Immortal of the Nine Realms

The expressions of all Rulai Monastery core disciples darkened upon hearing what Xie Aman said.

Had it been anyone else, they might have cursed aloud on the spot. But luckily, they stuck to the Buddhist teachings and swallowed their anger with strained serenity.

Still, Xie Aman had done no less than openly insulted all of Rulai Monastery by speaking to their chief disciple like that.

While Xie Aman and Shao Guangyin exchanged words, Fang Chen quietly surveyed the gathered forces. Each sect had brought a few of their new core disciples, like himself, to gain some exposure.

Just then, Fang Chen’s eyes met another’s, and both of them were stunned instantly.

”Fang Chen?”

”Huang Qingque?”

Both of them called out at the same time.

Fang Chen blinked in surprise. So he’s here too? Has he already become one of the Killing Spiritual Division’s core disciples?

If Fang Chen was surprised, then Huang Qingque’s own shock was tidal like a wave crashing through calm waters.

After a moment, the two exchanged the briefest nod but did not speak.

”Looks like whatever I say won’t matter. You’ve already decided I am guilty, Miss Xue,” said Shao Guangyin wearily, a sigh escaping him. ”In truth, I have been framed. I bear no direct enmity toward you. Why would I orchestrate such a vast scheme?”

Frowning in thought, Xian Yueguan said, ”Sister Aman, I find his words reasonable. The cost of summoning an Ancient Immortal from the Minor Immortal Realm must be unimaginable.”

Shao Guangyin pressed his palms together piously, gaze full of sincerity. ”Exactly so.”

”I can understand your resentment, Miss Xie. In a few years, one of our monastery’s Ancient Forbidden Zones will reach its cycle’s end. Why not vent your fury there instead?”

Xie Aman scoffed, ”Xian Yueguan, has water leaked into your skull? If you can’t see why he would make a move, it means you’re not very bright.”

The core disciples of Taiyi Immortal Sect stiffened, and several frowned at the offense. But Xian Yueguan only gave a rueful smile. ”Then, I take it you know what they might be after, Sister Aman?”

”I do not,” Xie Aman stated flatly.

The crowd froze at her answer.

”But I will, one day. Since he dared to act against me, there must be a reason,” continued Xie Aman with firm determination.

Xie Aman looked at Guangyin the way a hunter looked at a snared prey, already imagining the cut.

Ye Qingqiu and Leng Buqi spoke in unison.

”Isn’t that plain bullying?”

”Who hunts down an enemy without reason?”

”That’s a topic for another day. Today, I’m here to contest for the Ancient Forbidden Zone. You’ve all had your little negotiation, haven’t you? I don’t mind you siding with Rulai Monastery—if you have the ability, that is,” said Xie Aman nonchalantly.

She threatened, ”If Rulai Monastery promised you three Formation Hearts, then I’ll shatter six.”

The air chilled, sending a shiver rippling through the assembled forces. Those from the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace and Ten Thousand Star Palace felt their throats go dry, their hearts caught in an invisible fist.

”You wouldn’t dare!” snapped Ye Qingqiu. ”Do that, and the wrath of our ninth-transformation immortals will rain upon you!”

”Ridiculous. Threatening me with ninth-transformation immortals? Do you think the Enlightenment God Palace does not have them?” sneered Xie Aman.

Her voice, though not loud, struck like thunder.

”Do you think I crossed countless miles just to spout threatening words and leave?” said Xie Aman. ”Either Shao Guangyin and his monks get out of my sight, or I’ll make him kneel before me and chant Buddha’s name until dawn.”

”As for the rest of you, if you dare stretch a helping hand, I’ll cut it off. If you stand for them, I’ll take your legs. These are my, Xie Aman’s, words. Believe them or don’t.”

”I advise all of you to think carefully about my senior sister’s words,” said Third Senior Sister.

Her lips curved in mischief as she swept her gaze towards Ye Qingqiu before turning to Shao Guangyin. She mocked in disdain, ”You should do things properly. What’s the point of pulling half-hearted tricks? I thought I’d get a chance today to surpass my senior sister and become Enlightenment’s chief core disciple myself. But seeing how useless you monks are, I guess I’ll just have to beat your little bald heads myself.”

The Rulai Monastery’s core disciples finally snapped, faces flushing with anger as they shouted in unison. ”Such vulgar words!”

The disciples of the Enlightenment God Palace exchanged looks of awkwardness and amusement.

Huang Qingque’s gaze drifted toward the Third Sister with a flicker of astonishment in his eyes. Did she just publicly declare she wanted to take the position of chief core disciple? Can... you even say that out loud?

”Enough! Make your stance clear,” said Xie Aman, her tone quiet but brooking no defiance.

”The Spirit God Sect won’t involve itself. We were merely passing through and thought we’d watch the excitement,” said the Spirit God Sect’s chief core with a grin.

Fang Chen noted their modest presence of barely a dozen disciples. They merely had ten-odd Immortal Boat Formations.

He thought back to something Wei Wuxian had once said: The Spirit God Sect commands three thousand Qingming expedition teams!’

Fang Chen almost snorted aloud. So that probably referred to one of their expedition stars at best.

From what Fang Chen had learned through the Enlightenment God Palace’s archives, the Spirit God Sect possessed maybe four to five Ancient Forbidden Zones in total and, at most, one to two hundred Immortal Boat Formations.

The Killing Spiritual Division had even less. Their foundation was perhaps the weakest in all the Fangcun Realm.

But both forces had one special trait. Their reach was not confined to one realm. They had people in the Upper Three Realms and Lower Six Realms. Even the Enlightenment God Palace, for all its might, could not erase either with a single campaign.

”The Killing Spiritual Division will not participate either,” declared the Killing Spiritual Division’s chief core disciple.

”This...” Xian Yueguan scratched his head. ”Taiyi Immortal Sect won’t interfere as well.”

His companions glared at him, but none contradicted him aloud.

”For the last time, will you give us three Formation Hearts?” asked Ye Qingqiu to Shao Guangyin coolly.

Shao Guangyin’s face grew solemn. He hesitated at first, then slowly nodded. Just as he parted his lips to agree, Ye Qingqiu interrupted, ”Since you won’t, so be it.”

She turned to Xie Aman and declared, ”The Blood and Flesh Divine Palace will not involve itself either.”

Shao Guangyin stiffened with shock. Who said I was going to refuse?!

Ye Qingqiu remained composed and firm.

Shao Guangyin turned toward Leng Buqi and asked, ”In that case, will the Ten Thousand Star Palace also abstain?”

Leng Buqi nodded slightly. ”Indeed. Since the Enlightenment God Palace’s resolve is so absolute, we won’t interfere blindly.”

He sighed helplessly but not without admiration. To travel this far and gain nothing was a loss for him. But to challenge Xie Aman today? Even a fool knew better.

The cost of mobilizing tens of thousands of immortal boats for nothing was huge... yet not as huge as provoking her.

Xie Aman said lightly, ”Shao Guangyin, it seems the only one left to aid you now... is the Buddhist light of Great Thunder Sound itself. I hope, when you bathe in that light, you might do something worthy of my respect.”

Shao Guangyin smiled faintly, hands pressed together. ”Whether I earn your respect or not, Miss Xie, is unimportant. But this time... the Enlightenment God Palace also has an Ancient Forbidden Zone reaching its limit. By the time you have arrived here, our people have already arrived there.”

The air stirred. Li Shanzi and the others tensed as shock flashed across their faces.

Rulai Monastery has already made its move?