Chapter 946: Just Plain Wrong

Yu Qingmei called out, "Ancestor, Era Immortal King, can you see me?"

The two men glanced at her briefly before looking away, their attention returning to Fang Chen, seemingly deep in thought.

They can see me!

Yu Qingmei felt a bit of joy at this discovery. Just as she was about to take action, she heard someone's soft voice beside her ear.

"You are now the servant girl given to me by the lord. A servant must act accordingly. Since your master hasn't yet spoken, why are you shouting recklessly? Someone, come and teach her a lesson."

Before Yu Qingmei could react, several people grabbed her and dragged her into the palanquin.

She screamed in terror, hoping the Lixiao Ancestor and Era Immortal King would come to her aid. But the two acted as if they didn't hear her, remaining still and unresponsive.

Gai Wu looked at Yu Qingmei's corpse quietly. After a few moments, he raised his head and looked at Fang Chen, his gaze icy. "You only won for now, but the Spirit Blood Sect will win in the long run."

Before anyone could respond, a drop of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. Gai Wu's life force faded, and he turned into a lifeless body.

The crowd was shocked. First, it was the Lixiao Ancestor, then Instructor Ji from the Desolate Academy, and now even the wife of Heavenly King Zhen, Lady Yu Qingmei, and her son, Gai Wu—they were all dead. So many powerful figures had died today in Lixiao; it was terrifying.

As Gai Wu's soul emerged from his corpse, his eyes filled with confusion.

Fang Chen looked at Gai Wu and smiled. "Who told you that the Spirit Blood Sect will win in the long run? Nothing is set in stone. You can't see the future. That is still undecided. Don't say whatever."

The crowd wasn't surprised to hear that. They assumed Fang Chen was merely mocking Gai Wu in his death. They couldn't have imagined that he was really speaking to him.

After meeting Fang Chen's gaze, Gai Wu realized that Fang Chen could see him. He was dead, yet Fang Chen could see him, a lonely ghost.

Before Gai Wu could speak, a red sleeve swept by. When he returned to his senses, he found himself beside the large red palanquin.

Ancestor Lixiao and Era Immortal King's attitude toward him was better than toward Yu Qingmei. Both of them glanced at Gai Wu and exchanged a subtle look.

They had vaguely begun to understand their current situation. While their hearts were filled with shock, they were also considering how to preserve themselves and plan for a future comeback.

Gai Wu's face showed a dawning understanding. "So that's how it is..."

He finally realized why Fang Chen's methods were so strange and why he could command such powerful figures. Unsurprisingly, these powerful figures likely had no connection to the mortal world.

After witnessing Gai Wu meet his end, the crowd's gaze fell on Qin Hucheng and the three Profound Immortals.

They were all pale from fear as they looked at Xun Xiyin, their legs barely carrying them.

"D-do we have any chance of surviving?"

"If we make amends, would it be possible... to be forgiven?"

Xun Xiyin shook her head. "What you did is wrong. There is no medicine for regret."

The three Profound Immortals' hearts filled with regret. Just as they were about to move, the True Monarch of Pan Mountain's Heavenly Halberd came crashing down, causing them to burst apart.

As their souls rose from their corpses, they stood in place, confused. A red sleeve swept by, bringing them to Empress Ci's side.

The dead Profound Immortals immediately understood.

What was there left to fight for?

Their enemy didn't just have power in the mortal world, they also controlled the underworld.

Finally, after the three Profound Immortals were dealt with, the crowd's gaze fell upon Qin Hucheng.

This was a disciple of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, a fellow sect disciple of Fang Chen. He was affiliated with the Spirit Blood Sect, while Fang Chen was part of the Killing Spiritual Division.

They were from the same sect, yet they had chosen two completely different paths. There was no longer any room for reconciliation between them.

"Junior Brother Fang, you have such powerful figures under your command. As your senior, I am gratified. But I can't help but feel a little envious of you." Qin Hucheng smiled. "Now that Era Immortal King, Ancestor Lixiao, and Gai Wu are all dead, will you send your senior brother off on his journey? I won't blame you."

The crowd was surprised to see this sword cultivator accept his fate so calmly.

Wang Yi frowned.

This person has comprehended the Sword of Death, so he isn't someone afraid of death. Why is he... willing to serve as a pawn of the Spirit Blood Sect?

In his view, sword cultivators were the hardest to sway, especially the most exceptional ones among them!

Fang Chen remained silent for a few moments. In the end, he asked, "Why?"

"Not everything has an answer in this world," replied Qin Hucheng, shaking his head with a smile. "Don't ask anymore."

Xu Peng said solemnly, "Fang Chen, don’t you realize it already? He joined the Spirit Blood Sect for the Blood Spirit Pill. That thing can enhance a cultivator's cultivation and even help them break through bottlenecks. Ask any cultivator present! Who hasn't secretly bought one? Who wouldn’t reach out and take it if it were placed right in front of them?"

The crowd's expressions changed, and they all shot Xu Peng angry glares.

This fool should have just spoken for himself! Why drag them into it!?

Although Zhao Jiaolong and others thought Xu Peng's words were somewhat blunt, they also believed that it was likely the truth. Why else would someone join the Spirit Blood Sect if not for the Blood Spirit Pill?

Fang Chen smiled at Xu Peng. "You are you, and he is him. You're different."

Fang Chen glanced at Stone Dragon.

Stone Dragon understood. With a swift motion, he grabbed Xu Peng, slapped him across the face repeatedly, and tossed him back to Zhao Jiaolong and the others.

As he landed at their feet, Xu Peng was in a daze from the beating. He probably wasn't going to be speaking any time soon.

Qin Hucheng said, "Junior Brother, send me off. I'm tired anyway. I am content to see a sword cultivator like you emerge."

Fang Chen nodded and drove his sword into Qin Hucheng's brow. A terrifying sword force instantly swept through him, and Qin Hucheng's life force vanished quickly.

He did not resist in the slightest. Instead, he had a faint smile on his face, as if he had finally put down a heavy burden.

But then, Qin Hucheng realized he had not fallen into complete darkness. He could still see the world around him.

Fang Chen looked at Qin Hucheng's wandering soul and said, "Senior Brother, sometimes death is not the end. Are you willing to tell me why you joined the Spirit Blood Sect?"

Qin Hucheng was taken aback. But when he saw Era Immortal King and Gai Wu, he came to a realization. Surprised, he turned to Fang Chen. "What's going on? Do cultivators like us turn into wandering souls and ghosts after death?"

Fang Chen answered, "When it comes to death, cultivators and mortals are the same. No one is better than the other in this regard. After death, cultivators, too, turn into ghosts."

Qin Hucheng looked at Stone Dragon, True Monarch of Pan Mountain, and Empress Ci. He discovered they could see him as well.

Gradually, he came to an understanding. These powerful figures... might not be from the mortal realm.

"It seems that the challenges you faced back then are beyond our imagination," Qin Hucheng said with a hint of admiration. "I am already dead anyway. It doesn't make a difference whether I speak or not. I can tell you why, but I fear that after you know, your sword will never be steady again."

"Speak. I'm broad-minded and can bear it," Fang Chen replied.

Qin Hucheng smiled faintly. "Do you know, in the eyes of certain people, we sword cultivators are nothing more than pawns to be discarded once used?"