Immortal of the Nine Realms

At that moment, Ji Gand and the others realized their immortal essence was draining at an alarming rate, far faster than when they had been fighting the Thousand Armed Formation.

Each cultivator poured out power in desperation. Their fates were tied to Fang Chen’s. His victory or defeat was theirs as well. Until the very last moment, not a single drop of energy could be held back.

Fang Chen himself had already entered an ethereal state. He felt as though he was the Black Dragon Formation, and the Black Dragon Formation was him. The dragon’s whiskers, its scales, every detail felt vividly real. Every surge of immortal essence flowed precisely according to his will.

So it’s true, only on the edge of life and death can potential truly awaken, he thought with quiet awe.

This had to be the fusion of heaven and man that Senior Sister had spoken of. The Heavenly Dao Blood within him fully merged into his being. He sensed that this change benefited not only his control over the formation but also transformed him. His immortal essence grew purer, his control smoother, his whole being reborn.

Outside, the vast Black Dragon Formation had vanished without a trace. Even Xie Aman found it strange.

”Where’s Junior Brother Fang?”

”He can’t have just disappeared, can he?”

”Perhaps... it’s some kind of Formation Immortal Art,” muttered Senior Sister, a smile touching her eyes. ”This whetstone really works wonders.”

The crowd was stunned.

Formation Immortal Art!? Impossible!

The Enlightenment God Palace had thousands of disciples, yet at every stage, only a handful ever grasped a Formation Immortal Art.

Fang Chen had been a core disciple for barely a century, and yet he had already done what his seniors by many years couldn’t?

Li Shanzi instinctively looked at Immortal Taixu. ”Immortal Taixu, do you truly think that Junior Brother Fang could have comprehended a Formation Immortal Art?”

Immortal Taixu’s face was calm. ”Nothing is impossible.”

Inwardly, however, he was just as confused. Just what is that boy doing?

Little Immortal Honglian had already been fed a healing pill and was starting to wake up. When she heard that Fang Chen had entered the fray, she tossed her head toward the battle, but he was nowhere to be seen.

One of her teammates had woken up before her and witnessed the entire exchange, so he explained what had happened.

”A massive Black Dragon Formation disappearing into thin air... Fellow Daoist Fang really is extraordinary. Unless I’m mistaken, he’s already mastered a Formation Immortal Art.”

A smile appeared on her lips.

”That’s impossible...” someone muttered reflexively.

She glanced at the speaker but didn’t argue. From their point of view, it was impossible, but she had traveled with Fang Chen long enough to know that impossibilities meant nothing to him.

At this point, only a Formation Immortal Art can explain what just happened, she thought silently.

Ye Qingqiu had assumed the contest was already ending, but to her surprise, this last-minute twist changed everything. ”How interesting. Where do you think the Black Dragon Formation went?”

Everyone glanced at one another. Soon, they came to the same conclusion.

”It’s a Formation Immortal Art.”

”It seems the Enlightenment God Palace kept one last secret hidden after all,” said Ye Qingqiu, sighing as she glanced at Xie Aman. ”This guy may not be a newly promoted core disciple at all, but a trump card they kept in reserve. We’ll need to re-evaluate our intelligence network.”

The surrounding core disciples shared that silent realization. The Rulai Monastery had been cunning, but the Enlightenment God Palace was no less so.

Xian Yueguan and Leng Buqi thought much the same. This had to be Xie Aman’s hidden ace.

”Fellow Daoist Fang has truly mastered a Formation Immortal Art?” muttered Huang Qingque in awe, a chill travelling down his spine.

He was a core disciple himself, and he understood perfectly well how impossibly difficult that was. That sense of harmony between man and heaven, he had sought it for years without finding the faintest clue.

Shao Guangyin’s expression remained composed, though a glint of cold mockery flickered in his eyes. To him, saving a trump card for the very end was a mistake. The Rulai Monastery still had several core disciples ready to fight. How many times could the opponent possibly perform his new art?

Victory still leaned in their favor.

The young monk’s appearance had aged into middle age. His Thousand Armed Formation stood motionless in the void, wary of every ripple around him.

Then, suddenly, a shadow appeared behind the Thousand Armed Formation!

Everyone held their breath.

The next instant, the Black Dragon Formation burst forth in a devastating assault, ripping straight through the Thousand Armed Formation like a raging true dragon, tearing the Thousand Armed Guanyin to shreds!

The monk’s Immortal Boat was not spared. In a single instant, every cultivator aboard perished, including the monk himself.

Within the silent void, only the Black Dragon Formation remained.

The once-towering Thousand Armed Formation lay in ruin, its ships scattering in panic, fleeing madly into the distance.

Fang Chen did not pursue. The core disciple of the Thousand Armed Formation was already dead. The rest no longer mattered.

”We... we won?”

”We actually won!?”

Lin Yuan and the others could scarcely believe it, then elation surged through them.

They had thought themselves doomed. But in a single instant, the tide had turned completely. They had triumphed and slain one of the Rulai Monastery’s core disciples!

All eyes turned toward the center of the formation, toward Fang Chen.

Their gazes brimmed with awe.

Ji Gang’s mouth hung open. ”We... really won...”

Elder Qin and Lin Dong could most clearly feel the terror of that final strike.

Lin Dong’s face glowed with excitement. ”The Black Dragon’s movement was completely undetectable. When the attack came, that bald monk had no time to defend.”

”A Formation Immortal Art, it must be! The Enlightenment God Palace has birthed another prodigy!” exclaimed Elder Qin, voice trembling with emotion.

When the Black Dragon reappeared and tore apart the Thousand Armed Formation, everyone realized it had to be a Formation Immortal Art.

”Junior Fang is remarkable,” Nanming Ruyue said softly, her eyes lingering on Fang Chen for a moment.

She turned to Nanming Shaoze and gave him an approving look for his earlier judgment.

Now, who among the core disciples of the Enlightenment God Palace could still look down on this supposedly inexperienced junior brother? Just by grasping a Formation Immortal Art, he had earned a place among them.

Fourth Brother laughed excitedly. ”The Ninth Brother... He’s our Ninth Brother now! Hah! Senior Sister truly has an eye for talent!”

As the others cheered, Third Sister poured cold water over them. ”The Rulai Monastery still has a few core disciples left. What’s next? Junior Brother Fang can’t possibly use that art many times, can he? And truthfully, that Formation Immortal Art wasn’t that impressive. If that bald monk hadn’t already burned through most of his immortal essence, the outcome could’ve gone either way.”

The others faltered, realizing she had a point. That technique had resembled a form of movement or stealth. If the opponent maintained a constant defensive light barrier of immortal essence, it could likely be countered.

Ye Qingqiu and the other observers saw it just as clearly. Though surprised by Fang Chen’s ability, they still believed Shao Guangyin held the upper hand.

”Don’t let that boy get another chance to ambush you,” Shao Guangyin warned his remaining core disciples calmly.

”If he disappears again, raise your light barriers at once. Let’s see whose immortal essence drains faster.”