Chapter 207: First Level of Heaven Profound Stage, Fatal Qi

Inside the imperial palace, four young men and women were strolling in the backyard, followed by a large group of young men and women. The people in the group were all extraordinary people who were descendants of the Frost Water Empire's imperial family. But In light of the four individuals' extraordinary identities, they had all been reduced to random side characters.

One of them was the fourth princess of the empire, Han Qin. She had practiced in the Ten Directions Sect of the White Tiger Empire for many years. Another was Lin Li, the son of the Grand General of the White Tiger Empire, and a well-known genius in the Ten Directions Sect.

The other two were even more intimidating, and were likely from a sixth-tier empire, with profound and immeasurable cultivation levels.

"Brother Zhou, Sister Wang, this time, you've really helped us a lot by accompanying us," said Lin Li, with respect on his face.

Han Qin also quickly expressed her thanks with a similarly respectful demeanor.

Brother Zhou had a somewhat arrogant expression and said indifferently, "Normally, I wouldn't bother with such trivial matters, but since you are the followers I've chosen, and there are wandering cultivators causing trouble in the Frost Water Empire, I came along to take a look."

Sister Wang glanced at Han Qin, smiled, and said, "Han Qin, after this, you may not be able to come back for many years. When that happens, don't complain."

"Sister Wang, I understand," replied Han Qin respectfully.

She and Lin Li were lucky enough to be chosen as followers by these two individuals. Soon, they would follow them to a sixth-tier empire, so helping resolve some of the issues of the Frost Water Empire would ease her regrets a bit.

"Why hasn't big brother shown himself?" Han Qin suddenly felt puzzled and looked at the group of imperial family members behind her. Due to her long absence from home, she wasn't familiar with these people. Every time she’d return, her beloved older brother would take her around.

Han Qin pointed to one of the young men among them. "You are... Seventh Brother, right?"

The young man was slightly taken aback but quickly approached. "Fourth Sister."

"Where's big brother? He used to come to see me every time I came back," asked Han Qin.

The young man hesitated for a moment, showing a conflicted expression.

Sensing that something was wrong, Han Qin pressed on, "If you have something to say, just say it, don't hide it from me."

"Fourth Sister, didn't Father tell you?" the young man sighed and answered, "Big Brother died at the hands of Fang Chen in Grand Xia not long ago."

"What!?"

Han Qin was so shocked that her eyes went blank.

After a while, she slowly regained her composure, her voice carrying a hint of sharpness. "Say that again!"

With a quiver in his voice, the young man answered, "Big brother... died at the hands of Fang Chen in Grand Xia."

The others reacted similarly. After all, the person before them was a prodigy who had practiced martial arts in the Ten Directions Sect since childhood. There were rumors that her true strength had already surpassed the Profound Earth Stage.

Brother Zhou and Sister Wang exchanged glances but didn't pay much attention to the matter.

Lin Li frowned slightly and asked the young man, "Who is this Fang Chen you're talking about?"

The young man quickly explained, "He's the Divine General of Grand Xia, and a few years ago when the Grand Xia and Qingsong Empire clashed at Three World Mountain, he blamed the Frost Water Empire for not sending troops to help, causing many people to die. Because of this, he killed Big Brother in anger."

"Fang Chen!" Han Qin gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with murderous intent.

Lin Li looked a bit puzzled. "Grand Xia is...?"

The young man explained the origin of the Grand Xia Empire once again, and Lin Li was enlightened.

Lin Li said as he looked at Brother Zhou, "Brother Zhou, Grand Xia is just one of the ninth-tier empires under the White Tiger Empire. In theory, it should be a vassal state of the Frost Water Empire. However, now they've committed such evil deeds, it's likely that they have colluded with the wandering cultivators to overthrow the Frost Water Empire."

"For matters related to cultivators, leave them to me and Sister Wang. As for other matters, neither will we get involved nor do we want to," said Brother Zhou with a faint smile.

"I understand," Lin Li nodded slightly, then comforted Han Qin, "Qin’er, don't worry. We will soon exact revenge on this Fang Chen."

Han Qin nodded silently.

"Wandering cultivators are in the end just wandering cultivators,” said Sister Wang. “Any cultivator with a decent inheritance knows not to get involved in worldly affairs in order not to get entangled in karma to avoid facing the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations. Hopefully, he has some spirit stones on him. Otherwise this trip would be in vain."

Brother Zhou's lips curled slightly upwards. That was the reason they were willing to come here.

In the cultivation world, it wasn't wise to provoke cultivators with strong backgrounds, but wandering cultivators were a different story—they were fair game for anyone.

At that moment, the emperor of the Frost Water Empire approached with a fatigued look.

Everyone bowed. "Your Majesty."

Brother Zhou and Sister Wang, being cultivators, naturally didn't bow to a mortal emperor. Lin Li also stood quietly.

Han Qin immediately stepped forward, tears streaming down her face. "Father, why didn't you tell me that Big Brother was killed?"

The emperor of the Frost Water Empire sighed softly. "I was afraid that telling you would disturb your state of mind, so I wanted to inform you in person."

Han Qin said sternly, "Father, where is Fang Chen? I want to avenge my big brother now!"

The emperor of the Frost Water Empire's expression changed slightly and whispered, "Fang Chen... might be an immortal master."

Huh?

Lin Li's face changed slightly. The letter had mentioned an immortal master.

So he was from Grand Xia?!

Lin Li's face soured. He was the empire's Grand General's son, yet even he hadn't had the chance to tread the immortal Dao. Now a mere ninth-tier empire had been able to produce an immortal master?

"Are you saying that an immortal master has emerged in your vassal state?" asked Brother Zhou in surprise.

"Father Emperor, this is Brother Zhou, he's an immortal master from a sixth-tier empire!" introduced Han Qin quickly.

So he’s really an immortal master!

The expressions of those of the imperial family turned a shade more respectful.

The emperor of the Frost Water Empire bowed deeply. "Immortal Master, please forgive any rudeness."

Brother Zhou waved his hand. "No need to be so formal."

"Fang Chen is indeed from Grand Xia. I'm guessing that he's very likely to be an immortal master," said the Frost Water Emperor respectfully.

"He probably had a fortuitous encounter that allowed him to become a cultivator, it’s nothing to worry about," said Sister Wang lightly.

Brother Zhou nodded. "Longevity Qi martial artists are not a concern. They aren’t our opponents, as internal qi cannot break through spiritual energy. But once martial artists reach the Profound Heaven Stage, it’s a different story. Han Qin and Lin Li are both in the first level of the Heaven Profound Stage, the Fatal Qi Stage. The internal qi of martial artists of that level can pose a threat to spiritual energy. The person you mentioned, Fang Chen, should not have a high cultivation level. They are more than capable of dealing with him. Besides him, are there any other wandering cultivators?"

"So fourth sister is really a Heaven Profound Stage martial artist!"

The eyes of the young imperial family members shone with admiration. This was a realm that even the imperial ancestor of the Frost Water Empire had never set foot in.

Two Heaven Profound Stage martial artists, along with two immortal masters from a sixth-tier empire, made them even more excited. The decision of the Ji Family to stand with Fang Chen now seemed to have been a big mistake.

"There were supposed to be a few more people, but it seems they have already left. Now, only Fang Chen is left. Just now, he and Ji Congyun returned to the capital. I have already sent an invitation for them to attend tonight's banquet," said the Frost Water Emperor.

Brother Zhou smiled at Han Qin and Lin Li. "Hehe, then wait until the banquet tonight. You can meet him then."