Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen asked softly, ”May I ask how many centuries have passed since Senior’s passing?”

”Let me think,” the white paper figure said, counting on its fingers for a while before whispering, ”It has been thirteen thousand four hundred and sixty-five years.”

The black paper figure sighed softly. ”It’s been so long....”

Fang Chen couldn’t help but gasp. Does this mean Senior Yun He’s lifespan had exceeded ten thousand years?

He only knew that a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator could live up to eight hundred years. Could the Ascended or Loose Immortals live on for thousands of years?

”Master was about three thousand seven hundred years old when he passed away. If not for his lifespan nearing its end, he might not have chosen to become a Loose Immortal, and those enemies wouldn’t have had an easy time.”

The white paper figure sighed. ”As our master used to say, it’s all fate.”

”Wait a moment, you mentioned that the Supreme Dao of Heaven lived for three thousand seven hundred years and his lifespan was nearing its end?” Fang Chen’s expression was stunned. ”But then you also said Senior Yun He’s status is higher than his. Does this mean Loose Immortals can live much longer than Ascension Realm cultivators?”

”The lifespan of Loose Immortals isn’t much longer. We don’t know the specifics, but it shouldn’t be significantly more than Ascension Realm cultivators. Besides, Loose Immortals also have to undergo tribulations as they are something not tolerated by the laws of this world,” the black paper figure said, pointing toward the sky with a sliver of mockery in its eyes.

It seemed that Dao sects indeed had significant grievances with the Heavenly Dao.

”My lord, are you aware that the Heavenly Cloud Emperor has already passed away many years ago?” The white paper figure seemed to remember something, their expression strangely solemn.

Fang Chen chuckled lightly, shaking his head. ”Passed away? That’s impossible. I saw Senior Yun He with my own two eyes, probably just over twenty years ago. He personally passed down the Introduction to the Three Thousand Daos to me.”

The two paper figures exchanged looks.

The white paper figure sighed softly. ”My lord, how could we dare deceive you about this? Betraying one’s master leads to immediate annihilation of the soul and spirit.”

The smile on Fang Chen’s face stiffened slightly.

”What you saw, my lord, was likely a remnant soul left behind by the Heavenly Cloud Emperor in this realm,” the black paper figure murmured. ”Many years ago, when our master rose to become a Daoist revered across the land, the Heavenly Cloud Emperor had already passed away for countless years.

”Neither of us knows the exact duration. Even our master couldn’t say for certain. But the Heavenly Cloud Emperor has always left behind a remnant soul, refusing to reincarnate, wandering in this realm. Occasionally, fortunate individuals could encounter him and receive teachings on cultivation.”

Fang Chen frowned. ”But Senior Yun He clearly instructed me to join the Three Thousand Dao Sect in the Central Continent. If Senior Yun He only left behind a remnant soul, why would he say that....”

”Some say... Some say that the remnant soul of the Heavenly Cloud Emperor has gone mad. He doesn’t even know he has passed away. As for the Three Thousand Dao Sect...” The white paper figure sighed bitterly. ”Long, long ago, there was only one Dao Sect in the world—the Three Thousand Dao Sect. It held the inheritance of three thousand kinds of traditions, each capable of dominating a region and revered by worldly cultivators.

”But one day, something happened. The Three Thousand Dao Sect encountered a great calamity, countless powerful figures were massacred. It was on that day that the Heavenly Cloud Emperor... also passed away.

”Three Thousand Dao Sect’s disciples either perished or fled, and from then on, the Dao traditions scattered, with countless Dao sects emerging like mushrooms after rain.

”Our master’s inheritance... is also one of the branches within the Three Thousand Dao Sect. He once said that among the Three Thousand Dao traditions, only by mastering the Introduction to the Three Thousand Daos can one lay the best foundation.”

Both paper figures looked at Fang Chen as if to say, ”See, what our master said was correct.”

Fang Chen, having mastered the Introduction to the Three Thousand Daos and achieved ”Source of Authority,” indeed possessed one of the best foundations from the Dao Sect.

”Wait, let me understand this.” Fang Chen’s complexion turned pale. ”According to what you’re saying, there is no such thing as the Three Thousand Dao Sect in this world? The so-called Innate Dao Sect, Great Expansion Dao Gate... All of them originated from the Three Thousand Dao Sect?”

”Exactly. All Dao paths trace back to the Three Thousand Dao Sect. In its prime, even the Azure Lightning Divine Beast, the Yin Divine Beast, the Twilight Divine Beast, would sit and discuss Dao within the Three Thousand Dao Sect!”

The white paper figure nodded gently. ”Although we haven’t heard of the Innate Dao Sect, Great Expansion Dao Gate, they must have originated from the Three Thousand Dao Sect.”

Suddenly, Fang Chen recalled various inconsistencies. He had asked many people, none of whom had heard of the Three Thousand Dao Sect. He had assumed that the Three Thousand Dao Sect was reclusive, unlike the flamboyant Void Immortal Sword Sect. But what if the Three Thousand Dao Sect never truly existed? That could explain why so many people had never heard of it.

”No, wait. The ancestor of the Greenwood Sect knew about the Three Thousand Dao Sect and even gave me a map, although it differed from what Senior Yun He gave me. He must have visited the Three Thousand Dao Sect!”

Fang Chen’s eyes showed a trace of doubt, realizing he couldn’t fully trust the words of the two figures before him.

Maybe they were not lying; perhaps they’ve been imprisoned here for so long that there are things they no longer know.

Fang Chen’s steeled his heart. ”No matter what, I have to go and see for myself.”

Thinking through this, he tried to calm his emotions and asked calmly, ”You mentioned that during its peak, the Three Thousand Dao Sect was so powerful that even the Three Divine Beasts of the sect would appear for discussions. With such a formidable sect, how could it have been destroyed?”

”I heard it was people from the Ancient Immortal Road,” the white paper figure said softly.

”Our master discussed this with other Dao supremes in the past. They said it was like this. The exact truth has long been lost in the river of time. If you can meet Senior Yun He again and if he remembers what happened back then, my lord, perhaps you can ask him.”

Fang Chen pondered. ”The Ancient Immortal Road... you mean people from the Immortal Realm?”

If it were beings from the Immortal Realm, they indeed would have the power to destroy strong figures in the mortal realm. But why would the Immortal Realm do such a thing?

”Not necessarily.” The black paper figure shook its head. ”I’ve traveled the Ancient Immortal Road before. That road may not necessarily lead to the Immortal Realm. It could encounter powerful beings from unknown realms. In short, it’s a very strange road. I even suspect it’s related to the Yin Divine Beast.”

Fang Chen looked at the black paper figure, his expression puzzled. ”You’ve walked it? But aren’t you...”

”Lord, we were not born as evil creatures.” The white paper figure smiled faintly. ”We once lived normally, but due to various reasons, we ended up in our current state. However, there’s a silver lining. At least... we are immortal now, aren’t we? As long as our true forms remain intact, we cannot die.”

Fang Chen was slightly surprised. ”You mean you didn’t turn like this because of the Supreme Dao of Heaven?”

”Our master has a pure nature,” the white paper figure responded. ”Our plight here has nothing to do with him. On the contrary, if it weren’t for his intervention, we would have perished long ago without even the chance of reincarnation.”

Sensing Fang Chen’s thoughts, the white paper figure explained softly. However, they avoided delving into the specifics of how they died and became what they were now. Fang Chen noticed their reluctance to talk about it. Although he knew they would explain if pressed, he changed the subject.

”You mentioned earlier that if your true selves don’t die, the two of you won’t truly die. Now that you’ve been refined by me, if I die...”

”We will return to dust,” the black and white paper figures said calmly, showing no fear of death.

Fang Chen nodded lightly. ”This matter here is settled. I should leave now.”