Immortal of the Nine Realms

A flash passed before everyone’s eyes, and a scholar appeared before Li Changsheng. The scholar was elegant and handsome, his manner graceful. He nodded to the woman in the plain dress standing beside Li Changsheng and greeted her. ”Madam.”

The woman smiled softly. ”Young Master Pu, I heard you visited Longyuan recently. Was it to handle the Third Courtyard’s affairs there?”

Pu Yuanzhu shook his head with a smile. ”I just had a few personal matters to deal with.”

”Oh...”

The woman nodded meaningfully and asked no further.

With that, Pu Yuanzhu’s gaze fell on Fang Chen and Bai Qingming. ”You two are disciples of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, yes? I’ve heard your names mentioned quite often lately.”

”Greetings, Senior,” the two replied with cupped fists.

There was a hint of curiosity in Bai Qingming’s eyes. As the son of the Immortal Peak King and a disciple of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, he was no stranger to the Central Continent Empire’s highest circles. Yet even he had never met the Patriarch of the Divine Dao Sect.

Fang Chen mused, The Divine Dao Sect’s Patriarch is working for the Long Family too... looks like Li Changsheng’s marriage into the family wasn’t without reason.

”You’re all talented in the way of the sword. Though your heritage and resources may not match the local sword cultivators, your cultivation of sword intent surpasses theirs by far,” said Pu Yuanzhu, offering a few words of encouragement. ”This time at the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps, don’t hold back. Show your true strength. If the Long Family sees your talent, it could be greatly beneficial to you.”

After that, he chatted with Li Changsheng for a while longer before returning to the Third Courtyard’s Immortal Boat.

Soon, the Third Courtyard’s Immortal Boat accelerated and disappeared into the sky.

Seeing this, the Fourth Courtyard’s Immortal Boat quickly sped up as well, transforming into a streak of light and vanishing from sight.

”Grandfather Li, was that Senior Pu the patriarch of the Grand Dao Library?” Fang Chen asked.

Li Changsheng shook his head. ”The current head of the Grand Dao Library is someone else. But Pu Yuanzhu was indeed from the library, although he never served as its head.”

”He is exceptionally talented, and he’s about my age, one of the youngest First Rate Sect Leaders in all of the Central Continent Empire.”

He paused, then smiled at Fang Chen and Bai Qingming. ”When we were young, he, I, and your old Sword Immortal master once traveled through Qiufeng together. Back then, our cultivation wasn’t far from yours.”

It was only at that moment that everyone realized that while Li Changsheng was ranked first on the Emperor Ranking, he was likely one of the youngest among all the current First Rate Sect Leaders.

After all, sword cultivators generally had only half the lifespan of other cultivators. If Pu Yuanzhu was of a similar age, he truly was a once-in-a-generation prodigy.

The group fell silent. They chose a spot to sit and adjust their breathing, quietly preparing.

Fang Chen fell into thought. That woman said Pu Yuanzhu recently went to Longyuan. Coincidentally, the leader of the Killing Spiritual Division was said to be too busy to visit Lixiao in person around the same time...

Although the timelines weren’t certain, it was highly likely that Pu Yuanzhu was the leader of the Killing Spiritual Division. As a Loose Immortal and not a sword cultivator, he should have had the freedom to roam Qiufeng. There was no need for him to serve the Long Family unless there were deeper reasons behind it, perhaps ones unknown to outsiders.

Half a month passed.

At the prow of the Immortal Boat, the woman in the plain dress leaned on Li Changsheng and spoke softly. ”Dear, we will arrive by sunset. It seems what you were worried about hasn’t happened.”

”Perhaps.” Li Changsheng smiled. ”If we can arrive safely, that would be for the best.”

Just as his words fell, both Li Changsheng and the woman suddenly looked ahead.

Yan Kun and the others, who had been meditating, suddenly felt their scalps tingle and their nerves jolt.

It was a clear sign of impending danger.

Ahead of the Immortal Boat stood a tall, emaciated old man, suspended midair. He was gaunt, with high cheekbones, his skin clinging tightly to his bones as if he had no flesh. His long white hair hung loosely over his shoulders, and his cold gaze was utterly devoid of emotion.

Without a word, the old man pointed at the boat.

In an instant, a wave of boundless spiritual energy surged forward. The Immortal Boat began rocking violently as if caught in a storm.

Li Changsheng snorted coldly, and a force utterly different from spiritual energy erupted from his body.

Fang Chen’s eyes narrowed. ”Is that... Immortal Essence?”

As expected, becoming a Loose Immortal triggered a complete transformation, just like the difference between mortal martial artists and true cultivators.

The reason Loose Immortals were called such was likely due to their ability to wield Immortal Essence.

With Immortal Essence released, the boat stabilized, as if a calming pearl had been dropped into the storm.

Li Changsheng’s eyes flashed with cold light. ”Who are you?”

But the old man clearly had no intention of responding. He pointed again, this time unleashing not spiritual energy, but a terrifying surge of Immortal Essence like a tidal wave.

Compared to it, Li Changsheng’s own Immortal Essence paled in comparison.

Yan Kun was shocked, crying out in shock, ”A second transformation Loose Immortal!?” ℯℯ𝑙.

”No way! Why would a second transformation Loose Immortal target us?”

Everyone exchanged fearful glances.

A second transformation Loose Immortal was significantly stronger than Li Changsheng!

It was already known that sword cultivators held little status in this land. Whether in Qiufeng, Longyuan, Minghu, or Sihui, none had ever advanced beyond the first rank. Even Li Changsheng had only reached the first rank.

Though Li Changsheng was among the strongest in his level, he could not bridge the gap to fight a second transformation Loose Immortal opponent.

Sure enough, when they saw Li Changsheng unleash a sword that could sever mountains and scorch seas, it was easily neutralized by the emaciated old man with a casual gesture.

They were doomed!

Everyone felt a deep chill in their hearts. If Li Changsheng couldn’t win, they were all likely doomed to die here today.

Fang Chen remained calm, unlike the others. Knowing Li Changsheng, he wouldn’t be without preparations. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have lasted this long in the Long Family.

Just as the old man prepared to deliver a killing blow, a figure stepped out of the void. It was another elder, but ruddy-faced and dignified. ”You truly have guts, daring to attack a member of the Long Family. You rogue immortals really think you’re above the heavens.”

The figure raised his hand and struck.

Boom!

Immortal Essence exploded in the sky. If Li Changsheng hadn’t protected the boat, everyone aboard would’ve been reduced to ash.

The gaunt old man’s expression stretched taut. In a flash, he turned and fled, not even bothering to fight.

The crisis was resolved just like that.

Before anyone could recover, Li Changsheng was already greeting the newcomer with his wife. ”Many thanks for your aid, Second Uncle.”

The old man smiled and held out his hand. ”The immortal crystals?”

Li Changsheng immediately handed over three immortal crystals. The old man took them without another word, turned, and vanished.

Seeing this, everyone understood. Li Changsheng had been fully prepared. He had enlisted the protection of a second transformation Loose Immortal!

Fang Chen thought silently. Three immortal crystals... That’s no small sum.