Immortal of the Nine Realms

A scornful look passed Goddess Shen Ji's face. "The Spirit Blood Sect has a Profound Immortal who is attempting to ascend to an Immortal King. The Spirit Blood Pill he'll need to take that step is of the highest quality. There are only about seven or eight people in the Alchemy Department with the skill to refine a pill like that.

"So, if we can locate the Radiant Sun Spirit Lord, that would mean the Spirit Blood Sect losing a potential Immortal King?" Fang Chen mused, realizing the significance of this.

This was a monumental opportunity.

Goddess Shen Ji replied calmly. "You could say that. But we can't say they'd lose one. We'd only be delaying their advancement. That is unless we can also find that Profound Immortal. If we locate and eliminate him, that would cripple the Spirit Blood Sect."

Fang Chen nodded slightly. "Hmm. I will investigate this matter privately whenever I am at the Desolate Academy. Though, I cannot guarantee results."

The Desolate Academy was a formidable place, home to six Immortal Kings and twenty-two Profound Immortals.

Back when Fang Chen's divine soul had wandered, his senior brother, Ancestor Qingmi, had detected him, proving that his soul couldn't hide from the senses of a Profound Immortal. Without relying on his soul projection, it would be hard to investigate.

Fortunately... he was about to become the seventh instructor at the Desolate Academy. That identity surely came with its perks.

"No matter," Goddess Shen Ji said with a faint smile. "You're not the only one investigating. Some of my colleagues are also looking into it."

She rose to leave but paused before departing. "Xia Ji… He has feelings for his senior sister, doesn't he?"

Fang Chen, expressionless, shook his head. "I don't know."

Betraying a brother?He'd never do such a thing.

"Heh, you don't know? Then, pass a message to him for me," Goddess Shen Ji chuckled lightly. "There's no way we could ever become Dao companions, but if it's just to silence some people, I can play along. Tell him to cooperate well, but also let him know that… I could never take a liking to him."

She faintly smiled. "To be with me, one must at least be someone like your ancestor, Fang Tingyuan. Xia Ji is still lacking in some ways."

With that, she drifted away gracefully.

Fang Chen frowned slightly.

This situation… was far too complicated. Goddess Shen Ji had clearly lived for many years, far more than both he and Xia Ji. Moreover, her words insinuated that there had been some sort of relationship between her and Fang Tingyuan.

His brother might end up marrying a woman who possibly had a history with his own ancestor?

"Messy. This is really messy," Fang Chen muttered, shaking his head as he left the quiet room.

Ge Shao approached quietly and spoke in a low voice. "Sword Leader Fang, this way please."

Fang Chen smiled and nodded, following Ge Shao into another quiet room where Xia Ji and Xing Jintuo were already seated.

Xing Jintuo stood and cupped his hands with a smile. "Sword Leader Fang, I apologize for my earlier impudence. Please forgive me,"

"Brother Xing, you're too polite. Xia Ji already explained everything to me," Fang Chen responded with a courteous smile, returning the gesture.

Xia Ji couldn't help but laugh. "Old Xing, I told you, Fang Da won't mind such things. Besides, you've been a great help to us."

Xing Jintuo's eyes flashed with curiosity. He found himself wondering about the nature of Xia Ji's relationship with this esteemed sword leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, Fang Chen. They seemed unusually close.

Xing Jintuo reminisced about the past battles, recalling how Fang Chen had earned the nickname "Mad King" after the Immortal Dynasty Manor incident. His ruthlessness became even more terrifying during the Ancient Demon Wasteland expedition, where he showed no mercy, even slaughtering dozens of Nascent Soul Realm cultivators without sparing the reputation of the Innate Dao Sect.

Xing Jintuo had initially thought that Fang Chen would be difficult to approach. He had never imagined he'd get the opportunity to get to know him through Xia Ji.

This further fueled his curiosity toward the nature of the relationship between the Fang Chen and Xia Ji.

"Fang Da, how are you feeling now? I noticed that the other three already faced their tribulations, yet you seem unaffected," Xia Ji asked curiously.

"There is a slight feeling, but it's subtle and not troublesome," Fang Chen revealed, smiling. He turned to Xing Jintuo. "Brother Xing, your mastery of martial arts impresses me greatly. Might I ask for some guidance?"

Xing Jintuo smiled modestly. "Old Xia said you were once passionate about martial arts, and it seems to be true. From our recent exchange, I could see you've put in substantial effort in this field. As for giving you guidance, I wouldn't dare. I was simply fortunate enough to acquire a martial-related opportunity on the Ancient Immortal Road.

"Most people know that martial artists, upon reaching the Heavenly Profound Stage, cannot build a proper foundation for immortality. Even if they do succeed, they usually follow the path of a body cultivator, much like the physical cultivators we see today."

Fang Chen and Xia Ji both nodded in agreement. "That's true."

"But what if I told you… that there's another path for martial artists beyond the Heaven Profound Stage? One that, if taken, could allow you to face even Nascent Soul Realm cultivators without fear. Would you believe it?"

Xing Jintuo watched their reactions closely. He was pleased to see that instead of being disdainful, both men showed signs of contemplation. This made him feel more comfortable sharing his insight.

Xia Ji frowned and urged, "Old Xing, stop keeping us in suspense. Just tell us directly."

Xing Jintuo shook his head with a smile. "I can't explain it clearly. Right now, I only know that such a path exists, and I'm attempting to follow it. Perhaps I'll end up wasting countless years on a road that leads nowhere, forever unable to reach the Nascent Soul Realm. Or maybe… I'll succeed in forging this path."

A pure smile spread across Xing Jintuo's face. "I've already made up my mind to walk this path. Whatever outcome awaits me, I won't have any regrets."

Xia Ji's expression grew serious. He looked at Xing Jintuo for a few moments before speaking solemnly. "Can't you pursue both paths simultaneously? If this path doesn't work out, you could still focus on cultivating and advancing your realm. After all, a Golden Core Realm cultivator doesn't have a long lifespan. If you waste too much time, how will you ever reach the Nascent Soul Realm?"

Xing Jintuo's eyes gleamed with conviction. "No. If this path fails… then so be it. What's the harm in dying for it?"

At that moment, Fang Chen understood Xing Jintuo.

Xing Jintuo had seemingly found his own "shore," his ultimate goal. For him, martial arts was that shore. Xing Jintuo was a pure practitioner, someone who had fully and wholeheartedly dedicated himself to martial arts. Cultivation for him was merely an adornment to his martial path.

Fang Chen realized he was looking at someone who was not just a cultivator but a pure martial artist. He was someone whose heart and soul were completely committed to the martial way.

Xing Jintuo stood up and clasped his fist, a hint of self-deprecation in his smile. "I'm leaving the capital now. Who knows when we'll meet again? If you two achieve something in the future and I'm not around, remember to take care of the Free Transformation Sect. I… I suppose I'll disappoint those elders greatly."

With that, he strode out of the quiet chamber, leaving behind a lingering air of determination.

"That guy..." Xia Ji sighed. "Sometimes I really envy him. He doesn't have anything in his heart other than martial arts."

Fang Chen nodded lightly. "I once thought that cultivators had forgotten about martial arts, but there are still outstanding figures like Brother Xing. In this regard, I can't compare to him. If he can forge his own path, he will surely reach the pinnacle of this world."

Xia Ji suddenly laughed. "If that happens, being able to cling to his coattails would be a delightful thing. How wonderful that would be!"

Fang Chen chuckled. "Speaking of which, why don't you cling to the Fourth Princess' coattails instead?"

Xia Ji furrowed his brows, about to respond when a series of urgent knocks interrupted them. He rose to open the door, revealing Ge Shao with an anxious expression.

"Young Master, there's been a message from the manor. It seems something has happened to Young Lady Ruochou."

Xia Ji froze, a rather unnatural smile creeping across his face. "What happened!?"

Fang Chen was familiar with this expression; whenever Xia Ji smiled like that, it usually meant someone was in serious trouble.

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