Immortal of the Nine Realms

Lesser Underworld, Hidden Guard Division.

After years of separation, Xia Ji’s cultivation had progressed rapidly. Perhaps for a cultivator of the Upper Three Realms, two hundred years was nothing, but for Xia Ji’s previous level of cultivation, this span of time was monumental. Before Fang Chen left last time, he had passed the Three Thousand Dao Realm to Xia Ji. With this support, Xia Ji’s current cultivation had clearly stepped into the Tribulation Realm.

”I suspect it won’t be long before you reach the Ascension Realm,” said Fang Chen with a smile as he poured a cup of tea for Xia Ji.

Xia Ji shook his head with a laugh. ”If not for the Three Thousand Dao Realm and the nourishment of the Yin Lifespan here, I couldn’t have possibly cultivated this fast. I’ve thought about it. With my natural talent and a normal cultivation speed, I would probably still be idling in the Middle Three Realms right now.”

Fang Chen remarked, ”Cultivation is a practice of both the inner and outer. The outer represents resources. You have no idea what kind of resources the core disciples at the Enlightenment God Palace enjoy. Once you become a core member, as long as you put in a little effort, you can master top-class techniques.”

The two talked for a while, catching up on each other’s lives over the past years.

Fang Chen asked suddenly, ”Do you still remember Abbess Qinghe?”

”I do. Why mention her so out of the blue? Could it be...”

Xia Ji looked at Fang Chen with a knowing smile.

”Her background is somewhat special,” said Fang Chen. ”Help me look for her over the next few years. Once she’s found, have someone keep an eye on her. Make sure she stays out of trouble.”

”A special background? Understood. I’ll have the Hidden Guard Division pay close attention; I believe we’ll find her soon. After all, Tuxiong Star is only so big.”

”That’s true.”

Fang Chen nodded with a smile before shifting the topic. ”How is my cousin doing these days?”

”Yunxin? She’s doing well. She’s worked hard over the years and is much more mature than before.”

As the Division Monarch of the Hidden Guard Division, Xia Ji naturally made use of his position for personal interests, prioritizing the protection of those close to them. Aside from Fang Zhixue and the others in the Nanqing Constellation who were out of reach, everyone else was under his watch, which had allowed him to resolve numerous crises over the years.

”By the way, during these years, the Spirit God Sect and the Immortal Worshipping Palace have constantly been trying to infiltrate the Lesser Underworld,” reported Xia Ji. ”We’ve captured quite a few of them. Those from the Immortal Worshipping Palace were made to pay a price. As for the Spirit God Sect members, they are either sent to the Punishment Division for Lord Jiang to deal with, or their souls are directly dispersed.”

Fang Chen nodded. ”Excellent work.”

Afterward, he discussed matters regarding the Immortal Paths with Xia Ji.

Fang Chen advised, ”Once you reach the Ascension Realm, don’t rush into becoming a Loose Immortal. Resources are scarce here in the Lower Six Realms, so cultivators here prefer to wait until after the third transformation to search for the immortal herb for the fourth transformation.

”However, from what I’ve observed, this leads to a weak foundation. Every Immortal Path has its unique aspects. Skipping three types of immortal herbs means losing three degrees of foundation.”

”I’ve heard a bit about that, but with the Hidden Guard Division’s current methods, we can’t gather such detailed intelligence yet. The information I have isn’t even a tenth of what you told me today.” Xia Ji laughed. ”With so many Immortal Paths available, I’ll think it over carefully when the time comes and choose a route that suits me.”

”There is one path that is quite good—the True Immortal Path,” said Fang Chen. ”The Minor Immortal Realm is hoarding this path. Even if there are leaks, the Upper Three Realms can only obtain fragmented information about it.”

Xia Ji asked in surprise, ”You have the complete version?”

”I have everything from the first to the eighth transformation. I’ll tell you the herbs required. If you plan to take this path later, you can have the Hidden Guard Division keep an eye out for them. However, you must be careful. To prevent the path from leaking, the Minor Immortal Realm likely keeps a very close watch on these specific herbs. If they find out you are searching for them, they will certainly suspect something, which will invite trouble.”

Xia Ji’s expression turned solemn. He nodded slowly. ”I understand.”

***

After leaving Xia Ji, Fang Chen visited the other divisions before rushing back to the small courtyard where Xu Qinghe stayed.

Without the existence of the Forgotten River, the bridges, and Monarch Yan’s Seal, an ordinary person might spend hundreds or even thousands of years attempting such a round trip. For Fang Chen, it took only half a day, including time for small talk, tea, and handling a mountain of business.

Xu Qinghe greeted Fang Chen with a warm smile. ”You’re back? Is the Yin Lifespan sufficient?”

Fang Chen replied, ”I have two million years of Yin Lifespan, though I am uncertain if it will be enough to complete the Great Decree for Summoning Yin Beasts.”

”If you had sufficient experience, you wouldn’t have such concerns. The amount I stated is the safest estimate; you won’t actually need to use all two million years,” replied Xu Qinghe.

She stood up, walked over to the ghost infant, and whispered a few words in its ear.

The ghost infant let out a series of giggles, yet its tiny hands remained firmly over Little Honglian Immortal’s eyes.

Xu Qinghe said, ”It is ready. You may proceed with the Conferment of the Imperial Decree. It will not resist.”

”Why didn’t the previous Monarch Yan confer it?” asked Fang Chen, feeling curious. ”If he had, you wouldn’t have needed to personally guide it.”

”The previous Monarch Yan was far too arrogant. There were very few who were worthy enough to catch his eye...” Xu Qinghe mused.

Fang Chen understood immediately. The implication was clear. The previous Monarch Yan had simply looked down upon the Ghost Mother of Self Transformation.

Fang Chen said no more and began to write the Great Decree for Summoning Yin Beasts. He had already conferred a Yin Beast before, so this second time was a matter of practice.

During the process, Xu Qinghe stood at the courtyard gate. An invisible screen of light enveloped the area, ensuring not a single wisp of aura leaked out. Even if someone passed directly by the door, they would be unable to see the true scene unfolding inside.

About half an hour later, ancient runes flickered across the ghost infant’s body before vanishing.

The conferment was complete.

The ghost infant instantly leaped from Little Immortal Honglian’s back onto Fang Chen, giggling happily. A special connection had been forged between it and Fang Chen, making it even more affectionate than before. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

Little Immortal Honglian remained completely unaware, as if time had been perfectly frozen for her. After chatting with the two for a short while longer, Xu Qinghe rose to see them out.

Once they were back on the main street and had put some distance between themselves and the courtyard, Little Immortal Honglian finally spoke, a faint look of doubt in her eyes. ”Daoist Fang, is this Senior Xu truly the Ghost Mother of Self Transformation? A former ninth-transformation immortal?”

”She doesn’t seem like it, does she?” Fang Chen smiled. ”Her temperament is very good, exactly as that Daoist described. That is why she sent us away safely back then.”

Suspicion flickered in Little Immortal Honglian’s eyes. ”But she wouldn’t have called you over suddenly just to reminisce, would she?”

”Perhaps it really was just to catch up. Let’s go find Third Senior Sister and the others. There doesn’t seem to be much else to see here. If they aren’t planning to leave yet, we should return to the Mortal Realm first.”

Fang Chen changed the subject and led her through the crowds to search for Chen Enxue and the rest.