Immortal of the Nine Realms

Exiting the gates of Heavenly Southern Sect, Fang Chen looked at Liu Mu. "Are you disappointed that I didn’t have them offer you a satisfactory answer today?"

Liu Mu shook his head. He didn’t want Fang Chen to speak up for him, as he knew that it would only bring trouble onto Fang Chen.

Fang Chen chuckled lightly as he led Liu Mu down the mountain. "No worries, we’ll come back again in seven days."

***

Qingzhou Sword Sect.

When Zhong Yue and the rest returned, everything operated as usual. After making some inquiries, they found out that the former sect master, Long Tianxing, hadn’t returned since he left for Spirit Void City, which indicated that he was really so frightened that he didn’t even dare to come back and fetch his stuff.

Zhong Yue took Ye Wenxiue to a small, quiet, elegant courtyard that was brimming with spiritual energy. "Stay in this courtyard for now, Wenxiu. The sect master must’ve his own arrangements for you, so wait ‘till he returns.”

Ye Wenxiu bowed. "Thank you, Senior Zhong Yue," he said respectfully.

"Don’t mention it. The sect master has recognized you, so your future is limitless.” Zhong Yue chuckled. “Just don’t forget about me when you’re up there."

Suddenly, a streak of sword light descended from the sky. When the two saw that, they marched quickly toward the main hall.

Seeing that Fang Chen had arrived, Zhong Yue and the rest stood respectfully in front of him. They cast curious gazes at Liu Mu as they stood silently.

Everyone was itching to know who the child standing beside Fang Chen was. ‘Could he be his disciple?’ was what everyone thought. Some of the cultivators couldn’t help but steal a glance at Ye Wenxiu.

Fang Chen was standing in front of the main hall which was the highest point of Qingzhou Sword Sect that offered a bird’s-eye view of the hall. "The Qingzhou Sword Sect falls short compared to the Heavenly Southern Sect; however, it’s still better than Concealed Moon Hermitage," said Fang Chen. He then called out, “Zhong Yue.”

Zhong Yue took a step forward. "I’m here, senior."

"How many acres of spiritual lands and how many spiritual springs does the sect have?"

Zhong Yue promptly replied, "We have four acres of spiritual lands and three spiritual springs, Sect Master. One spring is located in your, the sect master’s, closed-door cultivation land, one on the main peak, and one near the spiritual land."

"Not bad." Fang Chen smiled. "How is the growth of spiritual herbs within the sect?"

Zhong Yue reported the growth of various spiritual herbs, and then gave an overview of the current situation of the sect. For example, he recounted the number of disciples and their cultivation realm. He also mentioned the enmities the sect had, and he also mentioned the sects which they were on good terms with.

"Oh?” Fang Chen chuckled lightly. “Your old sect master has a good relationship with the Heavenly Southern Sect?"

Zhong Yue nodded. "Yes, that’s correct. They have always been supportive of our sect, so our relationship is quite good."

Fang Chen lips curved. "That makes sense, the Qingzhou Sword Sect already ranks among the top within the Qingzhou region. If you’re able to form a good relationship with the Heavenly Southern Sect, it’ll be easier to have a firm grasp over the south." After a pause, he continued, "In a few days, some of you can accompany me to Heavenly Southern Sect to offer congratulations."

"Offer congratulations?" Zhong Yue and the other two at the 12th stage Qi Refining elders were confused. What was there to congratulate?

"Yu Yuefan of the Heavenly Southern Sect has advanced to the Foundation Building Realm. He’ll be hosting a banquet, and we are naturally invited," said Fang Chen.

Zhong Yue and the others took in a sharp breath of cold air, while Ye Wenxiu’s eyes showed deep envy. The name Yu Yuefan was not just famous in the Flame Empire but renowned throughout! He was the most outstanding second-generation disciple of the Heavenly Southern Sect; his talent was extraordinary. In just a short time, he had completed what ordinary cultivators struggled to complete in a lifetime, reaching the 12th stage of Qi Refining. Now that he had advanced to the Foundation Building Realm, he was truly a Heaven’s Chosen!

But, how did the sect master know about this?

"Alright.” Fang Chen waved his hand. “You can all go about your business now."

Now that everyone had left, there was only Ye Wenxiu and Liu Mu with Fang Chen.

"Wenxiu, if you want to cultivate a sword technique, I’m afraid I can’t help you with that,” said Fang Chen calmly.

Ye Wenxiu’s face froze.

Fang Chen smiled faintly. "However, there are many ways to become strong in this world,” he said. “From now on, you’ll be the junior sect master of the sect. Believe me, you’ll find it much more comfortable being here, with this status, than being back at your family manor. You will have access to many more resources for cultivation."

"Thank you, master!" said Ye Wenxiu happily.

Even though he was disappointed, Fang Chen’s decision to make him the junior sect master was truly a life-changing opportunity for him. No matter how strong the Ye Family was, its head was only at the 12th stage of the Qi Refining Realm. The resources his family could offer him couldn’t hold a candle to what the Qingzhou Sword Sect could.

"This is Liu Mu. We hail from the same place. Unfortunately, he has been mistreated and has lost his voice.” Fang Chen patted Liu Mu’s head. “Take care of him as you would your own younger brother, alright?”

Liu Mu quivered. He could feel that Fang Chen was about to leave him. He didn’t want that.

"Yes, Master, I understand!"

Fang Chen smiled. "Good."

"In a few days, I will make it so that no one in the Flame Empire dares to harbor ill intentions toward you, but this might also put the sect in jeopardy. We’ll have to wait and see which it’ll be,” said Fang Chen. “If something happens and Zhong Yue and the rest don’t return within three days after the banquet, you should take Liu Mu and go to the Concealed Moon Hermitage to find Abbess Zhu Yue."

Ye Wenxiu’s face turned somber. For his master to say such words meant that a very serious situation awaited him in a few days.

Ye Wenxiu nodded heavily. "I understand."

***

For the next two days, Fang Chen continued to craft talismans at the Qingzhou Sword Sect. At the same time, he used the Five Elements Technique to deplete his spiritual energy in order to increase his reserves.

Fang Chen put down his brush. "Little Sword, can we contend with a Foundation Building cultivator at the grand completion stage with the second level of the Sword Body?" he asked casually.

Little Sword fluttered in the air, circling him. "Don’t get your hopes up too much, Little Chen. We can’t unless you use the Eight Desolation Supreme Sword Scripture, but your cultivation is too low for that. Your foundation has already taken a blow because you used it twice in a row, that’s why your lifespan decreased. If you use it a third time, you might just turn into an old man."

"So you’re saying that... I won’t die? As long as I don’t die, it’s fine," said Fang Chen with a carefree smile.

Little Sword’s voice turned anxious. "Little Chen, don’t do anything reckless! If you accidentally die, I’ll die with you!"

Fang Chen chuckled. "Don’t you worry, I usually only take action when I’m sure of my chances—sixty percent, at least."

Suddenly, Zhong Yue’s voice traveled into the room from outside the door. "Sect Master, we’ve received a message from the Heavenly Souther Sect—it’s an invitation!"

Fang Chen crossed to the door, opened it, and took the invitation from Zhong Yue’s hand. Glancing at it, he smiled.

"It’s time for us to set off."

***

The Heavenly Southern Sect.

Today, the gates of Heavenly Southern Sect were wide open. Cultivators flocked up the mountain, having come from all corners of the empire.

"This is incredible," exclaimed Daoist Ya. There were other Foundation Building cultivators with him. "I reckon this kid wasn’t even around when we stepped into the Foundation Building Realm, right? I can’t believe he’s in the same realm as us now."

"Daoist Ya, could you please mind your words? You should address him as Daoist Yu," commented one of the others.

Daoist Ya’s turned red with embarrassment, and he smiled awkwardly. "Oh, look at me, I’m just so used to calling him that, that I didn’t notice. Please forgive me, everyone." He glanced around and sighed. "This should be considered a major event in the Flame Empire, right? I see many familiar faces. At least a hundred Foundation Building cultivators have come to offer him their congratulations."

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