Chapter 999: Rounding Off

The masters of the Sword Duel Palace knew Nangong Yuancheng well. They could tell that he was already seething with rage. This wasn't because of the spirit stones he had lost, but due to the ill-chosen remark from Nangong Yu.

"He possesses a sword domain as well... No wonder the division head values him so highly," mumbled Long Ruo.

A flicker of astonishment flashed through her eyes.

As far as she knew, the Long Family had only three sword cultivators who had comprehended the sword domain. One was the esteemed Li Changsheng, husband to the first branch's daughter. Another was the First Sword Academy's patriarch, Huo Wu. The last was the old guardian of the Ninth Sword Academy's Sword Transmission Pavilion, Elder Zhao.

Two of these figures were Immortal Kings, while the third was a first-transformation Loose Immortal. Each had spent years immersed in the understanding of the Sword Dao.

Besides these three, none among the countless sword cultivators under the Long Family had ever grasped the sword domain. Yet this man, Fang Chen, not only possessed the sword domain but also excelled in the Path of Yin technique. His methods far exceeded her expectations.

Upon seeing that Nangong Yuancheng remained silent and expressionless, Nangong Yu assumed he had not understood the significance of his words. He patiently elaborated, "Brother, this man has also comprehended the sword domain, and his is far superior to mine. In the battle of sword domains, I have already lost. There is no point in continuing the duel. No sword cultivator can defeat another of the same rank who has mastered the sword domain."

However, Nangong Yuancheng's expression remained cold and indifferent. He chided, "Do not call me 'brother'. The true lineage of the Nangong Family seeks the path of longevity. You, a bastard who has chosen the path of sword cultivation, have done nothing but bring shame upon our family."

With that, he clasped his hand toward Long Ruo in a stiff courtesy. Then he strode away from the stands and headed straight out of the Sword Duel Palace.

One after another, the sword duel palace masters bid their farewells. Their hearts were heavy with loss. They had lost a great amount of mid-grade spirit stones and had no clue how to account for that loss.

As for Xu Yan, she chuckled lightly. While lifting a slender, graceful finger to point at Fang Chen from a distance, she said, "Long Ruo, this time you win. Next time, you won't be so lucky."

With a turn of her heels, she too departed.

The audience, who had been brimming with excitement just moments ago, now wore grim expressions. They rose from their seats and left while murmuring curses under their breath.

In mere moments, the once-boisterous Sword Duel Palace became eerily silent.

Nangong Yu's expression was complex. It was only now that he fully grasped the outcome. Forcing a bitter smile, he cupped his hands toward Fang Chen and said, "I have embarrassed myself. I shall take my leave now."

Long Ruo stepped forward and stopped him. "Wait."

"Do you have further instructions, Lady Long?" asked Nangong Yu.

Long Ruo offered, "Your talent is remarkable. Since the Nangong Family does not acknowledge you, have you ever considered joining the Long Family instead? You could even experience the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps."

A smile curled on her lips as she continued, "For ordinary sword cultivators, even approaching the gate of the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps is impossible. For you, this could be an unparalleled opportunity."

Nangong Yu's eyes flickered with hesitation, clearly tempted. However, after a few moments of silence, he shook his head.

"The Nangong Family has forbidden us from interfering in matters between the Long and Sun Family," replied Nangong Yu. "I appreciate your offer. But I must decline."

Watching his departing figure, Long Ruo sighed in disappointment and lamented, "I never thought that a noble family could produce such a sword cultivator."

Fang Chen nodded in agreement.

Although Nangong Yu's cultivation level was not high, his understanding of the Sword Dao far surpassed any young sword cultivators Fang Chen had ever encountered.

For instance, Qin Hucheng had the Death Sword Intent he had comprehended after reaching the Fusion Realm, and Bai Qingming possessed the Qingming Sword Intent, yet both of them were still far from comprehending the sword domain.

It had to be known that these two were considered among the best of the younger generation in Central Continent, Celestial Heaven, and Northern Dipper. Yet, Nangong Yu had surpassed them both with his talent.

Had Fang Chen never ventured into the Ancient Immortal Road and obtained the inheritance of the Reincarnation Immortal Sect, had he not comprehended at least one of the Three Supreme Immortal Intents—Past, Future and Mortal World, he doubted he could have overcome Nangong Yu's sword domain without unleashing the fifth sword of the Eight Desolation Supreme Sword Scripture.

Even then, in Nangong Yu's sword domain, Fang Chen's will to fight would have gradually eroded. Would he have even been able to draw the fifth sword? That was uncertain.

"What a pity. With Nangong Yuancheng's temperament, I doubt Nangong Yu will live long," sighed Long Ruo.

Fang Chen glanced at her and asked, "Why do you say that? He already possessed a sword domain at a young age. Shouldn't he be nurtured as a genius?"

Long Ruo shook her head slightly and explained, "A genius? Without the pursuit of longevity, he is nothing. What good is a sword domain? Li Changsheng, a first-transformation Loose Immortal, has one as well. Yet in the Long Family, his status is barely equivalent to an ordinary Ascension Realm cultivator."

She added, "Nangong Yu was a mere Enlightenment Realm sword cultivator. His domain might be useful against those of the same rank, but any Fusion Realm cultivators could easily kill him. The Nangong Family is a noble family with a Second Rank Loose Immortal presiding over it. In their eyes, someone like Nangong Yu is utterly insignificant."

Fu Donghai, who had been silently listening, wore a complicated expression.

If even a noble family barely valued a sword cultivator who had comprehended a sword domain, what then of a royal family like the Long Family?

If a Fusion Realm sword cultivator like himself was no more than Nangong Yu's equal in their eyes, then where did he stand?

Long Ruo continued, her tone wistful, "The true geniuses of this world are far more terrifying than you imagine. Take the Nangong Family, for instance. They have a true genius who was accepted into the Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land. He had already become a Loose Immortal before he was eight hundred years old."

"That man is none other than Nangong Yuancheng's elder brother, Nangong Wenzun. It is geniuses like him that the noble families truly value. From birth, they are given every resource and nurtured to their peak potential. Now that he has become a Loose Immortal, their investment has borne fruit."

Fang Chen's heart stirred. He mumbled, "A Loose Immortal before eight hundred years old...."

A cultivator in the Ascension Realm could live for four thousand years. Naturally, a Loose Immortal could live even longer. Even if Nangong Wenzun never advanced again, he could still protect his family for at least three to four thousand years.

That was a truly staggering number.

Fu Donghai was taken aback by the news, and he stammered, "N-Nangong Wenzun has become a Loose Immortal?"

Long Ruo glanced at him with a pitiful smile. "I recall that three hundred years ago, you met him a few times. Back then, you two were of similar cultivation, weren't you?"

Fu Donghai nodded. "At the time, we were both at the Soul Splitting Realm."

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

During these three hundred years, he had only advanced to the Fusion Realm while Nangong Wenzun had already ascended to a Loose Immortal. This was an insurmountable gap.

Long Ruo chuckled and consoled, "No need to compare yourself to him. He was accepted into the Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land. His talent is on a different level altogether."

Then she turned to Fang Chen and proposed, "Thanks to you, I've won back all the spirit stones I lost recently with interest. I saw you bet five hundred mid-grade spirit stones just now? I owe you four thousand. I'm not stingy. I'll round it up and give you ten thousand."

Fang Chen smiled and accepted her kind gesture.

Long Ruo stated, "In the coming days, I will be occupied with taking over the Sword Duel Palace left behind by Xu Yan. Once things are settled, I will personally escort you back to the Long Family. If you want to go out shopping, let Fu Donghai accompany you. He is one of my people, so many in Yunlu City recognize him. Seeing him is as good as seeing me. They will give you some face."

The next day, Fu Donghai brought Fang Chen to Multi Treasure Trading Company upon his request.

Fu Donghai asked, "Daoist Fang, this is the largest trading company in Yunlu City. However, the Long Family has also established several trading companies here. Why not procure what you need from them instead?"

Fang Chen did not respond to Fu Donghai's question. Instead, he stepped directly into the trading company.

He was searching for the spiritual materials required for the third realm of Radiant Divine Eyes. If he were to purchase them from a trading company owned by the Long Family, news would inevitably spread. Should anyone happen to recognize the Radiant Divine Eyes, it could invite unwanted trouble.