Immortal of the Nine Realms

Xie Zian had not been the one to set up the restrictive formation around the Xie Clan’s ancestral land. Rather, a Loose Immortal had done it on a whim.

The ancestral land didn’t hold anything particularly valuable. It was simply the place where the Xie Clan returned every three hundred years to perform their ancestral rites and reminisce about their hardships.

With just a few turns and steps, Fang Chen led Du Yunxu and the Day Walker Lieutenant through the formation.

Before them, the view opened up. From outside, cultivators could only see an expanse of thick white mist, but within was already bustling, like a lively market square. Xie Clan cultivators from all over had gathered, chatting happily about their experiences and exchanging cultivation methods.

The Day Walker Lieutenant could not help sighing inwardly. In the eyes of outside cultivators, these people were all immortals.

”Lord, I’d estimate there are at least a hundred thousand people here. The Xie Clan is certainly thriving,” Du Yunxu said after a rough glance.

”With a fourth-transformation Immortal holding the fort, it would be weird if they weren’t thriving. I’d guess that many Xie descendants aren’t qualified to attend the rites; those who can come here generally have some notable achievements,” Fang Chen replied.

Du Yunxu studied the crowd closely and nodded. The cultivators here were either of very high cultivation or exceptionally talented youths who had already surpassed most of their peers. It was called an ancestral rite, but it felt more like a high-level talent exchange intentionally hosted by the Xie Clan leadership.

The three of them walked on and soon saw Xie Zian with several first and second transformation Loose Immortals, speaking with other groups of Xie Clan cultivators.

Among them were two third-transformation Immortals whose words and expressions were respectful but carried a certain unyielding composure. Even before a fourth transformation like Xie Zian, they showed little overt awe.

Over the years, the Hidden Guard Division had thoroughly investigated the Xie Clan’s background.

Before coming, Du Yunxu had studied the details and now introduced one of them to Fang Chen.

”Lord, this is Xie Luo, the second branch’s patriarch, and a third-transformation Immortal. One of his disciples has entered a sect no weaker than the Myriad Immortals Palace. The younger generation under him is full of talent; some say they’ve even surpassed the main branch.

Du Yunxu pointed to the other and continued, ”The other is Xie Feng, patriarch of the third branch and a third transformation Immortal, an elder of the Chaos Immortal Gate.”

The Day Walker Lieutenant was inwardly amazed. These ”immortals” clearly had their entire histories mapped out by these Underworld powerhouses.

Compared to the Underworld, the Xie Clan’s immortals were lacking. He himself had been an unremarkable cultivator in life, but in death had become a Day Walker Lieutenant, his rank and status far above the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators still outside.

Even the Xie Clan’s immortals present today might not truly be his superiors.

Du Yunxu said, ”Both Xie Luo and Xie Feng are quite dissatisfied with Xie Zian these days. They bought word from the Immortal Worshipping Palace that he has long since obtained a fourth-transformation immortal medicine, but because no one in the main branch has advanced to the third transformation, he is holding on to it.”

”So over the years, they’ve been hinting, more and more openly, that he should pass it to them. But Xie Zian has never agreed. Clearly, he doesn’t want the second and third branches to surpass the main branch in strength. Neither of them has much lifespan left, and they have little to do with the Spirit God Sect. They might be open to... a conversation.”

Fang Chen understood exactly what Du Yunxu meant by that.

”Ancestor Zian, three hundred years have passed, and your elegance is unchanged,” Xie Luo said with cupped hands.

”With Ancestor Zian’s talent, he’d be unmatched even in the Nine Realms. What’s three hundred years? Unlike us, each year we live is one less, and if we can’t reach the fourth transformation, it won’t be long before we disappear forever,” Xie Feng said with a smile.

The cultivators of the second and third branches kept their heads lowered and showed no expression. But the main branch elders at Xie Zian’s side glared at the two; how could they miss the hidden barbs?

”You two aren’t that old yet. It’s not easy to reach the end of your lifespan. Just wait, there will be immortal medicine. I’ve already instructed people over the years that if any appears, I’ll buy it at any cost,” Xie Zian said lightly. ”But... You also know how rare immortal medicine is. If only one appears, which of you should take it?”

Xie Luo and Xie Feng exchanged a glance.

Xie Feng chuckled. ”Naturally, the second branch would take it first. We in the third branch can wait. It’s no problem. If we gain another fourth transformation Immortal, it will be a blessing to the clan; everyone will share in the good fortune. Why quibble over a little benefit?”

”In fact, if the third branch took it first, it would be fine with me,” Xie Luo added. ”The Xie Clan’s prosperity today is thanks to Ancestor Zian’s battles in the past, and we all remember his deeds. But it’s also because we stayed united that we’ve flourished.”

Then his tone shifted, his gaze settling on Xie Zian. ”Ancestor Zian, I’ve heard you already obtained a fourth transformation immortal medicine, and are simply waiting for someone in the main branch to advance to the third transformation before giving it to them. Is that true?”

Xie Zian’s expression cooled. ”Of course not. Don’t overthink this. When I advanced to the fourth transformation, it was thanks to the three branches working together to seize that medicine. I’ve never forgotten that debt. If there were another, how could I hold it back from you guys?”

”Ah, so you do remember. Back when you advanced, our two branches spent enormous effort and sacrificed many people,” Xie Feng said with a laugh. ”But it seems we were misled. The story came from a cultivator of the Immortal Worshipping Palace. Clearly, they were wrong, and we misunderstood.”

”You two shouldn’t speak in this roundabout way. Without Ancestor Zian and the main branch, would the Xie Clan have what it does today? This is a day for our clan to honor our ancestors, don’t quarrel here and give the juniors something to laugh at,” one of the main branch elders said sharply.

Xie Luo and Xie Feng dropped the subject—their point had been made. If Xie Zian’s attitude did not satisfy them in the future, the second and third branches would naturally stop following the main branch’s lead.

”I think everyone is here. Let’s begin the ancestral rites. Perhaps this sort of gathering won’t be seen again next time,” Xie Luo murmured.

Xie Zian smiled faintly and said nothing.

The rites were much like any other, speeches about the clan’s past hardships, how Xie Zian had led them off the ancestral star, and how glorious the family was now. The message was clear. They had to cherish what they had and cultivate diligently.

Xie Luo and Xie Feng wore faint, mocking smiles now and then, but Xie Zian showed no irritation.

When the time felt right, he said, ”Those cultivators outside have waited three hundred years. Open the gate and let them in for some small rewards; they’ve guarded this place for us for many years. Even without merit, they have worked hard.”

The Immortal Gate opened. A large crowd of cultivators in the Lower Four Realms was brought in, eyes alight with excitement and nervousness. Seeing Xie Zian and the others, they dropped to their knees, shouting their greetings to the immortals.

A few casual gifts of mid-grade spirit stones and some ordinary Dao Imprint treasures sent many into wild joy. One Nascent Soul ancestor almost fainted from excitement. He had received a Dao Imprint treasure, and even with the lightest grip could sense the vast power within.

”Thank you, Immortals! Thank you, Immortals!” they cried, knocking their heads to the floor.

Xie Zian smiled broadly, though deep in that smile lay a trace of almost imperceptible contempt.

At that moment, the sky seemed to split open.

A beam of sword light came crashing straight down toward Xie Zian’s head.

”How dare you!” roared Xie Zian as his head snapped upward.

His voice was a thunderous roar that shook the gathered cultivators so hard they stumbled and fell in all directions.