It took Steward Jiang a while to stop coughing, and he looked at Xia Ji with suspicion. Seeing Xia Ji's ambiguous smile and the schadenfreude in his eyes, Steward Jiang's heart sank.

He slowly turned his gaze to Fang Chen, then toward the black and white paper figures.

The black and white paper figures reminded him of the two anomalies that had played chess in the Ancient Demon Wasteland years ago, where three disciples of the Three Thousand Dao Sect had appeared.

One of the three disciples had a special identity. Not only was he a disciple of the Three Thousand Dao Sect, but he was also a student of the Void Immortal Sword Sect.

This individual had confronted the Innate Dao Sect, killing dozens of their Enlightenment Realm cultivators on the same day, forcing the Da Yan to flee in disarray.

Shortly after, news came that this person had fallen into the Ancient Immortal Road and died there.

There had been no news of him for years, causing people to slowly forget about him. However, just over a month ago, the Void Immortal Sword Sect in the Central Continent Empire suddenly appointed a sword leader, and it was none other than Fang Chen, the same disciple who had confronted the Innate Dao Sect!

"Xia Ji refers to him as Fang Da… could it really be him?! But how is that possible? How could someone like Xia Ji, with such a lowly background, associate with such a figure?!"

Steward Jiang looked conflicted and in disbelief; his already pale complexion, resembling one painted with white powder, now looked like that of a corpse that had been soaked in water for days. It became colorless and ghastly.

The Void Immortal Sword Sect was already difficult to deal with and had no fear of the four great royal families. Although that old sword immortal was rumored to be injured, none of the Immortal Kings in the Central Continent Empire dared to claim they could withstand a single sword strike from him.

This also included the Corrosive Dragon King!

Now, he had inadvertently offended the sword leader of such a powerful sect….

"You say your master will make me meet a tragic end? I'm quite curious to see how he plans to do that. Don't let me down," Fang Chen said with a light smile, nodding gently at the black and white paper figures.

The black and white paper figures immediately understood. Before the guard could plead for mercy, they extracted his internal organs before crushing his Nascent Soul on the spot.

The white paper figure skinned him in front of everyone and wore his skin. The moment the skin was donned, it fused seamlessly with the white paper clothes, making the outfit even more glossy.

After completing all this, the black and white paper figures clasped their fists in salute to Fang Chen and then dissipated into wisps of green smoke, vanishing without a trace.

The surrounding guards gasped in shock, staring blankly at the bloody corpse.

"Did he really die just like that?"

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

This was a Nascent Soul Realm expert, and he had been alive and kicking just moments ago. He had even been a member of the Corrosive Dragon King Manor….

Given his connection, even if he made no further progress in cultivation, how many would dare to provoke him casually?

Yet now, he had been killed as easily as slaughtering a chicken or a dog, leaving them in shock.

Steward Jiang stared at the guard's corpse, beads of sweat the size of peas breaking out on his forehead.

"Xia Ji, sometimes you are too kind-hearted. If they dare to take advantage today, tomorrow they might dare to step on your head and take a shit on it." Fang Chen chuckled. "If your big brother comes looking for trouble because of this, remember to tell me. I'll invite my fellow brothers and sisters from the Void Immortal Sword Sect to pay a visit to the North Continent together."

Xia Ji immediately laughed."Good, good!"

Steward Jiang's heart skipped a beat, a chill racing down his spine. If such a thing really happened and people knew it was triggered by him, what awaited him would be… a fate worse than death.

Thinking of this, Steward Jiang suddenly forced a smile, repeatedly bowing to Fang Chen. "It turns out to be Sword Leader Fang. I-I'm just a small fry who failed to recognize your status and offended you. Please don't hold it against me."

Xia Ji said with a faint smile, "Steward Jiang, didn't you say that my poor relative is of unknown origin and is here to ride on my coattails? What's with the shift in tone now, acting all humble? Is it that… you think my big brother can't protect you now?"

Steward Jiang immediately broke out in sobs and tears and knelt on the ground, repeatedly bowing to Xia Ji. "Spare me, Young Master! Spare me! I won't dare to do it again in the future!" ṜÁΝȫＢƐ§

With his pleas for mercy, he displayed his submission that was even more emphasized than an eunuch facing the emperor.

The nearby guards silently rejoiced, thankful they hadn't acted earlier. Otherwise, they would've suffered the same gruesome fate as the leader.

They subconsciously looked at Xia Ji, their eyes filled with a hint of respect. They never expected that this seemingly nonchalant young master was hiding such unfathomable strength.

"Get out of here. I want to catch up with Fang Da today and don't wish to see you again. You can go and report what happened here to my big brother," Xia Ji said indifferently.

Steward Jiang felt as if he had received a reprieve and awkwardly got up to leave in a hurry. "I'll leave right away! I'll leave right away!"

Xia Ji turned to the group of guards, his expression serious as he clasped his fists in gratitude. "You all refrained from taking action today, which is a favor to me, Xia Ji. Thank you."

The guards quickly returned the gesture, feeling flattered and somewhat astonished.

"We don't dare to accept such praise!"

They had intervened earlier because they had long since sensed Xia Ji's goodwill through their interactions with him. That wasn't just a facade; the young master of the Corrosive Dragon King Manor really didn't need to put on an act in front of these Golden Core Realm cultivators.

They felt that it was only in front of Xia Ji that they could regain the dignity they had forcibly hidden away for many years.

In the reception room, there was a small table where Fang Chen, Xia Ji, and Wu Ruochou were seated. There were originally a few maidservants present to serve them, but Wu Ruochou had sent them away.

"Fang Da, I now have two questions. First, my adoptive father wants me to marry the Fourth Princess, but we don't get along at all, so it seems impossible. However, I cannot go against the wishes of the Immortal King. He once said… if I disobey, those around me might be in danger," said Xia Ji, glancing at Wu Ruochou.

Wu Ruochu sighed softly and picked up a piece of fish, placing it in Xia Ji's bowl. "Eat, don't worry about those unnecessary concerns. I'm not afraid, and you shouldn't be either."

Xia Ji took a bite of the fish and then turned to Fang Chen. "The second point is that my big brother also wants to marry the Fourth Princess. My appearance has already made him somewhat unhappy, and now, because of this matter, he's been keeping a close watch on me. Can you help me consider what I should do?"

"Didn't I just say that? Are you getting too wrapped up in the situation, or can't you make up your mind?" Fang Chen smiled. "Just play both sides. Eat what you can, take what you can, and when it's all done, wipe your mouth and leave."

Xia Ji let out a soft sigh. "That makes sense, but I'm just worried I might not be able to walk away when the time comes."

"You're more worried about Senior Sister Wu's safety, aren't you? That's easy enough. Since I'm now the sword leader, I have a certain amount of say in the Void Immortal Sword Sect," Fang Chen said thoughtfully. "I can have the Void Immortal Sword Sect take Senior Sister Wu in, and give her a nominal status. That way, you won't have to worry about her."

Xia Ji furrowed his brows in contemplation. "Doing that… would create a rift between the Void Immortal Sword Sect and my adoptive father. Would the Void Immortal Sword Sect really be willing to do this for you?"

"That's how sword cultivators are. As long as I speak up, they won't refuse. But I can't say I don't know why they treat me like this. I'll give them a reason to save face. I’ll let the Central Continent Empire, Northern Dipper, and Celestial Heaven know that the Void Immortal Sword Sect already has a Sword Chief and won’t lose its inheritance," Fang Chen said softly.

Xia Ji's expression brightened instantly, his frown easing a bit. He enthusiastically picked up a large piece of fish and placed it in Fang Chen's bowl. "Fang Da, this is fish maw, which I used to love eating the most. Here, you can have it."

"Then I'll thank you?"

Fang Chen chuckled and picked up the fish maw, taking a bite.

Before he could put down his chopsticks, a maidservant suddenly walked in, her head bowed. "Young Master, Young Master Feng Ya has come with quite a few people to see you. Will you meet with them?"