Immortal of the Nine Realms

Kong Jin knelt on the ground with utmost respect. His aura continued to rise until it faintly surpassed that of the Tai Yin Dragon King and approached that of Stone Dragon before finally stabilizing.

Empress Ci and the others looked at each other in astonishment. They had thought he was nothing more than an ant. Who would have thought that in just a few breaths... he had become even stronger than them?

How many years of foundation had he accumulated!?

Jing Xue, Qiu Jing, and Qi Tianran looked toward Fang Chen in disbelief.

Monarch Yan!?

You Fang said with a laugh, “Kong Jin, are you stupid? He’s just—”

You Fang swallowed his words as he saw a golden Imperial Decree being sent by Fang Chen into Kong Jin.. In the next moment, a subtle change occurred in Kong Jin’s aura.

The change was incredibly subtle. Once it faded, there seemed to be no difference between his current state and before.

Just like Empress Ci—if she didn’t reveal the Imperial Decree upon her, they wouldn’t be able to tell the difference either.

“Thank you, Monarch Yan!”

Kong Jin stood up and saluted, then consciously stood behind Fang Chen. He narrowed his eyes and carefully felt the changes within himself, his fingertips trembling slightly. It was an obvious sign of excitement.

You Fang’s face turned green, then red. “How... how could this be?”

Immediately afterward, Shen Tucang also successfully advanced to the first rank and received an Imperial Decree from Fang Chen.

Then it was Qiu Jing, Jing Xue, and Qi Tianran.

One by one, they received Imperial Decrees. They suppressed their overwhelming joy, and their gazes toward Fang Chen were more respectful than ever before.

Kong Jin had guessed correctly—the man before them could only be Monarch Yan!

Other than Monarch Yan, they couldn’t believe anyone else in the Underworld to have the authority to issue an official Imperial Decree that bestowed genuine official status and set them on the Ghost Dao.

There was little remaining of the yin lifespan in the Monarch Yan Decree and it was barely enough to grant one final Imperial Decree. Although Du Yunxu had not yet reached the first transformation, Fang Chen still gave him an edict this time, which consumed very little of the remaining yin lifespan.

If he were to break through to the first transformation on his own later, it would save that cost.

At this moment, You Fang had also completed his advancement. Though he had reached the first transformation, his aura was not much stronger than Jing Xue and the others.

You Fang suddenly knelt with a thud, looking at Fang Chen, stammering, unable to form a complete sentence. “Y-Yan...”

Empress Ci said coldly, “Do not refer to him as ’Monarch Yan.’ There are many eyes watching these days. If you address him like that, you’ll be putting him in danger.”

You Fang took a deep breath and bowed low to the ground, remaining motionless. “Lord, if I had known your identity earlier, how could I have spoken so arrogantly? I beg your forgiveness.”

He truly wasn’t just a fish in the pond—but a frog at the bottom of a well.

He should’ve seen the clues long ago, but because of the situation with the Floating Pagoda Realm, his mind had been clouded by anger. One wrong step led to another.

Shen Tucang said respectfully, “Lord, although You Fang isn’t the sharpest, he is loyal to the Underworld. Why not let him redeem himself through service?”

Qiu Jing and the others secretly shot him a glare.

”This guy....”

They finally understood why Shen Tucang’s attitude had changed so quickly.

He had clearly figured it out long ago but kept them in the dark. Fortunately, apart from You Fang, none of them had acted against this man during that time.

The matter of them requesting an audience with Monarch Yan seemed like a joke now. He had been right beside them all along.

Jing Xue’s expression was complicated. She was close to You Fang and couldn’t bear to see him in such a state.

Jing Xue said respectfully, ”Please, give him a chance. You Fang is just too stubborn in his temperament...”

Fang Chen smiled faintly and said, ”Shen Tucang and Jing Xue are both pleading for you. You’d better remember their kindness.”

With a wave of his hand, he bestowed an Imperial Decree.

Receiving it, You Fang’s expression brightened. The last bit of unease in his heart vanished, and he let out a deep breath of relief.

Fang Chen looked toward Xing Xian, who stood at the back of the crowd. ”How much Yin Lifespan has Jiangguang City brought in recently?”

Xing Xian immediately stepped forward and reported just over fifty thousand.

Compared to the Lesser Netherworld, Jiangguang City’s methods for obtaining Yin Lifespan currency were more direct, though not as brutal as Empress Ci’s former ways.

Fang Chen put away the currency and casually instructed, ”Not bad. Better than nothing. Keep expanding the business.”

”Lord, the Great Yin Demon in the second transformation realm we discussed last time has contacted us again. He says the terms can be renegotiated.”

Stone Dragon cupped his hands. ”If you are short on manpower, we could try negotiating again. If it really comes to it... whatever he wants, just agree. Once he walks the ghost dao, he won’t be able to go back.”

Everyone’s expressions tightened slightly. Qi Tianran, who had been excited, was instantly startled by the words.

Fang Chen thought for a few moments, then shook his head lightly. ”There’s no need for that. Send someone to talk to him again. If he accepts our terms willingly, then he may come to see me.”

”Understood,” replied Stone Dragon softly, then stepped aside and fell silent.

Fang Chen summoned a bridge and led everyone back to the Underworld. They watched as the bridge slowly disappeared behind them and looked at the familiar capital before them, feeling as if they had been reborn.

Their strength had grown tremendously, and unexpectedly, they had embarked on the ancient Ghost God Dao, now possessing legitimate titles.

That was far more orthodox than their previous titles as Yin Monarchs!

”Everyone should go back to their usual duties. Don’t speak of your cultivation breakthroughs.” Fang Chen smiled faintly. ”Some of the current Path of Yin walkers in the Underworld come from special backgrounds. When dealing with them, don’t reveal your cards.”

Everyone quickly bowed. ”Rest assured, we understand.”

What a joke—after living so many years, how could they not be cunning? They had just suffered several defeats at the hands of this man.

Against other path walkers, if they wanted to, taking them out would be effortless.

Fang Chen looked at You Fang, smiling faintly. ”As for the Reincarnation Division, just assign someone to guard the gate. Merge the rest into the Killing Spiritual Division.

You Fang’s expression brightened, and he immediately cupped his fists and bowed. ”I will obey your command!”

He had been a bit uneasy, but now he truly felt at ease.

The Killing Spiritual Division would surely become one of the most important institutions in the Underworld. Now that he was appointed to the Killing Spiritual Division—even if not as its head—it was clear that this man intended to reuse him.

That was incredibly good news!

***

The Mortal Realm, Tuxiong Star, Central Continent, Grand Xia.

”Who goes there!?”

The palace guards suddenly saw a figure walking straight toward Xia Xuanji’s office, ignoring them completely. They immediately stepped forward to stop him.

Xia Xuanji’s calm voice rang out, ”Stand down. Don’t you even recognize Duke Fang?”

The guards were stunned. When they looked closely at the person’s face, they were so frightened they bowed deeply, their sleeves brushing the floor.

”Greetings, Duke Fang.”

Fang Chen smiled and nodded, then walked into the grand hall. Xia Xuanji put down the document in his hand and looked at him.

”Something big happened?”

Fang Chen asked, ”You could say that. Has the old man given you any instructions recently?”

Xia Xuanji shook his head. ”None.”

Fang Chen asked, ”How much do you know about the Heavenly Demon Empire?”

Xia Xuanji was taken aback. ”Why are you asking about that?”