Immortal of the Nine Realms

Ge Shao observed Fang Chen's composed demeanor with admiration. It dawned on him that this was what it meant to live with dignity. Even when his cultivation was lower than his opponent's, he didn't cower or submit.

Having a demeanor such as this required a certain degree of fearlessness.

Perhaps sword cultivators inherently cultivate their temperament through the sword.

"Are they heading towards the imperial palace?" Fang Chen suddenly asked, breaking Ge Shao's thoughts.

Ge Shao glanced in the direction of the departing sword cultivators and nodded lightly. "Yes, Sword Leader Fang, they are indeed headed toward the imperial palace."

Fang Chen's expression turned pensive. "Why would sword cultivators from Celestial Heaven come to the Central Continent Empire? Are they seeking an audience with the Emperor?"

It was evident from recent events that the relationship between the Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper regarding the Central Continent was not amicable, hinting at a potential desire for conquest.

A few years ago, the Old Sword Immortal had been injured at the hands of someone from the Kunlun Sword Sect. Now, with the Void Immortal Sword Sect recently appointing a new sword leader, the appearance of the Celestial Heavens's sword leader in the Central Continent could not be a mere coincidence.

Setting aside his thoughts, Fang Chen followed Ge Shao to the Exquisite Tower. The banquet hall where Xia Ji and the others were located was within a secluded courtyard, heavily guarded by various cultivators preventing outsiders from entering.

Recognizing Fang Chen, the guards stepped aside, allowing him to approach the courtyard without any obstruction.

Inside the courtyard, a voice resonated with authority. "Xia Ji, what you said earlier was a bit too arrogant. Don't let outsiders think that the heir of the Corrosive Dragon King Manor lacks manners. Apologize to Xing Jintuo, and let this matter rest."

Fang Chen exchanged a glance with Ge Shao, sensing the tension brewing inside. He stepped forward, ready to enter the courtyard and assess the situation.

Immediately, Xia Ji's voice rang out, "Did I make a mistake? The path of body refinement is indeed a failed path, and some of the methods used are no different from those of a martial artist. You all know what a martial artist is, right? The so-called peak of a martial artist can only spar a few moves with someone at the twelfth stage of the Qi Refining Realm."

Xia Ji's voice disappeared momentarily before he continued, "Although Brother Jintuo has the potential to become an immortal on the Ancient Immortal Road, the body refinement method he has acquired is not one he should continue on; it will only cut off his own path."

"Young Master Xia, your words are rather biased. In our Central Continent, there are indeed many sects, like the Free Transformation Sect that Brother Jintuo belongs to. These sects follow the path of body refinement, and many talented body refiners have emerged from them.

"A cultivator is a cultivator, whether refining their body or otherwise. How can you compare a martial artist to them? Your words are clearly an insult to Brother Jintuo and the body refinement cultivators of the world."

"To be honest, I was once just a martial artist myself, and because of that, I know that the path of body refinement cannot be called the right path. Besides, Brother Jintuo spends day and night researching the offensive techniques of martial artists; isn't that a waste of youth? I'm just giving a kind reminder, so why do you all need to condemn me so harshly?"

Xia Ji's voice rang out again, sounding somewhat indignant.

Upon hearing this, Fang Chen entered the courtyard with Ge Shao, instantly drawing the attention of both arguing sides away.

Xu Peng had been enjoying the spectacle when he saw Fang Chen appear. A shadowy cold smile appeared on his face.

Gai Wu was sitting quietly. His gaze immediately turned to Fang Chen, eyes filled with a hint of scrutiny.

"He also got out of the Desolate Academy so quickly?"

Everyone exchanged quiet glances.

Could it be that, like Xia Ji, he offended some big figure in the courtyard and was kicked out?

Ji Liang smiled kindly at Fang Chen, not showing a hint of anger over losing his place in the Desolate Academy to him.

At the center of the group sat a towering figure, his fiery red hair wild and unruly. His refined robe couldn't fully hide the powerful muscles beneath, hinting at immense strength. He observed Fang Chen with a scrutinizing gaze but said nothing.

Xia Ji immediately stepped forward. "Fang Da, you're out too? Perfect timing!"

He placed a hand on Fang Chen's back and guided him to the front of the crowd.

"You've dabbled in martial arts before. Brother Jintuo from Free Transformation Sect was once a martial arts fanatic, but now he's deeply committed to body refinement, hoping to blaze a different path and become an immortal through martial strength.

"Why don't you both suppress your spiritual energy and spar using only martial techniques? If Brother Jintuo can't even defeat you, it would prove my point that this path is indeed a dead end."

The crowd was visibly surprised, not expecting this revelation.

"Has Young Master Fang also trained in martial arts?"

A young man with a buzzcut, dressed in a simple vest and training pants, immediately fixed his gaze on Fang Chen, a glint of battle intent in his eyes. "Did you once practice martial arts, Sword Leader Fang?"

"Not extensively," Fang Chen replied calmly, smiling. "Is this what you all are arguing about? Everyone knows that the path of a martial artist doesn't go far."

The buzz-cut youth grinned. "I used to think the same way. I simply studied it for a few years because I enjoyed the process. But after completing the Ancient Immortal Road, my perspective changed. The Immortal Path leads to immortality, while the Martial Path leads to divinity."

Many in the crowd sneered at him. However, they refrained from openly contradicting the youth. Instead, they nodded in agreement, suggesting that every path holds potential and doesn't necessarily need to follow in the footsteps of predecessors. If someone could carve out their own path to become a powerful being, their name could be celebrated for eternity, earning reverence for generations to come.

Among them was Xu Qingsong, who sat beside Ji Liang, behaving rather low-key.

"Xia Ji, since you say that, why not let Sword Leader Fang compete with Xing Jintuo and see how deep their martial arts proficiency runs? We can witness the outcome. If Xing Jintuo wins, you should stop bothering him," spoke the figure in the center, whose fluffy hair and tall stature stood out.

"That's my sworn brother Chen Mang, the first adopted son of the Corrosive Dragon King. I heard he's about to become a Profound Immortal," Xia Ji whispered to Fang Chen.

He then smiled and looked at the buzz-cut Xing Jintuo. "Brother Jintuo, I think my sworn brother is right. You want to achieve divinity through martial arts, right? Why not compete with him here? If you can surpass him in martial arts, I will believe you. After all, when it comes to martial arts, I will only admit defeat to him."

The crowd buzzed with excitement. Watching the sword leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect compete against the martial madman of the Free Transformation Sect without using spiritual energy would certainly be an entertaining spectacle. If the former were to lose, that would be even more amusing.

With this in mind, Ji Liang and the others chimed in, supporting Xia Ji's words.

Xing Jintuo suddenly laughed. "Sword Leader Fang is a sword cultivator. It's alright for us to have a spar, but it must follow the rules; otherwise, I'll just admit defeat."

Chen Mang nodded, "That's how it should be. You can set the rules; I believe Sword Leader Fang won't mind."

He directly made the decision on behalf of Fang Chen.

Usually, Fang Chen would have retorted with a smile, but at this moment, he had already discerned that Xia Ji hoped for him to have this match with Xing Jintuo. He wanted to see what Xia Ji was planning.

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