Immortal of the Nine Realms

Stone Dragon’s voice sounded in Fang Chen’s ear. ”Lord, these five were likely... quite powerful in the Immortal Realm.”

Fang Chen was surprised. ”Stone Dragon, can you tell what level their previous cultivation was at?”

”I can’t tell,” Stone Dragon replied. ”But... Lord, you can ask them directly. They will be your subordinates from now on.”

A smile flickered in Stone Dragon’s eyes.

These five, he reckoned, would likely rise to the level of the Tai Yin Dragon King in no time. In that case, Fang Chen’s forces would steadily grow. After some years, they might no longer have to hide and be cautious.

Fang Chen’s thoughts stirred. With a wave of his hand, he created five imperial decrees and infused them into the new Yin Demons.

These five weren’t yet greater Yin Demons, so they held no official titles. Like Xing Xian, they became Yin Soldiers.

The amount of Yin Lifespan consumed depended on their individual strength. Each one required Fang Chen to consume close to 500 years of Yin Lifespan to appoint them. With the consumption of nearly 2,500 years of Yin Lifespan, he only had 3,500 years left in Monarch Yan’s Seal.

The five of them reflected on the changes they were experiencing.

”So this is the path of Ghost Gods... Although still controlled by others, it seems... definitely different from the path of Yin Demons.”

Unlike when they first transformed into Yin Demons, they could feel a new presence within them. Perhaps it was this very presence that allowed beings of the Ghost Gods lineage to manifest in the Mortal Realm and walk freely within the Immortal Realm.

They could vaguely sense that a connection had formed between them and Fang Chen. However, this connection wasn’t one of partnership; rather, it was one of subservience.

If it were anyone else who tried to bring them under his rule, they would have certainly refused, even if their lives were at stake. Their pride and arrogance would have made them reluctant to bow or submit.

But Monarch Yan, the ruler of the Underworld, was different. Even at their peak, if they had encountered a being like Monarch Yan, they might not have garnered more than a passing glance from him....

To walk the path of Ghost Gods under Monarch Yan’s command wasn’t a humiliation for them. In fact, it could even be considered an ascent to a higher level. However, none of them expressed this openly. The pride of being immortals still lingered within them, even if only slightly.

Fang Chen’s eyes glinted with a smile. The troubles around Little Sword had finally been resolved.

He looked at the immortal souls nearby and said, ”Everyone, please return to the sword.”

A solemn expression appeared on one of the Immortal souls. ”Monarch Yan, will we have a chance to follow the Ghost Gods path in the future?”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Of course, but the time is not yet right.”

The immortal soul cupped his fist in gratitude. ”Thank you, Monarch Yan!”

With that, they went back inside Little Sword.

Becoming a true immortal wasn’t a simple feat. These beings were far from foolish. After weighing the pros and cons, they all chose to go back inside Little Sword.

Remaining in the Underworld without becoming Yin Demons would make it nearly impossible to survive. This place was fraught with dangers at every turn. It was better to wait inside the sword for a far more promising opportunity.

Some of the immortal souls had considered becoming Yin Demons, believing they would at least enjoy freedom in the Underworld. However, upon seeing that Dragon Emperor and the others had been granted the status of Ghost Gods, they no longer considered the former path. Becoming Ghost Gouds was a far better option.

Therefore, they preferred to wait a little longer for a chance at an imperial decree.

Soon after, the rest of the immortal souls returned to Little Sword. The mottled bloodstains on the small sword reappeared, though they were much lighter than before. Now, it seemed like they were mere stains if not observed carefully.

It was clear that the five immortal souls that Li Pin had conferred had contributed the most to the mottled bloodstains. They were far superior to the hundred thousand immortal souls.

Without them, the pressure on Little Sword had significantly diminished. Once it reached the fifth stage and possibly unlocked some more troublesome legacy, it would be more than capable of dealing with the blood stains.

Stone Dragon said, ”Monarch Yan, it’s time to go.”

Fang Chen nodded.

Under the gaze of Stone Dragon and Xing Xian, he led the five newly appointed Yin Soldiers into the Forgotten River and vanished from sight.

Stone Dragon looked at Xing Xian and smiled faintly. ”Why didn’t you follow him?”

Xing Xian cupped his fists. ”Lord Stone Dragon, if Monarch Yan needs me, he will summon me. Monarch Yan has said that I have more important tasks in the Greater Underworld, including searching for the soul of a certain immortal named Pitu. I have to earn Yin Lifespan coins as well. Do you have any good suggestions?”

Stone Dragon chuckled. ”Yin Lifespan Coins? That’s simple. Let’s call Empress Ci over and we can discuss it together.”

The two turned and left the area. Shortly after their departure, several figures appeared nearby. The aura they gave off was even stronger than that of Stone Dragon. They didn’t approach each other, instead maintaining a relatively safe distance.

”I definitely smelled the scent of an immortal soul just now. Who got there first?”

”Not me. Like you, I just arrived.”

”That scent... It’s rich and pure. Either it’s an extremely pure immortal soul, or many immortal souls have appeared at once.”

”How strange. Over the years, immortal souls have been growing scarce. What could have happened that such a large number of them appeared?”

”Have you heard? I learned from the little snake, Tai Yin Dragon King, that someone has infiltrated the Greater Underworld and stolen Monarch Yan’s inheritance.”

”Monarch Yan’s inheritance... I wonder if that rumor is true.”

”What rumors are you talking about?”

”The one about Monarch Yan leaving behind a legacy. If it were true, it would be for close followers, not for others to steal.”

”You mean... it is just a rumor? Could it just be a trap?”

”Who knows? I personally have no interest in Monarch Yan’s legacy. What’s wrong with living freely as a Yin Demon? As long as my Yin Lifespan lasts, I can live as long as the heavens. Haha, everyone, I’ll take my leave now.”

***

In the Lesser Underworld, Fang Chen took out five pieces of Day Walker God Armor and tossed them to Dragon Emperor and the others.

They quickly started to play with the treasures they were given.

”This armor... it doesn’t seem like a treasure.”

”It’s definitely not a spiritual treasure, and it doesn’t have the aura of an immortal weapon.”

Dragon Emperor glanced at Fang Chen. ”My lord, what are these?”

They had already learned the rules and knew they shouldn’t address Fang Chen using his title aloud. In the end, all of them decided to go along with how the others addressed Fang Chen.

Fang Chen smiled faintly. ”Think of them as a decree for the Lesser Underworld. The positions I gave you earlier were for Yin Soldiers in the Greater Underworld, but here in the Lesser Underworld, those positions don’t count.

”These armors are from the Day Walker God lineage in the Lesser Underworld. When you wear them, you will become Day Walker Gods in the Lesser Underworld. You will be able to patrol the Mortal Realm during the day, judging good from evil.”

”The world has changed since your death. I hope you will act with caution. Especially you, Evil Monarch Beiling. Your temperament must be kept in check in the Lesser Underworld. You are not invincible at the moment. You should be comparable to a cultivator in the Tribulation Realm.”

They were immediately taken aback.

After they donned the Day Walker God Armor, they noticed some differences. On the boundless white mist of the Forgotten River, bridges appeared faintly and intermittently.

Before putting on the armor, they hadn’t been able to see the bridges at all.

Dragon Emperor frowned. He asked, ”My Lord, what is the Lesser Underworld? We have never heard of it.”

Fang Chen’s eyes flashed with a hint of emotion. He murmured, ”The Lesser Underworld....”

He began to recount everything he knew about the Lesser Underworld.

He suspected that the Day Walker God Armor he wore, along with the armor worn by Dragon Emperor and the others, was a kind of decree made by some existence, imitating Monarch Yan’s Imperial Decree. However, the decree wasn’t strong enough to manifest the souls in the Mortal Realm in physical form, falling far short of the Monarch Yan’s decree.

However, the Lesser Underworld could reach various places in the Mortal Realm. The very existence of this ability made the term ’Lesser’ seem up for debate.

There had to be a deep connection between the Greater Underworld and the Lesser Underworld.

As the Yin Qi surged, Du Yunxu stepped out from the mist, cupping his fist toward Fang Chen. ”I pay my respects to you, Day Walker Monarch.”

The five of them looked at Du Yunxu, their eyes filled with scrutiny.

Du Yunxu had also noticed them. He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. He didn’t know where the five powerhouses came from. Each of them emanated an aura no weaker than his own.