Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 194: Soul Search

Fang Chen glanced at the stone demon, then at the bat demon. Finally, his gaze fell on the black-robed person, and he sighed lightly. "We split up, Senior. Why are you only chasing me?"

"I see that your divine soul is strong. Did you consume some spiritual herbs? Can you tell me more about it? If you do, you won't need to return the treasures you took from me," said the black-robed man offhandedly.

"Let's be frank, Supreme Immortal Pudu. You lured me here for this, right?" Fang Chen sneered faintly, his eyes filled with contempt. "I thought you were someone important, but it seems you're no one special."

When Senior Yun He came to learn of his unusually strong divine soul, he never asked him how, or why, it was the way it is. He instead gave him Introduction to the Three Thousand Daos. On the other hand, the Supreme Immortal Pudu had not only schemed against him, but also kept asking about his powerful divine soul. The difference between the two couldn’t be more clear.

While Fang Chen was able to uncover the identity of the black-robed man, he was still genuinely surprised by the other party’s methods. The person in front of him hadn't reached the level of Foundation Building and was at most at the twelfth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Supreme Immortal Pudu should not be this weak. It was evident that the person in front of him was merely a shell or a clone of Supreme Immortal Pudu.

The black-robed person hesitated for a moment, smiled faintly, and then took off his hood, revealing a face almost identical to that of the statue of Supreme Immortal Pudu.

He smirked. "When did you figure it out?"

"I figured it out a long time ago," replied Fang Chen.

Supreme Immortal Pudu chuckled. "Since you knew, why did you set foot in here? Hehe, you were attracted by the benefits I promised, weren’t you?"

"I am rather curious. You told me you’ve only left a hundred low-grade spirit stones here, so why is it then that I’ve ended up with a thousand of them? Not only that, but I also found a Blood Ginseng and a sword embryo,” countered Fang Chen.

"This is my cultivation abode, and since it’s where I cultivate, the things here naturally can't be too few,” he said. “To me, spirit stones aren’t considered anything rare. On the contrary, the origin of the sword embryo is significant. I had stolen it from the Void Immortal Sword Sect after much effort.” Supreme Immortal Pudu laughed. “Of course, if you tell me where you found that spiritual herb that you’ve consumed, as well as what kind of fortune you’ve gained, then I might consider giving you the sword embryo. As for why I said that there were only a hundred low-grade spirit stones, it’s because your cultivation is too low. I was afraid you would grow suspicious if I told you the real amount."

Fang Chen's thoughts stirred. "Void Immortal Sword Sect?" It seemed that the sword embryo was indeed extraordinary. The man before must truly be a clone of Supreme Immortal Pudu, who had invested a considerable amount to secure a retreat.

Fang Chen spoke slowly. "If I tell you where I found the spiritual herb, will you let me go?"

"Of course, this is a deal, and people like us naturally adhere to our promises," said Supreme Immortal Pudu with a smile.

"But I don't trust you.” Fang Chen sneered. “If you were as genuine as you make yourself out to be, you would have asked me directly instead of deceiving me to come here. I'm curious, since you're so powerful, why is this flesh body of yours only at the twelfth stage of the Qi Refining Realm?"

Supreme Immortal Pudu was slightly taken aback. "You can see through my cultivation? Even that kid just now thought I was in the Foundation Building Realm.” He seemed to have understood. “Oh, right, your divine soul is much stronger than the soul of this clone of mine, so it’s normal for you to see through my cultivation,” he said. “As I’ve said, this is the retreat I’ve left for myself. Every time this flesh body is used, I will suffer a heavy loss. The higher the cultivation, the greater the loss. If you want to stay alive, don't waste my time. Tell me everything you know, and I'll grant you an opportunity."

"I don't believe you,” said Fang Chen indifferently. “Send me away from here first. Once I ensure my safety, I'll tell you everything you want to know."

Supreme Immortal Pudu's expression gradually turned cold. "Do you take me for a fool? I've cultivated for a thousand years, dominating all corners of the land. The fact that you can converse with me is already a rare privilege."

"If you are so dominant, why do you still covet the opportunities of an ant like me? However strong you are, can you surpass cultivators in a first-tier empire?" mocked Fang Chen.

Supreme Immortal Pudu's expression changed slightly, and he coldly snorted. "Even in a first-tier empire, there are many cultivators inferior to me. But this is beyond you. The only thing you need to do now is choose whether you wish to die or wish to live.”

Fang Chen smiled. "You won’t kill me. Because if you do, you won’t be able to find out where the spiritual herb is,” he said confidently. “I won't hide it from you. There are many spiritual herbs such as the one consumed in that place, but due to my low cultivation, I was only able to consume one."

Supreme Immortal Pudu’s eyes flashed with a silver of uncertainty, and a hint of greed appeared in the depths of his eyes. "Even if you won’t say it, I have a way to pry it out of your mouth.” He turned to the bat. “Green Bat, take him to Gui Han Mountain."

With a flap, the bat demon immediately grabbed Fang Chen and then disappeared into the void with Supreme Immortal Pudu.

The stone demon stood still for a long time and eventually transformed back into a giant, still stone.

***

"It's that demon!"

"Hide!"

The four of them quickly hid in the bushes, watching the bat demon fly overhead. When it disappeared, Zhantai Qingxuan looked at the others with a strange expression.

"Is that Daoist Fang? Who is the other person?"

"I don't know."

Both Liu Suifeng and Ancestor Xia Yu shook their heads slightly. Both of them looked quite strange. Fang Chen was captured by the bat demon. He was undoubtedly facing certain death.

Upon witnessing that scene, Li Xiuming was overjoyed. Since Fang Chen was captured, it meant that Li Daoye and Mi Sheng had undoubtedly already died.

Li Xiuming whispered, "Let's not meddle in this matter. Let's leave first."

After a few moments of silence, they all nodded.

Zhantai Qingxuan sighed. "Daoist Fang's inheritance was not weak. If he hadn't come here, his future would have been limitless. Unfortunately, cultivators are like this, destined to face tribulations."

"To come here was his choice, it has nothing to do with us," said Xia Yu with a strange expression.

"Yes, it has nothing to do with us."

They nodded, absolving themselves of any responsibility.

*

Fang Chen had been returned to the mountain, where it all started.

The bat demon dared not enter the mountain and watched Supreme Immortal Pudu take Fang Chen into the hall before turning and flying away.

Supreme Immortal Pudu chuckled. However, suddenly, his expression changed, and he reached out for the ring on Fang Chen’s finger, sliding it off quickly. "Isn't this a storage ring?"

"How would I have a storage ring with my cultivation?" returned Fang Chen.

"So... The sword embryo, spirit stones, Blood Ginseng as well as the Vermilion fruits were all given to the other two by you? You’re so confident in them?" Supreme Immortal Pudu squinted his eyes. "You’re even willing to sacrifice yourself to help them, I must say, you’re quite magnanimous. Unfortunately for them, they won't be able to leave here anytime soon."

"That's right, there are still several days until the ten-day mark." Fang Chen smiled. "If you don't go after them now, you may never get those things back."

"No matter. I'll have enough time to perform a soul search on you. It’s a pity that this body's cultivation is not high, and it will take me at least two days to do so." Supreme Immortal Pudu chuckled. "Once I understand your opportunities, it won't be too late to find them."

With that, he suddenly pressed his palm onto Fang Chen's head, and a continuous stream of spiritual energy poured in.

Bang!

Fang Chen's head suddenly exploded, followed by his body and limb.

"Dead?"

Supreme Immortal Pudu stood still for a moment, his eyes gradually filling with anger.

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