Immortal of the Nine Realms

More than a month had passed since the Fang Clan ancestor rite ceremony. During this time, the structure of the Hechuan Fang Clan underwent enormous changes. The Huofeng Branch surrendered almost all of its businesses, which were absorbed and divided among the other three Branches.

This upheaval sparked all kinds of speculation from the outside world. Especially under Fang Longshan's leadership, the Fang Clan had begun severing all marriage ties with outside powers. This drew countless accusations and protests, yet when those words reached the Hechuan Fang Clan, they failed to stir even the slightest ripple.

Outside the bamboo building courtyard stood clansmen from all four branches. They had brought along their juniors and were looking at the gate with hopeful expressions.

After a long while, the gate finally opened, and the crowd's expressions turned into ones of utter excitement.

Fang Hai slowly walked out, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.

Although Fang Hai was still a junior and came from a poor background, none of the clansmen present dared look down on him anymore. Respect filled all their eyes as they watched him. After all, he was a divine ability user, a powerful figure above even Martial Saints!

Fang Hai quickly noticed four familiar figures. They were the four classmates who had once cultivated the meditation method under Fang Chen alongside him. Seeing the four staring at him with incomparably hopeful gazes, Fang Hai sighed softly. Finally, he said, "Everyone, Uncle Fang said he will no longer teach the meditation method. Please return home and stop waiting here."

"T-this..."

"Fang Hai, I'm your uncle, remember? I even carried you when you were little. Look, could you perhaps pass a message to Ancestor Fang and have him accept my youngest son?"

Someone tried using Fang Hai to build connections.

Fang Hai replied politely, "Uncle, please return."

The crowd sighed deeply and left in disappointment.

Not far away, Fang Yue was feeling emotional. "Qiurou, putting Fang Hai onto the list back then truly was a wise decision. He came from a poor family and naturally understands the suffering of poor families. In the future, within the Hechuan Fang Clan, both the clan chief and I will finally have a true helper."

After a pause, he added, "If Ancestor Fang could accept a few more disciples and let the Fang Clan produce more divine ability cultivators, wouldn't that also be a good thing?"

He looked toward Fang Qiurou after speaking.

Fang Qiurou could not help but laugh. "Father, if you want to persuade him, then go yourself. Don't make me do it. Divine ability cultivators are not so easily made. Since Ancestor Fang is unwilling to accept more disciples, he naturally has his own considerations. Is that really something we can persuade him about?"

Fang Yue fell silent.

***

Several days later, an uninvited guest arrived at the Hechuan Fang Clan. Every step the visitor took caused the earth to tremble slightly.

Countless clansmen walked out from their homes, staring uncertainly at the newcomer. It was a man whose body hair was so thick and wild that he resembled a lion in human form.

"This man's blood and qi are as vigorous as a dragon. Every step carries the force of ten thousand pounds.

Someone quickly realized who the man might be, and their eyes widened with shock. "Could he be... a Martial Saint?!"

To the lion-like man, however, those expressions looked like fear. Growing increasingly arrogant, he stamped harder with each step, causing cracks to spread across the ground.

Soon, Fang Longshan and Fang Yue arrived together with their people. The moment Fang Longshan saw the visitor, he smiled. "Martial Saint Qin, your arrival honors us. Why didn't you notify us beforehand? I could have properly prepared to welcome you."

Martial Saint Qin sized Fang Longshan up before sneering. "To have Clan Leader Fang personally welcome me? I wouldn't dare. I came here today because my daughter-in-law told me that Clan Leader Fang issued an order to remove my son's concubine from the Fang Clan's registry?"

The crowd was stunned. The person before them was likely Hechuan Prefecture's number one expert, Qin Zhen! They remembered that among the Huofeng Branch was a woman with extraordinary luck who had become a concubine to Qin Zhen's second son!

Everyone felt alarmed.

"The Huofeng Branch's network really has grown larger and larger over the years. There's more than one woman married to sons of Martial Saints. Martial Saint Qin is merely one example..."

"If Ancestor Fang hadn't appeared, the Huofeng Branch would have sold the Fang Clan in its entirety."

Fang Longshan nodded calmly, still smiling. "That matter is indeed true. In recent years, many changes to the Blazing Fist have leaked outside. This was all caused by undisciplined clansmen. To rectify this matter, we had no choice but to use such measures. I hope Martial Saint Qin will not take offense."

Martial Saint Qin's expression shifted slightly, his eyes flickering before he let out a cold laugh. "What nonsense. Who would covet your Fang Clan's Blazing Fist? In all these years, not a single divine ability cultivator has emerged from your clan. That proves your technique is utterly useless. Bring out the Huofeng Branch's elder. I wish to discuss this matter with him personally and see whether your Fang Clan truly intends to cast out its own clansmen so ruthlessly!"

"Elder Huofeng is currently in seclusion, reflecting upon his actions. I'm afraid he cannot come out to meet Martial Saint Qin. If Martial Saint Qin has no further business, then please repair the damaged ground before leaving." Fang Longshan replied calmly.

Martial Saint Qin was taken aback, as though he suspected he had misheard.

He could not help but laugh in exasperation. "What did you just say, Fang Longshan? Why don't you repeat that?"

Fang Longshan did not repeat himself. Instead, he stepped aside slightly. "Fang Hai, Martial Saint Qin came to our Fang Clan today seeking trouble. According to the rules, he should be executed."

Executed?

Martial Saint Qin revealed a suspicious expression before noticing the frail-looking Fang Hai standing behind Fang Longshan.

He immediately burst into laughter. "You intend to let this brat—"

In the next instant, lightning engulfed him. His skin peeled away under the current, turning into ashes that still crackled with sparks.

At the same time, two figures happened to come rushing over. Both of them witnessed Martial Saint Qin's fate at the exact same moment. They desperately tried to stop themselves, but because they used too much force, they lost control, tumbled to the ground, and rolled around for a couple of meters before coming to a halt.

Looking at the miserable pair, Fang Longshan smiled faintly. "Oh? Looks like two more Martial Saints have arrived. It's truly lively today."

The two disheveled men finally climbed back to their feet. They glanced at what reminded of Martial Saint Qin, a pile of ash, and then turned to Fang Longshan and Fang Hai. Suddenly, warm smiles appeared on their faces as they cupped their fists respectfully.

"We heard Martial Saint Qin came to trouble the Fang Clan, so we specially came to help. May we ask where Martial Saint Qin is? Why don't we see him?"

They came to help?

Disdain appeared in everyone's eyes. Who would believe such nonsense?

Fang Longshan sighed lightly. "Martial Saint Qin... has already departed. You two have our gratitude for your intentions. However, the Fang Clan is not receiving guests lately, so please return."

"Very well, then we shall take our leave first."

The two men turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

A faint smile appeared in Fang Longshan's eyes as he felt a sense of ease he had never experienced before. "After today, there likely won't be any blind fools coming to disturb us again."

***

The bamboo building courtyard.

The Envoy's figure flashed, appearing within the courtyard before walking up to Fang Chen while holding Sword Bodhi with both hands. "My lord, is this the medicinal ingredient you wanted?"

A smile appeared on Fang Chen's face as he accepted Sword Bodhi. "This is exactly it."

He tossed it into his mouth. In an instant, immortal essence surged within his body as though breaking through a shackle, continuously growing stronger!

"You may return now. I am going into seclusion for a period of time. After I emerge, I will seek you out again."

"Yes, my lord."