Immortal of the Nine Realms

"What happened…." murmured Xia Ji solemnly. "According to Master Chanyuan, the Profound Void Temple accidentally offended a female demon lord. With a sword in hand, she killed three Golden Core Realm ancestors, sixteen Foundation Building experts, as well as hundreds of Qi Refining Realm cultivators, three thousand temple guardians, and countless novice monks. In the end, only Master Chanyuan, who had just turned six years old at the time, survived.

"The female demon lord told Master Chanyuan that from then on, the temple was not allowed to continue accepting disciples or promote Buddhism.

"The Profound Void Temple began to decline after that incident. Master Chanyuan had been managing the temple alone since. Later, he took Senior Sister Wu as his disciple, then Big Brother Liu, and me as his closed-door disciple."

Fang Chen's gaze had turned grave. "A female demon lord?"

For a single person to annihilate the flourishing Profound Void Temple with only a sword in hand meant that she was really strong. She had to be either a Nascent Soul Realm or a peak Golden Core Realm expert.

"Didn’t the Grand Qian Empire do anything?" asked Fang Chen.

Xia Ji shook his head slightly. "I asked Master Chanyuan before, and he said the Grand Qian Empire remained silent from start to finish, with no one stepping forward to stop the female demon lord. No one even came to watch, much less help."

"The background of the female demon lord you mentioned is probably formidable," remarked Fang Chen, his tone lamenting.

Xia Ji smiled wryly. "That was hundreds of years ago. No one knows if she is still alive or not,” he said. "If she is alive, I hope to meet her. Master Chanyuan has borne a mental barrier over the years because of her. To get over it, he must see her again."

It was then that a faint voice suddenly sounded, "Why are you talking about the temple’s private matters with an outsider, Junior Brother?”

Xia Ji's eyes lit up when he heard that voice.

Not too far away, at the entrance of a small temple, stood a woman who wore a white dress. She was quietly watching Xia Ji. Even though her appearance was ordinary, she exuded a unique sense of transcendence. However, her complexion was pale, and it was evident that she was suffering from internal injuries.

Xia Ji hurriedly dashed forward. "Senior Sister Wu, you haven’t fully healed yet. Why are you out of bed?"

Instead of answering, the woman in the white dress frowned at Xia Ji. "I told you to leave the empire. Why did you come back?"

"Senior Sister Wu, it's a long story. Let me introduce you first.” Xia Ji pulled Fang Chen over eagerly. “This is Fang Da, Fang Chen, the Grand Xia Divine General that I often mention. He's my childhood friend, confidant, and sworn brother!"

The woman in the white dress was taken aback, then scrutinized Fang Chen. After a moment, she nodded slowly. "Come in. I'll make us tea."

"Senior Sister, let me do it." Xia Ji hurriedly stepped into the temple. Not even turning back, he shouted to Fang Chen, "Fang Da, I'll brew you some of the good tea that Senior Brother Liu secretly stashes."

the woman in the white dress couldn't help but remark, "If Senior Brother Liu comes back, he'll definitely scold you."

But Xia Ji had already disappeared deep into the temple, leaving her to sigh lightly.

"What should I call you, Senior Sister?" asked Fang Chen casually.

Judging by her aura, she should be at the eleventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm. She evidently had excellent talent, considering how young she was.

"Wu Ruochou,” said the woman. "How did you meet Xia Ji? According to Xia Ji, you should only be….” she paused momentarily, noticing the silver mask on Fang Chen’s face. Her brow furrowed, she continued, “Just a martial artist?”

Because Fang Chen's divine soul was much stronger than hers, she couldn’t see through his cultivation. She didn’t even sense any spiritual fluctuations coming from Fang Chen.

"I’ve had a fortuitous encounter and stepped into the path of immortality," replied Fang Chen with a smile.

Wu Ruochou nodded slightly. "There's no need to rush it. Sooner or later, you'll condense your first immortal vein. That's when you'll truly have embarked on this path."

"Senior Sister Wu, Xia Ji said he offended Jue Wudi. What's the story behind this?"

He had subtly probed Xia Ji for details about this, but Xia Ji had skillfully changed the subject every time.

Wu Ruochou sighed softly. "It's my fault. I offended Fang Lingxing during a debate organized by Jue Wudi. Both Jue Wudi and Fang Lingxing targeted me, making it impossible for me to step down. Junior Brother Xia couldn't stand it and spoke harshly against Jue Wudi."

"It probably wasn't just a few harsh words, right?" said Fang Chen with a wry smile.

He knew Xia Ji too well. That guy had a sharp eye for people and liked to gather intelligence. Wherever he went, he could develop a network of informants with his own means. Perhaps it was because of these informants that he knew some things about Jue Wudi that others didn't. However, Fang Chen also understood why Xia Ji was reluctant to talk about it.

Based on Xia Ji’s temperament, he wouldn’t put himself in such a dangerous situation for no good reason. There could be only one reason for his actions. Wu Ruochu had to have occupied an extremely important position in his heart, so important that he abandoned his usual way of doing things and confronted Jue Wudi head-on, which led to his embarrassing escape.

Wu Ruochou nodded. "That’s right. He accused him of hypocrisy. He said that, on the surface, Jue Wudi often helps juniors, whether they're from the outer or inner city. As long as they seek his help, he'll do his best to assist them. But behind the scenes, he engages in immoral activities and even turns some female cultivators he once helped into his cultivation furnaces, cultivating despicable techniques. For any cultivator, such accusations would mean turning them into an enemy of the people. How could Jue Wudi endure such humiliation? However... Junior Brother's words were too extreme. Even though Jue Wudi is close to Fang Lingxing, he shouldn’t be that kind of person. The recent upheavals in the Profound Void Temple should have nothing to do with him. Perhaps it's some cultivators whom Jue Wudi helped in the past seeking revenge on his behalf."

Fang Chen smiled suddenly. "Senior Sister Wu, you may have misunderstood Xia Ji. If he wasn’t sure about these things, he wouldn't have slandered him in this way. If he dared to say something, then it must be true. In fact, he might’ve even sugar-coated it when he said it.”

Wu Ruochou was taken aback. Looking at Fang Chen, she shook her head slightly. "You've just stepped onto this path, what do you know about Jue Wudi?"

"I don't need to know him, all it is is I understand Xia Ji all too well," replied Fang Chen.

Wu Rouchu seemed a little surprised. "You trust him that much?"

Fang Chen nodded. "Senior Sister Wu, you should trust his words; we need to be cautious about Jue Wudi."

Wu Ruochou pondered for a moment. "Even though I don't agree with what he said, he did spend five years waiting back at that remote place. That can’t have been for nothing." Pausing for a moment, she looked at Fang Chen. "Do you know that if he hadn't wasted those five years, with his talent and master's guidance day and night, he would’ve reached the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm at the very least by now?"

Fang Chen nodded. "I do owe him five years."

By now, the two had already reached the door of the tea room.

Suddenly, Xia Ji poked his head out the door. "What’s with all the nonsense you’re saying? I stayed in Qingsong for five years out of my own accord. It had nothing to do with you. Stop babbling and come in for tea."

Then, he looked at Wu Ruochou. "Senior Sister Wu, let's sit down and talk! I have a way to find out where Senior Brother Liu is."

Wu Ruochou's eyes lit up, and she immediately walked into the tea room. She knew that this junior brother of hers was pretty smart.

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