Immortal of the Nine Realms

The real reason Fang Chen stayed in Shikong Market was to monitor Wang Chongsong and his junior brother Lin Bao. He wanted to see if he could figure out Wang Chongsong’s origin before the Immortal Exchange began.

Naturally, he took Xie Zhi’s mission seriously as well. But he wouldn’t force it. If it looked impossible, he would take a step back. There was no reason to jump right into unnecessary danger.

The jade slip given by Huang Qingque contained only a few lines:

[Division Head of the Killing Spiritual Division in Dayi Constellation in the Buddha Realm. Immortal Dayu, Sixth Transformation]

The less information available, the stronger the person’s abilities—Fang Chen understood that much. Huang Qingque hadn’t even managed to obtain his real name, only his title.

To hold the position of a Killing Spiritual Division Head in an entire constellation spoke volumes of his strength. He was possibly on par with that Immortal Taixu, the one Ning Beiyou and the others had talked about earlier—a half-step Ancient Immortal.

In the next few years, Fang Chen’s divine soul wandered back and forth between Qingyuan Market and Shikong Market, keeping an eye on Wang Chongsong and Lin Bao. He also didn’t forget to monitor Guangyuan Hall’s progress in collecting rare herbs for Fang Xuanyang.

He had to admit, Xu Guangyuan was diligent. Though none of the remaining eighteen spiritual herbs had been found yet, he had managed to track down clues to two of them, personally negotiated their purchase, and successfully acquired them.

With these two herbs, only sixteen remained to allow Fang Xuanyang to attempt the refinement of his third stage.

According to Fang Chen’s estimation, the fewer the stages of Fang Xuanyang’s Fourth Body realm, the greater the potential for improvement.

The refinement of the third stage could possibly allow Fang Xuanyang to directly advance to the Ascension Realm.

At this moment, less than three years remained until the Daotai Mountain Immortal Exchange began. The various factions in Qingyuan Market had also finally belatedly received the news.

This Immortal Exchange was jointly hosted by the Shikong Market’s master and several sixth transformation Loose Immortals, a grand event that attracted experts from all territories of Nanning Constellation. Because of this, an entry threshold was established: Those wishing to participate not only had to pay a fee in immortal crystals but also obtain an entry ticket.

The number of tickets was limited, causing Loose Immortals throughout Qingyuan Market to frantically seek connections to buy one. For a time, the price of a single entry ticket was speculated to have been driven up to nearly twenty immortal crystals.

To grasp the magnitude of this, take someone like Xu Guangyuan, a first-transformation Loose Immortal who’d spent countless years building a vast business empire with over a hundred Guangyuan Hall branches across Qingyuan Market, as an example.

His profit over two to three years barely amounted to one immortal crystal.

Xu Guangyuan himself was a Loose Immortal, and cultivation required immortal crystals. Over time, Loose Immortals like him were often quite tight on funds, far from the large fortunes ordinary people imagined.

However, compared to those Loose Immortals of the same level who secluded themselves and didn’t engage in business, Xu Guangyuan was considered relatively wealthy.

With the ticket prices inflated to such degrees, ordinary first-transformation Loose Immortals were practically barred from entry to the Immortal Exchange.

As for those below the Loose Immortal level, their role in the conference would be limited to staff duties.

Huang Qingque was quite resourceful. He managed to acquire multiple entry tickets, distributing one to each Xie Zhi cultivator.

If any Xie Zhi cultivator chose to sell their ticket and leave the Nanning Constellation at this point, they could make a hefty profit.

***

The Cangyun Sect.

Zhu Tongshu from Dongsheng Market once again came to visit, enjoying a lively discussion on Dao with the old flood dragon.

Before leaving, Zhu Tongshu took out an Immortal Exchange entry ticket and sold it to the old flood dragon at the regular price of twenty immortal crystals.

By now, ticket prices had surged to a frightening thirty immortal crystals, so this was practically Zhu Tongshu gifting the old flood dragon ten immortal crystals.

”Daoist Zhu truly knows his way around the heart,” praised the old flood dragon, waving the entry ticket in the air with gusto. ”For a third-transformation Loose Immortal to give away ten immortal crystals just like that—how bold!”

”These tickets will continue jumping in price as the exchange draws closer.” Fang Chen smiled. ”I believe Daoist Zhu will have a favor to ask of you.”

The old flood dragon nodded. ”I figured as much. If it’s a small favor, we’ll see what we can do. But if it’s troublesome, forget it. Not every favor can be used at will, and he naturally understands that.”

After a brief pause, he gave Fang Chen a peculiar look. ”What exactly are we supposed to do at this Immortal Exchange?”

”The Upper Three Realms Invitations, and fourth-transformation herbs,” Fang Chen replied. ”The invitations come first. Competition for the fourth-transformation herbs will likely be fierce. We’ll see if we can buy any. If not, it’s not a problem. Offending the local forces over these herbs isn’t worth it.”

The old flood dragon nodded, relieved. Competing for these fourth-transformation herbs almost certainly meant offending the local forces. On the other hand, the Upper Three Realms’ invitations were valuable but not universally coveted.

The old flood dragon asked, ”One entry ticket admits three companions. You are one. Who else should we bring? Perhaps that girl Zhixue. You know, broaden her horizons?”

Fang Chen said, ”Bring Xu Guangyuan. Also, bring that one from the Ice God Sect who’s been visiting you lately. Then take Daoist Li along to run errands.”

The old flood dragon was stunned. ”You’re not going?”

Fang Chen smiled. ”I have another ticket. We’ll split up so we’re less likely to be watched. You’ll inevitably draw Immortal Xingyu and the Grand Desolate Immortal’s attention by competing for the invitations. It’s inconvenient if I go with you.”

”Fair enough,” said the old flood dragon. ”This region doesn’t allow travel through the Underworld, so be cautious.”

***

The next day, Guangyuan Hall and Ice God Sect received a message from a disciple of Cangyun Sect. Two Loose Immortals came together to pay respects to the old flood dragon at Azure Cloud Sect.

Next to Xu Guangyuan stood a graceful woman with a cold, icy aura. Occasionally, her immortal energy pulsed, carrying a faint chill.

The old flood dragon had recognized her nature the first time they met. This Loose Immortal from the Ice God Sect was not human. She, like him, was born of the demon race.

The old flood dragon cleared his throat lightly, then said, ”You’ve probably heard about the upcoming Immortal Exchange at Daotai Mountain, right?”

Xu Guangyuan’s expression moved slightly, and he smiled bitterly. ”I have indeed heard of it. These tickets have been going around for crazy prices.”

Hou Qiaobing spoke softly. ”I’ve already purchased an entry ticket. It allows for three companions. If you want to join, I can give you two spots, Senior.”

Xu Guangyuan was slightly surprised, glancing at her. She truly spent that much just to buy a ticket?

”You’re very kind.” The old flood dragon smiled and nodded. ”In fact, I already have a pass, a gift from Zhu Daoist of Dongsheng Market. I was just about to invite you both to join me. In that case....”

He looked at Xu Guangyuan. ”What about you? Will you come along?”

Xu Guangyuan was overjoyed. He immediately nodded like a bird pecking grain.