Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen’s thoughts stirred.

It’s actually the Langgui Constellation.

He certainly wouldn’t be stupid enough to come to the Upper Three Realms like some clueless fool. Before setting out, he had already gathered some understanding of the Upper Three Realms from Ning Beiyou.

Take this Fangcun Realm, for instance. Not only was it the headquarters of the Enlightenment God Palace, but the Taiyi Immortal Sect was also located in this realm. The Ning Family, from which Ning Beiyou was from, was also based here. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

So, Fang Chen’s knowledge of the Fangcun Realm was far deeper than the other two realms.

The Ancient Desolate Realm had thirteen constellations, and any place that could be called a ”constellation” had to have favorable natural conditions. Additionally, it had to have at least one seventh-transformation Ancient Immortal presiding over it. That was why, in the Nanqing Constellation, all factions held the Ten Directions Immortal Sect in such awe.

The fabled seventh-transformation Ancient Immortal of the Ten Directions Immortal Sect hadn’t appeared in many years, but no one dared to challenge the sect’s authority. As long as the ”Nanqing Constellation” persisted, it signified that a certain Ancient Immortal was still alive.

In the Fangcun Realm, there were over a hundred constellations with names and reputations that Ning Beiyou knew. The Enlightenment God Palace controlled eight major constellations, and the Langgui Constellation was one of them. Furthermore, it ranked in the middle tier among the eight major constellations.

Centered around the Langgui Constellation, radiating in all directions, were territories like Tuxiong Star and Chaotic Star. At least a thousand such regions existed.

Ordinary cultivators might not think too much about the terrifying implications of this, but Fang Chen did. When he first ventured to the Nanqing Constellation, he had passed through a few uninhabitable regions. Those were desolate, barren places where humans couldn’t survive. Naturally, no cultivators could live there either.

Such regions were the true norm in the world. Lands suitable for mortal habitation were exceedingly rare, and even rarer were places with enough spiritual energy to support a large number of cultivators.

Thinking about it that way, even a single region like Tuxiong Star was quite rare. Yet, the Langgui Constellation governed over more than a thousand such realms, some of which were even superior to Chaotic Star.

The eight major constellations under the Enlightenment God Palace governed at least five thousand realms.

As for the cultivators who were subordinate to them—affiliates, vassals, allies, and those with various connections to the Enlightenment God Palace—they were countless.

It was a colossal entity.

Fang Chen had already mentally prepared himself before coming here. The territorial range controlled by the Enlightenment God Palace might not be as vast as the Floating Pagoda Realm or the Underworld, but its influence across the Nine Mortal Realms far surpassed the ”domain” he had carefully constructed over the years.

The man didn’t fail to notice the glimmer of recognition that appeared in Fang Chen’s eyes when he heard the constellation’s name.

He smiled and said, ”You seem to know quite a bit about the Langgui Constellation?”

”I have a few friends from the Upper Three Realms, so I’ve done my research before coming here,” replied Fang Chen calmly.

He had deliberately let his emotion show, fishing for the man to start a conversation.

”Mhm. Making it to the Upper Three Realms means your foundation with the Lower Six Realms is decent enough. Being able to befriend cultivators from the Upper Three Realms proves that as well. You see, we Upper Three Realms folks can hold some prejudice against people from the Lower Six Realms. Look down on them, belittle them, dismiss them. I am no exception.”

The visitor smiled, making no effort to hide his prejudice.

He got straight to the point. ”Since you know a bit about the Langgui Constellation, you should also be aware that this is one of the eight major constellations under the Enlightenment God Palace. My Qingyu Immortal Sect has only been established here for a little over eight thousand years, but we’ve managed to secure a stable foothold.”

He paused for a moment, then continued, ”You’ve just arrived, so you’ll need a place to settle down. I see that you’re in the Dao Union Realm, right? Why don’t you come to my Qingyu Immortal Sect as an Elder? I’ll give you five high-grade spirit stones per year.”

Dao Union Realm, five high-grade spirit stones per year?

Fang Chen compared this to what similar-leveled powers in the Lower Six Realms offered. The sects here in the Langgui Constellation were far more generous.

Even a first-transformation Loose Immortal like Elder Xun placed significant importance on high-grade spirit stones. The six esteemed elders of the Desolate Academy, cultivators in the Ascension Realm, probably hadn’t used a single high-grade spirit stone in decades.

As for the Dao Union Realm, obediently using mid-grade spirit stones to slowly increase their cultivation was already typical.

Fang Chen cupped his hands and asked, ”May I ask how to address you, Senior?”

Despite seeing that Fang Chen didn’t immediately agree, the man wasn’t upset. He instead smiled warmly and said, ”I am the Ancestor of the Qingyu Immortal Sect. Naturally, I inherited the title of my forebears. Fellow cultivators outside call me Immortal Qingyu.”

”Ah, so it’s Senior Qingyu.” Fang Chen bowed respectfully. ”I wish to see if I can join the Enlightenment God Palace. I hope Senior Qingyu will understand.”

Qingyu Zhenren’s face was all smiles, but disdain had already crept into his eyes.

He said, ”I guessed as much. Everyone who comes to the Upper Three Realms wants to join a top-tier power like the Enlightenment God Palace. But I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. Even a Loose Immortal like me wouldn’t be able to become a minor disciple within the Enlightenment God Palace, much less a Dao Union Realm cultivator like yourself.”

”The Enlightenment God Palace is very stringent with its disciple selection. They also rarely recruit guest elders and disciples, if at all. Unless you can prove you’re stronger, more talented, or have a greater future than others.”

Fang Chen was slightly stunned. ”Even you can’t join the Enlightenment God Hall, Senior?”

Ning Beiyou hadn’t mentioned this. He probably thought it was obvious and hadn’t bothered mentioning it.

”Loose Immortal? What of it? A Loose Immortal without enough immortal crystals can barely keep themselves alive, much less advance further. A first-transformation Loose Immortal only lives a thousand years longer than an Ascension Realm cultivator. If I don’t show enough ability, why would the Enlightenment God Palace support me? I’d still need to struggle and earn my own immortal crystals.”

Immortal Qingyu laughed at himself, his tone full of self-deprecation.

”However, your desire to join the Enlightenment God Palace doesn’t conflict with becoming an elder in my Qingyu Immortal Sect. In fact, it could even be an advantage. When the Enlightenment God Palace recruits disciples, my sect gets quotas. Those below the Ascension Realm can try their luck.

”If I recall correctly, the next disciple selection is thirty years from now. That’s when the Enlightenment God Palace opens its doors to accept disciples.”

He looked at Fang Chen. ”So, what do you say? Will you become an Elder of my Qingyu Immortal Sect?”

Fang Chen cupped his hands and gave a deep bow. ”Then I shall trouble Senior Qingyu for guidance in the future.”

Immortal Qingyu smiled faintly and said, ”Don’t decide yet. Becoming an Elder in my sect also comes with conditions. It’d be fine if you were from the Upper Three Realms, but since you’re from the Lower Six Realms, you’ll have to prove yourself. Otherwise, why would others be willing to share their resources with you for nothing? If you can’t convince the rest of the elders, you’ll have to settle as a wandering cultivator here for now.”

”However, don’t worry. A wandering cultivator in the Upper Three Realms leads a better life than someone of luxury in the Lower Six Realms.”

”That’s only natural,” replied Fang Chen.

He nodded and didn’t say more.

Seeing that Fang Chen didn’t show any fear, Immortal Qingyu felt quite satisfied.

He had extended an invitation because Fang Chen had managed to obtain an invitation to the Upper Three Realms. After all, if placed in the Lower Six Realms, he himself wouldn’t be able to get his hands on an invitation, no matter what.

None of those who could obtain an invitation were ordinary people.