Immortal of the Nine Realms

"Sword Leader Fang, you've come out!"

A Golden Core Realm cultivator hurriedly approached Fang Chen, his face filled with respect. Fang Chen recognized him as one of the guards who had once watched over Xia Ji's residence. It was this guard who had mentioned that perhaps cultivating immortality was about having the choice to choose their fate.

"Is the Young Master here?" Fang Chen asked with a smile.

The Golden Core cultivator quickly replied, "The Young Master is at the Exquisite Tower, dining with various dignitaries."

Fang Chen's interest was piqued. "Oh? Which dignitaries are present?"

The cultivator eagerly named several prominent figures, including Ji Liang and Feng Ya. In addition, the eldest son of the Corrosive Dragon King was also in attendance, hosting the banquet this time.

"The Young Master asked me to wait here for you, Sword Leader Fang. He said if you return from the Desolate Academy before the banquet ends, he'd like to invite you to join," the Golden Core cultivator said respectfully.

Fang Chen nodded lightly. "Please lead the way."

Not long after leaving the Exquisite Tower, a few shadowy figures stealthily retreated from their hiding spots.

On the way to the Exquisite Tower, Fang Chen chatted with the Golden Core Realm cultivator, learning that his name was Ge Shao and that he was chosen by the Corrosive Dragon King during his Qi Refining Realm and cultivated as a celestial soldier.

"Fellow Daoist Ge, you once mentioned that you pursued immortality to gain the right to choose how to live. May I ask what fate you have chosen?" Fang Chen casually inquired.

Ge Shao was taken aback, surprised that Fang Chen remembered the words he had said on a whim. He was even more shocked that Fang Chen called him "Fellow Daoist."

"Sword Leader Fang, I don't deserve the title…" Ge Shao said awkwardly.

Fang Chen smiled, "Why not?"

Ge Shao carefully organized his thoughts. "I'm just a little celestial soldier in the Corrosive Dragon King, while you, Sword Leader Fang, are…."

Fang Chen smiled softly. "Fellow Daoist Ge, you're being too modest. Or perhaps this is the path you've chosen?"

Ge Shao was stunned for a moment, then bitterly chuckled. "I am quite confused, Sword Leader Fang. While it's true that cultivating immortality allows for choices, there are still many things beyond our control."

Fang Chen nodded lightly. "Exactly. Even in the pursuit of immortality, there are countless constraints. Just living a clear life is sufficient. If one can live it with a bit more dignity, that would be a bonus."

"A bit of dignity…" Ge Shao's eyes suddenly grew distant.

Just then, he noticed Fang Chen stop in his tracks. Ge Shao looked up and saw a group of people approaching from the opposite side.

This group shared a peculiar quality; each person exuded an aura that seemed to scream "do not approach," along with a sharp sword intent. Any cultivator with a bit of discernment could tell at a glance that these individuals hailed from a sword sect, specifically of the sword cultivator lineage.

Ge Shao found it strange. This group didn't resemble disciples from the Void Immortal Sword Sect or the Lingyun Sword Sect.

When did such a group of unknown sword cultivators arrive in the capital?

Furthermore, the sword intent they emanated seems directed at Sword Leader Fang.

The leader of the sword cultivators spoke slowly. "Sword Leader Fang of the Void Immortal Sword Sect?"

The speaker looked very young, but the weariness in his eyes couldn't be concealed, suggesting he was a cultivator who had trained for at least several hundred years, if not over a thousand.

Fang Chen nodded lightly. "Indeed. May I ask who you are?"

"I am Yan Kun from the Kunlun Sword Sect."

Kunlun… Sword Sect?

The people around were astonished when they heard the name "Kunlun Sword Sect."

"They are sword cultivators of Celestial Heaven."

"The Kunlun Sword Sect is the foremost sword sect of Celestial Heaven. The person currently ranked first on the Imperial Ranking is the ancestor of the Kunlun Sword Sect…"

Originally, this place was in the capital of the Central Continent, where every cultivator had some background and status, all of them lofty figures. However, upon hearing the words "Celestial Heaven's Kunlun Sword Sect," the pride in their eyes diminished, replaced by caution and fear.

"Sword Leader Fang, Senior Brother Yan Kun is Kunlun Sword Sect's Sword Leader. Shouldn't you come forward to pay your respects?" said a sword cultivator behind Yan Kun with a faint smile, his gaze somewhat mocking as he looked at Fang Chen.

"The Kunlun Sword Sect's Sword Leader?"

The crowd gasped. The Sword Leader of the Kunlun Sword Sect had lived for many years. He was a figure from an older generation.

What kind of cultivation level did such an existence had to have reached after so many years?

"Why would the Sword Leader of the Kunlun Sword Sect come to the capital of the Central Continent?"

"Could it be that he is here specifically to seek out Sword Leader Fang? I've heard that the sword sect bestows the title of Sword Leader after one undergoes a pilgrimage of the sword, where one must defeat peers from various sects and successfully complete the journey to earn recognition."

"Surely not; after all, they must be peers. The Sword Leader of the Kunlun Sword Sect is quite old and belongs to an older generation," the crowd whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with both caution and curiosity as they focused on Yan Kun.

"So it's the Sword Leader Yan of the Kunlun Sword Sect…" Fang Chen smiled and nodded. "May I ask what brings you here, Sword Leader?"

Yan Kun's companion, a sword cultivator behind him, suddenly frowned, his sword intent becoming even more overwhelming. "Is it customary for the people of the Void Immortal Sword Sect to be so lacking in manners?"

Nearby cultivators hurriedly stepped back, sensing the rising tension. Some had already discreetly sent messages for help, knowing that these sword cultivators could cause significant destruction if they acted rashly.

Fang Chen smiled at the sword cultivator. "Perhaps there's been a misunderstanding? I am Fang Chen, the Sword Leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. By rank, my position is not inferior to that of Sword Leader Yan, so why must I pay my respects?

"If we are to consider etiquette, shouldn't you, upon seeing me, the Sword Leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, show me respect as well? Let me see how the Celestial Heaven adheres to manners."

Ge Shao was shocked by Fang Chen's boldness. Seeing him speak so casually in front of such a powerful group made him feel both amazed and somewhat ashamed.

Ge Shao watched in awe, realizing that if he were in Fang Chen's position facing this group of sword cultivators from Celestial Heaven, he might even stammer when speaking. After all, behind them stood the legendary leader, who was rumored to be the strongest in the mortal realm.

"Haha, Fang Chen, you do possess commendable courage," Yan Kun said with a light chuckle. "But I wonder if your abilities can truly impress others."

He paused, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Unfortunately, we were born in different eras. In all the years of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, you are the only Sword Leader to emerge. By our rules, I cannot duel with you."

His tone shifted. "However, we have only granted the Void Immortal Sword Sect ten years. If you do not reach the Nascent Soul Realm within that time, the title of Sword Leader will be stripped from you. Should you ascend to the Nascent Soul Realm, you will then embark on the pilgrimage. I look forward to witnessing your strength with my own eyes in the Kunlun Sword Sect."

With that, Yan Kun brushed past Fang Chen, followed by his companions. One of the sword cultivators, who had been particularly displeased with Fang Chen, paused beside him, looking him up and down with a mocking smile.

"Fang Chen, I am Wu Changzai. Remember my name," said Wu Changzai.

His gaze was filled with ridicule, and his arrogant smile spoke volumes about his confidence.

Fang Chen merely raised an eyebrow, unfazed. The challenge had been laid out, and he was prepared to meet it head-on.

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