"Of course, of course. Once you are done admiring my collection, I'll take you to see my top-grade spirit stones."

Duan Tianying enthusiastically led Fang Chen from one end to the other. For every single item, he shared its origin and significance. Every time he spoke about any item, it was as if he was reciting treasured memories. He seemed completely oblivious to the faint helplessness on Fang Chen's face.

It took Fang Chen several hours just to finish viewing the items in that single elegant chamber.

At last, when they were done, Duan Tianying proudly said before Fang Chen could speak, "I have 999 rooms like this. Core Disciple Fang, if you'd like—"

"Core Disciple Duan," Fang Chen interrupted. "I'll be honest. I'm only interested in top-grade spirit stones. Please take me to see them."

Duan Tianying froze, looking slightly embarrassed and somewhat disappointed. A strained smile appeared on his face. "Then... Core Disciple Fang, this way please."

With a light wave of his hand, the void before them split open. Beyond it was another elegant chamber. The items inside radiated dense spiritual energy and immortal essence.

Fang Chen's eyes immediately locked onto a display cabinet containing over a hundred neatly arranged top-grade spirit stones. He stepped forward to inspect them carefully, and joy flashed across his eyes.

Among them, there were roughly sixteen types that had yet to be refined by Fang Tianzun. If he refined them, the progress of the Great Heavenly Sovereign Chapter would exceed fifty percent.

Duan Tianying followed Fang Chen's gaze. His heart skipped a beat and he forced a laugh. "Core Disciple Fang, take a look, see if there are any you fancy?"

"Core Disciple Duan, could you part with these sixteen?"

Fang Chen pointed at the sixteen stones.

"Are the others no good?" Duan Tianying gasped in astonishment. "They're actually all the same."

Fang Chen smiled. "I already have the others."

"Ah..."

Duan Tianying scratched his head, clearly distressed.

An awkward silence fell between them.

After a long pause, seeing that Fang Chen was determined, Duan Tianying reluctantly picked them out one by one and handed them over, his face full of reluctance.

"Core Disciple Duan, these clearly mean a lot to you. I can offer a price above market value. Name it," Fang Chen said with a smile as he stored the stones away.

"Well... to me, these are priceless. But if I must name a price..." Duan Tianying's eyes lit up as if struck by inspiration. His mood brightened instantly. "Core Disciple Fang, I won't take your immortal crystals. But you must promise that next time there's an expedition, you'll take me along!"

"Take you along?" Fang Chen looked puzzled. "Why?"

"Because you can use Formation Immortal Arts. It's very safe traveling with you," said Duan Tianying. "To be honest, I'm terrible at fighting. I doubt I'll ever comprehend Formation Immortal Arts in this lifetime. My passion is my collection. I want to watch them age slowly with me until I perish. And then I'll have my descendants burn them for me so I can keep them with me in the Underworld."

Duan Tianying looked around at his collection with deep affection.

Fang Chen nodded. "That's acceptable. If there's an expedition next time, you may come with me."

Duan Tianying brightened immediately, almost instantly forgetting about the sixteen top-grade spirit stones he had given away.

After chatting a while longer, Fang Chen took his leave and returned to Renzu Mountain.

His eleven avatars formed around him, and Fang Chen gave each one thousand immortal crystals, left the top-grade spirit stones for Fang Tianzun, and then flew toward Dongsheng Empire.

***

"Oh my dear little lady, please come down quickly! If anything happens to you, this servant will lose her head!"

In the rear courtyard of the royal estate, a nimble little figure leapt about atop a massive tree over thirty meters tall. She darted through the branches with astonishing agility, occasionally making faces at the group of maids below.

The maids could only panic helplessly, not daring to make sudden moves, pleading desperately.

"You all go away! Don't worry about me! If Father doesn't let me go out and play, I'll jump down and die right here!" declared the exquisitely featured little girl, who was about eight or nine years old.

Standing on a branch with hands on her hips, she pouted defiantly at those below. Yet from the corner of her eye, she seemed to be searching for something nearby.

Not far away, a middle-aged couple watched helplessly.

The woman sighed softly, her gaze toward the girl both annoyed and helpless. "Your Highness, it's all your fault for spoiling Yu'er since she was little. Now she's grown this unruly temper."

The man laughed heartily. "What of it? She's my daughter. Why should she behave like those pampered noble ladies? That sort won't last long. This way is better, she'll live longer."

With that, he darted forward over 10 meters, leapt into the air, and grabbed the girl by the back of her collar, pulling her down effortlessly.

"Ah! Father, that's cheating! You used movement arts!" The little girl fumed.

The man smiled faintly. "Enough fussing. You want to go out and play? Fine. I've invited a teacher. If he thinks you're fit to go out, I'll let you."

The girl was briefly stunned. "A teacher? Haven't I already beaten off plenty of teachers? What fool would believe Father and come here to suffer?"

"This one is different. Come and see."

"Fine! I'm not afraid of a new teacher!"

***

Soon, the family of three arrived at the reception hall. A figure was already seated inside, calmly drinking tea.

"Teacher Fang, this is my daughter, Xu Yu," said the girl's father, his expression respectful.

He led the girl before Fang Chen.

Xu Yu found it strange. Her father feared neither heaven nor earth. Even before the emperor, he would not show such courtesy. Yet now he seemed almost reverent. Curiosity stirred within her.

Hmph! Who do you think you are? Let's see how I'll mess with you!

She ran up to Fang Chen and was about to speak when she saw his face. She was immediately stunned.

"You're Xu Yu?" Fang Chen asked with a gentle smile.

"Uh... yes, I'm Xu Yu..." She nodded subconsciously, confusion in her eyes. "Have I met you before? Why does this feel so strange..."

"Yu'er, from now on Teacher Fang will teach you reading and martial arts. Hurry and kneel to bow," her father urged.

Fang Chen waved his hand. "No need for that."

He then looked at Xu Yu and smiled. "In this lifetime, how about I be your teacher?"

"Okay. You look more pleasant than the others."

For reasons she herself didn't understand, Xu Yu agreed just like that.

Her father was overjoyed. The matter was settled.

Xu Yu felt that something was odd. She quietly said, "Your Highness... this is—"

"Teacher Fang, please begin instructing my daughter. My wife and I shall take our leave." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

The man quickly pulled his wife away and led her to the Xu ancestral shrine.

"Your Highness!?"

She was shocked, she wasn't even qualified to enter the place normally.

"My dear, our Xu family has welcomed a living immortal!" said the man, carefully unfolding a portrait. "Look, this was left by Ancestor Tianhuan."

She gasped. The portrait depicted none other than Teacher Fang.

"Ancestor once said he too was chosen by Teacher Fang like this. Overnight, he became a grandmaster! If not for this immortal, our Xu Family would have been exterminated long ago. How could we have today's prosperity?"

The man paced excitedly.

"Now that this immortal has come to our Xu family again, it's our blessing. Yu'er's blessing!"

The woman was astounded.

Do immortals really exist?