Immortal of the Nine Realms

”Shao Guangyin, is it true what the rumors say that the Rulai Monastery had made a move against Xie Aman of the Enlightenment God Palace?” asked a woman from the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace with a soft smile.

Her amused gaze lingered on the black-robed monk, as though studying a rare specimen.

The core disciples of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, Ten Thousand Star Palace, Killing Spiritual Division, and Spirit God Sect all turned to look his way.

Over the years, they had heard rumors about this event, yet few believed it. They didn’t believe anyone in the entire Fangcun Realm had the guts to strike at Xie Aman, the chief core disciple of Enlightenment God Palace.

Xie Aman was a demon among prodigies. Her strength was such that even the oldest beings beneath the realms treated her name with caution.

A newly-joined core disciple from the Killing Spiritual Division was even in awe when he heard that name.

So... Enlightenment God Palace’s senior sister is called Xie Aman.

He memorized it silently, then glanced across the battleground at the gathered forces.

The Blood and Flesh Divine Palace, the Taiyi Immortal Sect, and the Ten Thousand Star Palace had all arrived with their full force. Only the Spirit God Sect and Killing Spiritual Division had sent fewer people. Clearly, those three intended to vie for Great Thunder Sound, while the Spirit God Sect and Killing Spiritual Division had come merely to watch the storm unfold.

”It is not true. The rumors stemmed from a few misunderstandings. I bear some blame for allowing such rumors to spread, but as for sending men against the chief core disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace, that is sheer nonsense,” confessed Shao Guangyin earnestly.

The woman from the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace pressed, ”Whether they were nonsense or not, Xie Aman has personally led a team here today to come after the Rulai Monastery. Are you ready to accept the conditions we proposed before?”

All the core disciples of Taiyi Immortal Sect and Ten Thousand Star Palace turned their attention toward Shao Guangyin.

”To jointly guard Great Thunder Sound...” Shao Guangyin shook his head lightly, a thin smile forming on his lips. ”This place holds no meaning for you. If you would change your conditions, perhaps there’s still room for discussion.”

A core disciple scoffed, ”Who says it holds no meaning? Isn’t the Buddhist Dao still part of Dao?”

Another joked, ”I, for one, feel quite comfortable bathing in the Buddhist light. Shao Guangyin, perhaps we’ve got some enlightened roots after all.”

A ripple of laughter passed through the crowd.

”If we cannot reach an agreement, according to the rules, we may abstain from this battle. In that case, you will face Xie Aman at her full strength,” said the woman coldly.

She added, ”Our sources tell us that of the eight core disciples from the Enlightenment God Palace who can wield Immortal Technique Formation, seven have come. The last one was held back by that little matter of yours. The rest are all here.”

”From what I see, Xie Aman intends to seize Great Thunder Sound from your hands. Once she’s decided on something, can you truly stop her?” questioned the woman.

Shao Guangyin replied calmly, ” I will not yield to such excessive conditions. Even if I lose Great Thunder Sound, I will take full responsibility and be ashamed alone. But if we jointly guard it, then Rulai Monastery will be shamed.”

He continued, ”No need to speak in circles. We’re all experienced cultivators here. State your conditions. All I ask is that you speak on my behalf and help me explain a thing or two.”

The woman from the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace leaned back slightly, her voice languid. ”In that case, we won’t ask for much. Give us three Formation Hearts, and we’ll delay Xie Aman for you.”

”Taiyi Immortal Sect also wants three Formation Hearts.”

”Ten Thousand Star Palace will take two.”

”Spirit God Sect will not interfere.”

”Nor will the Killing Spiritual Division.”

Eight Formation Hearts in total was the price of their aid.

If Shao Guangyin agreed to their conditions, those great sects would step forth and battle with the Enlightenment God Palace to wear down their strength. This would leave the field open for Rulai Monastery to claim victory. If he refused, they would simply fold their arms and watch him face Xie Aman alone.

At last, Shao Guangyin declared, ”One Formation Heart for each sect. That is all I can offer.”

He closed his eyes and began to chant softly.

The woman from the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace sneered, ”One? Do you take us for beggars?”

Just then, a cold and clear voice cut across the air.

”Shao Guangyin is treating you like beggars. Can’t you tell?”

From a distance, a Black Dragon Boat glided into view. At its prow stood Xie Aman, her figure descending lightly with Fang Chen and the others close behind.

Her gaze, cool as ice and sharp as a blade, swept across the gathered sects before settling on the woman from the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace.

”Ye Qingqiu, your sister didn’t come? That means the Elders of the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace have no wish to meddle in the affairs between the Enlightenment God Palace and Rulai Monastery. Am I right?” interrogated Xie Aman.

Her words hung like frost in the air.

Fang Chen’s eyes flicked toward Ye Qingqiu, and his thoughts stirred silently.

Sixth-transformation immortal... the strongest here among the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace. If this is all they brought, then indeed they never intended to intervene.

Ye Qingqiu’s expression turned natural. She joked lightly, ”It is too trivial a matter to trouble my sister.”

Xie Aman’s lips curved in a cold smile and provoked, ”Or perhaps... she simply didn’t dare come.”

”Xie Aman, don’t think yourself invincible. If my sister fought you, your odds would be no better than even,” snapped Ye Qingqiu.

”If talk alone could win battles, you’d already stand my equal. Why would your sister need to act?”

Xie Aman’s tone was calm, but her words sliced like a blade.

She turned from Ye Qingqiu and looked towards the Taiyi Immortal Sect.

Among them stood a man in a blue robe. His hair, brows, and even the faint scales at his neck gleamed the same blue hue. At his jawline, a pair of gills fluttered softly. Like Ye Qingqiu, he was also a sixth-transformation immortal.

”Xian Yueguan, why are you out of the water? What are you doing here?” said Xie Aman with faint disgust.

The man only grinned as he bowed slightly. ”Ah, Sister Aman. I am just here to watch the fun, hehe.”

Xie Aman then glanced at a man in one of Ten Thousand Star Palace’s teams. He was their chief core disciple, a proud young man with a cold gleam in his eyes. He met Xie Aman’s gaze and opened his mouth to speak, but Xie Aman’s gaze soon moved past him, snubbing him completely.

Leng Buqi closed his mouth again, a wry smile forming on his lips. ”Xie Aman truly lives up to her reputation. She’s even more arrogant than I am.”

Xie Aman’s gaze continued to sweep the forces present. She glanced at the Spirit God Sect, then the Killing Spiritual Division, before finally returning to Shao Guangyin. She asked softly, ”Shao Guangyin, Meng Tianshu whom you’ve invited from the Minor Immortal Realm has died. Hasn’t the Minor Immortal Realm come for you yet?”

Pressing his palms together, Shao Guangyin replied politely, ”Miss Xie, I have nothing to do with that. I was framed.”

”Framed, my ass.” Xie Aman smiled coldly. ”Guyue Ghost Boat has already confessed that you sent the invitation. So tell me, will you hand over Great Thunder Sound yourself, or shall I beat you to your knees and make you chant sutras for me?”