Chapter 977: Are You Planning To Rebel?

Fang Chen pondered for a moment before saying, "Elder Xun, if I encounter some unforeseen changes in the Prison Wind Lands and can't return to the Central Continent Empire in time, wouldn't your power be reduced by a great deal with this treasure on me?"

The Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag immediately nodded. "Exactly. It's because of my presence that the Desolate Sect is the number one sect in the Central Continent, suppressing the Spirit Blood Sect, the Immortal Worshipping Sect, the Divine Dao Sect, the Fragrance Sect, and forcing them to stay low."

"If not for that, how else could I repay you for this Immortal Crystal?" Elder Xun laughed softly. "Don't worry too much. Focus on yourself first—just preserve your life."

Hearing that, Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag quickly said, "Wait a minute, did I hear that right? Did you say 'Immortal Crystal?'"

Elder Xun glanced at it. "So what? There's only one. It's not enough for you."

The Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag replied, "I'm the one doing the work, and you want to enjoy all the benefits? That's not fair. Give me half."

Elder Xun shut it down. "My disciple's luck brought him the Immortal Crystal. If you go with him to the Land of Prison Winds, you might get more of them. As for the one I have, I have my own uses for it."

The Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag was suspicious. "Is that so?"

It was about to say more when Elder Xun waved his hand lightly, sending Fang Chen and the flag outside.

"That old man is so stingy," muttered the Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag unhappily.

It transformed into a silk scarf that wrapped around Fang Chen's arm.

The Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag said, "Kid, I'm going to sleep. If there's danger, remember to call me. I'll help you once, but no more than that."

With that, it fell silent, looking like an ordinary silk scarf. Once Fang Chen let his sleeve drop, it was barely visible to anyone else.

"Brother, this broken flag is a bit too arrogant, almost rivaling Little Sword. But it's much stronger than him," commented Mirror of the Universe mockingly.

As expected, the Little Sword immediately retorted, "Give me a few more years, and I'll definitely be stronger than it. It's a few years older than me."

Mirror of the Universe chuckled. "You need to be careful. If it becomes aware of your existence, who knows what kind of mischievous ideas it might get?"

Little Sword wasn't stupid either. As a treasure, it could sense the terrifying aura of the Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag. If the flag decided to swallow it, it would likely be unable to resist.

"Little Chen, that's actually a problem...."

"Don't worry too much. During the upcoming journey to the Burial Sword Heavenly Step, I probably won't need to use you," reassured Fang Chen.

With that, he left.

After staying at the Giant Immortal Sect for several days and noticing that Li Changsheng had still not reacted, Fang Chen guessed that he had probably dealt with the Great Sun Sect elder that Sun Yi and the others had mentioned.

He decided to leave the Giant Immortal Sect, accompanied by Xun Xiyin and Jiang Tian'ai, who were headed for Yongan City, the imperial capital of the Central Continent. Fang Chen, on the other hand, planned to visit the Void Immortal Sword Sect.

***

At the Void Immortal Sword Sect.

The atmosphere at the Void Immortal Sword was strangely odd lately. When Fang Chen arrived at the mountain gate, the sword cultivator guarding it only gave him a cold nod and greeted him indifferently. "Greetings, Sword Leader Fang."

Fang Chen nodded lightly and entered the sect.

The sword cultivators guarding the mountain gate exchanged looks. One of them, suppressing his anger, muttered, "Sword Leader Fang is acting like nothing happened. I still can't believe Senior Brother Qin would have any connection to the Spirit Blood Sect. Now that he has killed Senior Brother Qin, I wonder how the higher-ups of the sect will deal with this."

"We shouldn't speak of this matter. All the news we've heard has been passed down from outside; none of us saw it with our own eyes," replied another sword cultivator.

"Where there's smoke, there's fire. Not to mention... Senior Brother Qin's life lantern has truly been extinguished."

"Could it be... the rumors are true? Senior Brother Qin really was involved with the Spirit Blood Sect? I heard that there were quite a few survivors from the Li Xiao incident. They all insist that Senior Brother Qin was a Spirit Blood Sect cultivator...."

"But... how could that be? Senior Brother Qin was always so kind to everyone...."

The news that Fang Chen had returned to the Void Immortal Sword Sect spread quickly. Before he even reached Extreme Sword Peak, hundreds of sword cultivators had already descended the mountain and were waiting for him at the foot of the mountain.

Langya Wenqiu, Jing Yuehan, Jing Xu, and many sword cultivators who had interacted with Fang Chen at some point now wore complex expressions. As for the sword cultivators that hadn't particularly familiar with Fang Chen, their eyes now carried a trace of anger.

Although Fang Chen was known as the Sword Leader, when compared to Qin Hucheng, the latter's prestige on the Extreme Sword Peak far surpassed that of Fang Chen.

Qin Hucheng had entered the sect at a young age and had cultivated for many years. Not only was his talent extraordinary, but he also got along harmoniously with the brothers and sisters of the Extreme Sword Peak. It could even be said that... whenever the disciples of the Extreme Sword Peak encountered difficulties, they would always get help if they approached Qin Hucheng.

Now that the news had spread from the outside world, everyone learned that Qin Hucheng had been killed by Fang Chen at Li Xiao. Although the message claimed Qin Hucheng was a disciple of the Spirit Blood Sect, deep down, no one wanted to believe it.

A sword cultivator who Fang Chen found vaguely familiar slowly stepped forward. "Sword Leader Fang."

This sword cultivator had gone to the Immortal Dynasty Manor with Qin Hucheng once. Fang Chen had seen him a few times.

"I heard rumors that Senior Brother Qin was a disciple of the Spirit Blood Sect and that you killed him at Li Xiao with a sword strike.... This.... Someone must have intentionally spread false rumors to create discord among us, right?"

Fang Chen answered, "Senior Brother Qin is indeed dead. If he had left a life lantern at the Extreme Sword Peak, you must have been informed of his death."

The expressions of everyone grew darker.

Jing Xu glanced at the expressions of the surrounding brothers and sisters, coughed lightly, and said, "Everyone, let us not block the path here. Don't believe everything you hear. Today, Sword Leader Fang has returned. It is likely that the main peak will have a conclusion soon."

"I can't wait anymore, I would like to know the truth now. Is it true that Senior Brother Qin really died by your sword?"

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Fang Chen.

Jing Xu sighed softly and shook his head at Jing Yuehan. Even with his status, he was unable to convince these people to back down.

Fang Chen nodded. "Senior Brother Qin did indeed die by my sword."

Clang—

The sound of swords being unsheathed filled the air, as hundreds of sword cultivators from the Extreme Sword Peak, be it the Lower Four or Middle Three Realms, all summoned their personal flying swords.

Their sword energies connected, and the sharp sword intent surged and spread. The sword cultivators from various peaks sensed it and looked toward the Extreme Sword Peak.

A sword cultivator at the Soul Splitting Realm said, "Sword Leader Fang, although you are nearly invincible among cultivators of the same rank, I don't believe you could have killed Senior Brother Qin with a single sword strike. Since we're brothers and sisters in arms, how about you show us the true depth of your sword technique today?"

Fang Chen furrowed his brow but said nothing.

Jing Xu and others saw this and tried to persuade, but their words had long lost any effect on this group of sword cultivators.

As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, a figure pierced through the air and coldly stared at everyone. "What? Are you planning a rebellion? Daring to point your swords at the sword leader of our sect? Are you trying to get exiled from the Void Immortal Sword Sect?"

Fang Chen's gaze shifted. "Senior Brother Bai has returned?"

The newcomer was none other than Bai Qingming.

This was the first time Fang Chen had seen Bai Qingming since he left with Xun Ye and others in Yong'an City.

Bai Qingming had to have been some immortal ruin in the Immortal Demon Sea during this period.