Immortal of the Nine Realms
Chapter 1048: Where Are the Others?

Chapter 1048: Where Are the Others?

With a stern shout, a massive cauldron suddenly appeared in the sky.

"The Demonic Supreme Cauldron!"

In an instant, Fang Chen and Bai Qingming felt a jolt as the Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag was blocked by a force, leaving it suspended in mid-air.

Zhao Yunlu's eyes gleamed with coldness. As he activated the Demonic Supreme Cauldron, his gaze greedily focused on the Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag.

Zhao Yunlu said flatly, "Brats, I can overlook the death of my son. Hand over this treasure, and both of you can live."

Lu Qingshu and the others caught up and saw this scene, their minds filled with thoughts.

Fang Chen's expression turned grave. He transmitted to the Black Profound Heavenly Locking Flag, "Senior, can you not break free from this?"

At the same time, he secretly whispered the Path of Yin Technique to Bai Qingming.

The Black Profound Heavenly Locking Flag grumbled angrily, "A mere Immortal Imprint treasure is nothing before me. If not for the fact that its owner is a third-transformation sword cultivator, how could it block me for even half a step?"

Fang Chen asked, "So, what do we do now?"

"If that old fellow were here, we could escape easily with our combined strength. My essence is running low. If you don't have any Immortal Essence on you, I am afraid we will both be captured alive, sooner or later."

Fang Chen nodded.

Zhao Yunlu, having developed a desire for the Black Profound Heavenly Locking Flag, refrained from killing them. Instead, he had summoned a heaven-grade treasure, intending to wear down the Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag until it was exhausted.

At that moment, Lu Qingshu cupped his hands and said, "Senior Yunlu, this person is a sword cultivator. You should leave us to deal with him."

The group of sword cultivators looked at the Demonic Supreme Cauldron, their eyes flickering with a trace of wariness.

A heaven-grade treasure with an Immortal Imprint was a creation of an immortal cultivator's essence. Such treasures were not easily forged. It was well-known that the Lord of Yunlu City possessed a treasure that could be used both defensively and offensively. That was undoubtedly the one now in play.

This single treasure was enough to suppress any sword cultivator among the Loose Immortals present without Zhao Yunlu having to lift a finger.

Zhao Yunlu glanced coldly at Lu Qingshu and replied, "What? You sword cultivators are interested in spiritual treasures now? Are your swords not enough?"

Lu Qingshu smiled. He didn't back down. "Spiritual treasures have the power to suppress destiny. Who among the four great noble families, three major sects, and Nine Immortal Holy Mountains does not possess such treasures? We may not be able to use them, but that doesn't mean they don't hold any value for us. You understand how the Long and Sun Families fell. Are you truly going to compete with us for this treasure?"

Zhao Yunlu chuckled and nodded. "The methods of a third-transformation sword cultivator.... Although I have never seen them, I can imagine them well enough."

After a pause, his voice turned slightly mocking. "However, once I have this spiritual treasure, a third-transformation sword cultivator would have to think twice before challenging me. The Long and Sun Families were indeed wiped out, but not without cost. If you bring me into this conflict now, will you be able to handle the consequences?"

Lu Qingshu's expression shifted slightly, and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

Rationality told him that they should not fight Zhao Yunlu for the treasure. However, even a sword cultivator like him, with such vast experience and power, could not help but feel tempted by the allure of such a powerful spiritual treasure.

If Lu Qingshu could get his hands on this treasure, he would have no opponent among first-transformation Loose Immortals. Even someone like Li Changsheng could be easily dealt with. However, when faced with Zhao Yunlu, who was a third-transformation Loose Immortal, there was simply no way for him to contend.

Zhao Yunlu, sensing that the Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag's essence was continuously depleting, smiled more and more. His eyes were filled with anticipation. He never expected that, in seeking revenge for his son's death, he would stumble upon such an unexpected reward.

With his current cultivation, possessing a spiritual treasure would elevate Yunlu City to the same status as the four great families and three major sects. He would be able to face those old third-transformation immortals with at least a fifty percent chance of success.

A mocking glint flashed in Zhao Yunlu's eyes, and he said, "Junior, have you thought it over?"

"If I let you go, you can return to Li Changsheng. Given the changes happening in Prison Wind Lands, you could enjoy limitless riches and glory following him."

"Let me think it over," replied Fang Chen, his brows furrowed as if seriously contemplating the matter.

"Go ahead," said Zhao Yunlu, chuckling and nodding.

Zhao Yunlu's gaze grew colder. He could clearly see that Fang Chen was stalling for time, but it made little difference now. He was already like a fish in a barrel. What could a delay do?

Moments later, Zhu Yunchen arrived at the scene and scanned the situation quickly. He only glanced briefly at Zhao Yunlu and Lu Qingshu but said nothing.

Fu Donghai quickly reached the scene as well. As he spotted the battle between the Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag and the Demonic Supreme Cauldron, his expression turned taut.

He looked at his master and said, "Master, with a treasure like that, Li Changsheng's hometown must be far from ordinary."

The implications were clear; something far more significant was at play.

"Perhaps his hometown was once glorious, too. Producing one or two spirit treasures isn't that unusual."

Xue Shan made no comment. Seeing that Lu Qingshu and Zhu Yunchen weren't making any moves, he naturally remained silent. With those two and Zhao Yunlu present, no matter how extraordinary the treasure was, it would never fall into his hands.

Fang Chen asked, "Senior Brother, have you memorized the technique?" Bai Qingming looked puzzled. "Are we really doing that? Will it help us avoid this calamity?"

Though he didn't quite understand, he still memorized the technique Fang Chen had explained.

"I have mostly memorized it. What's the next step?"

Fang Chen immediately took out a Soul Guiding Lantern and held it in his hand. "Start using the technique. I doubt even Senior Black Profound can hold out much longer."

Bai Qingming promptly closed his eyes.

Fortunately, the Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag had completely surrounded them, so no one outside could see what they were doing.

Bai Qingming was naturally gifted. In just a few seconds, hesucceeded, and his soul ed separatedfrom his body.

Bai Qingming looked around in confusion. "What do I do now?"

Under the lantern's influence, a vast road gradually appeared before him, resembling the legendary Yellow Springs Road.

Fang Chen glanced at Bai Qingming. "Senior brother, go on ahead. I'll be right behind you."

"You can see me?" asked Bai Qingming in surprise.

Seeing that Fang Chen seemed very confident, he stopped hesitating and quickly stepped onto the Yellow Springs Road.

With nothing left to worry about, Fang Chen gathered the on Bai Qingming's person and called out to the Black Profound Heaven Locking Flag. "Senior Black Profound, return."

The Black Profound Flag had long reached its limit. Hearing this, it immediately flew back and wrapped itself around Fang Chen's arm. In the next moment, Fang Chen and the flag vanished together at the entrance of the Yellow Springs Road, leaving behind only Bai Qingming's physical body.

The air became deathly silent.

Zhao Yunlu stared blankly at the scene before him. After several breaths of silence, he finally turned to Lu Qingshu and the others. "Where are they?"

Bai Qingming's body had already been seized by a sword cultivator. After checking him over, the cultivator's expression turned odd.

"This kid... is dead."

With Bai Qingming suddenly dead and Fang Chen vanishing with the spiritual treasure without a trace, it was hard not to draw certain conclusions.

Lu Qingshu said thoughtfully, "Perhaps... This child exhausted his lifespan to activate that spiritual treasure. Fang Chen was taken away by it."

Zhao Yunlu's expression darkened. Not only had the clue to his son's killer vanished, but even such a valuable spiritual treasure had disappeared right under his nose.

A long-forgotten rage began to rise in him.

In the next moment, Zhao Yunlu's divine sense spread like crashing waves in all directions, trying to locate Fang Chen.

At that very time, Fang Chen and Bai Qingming stood at the entrance of the Yellow Springs, looking back at Zhao Yunlu and the others.

Bai Qingming asked with a strange expression, "Junior Brother... why didn't your physical body stay behind in the mortal world?"