Immortal of the Nine Realms

Hong Sanxiang’s voice echoed in the hall, ”Your Highness, Sword Leader Fang requests an audience.”

Heavenly King Zhen’s gaze flickered. With a faint smile, he asked, ”Sword Leader Fang, your reputation precedes you. I did not expect to encounter you within the Heaven Profound Mirror. Tell me, what matter do you wish to discuss?”

Fang Chen smiled and replied, ”Let us keep it brief. Gai Hong’s death has nothing to do with the Void Immortal Sword Sect. Qin Hucheng was a pawn of the Spirit Blood Sect. Since Your Highness wishes to avoid entanglement in this matter, I advise you not to trouble the Void Immortal Sword Sect either.

”In addition, I have long been aware that Qin Hucheng was a disciple of the Spirit Blood Sect, yet I failed to warn Gai Hong in time. That was my mistake. However, though Gai Hong has perished, I have a way to make amends.”

Heavenly King Zhen’s expression grew cold. He retorted, ”Oh? Why would I simply comply based on your words? With your status, do you think you have the right to speak to me in such a manner?”

Fang Chen lifted the Heaven Profound Mirror and turned it toward Hong Sanxiang and Pan Shan Monarch. He warned, ”If Your Highness insists on targeting the Void Immortal Sword Sect, then I shall personally deliver Elder Hong’s head to your palace.”

Within the mirror’s reflection, Heavenly King Zhen saw Hong Sanxiang sprawled on the ground, cutting a sorry figure. Monarch Pan Shan stepped firmly on the old man’s back while gazing at Heavenly King Zhen through the mirror.

His gaze lasted briefly.

Heavenly King Zhen glanced at Pan Shan Monarch for a moment. Then, he shifted his gaze away almost instantaneously. His voice, however, remained calm and unwavering. ”Sword Chief Fang, you are welcome to visit my palace when you have time. As for this matter, we shall proceed as you see fit.”

With that, he severed the connection to the Heaven Profound Mirror. Fang Chen returned the mirror to Hong Sanxiang. Monarch Pan Shan understood the situation and stood silently behind Fang Chen with the Heavenly Halberd in hand.

Hong Sanxiang rose to his feet and cupped his hands respectfully. ”Sword Leader Fang, I understand what must be done.”

He appeared composed, yet his heart pounded within his chest.

Heavenly King Zhen was not one to yield easily, certainly not to a mere Immortal King. If he had relented so quickly, there could only be one explanation—one name that struck fear even into the depths of his heart.

A First Rate Sect Leader. This man before him was a First Rate Sect Leader!

Hong Sanxiang felt like he had nearly stumbled into an abyss too deep to fathom. He dared not linger a moment longer.

”Go,” said Fang Chen with a slight nod.

Hong Sanxiang, as if granted amnesty, bowed deeply and hurried away.

Still dazed, Gai Hong turned to Fang Chen and asked grimly, ”Sword Leader Fang, what in the world is going on? I demand an explanation.”

Fang Chen smiled and admitted, ”There was one thing I deceived you about earlier.”

Gai Hong frowned. ”What was it?”

Fang Chen explained, ”You have died, yes. But whenever you walk the Moral Realm, you will be no different from a living person.”

He paused. ”However, you are only a Yin Walker now. You must start a new. Your past cultivation is gone. You must now tread the Dao of a Ghost God.”

Gai Hong took several moments to digest these words, his emotions shifting between shock and joy.

Goddess Shen Ji questioned thoughtfully, ”Sword Leader Fang, have you walked the Path of Yin multiple times?”

She suspected that Fang Chen had made a name for himself in the Underworld. Perhaps he had an unfathomably powerful backer there as well.

The eerie escort team, the skeletal dragon in the void, and Pan Shan Monarch standing at Fang Chen’s side. They all bore an aura that faintly mirrored Gai Hong’s.

Could they all be from the Underworld?

Understanding dawned upon Goddess Shen Ji. Many things now made sense. She could have never imagined that the Underworld was such a place. It was filled with mighty Ghost Gods, some even capable of manifesting in the mortal realm.

Why had she never seen such beings before?

Fang Chen turned to her and nodded. ”I have indeed traveled the underworld many times. Whether mortals or cultivators, everyone becomes a wandering soul upon death. Yet truly crossing into the Underworld is no simple feat. If you wish to walk the Path of Yin, there is a scholar in the Desolate Academy who can teach you. However, one must be registered within the Three Thousand Dao Sect to learn this Dao art.”

Goddess Shen Ji sighed softly in dejection. ”I belong to the Divine Dao Sect and cannot enter the Desolate Academy.”

In the Central Continent, royals such as herself were divided among different sects. Some joined the Divine Dao Sect and others joined the Desolate Sect. These affiliations were preordained and could not be changed lightly. They served as vital bridges between the imperial family and the great sects.

More often than not, she had no choice in the matter.

”It’s okay. I can teach you myself once matters in Li Xiao are settled,” said Fang Chen.

With that, he stamped his foot lightly.

A figure emerged once more. It was Li Badao. The moment he appeared, his gaze immediately fixed upon Gai Hong. Yet, what he saw filled him with shock. Gai Hong was not like an ordinary Yin Walker.

After that, his gaze landed on Monarch Pan Shan, and he instantly recognized him.

Li Badao’s expression turned fearful. The Yin Demon of the Floating Pagoda Realm and the Yin Walkers of the Lesser Underworld were fundamentally the same. Yet, if one observed closely, subtle differences in their aura could be discerned.

In the Lesser Underworld, the energy of a Yin Demon was more condensed as they obtained Yin Lifespan Coins through trade. In contrast, a Yin Demon of the Floating Pagoda Realm slaughtered one another relentlessly, resulting in a far more ominous and murderous aura.

Li Badao pondered, ”This is a Yin Demon? No... How could a Yin Demon stand by an honored lord’s side? But what else can it be...”

Fang Chen introduced, ”This is Gai Hong, the prince of the Giant Antler Empire. Take him back to Shuang Ye City and assign him a vacant Day Walker post.”

Goddess Shen Ji, who was unable to see Li Badao, looked at Gai Hong curiously. She saw that his gaze was locked onto an empty space.

She activated her Primordial Immortal Eyes but still detected nothing.

”This is an official from the Underworld?” asked Gai Hong, his expression unreadable.

Li Badao cupped his fist courteously and greeted, ”I am Li Badao, Day Walker General of Shuangye City.”

Gai Hong returned the gesture and greeted in response, ”Brother Li is too kind.”

”Follow him,” instructed Fang Chen. ”He will help you settle in. In time, you will come to understand the ways of the Underworld.”

”Very well. But as for the Spirit Blood Sect’s schemes...”

Gai Hong trailed off and glanced at Monarch Pan Shan.

He swallowed his words. He didn’t need to say more.

Not to mention the Spirit Blood Sect, even the Killing Spiritual Division could have never foreseen this turn of events. No matter how meticulous their planning had been, when an overwhelming force descended, all their schemes would crumble.

”One more thing. The Spirit Blood Sect exists in the Underworld as well. There, it is known as the Spirit God Sect. Be wary,” reminded Fang Chen.

Gai Hong was astonished. ”The Spirit Blood Sect even have influence in the Underworld?”

”You’ll understand once you arrive. They are far more formidable than you imagine,” Fang Chen replied.

”Very well, I shall take my leave. Sword Leader Fang, do visit me sometime,” said Gai Hong.

With that, he brought the gathered wandering souls and followed Li Badao into the Yellow Spring.

With matters settled, Fang Chen and Goddess Shen Ji resumed their journey toward the Li Xiao Empire.