Immortal of the Nine Realms

The Void Immortal Sword Sect was situated in the Seven Star Mountain Range of the Burial Sword Manor.

What Fang Chen saw was just the outer sect. The inner sect was akin to the Grand Thousand Dao Sect, with its own hidden wonders.

Just the outer sect was enough to show the grandeur of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. Hundreds of sword-like mountain peaks stood tall like a sword array, forming an impressive sight. Countless ancient trees reached toward the sky. Waterfalls and rivers were everywhere, creating a scene reminiscent of a celestial paradise.

"Junior Brother Fang, since it's your first time here, let me introduce you to the outer sect," Cheng Yuhan said with a smile.

Through Cheng Yuhan's introduction, Fang Chen began to appreciate the difference between immortal powers and the Grand Thousand Dao Sect. The outer court of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect had only a few hundred Daoists, while the outer sect of the Void Immortal Sword Sect was home to nearly ten million mortals.

Each mountain peak in the outer sect represented a different sword technique. The mortals here were born with the right to practice swordsmanship. If they exhibited a special insight in the field, they might have the opportunity to step into the Immortal Path and be admitted to the inner sect. Even if they lacked the talent for cultivation, their sword skills could elevate their status among mortals.

"Do the ordinary people here know about the existence of the Sword Sect?" Fang Chen asked curiously.

"Some know a bit, but not too much. Knowing too much wouldn't benefit them and could affect their sincere devotion to swordsmanship," Cheng Yuhan sighed. "Just like me. Back then, I only had a vague understanding regarding this. It wasn't until I was taken in by the inner sect that I realized that the path of immortality existed."

Fang Chen was slightly surprised. "Senior Brother Cheng, with so many cultivators in your family, you only had a vague idea of things back then?"

Cheng Yuhan wore a smile as he explained, "Junior Brother Fang, you might not know this, but this is a rule the sect elders set. As long as we haven't been admitted to the inner sect, we can’t cultivate or know much about it. Sometimes, having a mind free of distractions is better for comprehending swordsmanship."

Fang Chen nodded slightly. These mortals living here might live their entire lives not knowing they were Void Immortal Sword Sect's outer sect disciples.

Moments later, a streak of sword light cut through the air. Upon seeing the approaching figure, Cheng Yuhan and the others showed expressions of surprise and hurriedly greeted him.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Qin."

Qin Hucheng smiled and nodded. "No need for such formalities, my junior brothers and sisters."

He turned to Fang Chen, his smile widening. "Junior Brother Fang, we meet again."

"Greetings, Senior Brother Qin," Fang Chen said with a smile and a respectful bow.

Fang Chen had met Qin Hucheng at the Immortal Dynasty Manor before. Although his cultivation might not have been as high as that of Gai Hong and others, the prowess of a sword cultivator wasn’t always measured by cultivation alone. Gai Hong and others had shown considerable respect toward Qin Hucheng.

Cheng Yuhan was curious. "Senior Brother Qin, why have you personally come for us? This kind of task could have been handled by someone else."

"If it were any of you, it wouldn't be necessary for me to make the trip. However, since Junior Brother Fang has arrived, it’s important not to take it lightly. Moreover, the Sect Master wants to meet him, so I need to take him to the main peak," Qin Hucheng said.

"This... The Sect Master won’t keep Junior Brother Fang at the main peak, will they? No matter what, Junior Brother Fang is a disciple of our Extreme Sword Peak! Senior Brother Qin, please don’t forget your allegiance," Cheng Yuhan said awkwardly.

"That depends on what the Sect Master says," Qin Hucheng said with a smile.

With that, he led everyone through an array, and the surrounding scenery instantly changed. The hundreds of mountain peaks had vanished, leaving only nine distant peaks. ȑ𝓪ℕo͍𝖇ȧ

However, the spiritual energy there was much denser than outside. Even mortals living here could probably live for a hundred years without cultivating.

Cheng Yuhan and the others went ahead and returned to the Extreme Sword Peak, while Fang Chen was taken by Qin Hucheng to the main peak's Sect Master's Hall.

There, a figure was already waiting, facing away from them.

"Sect Master, I've brought Junior Brother Fang," Qin Hucheng said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"Mm, you may wait outside," the figure said indifferently.

Qin Hucheng smiled at Fang Chen and then turned to leave the Sect Master's Hall.

"Previously, the sword embryo stolen from the Void Immortal Sword Sect by the Supreme Immortal Pudu was taken by you, correct?" the figure asked.

Fang Chen nodded. "Yes."

"That is the sword embryo of my Void Immortal Sword Sect. Since you have obtained it, you are naturally a disciple of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. Do you have any objections to this?" the figure continued.

Fang Chen shook his head. "No objections."

"Then, kneel and pay your respects to your master," the figure said.

Throughout the entire conversation, the figure remained with his back turned to Fang Chen, even when instructing him to kneel and pay his respects.

My master?

Fang Chen was surprised. Before he could react, a group of people suddenly entered from outside.

"Sect Master, why are you making Fang Chen a disciple without informing us? At least give us a heads-up!"

"Yes, since you're taking in a disciple, why can't he join our peak?"

This group of people began to criticize the sect leader loudly. Their cultivation realms ranged from the Fusion Realm to the Dao Union Realm. The once quiet Sect Master's Hall quickly turned chaotic, resembling a bustling market as various voices expressed their dissatisfaction.

"According to the rules, he is a disciple of our Extreme Sword Peak and should naturally become my disciple. Senior Brother, let's follow the proper procedures," said a woman with a dignified appearance who seemed ageless.

Her gaze was constantly assessing Fang Chen.

Extreme Sword Peak's Peak Master? Fang Chen thought to himself.

After a period of silence, the figure spoke up in anger. "Preposterous!"

He boomed, "Who is the Sect Master, you or me? Do I need to ask your permission to take in a disciple? What do you think you are?"

The hall fell into immediate silence.

But soon, a bearded sword cultivator, who was also at the Dao Union Realm, pointed at the figure and shouted, "Are we supposed to be afraid just because you're the Sect Master!? If you don't follow the rules, we'll join forces and fight you. See if you can handle us all together!"

He spoke with confidence, his words backed by his strength.

"Oi, Old Man Wang, turn around and speak to us properly! Are you only capable of showing us your back? Do you have eyes or a mouth on the back of your head!?"

Another Dao Union Realm cultivator sneered. "If we hadn’t arrived in time, you might have secretly taken this kid for yourself. How shameless can you be, using your senior brother status and Sect Master position to ignore us?"

"If we don’t get an explanation today, no one will take on disciples!"

Outside the hall, Qin Hucheng leaned against the door and watched the scene with interest. Disciples occasionally approached and peeked inside, asking Qin Hucheng curiously:

"Senior Brother Qin, what’s happening? Why are the Sect Master and the Peak Masters arguing again?"

"It’s nothing much; they’re just arguing over a disciple," Qin Hucheng replied with a smile.

"Arguing over a disciple!?" A young sword cultivator with white hair expressed surprise. "Who’s so outstanding that the Sect Master and the Peak Masters are fighting over them? Has another prodigy emerged in the outer sect?"

"Who else could it be? It’s our Extreme Sword Peak’s Junior Brother Fang," Qin Hucheng replied.

No matter who took Fang Chen in, he would always be a disciple of Extreme Sword Peak, so Qin Hucheng remained quite calm.

"Junior Brother Fang?"

The crowd’s faces showed confusion, but someone suddenly remembered and exclaimed, "Fang Chen? It’s him? When did he arrive?"