Immortal of the Nine Realms

Countless streams of immortal essence poured in frantically, their majestic power merging into a single entity and finally surging into the Immortal Boat where Xie Aman was located. This surge of power had already far exceeded the level of the eighth transformation. It seemed as though a rift in the void was being grappled by this force, slowly being torn asunder.

Fang Chen’s attention suddenly shifted to others. His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept across every cultivator present. He focused on Little Immortal Honglian and Ji Tianjun. He wanted to see how these demons who had already awakened their past-life memories would react when faced with the imminent arrival of the Enlightenment God Palace’s ninth-transformation immortal.

He noticed that quite a few people looked slightly uneasy, though he couldn’t be certain if they had awakened past memories or were spies sent by other factions. One thing was certain, however. Besides Little Immortal Honglian, there were bound to be similar existences among the other core disciples of the Enlightenment God Palace.

Fang Chen thought, Shao Guangyin of the Rulai Monastery was able to use news of the Grand Limitless Divine Mirror to lure out Eldest Senior Sister. If his goal was Wang Chongsong, it means the mole who leaked that news is likely part of their group. I just can’t be sure if it’s that Second Senior Brother.

Having spent some time with Chen Enxue and the others, he hadn’t detected anything from them. Only the Second Senior Brother remained elusive, as they had only met once.

By now, the void rift had already stabilized thanks to the inexhaustible immortal essence poured into it. Within moments, a figure stepped out from within the rift.

The moment the figure arrived, everyone’s vision grew blurry. They could only see a persistent, hazy silhouette. No matter how much they tried, their gaze refused to focus.

”The Palace Master of the Enlightenment God Palace...”

Ye Qingqiu and the others grew deathly serious, a hint of awe and fear creeping into their eyes. Though they belonged to different factions, there were only so many ninth-transformation experts in the world. When facing any ninth-transformation immortal, they had to show sufficient respect. If they were to offend him and be struck down on a whim, there would be no place to seek justice.

With a thought from Xie Aman, the majestic immortal essence instantly dissipated. In just that brief moment, fine beads of sweat had already appeared on her forehead.

”This is more exhausting than fighting Shao Guangyin,” she grumbled.

She then clasped her fist in greeting to the newcomer. ”Palace Master.”

The blurred figure gave a slight wave of his hand, and a restrictive spell instantly descended upon her and Fang Chen. He then spoke with a peaceful tone. ”The fact that you were able to obtain the path of the Heaven Surpassing Yin Buddha from Great Thunder Sound is a monumental contribution.

Xie Aman said with a faint smile, ”The credit for this belongs to Ninth Brother and me. The others were just there for the ride. You can just grant them some random merit points later. Without my Buddhist beads, we couldn’t have entered the Buddhist Kingdom. Without Ninth Brother, that Anomaly might not have paid us any mind. He has some history with Ninth Brother’s master. Without that Anomaly, we would likely have been trapped in the Buddhist Kingdom for countless years, unable to find a way out.”

The blurred figure did not seem concerned with these details. He simply nodded slightly and spoke to Fang Chen, ”Hand over the path of the Heaven Surpassing Yin Buddha to me. You will receive a sum of merit that can be exchanged for anything within the Enlightenment God Palace, including the immortal herbs for your own future path.”

Fang Chen asked, ”Can Formation Hearts be exchanged?”

”A Formation Heart?”

The blurred figure mused for a few breaths, then shook his head slightly. ”The importance of that object far exceeds an eighth-transformation immortal path.”

”The immortal path bestowed by the Ghost Mother of Self Transformation is complete,” said Fang Chen. ”It covers the nine transformations. It was simply inconvenient to state this earlier.”

Xie Aman was stunned. ”It’s complete?”

If the Enlightenment God Palace obtained a path with all nine transformations known, it could potentially produce another ninth-transformation expert! This would very likely shatter the delicate balance of power maintained among the various factions within the Palace. But for the Enlightenment God Palace, it would undoubtedly double its foundation and inheritance.

The blurred figure pondered, then said, ”If it includes the ninth transformation, then it indeed can be exchanged for a Formation Heart. However... if you choose to exchange it for a Formation Heart, I will not grant you any additional merit points.”

After a pause, he continued, ”The fact that you possess this path will spread in short order. You must never let it be known that you have the ninth transformation portion. Otherwise, even I would find it difficult to ensure your safety. There are many desperate and vicious individuals who would risk total annihilation just to target you.”

Fang Chen nodded. ”I understand, Senior.”

The Palace Master continued, ”As for how you use this Immortal Path in the future, I shall set a few rules for you. At most, you may only pass this path to three people. After all, once you accept a Formation Heart from my Enlightenment God Palace, this secret is no longer yours alone. Do you have any objections?”

Fang Chen had already expected there to be restrictions, but he hadn’t expected the other party to offer three slots. Naturally, he had no objections.

”Palace Master, is there any specific significance to these three slots?” asked Fang Chen.

”You haven’t been cultivating long, nor have you been with the Enlightenment God Palace for a great deal of time, so it is natural that you don’t understand the subsequent details of Immortal Paths. You know that a complete immortal path can only support one ninth-transformation immortal. But what you do not know is that even the number of eighth-transformation immortals is limited. It cannot exceed six.”

The blurred figure smiled faintly. ”By granting you three slots, I am giving you half of those positions. As for the remaining three, I may trade them with the Blood Demon Divine Hall or keep them for ourselves. If the slots I keep are insufficient, I will purchase them from you using merit points. It won’t be a forced transaction; I will discuss it with you when the time comes. Are there any other questions?”

Fang Chen shook his head. ”None.”

He proceeded to recite the path of the Heaven Surpassing Yin Buddha in full detail—a total of nine transformations, nine types of immortal herbs.

Since the blurred figure had not dismissed Xie Aman, he clearly did not mind her listening in, and Fang Chen had no objections either. The more people who knew the source of this path, the fewer troubles he would personally face.

”Very well. If any rumors spread in the future, let your Eldest Senior Sister take the fall for you,” said the Palace Master. ”Remember, you only possess eight transformations. ”

He pointed at Xie Aman. ”As for the ninth transformation, she was the one who provided it.”

”Correct. I was the one who extracted the information for the ninth transformation path, it has nothing to do with you,” said Xie Aman with a smile.

Fang Chen bowed with clasped hands. ”Many thanks.”

With that, Xie Aman looked at the blurred figure and asked, ”Palace Master, regarding the next battle for resources, there is no longer a need to fight it, is there?”

The Palace Master nodded. ”There is no need. I will have a talk with them. You may remain here for a while, or you may leave.”

He withdrew the restrictive spell. His silhouette vanished instantly from the Black Dragon Boat.

”You did the right thing this time by not hiding the ninth transformation path. Had you lied, the Palace Master would have known,” Xie Aman sent a voice transmission to Fang Chen, her gaze filled with approval.

Fang Chen smiled but said nothing. From the very beginning, he had no intention of withholding it. Given the sheer power of a ninth-transformation immortal, if the other party were cautious enough, they might have used a soul-searching technique to verify the information. If he had hidden it, he would have risked having his memories scrutinized. It was far better to be direct and gain greater leverage within the Enlightenment God Palace.

Chen Enxue and the others crowded forward.

”The Palace Master has left?”

Xie Aman nodded. ”He’s gone.”

”Did he mention how much merit we’ll receive? I’m just a few points away from being able to exchange for an Immortal Register,” Chen Enxue asked.

”Rest assured, your merit rewards for this mission won’t be trivial,” assured Xie Aman. She then waved her hand impatiently. ”Dismissed. Those of you planning to leave can go and prepare.”

The group understood. It seemed the upcoming battle for resources could indeed be skipped.