Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 763: The Great Dao White Lotus

"M-Me?" Xu Qingsong was stunned.

Daoist Yuanju and the others instinctively exchanged glances, then lowered their heads, focusing on their toes as if there were gold beneath them.

"Yes." Ouyang Xuanzhen nodded lightly. "If you drink this tea on behalf of the Sect Leader, the enmity between you and Young Friend Fang will be settled."

Xu Qingsong, initially pale from fright, now turned a deep shade of red, looking angry and ashamed. An up-and-coming immortal who had reached the Fusion Realm at such a young age like him drinking such filth?

Is this tea to serve as an apology for settling matters with Fang Chen?

"Xu Qingsong, don't keep the Dean waiting," urged Ouyang Xuanzhen coldly.

Xu Qingsong slowly began walking toward Elder Xun, each step feeling as heavy as if he were carrying a mountain.

A brief flicker of pity appeared in Qi Jian's eyes, and he quietly glanced at Fang Chen. He understood that after today, the big players in the Central Continent would no longer dare to personally participate in the struggle.

If the Central Continent Empire, Celestial Heaven, and Northern Dipper were viewed as a chessboard, the people residing on them were mere pieces scattered across it.

Where there were pieces, there were players. The Void Immortal Sword Sect's sword leader was a key piece, and who could afford to provoke the person pulling the strings behind him?

Even three players, the three Immortal Kings, had come here only to face such setbacks. They were just one step away from losing all face. If not for Ouyang Xuanzhen's quick reaction, today would have been a complete disaster for them!

At that moment, Fang Chen offered, "Elder Xun, let me serve the tea."

"Very well," said Elder Xun.

He nodded lightly and casually handed the teacup to Fang Chen, the tea inside still steaming hot.

Fang Chen took the teacup and, with swift steps, moved to Xu Qingsong's side. He smiled and said, "Qingsong, I offer you a toast."

Xu Qingsong stared deeply at Fang Chen. After a brief moment, he lightly nodded and took the teacup. "Then I shall drink to show my respect."

Without hesitation, he drank it all, not showing the slightest sign of dissatisfaction. He treated it as if it were really a cup of clear tea.

Zhou Bufan and the others were pale with fear.

What a twist of fate! They had been a hair's breadth away from witnessing an Immortal King drink the same "tea" as them.

The Immortal King had avoided the disaster, but the genius of the Great Expansion Dao Sect, Xu Qingsong, had taken his stead in drinking the tea.

Thinking back, their humiliation over the past few days seemed insignificant. Even the Great Expansion Dao Sect's young prodigy was now in the same position as them.

Fang Chen smiled and nodded "Good, others settle their grudges with a smile, but Qingsong and I have settled ours with a cup of tea."

The moment Elder Xun left, the atmosphere at the scene grew awkward. Thankfully, Fang Chen broke the silence, cupping his hands toward the three Immortal Kings.

"Honored seniors, please take the seats of honor."

The three Immortal Kings remained silent for a moment before giving faint nods of acknowledgment.

Before long, many grand chairs were placed at the entrance of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect. Naturally, the seats for the three Immortal Kings were the most distinguished and closest to the forefront.

After a quick glance around, the Immortal Qin Clan's patriarch burst into a hearty laugh and approached Fang Chen warmly. "Young Friend Fang, it has been such a long time since we last met!"

Fang Chen nodded and smiled politely. "Senior Qin, please take a seat as well."

The Qin patriarch beamed with delight and promptly took his place.

Following him were others like Qi Jian and the Wei Clan patriarch, leaders of various clans who had previously encountered Fang Chen on the Cloud Platform. They managed polite exchanges as they settled into their seats.

However, figures like Daoist Yuanju and his group found themselves in an awkward position. While the other sect leaders had yet to make any move against them, the forced smiles on

Daoist Yuanju approached with a faint smile, accompanied by a group of Nine Yang Dao Sect cultivators. "Young Friend Fang."

"There's not much room left here, so why don't you and your group take seats over there?" said Fang Chen.

He glanced at Li Daoye, who immediately caught on. With a warm smile, Li Daoye stepped forward to lead Daoist Yuanju and his entourage to the seats near Zhou Bufan and his group.

Zhou Bufan stood up with an odd expression, cupping his hands in greeting. "Daoist Yuanju..."

Daoist Yuanju said nothing, seemingly lost in thought. Behind him, the Nine Yang Dao Sect cultivators wore flushed faces, heads bowed, as though wrestling with their own thoughts.

To dispel the tense atmosphere, other attendees began striking up casual conversations and commenting on the magnificent Dao Lotus. Yet, their gazes frequently flickered toward Yuanju's group, clearly watching their every move.

Some cultivators couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness on Yuanju's behalf.

"The nail that sticks out gets hammered down... The tallest tree in the forest, if not blown down by the wind, will be struck by lightning..." one Daoist muttered under his breath.

"Daoist Yuanju, please take your seat," Zhou Bufan urged, signaling repeatedly with his eyes.

Daoist Yuanju stole a glance toward Ouyang Xuanzhen, hoping for some acknowledgment.

However, Ouyang Xuanzhen paid him no mind, engrossed in lively conversation with Dragon Sovereign and Gu Xi. Seeing this, Daoist Yuanju's heart sank.

With a slight nod, he led the Nine Yang Dao Sect cultivators to their assigned seats, one by one, his movements slow and deliberate, a stark contrast to his usual poise.