Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 1416: Li Shanzi’s Small Scheme

The Enlightenment Underworld, Nether Guards Division.

The Underworld’s chilly wind crept through the division’s cold stone halls.

After hearing Fang Cheng recount his experiences, Ji Cheng sighed softly with a flicker of admiration in his eyes. ”To have survived all that... it seems the Heavens themselves favor you. For cultivators, talent and resources matter little. What we fear most is misfortune.”

Fang Chen smiled faintly and nodded but remained quiet.

Ji Cheng rose and gestured lightly. ”You should return to the living world first. Once your affairs are settled, Junior Sister Hong will see to it that you’re assigned a good position. Since you once saved Nanming Shaoze, Nanming Ruyue has helped secure a good position for Junior Sister Hong in the Demon Refining Tower.”

As he spoke, Ji Cheng reached for a report from his desk. Scanning its contents, his brows furrowed and muttered, ”Old Ghost Hongyue is restless again...”

Fang Chen caught the subtle dismissal in Ji Cheng’s tone. Bowing with clasped fists, he turned and left the Nether Guards Division.

Outside, Yu Wuxia and Lin Yuan were already waiting. Du Rufeng was also lingering by the gate.

”What did Core Disciple Ji say?” asked Du Rufeng curiously.

”It’s over. We’re in the clear,” replied Fang Chen with a smile.

The others exhaled in relief while Du Rufeng whined, ”This matter has caused us to suffer for the past years.”

Realising his words were poorly timed, he quickly changed the subject and urged, ”Leader, you should return to the living world first. You haven’t claimed your rewards.”

Lin Yuan reminded, ”You’re at the Ascension Stage now. With just one first-transformation immortal herb, you can advance immediately to first transformation.”

Du Rufeng’s eyes gleamed with envy. Fang Chen had barely joined the Enlightenment God Palace, yet he was already on the verge of advancing—a pace that left them far behind.

Fang Chen nodded slightly. After bidding Du Rufeng farewell, he set off with Lin Yuan and Yu Wuxia towards the Mortal Realm.

After a few steps, he suddenly paused. His gaze flicked back at the Nether Guards Division. A man donned in the Nether Guards Division robe had just entered.

Fang Chen froze. Though the man hadn’t noticed him, Fang Chen recognized that face at once.

Ji Tianjun.

Feigning composure, Fang Chen continued his casual conversation with Yu Wuxia as they walked toward the city outskirts.

Ji Tianjun had perished in the Formless Purgatory long ago without any souls left behind. This was proof that what died there was merely his bone destiny. Yet now, his divine soul had appeared in the Enlightenment Underworld. This time, it was his true form.

That revelation was crucial. If Ji Tianjun’s true form was here, Fang Chen would have an opportunity to perform an Imperial Decree upon him. Once decreed, Ji Tianjun might be compelled to speak and answer the truths Fang Chen sought.

Back in the Enlightenment God Palace, Lin Yuan and Yu Wuxia escorted Fang Chen to the secluded chamber where his physical body rested.

After a long moment, he stepped out once more. He realized that many restrictive formations had been laid all over the meditation chamber. Even a first-transformation immortal would struggle to breach it unseen.

”Leader, these restrictive formations were specially set up at the request of Core Disciple Hong herself. Most first-transformation immortals won’t be able to break through them,” explained Lin Yuan.

”Fellow Daoist Hong is indeed thoughtful,” praised Fang Chen. ”Where is she now?”

”Last I heard, she was busy practicing the Immortal Boat Formation Technique under one of the Elders. Daoist Meng is with her. Once they finish, they’ll come here,” answered Yu Wuxia.

”In that case, let us head to the Hall of Merits and claim our rewards first,” suggested Fang Chen.

The others nodded.

All in all, he had given Li Shanzi eight fourth-transformation immortal herbs. Since fourth-transformation herbs were worth 1,000 immortal crystals each, he should receive 8,000 immortal crystals, plus a significant amount of merit.

Soon, he arrived at the bustling Hall of Merits with the guidance of Lin Yuan and Yu Wuxia, who were familiar with the place.

Glancing at the crowded hall, Fang Chen remarked casually, ”The number of cultivators in the Enlightenment God Palace exceeds my expectations.”

”Of course,” said Lin Yuan excitedly. ”There are over a thousand core disciples alone, each with their own followers. Then there are the guest elders—I once met a man named Immortal Taixu from the Lower Six Realms. They say he’s an Ancient Immortal, and his followers are as many as the stars in the sky.”

Fang Chen’s expression shifted slightly. Immortal Taixu...Does the Enlightenment God Palace know that Taixu is actually a cultivator of the Killing Spiritual Division?

An aged man had just dismissed a first transformation immortal when Fang Chen and the others arrived.

Lin Yuan respectfully said, ”Elder Qin, this is Fang Chen, captain of the Nine Realms Expedition Team. He’s here to claim his earned merits and immortal crystals.”

Elder Qin scrutinised Fang Chen from top to bottom, his bright eyes shining with curiosity.

”So you’re the one Core Disciple Li mentioned—the lucky one. Your first expedition, and you brought back eight immortal herbs. Core Disciple Li has already informed me that all eight of your herbs are third-transformation herbs. The others have already claimed their shares. Let me issue yours now.”

Lin Yuan and Yu Wuxia exchanged excited glances. Eight third-transformation immortal herbs! Such a feat was rarely seen even among veteran explorers.

However, Fang Chen was not satisfied. He knew well that Li Shanzi had tampered with the report and pocketed what should have been his due. Those herbs had all been genuine fourth-transformation immortal herbs. Their value was far beyond what Elder Qin was now accounting for.

Yet, he could not protest. If he did, he would risk revealing the fact that he could identify the herbs’ true grade—something he could not explain without exposing the secret of the Mirror of the Universe.

Elder Qin calculated swiftly, valuing each third-transformation herb at 700 immortal crystals. As such, Fang Chen received a total of 5,600 immortal crystals.

Li Shanzi had skimmed off more than two thousand crystals. Were it not for Hong Zhi’s recent promotion to Core Disciple, the man might have claimed they were all first-transformation herbs instead.

Elder Qin continued cheerfully, ”Each third-transformation immortal herb grants 300 merits. Eight make 2,400. According to our regulations, expedition members share merit equally while the crystals are yours to divide as you will.”

He accepted Fang Chen’s identity jade token and infused it with spiritual light, then said, ”Your team has five members, so each receives 480 merits.”

The old man smiled warmly and shared. ”Don’t look down on those merit points, young friend. With 480 merit points, you could redeem a first-transformation Immortal herb and still have over a hundred left. In the Enlightenment God Palace, everyone knows that crystals are easy to earn, but merit is precious. Once your merit surpasses 5,000, you may even qualify to challenge for the rank of Core Disciple.”

He chuckled and exclaimed, ”I’ve served here for many years, and yet my own accumulated merit is less than what you’ve earned in one expedition.”

Elder Qin handed the jade token back with faint envy glinting in his eyes.

In no time, whispers spread among the cultivators.

Even second and third transformation immortals had their steps falter at Fang Chen’s unbelievable haul, their mouths hanging open in disbelief.