Immortal of the Nine Realms

Not long after, Instructor Ji of the Pill Making Department, Sir Zhao of the Talisman Department, Instructor Han of the Technique Department, Instructor Jin of the Artifacts Department, Instructor Lu of the Combat Department, and Instructor Wen of the Achievement Department gathered.

They stared at Fang Chen, looking intrigued.

Instructor Han chuckled and broke the silence. ”Is something the matter, Instructor Fang?”

Instructor Wen urged, ”If you have something to say, hurry up. We are very busy and don’t have much time to waste.”

His attitude toward Fang Chen hadn’t been exactly good when he met him for the first time, and it still hadn’t improved.

Fang Chen smiled and asked, ”Instructors, have you heard about the Path of Yin technique?”

The six exchanged looks.

Naturally, they were well aware of this technique. Fang Chen had given a lecture about this technique before.

Instructor Lu asked in a deep voice, ”Mr Fang, what do you mean by bringing up this matter?”

Fang Chen explained, ”The Underworld has its own form of currency, called the Yin Lifespan Coins. It is akin to mid-grade spirit stones, capable of helping cultivators break through their bottlenecks. In fact, its benefits far exceed that. After all, the effectiveness of mid-grade spirit shines only in the Middle Three Realms.

”But Yin Lifespan Coins are also remarkably effective for those in the Upper Three Realms. During these times, with spirit stones a scare commodity, mastering the Path of Yin technique could alleviate a cultivator’s pressure regarding resources.”

The expressions of the instructors grew slightly serious. They had a feeling Fang Chen had an important announcement to make.

Instructor Wen’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. ”Instructor Fang, do you intend to disseminate the Path of Yin technique? According to the rules, those who receive the technique must join the Three Thousand Dao Sect. You seem to have calculated everything quite well.”

Fang Chen replied, ”According to the rules, that is indeed how it should be. But after careful consideration, I think this matter should allow some flexibility. There’s no need to hide this technique.”

The instructors were moved.

Ji Xian Wang’s face turned curious. ”Instructor Fang, are you implying you plan to impart the technique to us and even to the various disciples of the Desolate Academy?”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Exactly.”

Instructor Wen’s expression eased a bit. ”If that is the case, then I must thank you in advance, Instructor Fang.”

Fang Chen did not waste words and immediately transmitted the technique to them. They were all Immortal Kings and could instantly comprehend the technique.

After a moment, Instructor Lu frowned. He seemed to have activated the technique but failed to do so, as if some step was missing.

He said, ”There seems to be something missing.”

”The technique requires a medium,” explained Fang Chen, taking out some lamp oil. ”This is lamp oil made from the Yin Sea Lotus and various spiritual treasures, one ounce of which is enough for several attempts.”

He added, ”Without this, it is impossible to succeed.”

”Yin Sea Lotus? I have never heard of such a thing....”

The six instructors looked at each other.

As Immortal Kings, they were well-versed and widely knowledgeable, yet they had never heard of the Yin Sea Lotus, let alone seen it.

”Instructor Fang, how much is this lamp oil worth?” Ji Xian Wang asked, showing interest.

”It’s not expensive, about 10 to 20 mid-grade spirit stones per ounce,” Fang Chen replied cheerily.

This lamp oil, in the True Martial Realm, required 100 low-grade spirit stones for an ounce, but rarity added value. For the cultivators of the Central Continent Empire, carrying out the soul-crossing ritual was a rare opportunity, so selling an ounce for 10 mid-grade spirit stones was reasonable.

As the six calculated the oil’s value, their expressions grew more amiable.

”It’s enough for over 10 attempts, so the cost per attempt is less than 1 mid-grade spirit stone...indeed, it’s not expensive.”

They acknowledged that Fang Chen was not making an exorbitant demand; the price was quite fair. It was clear he was sincere in providing another path for the disciples of the Desolate Academy.

This contribution alone wasn’t any less significant than what they had done over the years. Perhaps, it even surpassed their contributions!

Instructor Ji remarked, ”Instructor Fang, I see you only have a few ounces of lamp oil. I’m afraid that’s not enough to go around.”

”That’s true,” said Instructor Wen. He suggested, ”Why not tell us where to find the Yin Sea Lotus? With our abilities, we should be able to harvest a good amount.”

Upon hearing this, Instructors Ji, Zhao, Han, and Lu all looked at him.

Instructor Ji said coolly, ”That’s a bit inappropriate; this lamp oil was likely refined using the methods of the Three Thousand Dao Sect. It’s somewhat presumptuous to ask about it.”

”Indeed. Please forgive me, Instructor Fang. I didn’t consider this,” Instructor Wen said, his face filled with realization.

Fang Chen chuckled. ”No worries, I didn’t prepare that much, but also not too little. The amount available should be enough to allow our disciples to successfully carry out the ritual at least once.”

”In that case, I’ll buy one jin—no, five jins,” Instructor Ji said.

Without checking if Fang Chen had enough stock, he took out 500 mid-grade spirit stones and handed them to Fang Chen.

Sir Zhao looked at the Era Immortal King and lightly said, ”Instructor Ji, that’s not very fair. If Instructor Fang only has so much, wouldn’t you have monopolized the entire stock?”

Fang Chen smiled. ”If everyone buys only 5 liangs, there should be enough.”

The six instructors no longer hesitated, each paying for their purchases.

With that, 30 liangs of lamp oil were sold, and Fang Chen, previously short on funds, once again had a considerable amount of mid-grade spirit stones.

After completing this transaction, Fang Chen bid farewell to the six gentlemen and headed to the Desolate Platform.

Yu Qingzhi and others, having been notified early, all hurried there, not daring to be late. Since they already knew that the soul-crossing ritual required a medium, most of them brought a sum of mid-grade spirit stones. Some of these spirit stones were ones they had accumulated over many years, while others were obtained from their families.

Upon seeing the figure on the Desolate Platform, they all bowed and saluted. ”Instructor Fang!”

”Hmm, I have the lamp oil needed for the ritual,” said Fang Chen. ”Have you prepared your mid-grade spirit stones? 10 mid-grade spirit stones for 1 liang of oil, good for over 10 attempts.”

The crowd was invigorated; indeed, they had been impatient over the past 2 years, all eager to see the underworld. Perhaps, after today, they would finally be able to carry out the ritual!

Yu Qingzhi came fully prepared, bringing exactly 500 mid-grade spirit stones; it was hard for Fang Chen to believe that he hadn’t secretly taught the ritual to the Yu Family’s descendants. But that was exactly what he hoped to see; the more Yu Family descendants that carried out the soul-crossing ritual, the better, as this would reveal more flaws.

The more and more cultivators from the Central Continent Empire, Celestial Heaven, and Northern Dipper flooded into the Underworld, the more he could do.

Finally, Fang Chen sold about 10 liangs of lamp oil, earning 1,000 mid-grade spirit stones, with Yu Qingzhi contributing 500 by himself.

After Fang Chen left, the group eagerly left the Desolate Academy and returned to their respective territories to try the soul-crossing ritual.

In Li Xiao, Yu Qingzhi, using an Ancient Talisman, returned and immediately went to see an old man.

The old man appeared as though one foot was already in the coffin, seemingly not long for this world, but when he saw Yu Qingzhi, he simply said, ”Qing, why aren’t you staying at the Desolate Academy? What brings you back?”

Yu Qingzhi spoke respectfully. ”Grandfather, I’ve obtained the medium for the soul-crossing ritual and can perform the technique.”

The old man’s eyes flickered with a faint glimmer. ”Is that so. Did you buy it from Instructor Fang?”

Yu Qingzhi answered respectfully, ”Exactly. I plan to try it first, and if it’s feasible, grandfather might also use this technique to break through his current bottleneck and extend his life by 600 years.”