Immortal of the Nine Realms

Elder Fang's words left both Bai Lixiao and Fang Chen astonished.

The Great Expansion Dao Gate? The missing Daoist Hong Qing was actually being suppressed by the Great Expansion Dao Gate?

Fang Chen's expression turned peculiar. Compared to the Great Expansion Dao Gate, the Grand Thousand Dao Sect was like an ant compared to a giant elephant. The giant elephant would never intentionally crush an ant unless it obstructed its path.

From the clues given, Fang Chen concluded that this was related to the Three Thousand Dao Sect. The Great Expansion Dao Gate had to believe that Daoist Hong Qing or the Grand Thousand Dao Sect possessed something they desired.

Could it be related to the Realm of Three Thousand Dao? Fang Chen pondered.

"Bai Lixiao, was Daoist Hong Qing truly suppressed by the Great Expansion Dao Gate? I remember that before he disappeared, he had a meeting with you. You two were quite close, weren’t you?" Bai Lixiao asked with a strange expression.

Elder Fang sighed softly. "Yes, my relationship with Hong Qing was indeed good. Otherwise, he wouldn't have told me about meeting a surviving elder of the Three Thousand Dao Sect. If someone from the Dao Sect could meet such a figure, they would likely gain immense immortal fortune."

"What!?" Bai Lixiao's face showed horror. "Elder Fang, those words... Are they not just ramblings?"

"Well, not entirely true, nor entirely false. There are rumors of an elder from the Three Thousand Dao Sect who failed to become a teaching ancestor after turning into a Loose Immortal. Yet, his residual soul survived and roams the world, sometimes lucid, sometimes confused. Occasionally, when he encounters someone with a connection to the Dao Sect, he might pass down a few techniques."

“However, some of the techniques have become obsolete in this era,” Elder Fang said with a faint smile. “Hong Qing was fortunate to have met this elder and even claimed to have been taught a divine art that, if mastered, would ensure advancement into the Middle Three Realms. Because of this, he has been determined to restore the Grand Thousand Dao Sect to its former glory and assert that their lineage is the true orthodox one.”

“The Three Thousand Dao Sect... did it really exist?” Bai Lixiao asked, looking somewhat lost.

“We’ve only lived a few years. How can we know for sure about events so ancient?” Elder Fang replied with a smile. “However, anyone who mentions the Three Thousand Dao Sect now is essentially opposing all Dao Sects, as it is rumored that our roots trace back to the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

“If someone claims that the Three Thousand Dao Sect is the true orthodox sect, what does that make us? Traitors?

“Hong Qing was quite foolish in this regard. If not for having been suppressed by the Great Expansion Dao Gate, he would have eventually brought disaster to the Grand Thousand Dao Sect.”

“Elder Fang, did the Great Expansion Dao Gate suppress Daoist Hong Qing because of the inheritance left by that elder? But how could they know about it...?” Bai Lixiao asked, puzzled.

Elder Fang’s face showed a profound smile as he gazed deeply at Bai Lixiao. “Some things are better kept secret. Hong Qing was foolish for sharing this with me.”

Bai Lixiao fell silent.

“Since that fellow is from the Great Expansion Dao Gate, the Nine Yang Dao Sect should refrain from getting involved in this matter. If it comes to a confrontation, we’ll need to rely on the Great Expansion Dao Gate.”

"If it weren't for the fact that the Great Expansion Dao Gate had offended the Void Immortal Sword Sect this time, with their disciples being questioned by various sword cultivators, they would have already hosted the Celestial Court Assembly to showcase the splendor of their Immortal King," Elder Fang said, waving his hand lightly to dismiss Bai Lixiao.

Bai Lixiao nodded, turned, and left, his mind still somewhat puzzled about why Elder Fang and the higher-ups were willing to spend two hundred mid-grade spirit stones to redeem Hua Qianchi. This move was not merely to rescue him but also to show a stance to the Great Expansion Dao Gate and resolve any misunderstandings.

Fang Chen mused. "Great Expansion Dao Gate... Ancestor Hong Qing... Immortal Yun He..."

This matter involved Immortal Yun He. If Ancestor Hong Qing had received Senior Yun He’s teachings, then he could be considered Fang Chen's senior brother. For both personal and rational reasons, Fang Chen couldn't ignore this.

Fang Chen glanced deeply at Elder Fang for a second before quietly departing with his soul.

***

At the Immortal Qin Manor.

Li Daoye, seeing Fang Chen return, immediately asked with curiosity, "What did the people from the Nine Yang Dao Sect say?"

As he asked, he observed Fang Chen, trying to see if there were any signs of Nine Yang Dao Sect’s karma left on him.

"They didn't say much. They gave me two hundred mid-grade spirit stones to resolve the dispute and took Hua Qianchi away," Fang Chen replied with a smile. Ṝ𝘼

Li Daoye looked surprised. "Did they back down? That’s unexpected..."

"They might be reasonable, acknowledging that Hua Qianchi was at fault.”

Li Daoye nodded thoughtfully, then asked in a low voice, "What about that matter? The time is coming tomorrow."

"It should be fine.”

Li Daoye sighed in relief. "That's good to hear."

He wanted to stay here longer, as Chu Lan had treated him very well. Not to mention that he was reluctant to face another round of upheaval.

The next day, early in the morning, Chu Lan sent someone to invite Fang Chen over.

Qin Feng and Qin Xuan were also present. Both had different expressions upon seeing Fang Chen.

"Mother, today is the family council. It might be inappropriate for an outsider to be present," Qin Xuan said in a low voice.

"Xuan'er, if your brother can come through this safely, then Daoist Fang will be considered the greatest contributor," Chu Lan said softly.

Qin Xuan looked puzzled and uncertain. She had no idea what this so-called savior had been up to during this time. Strolling around? Making enemies with the Nine Yang Dao Sect? What else had he done?

Glancing at Fang Chen, Chu Lan said, "Let’s go, Daoist Fang.”

Fang Chen nodded lightly.

The ancestral hall had been chosen as the location of the Immortal Qin Clan council. As they made their way there, many eyes were scanning Chu Lan and the others. The owners of these gazes were the powerful figures from various branches of the family. When they looked at Chu Lan, their eyes were filled with schadenfreude, and there was no sign of anxiety about the upcoming war between the Immortal Qin Clan and Langya Clan.

“First Lady, today is the Immortal Qin Clan Council. This person probably doesn't have the qualifications to enter,” said a cultivator at the entrance of the ancestral hall, blocking Chu Lan and the others while scrutinizing Fang Chen.

Suddenly, someone’s voice rang out. “This person is a distinguished guest of the First Lady. Why are you stopping him?”

Everyone looked up to see Qin Nie, accompanied by Wu Wan. The crowd immediately greeted them with respect and bowed. Their attitude toward Chu Lan and Wu Wan was markedly different from their earlier stance.

“Since he is a distinguished guest of the First Lady, please let him in,” the cultivator said, stepping aside.

Chu Lan smiled at Wu Wan, nodded to Qin Nie, and then led Fang Chen and the others into the ancestral hall.

Inside the ancestral hall, all the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators from various branches had already arrived, numbering about seventy or eighty people. Besides them, there were also many Golden Core Realm and Foundation Building Realm cultivators.

Everyone stood together in the center of the ancestral hall, where dozens of grand master chairs had been prepared in advance, but their occupants had not yet arrived.

The head of the Immortal Qin Clan was standing in the foremost position. When he saw that Fang Chen was also present, a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

The crowd briefly glanced at Fang Chen before turning their attention to Qin Feng.

Today, Qin Feng was the center of attention, as everything had started because of him.