Immortal of the Nine Realms

Over the past decade, the most dramatic change in the Central Continent Empire wasn’t the sudden downfall of a once-renowned powerhouse, nor was it a sect being wiped out overnight by a formidable enemy. It wasn’t even the betrayal of the Corrosive Dragon King. Rather, it was the power shift within the Dao sects of the Central Continent Empire and the figure behind it all, Patriarch Fang.

It was Fang Chen, the very Patriarch Fang who, at Northern Heavenly Gate, turned the situation around with a single sword strike, killing First Rate Sect Leaders. Though most people, including the Immortal Kings, still couldn’t discern the true weight of that strike, nor fully grasp Li Wuwang’s strength, one thing had become clear. The sword leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect, disciple of the Desolate Academy, and ancestor of the Three Thousand Dao Sect, had firmly established himself as the Dao Ancestor.

Those cultivators who had once briefly interacted with Fang Chen were filled with a sudden realization as they recalled their past encounters.

A massive immortal boat was currently speeding toward the territory of the Three Thousand Dao Sect. Aboard it stood the cultivators of the Great Expansion Dao Sect.

Ji Liang, heir of the Daoist Sect and ninth son of the Nine Generation King, had made quite a name for himself in both Daoist circles and the outside world. People from all walks of life had once sought his friendship. Yet now, he stood alone at one corner of the ship, and the closest person to him stood more than ten meters away.

He stared silently into the vast void, watching mountains and rivers blur past. From time to time, whispers drifted to his ears.

”Didn’t our young master once have... a bit of a grudge with Patriarch Fang?”

”The ancestor specifically instructed that he be brought along this time. Maybe...”

”Come on, Patriarch Fang is too lofty to care about such things...”

”The greater the man, the stranger his temperament. Didn’t you see those few sitting in front of the Three Thousand Dao Sect’s ancestral site, drinking tea?”

”Yeah... they’ve been sitting there for years...”

Hearing their words, Ji Liang clenched his fists. ”Fang Chen....”

Soon, his tense fists unfurled in resignation. He recalled the words Ouyang Xuanzhen had said to him, and the message his father had someone deliver.

”This time at the Daoist Conference, you are to resolve your enmity with Patriarch Fang.”

”Heh...”

A faint trace of self-mockery flashed in Ji Liang’s eyes. He had never imagined that with all his status, he would one day end up in such a situation. It all seemed to have started after his trip to the Underworld, when he lost both Xing Xian and his own destiny.

At the Three Thousand Dao Sect, though Li Daoye, their sect master, wasn’t especially powerful, his current status and position were revered. His personal presence in greeting guests left all Daoist cultivators feeling greatly honored. Everyone knew that behind Li Daoye stood none other than Patriarch Fang.

This time, every Dao sect across the Central Continent Empire that had a Middle Three Realms cultivator had been summoned.

Temporary cave dwellings were raised around the Three Thousand Dao Sect to house the arrivals. Some of the larger sects, like Morning Star Dao Palace, Great Expansion Dao Palace, and Innate Dao Palace, had arrived half a year earlier and were still waiting.

Only when ninety-nine percent of the guests had arrived were they finally allowed into the core grounds of the sect.

The Daoist Conference lasted six full months. During that time, figures like Dragon Sovereign, Immortal King Gu Xi, and Ouyang Xuanzhen took turns presenting key issues.

They spoke on the survival of the Daoist path, the future direction for Daoist cultivators, and the current hierarchy between the major sects.

In the end, Dragon Sovereign proposed a major motion—to consolidate resources and establish a promising future for Daoism, a central institution called the Discussing Dao Division would be created, with the Three Thousand Dao Sect as its heart.

The division would be responsible for defining the overall direction of Daoism, coordinating resources, and striving to unify the Daoist forces of the Central Continent Empire into a cohesive whole.

The division’s chief administrator would be none other than Patriarch Fang. Alongside him, 36 Purple Seal Celestial Masters and 72 Golden Seal Celestial Masters would be appointed.

The division would convene once every ten years. Each Celestial Master would have the right to speak and propose plans.

No one dared oppose Dragon Sovereign’s proposal. For many weakening sects, it was nothing short of a blessing. Everyone was aware of the prestige carried by the titles of Purple and Golden Seal Celestial Masters.

Each sect leader began calculating what benefits they might gain from securing a seat. The consensus was clear. Over time, the advantages would be beyond imagination.

If this division were truly established, the Daoist world of the Central Continent Empire would be bound tightly together under the Three Thousand Dao Sect. Such unity would form a terrifying force. Not to mention that they would all gain a powerful backer in the form of a First Rate Sect Leader.

In the crowd, Ji Liang stood without the right to sit, like any other ordinary disciple. He murmured, ”The Discussing Dao Division...”

He had been standing for six months straight. For all that time, he had lived with anxiety, always feeling that Fang Chen might act at any moment to have him arrested. He had even prepared his defense.

But the days passed quietly. Fang Chen remained motionless like a mountain, sitting atop the high platform, calmly listening to the discussions.

He hadn’t so much as glanced in Ji Liang’s direction.

When he heard Dragon Sovereign’s proposal to establish the Discussing Dao Division, Ji Liang finally grasped the real meaning of the Daoist Conference.

”With the founding of the division... from now on, all of the Central Continent Empire’s Daoism force will answer to the Three Thousand Dao Sect—and to him.”

He looked toward the distant figure. Perhaps because of the backlight, he could no longer see the man’s face. There was only a faint silhouette.

Fang Chen’s voice rang out clearly, each word reaching every ear without fail, ”If there are no objections, we will now proceed to selecting the Purple Seal and Golden Seal Celestial Masters.

”The Golden Seal Celestial Masters will be chosen regionally, regardless of cultivation level or background. Each region will nominate its own master. As for the Purple Seal Celestial Masters... They will be appointed by me.”

The major sects with upper-tier cultivators weren’t surprised. They had long expected that the Purple Seal Celestial Masters would be hand-picked by the head of the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

But the sects with only cultivators in the Middle Three Realms were thrilled upon hearing that the Golden Seal positions would be filled by regional nomination. They had assumed those seats would require at least a Dao Union Realm cultivator.

Now, with nominations open and region-based, even Nascent Soul Realm or Soul Splitting Realm cultivators had a chance. Even if they had no decision-making power, just being allowed to attend division meetings promised endless benefits.

Dragon Sovereign suddenly cleared his throat. Once the atmosphere had settled, he raised his voice and said, ”Before we proceed, there is one matter I hope all of you will understand.”

Everyone instantly pricked up their ears.

”Our Daoist sects are now sworn to a death feud with the Spirit Blood Sect. If anyone here has ties to the Spirit Blood Sect, step forward now.”

Instantly, the venue fell into utter silence.

Ouyang Xuanzhen broke the stillness. His cold gaze swept over the crowd. ”If no one steps forward, I’ll begin naming names myself.”

Still, silence. The crowd exchanged uncertain glances, everyone feigning innocence.

Ouyang Xuanzhen pointed a finger and said, ”Very well. Daoist Diao Wu of Qianshan Sect.”

A Dao Union Realm cultivator visibly shuddered, staring at Ouyang Xuanzhen in disbelief before shouting in panic, ”I am not a member of the Spirit Blood Sect!”

He paused, then turned and roared to the crowd, ”Can’t you see what this is? This so-called Daoist Conference, this Discussing Dao Division... It’s all a slow-boil trap by the Three Thousand Dao Sect! That man just wants to kill us all!”

His voice rang with anguish and fury, filled with deep unwillingness.