Immortal of the Nine Realms

At Thousand Dao Tower, Yan Haoran stood respectfully before Song Zhili, his expression tinged with shame.

”You’re saying... that man surnamed Fang has also reached Hongmo Star?” said Song Zhili coolly. And another of my senior brother’s Bone Destinies was destroyed by him?”

”Exactly,” Yan Haoran replied in a low voice. ”We witnessed the scene and decided not to intervene. We returned straight to Prison Wind.”

”No matter,” Song Zhili said calmly. ”If that young man could slay a second-transformation sword cultivator, you wouldn’t have been able to do anything had you attacked. You might have all been wiped out on Hongmo Star, even.”

He paused in thought. ”Hongmo Star is of little significance. Leave it be for now.”

”Master, what should we do next?” Yan Haoran asked.

”Next... we watch Li Wuwang,” Song Zhili answered with a faint smile.

Yan Haoran nodded. It was clear that in Song Zhili’s eyes, the deal with that True Immortal from the Lesser Immortal Realm was far more important.

***

Deep within an underground palace, a redwood coffin slowly creaked open.

In an instant, crimson light began to flow out from within, but a closer look revealed it wasn’t light, but torrents of powerful blood essence.

A figure sat upright. His blood surged like a rainbow; his every movement radiated the presence of a fearsome beast reborn. ℯℯ𝑙.

Fang Chen let out a sigh. ”The first transformation of the Four Stage Profound Yang Body has multiplied blood essence several hundred times over. It is comparable to an advancement of the Sword Body.”

This split soul of his had successfully cultivated the first transformation of the Four Stage Profound Yang Body and instantly advanced to the peak of the Soul Splitting Realm.

This rate of progression was remarkably fast.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t continue training the second transformation just yet. Only after merging all nine avatars and advancing to the Fusion Realm could he proceed further.

He glanced in a direction. Not far away, another figure was fully absorbed in refining the Frost Water Immortal Flame, apparently nearing the final step.

The frost-like Frost Water Immortal Flame burned fiercely, as if it had developed sentience, pouring steadily into Fang Chen.

As the final wisp of flame disappeared into his brow, one of his immortal meridians was transformed by the flame.

The immortal flame became the meridian, and the meridian became the flame. His aura soared rapidly, soon matching that of the avatar cultivating the Four Stage Profound Yang Body.

”Peak of the Soul Spilling Realm. The Great Heavenly Sovereign Chapter is truly extraordinary. And I have only refined a single type of special spiritual energy. If I refine all ninety-eight types, I might just become a Great Heavenly Sovereign.”

***

In the Underworld, within Jiangguang City, a smile crept on Fang Chen’s face.

With two avatars already reaching a state of perfection, it won’t be long before the remaining seven catch up.

”Lord, Dangyin Mountain’s strength should not be underestimated. Their Mountain Lord is said to be the spirit of an immortal mountain,” Stone Dragon shared in a low voice.

He continued, ”In his past life, he was part of a mountain range in the Immortal Realm that had developed sentience. After death, he fell into the Floating Pagoda Realm and was originally meant to reincarnate into immortality. But due to unforeseen changes, he was denied reincarnation and ultimately became a great Yin Demon. His resentment was immense. After becoming a great Yin Demon, he ruled with extreme brutality.

”He harbors deep hatred toward the Monarch Yan bloodline. In the early years, he frequently hunted and killed members of the Yin Soldier lineage.”

”What Lord Shi Long says is correct,” said Xing Xian solemnly.

Now that the Mountain Lord’s gaze had turned toward Jiangguang City, it meant he had sensed the shifts occurring here and thus sent his son to investigate.

Now that his son had died on this trip, a response was inevitable once news reached Dangyin Mountain.

”If we brought in the old flood dragon... could he stand against the Mountain Lord?” Fang Chen wondered out loud.

In the void, streams of karmic force were constantly gathering toward his azure battle armor. His cultivation was steadily rising. However, the method was far slower than directly using the Skin Peeling Technique to refine another’s karmic power.

”I fear not,” Shi Long replied, shaking his head. ”The old flood dragon only recently advanced to the fourth transformation, while the Dangyin Mountain Lord has been around in the Underworld for more than 15,000 years. His foundation far surpasses the Old Flood Dragon’s. It would probably take three old flood dragons to fight the Dangyin Mountain Lord.”

”Lord, when you killed the Young Mountain Lord... did you leave any survivors?” asked Empress Ci.

”I did not,” Fang Chen said, shaking his head.

Empress Ci concluded, ”In that case... we likely still have time. He died along the way, and there’s no evidence linking his death to us. Given the Mountain Lord’s nature, he likely won’t come in person. He’ll probably send others to scout first.

”All of you should temporarily leave Jiangguang City for now. I’ll remain here to deal with Dangyin Mountain’s envoys.”

Smiling, she continued, ”I’m just a first-transformation great Yin Demon. They won’t find any clues. They won’t believe someone at my level could kill the Mountain Lord’s son.”

”That could be dangerous for you,” Tai Yin Dragon King said, frowning.

When did Empress Ci become so bold? he mused.

”I have already settled my grudges in the Mortal Realm. Since the lord resolved my obsession, it’s only right I do my part now,” Empress Ci said with a soft smile.

”Then let’s follow her plan,” Fang Chen said thoughtfully. ”You all leave Jiangguang City for now. If anything unusual happens here, I’ll sense it. She’ll be able to withdraw safely. There’s no need to worry.”

Everyone nodded. They had nearly forgotten. With Monarch Yan’s power, even if he wasn’t yet a match for the Mountain Lord, the enemy couldn’t easily shake the foundation of the Monarch Yan bloodline.

Not to mention that summoning technique of his—they had all witnessed its mysterious strength.

***

Lesser Underworld, the Capital City.

Qi Tianran summoned Liu Xuan and Zhang Gao before him.

The two of them, as the Left and Right Registrars of the Underworld Official Division, held authority second only to Qi Tianran himself.

Qi Tianran smiled and said, ”These days, new Underworld Official Divisions are sprouting across the Underworld daily. We’re finally on track. Before long, our foundation will rival that of the Nether Guards Division and the Judgment Division.

”You two have worked tirelessly these past weeks. Without your help, I’d be drowning in chaos.”

”You’re too kind, Lord Qi. We’re just doing our duty,” Zhang Gao replied, beaming with pride.

The Underworld Official Division was no longer the obscure office it once was. His salary had risen accordingly, and with some unofficial, tacitly approved income on the side, he could finally afford to advance his cultivation again.

”The main issue now is a lack of personnel. But since the Day Walker and Night Walker lineages have merged into our division, that’s mostly solved. However...” Liu Xuan hesitated, glancing at Qi Tianran. ”My lord, you should still watch out for Jing Xue and Du Yunxu. Their ties to Youfang and Shen Tucang are much closer than ours.”

”You don’t understand. All we need to do is run the Underworld Official Division properly. Competing with other divisions is unnecessary. What’s meant to be ours will come naturally,” Qi Tianran said, waving his hand.

”Just don’t be too complacent. What if, once all the groundwork is laid, someone else swoops in to reap the rewards...” Liu Xuan muttered.

Zhang Gao’s expression darkened. ”Are you suggesting that someone is eyeing the position of Underworld Official Division Monarch?”

”I didn’t say that,” Liu Xuan replied. ”But we must prepare for the worst. We can’t afford to let our guard down. The Yin Walker Division, the Killing Spiritual Division... those are directly loyal to him. The upper echelons of the Judgment Division and Nether Guards Divisions are also his men... And that man... once survived an assassination attempt. He still suspects we were behind it.”

Qi Tianran looked at Liu Xuan with a faint smile. ”No need to worry. I still hold this seat as Underworld Official Division Monarch thanks to him. As long as he doesn’t remove me, I can sit here with ease. You, on the other hand...

”I hear you’ve been slipping into the Floating Pagoda Realm now and then... Are you cozying up with the Yin Demons over there?”