Immortal of the Nine Realms

Unknowingly, Fang Chen had already been at Black Phoenix Mountain for nearly thirty years.

In these thirty years, Fang Yanguang and the other avatars had made breakthroughs one after another. The feedback from these avatars, despite the vast distance and layers of void between them, still landed accurately on Fang Chen. This almost caused him to lose control and step into the Tribulation Realm.

The number of cultivators participating in the Enlightenment God Palace’s assessment would reach at least a million. Among them, the Tribulation Realm cultivators’ assessment would surely draw the most attention. If they failed, that would be fine. But if they succeeded, the background checks the Enlightenment Divine Palace would conduct would be extremely stringent, far more so than the Dao Union Realm checks.

To avoid trouble, Fang Chen had been carefully holding himself back, not taking that final step into the Tribulation Realm. He intended to join the palace first, then advance to the Tribulation Realm without worry.

Little Immortal Honglain cast a glance at Fang Chen and asked casually, ”Daoist Fang, the cultivators from the Enlightenment God Palace have already arrived at the Langgui Constellation. It’s said they’re currently working with the local leaders to set the details of this assessment. How confident are you about joining them?”

This had been her last chance at the mountain-seizing battle, and like the previous times, she had failed again. But she did not leave immediately. Instead, she stayed behind to talk with Fang Chen over a cup of tea.

”About thirty percent,” answered Fang Chen nonchalantly.

She shook her head lightly. ”Thirty percent? You are being too conservative. I have an eighty percent chance, let alone you with your battle achievements. I’ve lost to you multiple times. Your chances are certainly higher than mine.”

Aside from Fang Chen and Little Immortal Honglian, there were also more than a dozen Dao Union Realm cultivators present, including Zhang Chen and Hua Yunfeng.

Zhang Chen nodded in agreement. ”Indeed, a thirty percent chance is far too low. I’d say at least eighty to ninety percent.”

Although Hua Yunfeng was unwilling to admit it, he too nodded. ”Yeah, that sounds about right.”

They all knew Little Immortal Honglian’s temperament. As an elder of the Honglian Immortal Sect who possessed the Black Phoenix True Body, she was virtually unmatched below the Tribulation Realm. She was usually very proud, unwilling to interact too much with them. Yet, not only had she lost to Fang Chen multiple times, but she was even willing to stay behind for a chat. This was a clear sign that Fang Chen’s strength had earned her respect.

Clearly, she now regarded Fang Chen as a fellow Daoist worthy of equal conversation. If even someone like her could set aside her pride and treat a Dao Union Realm cultivator from the Lower Six Realms as an equal, what right did they have to cling to their disdain?

They had adjusted their attitude toward Fang Chen accordingly.

Fang Chen smiled lightly. ”The Langgui Constellation has a million cultivators, but only twenty will be selected. A thirty percent chance is already quite high. We should not underestimate other people.”

”You make a good point, Daoist Fang. The first time I attempted to seize the mountain, I underestimated you.” Little Immortal Honglian nodded slightly, her expression serious. ”I’ll give this assessment my all, like a lion hunting a rabbit.”

The others’ expressions shifted, and they seemed to be deep in thought. Slowly, they nodded in agreement. They no longer thought that Fang Chen was too cautious. In the face of such a major event, this kind of attitude was the right one. In contrast, their own attitudes had at times brought them great trouble.

Many of them suddenly felt some regret, realizing that these years of peace and comfort had dulled their vigilance.

Little Immortal Honglian said, ”Daoist Fang, before I came here, the sect leader told me that for this examination, Enlightenment God Palace intends to select only two Tribulation Realm cultivators and eighteen Dao Union Realm cultivators. That means we can only compete for two of the eighteen spots. I hope to team up with you during the examination so we can help each other.”

She looked at Fang Chen with clear eyes, not hiding her intentions.

Fang Chen’s expression shifted slightly. Only two Tribulation Realm cultivators? Looks like I made the right decision.

If he had advanced to the Tribulation Realm, he would have had to fight for one of the two spots. That would undoubtedly draw attention.

Fang Chen nodded. ”If it’s not against the rules, we can team up.”

”Then it’s settled. We will go to the examination site together.”

With a nod, she stood up to leave.

Hua Yunfeng and the others also stood up.

”Daoist Fang, we will go ahead and congratulate you in advance.”

After offering their congratulations, they all departed.

A few days later, Immortal Qingyu personally arrived at Black Phoenix Mountain, accompanied by Hua Yunfeng. Fang Chen completed the handover with Hua Yunfeng, entrusting Black Phoenix Mountain to him. Then, he departed with Immortal Qingyu.

Aboard the Immortal Boat, Immortal Qingyu’s attitude toward Fang Chen was noticeably warmer, even carrying a hint of closeness. Fang Chen had already proven himself through multiple mountain-seizing battles, far surpassing Qingyu’s expectations.

”Daoist Fang, there’s something you might not know. The cultivators chosen by the Enlightenment God Palace will be considered external members, not core disciples.”

External members? They are holding such a large-scale selection in the Wolf Ghost Constellation only for external members?

Seeing the confusion in Fang Chen’s eyes, Immortal Qingyu explained, ”Enlightenment God Palace has its own standards for selecting disciples. The people they truly take in are those who have never walked the Immortal Path before—mortals.

”As for cultivators like you, who are already cultivators, the Enlightenment God Palace will assign them the status of external members. Though not the same as core disciples, this actually suits you better. After all, it’s already impossible for you to re-cultivate the core cultivation methods of the Enlightenment God Palace. But as external members, you can still enjoy certain benefits that ordinary cultivators cannot access.”

Immortal Qingyu sighed lightly. ”For example, immortal medicine. The Enlightenment God Palace will not shortchange you. If you have the opportunity to advance to the rank of an immortal, you will have priority access to them.

”Just look at me. Even though I can reach the second transformation, I am hindered by the fact that I can’t get my hands on the appropriate immortal herb. That’s why I am stuck at the first transformation.

”If I had known this sooner, I would’ve stuck to Loose Immorality. Maybe I would’ve already reached the third transformation had I done that. But it was my own ambition that was too great, and my vision too lofty.”

Saying this, he glanced at Fang Chen, clearly hoping his own past mistakes could serve as a warning.

”If you’re not confident, it’s better to do as those of the Lower Six Realms do—wait until the third transformation before consuming immortal medicines, that way it wouldn’t be too late.”

Fang Chen nodded. ”I understand, Senior.”

”Now, let’s talk about the benefits of becoming an Enlightenment God Palace immortal. For cultivators like you in the Dao Union Realm, the Enlightenment God Palace will provide an annual salary of twenty high-grade spirit stones, which should be enough for your cultivation. When you advance to the Tribulation Realm and Ascension Realm, the salary will increase accordingly. As far as I know, some Ascension Realm cultivators receive hundreds of high-grade spirit stones as their annual salary.”

Immortal Qingyu continued, ”Once you reach the Ascension Realm, based on your merit, you will begin to queue up to receive immortal herbs related to your Immortal Path. This will help you advance to the first transformation. If you join the expedition team and make contributions in certain Ancient Forbidden Zones, you’ll have a chance at being promoted to a core disciple. What you would be exposed to at that point... even I cannot imagine.”

He paused for a moment, his eyes flashing with thought. ”You come from the Ancient Desolate Realm, right? Have you ever heard of someone named Wang Chongsong?”