Immortal of the Nine Realms

These few were all heads of the Killing Spiritual Divisions from various places. Like Pu Yuanzhu, they had received orders from Huang Qingque to come here and report on recent battles. Judging by how they chatted casually with Pu Yuanzhu and Chu Jia, it was clear they had met several times before and were quite familiar with each other.

”Hey, who’s this young brother here?”

One of them noticed Fang Chen beside Pu Yuanzhu. At first, he thought Fang Chen was a junior disciple brought along by Pu Yuanzhu. But after observing him out of the corner of his eye for a while, he suddenly felt that Fang Chen’s aura was a bit strange and was unlike that of a younger cultivator.

”This is Daoist Fang. He is currently acting as the temporary head of the Killing Spiritual Division on Tuxiong Star,” introduced Pu Yuanzhu.

”Tuxiong Star? Temporary head of the Killing Spiritual Division?”

The group exchanged surprised looks.

One of them asked, ”Daoist Pu, isn’t the Killing Spiritual Division on Tuxiong Star your responsibility? Have you been removed?”

”Sort of. I wasn’t able to stabilize the situation on Tuxiong Star, so I’ve already retreated to Fenghai Star, working under Head Chu Jia now,” replied Pu Yuanzhu with a light smile.

Though Pu Yuanzhu spoke casually, the others’ expressions turned serious as they considered what was implied.

”If even you had to withdraw, it looks like you ran into serious trouble. But Daoist Fang here can clean up the mess you left behind? That’s not bad.”

After some thought, they realized Fang Chen was likely assigned by Pu Yuanzhu to handle the aftermath on Tuxiong Star.

Calling him the temporary head was probably just a scapegoat plan. Since Pu Yuanzhu had withdrawn, someone had to stay behind to lead the remaining Killing Spiritual Division cultivators who couldn’t evacuate.

It was certainly a thankless and difficult task.

***

Yuxu Star had a vast lake. Even though it was called a lake, in truth, it stretched endlessly, with waves rolling as far as the eye can see.

There was a rumor that a true dragon dwelled in this lake, which was why it was also called Invisible Dragon Lake.

Ordinary cultivators passing through rarely venture beyond the outskirts. Very few dared to go deep into the lake.

That was because in the center of the lake lay a solitary island known as Invisible Dragon Island, whose island master was known for his eccentric personality.

Only those of extraordinary status were allowed to set foot on the island. If someone without sufficient rank tried to approach Invisible Dragon Island, they would—at best—get beaten up and thrown off the island. If they were unlucky, they could very well lose their life entirely.

With such rumors circulating, ordinary cultivators naturally dare not set foot on the island lightly, lest they bring disaster upon themselves for no reason.

”The island master of Invisible Dragon Island is a true dragon living in the lake. But this old dragon is rather cunning. It maintains a good relationship with the Spirit God Sect and also has a decent connection with our Killing Spiritual Division.”

Fang Chen and the others were told after landing on the island by Fan Hong, the Killing Spiritual Division head of Tianhai Star.

Fan Hong was a second-transformation Loose Immortal. They met along the way and traveled together. He seemed to have come to Yuxu Star more than once and knew the place better than Pu Yuanzhu and the others.

”He’s just a fence-sitter,” one head sneered, showing disdain for the old dragon.

Fan Hong smiled but didn’t argue. In his view, calling the old dragon a fence-sitter was quite fitting.

”This time, Huang Qingque holding the banquet on Invisible Dragon Island is probably meant to send a message to this old dragon. When the time comes, read the situation and act accordingly,” reminded Fan Hong.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Fang Chen followed behind the group. Before coming, he had already sent people to gather information about Invisible Dragon Island.

On Yuxu Star, there were thirteen Underworld Official Divisions, and the reach of the Minor Underworld already extended here. However, to thoroughly understand Yuxu Star from top to bottom would still require considerable time.

As more Underworld Official Divisions were established across the Mortal Realm, the Day Walkers and Night Walkers were seriously short-handed. Recently, the Minor Underworld had been reallocating personnel from various divisions to fill the ranks of the Day and Night Walkers.

The old dragon of Invisible Dragon Island was actually a demon with a true dragon bloodline. His true form was a dragon tortoise. Like the old flood dragon, he wasn’t a genuine true dragon. So far, the only real true dragon Fang Chen had ever seen alive was Long Wu. The only deceased true dragon he had seen was the Tai Yin Dragon King.

However, over the years, this old dragon had always claimed to be a true dragon. As he was a third-transformation Loose Immortal, no one dared to shut down his claims of being a true dragon. Ordinary people knew better than to do that.

Over time, he effectively became a true dragon.

Following the group, Fang Chen arrived at a luxurious tavern in the center of Invisible Dragon Island.

After Fan Hong introduced himself, someone led them to an elegant chamber. As soon as the door opened, several sharp eyes swept across Fang Chen and the others.

”Fan Hong, did Young Master Qingque invite you as well this time?”

The owner of one of the sharp gazes was a man in his early thirties. He wore a blue cultivation robe and a faint aura of immortal energy swirled around him.

He was a third-transformation Loose Immortal.

Fang Chen’s eyes flickered as he committed the man’s appearance to memory.

”So it’s Head Mo.” Fan Hong immediately smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. ”We are a step late, please forgive us.”

”No need for such formalities. We just came a bit early, but since Young Master Qingque arranged the banquet, showing up right on time would have been better.” Head Mo chuckled lightly. ”Take a seat. Now that you’re here, all the heads who should attend have arrived. I expect Young Master Qingque will be here soon.”

This chamber was not for eating or drinking; it looked more like a meeting room. Besides Head Mo, there were dozens of other figures seated, with waiters moving about serving tea and pouring water.

Fang Chen counted the heads present. Including themselves, there were seventy-two heads in total. Among them, Head Mo was the only third-transformation Loose Immortal.

About eleven were second-transformation Loose Immortals like Fan Hong and the rest. Excluding Fang Chen himself, the rest were all first-transformation Loose Immortals.

This was likely the total number of heads under the territory governed by Huang Qingque, though there might be slight variations.

The fourth-transformation Corpse Transcending Immortal that Chu Jia mentioned had not yet appeared.

After everyone took their seats, Head Mo’s gaze suddenly fixed on Pu Yuanzhu. ”Hey, you’re Pu Yuanzhu, right? I heard that the Tuxiong Star under your control was taken over by the Spirit God Sect. You couldn’t resist and had to withdraw?”

There was a brief moment of surprise among the group as their eyes exchanged subtle looks.

Head Mo was, in fact, their direct superior. He had the highest authority under Huang Qingque in this territory.

”Reporting to Head Mo, I have indeed withdrawn from Tuxiong Star,” said Pu Yuanzhu calmly, his expression betraying no emotion.

”Heh... If it weren’t for Young Master Qingque protecting you, the loss of Tuxiong Star alone would have disqualified you from sitting here today.” Head Mo sneered coldly. ”When fighting the Spirit God Sect, you need to be strategic, not just recklessly charge ahead. If you encounter difficulties, you can always negotiate. No need to lose your entire jurisdiction.”

He paused before continuing, ”I also heard that after losing Tuxiong Star, someone under your command temporarily took over the head’s position. Has that person come today?”

Fang Chen’s eyes flickered as he glanced at Head Mo. His gray-white eyes showed no hint of emotion, and it was like a still pool of water.

Reading between the lines, Head Mo’s knowledge about Tuxiong Star’s situation was very detailed. It was likely he was in contact with Song Zhilin.