Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen had gained an understanding of Monarch Yan’s inheritance through the conversations of these individuals.

The remarkable aspect of Monarch Yan’s inheritance was its ability to seal powerful beings from the Underworld as Yin Soldiers and allow them to walk into the mortal realm, much like the blood paper figure.

If Ji Liang were to acquire such power, it wouldn’t be long before he became a formidable figure in the Central Continent Empire, one that even First Rate Sect Leaders would hesitate to oppose.

As he had said, Celestial Heaven, Northern Dipper, and even the eight other realms could all potentially be unified under his control.

How could Fang Chen allow something like this to happen?

”You’re talking nonsense! You’re a cultivator from the True Martial Realm, how could you gain the approval of the Yin Lunar Divine Beast?!” barked Ji Liang, sneering. ”Although you’re a Day Walker Monarch, it seems that the strength of the Empress far surpasses yours. She saw through your disguise with one glance. Lying in front of the empress is courting death.”

The blood paper figure coldly stared at Fang Chen and said, ”Indeed, the Yin Lunar Divine Beast is not in the True Martial Realm. You cannot gain its approval.”

The empress smiled faintly. ”This little guy is right. If you lie to me, your end will be miserable.”

Fang Chen looked at Ji Liang and sighed. He turned to the empress and said, ”To be honest, I am not a Yin Walker from the True Martial Realm. I come from the same place as Brother Ji. Furthermore, not only have I gained the approval of the Yin Lunar Divine Beast, but even the Twilight Solar Divine Beast and Azure Lightning Divine Beast have shown their recognition of me.”

Ji Liang staggered slightly, looking shocked. ”How does he know about them?!”

The blood paper figure stared at Fang Chen with suspicion, his gaze shifting as though he were deep in thought.

Ji Liang’s expression darkened. ”I come from a place where no one else has gained the approval of the Yin Lunar God Beast. Stop spouting nonsense.”

With the unexpected appearance of a rival for Monarch Yan’s inheritance, Ji Liang felt angry, and urgency rose in his heart. The situation was slipping out of his control, and now everything depended on the empress’s mood. He had to settle things quickly, acquire Monarch Yan’s inheritance, and then return to the mortal realm to cultivate in secret, with hopes of eventually ruling over the world.

”Dao... Dao Child... We, the three Great Dao sects, often discuss in private, and we suspect that Fang Chen might have also gained the approval of the Divine Beasts, although he hasn’t shown the Heavenly Abhorrence Technique...” the Nascent Soul Realm expert of the Morning Star Dao Sect said awkwardly.

”What nonsense are you talking about? Fang Chen failed to condense his Nascent Soul. The bell has already tolled for him. Even if he didn’t die, he isn’t an Immortal Seedling anymore. Even if all of this is false, he cannot possibly be a Day Walker Monarch of the Nether Guards Division,” Ji Liang coldly retorted.

At that moment, the blood paper figure, who had remained silent until now, suddenly waved his sleeve. A cold, eerie Yin energy descended upon Ji Liang and the others, freezing them in place as if they had been paralyzed. They couldn’t move, speak, see, or hear.

The empress watched the blood paper figure with a smile that seemed neither mocking nor approving. ”What is the meaning of this?”

The blood paper figure glanced at her and then turned his gaze to Fang Chen, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. ”Was what you transmitted to me the truth? Are you really Fang Chen?”

Fang Chen’s expression eased up. He reverted to his original appearance. With a faint smile, he said, ”You’ve been following Ji Liang all this time, so I assume you’ve seen me before.”

The blood paper figure stared at the familiar face, instinctively stepping back a few paces, his eyes filled with shock.

”It seems you are the Fang Chen they spoke of. So, you’ve also gained the approval of the Yin Lunar Divine Beast?” the empress asked with a curious expression.

”Naturally.” Fang Chen nodded lightly, then looked at the blood paper figure. ”You simply want to assist in the rise of Monarch Yan. Ji Liang lacks the talent and fortune to achieve what you seek. If you persist in supporting him, it will only lead to failure.

”I’ve heard that more than 6,000 ago, some Yin Demons invaded the underworld. You must have been one of them, right? Your true aim is to return to the mortal realm via the Yellow Springs Road, seeking someone to inherit Monarch Yan’s inheritance, someone who meets certain conditions?”

”You’ve done all this. I am sure you don’t want your efforts to be in vain. If I become Monarch Yan’s inheritor, you and the empress will benefit. Think about it.”

The blood paper figure was silent for a moment.

The empress slowly nodded. ”If he can also use the Heavenly Abhorrence Technique, he would indeed be the best candidate to inherit Monarch Yan’s inheritance. He is, after all, a Day Walker Monarch, and his cultivation is nearly on par with that of ordinary Ghost Gods.”

She sized Fang Chen up with a smile. ”With a little guidance, he could prove to be extremely useful.”

The blood paper figure was silent for a long time, glancing between Ji Liang and Fang Chen, as if struggling with an inner conflict, attempting to make a choice.

After a long pause, he slowly nodded. ”I have one condition.”

”Speak,” Fang Chen said.

”I raised Ji Liang. Let him go, and promise not to trouble him in the future. No matter what happens, spare his life. If you agree to that, I will take you to the place where Monarch Yan’s body was sealed,” the blood paper figure said in a deep voice.

Fang Chen nodded. ”I agree.”

The blood paper figure frowned slightly. ”You’re agreeing so easily?”

”He can’t challenge me. Whether he lives or dies doesn’t matter to me,” Fang Chen said with a faint smile.

The blood paper figure’s eyes flickered with a bitter smile. He hadn’t expected Ji Liang to be so worthless in Fang Chen’s eyes.

As he thought more about it, he realized that Fang Chen’s secrets were numerous. He had been an ordinary cultivator in the mortal realm who hadn’t even formed his Nascent Soul. Yet in the underworld, he was a Day Walker Monarch of the Nether Guards Division...

”One more thing. You must show us your Heavenly Abhorrence Technique.” The blood paper figure took out a jade slip and handed it to Fang Chen. ”This is the Yin Soldier technique. If you can demonstrate it, I will assist you. If you can’t, the empress will naturally take you away.”

Fang Chen took the jade slip, slowly closed his eyes, and felt the surge of Yin energy around him.

In less than five breaths, he had memorized the method for performing the Yin Soldier technique within the jade slip.

When he was done, Fang Chen slowly walked toward the temple’s entrance.

The empress and the blood paper figure followed behind.

Standing at the temple’s entrance, Fang Chen’s thoughts stirred. Immediately, the Yin energy within a radius of several dozen miles began to surge violently. Powerful rubles swept in, landing on the ground and forming soldiers. In an instant, tens of thousands of soldiers appeared before everyone.

These soldiers were all formed from the power of karma within the Yin energy. Unlike regular Yin energy, karma was a complex force. It came from deceased Yin Demons, wandering souls, and even dead mortals, carrying the weight of their life’s karma.

It was only after mastering the Yin Soldier Technique that Fang Chen fully understood. It turned out that the Skin Peeling Technique was not just used to avoid the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations. The karma could be converted into Yin soldiers! The Skin Peeling Technique combined with the Yin Soldier technique formed a complete and powerful set of skills.

The blood paper figure was surprised. Ji Liang would’ve only been able to summon 10 Yin Soldiers with his cultivation. Yet before them, 10,000 Yin soldiers stood. Such a sight hadn’t been seen in a long, long time.

The Yin Demons following Empress Ci looked at Fang Chen with a touch of awe when they saw this scene.

At this moment, Empress Ci raised her hand, and countless strands of Yin energy swept through the air, instantly devouring all the Yin Demons she had brought with her, including the fortune-teller. Only the bearers of the sedan and those carrying the bridal gifts managed to escape unharmed.

Before Fang Chen and the blood paper figure could ask anything, Empress Ci smiled and said, ”These Yin Demons can’t be trusted. They might be spies for some powerful Yin Demon. Let’s head straight to Monarch Yan’s place of death now.”