Immortal of the Nine Realms

Today, many cultivators came and went at the Hall of Merits. Among them were even fourth- and fifth-transformation immortals whose seniority exceeded Elder Qin. But they didn’t step forward to join the commotion. Although their seniority was higher than Core Disciple Yu, a core disciple would still be a core disciple. A core disciple’s value would always be higher than theirs.

Core Disciple Yu smiled. ”Elder Qin, you may have been in the Hall of Merits for too long and forgotten one thing. Oh, it’s not entirely your fault. Back then, the core disciple you followed died in the Ancient Forbidden Zone, and you were the only one who survived aboard the Black Dragon Boat.

“Because of that, you must have been traumatized about returning to the Ancient Forbidden Zone. But sometimes we have to face our own fears to conquer them. It’s only like that that we rise again from the ashes, like a phoenix reviving through fire.”

Core Disciple Yu’s smile widened. “Besides, you’ve forgotten one more thing. When a core disciple asks you to board their ship, you cannot refuse.”

Elder Qin’s expression hardened. That was true. If he were forced to join, he could not refuse.

Jiang Chen spoke coldly. ”I don’t know who’s been spreading rumors to you, but I left Core Disciple Hong for personal reasons. Since Core Disciple Yu values your abilities, I won’t hold it against you. Otherwise, your earlier words would be considered an insult.”

It was absurd that he, a dignified fourth-transformation immortal, was being insulted by a third-transformation immortal. Normally, he wouldn’t have swallowed this insult, but this time, he had indeed stirred up some trouble and had to act low-key.

Several people from Core Disciple Yu’s team, who seemed to have connections with Elder Qin, spoke up to persuade Elder Qin.

”Old Qin, Core Disciple Yu personally came to invite you. He’s already shown you great respect. Why do you need to keep your pride?”

”Exactly. Instead of staying in the Hall of Merits to live a life of leisure, how much better would it be to go out and achieve something?”

”I remember you weren’t always like this. The year we both passed the assessment and joined the Enlightenment God Palace, you once said that even if you couldn’t become a core disciple, you still wanted to reach the Ancient Immortal Realm!”

”Core Disciple Yu is probably planning to take me along because of the Substitute Puppet Worm, right?” said Elder Qin, looking at Core Disciple Yu with understanding. ”The third-transformation herb needed for the Gu Immortal Path is the Substitute Puppet Worm. Since I carry this worm, it’s like having an extra life. How about I gift this worm to you? As for the expedition, don’t mention it anymore.”

Those in the crowd immediately came to a realization.

”No wonder...”

Being seen through so cleanly—and in front of so many people—made Core Disciple Yu’s expression darken. If this spread, his reputation would surely suffer. Resentment surged in his heart.

”Don’t make random assumptions,” he said coldly. “The decisions of a core disciple are not for you to speculate on. That’s it. From today, you’ll join my Divine Transformation Expedition Team.”

Elder Qin’s face darkened. After a long sigh, he realized that this expedition might be one-way. Having offended such a core disciple, it would be hard to avoid trouble. He was about to nod and agree when he saw Fang Chen and his group enter the Hall of Merits.

The moment Lin Dong saw Elder Qin, he immediately waved and greeted, ”Old Qin!”

Elder Qin forced a smile and nodded in return.

Lin Dong got straight to the point. ”Old Qin, Core Disciple Fang is personally inviting you to join his exploration team today.”

He then secretly transmitted a message to Elder Qin, ”He doesn’t know that you follow the Gu Immortal Path.”

Elder Qin was taken aback. He looked at Fang Chen in confusion. When Jiang Chen saw Fang Chen and Little Immortal Honglian arrive, he stiffened. He immediately lowered his head and stepped aside, trying to keep a low profile.

Hearing Lin Dong’s words, Core Disciple Yu’s expression immediately darkened. He said coldly, ”Elder Qin has already joined my Divine Transformation Expedition Team. You’re too late.”

”Senior brother, you may be mistaken. Elder Qin had already joined my Nine Realm Expedition Team earlier. It’s you who arrived late, my apologies,” replied Fang Chen with a smile, cupping his hands.

Core Disciple Yu’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint as he sized up Fang Chen from head to toe. ”I don’t recognize you. Are you a core disciple? ‘First come, first served,’ ever heard of that? Are you trying to steal my people?”

At that moment, someone noticed Ji Gang standing nearby. His eyes widened in surprise, and he quietly transmitted a message to Core Disciple Yu, ”Core Disciple Yu, the person next to him is Ji Gang, a sixth-transformation immortal who recently advanced under Immortal Taixu.”

Core Disciple Yu froze. What!?

He quickly recognized Ji Gang. His expression shifted dramatically, changing from shock to wariness.

Elder Qin also finally reacted and immediately flashed a smile at Core Disciple Yu. ”Core Disciple Yu, I previously rejected the offer, but that’s only because of this reason. It’s hard to explain, so I hope you won’t take offense.”

Core Disciple Yu gave a forced smile and nodded, though his eyes remained cold. He glanced at Fang Chen again with a touch of reluctance and asked, ”Core Disciple Fang... you’re rather unfamiliar. When did you become a core disciple?”

Just then, another core disciple who had been watching from the side hurried over. While greeting Fang Chen and the others, he enthusiastically pulled Core Disciple Yu away.

All the way outside the Merit Hall, Core Disciple Yu finally shook him off in irritation.

”What is this about!?”

”You must remember not to offend him. He’s Senior Sister’s person, and his speed in refining the Formation Heart is beyond your imagination. The Elders’ Council highly values him. It’s not worth risking it over a mere third-transformation cultivator.”

”What!?”

Core Disciple Yu froze, stunned. He had only just returned to the Enlightenment God Palace, so he hadn’t heard this news yet.

Inside the Hall of Merits, everyone saw that Core Disciple Yu had been taken away and knew that this matter had come to an end. Elder Qin had already intended to join Fang Chen’s expedition team, and with Fang Chen personally extending the invitation, he readily agreed. Many external cultivators in the hall secretly envied him. Two core figures had personally invited him, and Elder Qin’s reputation was certainly impressive. Not to mention, before that, Core Disciple Yu had also extended an invitation.

”Elder Qin, I happen to want to check some spiritual materials as well,” said Fang Chen with a smile.

”Please go ahead,” replied Elder Qin, slightly startled but immediately nodding.

A hint of unease rose in his heart. Does he want peak-grade spirit stones again?

He quickly added, ”The peak-grade spirit stones are the same as last time. We haven’t received new ones yet.”

”I am not here for peak-grade spirit stones this time,” stated Fang Chen.

He listed off several spiritual materials, some for the Four Stage Profound Yang Body, some for the fourth stage of the Radiant Divine Eyes. He mixed them deliberately so that no one could piece together what they were for.

”Please wait a moment, I’ll go check in the back,” said Elder Qin hurriedly before leaving.

After about the time it took to brew a cup of tea, he returned with a list and handed it to Fang Chen. ”These spiritual materials are available, but there are two that we don’t have in stock.”

Fang Chen nodded. The two missing materials were the core ingredients for the Four Stage Profound Yang Body and the Radiant Divine Eye, the Hundred-Blood Dragon Gall and the Yearly Eye, respectively.

”Thank you. Could you please calculate the merit points for these materials? I’ll take them all.”

Being able to find the miscellaneous materials at the Enlightenment God Palace was already good enough. Mirror of the Universe could handle finding the Hundred-Blood Dragon Gall and the Yearly Eye.