Immortal of the Nine Realms

Next, the princes and princesses took turns undergoing spiritual measurement. Some managed to produce three chimes, while others couldn't even produce one. Out of the dozens of participants, only the sixth princess had managed to achieve four chimes while the rest fell below that mark. That revelation had dampened everyone’s initial expectations. Xia Yu's achievement of seven chimes had caused their expectation to go to a sky-high level.

But this result also showcased how rare Crown Prince Xia Yu’s talent was, and caused the gazes directed at him to now be filled with even more admiration and awe, similar to the way the people were used to look at Fang Chen with.

Xia Yu, who had never experienced such treatment before, felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction well up within.

He couldn't help but glance at Fang Chen again. However, Fang Chen's gaze remained indifferent, carrying a touch of disdain and faint aversion.

When I succeed in my cultivation, you will be the first person I kill! declared Xia Yu coldly in his heart. Fang Chen might be blind, but Xia Yu found those eyes of his repulsive and annoying; the way they seemed to downplay him, it got on his nerves.

The sixth princess, who had been able to produce four chimes, was accepted by the Fire Cloud Immortal Fairy. No one competed with the Fire Cloud Immortal Fairy for her, as they knew that there would be more of such talents.

There were a few princes who had achieved three chimes who had not been picked by anyone. They resigned to their fate, and, full of disappointment and gloom, returned to their spots. Their mothers were very disappointed.

The sixth princess was not very old— several years younger than Fang Chen, in fact. As she passed by Fang Chen's side, she suddenly paused, looked at him and faintly said, "Duke Fang, thanks to you back then, I didn't have to marry Zhou Xiu from Longdu. If I had gotten married then, I wouldn't have been here today."

Contrary to her words, her tone didn’t seem to carry any sort of goodwill; each word was voiced with a deep sense of superiority.

The expression of the civil and military officials turned weird.

Fang Chen smiled faintly. "You're welcome, Sixth Princess,” he said. “The immortal dao is mysterious, and the road ahead is sure to be difficult. I hope to see you again in the future."

The sixth princess chuckled lightly. "If you can also cultivate, then we might see each other again in the future."

With that, the sixth princess walked away toward the Fire Cloud Immortal Fairy and stood by her side.

It was then that the Grand Xia Emperor spoke up, "Ancestor, Duke Fang is a martial arts prodigy. His talent should be outstanding."

Hearing that, Ancestor Xia Yu said to Fang Chen, “Come here and test your potential.”

All eyes were now on Fang Chen, and they were filled with curiosity. Fang Chen was the top martial artist in Grand Xia, and many people naturally wondered how many chimes he could produce. Would he outperform Crown Prince Xia Yu?

Everyone was curious about his potential. Even Xia Yu was conflicted; he both hoped to see and was fearful to know Fang Chen’s results.

It seems that they are still unaware that Fang Chen is already a cultivator. Even Jin Nan and the others can’t detect it. If it weren’t for Qing He telling me, and the fact that he could craft the Purple Lightning Talisman, even I would still be in the dark about it. A smile rose on Abbess Zhu Yue’s face. She had no intention of telling everyone that Fang Chen was already a cultivator. After all, he was soon going to face the Foundation Building Realm cultivator from the Spirit Blood Sect.

At that moment, Abbess Zhu Yue's casual gaze swept over the thousands of figures in the crowd. Among them, there was an elderly man and his grandson observing the commotion. The grandson looked somewhat dazed, while the elderly man was quite excited. However, such pairs were common in the crowd, so they didn't attract much attention.

Fang Chen thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. "I won't participate. I have no intention of stepping onto the immortal path."

It wasn’t that he was afraid that his talent would be too low, but rather, there was simply no need for any test; he had already joined the Three Thousand Dao Sect, which was much stronger than any sect present.

His refusal raised even more curiosity among the onlookers.

Xia Yu smiled and shouted, "Duke Fang, you are our dynasty’s only duke, as well as our former top martial artist. Today's an extremely rare opportunity, and I hope you won't miss it. Perhaps, we can all join the Heavenly Southern Sect and cultivate together."

Many people joined in the persuasion, including officials and military officers. They encouraged Fang Chen to undergo the test, thinking it was a chance for him to join the prestigious Heavenly Southern Sect.

The Minister of Justice, Jiang Yushu, and the fifth prince exchanged a glance. They remained silent, harboring some concerns. If Fang Chen's talent didn't meet expectations, his position in Grand Xia might plummet. That would likely make some people restless.

All eyes were on Fang Chen, and finally, the empress muttered, "Chen'er, go and give it a try."

"Aunt, I have always been dull-minded. I probably lack the talent for cultivation," Fang Chen smiled, stood up, and walked toward the Spiritual Measuring Bell. "But since you've asked, I’ll give it a try."

The crowd became increasingly excited.

Xia Yu was similarly excited, to the point where his hands started faintly trembling. But amidst his excitement was a tad bit of worry.

"Huh, it seems like he can't see?" remarked Elder Jin Nan suddenly.

Fire Cloud Immortal Fairy and others nodded in agreement.

"It does look like it."

Elder Jin Nan brow furrowed. "He's blind. Even if he has talent, he’s still highly unfavorable for cultivation."

Upon hearing that, Xia Yu felt completely at ease. He couldn't help but gloat as he looked at Fang Chen.

"Duke Fang should also have superior talent."

"But if he leaves and steps onto the path of cultivation, how will Grand Xia survive? Who else but him can deal with those Qingsong bandits?"

"We are not afraid of them anymore. In fact, if he cultivates and those Qingsong bandits find out about it, they might avoid us in the future."

"That makes sense. Haha!"

The entire square was filled with the murmurs and whispers of the crowd.

Off in some corner of the crowd, was the elderly man with a few strands for hair. To his side was a child. Gently patting the child's head, the old man said, "Good grandson, that's Fang Chen?"

The child nodded in a daze.

The old man smiled. He had heard about that name from the messages that came from Zhou Yiseng, so he remembered it.

When Zhou Yiseng had sent him the six Blood Spirit Pills, he had mentioned that a person named “Fang Chen” had played a crucial role in the operation.

Thinking of that, the old man's smile turned even wider, but there was a hint of regret in his heart; it might not be easy to treat Grand Xia as a pill furnace in the future.

Under everyone's gaze, Fang Chen slowly stood in front of the Spiritual Measuring Bell.

"Just use your fist to strike; there's no need to use internal energy," said Ancestor Xia Yu casually.

Fang Chen nodded. He was rather curious about the level of his talent. If his guess wasn’t off, it should be somewhere in the inferior range.

Fang Chen focused his strength on his fist, striking the bell. He felt a trace of spiritual energy enter his body from the bell. It circulated within him for a moment before it attempted to return to the bell, but it unfortunately dissipated within him before it could return.

The Spiritual Measuring Bell remained silent.

"So, I can't even make it sound once," said Feng Chen with a faint, bitter smile. If it weren't that encounter at Three World Mountain, he might truly have no talent for cultivation.

The crowd fell silent.

No sound?

Xia Yu was just about to say something when, in the next moment, the Spiritual Measuring Bell suddenly emitted an extraordinarily loud blast and cracks appeared on its surface.

Boom!!!

Everyone was stunned. That didn’t sound right!

Elder Jin Nan was baffled.

Fang Chen was also somewhat dazed, and he suddenly felt a powerful energy surge from within him, and, with tremendous force, it slammed against the bell!

He had never felt such a strong force before!

A phantom figure appeared above the Spiritual Measuring Bell. It glared at everyone present, and barked, "Who dares snatch my disciple?!”

An incomparably terrifying aura swept out from the phantom, blanketing over everyone. Everyone present, including Abbess Zhu Ye, were forced to the ground. Only cultivators were affected, and in the crowd, an old man was pressed firmly into the ground as a hint of horror formed on his face. He couldn’t believe what he was feeling!

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