Immortal of the Nine Realms

”The Day Walker Monarch is incredibly busy with his duties, so he won’t show himself. If you wish to meet him, I can introduce you when the opportunity arises,” Du Yunxu said with a faint smile.

Though Ji Liang felt some disappointment, he understood it was reasonable. A figure of such importance wouldn’t meet with mere small players like them so easily.

Ji Liang’s eyes glimmered with a faint smile. ”However, although I am still a small player now, once I inherit the path of Monarch Yan, the underworld....”

When that day comes, even the Day Walker Gods will have to speak carefully in front of me.

The next day, Du Yunxu led everyone out of the capital and to the Forgotten River. Joining them were several practitioners of the underworld, wandering souls, and two Day Walker Gods.

To open the Floating Pagoda Bridge, they needed three Day Walker Gods to act and the approval from a Yin Monarch.

The three Day Walker Gods exchanged glances and slowly entered the Forgotten River. Unlike ordinary souls, who could not linger or move in the air, they could easily walk across the surface of the river.

”Why do the Day Walker Gods have such abilities? Why can’t we easily touch the water?” Ji Liang asked, curious.

”In the past, anyone with an official position in the underworld could freely enter and exit the river, unlike today. These days, only those from the Day Walker and Night Walker lineages can do that without consuming Yin Lifespan,” the blood-red paper figure explained. ”There is a simple reason for this. Only those of the lineages are considered to be close to the realm of ghosts and gods. The rest, even Yin Monarchs, are just wandering souls and cannot be considered true ghosts or gods.”

”If they are not ghosts or gods, then why does the underworld fall under their control?” Ji Liang asked, his face filled with confusion.

”This touches upon the Floating Pagoda Realm. Some things will only become clear to you once you inherit Monarch Yan’s path.” The blood-red paper figure chuckled. ”The Floating Pagoda Realm is fraught with dangers. Once inside, just follow my instructions.”

Ji Liang suddenly glanced at a few of the others beside him. ”Will these people from the Three Great Dao Sects be tempted?”

”They are not Immortal Seedlings and have not gained the approval of the Immortal Gates. Because of this, they cannot touch the Monarch Yan path. You need not worry about them,” the blood-red paper figure replied. ”What you should be concerned about is that if your Immortal Seedling identity is revealed in the Floating Pagoda Realm, as that might attract the attention of powerful Yin Demons. If they consume you, they can replace you, becoming a Ghost God as they leave the Floating Pagoda Realm.”

”Everything will be up to you. Once the matter is complete and I become Monarch Yan of the underworld, you will be the commander of my Nether Guards,” Ji Liang transmitted.

”Naturally. To control the underworld is to control the Nine Realms. At that point, even the small Central Continent Empire will be no grand stage,” the blood-red paper figure said. ”I believe it won’t be long before you rule the world, Young Master. I believe you may even have a chance to contend for immortal ascension.”

Ji Liang chuckled as he shook his head. ”What’s so great about immortality? It’s far better to be a Ghost God. If I sit on Monarch Yan’s throne, I won’t bother with the Immortal Realm and be a small fish in a big pond.”

At that moment, the Forgotten River suddenly surged with waves. The thick fog dissipated, and a bridge materialized out of thin air.

One of the practitioners of the underworld couldn’t help but exclaim, ”So this is the legendary Floating Pagoda Bridge?! I heard it hasn’t appeared in the mortal world for thousands of years. If it weren’t for the appointment of the new Day Walker Monarch, we might never have had the chance to visit the Floating Pagoda Realm in our lifetime.” His cultivation was also quite profound, with a solid and dense aura. He was not weaker than the blood-red paper figure and was on par with the Day Walker Gods like Du Yunxu. The other Yin Walkers had similar strengths.

Without such means, they wouldn’t dare enter the Floating Pagoda Realm, let alone afford the cost of entry.

Du Yunxu and the other three stood at the bridge’s edge, looking at the crowd.

”Everyone, please cross the bridge. Three months from now, we will open the Floating Pagoda Bridge on time. If you can’t return in time, you will wander in the Floating Pagoda Realm for the rest of your life. Think carefully before you cross.”

Even the Yin Walkers and several wandering souls hesitated at this warning. Ji Liang also showed some hesitation.

If the Day Walker Gods don’t open the bridge three months from now, wouldn’t we be trapped in the Floating Pagoda Realm forever?

The blood-red paper figure’s voice rang in Ji Liang’s ear. ”Young Master, if there’s no risk, it would be too easy to walk down Monarch Yan’s path.”

Ji Liang gritted his teeth and stepped onto the bridge, the first to do so. Seeing this, the others exchanged glances. One by one, they silently followed him onto the bridge.

As they watched the group gradually disappear into the bridge, one of the Day Walker Gods curiously asked, ”Yunxu, does our Day Walker Monarch really not fear offending the major Yin Monarchs, especially Monarch You Fang? He has a deep hatred for the Floating Pagoda Realm.”

”Actually, he was already offended when Fu Jin died,” Du Yunxu replied softly.

The two Day Walker Gods exchanged a glance, their expressions slightly grave.

One of them whispered, “I heard you were the one who delivered the edict to him. Did you perhaps meet the...?”

”It seems so...” Du Yunxu murmured, as if recalling something.

”What do you mean by that? Either you saw him, or you didn’t,” one of the Day Walker Gods remarked.

”Because I can’t remember clearly. When I came to him, the edict was already in my hands. I suppose someone like Monarch Yan wouldn’t deign to exchange even a single word with people like us,” Du Yunxu replied with a wry smile.

”True enough... We’ve served as Day Walker Gods for many years, yet we’ve never seen Monarch Yan. I heard the Yin Monarchs in the imperial capital have only seen him a handful of times over the past few centuries,” one of them said.

Another one added, ”Monarch Yan is no ordinary being. He governs all of the underworld, living far longer than those immortals. He’s likely in seclusion, constantly cultivating. His power has likely reached a level beyond our imagination.”

After some casual conversation, they checked the time and collectively closed the Floating Pagoda Bridge. In the distance, several figures quietly observed this scene, waiting until the bridge had fully closed before one of them turned to You Fang with a smile. “Monarch You, see? No trouble at all. I think we could open the Floating Pagoda Bridge every now and then. Although there are many dangers in the Floating Pagoda Realm, it also holds many opportunities. Some of them would make even people like us envious.”

”You can’t be too careful. The Floating Pagoda Realm is chaotic and full of all kinds of Yin Demons. If a few major demons emerge, they’ll devour us in a single bite. While you’re coveting what lies within, those demons are watching you too,” You Fang said with a cold snort, turning to leave.

On the Floating Pagoda Bridge, Ji Liang’s gaze suddenly fell on a scholar among the group.

All the Yin Walkers and wandering souls had considerable cultivation, with most of them being at the Nascent Soul Realm. However, this scholar appeared weaker than them.

Ji Liang approached the scholar with a smile. ”Are you heading to the Floating Pagoda Realm as well? Why are you traveling alone?”

The scholar awkwardly smiled in return. ”I have no background. I’m just going to the Floating Pagoda Realm to try my luck at some immortal fate.”

Ji Liang smiled. ”That’s good, we’re also entering to seek chances. May I ask your name? Why don’t we travel together?”

The scholar paused for a moment, then answered, ”My name is Dongfang Haojie.”