Chapter 1026: Loose Immortal's Inquiry

After everyone exited the Sword Burial Palace, a faint smile appeared on Long Xuan's face as she gave Fang Chen a nod. "That remark you made just now really turned Sun Susu's face black with anger. Knowing her temper, I imagine she'll stew over it for the next few days, unable to calm down."

Chen Zuozu reminded her softly, "Long Xuan, your hand."

Only then did Long Xuan come back to her senses and let go of Fang Chen's arm. Her smile became a little awkward. "Let's head back. There's not much else to see around here anyway."

On the way back, Chen Zuozu fell a little behind and walked up next to Fang Chen.

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

He sharply reminded, "Sword cultivators may indeed excel in offense, and if our cultivation levels were equal, I probably wouldn't be your match. But in the end, sword cultivation isn't the main path of cultivation. You'd do well to remember your place. Long Xuan may not mind you all too much because of her father, and she might overlook some things, but you need to stay cautious and not overstep your boundaries."

Fang Chen glanced at Chen Zuozu. The man had always been arrogant in his words but hadn't caused any real trouble. Still, it was clear that Long Xuan's action of grabbing Fang Chen's arm had bothered him.

Fang Chen smiled. "I can't control what Young Lady Long thinks. But don't worry, I know we're not walking down the same path."

Chen Zuozu paused. He then chuckled and nodded. "Indeed, we're not walking down the same path."

He patted Fang Chen on the shoulder, then flew back up to chat with Long Xuan.

Bai Qingming glanced over at Chen Zuozu before asking, "What was he just saying to you?"

"Just some useless nonsense," Fang Chen replied with a smile.

***

A few more days passed.

The Long Family's Second, Third, and Fourth Courtyards arrived in succession. The Sun Family had also sent quite a few people. Including various noble clans, nearly a hundred Immortal Boats floated in the skies.

Given his status, everyone originally thought Li Changsheng would be part of the high-level negotiations. But to their surprise, he was also waiting aboard the Immortal Boat like the rest.

"Sword Leader Fang, it seems the status of sword cultivators here... really is abysmal." Bai Lingyue looked rather disheartened. "Once this is over, I still want to go back to the Northern Dipper."

"True, sword cultivators are looked down upon here. But the spiritual materials in this region are far more abundant than what we have, and the opportunities greater," Fang Chen replied flatly. "If you choose to go back, it's only because you're running away from hardship. If that's the case, I doubt your swordsmanship will improve much in the future."

Bai Lingyue despondently replied, "But staying here and listening to their constant mocking... my brain's about to turn to mush. Young Lady Long Xuan is fine, but the others? They treat us like we're beneath them."

Bai Qingming nudged Fang Chen with his elbow. "Enough talk. Someone's looking for you."

Long Ruo was standing not far away, waving at him.

The others glanced over with odd expressions as Fang Chen was led aside by Long Ruo.

"Looks like the second branch has quite a favorable impression of him," Chen Zuozu commented with a half-smile.

Long Xuan frowned and walked toward them.

Chen Zuozu hesitated. "Long Xuan, maybe we shouldn't get involved?"

"I want to see what Long Ruo is up to," Long Xuan said coldly.

After Fang Chen approached, Long Ruo spoke. "The person you're looking for has been found."

Long Ruo's expression was a little strange as she continued, "She killed quite a few people in the Great Luo Heavenly Desert and provoked the Divine Luo Sect. She's being hunted everywhere now. Rumors say she's already fallen to the demonic path. Even the people I sent to find her were seriously wounded... She doesn't listen to reason. Are you sure you still want to find her?"

Fang Chen's gaze grew serious. It seemed the corruption of the Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo had worsened.

"Help me confirm her location. Once this is over, I'll go find her myself," Fang Chen said.

Long Ruo nodded. "No problem. What about the person I asked you to find?"

"Still searching. No news yet. The one you're after is much harder to trace. It'll take longer," Fang Chen shared. "Once things settle down, take me to the place where he died."

Long Ruo nodded. "Fine."

With that, she turned to leave.

Long Xuan had just come over when she saw Long Ruo leaving, causing her to frown. "Why did she leave the moment I arrived?"

Fang Chen smiled and replied, "Young Lady Long Ruo just stopped by for a quick chat, that's all. Don't take it to heart."

Long Xuan asked in a low voice, "Is she trying to pull you to her side? Be honest with me."

Fang Chen chuckled. "You don't need to worry. This duel between the Long and Sun Families concerns my homeland. I'll give it my all."

Long Xuan shook her head. "It's not that I'm worried. I just don't want you to get entangled with the Second Courtyard."

Chen Zuozu smiled and said, "You're Li—"

Hardly had Chen Zuozu opened his mouth when a thunderclap rumbled in the sky, cutting his words short.

Everyone turned their heads and saw a figure approaching like wind and thunder, ripping through the sky. When the figure came to a stop, the thunderous pressure finally faded.

It was an elder in a robe of the sun and moon, his gaze aloof and imposing. Just standing there, his presence spread like invisible pressure in all directions.

The Long and Sun families immediately sent out their second rank Loose Immortals to greet him with clasped fists. "So it's Daoist Yunlu. We are honored by your visit."

"That's the one from Yunlu City!?"

"Why is he here?"

Everyone looked surprised. Yunlu City rarely got involved in the affairs of the four great clans. Even the other two great clans hadn't bothered to show up for this duel.

Yet strangely, this man who had just ascended to the third rank had come personally. Surely he had another purpose besides the wager?

Fang Chen and Long Ruo exchanged glances across the Immortal Boats.

Zhao Yunlu calmly said, "I have no intention of interfering in your duel. I'm just here to ask a few questions of some juniors."

The second rank Loose Immortal from both families exchanged glances. One of them asked softly, "Is it about what happened some time ago?"

"That's right." Zhao Yunlu's gaze swept across the group of second rank and first rank Loose Immortals standing atop the immortal boats. "My son Zhao Mingxuan did something wrong before he died. It was indeed his fault. But his affront was not enough to warrant death."

The crowd exchanged glances.

He is here for his son?

The crowd wondered if a member of the Long or Sun Families had killed Zhao Mingxuan. If that were the case, one of the two families was in deep trouble. It might've been fine before, but now that Zhao Yunlu had reached the third rank and stood at the top of Qiufeng, offending someone like him would be dangerous. If he defected to a rival faction, the consequences would be severe.

Zhao Yunlu coolly said, "I've investigated. Before his death, my son Zhao Mingxuan went to meet Long Ruo of the Long Family's Second Courtyard. Because of an ill-mannered sword cultivator she brought with her, he was offended. So I'd like to meet them both and ask where my son is now."

Long Ao, who had been standing on the sidelines, instinctively turned to look at Long Ruo.

Long Ruo looked completely confused, as if she had no idea what had happened.

"Long Ao, Long Ruo is your daughter, right? Bring her and the sword cultivator here. Daoist Yunlu only wants to ask some questions. There's no need to be afraid."

The Long Family's second rank Loose Immortal said seriously.

Over on the Sun Family's side, everyone looked amused. Since the trouble wasn't theirs, they crossed their arms and enjoyed the show.