Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1023: They Wouldnt Dare

The woman in the plain dress let out a gentle sigh, a trace of sorrow clouding her brows. "Dear, about those three immortal crystals..."

"It's nothing. Sometimes, you have to spend what needs to be spent," Li Changsheng said with a soft smile.

The woman's expression darkened slightly. "But they didn't have to spend a single immortal crystal and still had a second rank Loose Immortal protecting them. Only our First Courtyard..."

The First Courtyard had declined. Its elders had long since passed, and they no longer had the support of a second rank Loose Immortal. The one who had just appeared came from the Third Courtyard.

If their relationship with the Third Courtyard hadn't remained cordial, no one might have helped even if they paid immortal crystals.

"Whatever we spend now, we'll earn back twice over after the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps ends," Li Changsheng consoled, then waved at the group. "It's over now. Go on and rest."

Everyone let out a long sigh of relief.

Several days later, the immortal vessel finally arrived at the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps. From hundreds of miles away, they could see a majestic staircase soaring into the clouds.

Faintly, they could see what looked like a floating island at the top of the staircase.

As sword cultivators, they were especially sensitive to sword intent. The island radiated a baleful and murderous aura, as if countless sword cultivators had perished there.

"It's said that those who ascend the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps in a mortal body will receive a sword scripture," Li Changsheng said calmly. "Countless sword cultivators have been sent over the years, but those who've reached the top are few and far between."

The group's eyes lit up, their expressions burning with desire.

If they could obtain a sword scripture, they'd gain an inheritance that could be studied endlessly, without time limitations!

"There are thirty-six sword scriptures in the Long Family. Half of them were obtained by sword prodigies trained by the First Courtyard." Li Changsheng chuckled. "If one of you ascends the stairs and brings back a sword scripture for the Long Family, winning this bet, I will personally reward you with a Three Solar Fruit."

He assured, "The Long Family will naturally also offer further rewards."

Three Solar Fruit?!

The groups' hearts burned even hotter. Three Solar Fruits were highly effective in dissolving the tribulations of the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations. Whether in the Central Continent Empire, Celestial Heaven, or Northern Dipper, it was exceedingly rare and incredibly valuable.

This fruit was especially precious for cultivators like Yan Kun and Bai Qingming, who had passed the Three Calamities but had not yet reached the Dao Union Realm.

Fang Chen suddenly spoke. "Grandfather Li, sword cultivators have such low status here. Why do orthodox cultivators seeking longevity tolerate the existence of the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps? Why not just destroy it and take all the sword scriptures on top?"

The woman in the plain dress looked startled, but Li Changsheng simply smiled meaningfully. "Because they don't dare."

Fang Chen was surprised. They don't dare? Would third rank Loose Immortals not dare step into the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps?

"A long, long time ago, this place wasn't called Qiufeng. It was named 'Sword Burial,'" the woman in the plain dress shared softly. "The staircase is ancient. Its history far predates the four great clans."

She continued, "There's a legend that it was left behind by a fourth rank Loose Immortal sword cultivator. But with a sword cultivator's short lifespan, reaching the fourth tier is almost impossible. So most dismiss it as mere rumor, though its origins are undoubtedly mysterious.

"There was once a Loose Immortal who stepped onto the staircase. His cultivation vanished, and he became no different from a mortal. He was killed with a single strike by a Foundation Building Realm sword cultivator who had trained for only a few decades."

Everyone froze.

Even if a Loose Immortal lost their cultivation, they shouldn't be so easily killed by someone at the Foundation Building Realm. Did becoming mortal mean truly losing every shred of power?

Fang Chen's gaze flickered. ƒгeewebnovёl_com

The woman had a faint smile. "So it's not that they can't climb the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps... it's that they don't dare. Even third rank Loose Immortals can do nothing against it. After that incident, it became a forbidden region. Loose Immortals stay away, and common cultivators are prohibited from entering. So the Sword Burial Palace was established to guard the place."

"Whoever governs Qiufeng commands the Sword Burial Palace. Right now, it answers to the four great clans, the three great sects, and the holy land."

She added, "Even if powerful figures from Longyuan, Minghu, or Sihui come here, they must seek our permission before sending anyone."

Though the woman subtly dismissed the idea that the staircase was left by a peerless sword cultivator, the others thought differently. As sword cultivators, they refused to believe themselves inferior. Even if their lifespans were half that of cultivators, it didn't mean a genius couldn't rise among them.

The very existence of the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps proved that. Even third rank Loose Immortals had no solution but to seal it off and use it exclusively.

Just then, another immortal boat approached. Seeing who was aboard, everyone was slightly surprised.

Long Xuan, Chen Zuo, and others were aboard the vessel.

A middle-aged man who bore some resemblance to Chen Zuo laughed heartily and leapt from the boat, landing before Li Changsheng and his wife.

He cupped his fist with a smile. "Fellow Daoists, did anything happen along the way?"

Li Changsheng replied casually, "There was a bit of trouble, but nothing serious."

The middle-aged man's expression shifted, his tone more solemn. "I heard the Sun Family won't play by the rules this time. You were right to have Xuan'er come with me."

Li Changsheng smiled. "Xuan'er hasn't troubled you, I hope?"

The man chuckled. "Of course not. She's well-mannered, far more so than many noble ladies I've seen."

Yan Kun stepped forward to pay his respects. "Uncle Chen."

The man nodded with a smile. "Already at the Dao Union Realm? Last time I saw you, you were still in the Middle Three Realms. Very good. Your master has high hopes for you. Don't disappoint him."

Yan Kun nodded seriously. "I'll give it my all this time and win a sword scripture!"

"Good." The man smiled. "Last time, you reached the 97th step. I expect you'll make it all the way this time. But beware, the Sun Family has sent many strong cultivators. You'll not only have to challenge the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps, but them as well. Don't let your guard down."

"I understand," Yan Kun replied solemnly.

Bai Lingyue and the others were surprised. So Yan Kun had already challenged the staircase before, but didn't reach the top?

With that, the man's eyes moved to Fang Chen, and he said, "I heard a Sun Family disciple made trouble for you recently and got what they deserved?"

With a smile, Li Changsheng looked at Fang Chen and introduced, "This is the Chen Family's patriarch, Chen Qingtai."

Then, he looked to the man and added, "This is the Void Immortal Sword Sect's Sword Leader, Fang Chen."

Fang Chen cupped his fist. "Greetings, Senior Chen."

Chen Qingtai nodded approvingly. "You're quite promising. Though a sword cultivator, with Brother Li as your example, none of you should give up on yourselves. You may still become a Loose Immortal."

Though they couldn't see Chen Qingtai's cultivation, his demeanor and the way others addressed him made it clear—he was a Loose Immortal.

Chen Qingtai turned to Li Changsheng. "The Sun Family hasn't fully arrived yet. The boats of the Second, Third, and Fourth Courtyards are also still en route. But the other clan heads are here. Let's go meet them first."

Li Changsheng and his wife nodded.

Now that the First Courtyard had declined, the old noble families who still stood with them had become their greatest support.

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