Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1260: Shield

Fang Chen was far calmer than the old flood dragon. It was not because he looked down on what lay before them, but because he had not come through the Underworld. At present, he was merely a Fusion Realm cultivator, not even a cultivator of the Upper Three Realms. Naturally, he couldn't have seen through the intricacies of these puppets.

Soon, the first Immortal Boat passed inspection and was allowed to continue on toward the Nanqing Constellation.

Once the second Immortal Boat passed, it would be Fang Chen and the others' turn.

While they were waiting, a sudden burst of terrifying, divine radiance flashed in the distance.

Fang Zhixue and the rest hurried to the right side of the vessel to look. It was clearly two immortals locked in battle.

One of them was casting spells while flying toward the Nanqing Constellation.

"No wonder this is the Nanqing Constellation. We just arrived and already got to see First Rate Sect Leaders dueling," Li Daoye commented in awe.

Zhao Jiaolong and the others naturally recognized Li Daoye as the sect master of the Three Thousand Dao Gate, for they too had entered the immortal registry there.

Zhao Jiaolong laughed. "Sect Master, I'm afraid scenes like this will only become more common once we settle in the Nanqing Constellation."

Li Daoye nodded, eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and unease. "Yeah."

He had been thrilled throughout the whole journey, but he had also wondered whether they would face danger in the Nanqing Constellation, and whether founding a sect here might draw unwanted hostility.

He couldn't run to a backer every time something happened, could he?

He decided to speak to Fang Chen later about the unspoken rules here and see what Fang Chen's plans were.

"Ma Ji, have you had enough? I've already retreated to this point. What more do you want? Screw! Your! Mother!"

The retreating expert flickered and vanished from sight before them, leaving behind a vicious curse.

Hearing this, the face of the immortal pursuing him sank. He raised a hand and formed a seal.

The overwhelming seal radiated dazzling divine light that dazzled the eyes.

But in the next instant, everyone's hearts sank as they had a devastating realization—that seal was heading their way.

The old flood dragon's face darkened. He wrapped the vessel in immortal essence and barked, "Your fight has nothing to do with us! Why involve us?"

"The one being chased might be hiding under our vessel, trying to slip past and enter the Nanqing Constellation," Fang Chen said.

Even as he spoke, the seal landed on the immortal boat. Most of its force was dissipated by the old flood dragon's immortal essence, but the vessel still shook violently, almost throwing Fang Zhixue and the others to the floor, their vision swimming.

A few breaths later, the vessel steadied, but they found it was covered inside and out with dense cracks.

Barring a miracle, the immortal boat was finished. Even if they forced a repair, it would never again be of its former grade.

"Ma Ji, you're insane!"

The fleeing expert shot out from under the vessel and fled toward the buildings.

Ma Ji saw this and, without sparing the old flood dragon a glance, prepared to give chase.

In that instant, a surge of immortal essence blocked his way.

Only then did Ma Ji turn a cold gaze to the old flood dragon.

"Move," he commanded.

That one dismissive word ignited the fury of everyone aboard, especially the juniors the old flood dragon had brought. They glared daggers at this man.

To strike at them without warning and then speak so insolently—too arrogant!

The old flood dragon laughed in rage. "Hah! You dog. You're just a fourth transformation Immortal, puffing yourself up in front of me? You want to hit and run without an explanation? Who do you think you are?"

Ma Ji was momentarily taken aback. Only now did he give the old flood dragon a serious look, then glance at the others aboard the vessel. He frowned. "I wasn't attacking you just now. I was pursuing an enemy."

At that moment, his quarry had already reached one of the puppets and was speaking with it, occasionally glancing over with a sly, mocking smile.

The old flood dragon sneered. "If I weren't a fourth transformation Immortal, would anyone here still be alive after that strike?"

A faint look of impatience passed through Ma Ji's eyes. "Don't push your luck. You didn't suffer much loss. You're a fourth transformation, I'm a fourth transformation. And I've likely been one far longer than you."

With that, he ignored the old flood dragon and went after his enemy.

This time, the old flood dragon did not block him. He cast Fang Chen a glance and sent a voice transmission. "Had I known I'd have to swallow this insult today, I'd have had Huang Wuji come with you and cut this bastard down in one stroke."

Fang Chen smiled. "Calm yourself, hurting your health over this isn't worth it."

He could tell the old flood dragon was truly angry.

The old flood dragon took a deep breath. A few moments later, his expression returned to normal. Having lived so many years as a fourth transformation Immortal, his temper was fiery, but his composure ran deep.

"Fine. But if I meet those two again in the Nanqing Constellation, I'll settle accounts with them. If I weren't a fourth transformation, we would've all been reduced to dust," the old flood dragon said.

Fang Chen nodded, glancing toward the two men.

One had deliberately used their vessel as a shield, fully aware of what would become of the people aboard had they not been powerful enough.

The other had not cared either, planning to obliterate the vessel along with his target.

The two were cut from the same cloth—both vile men.

The vessel ahead in line had clearly noticed the disturbance. Some of its cultivators were now looking back toward them.

Meanwhile, the puppet speaking with the pursued expert suddenly produced a pair of shackles and dropped them at his side.

When Ma Ji arrived, he received the same treatment: a pair of shackles tossed at his feet.

After what seemed like a heated argument, both men put on the shackles and were led away by one of the puppets.

"Hahaha!"

Li Daoye and the others were overjoyed, laughing with undisguised schadenfreude.

They had not expected the laws here to be so strict that even experts at their level would be captured.

Clearly, fighting was forbidden in the area.

The vessel ahead soon passed the building and entered without trouble.

A puppet came before them and said coldly, "Name, cultivation."

The old flood dragon immediately gave a false name. "Huang Wuji, fourth transformation."

The puppet recorded it without caring whether it was real.

Once all names and cultivation levels were recorded, the puppet said, "Regardless of whether you settle down in the Nanqing Constellation, you must pay the equivalent of the settlement fee. For a fourth–transformation Immortal, the fee is five immortal crystals."

The fee was steep—five immortal crystals for the old dragon, and varying amounts of high-grade spirit stones for the others. Fang Chen lacked such stones, but fortunately, the old dragon was wealthy and paid for everyone without so much as a frown. The puppet accepted payment and signaled for them to proceed.

"By the way, what will happen to those two bastards just now?" the old flood dragon asked casually.

The puppet replied, "For fighting here without cause, both are fined 10 immortal crystals and will face six months of imprisonment."

"Hah."

The old flood dragon felt much better.

Fang Zhixue, Li Daoye, and the others looked equally satisfied.