Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen clasped his hands and bowed respectfully. ”I pay my respects to Elder Xun and Era Immortal King.”

Era Immortal King observed Fang Chen carefully for a while before turning to Elder Xun. ”It seems like he has successfully condensed his Nascent Soul.”

Elder Xun let out a cold snort and replied dismissively, ”I’m not blind.”

Elder Xun then turned his gaze back to Fang Chen, his tone neutral but probing. ”Where have you been during this time?”

Fang Chen responded, ”I was trapped in a certain place, but I’ve just managed to escape.”

Elder Xun nodded, somewhat relieved. ”Well, as long as you’re alive. If you’d died, who would I ask for the high-grade spirit stones the Desolate Academy lent you?”

Era Immortal King shot Elder Xun a look. He was aware that he was the one who lent Fang Chen the spirit stones, but Elder Xun was keen on shifting the responsibility.

After a brief pause, Elder Xun turned more serious. ”There’s something important I need to inform you about. During your absence, the old Sword Immortal from the Void Immortal Sword Sect passed away.”

Fang Chen’s eyes widened slightly at the news. ”What happened?”

Elder Xun continued calmly, ”The Void Immortal Sword Sect has lost its only Immortal King and is only left with Wang Zhenlong. He won’t be able to hold things together for much longer. Meanwhile, the position of sword leader has fallen to Qin Hucheng, that kid. However, he won’t be able to last much longer. When he inevitably falls, Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper will seize the Immortal Sect’s ruins scattered across the world.”

Fang Chen was momentarily stunned. The old Sword Immortal passed away just like that?

Elder Xun explained further, ”Fortunately, Qin Hucheng is using the title of Acting Sword Leader. Since you’re back, the position of the sword leader now falls to you. If you succeed, I’ll have grounds to intervene and help your sect. Otherwise, Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper will continue their oppression without hesitation.”

Era Immortal King added, ”If you can’t make it through, then the decline of the Void Immortal Sword Sect will become a reality. Even the Desolate Academy won’t be able to interfere. As for Li Changsheng from the Kunlun Sword Sect, even Elder Xun won’t be able to dodge his sword.”

Elder Xun glared at him. ”I have not yet exchanged moves with him, and you’re sure I can’t dodge his sword?”

Era Immortal King laughed but did not explain.

Elder Xun snorted and looked toward Fang Chen. ”If you go now, we can give you a ride.”

Fang Chen pondered for a moment, then said, ”Elder Xun, let me first deliver a lecture to the disciples.”

”During my time in the Immortal Demon Sea, I had a unique encounter and learned the Path of Yin technique.”

”Path of Yin?”

Elder Xun and Era Immortal King, who had previously been calm, were suddenly shocked. They instinctively stood up and stared at Fang Chen.

”I didn’t hear that wrong, did I? You said Path of Yin?”

Elder Xun narrowed his eyes slightly.

Era Immortal King said in a deep voice, ”You can’t speak carelessly. Ever since we stopped being able to enter the Immortal Realm, the technique of walking the Path of Yin has gradually been lost. Where did you learn this?”

Fang Chen smiled, ”Treading the Path of Yin isn’t that difficult. The hard part is the medium used for it. There is a type of lantern called the Soul Guiding Lantern. With it as a medium, cultivators can easily enter the Underworld. The reason I was able to condense my Nascent Soul is also closely related to walking through the Path of Yin.”

Era Immortal King turned visibly excited. He animatedly said, ”There are rumors that Yin Lifespan, like merit, has a significant effect on cultivators. If we really can walk through the Path of Yin, wouldn’t that mean...”

It’s important to know that in the Central Continent, Celestial Heaven, or the Northern Dipper, all of them were facing the same predicament because the gates to the Immortal Realm have been closed for many years.

The shortage of spirit stones and medical herbs had led to many once-powerful cultivation techniques losing their effectiveness and gradually fading into obscurity. If this continued, many years from now, there may no longer be any First Rate Sect Leaders or Immortal Kings. The cultivation world would slowly decline and wither.

”How much does the medium you mentioned cost? If it’s too expensive, the Desolate Academy might not be able to afford it, and we certainly can’t pay with the three high-grade spirit stones,” said Elder Xunn suspiciously.

Fang Chen smiled. ”The price isn’t high. Any cultivator can afford it, let alone the talented disciples of the Desolate Academy, who come from every corner of the world.”

Elder Xun gushed, ”That’s good! In that case, I’ll make the decision. If you teach them the Path of Yin technique without holding anything back, you’ll only need to give us back two of the three high-grade spirit stones. One of them will be considered your payment for divulging the technique to the academy!”

Hearing this, Fang Chen was pleasantly surprised, and he gladly accepted the offer.

***

”Instructor Fang is going to teach us another ancient Dao technique?”

Soon, many disciples from the six departments gathered beneath the Ancient Platform, including Xu Qingzhi, Hua Miaoqing, Ning Tieniu, Fifth Princess, Han Xiuxian, and others.

Since the last law session, Xu Qingzhi and the others had become more proficient in the Three Heads and Six Arms technique, gaining a deeper understanding of its essence. They had been eagerly looking forward to the next teaching session.

Everyone waited with eager anticipation. Soon, a figure appeared on the Ancient Platform, and the crowd’s expressions brightened. They immediately cupped their fists and bowed in respect.

”We pay our respects to you, Instructor Fang!”

Seeing that Xu Qingzhi was among them, Fang Chen smiled and nodded. ”No need for formalities. Today, I will teach you a Dao technique, called the Path of Yin.”

”Path of Yin?”

Many people were visibly confused hearing this name. However, Xu Qingzhi and the others exchanged shocked glances.

They all came from different backgrounds and had a plethora of ancient texts back home. They had long heard of the ancient Path of Yin technique. However, that technique hadn’t been seen for countless years. That was a technique that existed only in legends.

None of them had expected that Instructor Fang would teach them such a mysterious technique. Even Xu Qingzhi, a person known for his deep and calculating nature, revealed a hint of excitement in his eyes.

Fang Chen’s eyes flashed with a smile.

Excitement—this was the right response.

After returning from the Underworld, he had formulated a grand plan to make the Path of Yin technique popular in the Central Continent, Celestial Heaven, and Northern Dipper.

The more widespread it was, the better. He would drive those experts he couldn’t deal with in the mortal realm into the Underworld, where they would become sitting ducks.

The Path of Yin was actually quite simple, just a few short phrases of incantations. And these incantations weren’t unique; each place had its own version of the chant. What was most crucial, however, was the medium used for walking the Path of Yin.

Xu Qingzhi asked respectfully, ”Instructor Fang, the medium you mentioned... I’ve never heard of it. Is it impossible to conduct the ritual for the Path of Yin without these spiritual materials to make the Soul Guiding Lantern?”

Fang Chen replied calmly, ”You don’t need to worry about the medium. Once you are ready, I will send you a batch of spiritual materials to refine the Soul Guiding Lantern. However, while these materials are not extremely rare or precious, they will not be given for free. I will charge you ten mid-grade spirit stones for the materials required for one Soul Guiding Lantern.”

Ten mid-grade spiritual stones!?

Many disciples, especially those at the Golden Core Realm, winced at the cost. However, when they thought about the opportunity to visit the Underworld, they found that ten mid-grade spirit stones were not too expensive.

Fang Chen had mentioned to the crowd that the Yin Lifespan of the Underworld had breakthrough effects similar to those of mid-grade spiritual stones. Even at higher realms, Yin Lifespan could still contribute to a breakthrough. In a world with a shortage of top-grade spirit stones, this was an incredible opportunity!

”Instructor Fang, is the Underworld... full of danger? If the soul fails to return, what will happen to the physical body?” asked Hua Miaoqing, her tone filled with concern.

”The physical body will be depleted of vitality and perish.” Fang Chen nodded lightly. ”Walking the Path of Yin is not something to be taken lightly. Whether you choose to do so or not, it is up to you to consider. Today’s lecture ends here.”

With that, Fang Chen turned and left, disappearing from the Desolate Academy, leaving the disciples in deep thought, quietly reflecting on what they had just learned.