Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen smiled. ”No need to pay attention to them for now. They will find their own balance.”

The four, including Venerable Fatian, looked at each other, nodded thoughtfully, and then continued to wait quietly.

A few more days later, a group of Ghost Immortals arrived, riding on clouds. They hailed from the Ten Thousand Star Palace.

The tall and short Ghost Immortals went once again to convey Fang Chen’s message. The response they received was the same as the one from Qingkong Mountain, though it lacked the decisiveness of Elder Heiyu.

”Master, I want to go and pay a visit to Monarch Fang. He and I met once before in the ancient forbidden zone during the battle for the Great Thunder Sound.”

Leng Buqi withdrew his gaze from the Eighteen Heavens Prison Tower. Thinking about what the tall and short Ghost Immortals had just said, he couldn’t help but cup his hands toward the grand, imposing middle-aged man before him.

The middle-aged man pondered, ”You want to go see him? Before the situation becomes clear, it is best not to meet.”

Leng Buqi said, ”Master, last time in the Taicang Realm, it was also this person who stepped in to save me and the others...”

The middle-aged man nodded slightly. ”Hmm... you didn’t mention this before. Since that’s the case, it is indeed acceptable to go and see him. He likely won’t make a move against you.”

Leng Buqi immediately broke through the air and departed. Not long after, he located Fang Chen’s location. Upon landing, he cupped his hands and saluted. ”Greetings, Monarch Fang.”

Fang Chen smiled. ”Brother Leng, has the attitude of Ten Thousand Star Palace changed since you came here?”

A look of embarrassment appeared on Leng Buqi’s face. ”My words carry little weight, and it is difficult for me to change the attitude of Ten Thousand Star Palace. I came this time simply to express my gratitude to you once more.”

He felt a surge of emotion in his heart. Back during the battle for Great Thunder Sound, who could have imagined that an inconspicuous core disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace would possess such an identity behind him?

Leng Buqi’s gaze swept lightly across Venerable Fatian and the others.

Eighth transformation powerhouses!

Though the man before him was not old, he already occupied a high position. The followers under his command included not only a ninth-transformation expert but also a number of eighth-transformation cultivators. Fang Chen’s status had actually surpassed the leaders of the various top-tier factions. He was far more detached and transcendent than those existences.

”Are you referring to that time in the Taicang Realm? Think nothing of it. At that time, our goals were the same, so we belonged to the same camp.” Fang Chen smiled. ”If this time all parties fight for this treasure, then everyone will have to face each other with weapons.”

A bitter smile appeared on Leng Buqi’s face.

”Brother, go back and advise your Master. Monarch Yan is the orthodox lineage. What are you all joining the commotion for? Right now, you could gain the merit of following the rightful ruler. Don’t miss this opportunity,” the short Ghost Immortal shouted.

Leng Buqi sighed in his heart, then took a look at Fang Chen and said with a serious expression, ”I do not wish to be your enemy, and I am more than willing to join hands with you to face the campaigns of the Demon Race and the Demonic Beast Race. I will go back and persuade my Master. I hope that this time, Ten Thousand Star Palace can stand on your side.”

Fang Chen smiled and nodded, and said nothing.

***

Over the next ten days to half a month, more and more Ghost Immortals arrived in this space.

Meanwhile, the number of Great Yin Demons by the Forgotten River continued to swell.

During this period, Great Yin Demons launched attacks on the Eighteen Heavens Prison Tower, attempting to subdue the treasure. In the end, they met the same fate, being refined inside amidst howls.

Seeing this scene, the Ghost Immortals of various factions felt a slight chill in their hearts. Confirming that approaching the Eighteen Heavens Prison Tower at this moment carried immense danger, none dared to act rashly.

”The Underworld forces of the Taicang Realm have arrived, as well as those from the Shenwang Realm. Counting the Fangcun Realm, at least half of the factions in the Upper Three Realms that have arrangements in the Underworld are here. The remaining ones should be on their way.”

Fang Chen glanced into the distance, then withdrew his gaze and looked toward Little Sword. After this period of advancement, Little Sword’s aura—just like Fang Chen’s—had firmly stepped into seventh transformation.

Compared to before, her ranking among spirit treasures would naturally rise by a considerable amount as well.

Little Sword landed steadily beside Fang Chen. ”Finally done.”

Seeing that, the Ghost Infant immediately jumped onto Little Sword. It was very close to Little Sword, having played and messed around together many times before.

Venerable Fatian and the others clasped their hands in salute one after another.

”Lady Sword.”

Even though the one before them was merely a Spiritual Treasure, the fact that she was personally carried by a Monarch Yan and could even assume human form clearly proved her extraordinary nature. They naturally dared not be disrespectful.

Holding the Ghost Infant, Little Sword swept her gaze across the Ghost Immortals of the various factions in the distance. ”Little Chen, looks like we may have a fierce battle ahead of us, right? ”

Fang Chen smiled. ”Perhaps a fight will break out, or perhaps it won’t. They are currently seeking a balance. If they cannot find that balance, this battle might not necessarily happen.”

While they were sizing up the Ghost Immortals over there, the Ghost Immortals over there were already seeking their respective balances. From the Shenwang Realm, apart from Qingkong Mountain, the Moonlight Immortal Palace and the Seven Star Temple had also arrived. From the Fangcun Realm came the Ten Thousand Star Palace, the Taiyi Immortal Sect, and the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace. As for the Taicang Realm’s side, it was the Grand Wei Study, the Nine Nether Immortal Sect, and the Black Sun Empire.

Three factions had come from each side, but the three that came from the Taicang Realm were somewhat special. They had long been replaced by the Demon Race, so these Ghost Immortals were naturally born of the Demon Race.

The forces of the three realms confronted each other from afar. Ultimately, the leading Ghost Immortals of each faction arranged a negotiation.

Elder Heiyu held her black flower basket, narrowing her eyes as she sized up the Ghost Immortals from all sides. ”Everyone, if you have something to say, speak plainly.”

Many among them were her ’old friends’ whom she had met at least once or twice, though not very frequently.

”Our factions have always coexisted in peace before, and it should be no different this time. We should join hands to seize this object. Otherwise, if it falls into the hands of Monarch Yan, the situation in the Underworld will be completely altered.”

The one who spoke was a Ghost Immortal from the Moonlight Immortal Palace. The others remained noncommittal to his words, neither agreeing nor objecting.

However, a Ghost Immortal glanced in the direction of Fang Chen and said indifferently, ”He is also of our race. On the contrary, these three... should be born of the Demon Race, right?”

The Ghost Immortal who said that came from the Ten Thousand Star Palace. He swept his gaze over the Ghost Immortals of the Grand Wei Study, the Black Sun Empire, and the Nine Nether Immortal Sect.

Elder Heiyu smiled. ”Did you three hear that? Since you are Ghost Immortals of the Demon Race, there is no possibility of us joining forces. Why do you still have the nerve to come over? Do you want to listen to how we discuss dealing with you?”

”This supreme treasure of the Underworld will either fall into the hands of Monarch Yan or into the hands of the Division Head of the Motian Division. Do you think that with your strength, you can truly obtain this object?”

The leading Ghost Immortal of the Black Sun Empire swept a cold gaze across the crowd. ”The strength of the Motian Division goes without saying, right? As for Monarch Yan, he has the support of numerous Yang Gods. Do you truly think those are the only methods he has at his disposal?”

Hearing that, the expressions of the Ghost Immortals from various factions changed slightly.

The Ghost Immortal of the Black Sun Empire said indifferently, ”The three of our factions have no interest in this object. However, the True Demons behind us share an excellent relationship with the Division Head of the Motian Division. Therefore, we hope to advise everyone to choose the right side wisely. Do not choose the wrong side for the sake of momentary gratification.”

The Ghost Immortal leading the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace spoke in a bone-chilling tone. ”The Motian Division has the background of the Demonic Beasts Race. It does not surprise us that your Demon Race and the Demonic Beasts Race have joined hands. But why do you think we would stand on your side? Wouldn’t that be seeking our own death?”