Immortal of the Nine Realms

Song Zhili was no stranger to Tuxiong Star. He had visited several times before, yet the place left little impression upon him.

He only knew that Anomalies were uncommon, but they were not unheard of. In fact, he had heard of more Anomalies than the birth of immortal herbs.

Within the Nine Mortal Realms, the fact that tiny Tuxiong Star could produce two Anomalies during ancient times spoke volumes about its past foundation.

However, those days were gone now; whatever treasures might once have remained would long since have been taken, leaving little for the cultivators of today.

Xu Changshi asked plainly, ”Elder Song, what is your plan? Have Daoist Yu drive away the old flood dragon? If that were all, you two could manage it yourselves. Why involve us?”

This time, Song Zhili not only brought along Yu Tingzhai but also Yan Haoran and several of Xu Changshi’s subordinates.

”Daoist Xu, I forgot to mention that our true goal is to kill the old flood dragon. After his demise, Haoran and the others will proceed to exterminate every Ascension Realm cultivator here,” replied Song Zhili calmly.

He continued, ”For years, these Ascension Realm cultivators have opposed the Spirit God Sect and caused our cultivators to lose footing. Once they’re dead, chaos will erupt. Our remaining forces will then play a crucial role.

”The Central Continent Empire, Celestial Heaven, and Northern Dipper will be thrown into turmoil. In three to five years, the losses of the past will be fully recovered. The Grand Desolate Immortal will also have a proper closure.”

Xu Changshi’s face darkened with fury upon his words. He yelled, ”Nonsense! You want us to act personally? You might not fear karma, but we do! Are you trying to get us struck down by heavenly lightning?”

Song Zhili smiled and elaborated, ”Calm down, my friend. My disciple is joining the fight too. I wouldn’t harm him. A senior in our sect masters the Severance Karmic Technique. I can have him cast a spell to sever your karma afterwards.”

Xu Changshi’s eyes lit up with interest. His subordinates exchanged intrigued glances. If Song Zhili wasn’t lying, that would be an extraordinary boon for ordinary cultivators. They had heard of techniques to strip away karma, though none had witnessed it; the cost was said to be enormous.

Yu Tingzhai frowned and said disapprovingly, ”Daoist Song, you said to drive off the old flood dragon, not kill him.”

Song Zhili replied, ”I don’t need you to kill him. I just need you to lure out his lightning tribulation. If it fails, you only need to wound him grievously. I will personally kill him off. No karma will fall on you.”

With Yu Tingzhai’s agreement, Song Zhili led the group and broke through the empty sky toward Grand Xia.

A group of Loose Immortals moved at terrifying speeds. They could travel silently, but to reach their destination faster, they went full throttle, leaving thunder in their wake. Ordinary people thought it was distant lightning; only cultivators felt the soul-shaking dread woven in those storms.

At Great Xia’s borders, before an ancient, unfrozen glacier, the old flood dragon and Li Wuwang chatted idly while sensing the slow changes within.

The old flood dragon smiled and said, ”His aura was unstable a few days ago, but now it’s steady and growing slowly. In my experience, he’s passed a critical stage. Soon, he will enter the fourth transformation.”

Li Wuwang bore a complicated expression. This Immortal herb was supposed to be for him, but now that he was an Underworld True God, his path diverged from sword cultivation.

The one blessing was that he no longer worried over lifespan; once things were settled here, he could secretly shore up the sword cultivators’ position on Chaotic Star.

”Song Zhili and the others must be near. I’m curious to witness his shocked expression when he sees me here,” taunted Li Wuwang.

The old flood dragon mocked, ”An esteemed head of Thousand Dao Tower falling to grace. This is getting interesting.”

Not far from the glacier there was a cloud terrace where incense burned and tea simmered. Li Changsheng watched with mixed feelings; Yan Kun beside him looked even stranger. Fang Chen remained silent, so they did too.

After the destruction of the Heavenly Sword Division, all had followed Li Wuwang’s orders to enter the Underworld. Since then, wondrous and strange sequences of changes had unfolded.

Only now did Yan Kun understand why Fang Chen had displayed such miraculous feats in a short time. Who would have thought the Heavenly Sword Division would become subordinate to this young man so rapidly!

Li Changsheng glanced at the ice mountain excitedly. The division head of the Heavenly Sword Division was finally about to break through to the fourth transformation.

The sword cultivators of Chaotic Star would also not be dragged down by the division’s downfall. In a few years, they would have a stable footing once more.

”Daoist Changsheng, how have you fared these years?” asked Fang Chen as he poured a cup of tea for Li Changsheng.

”Quite well,” replied Li Changsheng, nodding. ”I no longer have to serve the Spirit God Sect like before. Being an Underworld True God has its perks. I no longer have to worry about my lifespan.”

Hesitating, he asked cautiously, ”In past years, we occasionally acted against the Spirit God Sect’s cultivators, but recently it’s been quiet. If you ever face trouble, my lord, the Heavenly Sword Division can step out. It would save effort.”

The few recent battles had left out the Heavenly Sword Division. He feared they might be sidelined forever.

”The Spirit God Sect in this realm is no longer a concern,” said Fang Chen confidently. ”You should focus on your cultivation. Li Wuwang brought you back mainly so you could get some fresh air, right?”

The sword cultivators on the cloud platform exchanged glances and nodded slightly. Indeed, this ”resurrection” was mostly a respite.

Fang Chen smiled playfully and said, ”A grand spectacle awaits.”

Before Li Changsheng could ask, they all sensed it. The sky darkened as clouds billowed toward the mountain.

In an instant, cloud fog engulfed the peak of the ice mountain. Then, thunder roared.

Song Zhili’s figure gradually appeared through the fog. His eyes immediately fell upon the old flood dragon and Li Wuwang beside him.

At first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but as he fixed his gaze again, surprise flashed through him.

”Li Wuwang?” Song Zhili gasped.

The sudden appearance of Li Wuwang startled him greatly, but having brought Yu Tingzhai today, he felt prepared to face the unexpected.