a dozen or so of us....”

On the Second Courtyard’s boat, Long Ao stood with his hands behind his back. Nearby were Xue Shan and several well-dressed noblewomen, each flanked by young men and women.

One of the women was someone Fang Chen recognized. It was Long Ruo’s mother. Long Ruo stood beside her with another young man.

What drew Fang Chen’s attention, though, was another figure. Unlike the others, he did not stand near Long Ao, but quietly at the edge of the boat, emanating a presence very much like Li Changsheng’s.

That was a Loose Immortal.

Long Ao suddenly laughed. ”We of the Second Courtyard will go on ahead. Take your time.”

His immortal boat shot forward with tremendous speed and vanished into the sky.

Li Changsheng’s eyes remained calm. He gave a faint snort from his nose, then turned his gaze toward the Third Courtyard’s immortal boat. On it were Long Wu and Dongfang Haojie. The latter was waving at Fang Chen.

”Have any of you met the Divine Dao Sect’s Patriarch from the Central Continent Empire?” Li Changsheng suddenly asked.

Not only Fang Chen and Bai Qingming, but even Bai Lingyue and the others turned with interest.

Even in the Celestial Heavens and Northern Dipper, the Divine Dao Sect was a powerhouse.

Li Changsheng looked toward the Third Courtyard’s immortal boat and fixed his eyes on a refined scholar. Eventually, he spoke. ”Pu Yuanzhu, come have a word.”

Him?

Everyone turned to the scholar. Only Fang Chen suddenly recalled Long Ruo’s words. The leader of the Killing Spiritual Division was also a scholarly character.