Immortal of the Nine Realms

The Black Dragon Boat.

”Old Huang, this time you stay,” instructed Fang Chen. ”Keep an eye on those two little ones on Drunken Fate Star. I’ll help you look for a fifth-transformation immortal herb when I get the chance.”

He patted Huang Wuji’s shoulder and gave him the location coordinates to Drunken Fate Star. After exchanging a few last words, Huang Wuji left for his destination.

Ji Gang was fairly surprised, and so were Elder Qin and Lin Dong. But none of them spoke as both core and external disciples had no right to interfere in Fang Chen’s decisions.

”All done? If everything’s settled, we’re leaving,” shouted the senior sister across from her boat.

Fang Chen glanced at her and nodded.

Immediately, the hundred-boat Black Dragon Formation formed and sailed off in streaks of light.

***

The years passed, and before long, the fleet finally arrived at Moxie Constellation.

Among the eight constellations ruled by the Enlightenment God Palace, Moxie was one of them. It was situated far from the Enlightenment Realm. Because of its remote location, it wasn’t as prosperous as the Langgui Constellation. So, it ranked lower among the eight constellations.

This was the resting ground that the Senior Sister had mentioned.

Once the fleet anchored, she led the Third Senior Sister and others to meet the Ancient Immortals stationed here. Soon, piles of spirit stones and immortal crystals were sent to the core disciples to be distributed among the other disciples. Fang Chen alone received two hundred crystals.

Li Shanzi, who was in charge of distribution, sighed deeply. ”Moxie Constellation has had hard years. These immortal crystals aren’t much, but it’s already the limit of what the Ancient Immortals could gather.”

He nodded at Fang Chen and then left to continue his distribution task.

After Li Shanzi left, Fang Chen shared part of his crystals with Ji Gang, Elder Qin, Lin Dong, and Mi Yu. He left about a hundred to himself, then had Lin Dong allocate some to the expedition team’s members.

In total, three hundred immortal crystals were given out. It was not much, but it was enough to last for a year in Moxie.

Additionally, during this year, members were allowed to roam around freely before departure. Thus, they had enough time to earn some immortal crystals, ensuring they could sustain themselves during the war in the Qingming without running out of immortal crystals.

Fang Chen didn’t stay idle either. He piloted his Black Dragon Boat through Moxie’s lands and found a mountain range similar to the Demonic Fiend Mountain Range. After marking its coordinates, he returned.

He thought, Every constellation is sealed off... How many Heavenly Dao Blood Formations will it take to break them all?

He was beginning to grasp Wang Chongsong’s later plans.

Among the eight constellations ruled by the Enlightenment God Palace, countless human souls were still drowning in the Forgotten River.

Only by lifting the seals could they be set free and sent to Enlightenment Star to reincarnate.

Fang Chen muttered, ”What a pity that the Forgotten River is too vast. Even with Candle Dragon, I still can’t pinpoint the exact underworld location of each constellation here. Otherwise... I could take a shortcut.”

A year passed in the blink of an eye, and the fleet assembled once more. When everyone was ready for departure, the fleet turned to light and vanished into Qingming.

What lay ahead was a journey that lasted eighty grueling years. They passed through several inhabited regions, but the senior sister never allowed a stop.

Sometimes, Little Immortal Honglian would visit Fang Chen’s boat for a casual chat. From Senior Sister’s words, she learned why it was not advised to rest at Rulai Monastery.

The top powers of Fangcun Realm had established a rule: an immortal boat fleet was not allowed to rest within another faction’s territory. Otherwise, it was considered an act of invasion.

Only small expedition teams of three boats or fewer could stop briefly.

Fang Chen came to a realisation. No wonder they chose to rest at Moxie. Had he not known the rule, he would’ve thought resting in another realm was more convenient.

During these eighty years, Fang Chen had reached the great completion of the first transformation.

Then, a particularly powerful feedback came from Fang Tianzun’s direction, bringing his cultivation to the point where he could consume his second-transformation immortal herb, the Dao Sword Tooth.

Ji Cheng glanced at Fang Chen’s boat and frowned. ”Junior Fang obtained a second transformation Immortal Herb on Drunken Fate Star? Even so, he just advanced to the first-transformation not long ago. How can he consume a second-transformation herb that fast? If his foundation isn’t perfect, he’ll definitely fail, wasting the herb.”

Ji Tianjun nodded in agreement. ”Perhaps he’s too impatient for success and too complacent in his talent. You, on the other hand, are more humble. You’ve been polishing your foundation at the first transformation for years.”

Ji Cheng gritted his teeth and declared firmly, ”Doesn’t matter. If he’s breaking through to the second transformation, I’ll do the same. Can’t let a junior surpass me.”

Then, he turned and strode into the seclusion room.

Ji Tianjun did not follow. His gaze still lingered on the Black Dragon Boats of Fang Chen and Little Immortal Honglian. The two boats were stuck close to each other like gum.

A glint of thought crossed his eyes. The princess values him this much. Could he have been some great figure back in our homeland?

”Fifth Senior Brother, it seems Junior Brother Fang is preparing to advance to the second transformation,” said Li Shanzi casually.

Nanming Ruyue shook his head and murmured, ”Too hasty. Even if he succeeds, he is wasting his potential. Among second-transformation immortals, he won’t stand out.”

”Honestly, I think his talent might reach the Purple Jade Token,” remarked Li Shanzi.

Nanming Ruyue raised a brow. ”Purple Jade Token?”

Li Shanzi elaborated, ”He reminds me of Wang Chongsong. Both from the Lower Six Realms, both gifted in talent, and both... have a close bond with Senior Sister. This time, when she was ambushed, he was there to save her and even earned five thousand merits.”

Nanming Ruyue gasped. ”You mean... he could be Wang Chongsong?”

Li Shanzi answered, ”I’m just making a guess. I heard Wang Chongsong had countless avatars and extraordinary methods. After he was exiled, many of us searched the Lower Six Realms, but no one found where he’d gone.”

”Impossible. If he were merely an avatar, he couldn’t possibly own a Contract Formation Heart,” whispered Nanming Ruyue in disbelief.

Just then, the desolate Qingming lit up in brilliance.

Both of them turned around in unison. A vast planet akin to the sun erupted in brilliant Buddha light before them.

They had arrived at Ancient Forbidden Zone No. 97, Great Thunder Sound.