Immortal of the Nine Realms

The last time Lady Suya and Ji Tiandu produced an immortal contract, they also claimed it had come from the Ten Thousand Stars Palace in the Upper Three Realms. Now, this new trading partner had brought out an identical contract. That was a little suspicious.

Fang Chen couldn’t help suspecting the man’s identity.

If he really is Ji Tiandu, what’s his real purpose in coming here? Does he really only want to sell this information for two hundred immortal crystals? Or does he have another agenda?

The restriction in this place was set by a sixth transformation immortal. With the aid of a jade token, it could completely alter one’s appearance, figure, and aura.

Ji Tiandu was only a second transformation immortal. Even if he was walking the True Immortal path, there was no reason he should be able to overcome these restrictions and see through to someone’s real appearance.

That left only one possibility. He really only wanted to exchange that piece of information for immortal crystals.

In fact, just him pulling out an immortal contract gave Fang Chen some assurance of his information’s credibility.

Fang Chen’s gaze fell on the contract, and he smiled faintly. ”An immortal contract from the Ten Thousand Stars Palace in the Upper Three Realms requires a true name and a drop of blood essence to be effective.”

”Correct,” replied the man, not denying it. ”Clearly, this isn’t your first time seeing an immortal contract. That shows you’re a suitable trade partner, wealthy and capable enough to complete this transaction.”

The man continued, ”The immortal’s ruins I mentioned still hold over a hundred peak-grade spirit stones infused with ancient spiritual energies. Their total value far exceeds two hundred immortal crystals.”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Then list everything clearly. We’ll draft the preliminary terms of our deal.”

Without delay, the man began writing out the clauses upon the contract. Every clause was fair, neutral, and did not favor either side. The purpose of these terms was to ensure the deal could be completed flawlessly, leaving no loophole that could undermine the fairness of the exchange.

Once everything was written, the man placed the contract in front of Fang Chen for him to review. If there were no issues, they could move to the next step.

Fang Chen glanced over it and then slowly nodded. ”Let’s begin.”

Both parties dropped a drop of their blood essence on the contract and signed their names.

”Fang Tianzun.”

”Ji Tiandu.”

Seeing the name, a knowing smile flickered in Fang Chen’s eyes. So this guy really is Ji Tiandu.

That was one of the reasons he had agreed to sign the contract. He had wanted to confirm this lingering suspicion.

As for whether he actually completed the transaction, the choice was entirely his. The contract could only enforce fairness in the deal. It couldn’t force any side to fulfill it.

In Ji Tiandu’s eyes, Fang Chen was a collector of peak-grade spirit stones. With the contract signed, he didn’t fear that Fang Chen would back out.

If the transaction went through, the profits would be considerable. A hundred peak-grade spirit stones would fetch at least five hundred immortal crystals. Under the constraints of a fair contract, no one would willingly give up such a lucrative opportunity.

”Fang Tianzun—your name carries an air of dominance. I imagine the elders in your family must not be ordinary people in the Nine Mortal Realms.”

Ji Tiandu’s words sounded like praise, but were clearly an attempt to probe Fang Chen’s background.

Fang Chen smiled lightly. ”Daoist Ji, our deal won’t take place until after the Immortal Exchange. Before then, I may have to complete a few other transactions, mostly concerning immortal souls. Since we’ve established preliminary terms, I believe we can end this conversation for now.”

Ji Tiandu chuckled and stood to take his leave. Once he left, Fang Chen’s divine soul quietly followed him.

Meanwhile, Fang Tianzun returned to the meditation chamber. Without Fang Chen controlling him, he couldn’t flawlessly interact with the other trading partners.

Ji Tiandu didn’t bother altering his appearance or aura again, clearly not overly concerned about being followed or watched. He didn’t seem to consider the transaction with Fang Chen as a matter requiring secrecy.

Before long, he arrived at the Hongfu Inn and entered a meditation room. Inside, a female cultivator had just finished her cultivation and looked up at Ji Tiandu.

”You found a buyer?” asked Lady Suya, frowning. ”We came here with another purpose. If your brother hears about this little side deal of yours, he won’t be happy.”

Ji Tiandu smiled, ”Just a little extra profit, Sister-in-law. Brother won’t blame me for that.”

”Let’s hear your plan,” Suya said calmly. ”That cave dwelling was left behind by the Ji family’s ancestor. The spirit stones inside may not be worth much, but they carry special significance. Even direct bloodline descendants aren’t allowed to touch them.”

Hearing this, Fang Chen couldn’t help showing a hint of curiosity in his eyes. He wasn’t surprised or angry. He had guessed this deal was strange from the start.

As a cultivator from a Minor Immortal Realm, he had taken the initiative to seek him out for a trade. Even when Fang Chen called him out for trickery, the man hadn’t gotten offended or walked away.

He clearly had hidden motives from the start.

Ji Tiandu wore a faint smile. ”According to the immortal contract, I have to tell him the location of the cave dwelling. But he’s just a mere Tribulation Realm cultivator. How could he possibly enter the ancestral cave?”

”The immortal contract is just a tool to gain his trust. From beginning to end, what I really want is the Upper Three Realms invitation he carries... and the large amount of immortal crystals on him.”

”A Tribulation Realm cultivator?”

”He saw through the cultivation level of my avatar? And also figured out that I’m the one who bought the invitation at the Hongfu Inn auction?”

Fang Chen immediately felt that this trip had not been in vain. Ji Tiandu likely possessed a unique technique, one capable of bypassing the restrictions in this place and revealing each cultivator’s true identity.

Lady Suya said calmly, ”A Tribulation Realm cultivator with that many immortal crystals obviously has strong backing. If he has a fourth or fifth transformation immortal behind him, and you run into his elders, not only will your plan fail, you might even lose everything,”

Ji Tiandu chuckled. ”At most, I lose a single immortal contract. Given the Ji Family’s relationship with the Ten Thousand Stars Palace, a contract like that is nothing. I suspect whatever he carries is worth at least a thousand immortal crystals.”

He grinned. ”If we can get our hands on it....”

Lady Suya’s breath seemed to hitch slightly at that, but she collected herself quickly. She calmly responded, ”As long as it doesn’t affect our main objective, I won’t meddle in your affairs. But if there’s profit...”

”Sister-in-law, we’ll split it fifty-fifty. After all, if trouble arises, I’ll need your help anyway.”

”Alright.”

”By the way, I’ve found out where the Yang Essence is. In a month, it will be auctioned together with that fourth-transformation immortal herb.”

”Very few people know the true use of the Yang Essence,” said Lady Suya. ”Maybe some in the Upper Three Realms do, but they are unlikely to know that this Immortal Exchange is taking place, much less that Yang Essence is going to be auctioned. We have almost no competition. Still, we need to be fully prepared.”

Ji Tiandu smiled confidently. ”This time, we’ve brought a full one thousand immortal crystals, the combined effort of me, my brother, and a few others. That Yang Essence is as good as ours.”