A strange expression appeared on Fairy Yu's face. "Lord, that is our Sect Master."
Fang Chen curiously looked at the image in the Heaven Profound Mirror. "What's his cultivation?"
"He's rumored to be at the peak of the Dao Union Realm," Fairy Yu replied thoughtfully.
Peak of the Dao Union Realm?
Fang Chen instinctively glanced over at Su Mo and Elder Chen; these two also seemed to be at the peak of the Dao Union Realm.
Fang Chen gradually came to an understanding regarding the Central Continent Empire's cultivation situation. It seemed that Dao Union cultivators were the strongest experts that could be encountered at the Central Continent Empire.
That was the first realm of the Three Upper Realms.
Clearly, experts beyond the Dao Union Realm didn't concern themselves with worldly affairs and would only appear if significant events were underway.
The figure in the Heaven Profound Mirror raised his hand slightly, and the nearby immortal mountains erupted with a thunderous roar. Afterward, several immortal mountains collapsed with a loud crash, instantly leveled!
The onlookers were shocked and speechless. It had to be known that the image projected in the Heaven Profound Mirror belonged to the Great Expansion Dao Gate's main site. Those immortal mountains had been full of spiritual springs and veins. For them to be destroyed like that was a huge loss!
In the image, over a dozen elder Daoists soared into the sky, their expressions either furious or grim. "You have gone too far!"
Then, countless sword lights shot past the figure's back, directly toward the group of elder Daoists. The owners of these sword lights were all at the Dao Union Realm and every single one of them was a true sword cultivator!
The Void Immortal Sword Sect was too fast, and it seemed that the Great Expansion Dao Gate couldn't react in time. Although the dozen or so old Daoists were also Dao Union Realm experts, they were no match for the dozens of Dao Union Realm sword cultivators. Within just three to five moves, they were forced into a rapid retreat.
From beginning to end, the figure covered in mist never revealed his true face; the onlookers could only see one-third of his profile. Many people secretly speculated about what the Sect Master of the Void Immortal Sword Sect looked like.
"Little Yu, your Sect Master has an extraordinary presence and the demeanor of a strong expert," Fang Chen remarked.
Fairy Yu's expression grew even more peculiar. She whispered, "This is one of the Sect Master's quirks. According to the senior brothers and sisters, apart from the Thirty-Six Peak Masters, ordinary elders and disciples have never seen the Sect Master's true face."
Fang Chen asked in surprise. "Why is that?"
Fairy Yu shook her head lightly. "I don't know, but some say the Sect Master once claimed to turn his back on all beings to cultivate the aura of a strong expert, using this to prepare for a smooth passage through the thunder tribulation and advance to the Tribulation Realm."
Fang Chen looked at the Heaven Profound Mirror. "Turn his back on all beings? Cultivate the aura of a strong expert?"
If those rumors are true, then the Sect Master deliberately showed one-third of his profile?
Fang Chen instinctively glanced at the nearby sword cultivators and noticed that they had that same strange expression similar to Fairy Yu.
The battle quickly ended; the group of old Daoists fled back to the Great Expansion Dao Gate in complete defeat.
Immediately afterward, the Great Expansion Dao Gate activated their mountain-protecting formation, surrounding their headquarters like an impenetrable fortress. The group of sword cultivators did not give up, striking the protective formation again and again, causing ripples to spread across it.
Some sword cultivators shouted excitedly and fervently as they slashed. After an entire hour of this, the Sect Master of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, still facing away and showing only one-third of his profile, finally spoke. "Today's visit ends here. We will return tomorrow."
He paused and then continued in a deep voice, "Disciples of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, hear my order: from now on, if you see a member of the Great Expansion Dao Gate outside, challenge them to a sword duel."
"Challenge them to a sword duel?!"
"Hahaha! Finally, we get to challenge them to sword duels again. I've been holding back for years!"
The group of sword cultivators was filled with excitement.
"Daoist Qin, my father has already stated that if they can walk out of the Immortal Dynasty Manor today, the Heavenly King Zhen Palace will no longer pursue them.” Gai Hong spoke slowly, pointing at Fang Chen and Fairy Yu. "Moreover, we haven't gained anything today. Before you all arrived, most of us were slapped in the face. Even if you are angry, you should have vented it by now. Can we let this matter end here?"
Qin Hucheng responded flatly, a hint of an unnatural expression flashing across his face, "You guys were slapped, why haven't we heard about that?"
Seeing his expression, Gai Hong and the others were infuriated.
These guys clearly knew about it all along but pretended not to!
"Senior Brother Qin, why don't we let it go? They seem quite frightened. We can go elsewhere to find Daoists from the Great Expansion Dao Gate," someone suggested.
Qing Hucheng pondered for a while before agreeing, "That might be for the best."
Before leaving, he nodded slightly at Fang Chen and Fairy Yu but did not approach. This seemed to be a tacit understanding among the sword cultivators of the Void Immortal Sword Sect.
The countless meteor-like sword lights had left almost as fast as they came, departing gracefully.
Seeing them leave, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. With these rogues gone, they no longer had to endure oppression.
"Let's leave as well," Fang Chen said as he slowly stood up.
Aside from some soreness, Fang Chen felt no other discomfort.
Seeing that the two were about to leave, the group of cultivators merely looked on with strange expressions, not daring to step forward and stop them. Although the sword cultivators were strong, they still lacked some firepower compared to the person they had just witnessed. They were afraid that Fang Chen might use those bizarre methods again, which even Dao Union Realm cultivators couldn't withstand, let alone them.
However, Gai Hong suddenly flashed forward, transforming into a stream of light that blocked their path. "Wait a moment,"
"What? Are you planning to break the rules?" Fang Chen said flatly.
"Don't misunderstand," Gai Hong replied, cautiously observing Fang Chen.
Seeing that Fang Chen showed no signs of going crazy, he breathed a sigh of relief and introduced himself, "I am Gai Hong. Gai Wu's elder brother."
"Well met," Fang Chen responded indifferently.
Fairy Yu's eyes showed a hint of cold mockery. "So you are Gai Wu's elder brother."
He continued, "Once the two of you leave the Immortal Dynasty Manor, the string of karma between you and the Heavenly King Zhen Palace will be resolved. I hope you can forgive us."
"Resolved?" Fang Chen laughed. "This matter caused Little Yu's spiritual power to flow in reverse, forming the Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo. The string of karma between us and your third brother is too great. Unless he dies, this matter cannot be resolved."
The onlookers were taken aback.
Even after all of this, he was still not willing to settle the matter easily!