Immortal of the Nine Realms

The grand elder of Nine Immortal Mountain seemed surprised that Fang Chen had returned so soon. He had just heard from the gray-robed youth that Fang Chen had returned with two other Loose Immortals in tow. However, they had since left, leaving only Fang Chen behind.

Fang Chen lifted his teacup, took a sip, and asked, ”Have you heard of the Immortal Worshipping Palace?”

The grand elder of Nine Immortal Mountain nodded slightly. ”Immortal Worshipping Palace? I’ve heard of it. It’s said to be a place that sells information.”

After a pause, his eyes narrowed. He asked with a serious tone, ”Is it because of them that the Myriad Immortal Palace found out I was here?”

”Probably not. The Myriad Immortal Palace located this place before Immortal Worshipping Palace got the news.”

The grand elder looked extremely serious. ”So my suspicion has been confirmed. Young friend, can you conclude that the coming calamity for Nine Immortal Mountain originates with the Myriad Immortal Palace?”

”I can confirm it.” Fang Chen nodded. ”There should be cultivators from the Immortal Worshipping Palace inside the Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land. They also knew that Li Wuwang had been here some time ago.”

”In that case, it has implicated the Heavenly Sword Division. Given the temperament of the Myriad Immortal Palace, even a minor threat like the Heavenly Sword Division, when connected to Nine Immortal Mountain, might lead them to eliminate both.”

The grand elder let out a self-deprecating laugh and glanced at Fang Chen. ”Young friend, could I trouble you to inform Li Wuwang and ask them to leave the Chaotic Star as soon as possible?”

”They can’t leave. Even if they do leave, the connection with Nine Immortal Mountain would still be confirmed, and they would face constant pursuit. Staying here gives them at least a sliver of hope,” replied Fang Chen.

The grand elder asked thoughtfully, ”Who are the two cultivators you brought today? Are they related to this matter?”

Fang Chen said, ”They might be able to find a way for the mortals here to survive, but they won’t involve themselves in the grudges between you and the Myriad Immortal Palace.”

Hearing that, a smile spread across the grand elder’s face. ”I see.... If the mortals manage to survive, that alone would be a blessing. Perhaps in a few more years, a brand-new Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land will rise again.”

Fang Chen asked, ”Have you heard about the Underworld?”

”The Underworld?” The grand elder of Nine Immortal Mountain nodded slightly. ”When I was young, I once traveled through the Lesser Netherworld for a time. I remember being lucky enough to visit the capital of the Lesser Netherworld. I even had the honor of meeting a few of the Monarchs there... like Monarch You of the Nether Guards Division, and Monarch Shentu of the Judgement Office.”

He paused for a moment. ”The Path of Yin Technique used by Elder He was taught to him by me, and he later passed it on to the master of Wolong Temple.”

”Most people think that on the Creation Star, only the Yin Holy Sect knows the art of walking into the Underworld. What they don’t know is that our Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land has also mastered it. But because treading the Underworld is extremely dangerous, we don’t let ordinary disciples attempt it.”

”When the Palace of Myriad Immortals arrives, you all can consider entering the Underworld,” Fang Chen said.

The grand elder frowned slightly, puzzled. ”Why? Once you do that and your physical body is destroyed, you just become a wandering soul. What difference does it make?”

Fang Chen didn’t continue discussing the matter. After chatting a bit longer with the grand elder, he took his leave.

About half a month later, the Monarch of the Judgment Division somehow returned to the Creation Star and took Fang Chen on another long journey, passing through several places before finally arriving at a planet rich in spiritual energy.

”Division Head Fang, you’ve arrived. Come, have a seat.”

In a private room of a bustling restaurant in a prosperous city, Huang Qingque greeted Fang Chen warmly with a wave of his hand.

At the table, besides Huang Qingque, there was a young nobleman with elegant features and a jade-like presence. When he saw Fang Chen arrive, he merely lifted his eyes slightly and didn’t show much reaction.

”Young Master Qingque.” Fang Chen greeted him and sat down beside him.

With a smile, Huang Qingque introduced, ”Chief Fang, let me introduce you. This is Elder Xi from the Palace of Myriad Immortals. Elder Xi, this is Fang Chen, the Division Chief of our Killing Spiritual Division on Creation Star.”

”Chief Fang, do you have ties with the Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land?” Elder Xi asked calmly.

Fang Chen vaguely sensed that this man’s cultivation was a fourth transformation Immortal, though he couldn’t tell exactly which immortal path he followed.

”I’ve met with the grand elder of Nine Immortal Mountain a few times.” Fang Chen nodded.

Elder Xi spoke with an indifferent tone, ”Did you ask Qingque to step in this time to resolve the grudge between Myriad Immortal Palace and Nine Immortal Mountain?”

”Elder Xi, Brother Xi, haven’t I already explained it clearly? Chief Fang has no personal motives in this matter. It’s just that the issue is important and could be exploited by the Spirit God Sect. That’s why he hopes you might show some mercy and spare the mortals over there.” Huang Qingque replied before Fang Chen could speak.

Elder Xi remained silent for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. During that time, the private room was utterly quiet.

After a while, he nodded. ”I owe you this favor. The Myriad Immortal Palace isn’t quite the group of madmen people think we are. We understand kindness and also know that sometimes taking a step back opens up a wider path.”

He paused, ”As long as your Killing Spiritual Division doesn’t interfere in this matter, we’ll only kill the cultivators.”

”Thank you, Brother Xi.” Huang Qingque smiled and said, ”If you ever have time, you’re welcome to visit the True Martial Region.”

”The True Martial Region is too far. I’d rather stay in my little corner of the Ancient Desolate Realm. It’s more comfortable.”

Elder Xi waved his hand, then turned to Fang Chen. ”I’ve heard your Chaotic Star recently produced a group of sword immortals that has close ties to Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land?”

”They’re only close to me personally. I went to Nine Immortal Mountain to meet the grand elder to purchase peak grade spirit stones. To avoid any misunderstandings on the road, I asked the Heavenly Sword Division to accompany me,” replied Fang Chen.

”Is that so? Then in this purge, we won’t count them. But Chief Fang, do not try to deceive me. If we find your words are false and they are involved...” Elder Xi didn’t finish the sentence, but everyone present understood the implied threat.

Huang Qingque raised his wine cup at the right moment, clinked it with Elder Xi’s, and drained it in one gulp.

After Elder Xi got up and left, Huang Qingque looked at Fang Chen with a smile. ”This is the best I could do. No harm to mortals and only the cultivators. Don’t get too involved with the rest. Better not to stir up more trouble.”

”I understand.”

”And regarding the matter of Xie Zhi...”

”I’m willing to help.” Fang Chen lifted his wine cup and drained it as well.

”Good, good, good.”

Huang Qingque smiled and downed his cup. ”Let me tell you. Our group now has twelve like-minded individuals like yourself.”

Fang Chen, who had just lifted his cup, paused and set it down again.

Twelve people?

He had originally assumed that the Xie Zhi organization Huang Qingque spoke of had already become a considerable force. But now, hearing this... The setup seemed a bit lacking.

”Don’t underestimate us twelve. Every one of them is a dragon among men, just like Chief Fang. Look, because you stepped in this time, how many fewer mortals died in Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land?”

Huang Qingque chuckled. ”Once our information network is fully established, incidents of betrayal within the True Martial Region will drop significantly. We’ll do our best to prevent tragedies like what happened to Division Head Yang from ever happening again.”

”Speaking of information networks, what’s your view on the Immortal Worshipping Palace?” A glint flickered in Fang Chen’s eyes.