Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen fell into deep thought.

”People... are very important?”

Taken literally, the phrase wasn’t profound. However, as something all Anomalies remembered collectively, it had to hold a much deeper meaning.

Fang Cangyou said, ”Old man, of course people are important. Without people, there’d be no immortals nor ghosts.”

Fang Zhentian shot him a glare. ”Don’t interrupt.”

He looked at Fang Chen with a hint of hope in his eyes. ”Well? Can you think of anything?”

Fang Chen shook his head lightly, sighing. ”Not for now... I can’t think of anything.”

If only there were more clues—more threads to connect—perhaps then he could grasp the true meaning behind the phrase, and all that it represented.

”No worries, don’t lose heart. We’ve also been searching for answers all these years. We’ve been looking for a very long time but haven’t found the answer we’re looking for. It always feels like something’s missing, but we just can’t recall what it is. I suspect it’s related to ’them.’ They must have influenced our memories because they don’t want us to remember this.”

Fang Zhentian smiled faintly. ”Do you know what that means?”

Fang Chen nodded. ”It means this matter has enormous significance—enough to threaten even them, so they fear it.”

Fang Zhentian smiled. ”Exactly. For countless years, comrades of mine have tried to recall it. We’ve even discussed that, if we could remember, perhaps we might set things right again. Even if we cannot defeat those beings, the very thing they fear could be the blade that cuts off their heads.”

Fang Zhentian said, ”Anyway, put that aside for now. We’ll think about it more later. I heard from Li Jingnian that some from the Lesser Immortal Realm have their eyes on us old folks. I heard they want to devour and refine us?”

Fang Chen answered, ”The Lesser Immortal Realm’s Ji Tianjun is said to be a reincarnated great power who’s regained his memories and wants to follow the Immaculate Immortal Path. To him, Anomalies might be his immortality herb.”

Fang Zhentian asked, ”What do you think?”

Fang Chen answered, ”They want to use the Spirit God Sect as a blade to stir up chaos here and force Anomalies to show themselves. Then Ji Tianjun will arrive with a Great Transference Immortal Talisman. He’s confident because he possesses a method he believes can easily suppress Anomalies.

”I plan to send someone to the Lesser Immortal Realm to investigate this method and maybe solve this trouble at its root.”

”Perfect, I can answer this question for you.” Fang Zhentian smiled. ”Anomalies feed on Yang Lifespan. Our methods are divine and strange. Not to mention killing us, even imprisoning us is difficult. After that battle, half of our friends survived. But there is one thing here that can imprison us for a short time.”

”What is it?”

”Yang Lifespan,” said Fang Zhentian. ”When we encounter Yang Lifespan, we become unable to move. During that time, we have no defense against the outside. However, these days, Yang Lifespan is becoming harder and harder to find. It is the most precious and treasured gift the heavens and earth have bestowed upon our race. The Ji Tianjun you mentioned should have come into contact with Anomalies and learned about this from them.”

Fang Chen’s eyes narrowed. ”So... he holds Yang Lifespan in his hands?”

”And not in small measure. If it were too little, I’d consume it in an instant. He must have a sizable stock.”

Fang Zhentian tapped the tea table lightly with his fingertip. ”This is an opportunity. He wants to devour Anomalies, and I want the Yang Lifespan he holds.”

He looked at Fang Chen, eyes crinkling in amusement. ”Good grandson, your chance to show some filial respect has arrived.”

Fang Chen cupped his hands respectfully. ”Don’t worry, old man. I will do my best to make sure he doesn’t return. The Yang Lifespan in his hands will be split evenly between you and Master Yun He.”

Fang Zhentian blinked in surprise, then glanced toward the doorway. ”Yun He, you’ve taught your disciple well. Even now, he’s thinking of you.”

Daoist Yunhe smiled as he walked into the main hall. ”Dao Sovereign Wuliang.”

Fang Canghai and the others quickly stood and bowed. ”Greetings, Senior Yun He.”

”Greetings, Grandpa Yun He.” Xia Yunxin also bowed.

Fang Chen was momentarily stunned. A bitter smile crept on his face. It seemed over these years, Master Yun He had made contact with everyone, but he had never known.

Yun He patted Fang Chen’s shoulder with a smile. ”Chen’er, you are fine in all respects, but your skill at chess is lacking. Perhaps because you are Fang Zhentian’s grandson.”

Fang Zhentian rolled his eyes. ”He’s my grandson and also your disciple. Don’t make fun of his chess skills, or you’re just making fun of yourself.”

Yun He chuckled softly. ”Li Wuwang has also been with me for some time. To be precise, both of us playing chess that day are my disciples. How am I making fun of myself?”

Fang Zhentian said impatiently, ”So you recruit disciples widely just for this? Enough talk, what did you come here for today?”

Yun He said, ”Almost forgot the real matter. Li Jingnian, whom you favor, got into trouble. Let’s go see if we can get him back.”

”That troublemaker. I should never have passed him the Anomaly Path,” Fang Zhentian cursed under his breath, then moved to rise and leave with Yun He.

Seeing that, Fang Chen quickly released Fairy Yu from the World Gourd and cupped his hands to the two elders. ”Grandfather, Master, Fairy Yu was implanted with an Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo. Can she be saved?”

Fang Canghai and his wife knew Fairy Yu, so did Fang Cangyue and Fang Cangyou. All four wore strange expressions.

How did Fairt Yu end up sealed in a gourd? What was this Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo?

Xia Yunxin’s expression shifted. Fairy Yu?

She suddenly recalled a rumor. She curiously scrutinized the graceful figure before her. If nothing was wrong, this was very likely the famous top beauty of the capital from years ago.

”Aiya!”

Fairy Yu had just been released from the World Gourd but seemed to have twisted her ankle accidentally. She immediately held onto Fang Chen, then realized where she was and looked happily toward Fang Canghai and his wife. ”Uncle, Auntie.”

Fang Canghai and his wife quickly smiled and nodded. ”Good girl, it’s been years since we last saw you.”

”Yes, and it’s all my lord’s fault! He has kept me locked up inside a gourd this whole time. It was suffocating,” Fairy Yu pouted.

Everyone looked at Fang Chen with odd expressions.

Fang Chen’s mother was slightly angry. ”Chen’er, what were you doing?”

Fang Chen explained, ”Mother, don’t be fooled by her. She isn’t the Fairy Yu you know anymore. After being implanted with the Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo, her temperament changed drastically. I came to ask if there’s any way to reverse this.”

Since Fairy Yu appeared, Fang Zhentian and Yunhe had been examining her closely. After a moment, Yun He said doubtfully, ”Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo? I don’t see anything different about her. Neither her body nor soul shows any defect or abnormality.”