Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen said with a faint smile, "Tell me about the White Tiger Empire."

Ji Congyun thought for a moment and said, "Eight thousand miles east of the Frost Water Empire is the territory of the White Tiger Empire. The Frost Water Empire has been under the jurisdiction of the White Tiger Empire since the day of its founding, which would be a bit over a thousand years.

“Empires like the Yingcang Empire, Tian Kun Empire, and Hongri Empire are also vassal states of the White Tiger Empire. However, the White Tiger Empire’s eight-tier vassal states are not limited to just these.

“In the White Tiger Empire, martial prowess is flourishing, and Profound Earth Stage martial artists are dime a dozen. There are also quite a few Profound Heaven Stage martial artists. The top-ranked martial sect in the martial world, the Ten Directions Sect, is said to have three peak Profound Heaven Stage experts."

Ji Congyun glanced at Fang Chen and continued, "There is also a rumor that the relationship between seventh-tier empires and sixth-tier empires is much closer than we had imagined. It seems that many sixth-tier empires recruit Profound Heaven Stage martial artists from seventh-grade empires. Most of these martial artists become followers of immortal masters. Because of this, the Ten Directions Sect, for example, has immortal masters backing it."

"So..." Ji Congyun said, "Regardless of how the internal politics of the Frost Water Empire change, whether it is controlled by my Ji Family or the imperial family, the White Tiger Empire will not interfere.

“However, if outsiders intervene and cause the Frost Water Empire to no longer exist, or for it to become a vassal state of another country, the White Tiger Empire will not sit idly by, and it may even send out a few immortal masters to intervene."

Fang Chen nodded thoughtfully.

According to Ji Congyun, Grand Xia was originally a vassal state of the White Tiger Empire as well. Even the Yingcang Empire and the Qingsong Empire could be considered vassal states of the White Tiger Empire.

A seventh-tier empire was indeed as powerful as the rumors suggested.

Fang Chen smiled. "Let's make a compromise. Your Frost Water Empire's name will remain unchanged, and you can take the throne,” he said. “Just prepare the martial arts techniques of your Frost Water Empire and send a batch to Grand Xia. As an exchange, I promise that someone from your Ji Family will step into the path of immortality in the future."

Ji Congyun's eyes lit up slightly. He had originally intended to vie for the throne, and the recent death of the Frost Water Empire's ancestor presented the perfect opportunity. If it meant exchanging martial arts techniques for the opportunity for Ji Family members to enter the path of immortality, it would be a profitable deal!

However, with a half a smile, Fang Chen added, "However, you better keep this confidential. I'm afraid some people wouldn't want your Ji family to step into this path."

Ji Congyun's expression stiffened, and he nodded immediately. "I understand. I’ll do as you say,” he said. “Once I take the throne, I will start preparing the martial arts inheritance to be sent to Grand Xia. As for this deal, I won't leak a single word."

Fang Chen nodded approvingly then continued to focus on brewing tea. However, Ji Congyun suddenly sensed something strange in Fang Chen's smile, and after a moment, Ji Congyun couldn’t help but chuckle. "Lord Fang, you had no intention of consuming the Frost Water Empire into Grand Xia’s territory, did you?"

Fang Chen’s lips betrayed a smile. "Why do you say that?"

A hint of sadness flashed in Ji Congyun's eyes. Even though this young man before him was not very old, he seemed to be hiding hundreds of thoughts. "To Grand Xia, making the Frost Water Empire its vassal state wouldn’t bring about any benefits to it; the two are too far apart. It would only be a difference in name, and it may even bring about many troubles. The only thing you want is the martial arts inheritance of the Frost Water Empire. It is these classics that are truly useful for Grand Xia." Pausing for a moment, Ji Congyun's face revealed a touch of pride. "Even though you are an immortal master, you still have your limitations. If you want to integrate the martial arts inheritance of the Frost Water Empire into your empire, it's only possible once my Ji Family takes the throne."

Fang Chen smiled and pushed the teacup toward Ji Congyun. "Have some tea."

Ji Congyun was momentarily stunned, but he picked it up and drank it.

With that, their discussion came to a conclusion, and a seemingly unspoken agreement had been reached.

***

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

Hundreds of Ji Family’s martial artists came out of the cave together, almost everyone had been injured, and an unfortunate amount had even gone missing.

Ji Congyun glanced over and roughly estimated his losses. When he found out the losses were only less than ten percent, he sighed with relief. This was within the acceptable range. When he had sent his soldiers into the cave in the past to find spirit stones for Immortal Zuo, his losses would reach sixty to seventy percent, sometimes even more.

"Show me everything you’ve found," said Fang Chen with a light smile.

Ji Junhua and others subconsciously looked at Ji Congyun, who immediately scolded them. "Didn't you hear what Lord Fang said? Bring out everything you’ve found. No one is allowed to hoard anything!"

"Yes!”

The expressions of the soldiers changed slightly, but they reluctantly placed everything they had found while risking their lives in front of Fang Chen.

Not everyone had significant gains, as some of the items found were the collective results of entire squads.

The items were diverse, with a variety of rare flowers and herbs. However, the spiritual energy of these items wasn’t much, which made them incomparable to the hundred-year Vermilion Fruit and hundred-year Blood Ginseng. Nevertheless, for martial artists, they were still excellent treasures.

In addition to these, they found more than a dozen low-grade spirit stones, which were possibly left behind by cultivators who had explored the place before.

Fang Chen was slightly disappointed; Supreme Immortal Pudu hadn’t left anything valuable behind.

Just as Fang Chen was about to speak, he suddenly caught sight of a pile of ore emitting a faint cold glow.

In the next moment, the small sword flew out, devoured the pile of ore quickly, and burped, before returning to Fang Chen's body.

Ji Congyun and the others didn't dare to say anything and looked at Fang Chen with strange expressions.

That seemed to have been a pile of spirit ore, which is suitable for crafting treasures. The little sword doesn't need to devour finished treasures; it can also consume spiritual materials, Fang Chen thought.

He divided the items into ten parts and took nine of them. "Keep the remaining things for yourselves. Those spirit stones are quite valuable, so take good care of them."

Ji Congyun had thought Fang Chen would take all the spirit stones, especially considering Immortal Zuo’s fondness for them. However, unexpectedly, Fang Chen kept his promise and left them with a portion.

"Thank you, Lord Fang."

Ji Congyun carefully stored the items, especially the spirit stones. If disciples of the Ji Family ever stepped into the path of immortality in the future, these spirit stones would undoubtedly come in handy.

With that, everyone dispersed.

***

"My lord, are we staying in the Frost Water Empire?" asked Xu Ge quietly on their way back.

"I’ve made a deal with the Ji Family. So, we'll return to Grand Xia only after they've gathered all the martial arts inheritance of the Frost Water Empire," replied Fang Chen offhandedly.

Xu Ge and Zhao Yan's eyes lit up. If Grand Xia could gain the martial arts inheritance of the Frost Water Empire, it would significantly enhance its national strength and truly secure its spot as an eighth-tier empire.

***

Imperial capital of the Frost Water Empire.

As Fang Chen and the others entered the city, they saw an old eunuch standing not far away.

Ji Congyun's eyes flickered. "Eunuch Lin, were you waiting for me?"

A faint smile appeared on Eunuch Lin's face as his gaze lightly swept over Fang Chen and the others. "His Majesty is hosting a banquet tonight, and distinguished guests will be present. I was specifically sent to deliver the message. Please make sure to attend."

Distinguished guests? He’s mentioning it in front of Fang Chen?

“Are representatives from the White Tiger Empire coming?" asked Ji Congyun in a deep voice.

A smile tugged at Eunuch Lin’s lips. "I hope the two of you won’t be late," he said as he turned to leave.

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