Immortal of the Nine Realms

Even though Fang Chen hadn’t encountered the martial artists who wanted to use the southern region to restore their empire on his trip to Carefree Palace, he still learned about the existence of Supreme Immortal Pudu, who was very likely a formidable cultivator.

Having empires that pray to him is equivalent to them continuously providing him with the power of worship.

In addition, some empires that worship deities may also have real cultivators. They all follow similar paths.

Qing He and Li Daoye seem to know nothing about this matter. This indicates that the sects behind them are also unaware of this. Obviously, this path is extremely secretive. If my divine soul couldn't leave my body, I wouldn't have discovered it.

Fang Chen couldn't help but sigh at the mysterious nature of the immortal path. Cultivators had all sorts of different methods at their disposal. If he had not stumbled upon this path, he would not have discovered these things in his lifetime.

Li Daoye was also a cultivator, but he didn't know that cultivators could cultivate using the power of incense. In that respect, he was no different from an ordinary person.

"My lord, do we need to issue a warrant for the Carefree Palace?" asked Jue Panshi suddenly.

Fang Chen shook his head slightly. "No need for that. Follow me to the other prefectures. Once we completely stabilized the situation in the southern region, it would be difficult for them to cause trouble.”

In the next half a month, Fang Chen traveled to various places with Jue Panshi and the others.

Every time they arrived at a place, the prefecture magistrate would welcome them personally, and by the time they left, people would’ve been either detained, or entirely beheaded.

Their days were not exactly peaceful.

They had killed Magistrate Li to set an example for others, but to avoid further turmoil and chaos, Fang Chen chose not to go after the other prefectures’ magistrates. However, after the lesson of Southern Immortal Prefecture, the magistrates from other prefectures naturally knew what to do when Fang Chen visited them.

During that period, even if some generals tried to intervene, as soon as they witnessed his methods, they dared not take any action.

Some people initially thought that Fang Chen’s attempt at reformation would encounter great resistance; however, within just half a month, Fang Chen relied on his strength and turned the entire southern region upside down without anyone to stop him!

Jue Panshi and the others who had been following Fang Chen all that time became even more awestruck by his methods.

Fang Chen didn’t neglect his cultivation either during that half a month and had used up all the talisman paper and cinnabar he had carried with him, crafting yet another batch of talismans. As a result, his spiritual energy reserves increased significantly. It wouldn’t be long before he condensed his sixth immortal vein.

Near the spiritual spring.

During that short period Fang Chen had been away, a majestic manor had been built, occupying an extensive area. And a broad, green stone road had been laid down, extending from the manor to the main road.

Beside the stone road was the spiritual spring, which the Fang Family did not monopolize. The villagers nearby, passing travelers, and even wild animals in the mountains were still allowed to come and drink or fetch water. It was even more convenient for them with the stone road built.

"The Fang Family is going to live here..."

Xia Song as well as a few of his younger siblings sat astride their horses. When they saw the dragon-like stone road and the manor that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, their faces turned complicated.

"Big Brother, I’ve received news that during this period, Duke Fang has traveled through the nine prefectures, killing at least three hundred officials and martial artists! That's why Father asked us to get closer to the Fang Family. It feels like the southern region’s territory belongs to them instead of us,” moaned one of the siblings, clearly annoyed.

They approached the Fang Manor as they conversed. When they passed by the spiritual spring, they came down from their horses to fetch some water, taking the opportunity to drink their fill. Even though the spiritual energy in the spiritual spring had little effect on ordinary people, it had a refreshing effect on them. Moreover, drinking it over a prolonged period had some benefits for their body.

“Big Brother, why do you think they chose this location to build the Fang Manor? I’ve heard there are many wild beasts around here, even some demons..."

"Could it be because of this spiritual spring?"

"Unlikely." Xia Song shook his head slightly, "Even though the spring water is sweet and refreshing, it's not enough to be the sole reason for them to choose this location. The climate near this spring is exceptionally cool, and they probably liked that. As for the wild beasts and rumored demons... I guess they have the confidence to deal with them."

After they had their fill of water, they went back on their horses, save for their youngest sister.

She was crouched near the spring, washing her face. Suddenly she caught a glimpse of a reflection in the water—a wolf!

The emerald eyes of the giant wolf stared fixedly at her. Startled, she let out a scream and accidentally slipped and fell into the spring.

Jerking their heads to the side at her scream, Xia Song and the rest noticed the giant wolf, and they couldn’t help but inhale deeply.

Before they could react, the wolf roared and charged at them.

Frightened, their horses went out of control, kicking their hinds upwards. They bucked the siblings perched on them onto the ground and turned around to flee alone.

"Save my sister first! I'll hold it off!" barked Xiao Song angrily as he rushed toward the giant wolf. The others hurried to rescue their fallen sister.

By the time they pulled her out of the water, they turned to find Xia Song covered in injuries, and his sword bitten in half by the giant wolf.

Everyone was shocked.

"Big brother is in the mid Qi Detonation Stage, yet he’s not an opponent for this wolf. Could it be a demon from the mountains!?"

Xia Song had already fallen to the ground, and the giant wolf, looking down on him, was about to sink its teeth into him when a tiger roar echoed through the entire mountain.

A tiger, several times larger than the giant wolf, leaped forward. On its neck, there was a circle of white patterns resembling flames.

Crack!

The giant wolf had no time to react and had its neck bitten off by the tiger. The wolf’s head tumbled to the ground, its emerald eyes wide open with fear.

After killing the giant wolf, the tiger looked calmly at Xia Song and the others.

"What a huge tiger..." Everyone's eyes were filled with shock, and they were so frightened they couldn't move.

Xia Song's face turned pale as he stared at the tiger. "D-Don’t’ kill my siblings. If you want to eat someone, eat me!"

He knew he could not resist. Even the giant wolf was bitten to death by the tiger!

Suddenly, from afar, Fang Zhixue fell from the sky after a high leap and landed on the tiger's back. Perched above the tiger, she looked down at them, then asked, “Who are you? Tiger Mountain Lord won't eat you.”

"This..." That scene shocked Xia Song and the others immensely. Tiger Mountain Lord, seeing the terrified expressions of these people, not only slightly raised the corners of his mouth but also affectionately turned his head to nuzzle Fang Zhixue.

That was his master's younger sister! She was his martial aunt!

Seeing that scene, the onlookers were completely dumbfounded.

Xia Song got up unsteadily and looked at Fang Zhixue with amazement. "Y-Young lady, who are you?" he hesitated.

"I asked you a question first." Fang Zhixue frowned. “You still haven't told me who you are.”

"Oh, oh." Xia Song quickly clasped his fist and introduced himself. "I’m Xia Song from the King’s Manor. These are my brothers and sisters."

Fang Zhixue smiled lightly. "So, you're from the King's Manor. I'm Fang Zhixue. Fang Chen is my elder brother."

Fang Chen's sister, Fang Zhixue!?

Seeing her and then looking at Tiger Mountain Lord, Xia Song was utterly shocked as he finally understood why the Fang Family had chosen this location for the Fang Manor! It seemed that they had already subjugated all the demons in the area!