Immortal of the Nine Realms

You Fang said calmly, ”Monarch Fang refused to heed the advice and insists on opening the Floating Pagoda Bridge.”

Shen Tu Cang chuckled lightly. ”He’s a new arrival, yet he casually disposed of the Lord of Baiyue City, killed the Day Walker God, Fu Jin, and even openly sold the position of a Day Walker God. Now he takes bribes and insists on opening the Floating Pagoda Bridge for a few Yin Lifespan Coins. Tell me, isn’t Monarch Fang exceedingly greedy?”

A Yin Monarch sneered faintly. ”If this isn’t greed, then what is?”

”Even if he’s greedy, certain matters must be subtly handled. It’s like he’s afraid people won’t notice what he’s doing. What do you all think? Could it be that he has some connection to Monarch Yan?”

Shen Tu Cang remarked with a slight nod, ”It’s true that Monarch Yan holds him in high regard. When he killed Fu Jin, Monarch Yan didn’t seem angry. He didn’t strip him of his Day Walker Monarch status. Perhaps this emboldens him, making him so arrogant. But do any of you know what grudge he holds against the Spirit God? I heard he targeted some wandering souls that worshiped the Spirit God.”

”We’ve never met him, so we have no way of knowing his background,” one of the Yin Monarchs said, shaking their head.

After listening for a while, Jing Xue suddenly spoke up. ”In truth, over the years, more and more wandering souls in the Underworld have begun worshiping the Spirit God. Even among us, some have started to worship the Spiritual God as well.

”In various departments and cities, followers of the Spirit God Sect nearly made up thirty percent of the population. This is hardly a positive development. Perhaps Monarch Fang’s actions were intended to cleanse some of the Spirit God Sect’s followers. Even the Lord of Baiyue City was one of them.”

”Monarch You, we in the underworld don’t concern ourselves with such matters. They can believe in whoever they want, as long as they remain within the Underworld and under our jurisdiction. It doesn’t interfere with anything. These people being followers of the Spirit God is only another layer to their identity. The Lord of Baiyue City’s true role was as a subordinate of the Judgment Department.

A Monarch snorted coldly. ”How could we neglect the greater good for the sake of the lesser? Even if he was a follower of the Spirit God, it does not justify his arbitrary removal.”

Another Monarch added with a sinister smile, ”Even Monarch Yan himself has chosen not to intervene. Does a newly appointed Day Walker Monarch think he can defy the heavens? If the Spirit God ever ventures into the underworld, they would be far stronger than anyone seated here.

”For the sake of the bigger picture, we should not provoke them. Their influence across the Nine Realms in the Mortal World is immense. I foresee a day when the Spirit God breaks through the Immortal Gates and ascends to the Immortal World.”

”Monarch You, we’re discussing Monarch Fang today, not the Spirit God Sect. Don’t we have plenty of sects in the underworld already? The Spirit God Sect is just one of many,” Shentu Cang said indifferently.

”Indeed, I was merely speaking casually.” Jing Xue gave a slight nod. ”But I have heard that the Spirit God Sect’s followers in the mortal realm have been quite unruly.”

”Have you noticed something curious during the nightly patrols?” Shentu Cang asked with a faint smile.

”I’ve noticed that every time a follower of the Spirit God Sect appears, countless wandering souls emerge,” Jing Xue said softly. ”Though they don’t act directly, they are closely connected to these events. I wonder how the Judgment Department views this matter?”

”My department? We only manage the underworld. The mortal realm has its own rules,” Shentu Cang replied indifferently.

Jing Xue pressed on, ”If followers of the Spirit God Sect enter the underworld, how do we account for their good and bad?”

”As long as they don’t personally take action, what’s there to account for? Monarch Jing, do you not understand?” Shentu Cang responded.

Jing Xue fell silent.

You Fang spoke in a deep voice, ”Everyone, we should focus on the Floating Pagoda Bridge. If Monarch Fang truly opens it and something goes wrong, can the underworld bear the consequences of another disaster like the one before?”

”Monarch Fang, since you refuse to heed our advice, there’s nothing we can do about it. We are of the same rank, and our words hold no power over you,” Shentu Cang said with a faint smile. ”We just need to pay attention when the time comes. As long as the opening doesn’t last long, it won’t cause too much trouble.”

The other Monarchs nodded in agreement.

You Fang snorted coldly and flung out his sleeves before walking off.

One of the Monarchs laughed. ”That old man hasn’t forgotten his former Dao companion. It seems that the incident has traumatized him. Every time someone tries to open the Floating Pagoda Bridge, he gets mad.”

Shentu Cang chuckled and stood up to leave. ”Let him be.”

The rest of the Monarchs followed suit and dispersed, but they didn’t notice a figure silently observing everything from the shadows.

Fang Chen’s brows furrowed, a grim look crossing his face. ”The influence of the Spirit God spans across the Nine Realms....”

He had once thought that the Spirit Blood Sect had a deep foundation, but it was still no match for the Ancient Desolate Academy. Even the sword cultivators of the Void Immortal Sword Sect spoke of the Spirit Blood Sect with disdain and contempt.

Later, he was sent to the True Martial Realm by a member of the Killing Spiritual Division. That was when he learned of the existence of the Spirit God Sect and realized that the core of the Spirit Blood Sect was actually located in the True Martial Realm The Spirit Blood Sect in the Central Continent Empire was likely just a branch.

Now, Fang Chen had just heard from Shentu Cang and the others that the influence of the Spirit God Sect had spread across the Nine Realms. He had already been struck by how vast the Nine Realms truly were. It was unimaginably expansive. Perhaps even a First Rate Sect Leader couldn’t traverse it all in their lifetimes. Yet, the Spirit God had done just that. Even the Yin Monarchs feared them.

If these forces were to unite, what sect in the Central Continent Empire could possibly rival them?

The only consolation was that the sects in the Central Continent Empire were no slouches either. For example, the Desolate Academy had masters like Elder Xun, a First Rate Sect Leader. As long as the Spirit Blood Sect didn’t surpass a certain number of experts, there was no need to be overly concerned.

Strange... With Brother Pitu’s strength, even if he died and entered the underworld, he would have been an immortal spirit, naturally suited to be a ghost or god. Why did he say life in the underworld was difficult? And why is there no trace of him in the imperial capital.... Fang Chen thought to himself as he walked toward the entrance of the Judgment Department.

Just as he was about to step out the door, Fang Chen suddenly paused. The Floating Pagoda Realm?

Could Brother Pitu be in the Floating Pagoda Realm?

Since the Yin Demons in the Floating Pagoda Realm had the ability to wreak havoc in the underworld, causing even the Yin Monarchs to be fearful, the Floating Pagoda Realm was likely an extraordinary place.

In fact, it could be said that the Floating Pagoda Realm was even stronger than the underworld in some ways. This made it highly likely that his senior brother was in the Floating Pagoda Realm.

Fang Chen had already planned to accompany Ji Liang and the others, but now, he saw it as a good opportunity to also look for any clues about Pitu.

At Du Yunxu’s residence, Ji Liang and the others once again met with him. From him, they learned that the Day Walker Monarch of the Nether Guards Division had agreed to open the Floating Pagoda Bridge, which secretly pleased them all.

”Please thank the Day Walker Monarch on our behalf,” Ji Liang said, cupping his hands.

Ji Liang glanced at the blood-red paper figure.

The blood-red paper figure, ever perceptive, promptly handed over another money bag containing five hundred Yin Lifespan Coins.

”You are too kind, everyone. Tomorrow morning, you and a few others will be able to depart for the Floating Pagoda Realm,” Du Yunxu said, putting the money bag away with a smile.

Puzzled, Ji Liang asked, ”There are other people?”

Du Yunxu smiled again. ”The opportunity to visit the Floating Pagoda Realm is rare, so there will be others joining you. They won’t interfere with your trial; they have their own objectives.”

”I see...” muttered Ji Liang.

He instinctively glanced at the blood-red paper figure, who nodded slightly, signaling it was no issue.

With a relieved smile, Ji Liang asked, ”Lord Du, would it be possible for us to meet the Day Walker Monarch tomorrow?”

Everyone’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

The Day Walker Monarch was akin to a Yin Monarch. They were akin to Immortal Kings. This was a whole level higher than the Day Walker God before them.

If they could get to know this powerful individual and establish connections with them, it would lay a strong foundation for future dealings with the Three Great Sects’ practitioners who traveled the underworld.